Picking Up the Pieces

by Maryann Jordan

  Nodding, they walked with him back to the barn where they got the information needed. As they drove back into town, he glanced at his watch.

  “You need to be somewhere?” Ginny asked. “You need to get to Jade? ‘Cause you’re only part-time, so you’re off the clock right now.”

  “I’ve got an appointment, if you wouldn’t mind dropping me off.”

  “Sure thing. Where’re we heading?”

  Hesitating, he wished he had just told her to drop him off at the station and he could have walked. Sucking in a breath, he answered, “The Eastern Shore Mental Health building.”

  With a nod, she simply said, “No problem.”

  Appreciating her discretion, he waved a few minutes later as she drove away after dropping him off, before he turned and walked through the doors.

  More comfortable with his counselor than previously, Lance held Charles’ eyes as they began. “A lot’s happened in the past week,” he acknowledged. “Mostly good, some not good but, all in all, it’s pushed me out of my shell.”

  “Gotta say you’ve captured my attention,” Charles admitted. “We’ll start with whatever you want to start with.”

  Rubbing the back of his neck, he thought for a moment. “Hell, I’m not sure where to begin.” Sucking in a deep breath, he said, “I guess the most important news is that I’ve met someone who makes me want to be with her…you know, really get to know her, but that’s fuckin’ scary.”

  “Do you know why?”

  “Yeah, ‘cause if I get to know her then it’s only right that she’ll get to know me too. And laying myself bare to anyone scares the hell outta me.” After a moment of silence, he looked up to see Charles was waiting patiently. Chuckling, he continued, “Okay, and you’re wondering why?”

  Charles grinned in return.

  “Scary because my family is fucked up and she probably comes from a picture-perfect family and wouldn’t understand why I’m estranged from my parents.”

  “That’s an assumption you’re making. First, you’re assuming her family is close and second, you’re assuming she will reject you based on your family situation. Sounds to me like you aren’t really giving her a chance…or a choice.”

  Lance sat quietly for a moment, thinking that over. He realized that by holding himself back, he was keeping from learning more about Jade and not letting her know more about him. He then remembered her statement in the hospital about her mother. Only call her in an emergency.

  “What are you thinking?” Charles asked, interrupting his musings.

  “Sorry, I was actually thinking that you’re right. I really want to get to know this woman better, so I’m gonna have to force myself to get past my hang-ups and go out on a limb with her.”

  “So, the not so good news?” Charles prompted.

  “She was involved in an accident and, well, you might have heard, she was also the one who discovered the body on the beach—”

  “Jade Lyons?”

  “Yeah, unfortunately she’s becoming well known for it, since the paper and a TV station in Virginia Beach picked up the story…” His words trailed off as he began to think of the timeline of Jade’s notoriety and the truck running her off the road. Jolting as he heard his name called, he looked up quickly, shaking his head. “Sorry,” he mumbled, “my mind was engaged for a moment.”

  “You’re a man with a great many things on his mind nowadays,” Charles laughed. Sobering, he added, “For someone who values their privacy, how are you doing with these changes?”

  He held back for a second before responding, “Well, I haven’t told you about all the changes yet.” Seeing the counselor’s lifted brow, he said, “I’ve decided to continue my law enforcement career again. I’m the new part-time detective for Baytown.”

  Unable to hide his surprise, Charles shook his head, exclaiming, “You have had a busy week.” Holding his gaze, he said, “Change in relationship status and a new job are two very stressful, albeit good, changes in your life. I’m glad but, concerned…are you ready for such big changes all at once?”

  “I sure as hell hope so,” he answered honestly. “Jade? Yeah. I really like this woman and, while it’s been a long time since I had any kind of romantic relationship, I’m ready to take the plunge with her. And, God knows, my protective nature has reared its head with her.”

  “And the job?”

  “Right now, it’s only part-time, which is fine with me. I’ve still got some things to work on…with you…with myself, and figure this just forces me to face them a little sooner than I might have.”

  “All right,” Charles smiled. “Then I suggest we face some of those fears.”

  Lance nodded, ready to talk. It was time to let the fears go.

  His phone vibrated in his pocket, but with others around, the man did not answer. Sweat broke out on his forehead and he pulled off his cap, wiping the drops away with the back of his hand. As soon as he was alone, he slid his hand into his pocket, his fingers twitching as they closed around the phone.

  Pulling it out with trepidation, he viewed the screen. His heart pounded as he listened to the voice mail, the threats renewing.

  I tried. I looked. Who knows where it was hidden? He was running out of time. The problem was, he had no idea what to do about it. Hearing his name called, he waved and plastered a smile on his face, moving on about his job.

  20

  “You guys are the best,” Jade enthused, as Katelyn pulled into the driveway of her apartment.

  “Can I just pull all the way toward the back so you don’t have so far to walk?” Katelyn asked.

  “Oh, yeah. My landlords are away this week so I’ve got the whole driveway…well, if I had a car, I would. Damn! My car. I have no idea what I’m going to do. I need to add calling Jason on my list of things to take care of and see if my insurance agent has come out yet to see it.”

  “Don’t worry about anything now, sweetie,” Tori said. “Just take one thing at a time.”

  Jillian assisted her out of the back seat and steadied her until she could stand on her own. Moving to her outside door, she stopped suddenly, Jillian almost running into the back of her.

  “My door,” she gasped.

  The other women leaned around to see what she was staring at and instantly Tori was on her phone.

  “Mitch, get to Jade’s house quickly. Someone’s tried to break in…or maybe they’re still up there. Right…right.” She looked up and said, “Mitch says to get back and stay away. He’s heading straight over.”

  “I need to see—” she started, but Jillian pulled her back carefully.

  “No, honey. We’ve got no idea if someone is still up there.”

  “But…but…” she protested feebly, allowing her friends to turn her as they hurried back to the car. “I don’t want to leave.”

  “We need to get back until the police get here,” Katelyn said.

  The sound of sirens filled the air, and within a minute three BPD police SUVs pulled into the driveway. Mitch jumped out, racing toward them as they backed away from the house. Ginny and Grant bolted from another SUV, Burt and Sam from yet another, and Lance screeched to a halt right behind them.

  Having heard the call while he was in with Mildred, signing his official paperwork, Lance ran toward Jade and, as their eyes met, she lifted her arms, accepting his as he swooped in, holding her close.

  “My lock’s been busted,” she said, her voice registering her disbelief.

  “Babe, I need you to stay back.” Looking at the other women, he said, “All of you, get inside your vehicle and stay there until we come back.”

  Running to her apartment door, he and the other officers drew their weapons, entering the narrow staircase.

  “Jesus, is this the only entrance?” Ginny asked. “What happens in case of a fire?”

  “There’s a door in her apartment that leads to the upstairs hall of the owners. Jade’s got a key.”

  Mitch ordered, “Ginny, Grant, Burt, get the key f
rom her and take the house entrance. Sam, guard out here. Lance, you’re with me.”

  As everyone dispersed, he and Mitch carefully ascended the staircase. Calling out their identification as they arrived at the top, noting Jade’s door had been pried open, they threw it wide, hurrying inside.

  “Fuck,” Lance cursed, seeing the trashed rooms.

  Ascertaining that there was no one in her apartment and the door leading to the lower floor had not been disturbed, Mitch unlocked it, allowing the others access.

  “Shit,” Grant said under his breath. Looking up, he directed at him, “Lance, you were just here. Do you know what they were looking for?”

  He cast an appraising eye around the living room, but with the vast destruction, it was hard to tell if there was anything specific the perpetrators were looking for or if it was just vandalism. Shaking his head, he said, “No, but I gotta tell you that I was starting to connect the dots between Jade being in the news and someone running her off the road.”

  “You think it was more than just kids?” Burt asked.

  “I sure as shit do now,” he responded, barely containing his anger.

  “Sam,” Mitch called down on his radio, “we need Jade to come up here. Lance is coming down to assist.”

  He nodded, knowing she was needed to identify what might have been taken, but his heart jolted at the idea of her seeing her beloved apartment. He started down the stairs, hating what he had to do.

  A moment later, he re-entered, carrying her in his arms, feeling her body jerk as her gaze landed on the mess.

  “Oh, my God!” Katelyn yelled, entering right behind, with Jillian and Tori on her heels.

  “Tori,” Mitch barked, moving to her side, “you can’t be here.”

  “But Mitch,” she protested.

  “Honey, this is a crime scene. I know you and the girls want to support Jade, but right now, you three have to go.”

  Grant moved to Jillian and talked to her quietly. After a moment, she nodded and Jillian said to Katelyn and Tori, “Come on, ladies. Let’s get some help for Jade so that when she’s finished with this, we can take care of her.”

  Lance set Jade down on the floor, keeping a steadying hand on her waist. Peering around to observe her face, he saw the instant it hit her—the violation of her home.

  “Oh, God,” she cried, her voice shaky.

  Cursing once more, he pulled her into his chest, rocking her back and forth as his hand moved along her back in circles.

  “Okay, we don’t need to do this now,” Mitch said comfortingly, but his words jolted through Jade.

  “Yes, we do,” she said, pulling her tearful face from Lance’s shirt. Lifting her good hand, she wiped her eyes and nose. She shook with anger, adding, “I need to do this. Whoever did this to me, I want them caught!”

  Sucking in a cleansing breath, she turned toward the kitchen, and viewed the mess. Drawers were pulled out, even the items in the refrigerator and freezer had been rifled through. “It doesn’t look like anything was taken,” she said, still wiping her nose. “It’s just been tossed around.”

  Taking the proffered tissue from Ginny, she blew her nose before moving into the living room. Cushions cut open. Books pulled down from shelves. Shaking her head, she hobbled into the bedroom, where the same treatment had been applied to her bed. Her dresser drawers were pulled out but, like in the kitchen, they appeared to be tossed with nothing stolen.

  Sighing heavily, she said, “Maybe this won’t be too much to clean up. I’ll have to replace the mattress and sofa, but it really looks like just teens or someone wanting to cause a mess.”

  Turning back to the officers following her, she looked up into Lance’s eyes and said, “Why? Why would teenagers try to run me off the road and then trash my place?”

  He shared a glance with the others before saying, “Jade, honey, I don’t think it was teenagers.”

  Her brow furrowed as his words sunk in, and she shook her head slightly. “I don’t understand, Lance. Who would do this?”

  “Jade, can you check the bathroom…any drugs…or anything, missing?” Mitch prompted.

  With Lance’s assistance, she stepped over the bedroom mess into the bathroom but found more of the same. Nothing missing, just a mess. Jesus, even my tampons were dumped onto the floor. Feeling violated, she moved back into the living room, looking around again. “Nothing was taken. Not my TV, not my laptop…nothing.”

  Looking at the floor, she shook her head. “All my things…even my jars of sea glass were dumped onto the floor. It’s all just a mess.”

  A sudden movement behind Burt had them all turning around. Sam appeared, his face red from climbing the stairs, but he looked right at Mitch, saying, “Sorry, Chief. But Mildred just called. The body’s been identified…it’s George Caday…the fisherman.”

  At that pronouncement, she collapsed.

  21

  The sun painted the sky in pink and orange before the blue slipped in, reflecting on the rippling bay. Lance turned his head on his pillow, grateful to see Jade still sleeping. He rolled onto his back, his ritual of staring at the circling ceiling fan bringing him a sense of calm for the moment.

  His thoughts slid to the previous day, when he thought the sight of Jade’s still bruised face as she viewed the destruction of her apartment was as bad as it could be, but then discovered just how much worse it was when Sam revealed that the body she had found was someone she knew. Watching her collapse in a dead faint had caused his heart to jolt and his arms reached out to grab her, barely keeping her from falling to the floor.

  The others had rushed forward, Grant calling for an ambulance, which brought not only Zac and his partner up the stairs, but the girls as well. Jade’s small attic apartment was not made to hold four officers, three friends, two EMTs, and one pissed off boyfriend holding one terrified victim.

  Jade, once revived, was torn between embarrassment and horror. “I’m so ashamed,” she had whispered to him. “I was upset over my apartment, which is nothing compared to poor George.” As she remembered the state the body was in, she had fought back a gag, her body shaking.

  Mitch, with his hands on his hips, had rubbed his forehead, ordering, “Okay, Burt, I need you and Ginny to stay here and dust for fingerprints…anything you can find. Sam, you head back to the station and cover the patrol before your shift ends. Grant, you and I’ll go back to the office to see the report from the state, now that we know who the victim was.” Looking down at Lance, with Jade still in his arms being checked out by Zac, he had leaned down, gaining his attention, asking, “Is she with you?”

  He had nodded, glad her focus was elsewhere so she would not overthink where he wanted her to stay—with him.

  Mitch had nodded, before turning to Jillian, Katelyn, and Tori, whom he told, “Ladies, I don’t want anything removed from here as it is still a crime scene. Can you gather toiletries and some of your clothes for Jade to borrow and get them to Lance?”

  Worried expression had crossed their faces as the three glanced toward Jade still sitting on the floor, as well as their own shock at the news about the body. They had hurried out of her apartment to take care of what their friend would need.

  Lance had gotten Jade back to his place and settled on the sofa, just as the women, now with Belle in tow, had shown up, their arms full of bags. They had gathered toiletries and a few clothes for her to borrow until she could get back into her apartment. They even dominated his kitchen, filling the refrigerator and cabinets with food for more than two. He had hated to leave her, but Jade insisted he go back and meet with the other officers.

  By the time he arrived back home, she was tucked onto his sofa, girlfriends around, and her smile, while small, was aimed at him. The women had left soon after, and he sat on the sofa, curling his body around hers, offering her warmth and comfort. They did not talk about her apartment, nor about George. He sensed she wanted to avoid the topics and that was fine with him.

  After an easy supper the w
omen had prepared and left to warm in the oven, she swallowed a pain pill and he tucked her into his bed. She fell asleep almost instantly. He had debated for only a moment as to where he should sleep—in bed with her or in the guest room. Actually, the debate was only a few seconds long, because he soon shucked his clothes, after making sure the house was secure, and climbed into bed with her.

  Now, the next morning, he turned his head again, assuring himself she was still asleep. Quietly, he shifted the covers as he slipped from his bed and padded into the kitchen. A few minutes later, taking his cup of strong coffee with him, he stepped onto his screened porch, his mind now on the case.

  George Caday. For him to be the murder victim made no sense. When they met in the BPD workroom, they added the information to the case board on the wall.

  George was sixty-three years old. Widower. One son—in prison for drugs, but not connected to any gangs. Son’s prison record is clean. Grant and Mitch were going to go out to George’s house immediately, but most of the gathering of new information would take place on the next day—today. Having already worked over his allotted part-time status, Mitch had sent him home to check on Jade.

  His mind pored over the information involving her. She found George Caday’s body. After her identity was blasted over the news, someone ran her off the road, possibly trying to kill her, and her apartment was ransacked. All related, but none of it made any sense.

  Walking back through the house, he stopped in the hall, glancing into his studio. His latest sea glass mosaic, half-finished, tempted him. He had not worked on it for days. Standing there, he waited for the anxiety to begin, but it had dissipated. Right now, he did not need the solitude of his art to calm his nerves. Instead, across the hall, in his bed, lay the object of his need.

  Moving into the bedroom, he quietly slid back under the covers. Jade blinked a few times as she began to wake.

  Seeing him in bed, her lips curved into a slight smile as she reached out her good hand and cupped his face. “How is it that everything is so topsy-turvy and yet, right now, I’m just happy to be here with you?”