I thought it was strange how distant he got after that conversation, but now with what I found and...and who we didn't find...I honestly believe he killed him.
*Ted looked up at Detective Shapiro from his seat on him and Paul's couch. He was clearly distressed, tears staining his face. The result of his night at his father's resulted in careful plotting. If he could catch Paul at home after work he'd have to at least get questioned by an officer..and it would be nice to have a mediator for the no doubt harsh conversation they would have.
Ted felt terrible betraying this husband like this, but what had happened was wrong. Horribly wrong. And it was making him wonder about all the other mysterious deaths in this damn town.*
I found the evidence in my car, which makes no sense to me because I hadn't used it all weekend! I went out on the neighborhood search the day after Mark was reported missing and Paul stayed home to make dinner.
@teddybearspankingoffurski
Listen, Mr. Matthews I-
*The look he gave her made her stop to reconsider.*
Ted. We can't be sure of anything until our lab results come back on the stuff you found in your car.
*She gave him an awkward pat on the shoulder, crying people weren't her strong suit. Her strong suit was interrogation and investigation, she really should've brought along a counsellor or something. She let out a huff, glancing at the files she'd brought along.
She didn't even know how to comfort the poor man, Paul seemed like a nice guy. He donated a quarter of his yearly salary to the Hatchetfield child fund, he did charity work with the police every other week. It just didn't make sense for him to go around murdering good people like Mark.
Really the only she had besides the evidence they'd yet to confirm was Ted's word and his criminal records from when he was in highschool, which were years in the past. The occasional possession of substances, a few fist fights, and being a suspect in the murder of one Riley Wilkinson. Not even a psyche evaluation, just a good, community oriented man. Well, besides his dislike of theatre, but, that wasn't much of anything to convict for murder over.*
I promise you, we will get to the bottom of this. If Paul is guilty, he will be taken care of. You're safe with me, everything will be okay.
He's a good man Shapiro, believe me I know it. Hell, I married the guy for fucks sake! But something's been not right. I can feel it in my gut.
*Ted sighed, running a hand over his face. He hated the waiting. And he hated that Shapiro didn't know the town like the other officers. She was still new, still getting acquainted with people. If she knew how Ted was before he married Paul she'd probably take his accusations a bit more seriously.*
In the last year or two I've lost so many friends- ex lovers- just...I'm starting to wonder if it's all connected somehow.
*He shrugged, looking at the floor. He didn't like thinking this way about Paul. That man was his whole world.*
I dunno, you think I'm crazy so I should just stop talking.
*Just as Shapiro went to reply and reassure, the door lock beeped and buzzed open. A very cold, rosy-cheeked, but happy, Paul walked in. He sniffled a bit, placing some things down on the counter as he hung up his coat. He hummed to himself, looking at all the little Christmas things he pulled out of the garage to get the house all cute and warm feeling.*
Ted! Honey! I'm home!
*He shuffled in, sorting small things out, throwing garbage that Ted had left on the counter. He shivered a bit as he walked into the living room, still looking around and imagining where he was going to put all the stuff.*
It's just hailing up a storm out there, everything is slush and I know I said I wasn't gonna buy anything this year but there was this really cute candle holder so I also had to get a matching candle and I got it in cinnamon vanilla, just how you like it-
*Paul stopped when he turned the corner and saw Shapiro, not just Shapiro, but his very upset looking husband who obviously had been crying. He gave them a befuddled look, big goofy grin dropping into a concerned frown.*
Ted? What's going on? Are you alright?
*Ted just about burst into tears again, the sweetness of the gesture and the sincerity of the concern was making the guilt overwhelming.*
Uh- Paul, sweetheart, can you please sit down?
*He only continued on when Paul sat beside him, fiddling with his pajama pants as he spoke.*
Look I um- I found some concerning stuff in my car last night. Stuff I know I didn't leave in there and I figured you probably did because you've been home. A-and I saw you toss my keys too. And you've been acting different and-
*He was rambling, none of what he was saying should make sense to anyone but him and Shapiro*
*Shapiro rested a hand on Ted's shoulder, thumb moving in slow circles in an effort to comfort him.*
Listen, Ted, I need you to calm down. We can't get through this if you're panicking. You're completely safe.
*The mention of safety being questioned made Paul's demeanour shift a bit, like he was offended that something about him wasn't automatically presumed safe with Ted.
Shapiro sighed softly, glancing between the two men awkwardly.*
Ted, can you please recall yesterday's events up until you were about to leave in detail? Slowly and calmly. Paul I will get to you in a moment.
*Ted was already starting to regret ever calling the cops. He should have spoken to Paul first. This wasn't exactly the kind of third he'd imagined having between them. He looked to Shapiro, appreciating the reassurance and nodding to her suggestion. Well- order really. He took a deep breath to try and ground himself.*
Yesterday, I left the house at around 4 pm to go join the search party for Mark Chasity. I stayed with the crew for 3 hours, and came back home around 7-ish? I wasn't paying too much attention to the time but Paul had made dinner so I know it was definitely later. Hard to tell when it gets dark early like that.
*He chuckled a bit to himself, because how else would Ted Spankoffski cope other than laughter? He couldn't exactly start drinking.*
I was feeling generally uneasy and upset over everything, and so I went upstairs and took a shower. I didn't eat dinner. Paul was being sweet, of course, but I-I dunno it was just...you know how when a little kid figures out how to lie they get all smiley and cutesy when they try to lie to you? That's the kind of sweetness I'm talking about here- no offense Paul, I don't think you meant to come off that way.
*He gave his husband a small apologetic smile, just wanting to not become the awful person he thought he'd left behind him*
So, I shower, and when I get out I decided that I wanted to stay at my dad's. Just generally feeling uncomfortable and I wanted to be with my family. I got dressed and Paul took care of the dirty laundry, asked me how I was doing. I explained to him I was going to stay the night at my dad's, and when I went to go get my keys they were gone. I hadn't touched my car or keys all day, so they shouldn't have moved from the hook. Paul suggested I go through the laundry cuz' maybe I left them in my pants. It didn't make sense to me but I did it anyway. When I came upstairs again, I watched him toss my keys to the ground just beneath the coat rack. Then he told me he "found" them and sent me on my way.
*This was the uncomfortable part that he didn't want to relive now. He looked up to Shapiro who seemed to egg him on. He swallowed hard, looking down at his pants again.*
When I opened the car door, something fell out. It was a tooth. Like there was no mistaking that. It was a tooth. I-i didn't wanna think about it so I was just gonna throw it into the glove box and deal with it in the morning but then when I did that there was hair in my glovebox. I knew Mark well. That was his hair, I can almost guarantee it. I expect you to get back to me about that by the way, I want to know I'm right.
*He shot Shapiro a look at that.*
A-after that I called the cops. I can't just come across evidence like that and leave it alone, I had to call the cops. And..Paul you were the only person with access to my car all day. And you had my keys when I couldn't find them.. so...uh- y-yeah.
*He didn't look particularly relieved about this.*
*Shapiro gave him a look right back, not really appreciating the comment considering it wasn't up to her how fast it got done. Still, she listened intently, looking for any holes, anywhere Ted might've changed his story if he'd been lying. She couldn't recall anything, even with her notes, it seemed genuine to her. She still didn't know how she felt about Paul being the main suspect here, but that was up to the judge and evidence to decide. She sighed, turning to look at Paul.*
Thank you, Ted.
Mr. Matthews, could you please recount everything that happened that day in detail?
@paul-j-matthews
*Paul stared blankly at Ted the entirety of the time that he was speaking, vague concern and quickly souring affection settling in his pupils as they bore into his husband's face. His eyebrows furrowed as Shapiro addressed him, scoffing and letting out an exasperated chuckle.*
This is absolutely ridiculous. Is this an early April fools prank or something? Haha. You got me! Send me to jail already!
*He silenced himself at the serious atmosphere of the room, realization and panic settling in. He was fucked. Like seriously fucked. Even with the planted evidence and the best lawyer in town, he barely had a chance. Still, he kept his cool, crossing his arms defensively as he leaned back in his chair.*
Fine. Whatever. I woke up, Ted was sleeping in cause we had the day off, I made us both some breakfast. He didn't eat it, he had some cereal instead, obviously upset by Mark being reported missing the night before. I was okay with that, Richie was happy to come over and eat it before work. Ted mostly just napped and avoided me for the day.
*He gave Ted a mildly hurt look, a genuine one too. He had missed him all day yesterday and all he did was call the cops on him after that.*
Still, whatever. I cleaned the bathrooms, made some soup for lunch, dropped off a package to my brother for his birthday. Came back and got all my errands done. Ted left around 4 like he said, I started making supper at about 5:30, that way it was ready when he came home around an hour or two later. He didn't eat it, went for a shower, I ate alone.
*He didn't look at Ted that time, preferring to stare at the floor with a pained glare.*
I went to do the laundry, he let me know he was going to his dad's house, he couldn't find his keys, and hell, maybe I found the in his pockets earlier. But can you blame me for tossing them? What man doesn't wanna see his husband bend over?
*Part of that was why he threw the keys to the floor instead of just putting them anywhere else, so he was glad his ears going red helped that cause.*
@teddybearspankingoffurski
*Ted took a deep breath, staring intently at his husband as he explained everything, hoping to hear something that could sway what he had made up in his mind. But with how dismissive and irritated his tone was, Ted wasn't getting very hopeful. If Paul had really done nothing wrong he would've been much more calm, and a lot less pissy. That's what Paul had shown Ted in not only their year of marriage, but also their many years of friendship. Ted frowned at the comment about bending over. Normally he would have found it a bit funny, even agreed with his husband, but he was clearly in no mood last night. Paul would never try something when Ted was so clearly not for it.*
Paul, I want to believe the best of you okay- you think this was easy for me to do? I don't want to lose you.
*His voice was pained, eyes watering slightly. Ted replayed the events of Paul's day in his head, and he got stuck on one detail that would be very important.*
... who's car did you take.
I would've done the same. I don't care, Theodore. Nothing we can do now.
*He turned to Shapiro, still refusing to look at Ted.*
Mine, I still have the receipt from filling up the gas somewhere.
*His pocket buzzed, Gary. Wondering where he was. He was supposed to have left for his office ten minutes ago. Whatever. He'd understand once they were in the cell.*
*At almost the same moment, Shapiro's pager buzzed. It was Bailey, reporting on behalf of the forensics team.*
B: We've got a confirm on the hair. Still on the tooth but the flesh seems to also match our DNA files. S: Get the nearest squad to 13th Pinebrook. Bring an extra set of cuffs.
*She turned to both men, sighing softly. She clipped her pager back to her belt and stood, pulling the feuding couple to their feet and cuffing Paul first. Ted could be equally as dangerous, but he was the one that reported everything, she'd get to him once someone else pulled up.*
I'm afraid we'll have to continue this down at the station. Mr. Spankoffski, if you could wait right there as another squad car pulls in, that'd be great.
@teddybearspankingoffurski
*Ted nodded, trying not to look at the cuffs that seemed just a touch too tight on Paul's wrists. It was starting to get hard to breathe, the reality of the situation hitting him hard. That was his husband. He loved him. Why was he doing this..? If his guess was true, then he wasn't really doing anything wrong. Paul was a murderer and people would look at Ted a bit differently. If he was wrong though... That thought alone had him panicking. He was making a huge fool of himself, wasn't he? Someone else could've planted that stuff, maybe he'd left the car unlocked. Did he really have enough evidence to support this?*
Yeah... that's fine. I can wait. Thank you for um- for coming out.
Don't thank me. It's my job.
*The front door opened once more, having been left unlocked by Shapiro in case she needed back up. In walked Bailey and Turner, neither of them looking very pleased with the situation. A second set of handcuffs clicked as they snapped onto Ted's wrists, it was not looking good for either of the men really.
There was substantial evidence against them both, especially considering Ted's psychological record. That and he wasn't very well liked by any of the staff besides his marital status to Paul. But Paul wasn't known for being the most stable either, and it was eerie how well they both acted if you considered both of them to be playing innocent. Still, she'd get to the bottom of it, she always did.*
Alright boys, different cars. Different cells. I don't want to see any discussion between the two. Bailey, you're with me.