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.

Without further hesitation, Asher did as instructed and was observed by Jenkins as the detective shot to a more straightening of his position and the raising of his eyebrows. "Of course, Ms. Harrison, I would be most interested in speaking with you."

CHAPTER 35: FINAL STEPS

Norma was delighted with being able to reach the detective that was determined to put her sister-in-law behind bars for the rest of her life. Why he was so convinced that Bella had murdered Frank, Norma had no idea and she definitely wasn't going to debate the issue, but, then she wasn't going to turn her back on her unexpected gift horse, either.

This young man was going to make sure, unknowingly, that Norma was going to gather all of the fruits of both Frank's and Bella's labors. She would be able to live the lifestyle that she felt she was entitled after all that she had to endure from her father and then her brother.

Hearing his agreement to meet and speak with her about the case would hopefully provide her with something more that would help to move her plans to the next level. She was determined to do everything she could to supply Det. Asher with everything he would need to get Bella convicted and to ensure Norma's future as she was envisioning it in her mind.

After getting off the phone, feeling like the world was already hers, Norma gave some thought to a few past conversations Bella had tried to have with her. Her brother's dumb wife never gave thought as to what the real issues were as to why Norma resented her: Bella was everything that Norma had been forbidden to be. But, then to be honest, Norma would be resentful of any woman her brother married that was in the position to better hers and Frank's lifestyle by turning everything over to Frank's control, but, instead, she continued refusing to turn everything over to Frank. It would have made life a hell of a lot simpler for everyone with going along with what Frank wanted, but, Bella had to be stubborn which made life unbearable for Norma.

Norma's father never approved of women getting a higher education to where they would be able to work outside of the home. It just didn't fit in with his ideas of control. And, the same applied to Frank's line of thought as well. To them if a woman worked outside of the house it gave them a certain amount of control which they had no right to have and decreased the amount of control the husband was able to exercise. The control was with the woman's boss and the woman and that was unacceptable to the males in the family.

But, if a woman created a business of her own and refused to allow the husband to have control of the business decisions that was asking for trouble in the extreme. And, that is what Bella did. But, all of that was done before she and Frank married and then after the marriage Bella refused to allow Frank to have any sort of say so concerning the business decisions of any kind.

Norma wasn't afraid to admit to herself that it was both jealousy and resentment she felt towards Bella. Bella had a chance and the encouragement to go for what she wanted to do in life. And, then was able to bring her dreams to reality. Encouragement, support, chances and opportunities to be successful in the business world; something that was never given to Norma. Norma would have been severely punished anytime she mentioned that she wanted to work and support herself.

Frank did try everything he could do to make Bella turn over to him the control of ISABELLA'S, but, she continued to refuse. She was stupid enough to throw the fact that her cousin, Jasper, handled all of the business end of things as well as her personal investments at Frank, and she was satisfied with that arrangement. And, even had the nerve to tell him that she had no intention of changing things at any time.

But, after some time something happened that caused Frank to become even more controlling and demanding. He seemed to keep a closer eye on both Bella and herself. All that he would tell Norma was that his wife had pushed him to a point that she needed to be taught a lesson and that she hadn't taken too much time to learn it, except, only to a certain degree. However, despite whatever the lesson was, Bella still refused to change her mind about giving Frank finally control of her business. And, it was this attitude that drove Frank crazy to the point of demanding that Bella have all housework done before ever leaving the house for any reason.

It was her attitude that caused Frank to become more demanding and harsher with Norma than what he had been in the past. He dictated how she wore her hair, how she was to dress and how she or when she would speak.

Of course, their father had made sure that the family had been well provided for when he died, but, it was Norma's job to take care of the family home and their mother while Frank created a life of his own, and, with another family residence.

But, now, now she was finally free to enjoy the life that she had been denied, even after the death of their mother. There was no one left to stop her, and it was all being handed to her as if it was meant to be.

XXXXXX

While Norma was busily analyzing the happenings leading up to her current set of circumstances, Bella was being kept busy in a different manner. Two things were happening with Bella; first, she was having to play possum each time she heard the door being opened as someone entered her room just as Edward had instructed her to do. And, secondly, her thoughts would constantly continue repeating the same thought processes over and over. The thoughts of what she had been told about the case and then her more private thoughts concerning how she was reacting to Edward, both in the past and now, the present.

She was surprised that the more she thought about the situation surrounding Norma's actions that she wasn't as nearly surprised as she might or should have been. Norma had always been wound as tightly as an eight-day clock and then some. But, her thoughts surrounding her sexy attorney were more surprising and very absorbing.

And it amazed her that she was able to recall, to a great degree, Edward's interactions with her while she had been unconscious. During that time, it seemed that all of it had been more of a dream, except when she was near the surface of consciousness. It was at those times she remembered that she had chosen to return to the deeper state of unconsciousness in an effort to keep Edward safe. Why she felt that need, or, thought those thoughts were still beyond her reasoning. It was an overwhelming feeling she acknowledged that Norma might be able to harm the one thing that made her feel safe and secure for some unknown reason. Well, at that time, truth be told, it was the comforting, tender male voice that she identified as making her feel protected, wanted and loved. And, that instinctively, she wanted to keep that individual safe and to give her protection however she could more than anything else. So, she retreated back down to the deeper state of unconsciousness.

Bella couldn't help herself each time she allowed her thoughts to turn to Edward Cullen and the feelings he invoked within her. Although, his sexy good looks were beyond words, and it wasn't hard to become lost gazing into his deep emerald green eyes. But, she couldn't forget wanting to get a feel of his bronze hair that he wore in a style that seemed to be all his own: bed-head chic, she named it.

She would unconsciously smile a smile that seemed to be able to light up a whole city, not just her face and bring a sparkle of happiness to her eyes. She couldn't in all honesty say what it was about the man that made her feel the things she did about this complete stranger, but, whatever it was she didn't want to lose it.

From what Bella knew about Edward Cullen, he was the complete opposite from Frank. Frank was cruel, abusive and demanding, but, Edward was caring, tender, loving. But, Bella didn't kid herself into believing that Edward was a wimp. No, she saw that he had no problems taking command of a situation and being forceful when it was called for without appearing, that she could see, to be overbearing. However, he did things in a calm manner without being threatening. And, even with that thought, Bella was sure that Edward could be threatening if the occasion really called for such action.

So, like Norma, Bella was lost to her private thoughts of events and people while not knowing what circumstances were forming and beginning to take shape out and away from her location.

XXXXXX

The women at the penthouse were busy planning how to help shield Bella and who would be taking what shift. And, the men were busy planning what actions they would be taking next, as well. It was decided that Emmett would continue his investigation of things and see what he could find out about the background of the Harrison family, especially now that it seemed there might be some mob connections involved. Charlie was going to get together with his friend, Capt. Jenkins, and get updated about any and all new happenings. Carlisle would be heading back to the hospital to be close to Bella. And, finally, Edward would complete his interrupted trip to the D. A.'s office.

It was as Edward was about to leave the penthouse to go to the D.A. that Charlie called out, "Hey, Edward, wait up a moment, I think you might want to wait until after I've talked with Jenkins before approaching the D. A. about anything concerning this case."

"Why is that?"

"It's just a suggestion, but, don't you think the D. A. would already have made a move with filing the case if the police had finished their investigation? I know that in Forks my men have to have all of the evidence to back up the facts and an arrest having been made before our District Attorney will even consider filing a case"

Edward looked at Charlie for a moment as he considered what Bella's father had just stated. And, Edward had to acknowledge that the man knew what he was talking about since Charlie Swan was a police chief. It didn't matter the place since the law worked the same regardless. "Okay, Charlie, you're probably right. If charges had been filed Bella would have been formally arrested and restrained to the bed railing by handcuffs.

"However, I think I will continue on down to the Courthouse just to see what, if anything, has been filed in regards to this case. By doing that I can get a head start on any paperwork I might need to file any writs that might be necessary."

"That might not be a bad idea."

So, it didn't take long for everyone to leave the penthouse on their way to carry on with the plans they all had made.

XXXXXX

Between the time from her phone call to Det. Asher and the appointment time to meet with him, Norma stayed busy making her list of all the things she needed to take carry of or to do so she would be ready to get the hell away from this city. She felt like, at times, that time was dragging by like someone had cast a spell to slow it down. Then at other moments it seemed to be running away from her, making her believe that she was running out of time to handle all the

things that she needed to do.

Glancing at the clock, she noticed the time and decided that she had better hurry if she didn't want to be late meeting Det. Asher for lunch. It had surprised her that he had even agreed so readily to the meeting. Norma had used the excuse of wanting to know of any other discovered details surrounding her brother's death. And, as she explained to him, she felt that since he was the detective in charge of the case that he would be the one that could give her a clear picture of what was happening.

Also, she told him that she wanted to know what the hold up was as to why Isabella Harrison hadn't been charged as yet for killing her brother.

XXXXXX

After taking the surprising phone call from Norma Harrison and telling the Captain what the Harrison sister had wanted, a plan was formed, and Det. Asher was determined to carry it through. It had hit home exactly what had Capt. Jenkins concerned about how Asher was conducting the Harrison murder case and why doubts of Asher's personal agenda in bringing the case to the proper conclusion.

When he had seen the coroner's report and heard about what all had been discovered at the Harrison's that had been overlooked by the first search of the home everything came crashing to a speedy understanding for the detective.

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.

A/N: Det. Asher had a rude awakening with everything he learned from Capt. Jenkins. Norma is still moving forward with the impression that she will be able to have her desired lifestyle without any consequences. And, everyone at the penthouse has been fully updated and heading out to protect Bella in one form or another. Will Det. Asher be able to get Norma's DNA without her realizing what he's wanting? Will Norma be foolish enough to continue believing that she has gotten away with murder and that Bella will be charged for the crime?

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