California 2001
The summer sun was beating down as another warm California day was picking up. It was mid morning when Jonathan Hart stepped into the kitchen, being greeted by his loveable and loyal companion Freeway Jr.
He noticed a fresh breakfast and cup of coffee waiting for him on the table overlooking the gorgeous scenery from the views of the windows of the split level home.
Next to his plate was a scribbled note from his adoring wife signed with a heart at the bottom. He grins at the personal touch.
Jennifer had picked up a bit of freelance journaling work and was already gone for the morning. It was days like today that Jonathan found himself missing the company of his butler and father figure, Max.
As Jonathan sat down he noticed the dog looking up at him with longing in his eyes.
" I know boy, I miss him too." Jonathan scratched little Junior behind the ears.
He scanned over the paper, reading over the news of the day. Something of particular interest caught his eye in the politics section.
Interesting… Jonathan thought to himself, seeing the name of an old friend headlining the page.
" Rodger Powell Set to Run For Office."
Rodger owned a software company that did much of its operations overseas and Jonathan always wondered whose side he was on. He found it of particular interest that his friend was running for Governor.
He wondered if Jennifer had read the article or even had a second to before heading into work.
After finishing his breakfast, he headed for the garage and got in the car, deciding to head over to his office. He had a meeting after lunch and wanted to make sure he had enough time to catch his secretary up to speed on finding out more information about his friend that had come back to town. He figured Rodger would come knocking sooner or later.
Where Rodger went, trouble usually followed.
Jonathan turned the radio on and headed down the long driveway from his home towards Hart Industries.
At 55 years old, he felt as though he was the luckiest man in the world. With Jennifer and Junior by his side, he felt so happy.
He was fulfilled. It didn't matter that he was wealthy or had nice cars or success, his home and his contentment came from the life he built with Jennifer. She was his everything.
The two were inseparable. Their hearts had become one once they married and Jonathan wouldn't have it any other way.
Many of their friends couldn't understand the bond they shared. The two had a connection far deeper than something a marriage certificate and ceremony could legally establish the couple by.
Their hearts could never be parted.
………………………………………………………….
Jennifer was sitting in on a rather interesting lecture for an article that her boss had asked her to work on.
The assignment was simple, to report on an attorney in town that supposedly knew a local circuit judge that was involved in a scandal of embezzling money that also worked at the university
He was giving a lecture on campus at U.C. Berkeley. The man, John Mills White was a very well known criminal defense attorney in town. He quit practicing law years ago in favor of a slower lifestyle, teaching part time classes at the university.
The judge that was currently in prison for the scandal had ties to both the school and to the Professor.
The trial was just around the corner so people were talking.
She had taken a seat at the back of the class so she wouldn't draw attention to herself, and couldn't help but notice in the lecture hall full of students, John's eyes seem to always fall on hers.
It made her a bit uncomfortable as she tried to focus. She kept her eyes down and decided just to focus on the notes she'd taken.
" …And that is the end of the lecture today. Everyone needs to review the next section for class. The test will be over sections 4 through 7. Class dismissed."
Jennifer's head snaps up as she hears the rustling of papers and chatter from students around her. She sighs happily as she realizes class is finished, grateful to be nearly finished on the assignment.
She tries to gather her things and get out before the Attorney can stop her.
He was a suave looking older man that had a reputation for being overly friendly with women. Jennifer couldn't help but notice the young girls taking his class were wearing what she could only think of as the ticket to passing the class.
As she makes her way down the steps in the wave of students, John clears his throat.
"Excuse me, I couldn't help but notice I had a new student in the back of my class. You look terribly familiar but I can't seem to recall how I know you."
Jennifer's head snapped up and she put on a charming smile. " I'm Jennifer Hart. I'm covering the story about Judge Forsythe. I'm a journalist."
The man arched his brow, smirking at her. Hart...He knew who she was. How could he not? The Harts were a well known couple around town. Jennifer was just as beautiful as the photo he had seen, maybe even more beautiful in person.
" Ahh, well it's a pleasure to meet you Ms. Hart." John sticks his hand out and with a bit of reluctance, Jennifer takes his hand, shaking it.
" It's actually Mrs." Jennifer replies with a huge grin, thinking about Jonathan.
" He's a lucky fellow." John replies, as he packs up his briefcase, smiling at Jennifer, making her a bit uncomfortable.
" We've been married happily for years. There is no one like my Jonathan." she replies, tucking a hair behind her ear, hoping the wedding ring would catch John's eyes prompting him to take the hint that he couldn't charm her.
" Would you like to step into my office? Maybe I can give you more insight into Judge Forsythe, for the article of course." John could tell Jennifer seemed a bit apprehensive but relaxed once he mentioned the article.
" Sure. I think I have a few minutes." Jennifer follows him back to his office, passing through the bustling hallways of the building with students walking to and from classes.
She was glad to be through with that phase of her life and glad to be on the other side of things.
They finally passed through a door where a few offices were and a secretary from the department greeted them as they made their way to John's office.
It was a simple office with a big mahogany desk, leather chair, and two built ins full of books, awards, photos, and the framed degrees and accolades of John all over the wall.
Jennifer took note of how meticulous he was and was quite surprised to not see a book out of place. She took notice of a framed photo on a bookcase behind the big leather chair and saw the infamous Judge and John standing together at some formal affair.
John noticed the red- head staring at the photo.
" He's a friend." John finally spoke up, sticking his hands in his pockets, closing the gap between the desk and the picture.
" The charges against him are quite steep. Why did he do it?" Jennifer got right down to it.
John sat a moment, pondering what to say next. He had profited handsomely from the Judge's greed and so did several others, but he had agreed to keep quiet and they were letting the old man take the fall. All the men testifying against him had made a pact to do the same.
" I suppose it just wasn't enough. He always wanted more. It didn't matter what it was. I was shocked when I found out. He had taken me under his wings when I first became an attorney. I thought earning his praise would make me somebody…and it did. Of course, we never really know people, do we, Mrs. Hart?"
The question surprised Jennifer, making her a bit uncomfortable with his icey tone.
" I suppose not." she replies curtly.
Deciding not to ask him anymore and not wanting to make small talk, Jennifer checked her watch, deciding it was time to head over to the office to see Jonathan. She desprately wanted to be in his loving and warm embrace.
" I think that will be all for now. Thank you for taking time to meet with me, Mr. White." Jennifer stood, as did John.
He took her hand in his, shaking it.
" The pleasure was all mine. I figure it's time people know the truth about him and all he's done. He was a good man, but as I said before, you really don't ever know someone. I'll get Barbara to show you out. Have a lovely afternoon Jennifer. If you'd ever like to drop by again, I'll be teaching a rather interesting lesson on Tuesday before the trial." John still had her hand in a light grasp.
Jennifer politely pulled away. " Thank you."
She quickly turned on her heels and tucked her notepad into her handbag before leaving the man's office. Something about him disturbed her to her core but she wasn't sure exactly what it could be.
With help from Barbara, she found her way out and left the campus as quickly as her legs could carry her.
She couldn't wait to see her husband.
TBC……….