LOVE, LIKE HIS - Chapter 18 - The Library - An Original Story by @papa-pepper
Well, @papa-pepper just learned something new today.
"NaNoWriMo?"
Being a busy man with a lot to do, I had seen some "NaNoWriMo" posts coming across my feed, but since I never knew what it was, I never looked into it.
Turns out, as everyone else probably already knows, "NaNoWriMo" is an abbreviation of "National Novel Writing Month." The technical goal of this "NaNoWriMo" endeavor is that people attempt to write a 50,000 word novel between November 1st and November 30th.
I have actually been writing this novel since 2011 or 2012, and when steemit came out, I began to continue. I am not actually attempting the NaNoWriMo challenge, but in honor of learning about it, here is the next chapter of my novel, Love Like His.
CHAPTER 18 : THE LIBRARY
Gary pulls into the library parking lot, wondering about what Ray is up to. He’d received the phone call just before his normal lunch break, so he was able to leave almost immediately to meet up with Ray.
It meant that Gary would have to miss his customary vanilla ice cream cone for lunch dessert, but it was a small price to pay to find out what his friend is up to.
Inside, Ray is sitting upstairs at a computer desk, reading the text on the screen. Gary startles him when he approaches, but Ray is relieved when he recognizes who it is.
“Gary!” he gasps, rising to greet his friend. For a moment, he had thought that it may have been Cromwell coming. Relieved indeed!
The relief quickly turns to caution and concern, as Ray remembers the task at hand.
“Gary, you’ve got to see what I’ve found.”
“Yes, please Ray, clue me in. Exactly what it is that has gotten you so concerned and why did you ask me to meet you here?”
“Gary, you won’t believe what I found out about Detective Cromwell,” Ray speaks low and slow as he slides back into his chair. Gary pulls up another one and sits beside Ray.
Multiple windows are open on the computer screen, and the first is displaying the front page of a local newspaper. Ray begins to show Gary page after page of articles and headlines featuring the detective skills of Mr. Timothy Cromwell.
Time and time again, it appears that the detective played a lead role in cracking some of the most difficult and bizarre cases.
This madman who has been pursuing the two is actually some sort of super-sleuth.
At least that is how the newspapers have been portraying him for years, after he solved mystery after mystery and closed case after case.
Gary and Ray take a long hard look at one another in perplexed bewilderment. Neither had realized what they were up against.
“Gary, some of the articles share that the detective has an amazing talent for getting hunches, and that once Cromwell is on the case, the case is basically over; it’s just a matter of time.”
“Obviously it’s the same guy, Ray, but he sure has not been acting like an amazing detective who does a great job.”
Gary pauses for a minute, and then quietly adds, “I wonder what he is on our tails for?”
“That’s not all,” Ray adds, “I found out something else.”
Ray begins to close all of the open windows on the screen, except one.
It’s another article in another newspaper, but it’s from years prior to the other ones.
The screen displays an old police report about a double homicide.
The victims are a mother and a young son, both with the last name Cromwell…
Ray’s broken heart has displayed itself on his face. Despite all that this man has put Ray through, his heart still goes out to him.
“Yeah,” Gary begins, “Cromwell mentioned something about that. I guess that was why he became a detective… they never caught the murderer.”
“So he became a detective and is still trying to find the one who did it?”
“Yeah, Cromwell pretty much views himself as a one-man ‘justice league’ waging war in a never-ending battle to clean up the streets.”
Rays eyes are large and intense. “This battle of his has been escalating lately, Gary.”
The pair pause and the conversations ceases for a moment. Ray glances back and forth and then leans in, quietly whispering, “He put a gun to your head.”
“I know,” Gary replies, “but none of this makes sense. If this guy is some amazing detective, why is he after us, and why does he seem to be spinning out of control?”
A flash of surprise races across the face of Ray.
“I wonder,” he begins…
“Were the suspects tricked or forced into confessing out of fear because of Cromwell, Gary?”
THE END OF CHAPTER 18
If you are new to this story, you may want to start with the first chapter.
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER 2: THE FUNERAL
CHAPTER 3: MONDAY, & FREEDOM
CHAPTER 4: TUESDAY
CHAPTER 5: INTERROGATION
CHAPTER 6: PROBATION
CHAPTER 7: RAY’S TURN
CHAPTER 8: ICE CREAM
CHAPTER 9: LATE NIGHT
CHAPTER 10: WRESTLING
CHAPTER 11: THURSDAY: MORE QUESTIONS
CHAPTER 12: WHAT HAPPENED?
CHAPTER 13: PHONE CALLS
CHAPTER 14: GAME OVER
CHAPTER 15: DRINKING & DARKNESS
CHAPTER 16: GOOD MORNING
CHAPTER 17: FRIDAY - THE CAPTAIN
MY NAME IN PEPPERS
(I didn't have any lights....)
Thank you, and stay tuned for LOVE LIKE HIS : Chapter 19 - Coming soon to a steemit near you
Also, if you enjoyed this chapter, let me know by leaving a comment! Thanks
Awesome Handcrafted @papa-pepper logo kindly donated by @vlad - Thank you!
Versão em português desse post:
LOVE LIKE HIS - Capítulo 18
I'm surprised how short Ch 10 was, but nevertheless Cromwell and Ray both have their own demons to combat and Ray is a foundational light for Ray indeed. It'll be interesting to say the least when Ray informs Ms. Shields of the recent interactions he has had the past couple of days. Maybe "when" or maybe "if", i'm not sure if Ray will call her but we will see in Ch 11. It would be a smart move to inform indeed
Ch 11 was nice and suspensful and really laid the groundwork for the plot to be propelled into a deeper storm brewing in the near distance. I love the contrast of the detective's conflicted inner self and his destructive and hateful shelled surface, and Gary's cool calm collected approach to the situations that arise. To display a level of control and patience and understanding further reinforces the character traits God has instilled in His faithful servant. A beautiful thing indeed, hope He can blanket us all in similar fashion as many are renewed reborn and saved.
Amen to that!
Just read Ch 7. and was expecting the twist but then it came later than expected. The detective Cromwell is really an agitating character, so good job on creating that affect. Reading the dialogue was hard pressing and nails on chalkboard how annoyingly persistent he was.
Just read Ch 8. Couldn't wait too long after Ch 7 got under my skin. Nice balancing maneuver. I Especially appreciated the verses of knowledge you included in the dialogue to help guide things out of the gutter. I think that really helps along the storyline and strengthens the connectivity amongst the two men of faith.
Just read Ch. 9, I enjoyed the short sweet layout of another facet of Cronwell's personality. It was hard pressed to feel any sympathy empathy or compassion for him for the way he had acted the two previous chapters but rejection is a tough human experience , which is why we can't ever put our faith in Man. 1 Corinthians 7, God wishes us all to be single so we don't focus on the worldly things trying to please our partner but to be more in tune with God's will and I completely see the blessing in it although you and me both have been blessed wih family life indeed
Indeed!
Another short but not sweet, actually bitter Chapter 15. I was surprised to see what had transpired to say the least. It seems Cromwell and Gary's roles had switched. It was very out of character for Gary to say and do what he did towards the end at their meeting place. Very interesting twist indeed. Only time will tell now to see what will transpire. Let's see how you tie the pieces together, nice intercepting set up
I'm still not able to comment on the previous chapters I've read so far so I'll keep updating you here since I have some downtime and I'm on a roll! Ch. 12 was a nice change of pace. All things dark must come to light. Now to see if the detective Riesler or Reisler, I forget which is the correct name, is involved in the ongoing of the investigation and what transpired. It's ironic how a single action of lack of self control, fueled by anger can leave the same person feeling frantic, paranoid and regretful of their decision. How unwise we people can be when we ared by sheer emotional instinct and reactionary behavior as opposed to compassionate understanding and rationally and biblically sound decision making. Nice set up chapter
Well said!
Ch 13 was solid and another good set up chapter. Ray definitely is doing the right thing and indeed both men have to be more vigilant now that the variables of evil have reached a level of possibly dangerous outcomes. You know a book is good when you can't stop reading. I'm fully invested now!
You couldn't stop reading this time.
Catching up on that many chapters on the same day is amazing!
Thank you for the great reads, now I shall practice my patience waiting for the next installment
You can listen while you wait....
Open mic has been officially entered!
And indeed it was a nice surprise. Killing the mainstream radio rappers
LOL! - Thanks @verbal-d!
Ch 14 was another gear grinder but I have to always keep in mind that people can be so emotionally compulsive and resentful. Ms Shields is no exception to the rule. I hope Ray can bring her to a place of deep thought and understanding. Her outbursts were totally uncalled for. In America you are guilty until proven innocent in man's operative system of "justice" Nice chapter, it deserves more comments, as does your entire progress so far. I still would love to edit it if you ever published it.
Thanks, for all of that!
I say we should edit and publish!
I wholeheartedly agree. I believe your story is longer than mine, so I'll have to start a new story to stay in the story section with you.
I take it you're not writing "the never-ending story" then?
lol no, I never would want to challenge myself to such an impossible task in this lifetime
Good point!