Once You'Ve Touched the Heart (38 page)
Read Once You'Ve Touched the Heart Online
Authors: Iris Bolling
S
enator Roth and JD’s plane landed on time. The Senator’s car was waiting for them at the airport. JD called Tracy from the car to let her know he was on his way home. Senator Roth listened and watched JD.
“You are in love with that woman, aren’t you son?” he asked when JD hung up.
JD hung his head as he put his cell phone away. “Yes, sir, I am.”
“Did Carolyn ever have a chance?”
JD thought for a minute. “No,” he said honestly. “But it wasn’t on her, it was on me. I fell in love with Tracy years ago, but I was into advancing my career and would not admit it. No one who came along after that had a real chance with me.”
Senator Roth admired the way JD accepted this love into his life with no doubts or hesitations. “So the wedding is definite?”
JD smiled. “New Year’s Eve.”
“You’re going to have one hell of a coming year, JD. I hope you are ready.”
JD looked at the Senator then out the window, then back at the Senator. “Are you referring to the marriage or are you referring to your plans for me?”
The Senator laughed; he was wondering when JD was going to broach the subject. “Both, son,” he said as they pulled into JD’s driveway.
“Thank you for everything, Senator,” JD said as he shook his hand.
“I’ll be in touch, JD. Tell Tracy hello for me.”
“I’ll do that.” JD watched as the car pulled away. He wondered if he was ready for the New Year himself.
JD opened the front door to find Tracy sitting at the top of the staircase waiting for him in nothing but his Redskins tee shirt. “Welcome home.” She smiled. JD closed the distance between them while removing his suit jacket and tie. He gathered her into his arms as she wrapped her legs around his waist. No words were needed as the two ascended into the bedroom unable to think or speak of anything other than the degree of desire the absence had created between them. Neither of them really cared about the outside world or its issues. All they wanted was to hold each other until they were both satisfied.
They made love for hours, trying to make up for the days they were apart. Just as round three was about to start, the telephone rang. On the third ring, JD knocked the telephone to the floor. Tracy laughed, then pulled him back down to her.
JD laughed. “Help,” he cried weakly as Tracy straddled him. JD eased her hips down and moaned as he entered her again. He placed kisses from her throat down between her breasts and inhaled the scent he had longed for while he was away. He held her tight as she moved her hips in a slow rhythm that created a fire within him that literally took his breath away. JD couldn’t tell you who was in control at this point. All he knew was he could not get enough of Tracy.
Tracy’s cell phone rang, but she did not have the strength or desire to answer. Her movement was slow and easy, just as their explosion that followed. They sat there in the center of the bed, her head on his shoulder and JD caressing her back, as they waited for their bodies and minds to settle. The cell phone continued to ring. Tracy reached over and answered, still resting in JD’s embrace.
Cynthia’s voice came through loud and clear. “I don’t give a damn how many babies you are trying to make. I have a wedding to plan and invitations to get out by Monday. Get your asses down here now.”
Tracy hung up the phone. “We have to go,” she said while kissing the side of his neck. JD eased her body up then back down onto him.
“Jeffrey,” Tracy whispered, “the wedding.”
“Mmm, hmm,” JD moaned as he repeated the action while kissing her neck.
Tracy arched her back to allow him deeper entry. She tried to ignore the feeling building in her body. “We are trying to get a wedding off in two months; we have to go,” she said unconvincingly as JD ran his hands down her body. JD lifted her body and entered her again. Tracy sighed. “Umm, okay, one more time.”
When they arrived at the Renaissance, Cynthia was fuming. “Do you know what kind of time restraints I have on this wedding? You and JD,” Cynthia said looking at him, “can get your jollies off on your time, not mine.”
“I’m sorry,” Tracy said with a smile.
JD came up behind Tracy and kissed her neck. “I’m not,” he said as he walked by.
“Mr. Harrison,” a waiter called out, “Mr. Hilton had to leave but will return shortly. He said take your time, whatever you need is at your disposal.”
“Thank you,” JD replied.
“Okay, Cynthia, what do you need?”
“I’m not talking to you, JD. I need you to sit here and select from these two invitations. Tracy, you come with me.”
JD read the invitation, which was fine, but the unspoken was loud and clear. Tracy did not have any family to take part in this service. The thought disturbed JD and he frowned.
“Do you see your life coming to an end?” Douglas laughed.
JD stood and smiled. “Doug.” He shook his hand. “No, man, just the opposite.”
“I don’t know, man, you looked a little down a minute ago.”
“Yeah, well it definitely wasn’t about marrying Tracy.” JD beamed.
“Good, I’m glad to hear that. You two have been through enough. By the way, where is she?”
“Somewhere in the building with Cynthia.”
Douglas laughed. “Man, I hope you have your checkbook protected with that one.”
JD laughed. “With Cynthia, you don’t have to tell me.”
“Yeah, in the same sentence with money,” JD snickered.
“Oh, good, I like that combination.”
JD grabbed Tracy by the waist. “Babe, you remember my friend Douglas.”
“Sure, hi, Douglas.” Tracy extended her hand.
“Tracy,” Douglas replied. Tracy froze. She had heard that voice before, but she couldn’t quite place where.
“Did you find everything you needed?” Douglas asked.
Tracy dropped her hand. That was the voice that talked to her the day of the attack.
“Tracy?” JD called out. “Tracy, are you okay?”
Tracy looked at JD: did he know it was his friend who was with her that day? “Tracy, what’s wrong?” JD asked again very concerned.
Tracy looked at Douglas—the expression on his face told her all she needed to know. “I’m sorry,” she said shaking her head, “I’m fine.”
Douglas realized she recognized him, but he didn’t know how she could. She was unconscious when he was there. “Are you sure you’re okay?” Douglas asked in a low, calm voice.
“Yes,” she said as she stepped up and hugged him. She kissed him on his cheek. “Thank you, Douglas, for everything.”
An unspoken bond formed between them at that moment. Douglas knew she would never tell anyone he was at the location of the attack. Douglas smiled. “You are more than welcome.”
JD watched the exchange between them and wondered what they were not saying. “Okay, you two. It’s not that big of a deal; just a building.”
Tracy smiled up at him but did not look him in the eye. “You’re right. I’m just a little emotional about all of this,” she said as she put her arms around JD’s waist.
“Hold on to those emotions. We have more of this building to look at,” Cynthia said as she pulled Tracy away. Tracy looked back at Douglas and smiled.
JD looked at Tracy, then Douglas. “Doug, man, I think you are blushing.”
Doug smiled. “You hold on to her; she’s a good one.”
JD knew what the answer would be, but he asked anyway. “Do you want to tell me what that was all about?”
Doug looked at JD. He did not need to be put in the position of prosecuting his friend for defending his girl. “Naw, I don’t think so. You ready for this marriage shit, man?”
JD looked at Tracy then back at Douglas. “If you had that, you would be too.”
Douglas raised an eyebrow. “Yeah, you right.”
They both laughed. “You ready to get into a tux, man?
Douglas’s smile widened. Although he and JD had been friends since high school, he did not exactly fit into JD’s world. JD was a big-time district attorney and Doug ran a nightclub. Douglas was touched when he asked him to be a part of the wedding party. “It would be an honor. Thank you, man.”
JD smirked. “That’s what you say now. Wait until you have to deal with Cynthia and this wedding.”
Tracy came back into the room. “Jeffrey, we have to go. We have an appointment with the realtor.”
“Okay, babe. Listen, Douglas agreed to be a part of the wedding.”
Tracy smiled. “Welcome aboard; I wouldn’t have it any other way.” She looked up at JD. “You ready?”
JD got in the car. “Do you want to tell me what that was all about with Douglas?”
Tracy did not want to get Douglas in trouble by identifying him as the man on the scene of the attack. The timing couldn’t be better, since the case had just been closed by the detectives. “I’m just really happy he is around,” Tracy replied. She pulled out the package on the houses
and gave JD the first address.
T
he trip with Senator Roth had been very successful. JD received a lot of support for the bill and was able to meet some colleagues across the state. But JD was glad to be back in the office. He had left instructions with Calvin on how he wanted case assignments handled. The high profile cases were assigned based on who could bring in a conviction, not on office politics. JD expected the controversy and anticipated the heated debates that would take place during the staff meeting. Well, he would deal with that during the meeting. In the meantime, JD placed a call to the DA in Roanoke handling the Charles Melvin case. There were two pieces missing to the puzzle that should have been addressed prior to the case going to court. The DA advised him that the political pressure forced his hand to take Melvin to trial expeditiously. JD suggested he request a recess until the issues were addressed. He advised the DA to call the AG’s office and inform them, based on the current evidence; the case would result in an acquittal. The attorney general called JD and reviewed the case file with him directly. They agreed: it was best to request a continuance until the key issues were addressed.
The judge in the case,
however, refused to grant a continuance because the case had been in trial for three months. He felt the issues should have been addressed prior to the charges being made. The attorney general and the DA asked JD to take over the case. With a new DA on the case, the court would have to grant the continuance and give them the opportunity to tie up loose ends. The current attorney general was planning to run for a senate seat in November. A loss on this case, so close to the campaign, would certainly play against him. The AG knew JD very well and knew if he tried the case he could and would bring in a win for him. They may have different political affiliations, but both the AG and JD did not like to lose, especially when the case had to do with children. JD agreed to take the case if the current DA would co-chair. The AG agreed. Now the problem for JD was trying the case in Roanoke County with the wedding only six weeks away and the house closing weeks away.
As JD tried to sort through timeframes, Calvin knocked on the door. “You need to see me?”
“Yeah, come on in. Have you been keeping up with the Melvin case?”
Calvin nodded. “Yeah, the six little girls,” he replied as he took a seat.
“That’s the one. The AG has asked me to take it over. With the evidence they have, he is going to get off. I sent the investigators back out to do some more legwork. There was a witness who saw him in an area of the county. No follow-up on the witness was conducted, or a search of the area in question. I will lay odds, that’s where the girl’s clothes are going to be found. The witness, if reliable, will be able to put Melvin in the area around the time of the girl’s disappearance.”
Calvin asked, “Why wasn’t this witness checked out before? You know that will be the first question the defense is going to ask. Then they will insinuate a frame, because of the delay.”
JD acknowledged Calvin’s observation. “That’s why the AG is requesting a change in DA. Our contention will be a more experienced DA should have been assigned to the case originally. However, due to the budget restraints it was impossible at the time.”
“That might fly, especially since everyone, even the judge in this case, wants to see this bastard behind bars,” Calvin added. “But, JD, how are you going to handle the case with the wedding coming up?”
JD exhaled. “I will request a continuance tomorrow, which the judge indicated he will grant with the change. I’ll give the investigators a week to follow up with the witness. If they do not turn anything up, I’ll see if we can pull Brian from Gavin’s detail and send him out there. If all goes well, we can have this case wrapped up within 30 days. The AG’s office will provide the chopper for transportation until the case is a done deal.”
Calvin looked at JD. It was time for him to make the next move. He closed the door. JD waited. He knew what Calvin wanted to discuss. The same thing people had been talking to him about for the past few months. “What’s holding you back?” Calvin asked.
JD stood and walked over to the window. He put his hands in his pockets and looked down at the floor, the way he always did when he was searching for answers. He exhaled, then looked up. “If I decide to do this, it will change our lives. Are you in with me if I decide to run?”
“I’m with you whether you run or not. But you and I both know it’s time to make that move, one way or another.”
JD sat back down. “All right, there are things I need looked at before I make a final decision. Let’s get Brian and Douglas in on this. We can meet at the Renaissance tonight and talk things through.”
Mrs. Langston came through on the intercom. “Mr. Harrison, the staff has assembled in the conference room for the meeting.”
“We will be right out,” JD replied. “Okay, let’s go calm the natives.”
♥
JD had several messages waiting for him after the meeting. Brian and Douglas both were free to get together tonight. Tracy called and his mom called. Tracy was trying to get things set for the new house. JD knew he was leaving a lot on Tracy, but it couldn’t be helped. The Melvin case was important for so many reasons. The case was being watched nationally, because of the nature of the crimes. It was also important to bring closure for the parents of those six little girls. No use putting it off any longer—he had to let Tracy know about the case. He asked Mrs. Langston to call Tracy first, and then he would talk to his mom.
“Hey, babe,” he started. “I have good news and bad news. Which do you want first?”
Tracy closed her eyes. “Give me the bad first.”
“I have to go back to Roanoke tomorrow. The AG asked me to take over a case they are having a little trouble with.”
Tracy was disappointed. She had a number of clients she wanted to connect with at the office. On top of that, a thousand and one things had to be done before the wedding and the closing on the house. Tracy understood his work was important, so she did not comment on the wedding or the house. “How long will you be gone?”
“Just for the day. I’ll be back tomorrow night,” JD replied, then added, “I also have a meeting tonight after work. Did you have anything you needed me to do?”
Tracy thought about the long list of things that needed to be done. “No, I guess it could wait a day or two.”
“I’m sorry, babe.”
“It’s okay. What’s the good news?” Tracy asked, really in need of it now.
“I was able to clear the calendar for the dates you gave me. So tell me, where do you want to go for our honeymoon?”
Tracy smiled. “Anywhere you are would be just fine for me.”
JD smiled. “Hey, let’s tell everyone we are going out of town and spend our honeymoon at the new house; uninterrupted, just you and me, for two whole weeks. We could actually start working on our first baby.”
Tracy smiled at the thought. “It would technically be our second,” she said.
They were both silent for a moment. JD was still feeling responsible for the attack that caused Tracy to lose the baby. He remembered how she took the news in the hospital. Tracy had had no idea she was pregnant. Telling her she was and then telling her she had lost the baby was the hardest thing he ever had to do in his life. He would have given anything not to have to tell her about it at all. “Tracy, if there was any way I could make that hurt disappear, I would.”
Tracy did not hold Jeffrey responsible for the loss of their first child. “I’m not asking you to, but I will ask you to let it go, Jeffrey. You will not be able to help me heal from that loss until you heal. The guilt you carry around is going to eat you up alive if you don’t let it go. You can’t let it be an unspoken part of our life. We need to be able to talk about it without it causing either of us to feel any guilt about what happened. Every time I mention it, you go into this apology mode. I don’t need an apology from you; you didn’t cause me to lose our baby. It just was not meant to be. But don’t worry; you still will get five children.”
JD smiled. “Twelve, a football team.”
“Okay, but number six is on you.” Tracy laughed.
JD knew he was a lucky man to have Tracy. “I love you, Tracy,” he said sincerely.
“I love you, too, Jeffrey.”
“I’ll see you tonight when I get home,” JD said as he hung up the telephone.
♥
All the guys were in the house, Douglas, Brian, Calvin and JD. JD was fully prepared for the onslaught of ribbing he was going to get from his friends. “JD, man, I would have never picked you to be the first one to bite the dust,” Douglas said.
“Me either,” Brian added. “I thought it would be Calvin. Women were always able to control him.”
“What the hell do you mean by that, B?” Calvin asked.
“Oh, come on, Calvin, you know women used to whip your ass for fun,” Douglas teased. JD just smiled, knowing they were going to hit him next. “Speaking of whipped, JD, my man,” Douglas said in a joking tone.
“I knew it was coming.” JD smiled. “Here we go.”
“You’re breaking up the karma here.”
“Shit,” Brian laughed, “you got my blessing, man. ’Cause if I had that phat ass, the hell with the karma.”
“Karma be damned,” Calvin said as he laughed.
“You got that right.”
“You really are going to do this?” Douglas asked.
“You’re damn right, I’m going do it. I should have done it a long time ago,” JD replied.
“No, man, you weren’t ready then and neither was she. It’s happening when it is supposed to happen,” Calvin said as he took a drink.
“I just want to make sure it happens,” JD said. “So much has hopped off in the last six months. I don’t want to take a chance on losing her.”
“I hear that, man,” Brian said, “you two have been through hell and back in a short period of time. But it’s made you stronger.”
Douglas nodded his head, agreeing with Brian. “At some point in every man’s life you have to take stock. You have to determine what you want from this world. If you know you have met that one to take to the next level, then go for it.”
“Here, here,” Calvin said, “to the next level.”
They all picked up their glasses and took a drink. JD was a blessed man to have these three friends. He trusted each of them with his life. He knew if anything were to happen to him, each of them would step up to take care of Tracy and any children they may have.
JD leaned forward. “Let’s look at the next level,” he said seriously. “How do you guys feel about me running for attorney general?”
Brian and Douglas looked at each other, then at Calvin. Brian ran his hand around his mouth and down his chin. Douglas sat back in deep thought. “Have you talked to Tracy about this?” Brian asked.
“It’s been mentioned,” JD replied.
“She gets first say. That’s how it is should be.” Douglas sat forward. “You know that political game ain’t a joke. They are worse than the shit we deal with on the streets. They will go after your family, dead or alive.” Douglas cautioned.
“Yeah,” Brian added, “then come after your firstborn.”
“They will dig up every woman you have ever thought about being with, and you know you have a record, JD. It will not be just about you either; there’s Tracy. Anything that may be in her past will be looked at and scrutinized,” Doug added.
“Al is going to come out. You do realize that,” Brian added, “maybe Tracy’s family situation.”
JD hung his head; the last thing he wanted was for Tracy to have to go through anything because of his decision. He stood, put his hands in his pocket, then walked over to the door and looked down. Brian looked at Douglas.
Douglas went over to JD. “Man, you are one of the best at what you do. It doesn’t matter if it’s in a courtroom or on the house floor; you know your shit. You have always been a leader. This state could use you; there is no doubt about that. I want you to think long and hard about this before you decide. You don’t owe your father your life.” JD looked up. “Hear me out,” Douglas said before JD had a chance to respond. “Your dad was a damn good man—we all know that. We also know you’ve been living your life based on his wishes for you. Now you have to take what he instilled in you and move forward. It has to be what you want, not your dad, mom or Tracy. That political life doesn’t stop when you go home at night. It’s 24/7.”
Brian got up and stood on the other side of JD. “You could have an affect on a lot of people’s lives, man. It would be good to have an honest-to-goodness good man in office. But you may be the only one. You will have to surround yourself with people you know and trust and even that may not be enough to protect you. Now with all that being said, don’t stop at the AG spot; go for the gusto.”
“Hell, run for president,” Calvin said.
Douglas looked up; JD looked around; and Brian said, “Here, here.”
JD looked at each of them as if they had lost their minds. “President of what?”
Brian shrugged his shoulders then sat back down. Douglas shook his head then sat back down.
JD stood there with his hands in his pocket looking at his three friends. It was humbling to think they thought that much of him. “Each of you has lost your damn minds.” He chuckled as he sat back down.
Calvin smiled; he knew at that moment JD began to take running for AG seriously. Before, JD was asking questions just to satisfy Senator Roth’s curiosity; now that he knew his boys were behind him, it was a go.
“This is what I need from you. I want each of you to take a part of my life and run it through the mill. Between the three of you, there should be no stone left unturned. I need to know what’s out there and who has it. I’ll get James Brooks to do the same on Tracy.”
“Why Brooks?” Brian asked.
“If there’s anything out there I need to know, Tracy should be the one to tell me. If Brooks finds anything, he will be discreet and he will protect Tracy at all costs; even against me.”
“All right, it’s a go. How much time you giving us?” Douglas asked.
“I’m not going to make any decisions until after the wedding. So you have until the first of the year,” JD advised.