There's Always Love

There’s Always Love

Published by Joycie Russ at Smashwords

Copyright 2014 Joycie Russ

Thank-you for downloading this eBook. This book remains the copyrighted property of the author, and may not be redistributed to others for commercial or non-commercial purposes. If you enjoyed this book, please encourage your friends to download their own copy from their favorite authorized retailer. Names, characters, places, and incidents are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead is entirely coincidental. Thank-you for your support.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 - Dreams

Chapter 2 - Love, Marriage and New Things

Chapter 3 - Life as Normal

Chapter 4 - Changes

Chapter 5 - Surprises

Chapter 6 - New Family

Chapter 7 - Business

Chapter 8 - Tomatoes

Chapter 9 - Taking Flight

Chapter 10 - Jasper’s Heart

Chapter 11 - New Roads

Chapter 12 - Saying Goodbye

Chapter 13 - Pieces

Chapter 14 - A Wedding

Chapter 15 - Secrets

Chapter 16 - Witnesses

Chapter 17 - Finding Peace

Chapter 18 - Clues

Chapter 19 - Reconciliation

Chapter 20 - Reaching Goals

CHAPTER 1: DREAMS

It was just starting to get warm again. The flowers were beginning to bloom and everywhere you looked, it was green. How sweet, she thought as she stood and stared out her bedroom window. She hurried over to her dresser and pulled out her favorite pair of jogging pants. She hurriedly dressed and prepared to hit the road. She grabbed her iPod, keys, phone and of course her gun and badge.

She was out the door and on her way in a flash. She thought about expanding her route, but not today. She would do her usual dash, through her neighborhood and up and around the hospital parking lot. As she ran onto the parking lot, something caught her eye. She stopped and walked over towards something on the ground. As she got closer, she realized it was not something, but someone. The person was motionless. She knelt down and felt for a pulse, but there was none. She took out her phone and started to call for back up. Suddenly with a jerk, Jade woke up.

It was the same dream, she thought as she sat up in bed. It always started the same and she always woke up before she made her call. This was the 4th or 5th time that she had the dream. She had not had a recurring dream since her childhood.

Why now and why this dream?

What was the significance of it and who was it that she found lifeless?

Questions without answers.

She shook herself and got up. The truly weird thing was that she had stopped jogging months ago after she injured her knee. Her knee had healed completely, but she had not returned to jogging. Okay, she could see where this was heading. Another day of wondering why she stopped jogging and what it meant.

She got up and took a shower. When she got out of the shower, she remembered what day it was. She cringed and took a deep breath. Today was David's last day. He was retiring. She missed him already. He had such an easy way about him. She loved to hear him talk. He could carve butter with his words. He was smooth and he could talk a suspect into giving up in a heartbeat. He was tough as nails and a very good cop.

David had become so much more than just her partner. He and his wife were her family and she loved them. It would be different not seeing him in the squad room. Plus, there was the task of breaking in a new partner. She stared in the mirror. Today would be a hard day and she dreaded getting started.

She pulled back her hair and began brushing it. As long as she could remember, her mother always told her to brush her hair before she started to style it. Her hair was curly and at times it could be unruly. Her mother was part Native American Indian and her father was of mixed heritage (Black/Hispanic) as well. She guessed that accounted for her long thick unruly hair.

She thought about her childhood and growing up. Her father was an architect and her mom was an accountant. She had a wonderful childhood. Her parents took her on a lot of trips and exposed her to a lot of cultural things. Both her parents had passed, her father from cancer and her mom was killed in a car accident. That made David and his wife Jean that much more precious to her. They were truly her family. Her parents had not kept in touch with any relatives, so she hardly knew any of her extended family. They came to her parents funerals and then just seemed to disappear.

That was probably for the best, she thought as she dressed.

Jade Elliott Simmons is a homicide detective and she loves her job. She had worked hard to get where she was and to be taken seriously. Once she was partnered with David, things really changed. The guys would tease her from time to time, but David would have none of that. He made sure everyone treated her with respect.

He was her guardian angel.

She wondered how things would be once he left. She did have to her credit that she had saved a fellow officers life. She was respected for that and she knew her way around an investigation.

Her phone rang, jarring her from her musings. It was David. He reminded her to be on time and to be nice to the new guy. Jade laughed and told him she would be nice. She hung up as she felt the tears well in her eyes.

I might as well get it over with; she thought as she sat down on the bed and cried. Then she got up and gathered her things and headed out to the precinct.

As she pulled up at the precinct, there was David. He was dressed to a capital T. He always was and Jade loved that about him.

David was 57, but he did not look his age. He was handsome, his eyes were blue and his hair was graying around the temples. Jade thought about the first time she saw him dancing. He joked that he had rhythm for an old white man. Jean was part Indian and people often thought that she and Jade were related.

All these random thoughts. Was it just because David was retiring? Were they related to the dream?

She shook her head and parked. David had followed her to the parking area. He opened the door for her.

Hi baby girl said David as he hugged her. Jade smiled at him.

Ready for today? he asked as he grabbed her hand.

I guess so said Jade trying to sound upbeat.

They walked into the precinct.

Oh before I forget, Jean wants you to have dinner with us tonight said David.

Okay said Jade.

I have to see the captain. I will check with you later said David.

Alright said Jade as she walked to her desk. She sat down and took a deep breath.

Excuse me said a low unfamiliar voice.

Jade looked up to see a young man neatly dressed standing in front of her.

I'm Dean. Dean Shadwell he said.

Hi Dean, I'm Jade. That will be your desk said Jade as she pointed at the seat across from her.

David has not cleared his things yet, but you can move them aside.

Dean looked at the desk.

Yes ma'am he said.

It's Jade said Jade.

Okay ma...I mean Jade said Dean.

Let me introduce you to the rest of the squad said Jade.

She walked him around. There was Tommy, the avid sports lover. He was a tall, thin white man around 35. Lewis was the ladies man. He was a well built black man around 32 years old. Artie was the deep in thought one. Always looking like he had some mystery to solve. He was a 34 year old white man who was a little out of shape. Then there was Jasper. Jade let out a sigh. He was handsome, clean shaven, and always well dressed. He did his work and kept it moving. He was a 6ft tall, well built white man. Jade loved his smile. They together with her and David made up the squad.

She looked over and David was at his desk clearing things away. He had a box and was busily filling it.

David meet Dean said Jade.

Pleased to meet you young man said David as he shook his hand.

And I you sir said Dean.

David began to tell him about some of his and Jade's exploits. The others gathered around and gave their two cents worth. Jade backed out of the circle and made her way to the bathroom.

She stood in there wiping her tears. What a hard day, she thought. She stayed in the bathroom for a few minutes getting herself together. When she came out, David was waiting for her.

I sent Dean to do some paperwork. Want to go for a snack? asked David.

Sure said Jade.

They walked to the coffee house on the corner and sat down in a booth. David stared at her.

Do you want to tell me something? Any last words of wisdom? asked Jade.

David smiled at her.

Like I ever get the last word with you or Jean, sometimes I think you two are a tag team; one by day and one by night.

Jade gave him a little jab. Yes, but you are so smooth, we never know if we have penetrated that cool exterior of yours.

And you will never know David chuckled.

Jade adjusted herself in her seat.

I'd like to run something by you.

Shoot said David.

Jade told him about her dream. David listened without saying anything.

He cleared his throat.

The dream is how Jean's twin sister was found said David.

Twin sister...Jean had a twin? asked Jade in amazement.

David told Jade how he had met Jeanie and asked her out. When they met, she brought Jean. Though they were identical twins, David found himself attracted to Jean. Jeanie noticed it right away.

Before long Jean and I were engaged. We married six months later and Jeanie moved to Colorado said David.

She died in Colorado? asked Jade.

No, here. She phoned us about a year after she moved and said she was coming for a visit. That morning, Jean and I were on our way to meet her, when we found out she was gone. Jeanie's murder was never solved. The consensus was that Jeanie was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Jean had nightmares for almost a year afterwards. They started again almost a month ago.

Jade stared at David in disbelief. It seemed so incredible. How her dream could be about an old murder, wondered Jade.

Do you think anyone would mind if I looked into it? asked Jade.

No, I think Jean would welcome it said David.

The day was over in a flash. Jade left the squad and hurried home to change for dinner. Her mind raced. Should she talk to Jean over dinner? Would this be too much for Jean to handle? Should she even mention the dream?

Stop, she told herself. Relax. It will all fall into place. She quickly showered and got dressed. David and Jean picked her up a few minutes later.

She always felt so good when she was with them. You could see how much they loved each other by the way they looked at each other and the way they touched. She would often catch them looking at each other as if they shared a wonderful secret. Their love for each other was no secret to Jade. Jean was beautiful and she was always so pleasant. She smiled and made everyone feel at ease.

Jade looked at them and smiled. They arrived at the restaurant.

While they waited for their food, Jean told Jade that David told her about the dream.

Jeanie and I were identical physically, but we were as different as night and day in our approach to things. She loved sports and outdoor activities. She was always championing some cause. My sister had an opinion about everything. She loved to write. We lived together until David and I married. When she moved to Colorado, it was like a piece of me was missing. I always hoped she would move back here said Jean as she wiped tears from her eyes.

What did Jeanie do for a living? asked Jade.

Free lance writing. We did not have to work. Our family has money. We did not let anyone know that. I kept it a secret from David until after we were married said Jean.

Jade took a moment to think about what Jean had said.

Do you know what she was working on? asked Jade.

She only said she wanted to see us, she made no mention of any work. David checked around and found she had not written any articles for more than 6 months. I thought that was not like Jeanie. She loved to write and always wanted to keep herself busy. She didn't even have a writing pad in her things. She always kept one handy. I thought that was odd...said Jean as her voice trailed off.

Jade looked at Jean and David. She thought how little she really knew about them. Jean had a twin and was rich. This day had been full of surprises.

Was she dating anyone? asked Jade.

I talked to her friends in Colorado and they said she was seeing someone, but they never met him. I tried to locate him, but came up empty said David.

Jean squeezed David's hand.

All the leads led us in a circle said Jean.

What about her finances? asked Jade.

Everything came to me. We were supposed to grow old together said Jean.

David lightly squeezed Jean's hand.

It's alright honey he said.

I need to go to the bathroom said Jean.

David stood and helped her up. He hugged her tight and kissed her. David watched Jean walk away.

I'm sorry David. I did not mean to drag all this up said Jade.

It's alright. Jean wanted to talk about it. She wants answers said David.

Jean came back to the table a few minutes later. David looked into her eyes as held the chair for her.

I'm alright said Jean.

David smiled at her.

What plans do you have for David now that he's retired? asked Jade.

Jean's face lit up.

Yes, I have the old man all to myself said Jean.

I can only imagine your plans for me said David as he and Jean laughed.

As Jade looked up, she saw Jasper walking toward their table. For a moment, she caught herself thinking how handsome he looked. Their eyes met and Jade felt embarrassed and quickly looked away.

Jasper, you made it said Jean with a big smile.

Jade looked at David. They had done it to her again. Jean always found a way to do some matchmaking. Jade just sighed and greeted Jasper with a smile. Well, he is sweet to look at, thought Jade. They sat laughing and talking. They stayed at the restaurant long after they had eaten.

Well Jasper, can you do an old man a favor and see Jade home? asked David.

I'll be glad to if Jade doesn't mind said Jasper.

Jade looked at Jasper and smiled. They all stood and Jade hugged David and Jean.

I'll call you tomorrow said David.

Alright said Jade.

They all walked out of the restaurant. As Jade and Jasper walked to his car, Jasper grabbed her hand. He never said a word and she did not either. He opened the door for her and she just smiled and got in. As Jasper got in, she looked at him.

You okay? he asked.

I'm good she said as she smiled at him.

So what's the best way to get to your house? asked Jasper.

Jade gave him directions while thinking how does this work? Do I get out of the car and say goodnight? Do I invite him in? Whoa, this is too much, she thought. When they pulled up to her house, Jasper got out and opened the door for her.

Would you like to come in? asked Jade.

He let out a little sigh.

Yes, but we have work tomorrow.

Jade agreed with him.

Yes we do. Thank you for the ride home she said as Jasper kissed her. Wow, she thought. He is good.

Can I call you? asked Jasper.

Jade tried to collect herself.

Yes, you can.

She wanted to add the word soon, but she did not. They stood looking at each other for a few moments.

Okay, then I will go said Jasper.

He started to walk away and turned back to her. He gently grabbed her and gave her one more lingering kiss.

Okay, this time I am going he said.

He walked back to his car and drove away.

Jade smiled. She went into her house and caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. She had this goofy smile plastered on her face. Geez, she thought, I have to get some sleep. How, she thought, with Jasper on her mind. Wow! That man, she thought as she got into the shower.

Tomorrow would be one interesting day. Make that a very interesting day.

She awoke to the phone ringing the next morning. It was Jasper. Her voice quivered as she answered. He asked her to breakfast. She jumped up from bed and ran to the shower. She dressed hurriedly. Jasper sounded so serious on the phone. She finished dressing and did her hair. She sat her brush down as the doorbell rang.

She got to the door as quick as she could and then she stopped to collect herself. She took a deep breath and opened the door. Jasper was smiling as he brought a bouquet of flowers from behind his back.

Thank you said Jade as she smiled at him.

She put the flowers down on the table by her front door.

I'll drive said Jasper.

Jade realized she had no idea what time it was.

"We have about 2 hours before we