A/N… WOW! What a response on the first chapter! Thank you! I'll get out of your way.

~oOo~

Chapter 2

EDWARD

"Dammit," I grumbled, opening the box from my kitchen.

Apparently, my Keurig didn't survive the move. I fiddled with the cracked hinge and tipped it over to see that the reservoir was split as well. I was still studying it when there was a knock on my door.

I opened it to see Tanya standing on the other side. "What are you doing here?"

She grinned. "Good morning to you, too, sunshine. I came to help you. You said you didn't have time to unpack. I'm willing to pitch in." She held out a cup of coffee to me. "And knowing you, this should tame the savage beast."

Snorting, I rolled my eyes as I stepped aside, taking the cup from her. "Come in." I closed the door and set the now destroyed coffee maker onto the counter. "We can't do this today. I have a new case, Tanya."

"I don't actually need you to be here, you know. Go play Sherlock Holmes, and I'll at least get you out of boxes," she told me, pushing herself up onto the counter.

I smirked, shaking my head at her. I'd known her my whole life, it seemed. We were once high school sweethearts, though the term seemed silly. Somewhere along the way, we stopped being in love and just became friends. There was no big blowout or fight, no cheating or tears. We simply didn't date anymore. Honestly, I was closer to her than some of my own family.

Tanya was beautiful, truly, though I didn't see her that way. She felt like family. She was completely high maintenance and boisterous and shameless.

She eyed me shrewdly. "Have you talked to the folks?" she asked, leaning on the last word sarcastically.

Huffing a laugh, I said, "No. I need to, but I haven't had a chance. I was supposed to have a long weekend, but a woman was found murdered yesterday morning."

She wrinkled her nose. "Well, it's better than chasing down tweaked-out crazy people."

"They're not crazy, T. They're just…sick. And hurting."

"Not them. The assholes who sell the shit to sick and hurting people, Edward."

"That's true," I agreed easily, which reminded me I needed to make a stop on my way into the station. "Fine. Stay, if you want. You probably know where everything goes better than I do."

Her laugh was light and easy. "Maybe, but I'm glad you got your own place, and it wasn't like you didn't know it was coming. Emmett was bound to move in with Rose eventually. Hell, you set that shit up. And it was time." She gazed around the place slowly. "I like this apartment. Older but big. Is the landlord still hating on you?"

A bitter, rough laugh escaped me. "I'm surprised I'm still allowed to live here."

"Oh, damn," she muttered, lifting her coffee cup to her lips.

"I've offended her left and right, but… I didn't… It wasn't on purpose. I just…" I trailed off, not knowing how to put it.

Tanya tilted her strawberry-blonde head at me, taking a sip of her coffee. "You must like her if you feel bad about it."

I sighed deeply. Did I like her? I didn't really know her. Grimacing, I said, "I don't know. I interviewed her months ago when I arrested her brother – half brother – and I think I pegged her all wrong."

"You?" Tanya gasped.

I nodded, glancing at my watch. "Yeah. She was fighting so hard to keep her brother out of trouble, so I just assumed…"

"Oh, hell."

I laughed, sinking my fingers into my hair and gripping it a little. "Yeah, right. I know what happens when you assume. I just… Then, I find this place online. And it's her father who showed me the apartment and approved my application, because he was once a cop in a small town not far from here. I had no idea that Charlie Swan was Bella Swan's father. Even worse? She's the owner of the whole fucking building."

Tanya cracked the hell up. "Oh Jesus, Edward."

"And oddly enough, my current case brought me right back to her brother's cohorts and that coffee shop downstairs," I concluded, shrugging a shoulder.

Tanya studied me a second. "She pretty?"

"Uh, yeah. Just stunning."

She smiled warmly. "Look, you've always been—"

"An ass? An awkward bast—"

"Shut up. I was going to say no-nonsense. And Edward, you always push everyone far, far away. I love you like crazy, but I'd smother you with a pillow if I didn't know the real you."

"Not even my family gets the real me."

"That's true, but Esme and Carlisle love you. They tried their damnedest to be there for you," she said, holding up her hand. "I know they aren't your parents. I was there, remember? But she's your mother's sister, and she tried really hard to care for you in Elizabeth's place."

My teeth clenched as my eyes burned, but I only nodded.

"Now, come here. Let me fix your collar so you can go to work. I'll stick around here for a few hours. I'll see if I can't at least get you somewhat functioning."

I stepped to her, and she fiddled with my collar around my tie. "Thanks," I whispered, not really meaning the straightening of my clothes.

When she was done, she cupped my face. "There's more to you than this handsome face and that wicked-smart brain that can solve all the puzzles and cases, Edward. There's thoughtfulness and courage and patience. If it bothers you that you hurt her feelings, then apologize to her."

I flinched at the idea. "I'll…try."

Tanya laughed. "Get out of my face, bestie. I got shit to do before my date tonight."

I gave her a half smile. "A second date with the handsome lawyer?"

"Third. And yeah, Liam's great."

"Good. When he's not great, let me know." I raised my eyebrow at her because she'd dated some real assholes in the past, so I'd had to show up to scare them off.

"Out, Edward."

I picked up my keys, wallet, and phone, thanking her again for the help, but when I opened the door, Charlie was standing poised to knock.

"Christ, son. You scared the hell out of me."

"Sorry, sir."

He held up an AC filter. "I need to change your filter. I was waiting on them to ship. And I wanted to check your water heater. I'd just changed it out before you moved in. Any issues?"

"No, sir," I told him, gesturing toward Tanya, who had joined us at the door. "My friend is helping me unpack, but she won't get in your way."

"Nope. Do what you need to do," Tanya said, getting to work in my kitchen.

"Pfft," he hissed out. "I'm here all of five minutes."

Before I could walk away, he stopped me. "Edward, I just need to… I'm sorry about Bella's attitude with you. She kinda read me the riot act that I rented to you. She trusts me to weed out trouble. Once a cop, always a cop – retired or not." He grimaced a little. "It's not you. She's tried her whole life to keep Jasper out of trouble, but that boy is as stubborn as the day is long. Honestly, I think she's taken on too much responsibility for it, but she's stubborn too."

"I understand," I told him. "When it comes to family, we can't always control the circumstances, no matter how much we care or want to stop the bad stuff."

He patted my shoulder. "Good man. Just…give her some time, Edward. Okay?"

"Sir," I said, nodding once and watching him walk into the apartment with a slight limp. I had the feeling Charlie wasn't given much choice on his retirement; I was willing to bet he'd been injured in the line of duty.

Which brought me back to Bella, who seemed to be the kind of person to help everyone. With putting Charlie to work here, to Maria, to fighting for Jasper – she seemed to need to help.

I didn't see her when I exited the building. Common Ground was busy, but I didn't see her inside when I walked to my truck. Maybe I should apologize to her.

~oOo~

"Hey, Masen," the girl behind the reception desk Kings County Correctional sang, wearing a smile as her eyes raked over me. "You picking up or dropping off?"

"Neither, Charlotte. Who's in charge of the inmate rehab program here?" I asked her.

Her eyebrows shot up. "That would be Miss Cope. Shelly."

"Is she in? I'd like to ask her a few questions."

"Yeah, sure. Go on back. She's the last door on the right. I'll let her know you're comin'."

I reached the door she'd indicated, and it was open. Tapping my knuckle lightly, I smiled at the older woman behind a rather paperwork-laden desk.

"Detective. It's good to see you. Please, have a seat." She gestured to the chair in front of her, and once I'd sat down, she asked, "What can I do for you?"

"I'm wondering if there's a chance you could possibly work an extra man into your rehab program."

Her brows knitted together, but she pulled her computer keyboard closer. "Who's the inmate?"

"Jasper Whitlock."

She typed and typed, clicking the mouse occasionally. "I'm rather full, Detective."

"Edward, please," I urged her gently, and when she looked to me, I smiled. "It would mean a great deal to his family if we could get him in. Or at least try to get him back on the right track."

"I've got someone up for release in the next day or so, I could probably push him through. Is he willing to transfer into that dorm?"

"I think his family has been requesting it from the beginning of his sentence, but they've been told there's no room."

"There wasn't until recently," she replied, pointing to her inbox at the corner of her desk. "Those are the requests I haven't even read."

I grimaced at what a paperwork nightmare that looked to be, but I said, "I understand. And normally, I wouldn't press the issue, except I think he's got enough support outside this facility to keep clean once he's released."

Shelly's hazel eyes studied me, and they crinkled in the corners when she smiled. She finally nodded as her fingers were a frenzy of typing. "Okay, he'll most likely be moved by Friday."

"Thank you. I appreciate it," I told her, standing up.

I was grateful my word went a long way, but the system was a mess. Requests and needs went unanswered or ignored, so people who truly needed help or were willing to work at fixing their problems slipped through the cracks, only to end up back out, getting themselves wrapped up in trouble all over again. It was the main reason I'd wanted out of narcotics. Homicide tended to be black and white, and it had been my goal when I originally joined the Seattle PD.

As I passed by Charlotte, she said, "See you 'round, Masen. If you ever want to grab a cup of coffee, you know where to find me."

Somehow, Garrett's infernal laughter echoed around my mind, but I smiled her way. "I'll keep that in mind, Charlotte. Have a good rest of your week."

I tried my best to keep my personal life out of work. Any work – from the DA's office down to the jail, I didn't fraternize with anyone. Garrett said I didn't shit where I ate. It was crass, but it was true.

Even his opinion of me was skewed by what I let him see. He was convinced that I was some sort of man-whore who could get laid simply by my looks, but he was off by a mile. There was a time years ago when I'd probably done a little too much going out, but a few one-night stands and an angry girl or two stopped that shit.

I did date a really sweet nurse from Virginia Mason, but it barely lasted a year. Tanya was right; I rarely let anyone in. I kept them back, and relationships didn't survive when one was unwilling to share.

As I stepped out into the drizzly day, my phone rang. "Masen," I answered.

"Edward, meet me at The Inferno. We got the prelim back on our vic, so we need to check out where she was last seen."

"On my way," I told him, unlocking my truck.

"Oh, and the thing in her hand?"

"Yeah?"

"It was some sort of jewelry. Gold. They think it's a men's bracelet, because it's kinda thick. I've got pictures to show at Inferno. I kinda want a reaction."

"Okay. I'll meet you there."

~oOo~

BELLA

"Isabella Marie, would you please calm down?" Dad asked, sounding exasperated and out of patience.

My nostrils flared, but I nodded. "Sorry. He's just so…"

"I'm going to say this again, Bella. Jasper's troubles are not Detective Masen's fault. You know this, but you need to quit blaming him," he stated softly, walking to me, but I could see his leg was bothering him today, because his limp was a bit pronounced. "I'm not evicting him just because your loyalty lies with your brother. Jasper chose to get in with the wrong people. He chose to experiment with drugs. But I'm telling you now as a former cop, Edward isn't to blame. He was merely doing his job and following the law."

I sighed deeply. "I know. I know!" I started to pace, but he stopped me, bracing his hands on my shoulders. "But he just blew me off back then."

"And what exactly could he have done? Jasper was caught in a sting. He also fought everyone that day, so we're damned lucky they didn't tack on assault to his list of charges. Leniency wasn't going to come from the arresting officer. It came from the judge. Your brother could've gone away for way longer."

"I know," I groaned, frowning his way. "He's just such a cold thing."

My dad rolled his eyes. "I don't think you're giving him a chance. Now, you brought me here to help you with this place after I retired. I need you to trust me on this one. Edward is not your enemy."

I bit my tongue but nodded again in acquiescence. "I have so much to do today," I muttered, already exhausted at the mere thought of it. "I have to get Alice to the doctor. I need to check in the supply truck when it gets here. And I need to schedule a video visit with Jasper to tell him about Maria."

"I'll take the truck."

"Don't you dare lift a thing, mister. I see that limp today."

He grinned. "Bella, if you don't stop trying to protect us all, you'll fall apart at the seams. You're living for everyone else."

"Yeah? And when Jasper and Alice have this baby and then decide getting high is more important, who do you think they're going to come to?"

"Us. You. I understand, kiddo," he soothed me. "And if that happens, we'll handle it. Honestly, I'm pretty happy at the status of grandpa."

I let out a laugh. "You'll make a great grandpa. I'm sorry Mom's missing it."

"Me, too, Bells, but she'd even tell you that you're overdoing it." He brought me in for a hug, and I melted against him. "I need you to let this thing go with Edward. You're dealing with enough, and he's not a concern. I promise."

There was a knock on Dad's door, and I opened it to see a nervous Alice standing there.

"Hey, Carmen said you were here," she mumbled, smiling at Dad when he pulled her in to hug her.

"I want a boy because I need to even out all the numbers around here," he whispered in her ear, grinning when she let out a giggle.

Dad had a bit of a soft spot for Alice. He treated her like she was one of his own kids, and more than once had I caught him lecturing Jasper about how he was mistreating her. Even worse, dragging her into his world. From fights to cheating to addiction, my brother had dragged Alice into it all.

Kissing Dad's cheek, I said, "We'll be gone for a bit."

"Be careful. I've got that truck." He held up his hand when I started to say something about his leg. "I'm all grown up, Bells. I can promise you that I know my limits."

Holding my hands up in surrender, I guided Alice out the door.

~oOo~

I sat down heavily in my office chair, grateful I was only open for breakfast and lunch. It was late afternoon. The shop was closed, the truck checked in, and Alice was healthy, set up for all the benefits we could get her, and she'd sworn me to secrecy that I wouldn't tell Jasper she was pregnant.

I felt worn out, ancient, and over all of it. I was rubbing my temple by the time Jasper appeared on my laptop screen.

"Hey, B," he said, grabbing my attention.

"Hey, Jazz. I needed to go over some things with you, but…talk to me first. Tell me how you're doing."

"I'm okay. I miss you and Dad."

"We miss you, too."

"Um, I need to thank you. They're moving me Friday to the rehab dorms," he said softly. "I don't know how you did it, but apparently they're squeaking me into an opening."

"Don't thank me. I was told there were no openings."

"Well, you had to have said something, because it was that cop, Masen, who pushed it through with the office upstairs."

My eyebrows shot up. "Holy shit," I whispered, leaning closer. "Seriously?"

"Yeah, yeah. They showed me the paperwork when they told me I'd been accepted," he said with a nod and a sad smile. "So thanks. I'm… I really want to do this, B. I need to do this. If only for you and Dad…and Alice."

I sighed, thinking he had bigger fish to fry than Charlie and me, but I'd sworn to Alice that I'd let her tell him her news. I think she was terrified of his reaction. Personally, I thought he could use a swift kick of real responsibility.

"I want you to work hard in there, Jazz. I'm not kidding. You… You're missed and needed, but we need you. We need you happy, healthy, clean."

He was nodding the whole time I was talking. "I know. I get it. I swear, B."

"Good." I wrinkled my nose. "I have some not-so-good news, big brother. I hate that I'm telling you this way," I said, waving a hand toward the computer. "But I don't have much choice. This is better than over the phone."

"Well, what is it? Is Charlie okay? Alice? What?"

"No, no. We're okay. But Jazz, you need to know that Maria was killed. She was found in the park. Someone had slit her throat," I explained as gently as I could.

Jasper went pale, like frighteningly pale. "No, no. You're lying. She's…"

"I'm not. I wouldn't do that shit, Jazz."

"But…" He trailed off, squeezing his eyes closed.

I wasn't sure how he felt about Maria. He'd cheated on Alice with her more times than I probably knew about, but she always was trouble. She'd been his girlfriend for years, got him hooked on every illegal substance known to man, and drew him back to her over and over.

"I'm really sorry, Jasper."

My voice seemed to snap him back to the present, and he looked back to the screen. "She… She was fuckin' around with James. He must've… He had to have… I dunno. She said she was trying to get out of Inferno, but she could've been lying…" He trailed off, rubbing his face with a shaky hand.

"Well, regardless… I'm still sorry."

"Me, too." He said that so quietly that I had to read his lips to know he'd even spoken. He glanced up. "My time's over, B. I love you. Please be safe out there. I'll call you when I'm all moved over to the new dorm."

"Yeah, yeah. Please. Love you too."

The screen went blank, and I shut my laptop. His reaction worried me, but I could understand because Maria was only in her late twenties. It was terrifying to think of someone so young dying.

However, I could barely wrap my head around the fact that Detective Masen had gone out of his way to push Jasper into the program I'd been fighting for since his sentencing. The biggest question – the only question – was why?

~oOo~

A/N… FYI, I tried to find out if King's County had a rehab program and was unsuccessful in finding anything concrete. We have them here in Florida, but…you know, meth capital of the world and all… Anyway, I went with the Florida version. Not that it matters in the big picture of this story, but I was just letting you know before someone pipes up with, "they don't, they have, you're wrong…" Whatever. King's County does have video visits that were started during Covid shutdown times, and they are still utilized now.

Okay, we've met the bestie and the dad. Next update will be next Tuesday. Sunday for When Angels Fall. Until next time… Mooches, Deb ;)