Page 61 of Judas

She stared at him for a long time, hoping her long pause would bring about the truth.'Just say it, Dad! This is your last chance!'Her inner voice screamed inside her mind. But she was met with more silence and Paul's shadowy blue eyes.

He took her gently by the shoulder's and Eliza struggled not to recoil, "Sweetheart. Everything is fine, we're gonna win this election…and your daddy is going to bring you with him to the top!"

"Mr. Arthur?" a middle-aged man with a head full of salt-and-pepper hair and a white lab coat said as he strode confidently into the room.

"Doc Fayden, good to see you, sir!" Paul shook the man's hand. "I hope those are my walking papers…I've got a hoard of press outside waiting for my return."

Doctor Fayden smiled, "I know, Paul…and a state senate to wrangle." He turned to Eliza, "Make sure he takes it easy out there…even though he may not believe it, he needs lots of rest. Those stitches still need a little healing… just as much as that knock to the head."

"I'll do my best," she nodded curtly.

"Enough of all of that," Paul waved his hand at the pair, before shaking the doctor's hand again. "Don't forget to vote for decency, come November." He turned to Judas, "Let's go Jude."

Judas nodded and Bobby held the door until everyone exited the room. They walked in a single file line through the unit's hallways with Judas taking point and the large linebacker bringing up the rear. In the elevator, the large pair of men blocked the inside of the car like a barricade until they arrivedon the ground floor. Just outside the large doors, reporters and a small crowd of onlookers are gathered in an adjoining courtyard.

"This is it! Look alive people," a charismatic smile spread on Paul's face as the doors swished open and a cacophony of shouted questions and flashing bulbs assaulted the group. Judas held his arm out to keep the reporters closing in at a minute's distance until he guided Paul to a small podium.

Once Paul was in front of the spectators Judas stepped away, pulling Eliza with him. He pointed at Bobby to follow and the man's eyebrow raised in concern, "Shouldn't someone—"

Judas cut him short, "Mr. Arthur needs space."

Eliza watched her father wave at the cameras, point to people in the crowd he pretended to know, and blow kisses to babies. She knew it was all a show and the curtain was getting ready to fall. Part of her didn't want to watch him do this again. She hated the falsity of this election at every step and didn't think she could handle one more second of it. But, the other part of her knew she needed closure. She needed to know that one more bad guy was gone and wouldn't hurt anyone ever again.

"Good morning my fine friends!" Paul's amplified voice hushed the crowd. "I appreciate you all coming out today. You know, there have been a lot of times in my life when I've questioned my path…my duty in this life. When I lost my sweet wife, Catherine, God rest her soul, I didn't know what I was going to do with myself. Here I was, a single father, to the most beautiful child God has granted." He smiled at Eliza. "I tell you, if it wasn't for that wonderful girl, I know I would have lost hope. That's what I want to talk to you all about today. Hope. We have an opportunity to bring back our good old days! Remember when you played stickball in the streets? Back when your neighborhoods were clean and safe? No drugs. No riff-raff. When police were respected?"

The crowd erupted in applause.

His voice grew stronger, "I tell you we have hope! We can make our family safe again! We can bring back decency and good old Texas values. Ryan Marquez and his leftist gang can't do that!"

The cheers from the audience grew and Paul's name was chanted over and over. He was almost giddy when he saw Lydia and a group of paralegals from his office standing near Eliza. His star had risen, and he knew it. The more his supporters encouraged him, the brighter he smiled. Not even when he looked out into the small sea of people and his eyes landed on Chet, Reba, and Dave, did his smile fade. Eliza watched her father swallow hard, the only indication of his worry before he cut his eyes in her direction, but her plain expression never changed.

"I can tell you're all good people here…including my longest friend, right there!" Paul motioned to Chet who stood stoically next to his wife. "Chet Branson everyone…we've known each other for a lot of years. Been through a lot together. It's the kind of friendship that you just know they've got your back. And I want to do the same for you all! I'm going to have your back in Austin!"

The whoops and yells of approval were deafening. Two men in dark suits stepped behind Paul and three of his guards made a defensive move to intercept.

Judas spoke into his microphone running through his sleeve, "Stand down and observe. There's no threat."

The three men's heads whipped in Judas' direction and he nodded at them. Taking a step back they maintained their positions. With all of the commotion the gathered crowd made, Paul failed to notice either of the two men, the directive of his guards or that he now was surrounded with four uniformed Dallas police officers. One of the suited men, a tall Latin gentleman in his mid-thirties, lay a hand on Paul's shoulder.

"Mr. Arthur?" he said as Paul spun on him in surprise.

He covered the microphone, "Son, can this wait? These people aren't a threat."

"Mr. Arthur, I'm Detective Reyes with the Dallas Special Victims Unit," Reyes announced.

Paul nodded aggressively, "That's all fine and good, but as you can see we're in the middle of something right now." He turned to find Eliza. She stood just a few feet from him with Judas' arm wrapped tightly around her waist. "Betsy! Come here, handle this."

A hush began to build throughout the crowd as people craned their necks around the press to see what was happening. Eliza and Judas stepped forward as Reyes cleared his throat.

"Mr. Arthur, I have a warrant for your arrest. Please put your hands behind your back," he ordered.

"What are you talking about?! I demand to speak with Chief Buccio! Better yet, Betsy! Get Mr. Castile on the phone! That's right, boy…I have the City Manager on speed dial," Paul's fury was palpable as he bellowed at the detective. "Betsy! Do as I said!"

Eliza shook her head.

Keeping his calm demeanor, Reyes' eyes narrowed on the older man, "Sir, the chief and Mr. Castile have already been made aware of this warrant. Now, I need you to put your hands behind your back."

The crowd was absolutely silent.

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