STRUGGLES

Disclaimer: The Cullen's, the Swans, and most of the characters mentioned in the story that are known from Stephanie Meyer's beloved Twilight Saga, are all hers and hers alone. I neither have nor wish to pass them off as mine. I do appreciate the fact that she did bring them to life and allows us to play with them in our imaginations. The only thing I will claim is the current storyline.

The awesome and talented dowlingnana searched out my errors and corrected them. She also makes the banners for each of my stories.

They needed DNA from Norma Harrison to be able to have the final piece of evidence in place that will prove she was the one that killed Frank Harrison and not Isabella Swan Harrison.

CHAPTER 36: MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

The detective, while being a bit curious as to why Norma Harrison wanted to meet with him, was a man on a mission, he was determined to clear his name with Capt. Jenkins. And, to be able to do this he had to get a good strong sample of the woman's DNA. It troubled him that a second search of the Harrison home was required because of what had been missed the first time by the crime scene crew. How was it that those things weren't discovered except by the private detective the family had hired?

All of these things were quickly running through his mind as he drove to meet the Harrison sister. Sure, he wondered why she wanted to meet with him, but, at the same time he felt that he knew the reason: she was on a fishing expedition. He believed that she was wanting to know what evidence existed to convict Isabella Harrison, and to his way of thinking, when charges were going to be filed against the sister-in-law. Of course, it could really be something entirely different, but he truly didn't think so.

XXXXXX

Charlie arrived, it seemed, just in time to catch his friend before Jenkins was leaving his office. And, instead of brushing Charlie off, Jenkins took his seat behind his desk and asked Charlie what was going on.

It didn't take Charlie long to reply, "Not much, but thought I would give you an update as to what was happening on our end of things. After that I was going to ask you for any available updates that you might have."

"Well, to be honest, I was going to give you a call later today with what I've found out from Asher and to let you know that I've had interviewed him as to his sloppiness in handling the Harrison case."

"Okay, so, it seems that we both have something new to report. So, who's going first, you or me?" Charlie asked with a slight chuckle.

"Well, why don't you go first, Charlie? I'm very interested in what has put the sparkle back into your eyes which were desperate and holding no light at all the last time we faced one another."

"Very observant, Jay. And, yes, things are starting to get better." Here Charlie paused as he got up and closed the door to Jenkins office and then resumed his seat. "What I'm about to confide to you is off the record and has to stay strictly hush-hush for the moment."

Jenkins just sits still and looks at his friend, not being quite sure how the information he's about to be told will affect anything. But, after a quick calculation in his head the captain nods an agreement and waits for Charlie to continue. When nothing is said, Jenkins tells Charlie, "Come on man, you know me well enough that I won't say anything unless it's a case that it can't be avoided."

"Okay, it's just that Bella has awakened for short periods of time, on and off enough, that we've had a chance to talk with her. During that time, before she passed out again, she was able to tell us, her attorney and me, some details that we weren't aware of. It's those details that I wanted to pass on to you."

With that piece of information, Capt. Jenkins was startled into absolute stillness. "Charlie, are you telling me that she was able to give you some information that would lead to solidify the evidence we are gathering against Norma Harrison?"

"I believe so. Bella was able to tell us what happened that night between her and Frank Harrison. However, before you ask, no, she didn't know of anyone else being in the house. As far as she knew she and Frank were the only two people there.

"But, the biggest piece of information is the fact that Norma Harrison has made a visit to Bella's room, not as herself, but, dressed as a staff nurse. And, from what Bella was able to tell us, there were two such visits, but there might have been more, and Bella not realize it or remember them."

'That was information that wasn't recorded anywhere in the case file.' Jenkins thought to himself. So, once again, the information Charlie just told him gives rise to the question as to why it hadn't been reported by the officer on duty about anything unusual taking place where their suspect had been concerned.

He quickly realized that this whole damn case had a lot of holes that had been ignored or was blatantly overlooked due to irresponsibility from more than just one person. However, all of the mistakes that had remained uncorrected led back to the one person that he had talked with just hours ago: Det. Asher.

True, he couldn't entirely fault the detective for not knowing the information that was being presented to him now since the guarding officer had failed to report any such incident, but it was still Asher's place to check up on his details ever so often to make sure he was aware of any new set of circumstances concerning his case. And, once again, it turns out to be a failure on Det. Asher's end of things.

Thinking aloud, Jenkins wonders "how could a detective with the outstanding record that Asher has, go so wrong suddenly?"

"To answer that question, my friend, it only takes a second for someone to look at a situation and then assume that they have all of the facts due to apparent evidence. But, as we, the veterans, know, what is evident at first glance isn't always the entire case. Each piece needs to be checked and then rechecked if something doesn't fit in place.

"Gathering evidence for a case is like putting a jigsaw puzzle together, you have to make sure that you have the right piece to put it in its proper place. If a piece doesn't fit where you think it should, then you keep looking for the right piece.

"Also, with a good detective, you learn to rely on your instincts about some things. If you haven't taken the time to develop those instincts, or, refuse to listen to them, then you're not worth a damn at your job. You get sloppy and make terrible mistakes that have bad consequences for others that are innocent.

"And, in my opinion, that is the worse kind of cop that exists." Charlie finished saying.

"I know what you mean. That's why I'm having a hard time understanding what could be happening to Asher. He's never been this haphazard in handling a case in the past. His record has been exemplary until now.

"But, enough of Asher, finish telling me about the new information that you have concerning Norma Harrison and your daughter."

So, without further ado, Charlie continued filling Jenkins in about what they had discovered from Bella.

XXXXXX

Edward did make his way to the courthouse and researched the records to see if he could find any paperwork that had been filed concerning Frank Harrison's murder case. All that he found was some writs filed for search warrants for bank account records for both of the Harrison's and for the restaurant. There was even a writ filed concerning checking Jasper Whitlock's bank records and home.

Edward wondered if Jasper was aware of this warrant? Nothing had been mentioned about any search being done at ISABELLA'S or at Jasper's home. He would have to follow up with that bit of information. But he found nothing else had been filed concerning charges against Isabella Harrison.

This indicated to Edward that the District Attorney wasn't ready to bring charges as yet; that the case was still full of questions. It must be because he felt the case wasn't solid enough to get a conviction as yet. That bit of information would help everyone else feel better, especially Bella's parents and friends.

As Edward made his way out of the court clerk's office, he pulled his phone out of his pocket and dialed Jasper's number. It didn't take but two rings for Jasper to answer and then Edward launched into telling him about his discoveries at the courthouse. He then finished by asking, "Jasper, has anyone been out to the restaurant to conduct any type of search, or, to your home?"

"No one has conducted any sort of thing at either place. However, if it does happen you can bet that you'll be the first one to know." Jasper answered with puzzlement being recognized by Edward sounding in Jasper's voice.

"Well, since the warrants haven't been served as yet, then I should have some time to be able to file an injunction to prevent them from happening." Edward remarked more to himself rather than to Jasper.

It didn't take long for Edward to bring Jasper up to date about his cousin regaining consciousness and about the recent conversation with Bella concerning what had happened between the Harrisons' and then about Norma Harrison coming to the hospital to harass Bella.

"You mean that damn bitch was up there and none of us were aware of it? How could something like that happen and we never know about it?" Jasper continued to ask without giving Edward a chance to reply.

As soon as Jasper stopped to draw a breath, Edward began to speak in an attempt to calm Jasper down. Edward explained what he was going to do in an effort to put a stop to any further action until formal charges were brought against either Bella or Norma.

With a little more reassurance from Edward, Jasper felt satisfied with the situation and the two men hung up with Edward contiinuing on to do what he needed to do to stop the use of the search warrants.

XXXXXX

Bella hears footsteps outside of her door and then glances over to see the handle turning ever so slowly before she quickly closes her eyes once more in an effort to appear unconscious. And, as a quick afterthought, she turns her face away from the door so that whoever is entering won't see her features.

But, her eyes quickly open and in surprise turns her head towards the voice that is very close to her ear; a voice of a young woman that she's recognizing as having been with her before. "Bella, I know that you're awake and what the guys have told you to do. My brother is working very hard to get all of this put behind you as quickly as he can.

"My mom and your mom are going to be coming up very shortly. We are all going to be sitting with you to help keep the nursing staff and the cops from finding out that you've awakened. At times we'll all be together, but, other times it'll be just one or two of us. No need to worry, you won't be alone, and we will be running interference as the saying goes." Bella has, all of this time, been staring at a young woman, that she is now able to put a face to a voice, that had been speaking to her when Bella was in her catatonic state.

Seeing Bella's continual stare and a look of confusion starting to appear on Bella's face, Alice quickly realizes why. "Don't worry, I'm Alice, Edward's sister, and I've been up here quite a bit talking with you to help you get to know my brother since you two are meant to be together." Alice told Bella.

And, as she was telling Bella all of this and seeing the strange looks that are rapidly coming and going on Bella's face, Alice continues rambling, "Don't worry, I'm not a nut case. My brother can tell you that I just seem to know certain things before they happen. The family has gotten used to it, even though, they don't like to accept some of the things that I say at times."

With that said, the two women begin to get a bit more comfortable with each other and Bella begins to ask questions. Her questions center more about the personal lives of Alice and Edward. She even asks why Edward and Alice chose to live half a country away from their parents.

XXXXXX

Det. Asher arrived a few minutes before Norma and arranged for them to have a table removed from the main flow of traffic in the restaurant. Their discussion was meant to be private and he didn't want anyone being able to listen, or to be able to observe anything that he would be doing.

As he sees the woman of everyone's nightmares approaching, he rises and pulls out a chair for her. Then once seated, drink orders placed, it doesn't take long for Norma to get down to the reason why she asked for the meeting. Asher didn't have to ask why she called.

After hearing that Norma was asking for an update concerning how well the case was progressing, she was quick to ask why charges hadn't been brought against Bella Harrison. The answer the detective gave was the truth, "Because we still have a few loose ends that are needed to be tied up before the D. A. will be happy enough to formally charge the guilty party." And as he worded his answer in that manner, he saw Norma raising her brow and getting ready to question him further. So, he quickly explained that he was quoting the District Attorney and his superiors. So, she accepted that answer without further thought.

Their waitress returned to see if the two were ready to order anything to eat. After a quick glance at the menus, that neither one had taken the time to glance at before then, they each placed an order for a sandwich with soup. This made things easier for Asher since it gave him plenty of DNA opportunities. All he had to do was to figure out how he was going to grab something that had been in her mouth and smuggle it out without her noticing.

The ideal utensil and opportunity came unexpectedly when Norma took one last bite of her soup and cleaned the spoon of all food with her mouth. Then she excused herself to go to the restroom. It was while she was away that Asher quickly snatched the spoon and wrapped it up in a napkin, then he quickly stacked all of the dishes, so the missing spoon wouldn't be noticed by the waitress when she cleared the dishes.

It was during their meal that Asher answered Norma's questions with vague answers without going into any great details. His answers did seem to satisfy her for the moment. But, he was anxious to get the hell away from her so he could get the spoon back to the lab for her DNA to be checked.

A/N: Well, what do you think of everyone's discussions and the information discovered or revealed? Charlie and Jenkins, Edward and Jasper, then Bella and Alice all shared information about different subjects, but, yet at the same time it all connected. But, let's not forget Asher and Norma; how did you like the way the detective handled the situation?

Thanks for reading and looking forward to your reviews and thoughts.