Mysterious Destiny Beckoning Corridors

By D. J. Holmes

Set in the 16th, 18th, and 21 centuries, 3 extraordinary couples are held together by one common bond as they weave their way through time.

Read two chapters and you will be hooked.

• Language: English
• Publisher: D. J. Holmes
• Release date: Nov 25, 2010
• ISBN: 9780984557615

Book preview

Mysterious Destiny

(Beckoning Corridors)

By D. J. Holmes

Smashwords Edition

Copyright © 2010 by D.J. Holmes

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means whatsoever without permission from the author, except in the case of a brief quotation embodied in critical articles and reviews. In this case recognition should be given in written form, in the article or review, to the author’s name D. J. Holmes along with the name of the book Mysterious Destiny (Beckoning Corridors).

Contact Information – [e-mail]

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ISBN-13: 978-0-9845576-1-5

ISBN-10: 0-9845576-1-X

Book Cover by Miss Mae

Smashwords format by L. K. Campbell

Snow Flower Publishing LLC Logo ™

Library of Congress Control Number: 2010906714

This is the first in a series of Mysterious Destiny, Mystery/Romance Novels

Mysterious Destiny (Beckoning Corridors)

Author: D. J. Holmes

Editors: Jaimie, Donna, Stacey, Geri, Chad and Annell

Web Sites Created by Chad

Published by: Snow Flower Publishing, LLC

Spanish Fork, Utah, USA 84660

1st Edition, July 2010; 2nd Edition, October 2010; 3rd Edition, January 2012;

4th Edition, December 2013

Mysterious Destiny

(Beckoning Corridors)

Foreword

As the lives of the individuals interwoven throughout this novel evolve, the reader will experience wonderment; extreme sadness; jumping for joy and laughing out loud; dismay as they are brought to their knees in shock; relief; curiosity and a feeling of family as they become intimately involved in the life of each character.

The reader will come to know that life isn’t what we think that it should be, but it is a gift that is presented to each individual to make the best of what they are given.

By being true to yourself and continuing on in the face of whatever may come, we are all transformed into our highest potential, with destiny leading each of us to where our heart truly resides.

***

Caution, while the mysterious destiny series is family friendly, the contents of the series is not meant for anyone under the age of 12.

***

Acknowledgments

This is the first in a series of Mysterious Destiny books. Yes, my very first book which would never have happened without the constant influence and support from God, my wonderful children, grandchildren and friends.

Thank you so much: Geri and Stacey, for being my first guinea pigs and reading my first draft. I think that you’ll really be surprised with how it has evolved.

Annell, my childhood friend, I can always count on you. Jaimie, without your questions, thoughts, suggestions, and continuous encouragement, I would never have taken the steps that I needed to, to make this book into what it is today.

Chad, your help in the advertising part of this adventure took a lot off my shoulders. Most people don’t understand that writing a book is only the beginning. I am happy with the book video trailer, You Tube, My Space and Face Book, along with my web sites www.SnowFlowerPublishing.com and www.MysteriousDestiny.com. I learned a lot, but you know so much more.

Phillip, what a great idea for a logo for my publishing company Snow Flower Publishing and Shane your thought to make the flower smaller led to the final look of the logo.

Christian, Jessica, Danny and Danielle your encouragement was always appreciated.

My wonderful grandchildren, your love and constant interest in the progress of this book filled me with excitement as I rounded the corner to the finish. I can’t wait for you to read it.

Supportive friends, now you’ll understand why I went into seclusion for so long. I love you all, D. J. Holmes.

Through experiences that we have no control over,

life can send you into the very depths of despair

or

It can be full of wonderful unexpected simple fulfilling pleasures.

May your life be the latter,

Sincerely, D. J. Holmes

CHAPTER 1

There are times when life decides to throw you a curve. Ruthlessly, it grabs you by your throat, thrusting you into the air with your arms flinging out to your sides, and your feet dangling below. Not willing to let go, it continuously takes your last ounce of strength, pushing you on to your next challenge. Some days are up; some days are down and other days are too hard to handle.

This is what Evan and Julia had been feeling like after the death of their fellow officers. Life seemed to have beaten all the strength out of their souls; their beautiful world was no longer bright. Gray hues now coved the horizon, as hopelessness filled the air. Their hearts, which normally were full of excitement, determination and trust, were now empty.

Julia masked her trauma with a smile on her face and cheerfulness in her voice.

Evan, on the other hand, knew something that Julia didn’t. He had his suspicions, but was never able to get the proof that he needed. Now, having found the first few letters of his superior’s name, written by Jasmine in her own blood, he knew that his suspicions were not all in his head. Now, all he had to do was to get enough proof to go to the Governor and present his case.

All night long Evan’s mind had kept him awake reliving the what if’s that could have happened to the hostages and to his whole team. Had their rescue plan not worked, the fire that had raged throughout the nostalgic paddle-wheel restaurant of the Sacramento Delta King while the terrorists held the governor’s captive, could have had a different twist. Just one mistake and so many more could have died.

Though he was glad to be alive, Evan was angry that his supervisor had connections with the terrorists. How could these foreigners have been able to get so close to the Western States Governors without a man on the inside? Because of the takeover of the Delta King, many other people had put their lives on the line to help rescue the Governors; with two of his comrades finally dying during a firefight.

Planning his strategy to trap his superior was going to be hard; the Governor had no idea what a traitor this man was, in fact, Evan had heard that they were great lifelong friends.

Today’s sun was bright and warm, but Evan and Julia were still feeling the pain of the loss of their comrades. This celebration for their efforts in protecting the lives of the Western States Governors from terrorist threat was embarrassing to them. Neither one wanted to be recognized independently from their team. Their only thought was to get recognition for everyone, and especially for their fallen comrades.

Evan finally dragged himself out of bed.

Julia was already at the celebration watching the last minute preparations take place.

After driving through the morning traffic, Evan finally arrived. Getting out of his car he walked toward Julia greeting her with, Good morning,

Grateful that he had finally arrived, she responds, There you are Evan. What took you so long to get here?

I got caught in traffic, not wanting to tell her of his restless night.

Why didn’t you just put on your siren?

You know that I can’t do that!

I’m just teasing, she smiled.

Oh, he said finally realizing that she was joking. A minute later he began talking about their latest encounter with a group of International Terrorists. I don’t know if I ever told you, Julia, but I was really impressed with how we worked together the moment that we both realized that the lives of all the Governors were in danger. To me, that whole situation was surreal. To realize that they were all being held as hostages, but thought that their predicament was just part of the Delta King, Mystery Dinner Theater presentation.

I was thinking about that very same thing just a minute ago, Evan. We had to do some real acting during that time didn’t we?

What do you mean? I was in my element. I wasn’t nervous then, like I am now, Evan, stated with a boyish smile. Talking a breath he looked directly at Julia and became very serious, Actually, I really don’t know how we did it! At any given moment, everything could have turned the other direction and everyone on that river boat, including us, would have been dead.

I know. Julia put her arm around his waist, as they stood side by side.

In their minds they traveled back in time, silently thinking of their recent experience. Yet, physically they continued to watch all the loose ends being brought together for the ceremony.

Did I ever thank you for saving my life that day, Evan?

You’re my partner, Julia. Partner’s watch each other’s back.

Trying to change the subject they revert to their typical daily small talk.

Yes, they do. Turning her head toward Evan’s back, taking in his whole beautiful, American Indian, five foot eleven stature, Julia added with an approving smile, in fact I’m looking at yours right now. You look nice in your uniform, Evan. I like a man in uniform.

You do?

Yes. I don’t know what it is, if it’s the uniform, or the confidence a man seems to have when he wears it.

I do like the way it makes me feel, Julia. He held his collar, moving it slightly with an approving look on his face. Sometimes, I get tired of wearing my regular street clothes while I’m at work; I’d rather wear my uniform so that I stand out. I’m proud of the work I do.

I’m proud to have you as my partner, Evan. You’re a great officer! And you’ve been a great example to me.

Evan heard the sincerity in her voice. Rather than scanning the area they were in, as he usually did, he finally looked directly at her for more than a moment. You know what? I love seeing you in a dress when we work. You’re so darn cute and feminine. But seeing you now in uniform, I never realized that you were so short. How tall are you anyway?

I’m 5 feet 4 inches.

You look taller than that when we work. It must be because of the heels that you wear.

Since we are undercover, they ARE a part of my uniform. You know that I have to fit in with the civilians. And then of course, I don’t have to do the running. You do. I just call for back up.

Ah…now I know why you just stand in place, open up your purse and start talking into it. I always thought the backups that helped me just read my mind, riding in on their white horses just in time to save me, he said with a playful smile. So why didn’t you wear them today?

Wear what?

…Your heels.

I’ve got heels…look, and she lifted one foot up to show him the sole of her shoe.

No, the high heels that you wear when we work. His smile just kept getting bigger and bigger.

Smiling back, Julia answered, I wanted the option to quickly run away. And who knows I might feel like running any minute now…chuckle. Actually, I didn’t have any that would go with my uniform. Besides I wanted to match your outfit.

Evan and Julia have a close brother, sister relationship. Yet, for some reason, Julia always gets nervous when she senses his complete attention on her. Smiling, she changed the subject.

Have you noticed everything that has been done here? she questions, I can’t believe that they’ve gone to all of this preparation. The lawn is perfectly manicured. And my favorite Camellia tree...I’ve always loved its colored blossoms.

Oh, so you like pink, white and red, hanging on the limbs of a tree?

I do…it’s just all so stunning. Turning around she puts her left hand up to her mouth to hold back a scream. Look over there by the West steps. They actually put up a stage for this ceremony with a huge American Flag covering the back!"

The extravagance of this celebration brings them back as to why they are on the Capitol grounds.

Wow! You’ve got to be kidding. This is really something. Look at how beautiful the Capitol Building and that huge, and I mean HUGE flag look together. This is amazing isn’t it, Julia?

It is. I never expected anything like this.

Me either, but I still wish they were honoring someone other than us. I’d rather be in the audience with the rest of our team, than up on the stage for this ceremony.

Me too…. Rather than going up on stage, why don’t we just go sit in the audience?

If you lead, I’ll follow.

I thought that you were MY leader, Evan.

Not for this.

Ok then, are you ready? …One thing, I’d like to ask you, leader of mine, what are we going to do when they call our names?

Sink down in our seats….

Now what kind of a leader is that, Evan?

Pointing toward the stage he comments, …One that doesn’t want to go up on that stage.

Julia looks back to the Capitol Building, Well, I think that it’s kind of late to carry out our plans, all of the dignitaries, including the Governor, are walking down the West steps toward the stage. They would see us if we ran for seats in the audience now. I guess we had better go behind the stage, and wait until they call us.

Lead on, my fearless one, Evan says, looking at the ground with a nervous twinge in his voice.

If you’ll remember, I was going to blaze our way to chairs in the audience, before the Governor appeared. Julia explained, Now you get to traverse our way to the back of the stage.

…Traverse?

Yes, traverse, Evan. You get to plot a pathway to the stage.

Plot a pathway?

Oh…I know what you’re doing. You’re stalling.

Julia, I don’t want to go….

Start marching or I’ll slap your butt!

Now, now Julia, remember you’re in uniform.

Yea…yea…yea. Start marching. Hip-two, hip-two.

Evan, starts marching in the opposite direction of the stage.

Where in the heck do you think that you are going? Julia laughs as she steps in front of him.

Evan responds looking down to the ground, …In the direction that I want to go in.

Not in that direction, Evan. You don’t get your way today. March straight for the back of the stage, and put on your leader face, not your little boy face.

Laughing, Evan, just had to get in the last word, Ok, mommy.

Waiting behind the wings of the stage, they stood so that they could see the audience, but couldn’t be seen.

Julia spotted the Bagpipe Band dressed in their ceremonial best, Evan, come over here and look at that group of men.

…Where?

Over there in the garden.

Oh, that group over there?

Yes.

I think that you need more training, Julia. Are you sure that they’re men? They’re wearing skirts.

They’re not skirts. They are wearing Kilts.

Well, it looks like a skirt to me, Evan said with his smile coming to the surface.

Personally, I think that you’d look really cute in a kilt, Evan. In fact, I think that I’ll get you one for Christmas.

I won’t wear it if you get me one, Julia! he says adamantly, his smile fading.

I’ve heard that men that wear a kilt for the first time have a strong sense of masculinity overcome them.

I don’t care what you’ve heard. I’m not going to wear it in this life time! Looking down and directly at her face, he adds, I mean it, Julia! I’ll never wear a kilt! His arm makes a gesture toward the ground.

Quietly laughing inside and continuing her teasing she says, Yea, yea, yea. We’ll see Evan….

Julia finally remembers the name of the Pipers attire.

…The Prince Charlie!

There’s a Prince here?

No, I mean the Prince Charlie, Highland Dress outfit. It’s only worn on extremely special occasions.

Are you talking about the skirts that they are wearing again?

Evan, would you stop it? Its tradition and it’s very manly. Did you know, that the average skirt that a woman wears today only takes from three to four yards of material to make? But a kilt needs eight yards, because of the pleats in the back of the kilt.

Yea, pleats, Julia. Does that sound like anything that a man would wear?

Well, just remember, Evan, when you wear yours, the pleats go in the back!

I told you, Julia. I’m not wearing one of those skirts!

I think that I’ll get you one like they have. And, of course, we’ll have to make sure that it hits just below the knee, so that your knobby knees don’t show.

I don’t have knobby knees!

Ah, so you’ll wear one?

No, Julia, I won’t wear it.

Evan, did you know that back in the middle ages, a kilt was not considered something that a woman would wear? A man wore this type of outfit because, when he was out on the battle field it was easier to relieve his bowels, and continue fighting at the same time.

Now, that’s something that I wouldn’t have thought of! Although I would imagine, that when fighting face to face on a battle field all day, when nature calls one couldn’t possibly say ‘excuse me for a moment,’ walk off, come back a little later and continue fighting.

He begins to laugh What if another enemy came up to them to fight, while his opponent is gone doing his thing, what are they supposed to say? ‘I’m sorry. I’m in the middle of fighting another man, but he’s indisposed right now. Could you pick on someone else until I’m through with him?’

Starting to laugh even louder, yet trying to keep it as quiet as he could, Evan says, Or, maybe, I could say, ‘Watch your step. The guy that I was just fighting did his thing right where you are standing.’

My goodness, Evan, do you have to be so graphic? If you laugh any harder you’re going to fall over.

Hey, you’re the one that started the subject matter.

Well it’s fact! But we don’t have to go into detail about it…. Ok now let’s approach this subject matter another way. If you were asked to describe this group of pipers, how would you describe what they are wearing?

Black and red plaid skirt, with pleats in the back; black jacket with matching vest; white shirt with a black bowtie; cufflinks; a belt with a buckle, which I would think would match the cufflinks and they wear something that’s tied around their hips and it hangs down in front….

Julia jumps in, That’s called a ‘sporran.’ It’s a type of purse placed discretely in front, to act as a cod-piece and to protect their modesty.

I can see where that would do the trick Julia, he says with a grin.

Julia could see the wheels spinning in his head, but stops him from saying what he is thinking, Don’t you dare say anything, Evan. Just continue on with your description.

Their legs are black.

They’re not black Evan, they are wearing hose.

Hose? …Men wearing hose?

Evan!

Ok, Julia, ok. I’ll try to stop, but I really want to know. What are hose?

Evan, are you really serious?

I’m serious, Julia. What do you mean by hose?

It’s what we call stockings.

Oh,

Yes, and they roll them down to show off the small colorful flags attached to the garters on the outside of each leg…. Do you see them?"

Yea, that’s neat.

And look at the Brogues.

…The what?

The black shoes, Evan. Do you see the long laces that cross back and forth as they are wrapped up the leg?

Yea, it kind of reminds me of a ballet shoe!

Evan, would you stop it? I thought that you were going to be serious.

I’m trying, Julia. I’m really trying! he says as he steps back holding his hands up, and out to each side in front of him.

These pipers are classy, Evan! she says with her hands on her hips and a pout on her face.

Walking back over to her, he stands to Julia’s right, his left arm wrapped around her shoulders and looks at her with his teasing little smile, I know they are. I’m just having fun with you.

She finally begins to smile back at him, You can always get me to smile, can’t you?

Just then the sun caught some type of metal, and the light flashed back into, Evan’s eyes. Wow, what was that? he asked.

It was probably the decorative handle of the sheathed knife, hidden in one leg of their hose or it was the metal kilt pin.

I can understand a hidden knife, but why do they have a pin in their kilt?

That all came about one day when Queen Victoria had a military inspection. It was windy, and as one of the privates was standing at attention, the wind kept blowing his kilt open, and there he was for all to see.

What do you mean, Julia? She was there to look at her soldiers.

Evan…the soldiers don’t wear any underwear under their kilts. She was there to see the uniform. Not what was under the uniform?

Oh!

Anyway, she took out a hat pin and secured his kilt, thus preserving his modesty. And since that time it has been traditional for a kilt pin to be worn with the kilt.

That’s interesting, Julia. A Queen using one of her hat pins to help her soldier. What’s the story on the hats they are wearing?

First of all, it’s called a bonnet and it actually doesn’t have any real ancient history. It basically grew from a pillbox style, you know, small and squatty? She fashions her hands into the size of a small squatty box. And then you know how things go. Everyone has to have more of something than other people have.

Ah, so the hats, excuse me bonnets, just continued getting bigger and bigger, with everyone trying to out do the other person. Is that right?

Yes, it was kind of like that.

It doesn’t sound like they were too much different than we are today? he said kind of under his breath.

And then their instruments… aren’t they beautiful?

Before Evan can answer, the first sounds of the Bagpipe Band can be heard playing, ‘Amazing Grace’. Tears begin rolling down their cheeks as the faces of their dearest, newly fallen fellow officer’s flash so clearly in their minds.

Julia begins singing the words, Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound.

A short time later Julia comments quietly, Look at their posture, they look so dignified, I feel like I’m in a romantic, far away country, watching them march through the King’s garden as they play their bagpipes.

Later as the second verse starts, the drum section of the Bagpipe Band begins playing with the bagpipes, I have goose bumps all down my arms Evan. It’s so beautiful.

For all my teasing, Julia, I will agree with you. They are very impressive.

As the music begins to end, both, Evan, and Julia quietly sing…was blind, but now I see.

The Governor of California stands up to the podium and thanks the Pipers for their rendition of, Amazing Grace. They acknowledge the Governor with a small tip of their heads, and click of their heels. As they turn around, the drummers play as they exit the area. The Governor then sits down.

The Attorney General approaches the podium and begins to speak. The Public Safety Office, Medal of Valor Act, Effective January 1, 2003, authorizes the Governor of California to award a Medal of Valor to one or more public safety officers who are cited by the Attorney General for an extraordinary act of heroism, above and beyond the call of duty, to save the life of another person, or at risk to their own life, to save someone.

The Special Act, Gold Medal, is awarded for an extraordinary act of heroism, by a state employee extending far above, and beyond the normal call of duty or service performed at great risk to his, or her own life in an effort to save a human life.

The Attorney General ends with, Would Officer Evan Meyers and Officer Julia Lloyd please come up on stage? On cue the Governor stands up and shakes their hands. As he begins to speak, the Attorney General sits down.

For the first time Evan notices that his superior is standing next to the Governor. In his mind he yells, You bag of fermenting garbage!!! It is because of you that our governors were almost taken hostage and it is because of you that Jasmine and Juan are dead…. Don’t worry though I’ll get you! Someday I’ll get you for all that you have done to our team, to our dead comrades, to their families and for what you tried to do to our state and country.

After he adjusts the microphone the Governor begins his speech.

On September 9, 2009, Officers Evan Meyers and Julia Lloyd were at Sutter’s Fort, doing their part as plain clothes officers, of the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Special Enforcement Detail. We had been told that the Al Entisar Brigade was planning a terrorist attack somewhere in our country, but we didn’t know where all their terrorist cells were located. What we did know was that after all of the Governors had arrived, we had sightings, here in California, of Abdul Al-Esawii, a famous terrorist and leader of this brigade. With this information, Evan and Julia were to keep their eyes and ears open while patrolling Sutter’s Fort, one of our popular tourist destinations in the middle of our beautiful Capital. This would be a place where anyone not familiar with the area could meet and not be questioned, while all the Governors of the Western States were here in Sacramento for a Western States Conference on Water Conservation.

Standing on stage during the Governors speech, Evan could hardly keep his eyes off of his supervisor, wishing he could arrest him right there and then. Julia’s mind had gone blank and she barely heard the Governor when he said:

Toward the end of the Mystery Dinner Theatre, after defusing the bombs on the hull of the river boat, the Special Enforcement Detail had taken the place of the original Can-Can dancers. While entering the stage they were ready to put on their own great dramatic ending taking as many Governors with them as they could.

I must say at this moment, that the skills that our officers have are the best in America. But I have to tell you, since I was there, that they were some of the ugliest Can-Can dancers that I have ever seen.

Laughing came loudly and quickly after this statement, as all of the officers patted each other on the back. The movement of the audience, and loud laughter brought both Evan and Julia back to the present.

After the laughing died down, the Governor continued, Drawing attention away from the now substituted Can-Can dancers as they entered the stage to do their dance, one of the terrorists ran across the dining room to tell his commander that the Chef had accidentally set a small fire in the kitchen, and they hadn’t been able to put it out. Without knowledge that the bombs they had secured to the hull of the Delta King, had already been disarmed, the terrorists began to panic.

Taking advantage of this chaotic circumstance, the Can-Can dancers invited some of the Governors up on stage to dance with them, and somehow managed to shuffle them off the boat.

Looking out to the audience, the Governor laughed, as he said You’ve got to show me the steps to your shuffle. I would like to use it in some of my meetings. The audience began to laugh, knowing and understanding the politics of the State of California.

Getting back to his speech, the Governor continued, Abdul, finally calmed his men and got everything under control. As he looked around he became furious, when he realized that during all the commotion, many hostages and the Can-Can dancers had escaped. In his rage, he ordered his team to explode the bombs they had planted on the hull a few nights before. When this was unsuccessful, he realized that the bombs had probably been disarmed and became extremely angry.

Since their first plan had not worked, they initiated a second plan by starting a larger fire in the middle of the Pilothouse, Mystery Theatre Dining Room. There were yells and screams as the remaining hostages began to panic. Abdul then took the Governor of Arizona, along with the Governor of California as hostages while he and his team left by the main door, having chained and pad locked all of the other exits.

As the fire raged, several of the hostages, who were left behind, tried to leave the restaurant through the same doors. This action resulted in several of them being wounded by two of the terrorists who were standing guard just outside the door, while their leader, and those who were with him, left.

The soldiers of the Al-Entisar Brigade, by the main door, were in the sites of the SWAT Team, and were wounded. The SWAT Team had orders not to kill anyone, unless they were instructed other wise, as the terrorists tried to escape.

The Special Enforcement Detail Officers surrounded the leader and those that were with him. After a long fire fight, both Governors were rescued, and the wounded terrorists were taken into custody. Sadly, during the conflict, two of our officers, Officer Juan Martinez and Officer Jasmine Kim, were mortally wounded. We will be eternally grateful for their sacrifice.

The Governor paused for a few moments of silence in memory of these officers.

On the inside of the Delta King, Officers Meyers and Lloyd were able to quiet the remaining hostages. Finally, while Officer Lloyd stayed with the wounded hostages, Officer Meyers found an escape route through a back door in the kitchen that the terrorists had over looked.

On stage Evan and Julia looked at each other, remembering how Evan’s clothes had started to catch fire several times, as hot ashes dropped, and bursts of flames had reached out to stroke his shirt, and pants.

Julia remembered how her hair had come out of the bun that she had it in, making it more accessible to the hot ashes flying through the air, as she was trying to help the hostages through the kitchen.

With a stroke of good luck, Julia had found towels in a nearby drawer and socked them in water, handing one to Evan and each of the hostages as they were ready to run through the searing flames to safety.

Visions of their assignment fade and thoughts come back to what the Governor is saying as they hear him report new information, "What we have found out, through several interrogations with each of the captured terrorists and specifically their leader, is that their plan was to hold the Governors for ransom. They needed the money