Part 78

Johnny called the number that Eddie gave him. He explained his need to speak to Mr. Noodleman. "I'm sorry, but we're only allowed to let them speak with family." The guard explained.

"Yeah, unfortunately he has no family. He drove off his only son. Look, please, I have to talk with him. My father's freedom depends on it!" He begged.

The guard sighed. "I will get him on the phone."

A few minutes later, he heard a voice. "Frederick Noodleman speaking."

"Mr. Noodleman, we've only spoken once. I'm Johnny, Marcus Green's son. I'm friends with Eddie," he told him.

"Hmm, and what can I do for you, Johnny?" He asked shortly.

"I need to know how your wife knew that my father was in Redshore City last May? Assuming you know," the silverback asked.

"I might know something…" Mr. Noodleman said cryptically. "I'm not sure, my memory is so fuzzy."

Johnny groaned. "What do you want?" He asked.

"My son! I will only tell my son what I know," he said. "Have him call me and I will tell him what you need to know."

Johnny growled. "You don't have a son anymore. You threw him away, remember?"

"I will only tell my son," Mr. Noodleman said again. "Until then…" He hung up the phone.

Johnny shook his head. "He knows but he'll only tell Eddie. How can I ask Eddie to talk to him?" He put away his phone. "I'll talk to him in the morning. It's late… don't worry, Dad. We'll figure this out. I won't let him go to jail, Nooshy." He hugged her and then his father. "I better go back to Ryan. He's probably getting worried."

"Of course. I'm not worried," Marcus assured him. "I know it's going to be fine."

Johnny faked a confident smile and left. "Mr. Moon, I don't know if you can hear me. Please, help protect my dad, help me get him off. Please." He begged, grasping his pendant of ash.

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At home, Ash sat on her couch with her guitar and laptop while Tyler played Candyland with the twins. She couldn't get this idea out of her head after his story about the Mexican customs and her dream. She needed to write it down. She looked up at the great ape as he laughed with them.

"Oh no, I'm stuck in Molasses Swamp!" He declared. "I lose my next turn. Darn." He pretended to pout.

"You're silly, Uncle Tyler!" Raquelle teased him.

She chuckled. They just loved him and he was so generous to give up so much of his time to help her. No wonder Alphonso called him his best friend.

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Reluctantly, Nooshy and Porsha went to get ready for bed. "What are we going to do?" Nooshy asked. "There's got to be something…"

Porsha shook her head. "We're going to do what he says. I've already sent the email to my lawyer. I should hear back tomorrow. It'll be okay, Noosh…" She couldn't lose her head. Her little sister needed her collected, thinking clearly. "We just need to trust that Big Daddy knows what he's doing." She climbed up the top bunk of their shared bed. "And no matter what, we'll stick together."

Nooshy nodded and rolled over. She was afraid of losing the only father she ever knew. Trusting anything or anyone was hard.

Porsha lay her head on the pillow. It was her fault this was happening. Big Daddy only did what he did to protect her and her best interests. She closed her eyes, slipping into a troubled sleep.

What felt like, only a few minutes later, she felt a weight settle on her bed and a soft hand pet her head gently. She opened her eyes and smiled. "Daddy… you're here…"

"I told you, I'm always here with you. What's wrong baby?" He asked her.

She looked up at him. "Big Daddy… he's being arrested again tomorrow. They're trying to say he killed you." She felt tears in her eyes.

James nodded. "I know."

"But that's not true. You told me that it was your choice," she said. "It's not fair."

"Porsha, it was my choice. And you're right, it's not fair. But I need you to trust me now. It's going to be alright," he stroked her fur. "I'm not about to let him be taken from you. That would defeat the purpose of my jumping in the first place. And I did jump. I'm sorry this is happening, baby girl. But trust me to protect you now."

She sighed as he gently stroked her head as he did when she was little. "Okay, Daddy… I trust you…" she let herself fall into a deeper sleep, her father's spirit fading from view as normal dreams took his place.

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It was almost midnight, at least according to the clock on the golden desk. Golden desk? He looked around. Golden sofa, ivory pillars with gold trim, a white and gold Persian runner and beautiful herringbone, mahogany wood floor. What was he doing back in the Crystal's office? When he went to bed, he was in his room in the pink Noodleman Manor. How did he get here?

A gravelly voice chuckled and he looked back at the desk. The chair was turned to the windows. "Mr. Crystal?"

"Yes, Jerry, it's me," he swiveled around in his chair. "I guess you're wondering why I called this little meeting." He quipped and indicated for Jerry to sit in the chair across from him. The tortoiseshell cat scurried into the chair. The last time he'd seen his boss was at the funeral. The last time he even spoke to him was when he attempted to call the wolf back down from the catwalk. "I need to start by apologizing. I knew how you felt and I hurt you, I used you and I abused you. For that I am deeply ashamed and I'm sorry. I know it doesn't fix it but I'm still sorry."

Jerry looked down sadly. He thought he was done grieving this man. "I didn't mind it. I just wanted to be near you. No matter what."

Crystal nodded. "I am aware but that only makes my actions and cruel words even more shameful. You were loyal to me without question. Even when I was at my worst and my most evil."

"You weren't evil, sir!" Jerry insisted. "I know what you went through. You weren't evil. You were sick. And I was the only one who saw it. I knew you at your most vulnerable, remember. I knew that wasn't you that night. If you were in your right mind, you never would have hurt anyone!"

Crystal gave him a grateful expression. "That's why I jumped." He watched Jerry jump a little. "It was my choice. I knew it was the only way to protect Porsha. Not just her inheritance but… What if I snapped again and hurt her. Or Suki or you. I had just killed Mr. Moon. It would have been all too easy to do it again."

"I don't believe that, sir. I think you regretted what you did the minute it happened," he looked down. "I can't believe you would jump of your own choice."

"Jerry, I need you to understand. I know you almost made your own terrible mistake in my name, no less. Worse, you tried to harm a child to get revenge for me. You tried to hurt Porsha," the wolf growled. "In a short time, you will be called to say what happened to me. I want you to say you were there and that I willingly committed suicide. I need you to say that I took my own life of my own volition. Do you understand me?"

The cat looked away. "I can't lie, Mr. Crystal. You know I've never been good at lying."

He nodded. "You're not technically lying. Yes, Mr. Green talked me into it but the choice was mine. He was completely willing to let me see what prison was like." He shuddered. "He's right, I would not have survived. And Porsha would have been hurt worse than she needed to be. So it's not a lie. I killed myself that night and I need you to say that you witnessed me doing so. If you cared about me then, then care about and protect my daughter now." He ordered.

Jerry felt himself tearing up. "I don't understand why it's so important. Why does it have to be me? I bet Suki will say it."

"Suki is compromised. They won't take her word and they'll just claim Porsha is another victim," he argued. "You're the only one left who can make a difference. I expect you to do this last task for me. Please. Don't let my death be in vain."

Crystal never said 'please.' It certainly got Jerry's attention and he nodded. "I… I'll try… sir. I'll try." He promised. The office was starting to fade away. "Sir?"

"It's almost morning and you were always an early riser. Thank you, Jerry, for your loyalty. Just do this last thing for me and then move on," he vanished with the room just as Jerry's alarm went off at his usual time.

Jerry sat up, rubbing his eyes. He opened them, wondering if he really just saw Mr. Crystal or if it was just a dream.

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Johnny and Ryan went over to the theater that morning. Sara was back in front of the tv. "Hey, Gunter, what if we let Sarah and Neo play at the park later today?" Ryan suggested.

"Great idea!" Gunter said. "Sarah, we're going to the park today." The little girl squealed with glee.

Eddie came downstairs. "Johnny, were you able to talk to him?"

"Briefly, but he won't tell me what I need to know," the gorilla said. "He'll only tell you."

The sheep groaned. "He's trying to force me to talk to him, to forgive him. It won't work. Fine. Join me in the office." He looked at Gunter. He nodded and followed them both. He dialed the number and put it on speaker. He did the "be quiet" gesture. He wanted his father to think he was alone. It was time to find out what he wanted to say so badly that he was willing to risk an innocent man's freedom.

"Calatonia State Prison, Santa Francesca. This is Warden Popov on duty," a voice came over the line.

"Yes, this Eddie, formerly known as Noodleman, I need to speak with Frederick Noodleman, please. It's a matter of some urgency," the sheep requested.

"Absolutely, Eddie, how are you doing?" The warden asked. "I heard about what happened."

"Yeah, maybe you shouldn't have let my egg donor out, just a thunk," he wasn't in the mood for small talk.

The sound of a door opened in the distance. "Mr. Noodleman, you have a phone call from your son."

"After he has the phone, we need complete privacy, if you don't mind," Eddie said. He certainly wasn't asking.

A few moments later, he heard the exchange of the device and the sound of footsteps and the door closing.

"We're alone, son," his father's voice assured him.

"Don't call me that! I'm Mr. Moon-Suarez to you! Now, I understand you want to tell me how Mom knew Mr. Green left the city at any point in time?" Eddie demanded.

There was silence over the line. "You know, you really should come here. We can talk in person."

"No, that's not happening. If you want there to be any chance of forgiveness, tell me what you know. Otherwise, I hang up now and you'll never hear from me again. We'll solve the problem without you," Eddie threatened.

He heard a heavy sigh. "Fine. But you cannot tell that monster gorilla. He didn't mean to. Your mother manipulated him into it."

The sheep groaned. "Oh, don't do that! You know good and well that Mr. Green is a good gorilla. At least he loves and supports his son unconditionally and even stands up for him. You never stood up for me! Now who is her source?"

"Your grandmother was out and he was tending to the plants him some time ago. Your mother and I approached him and she started doing what she does. She just kept pushing and prodding until he said "if you don't leave Eddie and me alone, I'll let Mr. Green deal with you like he dealt with Crystal."

Johnny hissed silently. Eddie shook his hand. "Who, Dad? Was it Hobbs?"

"No, it was the cat that Nana took in. Your friend, I forget his name," Mr. Noodleman stumbled. "I know he already had history with Mr. Green and I don't want him getting revenge."

Eddie looked at Johnny and sighed. "You mean, Jerry? That makes a lot of sense. Don't worry, he's in no danger. Everyone knows she was just a manipulative witch." He groaned. "Thanks. That helps us. I'll warn you though, if Mr. Green and his family come to any harm, I will never forgive you!" He hung up the phone with a sharp push of the button,

Gunter rolled his eyes. "That little cat…."

Johnny kicked at an empty box. "He threw us under the bus. Again! What are we supposed to do?"

Eddie shook his head. "We talk to him and get him to set the record straight. We can get your dad off. I know we can." He reassured him.

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Suki pleaded with Marcus to wait until Mr. Grisham got there but when the police came, they were unwilling to allow it.

"His attorney can come talk to him at the detention center like all the others," the LEO stated with a lack of empathy.

Porsha and Nooshy got in front of Marcus. "You're not taking our dad anywhere!" Nooshy glared.

The officer rolled his eyes. "Step aside, ladies. Let us do our job."

"No! You can't! Please," Porsha begged. "This is a misunderstanding. He didn't hurt anyone! I can prove it." She tried to offer the note but Marcus touched her shoulder.

"Not yet," he told her. "It's okay, girls. Let them do what they have to do. Everything is going to be alright." He reassured her. All this cop would do is conveniently lose the valuable piece of evidence. Law Enforcement despised him thanks to Mr. Moon helping him to get community service and probation to begin with. He held out his wrists to the officer, letting him put the large cuffs on him. "It won't be for long and I am strong enough. He looked at Suki. "Take pictures. Every day. Let me see how they're growing, please."

She nodded and kissed his cheek. "We'll get through this. Mr. Grisham will be here soon. He'll handle this. I bet you'll be home by dinner time. And I'll make your favorites. Fried stuff with cheese." She teased.

"Mmmm, I can't wait," he kissed her back before letting the cops lead him down the stairs. Klaus waited for him downstairs. Ryan had told him what was going on. "I expect you to help keep an eye on my family. And you better be good to Neo and Johnny while I'm gone." He glared at the dance instructor. He was glad Johnny was still talking with Noodleman. His son would only make this harder. He let the cop put him in the car and watched out the window as his family faded into the distance on the way to the detention center.

AN: Has Mr. Noodleman really seen the error of his ways or has he just figured out that he's fighting a losing battle? Will Jerry be able to convince the judge that Crystal did in fact kill himself and get Marcus released? Keep reading and find out. Please review.