Once You'Ve Touched the Heart

by Iris Bolling

  She rolled her eyes and said, “I know that JD and Tracy were supposed to get married that day. So I thought I would try to upstage them with our engagement party.”

  Gavin smiled. “Now, was that so hard?”

  “That depends on your reaction.”

  He laughed. “Have you already made arrangements for the party?”

  She looked at him as if he had insulted her with that question.

  Gavin looked back at her. “Well, have you?”

  She smiled. “Not yet, but I have plans in the works.”

  Gavin sat back. “I’m surprised you have not set things in motion. Go ahead with your plans. But I’m sure JD and Tracy are still getting married on New Year’s Eve. Our engagement party will not upstage them. You really need to let the anger you have towards Tracy go. She didn’t take JD from you; you never had him. Nevertheless, I will support whatever you choose to do, as long as it does not hurt anyone I care about. JD is someone I care about and a colleague. You don’t want me in a position to make a choice between the two of you. As for Tracy, JD, will be the least of your worries if you hurt her.”

  Carolyn stood. “Okay,” she said, not sure what he meant by that. “Are we good here?”

  “As far as the marriage goes, I know where you stand. Make the plans for your wedding. Just let me know where and when. I’ll be there.”

  Carolyn had never had anyone profess their love to her. It wasn’t such a bad feeling, but she didn’t know how to respond. She had never been in the position to have to consider someone’s feelings before, but there was something in the way Gavin spoke that made Carolyn feel not as sure about her hold on him.

  “I’m going to bed now,” she said. “Are you coming?”

  Gavin looked at her. He knew he could have her tonight if he wanted to; and he did. But at this point he was tired of trying to get her to care about him. He was thankful she was finally honest about her feelings. That was more than he’d had from her before. The marriage would be one of political convenience to him from this point on. “No, I have some things I need to do, but you go ahead.”

  Carolyn was bothered with that answer. She knew when he left Gavin was as ready as she was. Could there be someone else? She thought for a minute. No, she answered herself, and dismissed the thought. “Okay, good night.”

  “Good night,” he replied. Carolyn hesitantly went upstairs. Gavin pulled out his cell and dialed Cynthia’s number. “Thank you for this evening,” he said.

  “Anytime,” Cynthia replied. “Good night.” They ended the call.

  Chapter 33

  Senator 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.”

  “Did I hear my name?” Cynthia asked.

  “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.

  Chapter 34

  The 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?”