Love Never Dies

by Loren Lockner

  Love Never Dies

  This book is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  “Love Never Dies,” by Loren Lockner. ISBN 1-58939-840-8.

  Published 2006 by Virtualbookworm.com Publishing Inc., P.O. Box 9949, College Station, TX 77842, US.2006, Loren Lockner . All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of Loren Lockner

  .

  Manufactured in the United States of America.

  Love Never Dies

  by

  Loren Lockner

  Prologue

  “You don’t have to do this,” stated Angus O’Leary decisively. No one knew better than he how things could go so terribly wrong within a split second and he feared greatly for his younger companion.

  His somber counterpart’s hand rested resolutely upon the black sedan’s door handle as he turned his lean serious face to the man he’d contacted only six weeks prior and had come to like and respect.

  “I know,” he said mildly, “but the wheels are turning quicker than expected and time is short. If I don’t go in there and make an appearance all our hard work is for not.”

  “I’m worried about your safety,” said Angus gruffly, finding it difficult to verbalize his heartfelt words.

  “There is so much more at stake now than my own personal safety. I trust you Angus with my life, as well as Mandy’s, and because of that and your incredible dedication to an often thankless job, I will complete my task. For once I have a chance to do something really right in my life and I can’t let your concerns for my well-being derail our mission.”

  The blustery late afternoon breeze was scattering autumn leaves everywhere around Toronto’s Humber Bay on Lake Ontario. The wind over the massive lake promised an early winter and Angus adjusted his wool coat accordingly, even though he wasn’t vacating the comfortable warmth of the car’s gray leather interior anytime soon. The younger man took a deep breath and his steel gray eyes met Angus’ reassuringly.

  Unfortunately Angus didn’t feel remotely reassured. “It’s just that this isn’t your field or forte. You’re doing this more as a favor for the police. If something happens to you I’ll never forgive myself.

  “All will come right,” the raven-haired man promised softly. “You just wait and see. Besides, we’ve covered our bases and constructed a surefire backup plan.” He straightened his shoulders confidently and firmly opened the car door, his obscuring gray trench coat disguising the tall, well-built man he really was. He turned for a brief moment and smiling, lifted a casual hand to Angus before trudging down the darkened street to fulfill his destiny. Angus suddenly had a horrible premonition of danger, but knew nothing could now halt those measured methodical steps, and he wished, not for the first time, that he’d told the quiet man headed so determinedly down the damp street how much he admired both him and the stand he’d taken. Unfortunately now he might never get the chance.

  Chapter One

  The first moment Julia Morris laid eyes on Seth Hayes she knew she was in big trouble. She’d been lounging around her twin brother’s new condominium watching her brother Paul valiantly move his sparse furniture this way and that, trying unsuccessfully to fill up the huge vacant spaces.

  “So what do you think Julia? Does the couch go better here or over there near the fireplace?”

  “The love seat,” corrected Julia, “looks really nice by the fireplace. Unfortunately you need to have a couple of accompanying chairs to fill up the empty spaces. It doesn’t matter what you do Paul, this place is far too big for what little furniture you have.”

  “I know,” grumbled Paul, surveying the enormous, brand-spanking-new condominium he’d moved into only a week ago. His mother had often told him about his eyes being bigger than his stomach in relation to food, but he felt that concept might pertain to his taste in living accommodations as well. The first time he laid eyes on this particular condominium located so close to the zoological gardens; he’d vowed to own the overpriced accommodation. He’d borrowed, begged, and disinvested all of his ready cash to make the down payment, but now that he was in, Paul recognized he could barely meet the monthly house payment, much less eat! Not only did he not have enough furniture, but his position as a computer analyst at Tri-Tek was probably not going to be enough to cover the rent, utilities, and buy enough furniture to even hold a decent party.

  His twin sister Julia grinned at him maliciously out of identical dark green eyes and for a moment he hated her. After all she had been the one who’d said, “I told you so.” But this time Paul David Morris was one step ahead of his attractive younger sister, if a twin can really be considered younger at four minutes and thirty-eight seconds, and had placed an ad in the Santa Barbara Herald seeking a roommate. So far he’d only received three responses to his advertisement and if somebody didn’t follow through soon and come up with some cash, he was going to have to do the most dreaded thing he could possibly think of, and that was to borrow money from his sister.

  His twin now lounged on his only other couch, twisting her blonde head in accordance to his restless movements as she watched him pace the large interior of the beautiful and spacious condominium. Paul had no doubt his sister would lend him the money if he asked her; in fact he’d even suggested discreetly that she move out of her small apartment and take up residence with him. After all, the condominium did have three bedrooms, two of which overlooked the lush zoological gardens, as well as a huge kitchen that was a chef’s dream, a lovely fireplace, and a beautiful dining room. Too bad there wasn’t a dining room table to occupy the empty parquet floor!

  Julia languidly removed herself from the brown and red plaid couch and followed her brother into the echoing dining room where he stood with his hands on his hips, surveying the empty chamber. So far one tiny house plant sat forlornly upon the windowsill opposite the beautiful built-in bookcase, which housed only twenty or so volumes. Paul sighed drearily.

  “I think cherry wood would go beautifully in here,” said Julia, casting an appreciative glance around. It had always been her secret desire to fill a dining room with beautiful antique cherry wood and Paul smiled indulgently at his twin. They were so alike in many ways, each possessing the same steady green eyes and straight nose they’d inherited from their grandfather. While both had rich, luxurious hair, Julia’s was blonde and streaked golden and white by the sun, while his was a dark dusty brown, admittedly cut a little too long for his mother’s taste, but highly attractive to his girlfriend, Angie Carter, who also happened to be his sister’s roommate.

  He surveyed his sister now as she strolled around the spacious room, admiring the beautiful timbered ceiling and rough-textured wall that gave the room its Tudor-like ambience. Diamond-cut window panes completed the effect and Julia had to admit the room, even without furniture, was simply stunning. Julia Ann Morris stood five-foot-seven in her stocking feet, and while deceptively slender, was strongly built. In her fourth year as a second grade teacher at the local elementary school, her strong sense of humor and gentle, encouraging ways had made her a favorite at Hyatt Elementary. Parents and students alike loved her and Paul could easily see why; not only was she kind and generous, but beautiful to behold, with high cheekbones, an angelic mouth, and their inherited steady green eyes that on Julia appeared ever so much more exotic and interesting than on him.

  Julia’s hair was cut three inches below her shoulders in a carefree layered manner and today she’d tied it back in a nonchalant, haphazard braid, causing her to appear windblown and delightfully sexy. Paul had to admit that almost eve
rything about his sister was carefree and windblown, and sometimes wished Julia would take a little more notice of her appearance. Why, just look at her now, dressed in those sloppy old green sweatpants half-covered by an oversized yellow t-shirt with a smiling face upon it. Julia didn’t look like the femme fatale he knew she could, but perhaps that was for the best, since he wasn’t always around to beat off unwanted suitors like he’d done in high school and college.

  Julia had left her sandals on the doorstep and walked around barefoot, enjoying the warmth of the parquet floor beneath her toes. At twenty-eight years of age, she appeared to possess no worries and enjoyed every day to its fullest. She felt no rush to hurry into marriage even though countless men eyed her as she strolled by, remaining exasperatingly unmoved by their intense looks of admiration. Paul’s friend, Tim Stevens, had expressed an overt interest in Julia, but Paul’s twin remained aloof, seemingly content to accompany Paul and Angie for a movie or dinner instead of finding a boyfriend. She only occasionally dated and Paul often accused Julia of being halfhearted about her love life, to which his carefree sister would simply shrug a nonchalant shoulder. Paul had to admit that his sister’s present lack of love life took a backseat to the more serious problem at hand.

  “You know Julia, I’ve had a couple of interested guys call up and ask about the condominium. Unfortunately, two told me flat out that what I want is way too expensive.”

  “So what are you asking to rent this place?”

  “Two hundred twenty-five a week and half the utilities, but they get their own garage space, a beautiful en-suite bathroom, a wonderful kitchen, and an incredible view.”

  “I know, I know, it’s indeed lovely Pauli, but I’m just not sure that this was the time in your life to buy, and now I’m afraid you’re going to end up in serious financial difficulty.”

  Paul turned a frustrated eye on his perceptive sister. “Your point is well-taken, but I wanted to have something to offer Angie, when and if I ever ask her to marry me. And don’t you go and tell her I’m even considering matrimony.”

  “My lips are sealed,” said Julia, deciding then and there it was high time to help her brother out. Angie was the best thing that ever happened to her brother and she wasn’t about to let her beloved twin fail to woo the woman he loved. Julia, however, planned to let him sweat for awhile, not willing to let Paul off the hook so easily, since her brother had proverbially once again ‘leapt before he looked’ when he’d bought the too-expensive condo.

  “Anyway,” continued her brother, not realizing his sister was really on his side. “I’m going to try and set up my ornery computer. Do you think I could coax you into making some of that delicious lemonade you always seem to whip up so frightfully fast? I have some fresh lemons. Maybe that will cheer me up.”

  “No problem,” said Julia, and she strolled into the modern kitchen, smiling affectionately after his preoccupied departure into his office.

  It had crossed her mind more than once to move in with him and help relieve the burden of the cost of this new condominium, but she was happy living with Angie in their modest two bedroom flat, ten minutes from her brother’s condominium. A loan was a much better alternative she decided. Besides, what was she going to use the money for anyway? She had just finished squeezing the lemons and was adding a brimming cupful of sugar when the doorbell rang.

  “Pauli, there’s somebody at the door,” she called, but apparently her brother was too deeply immersed in the wiring of his computer to hear, so she ambled to the entryway herself, swinging the door open wide without so much as a single thought to inquiring who it might be first.

  It was with almost a physical blow that she recoiled from the tall man standing before her, dressed stylishly in a smoke gray three-piece suit, his eyes matching the color of the tailored suit precisely. The stranger’s dark hair hung long and layered, nearly reaching his shoulders, and he carried a briefcase in one hand and a newspaper in the other. He appeared startled at her appearance and his eyes flicked downward to the newspaper folded in quarters in his hand as if he’d made a serious mistake.

  “Um, is this the Morris residence?” he asked hesitantly in rich tones.

  “Yes it is,” answered Julia, noting the serious glint to his eyes and striking features of his face. Lean and broad-shouldered, he carried himself well, though his face was a bit too somber and reserved for complete attractiveness. That incredible reserve suggested a man most would find frustratingly difficult to know, and Julia decided then and there she wished to become better acquainted.

  “I’m here to answer the ad about the condominium…” he questioned tentatively, and suddenly Julia realized he was one of her twin’s prospective roommates.

  “Oh, please come in. You’re looking to rent one of the rooms. I’ll get Paul.” She rushed away, suddenly conscious of her worn sweatpants and oversized t-shirt, never realizing his lips twitched appreciatively at the sight of her bare, hurrying feet. Her brother squatted upon the plush carpet as he bent over his uncooperative computer mumbling incoherently to no one in particular.

  “There’s a man here about the room and I let him in. I don’t know what his name is, but he looks really interested.” And interesting Julia added silently to herself.

  Paul jerked up so rapidly that he hit his head on the desk and rubbed it absently. “So someone finally came. If he asks, tell him there’s furniture coming,” he muttered conspiratorially to his sister as he preceded her out the doorway to survey the tall serious man standing in the foyer.

  “Hi,” said Paul, wiping his hand on his blue jeans before extending it to the stranger. “My name’s Paul Morris and I take it you’re here about the ad?”

  “Yes I am,” returned the businessman. “I’m seeking a place that is quiet and removed from the city center and your ad suggested this place has lots of great amenities.”

  “This place is peaceful all right, mostly because the condominium next to us isn’t even occupied yet and the zoological gardens border our grounds. If it’s quiet you want you’ve come to the right place. You are?” her brother asked politely.

  “I’m sorry,” said the other man contritely, “my name is Seth Hayes. I’m a junior architect with the firm Bastam, Hughes, and Glickstern. I’m new in town and desperately need a place to live. I’ve been camping out in a hotel and was hoping to find a place right away.”

  “You could have immediate occupancy here, though as you recall from the ad, you’ll have to supply your own bedroom furniture.”

  “I can do that,” said the man mildly, and flicked his eyes over Julia who smoothed the front of her droopy sweats and wished the floor would swallow her up. Never before had she met a man so attractive or with such a beautiful a voice and of course she looked positively despicable herself. However, he seemed to take no notice of her appearance in the least and returned his silver gaze to her brother.

  “So you still have a room available?”

  “Two as a matter-of-fact. You can have your pick. Would you care to see them?”

  Seth nodded and followed Paul down the wide hall. Paul opened the first door on his right, which revealed a spacious bedroom with immaculate en-suite bathroom facilities. While it didn’t have a view of the Zoological gardens, the large balcony overlooked the complex’s huge oval pool, tastefully manicured gardens, and an unusual waterfall feature connected to a Koi pond. Seth surveyed the large room with its built in bookcases and wide window seat before opening the mirrored doors of the huge walk-in closet lined with cedar.

  “It’s truly an exceptional room,” he commented. “I believe this would do nicely.”

  “I think before you make a decision you should check out the other room,” said Paul. “It’s located at the end of the hall and just down from my office. My room is the last one on the left and there’s a guest washroom just there. One of the reasons I bought this place is that three of its rooms have a view of the zoological gardens; the master bedroom, the office next door, and this bedroom
on the right.”

  The next chamber, though slightly smaller than the beautiful suite already shown to Seth, had a similarly wide balcony with a lovely view of the vast gardens and its towering trees, brick walkways, and occasional peacock. Sunlight poured into the large room and an open doorway revealed a modern, spacious bathroom with a skylight and sparkling chrome fixtures.

  “Very tasteful,” said Seth, after emerging from the tiled bathroom complete with clean gray tiles, huge built-in Jacuzzi tub, and double spray shower.

  A medium-sized brick fireplace faced the room, which also contained a nice-sized nook leading onto a huge balcony whose wide expanse could easily house a table and four chairs and whose view could not be faulted. Seth stood quietly and observed a stately peacock strut under a gum tree for a moment while a trio of mallard ducks quacked in the distance.

  “You’re asking two hundred and twenty-five dollars a week, and half the utilities?”

  “Yes. The only drawback is the place is pretty much unfurnished.”

  Seth set down his briefcase and analyzed the room once again, his silver eyes appreciating the vaulted ceiling, numerous plant nooks, and subtle mushroom-colored walls.

  “I suspect you use the office yourself. Would there be any way I could get a telephone line in here?”

  “It’s not a problem. I was planning to get a DSL line anyway, though it might be a couple of weeks before it’s functional. You know how the phone company is.”

  “Yes,” said Seth quietly to himself. “This will do quite nicely. You indicated I could move in right away?”

  Paul’s green eyes lit up delightedly, “You can move in today if you want, but unfortunately there’s no furniture.”

  “And when will your furniture be arriving?”

  Julia crossed her arms and glanced down at the floor, but not before Seth caught her muffled grin.

  “Well,” stumbled Paul, “the furniture is coming in stages.”

  “I see,” said Seth, and Julia was certain he did.