Hello, my dear friends! So lovely to be with you again!
My love goes to my fantastic prereader LoopyLou and my fabulous beta Nancy Harrytwifan.
All characters owned by Stephanie Meyer.
1. Detective Hale and the Missing Apples
Saturday morning was shitty. I woke up with a headache, my eyes stung, and I wished all the bartenders on the planet went to hell and burned in flames for eternity. Especially that one who poured my seventh whisky last night.
To make it even worse, Dad called and invited me for a visit.
"We have a minor problem, your Mom and I," he said. "Someone is stealing her socks and underwear."
Fantastic.
~"~
I arrived at my parents' lovely new house in time for lunch. Mom was cooking Italiano, which might have been nice if I wasn't feeling like throwing up with every move. So I watched them eat while I took small sips of my soda, expecting Dad to spill the details about their 'minor' problem. Because they didn't like speaking while they ate, you know - I had to be patient.
Finally, Dad picked the last chunk of lasagna from his plate and flashed a contented smile my way.
"You missed a wonderful meal, Edward. Just so you know."
"Leave it, Dad. Tell me why you needed me to come."
"Right, but this is a bit complicated." He stood up and approached Mom's seat, taking her hand and kissing the tips of her fingers. "Your Mom is a little embarrassed by the situation."
She definitely was, because I saw her bite the inside of her cheek, and that was what she did when she felt awkward.
"We're talking about two pairs of stockings, three pairs of panties, and a bra. Oh, and her yoga pants, and maybe some tee shirts, too," Dad went on. "That's all. They went missing from the laundry room during the last few days. We don't know the exact time."
"Were they washed?" I really had to ask. "And you're sure they're not in the house anymore?"
He only answered the second part.
"Of course. We looked everywhere. Everywhere. Your Mom's clothes are simply disappearing."
"And nobody has come and left meanwhile?"
"No one. Absolutely."
"But this is strange."
"Son, you're a genius."
Dad was obviously annoyed. I chose to ignore the sarcasm.
"You're not calling the police, are you?" I just had to ask that, too.
"Of course not, don't be ridiculous. Nothing valuable is missing. They wouldn't bother to investigate properly. But we're sick of it."
I thought so.
Dad dropped Mom's hand and took a few steps toward the serving table. The sight of the fruit basket there made my insides turn. I didn't like fruit very much, and especially that day, I truly hated the sight of the shiny red apple, the bunch of bananas, and the two yellow, ripe pears.
He took the apple and bit it, but something bothered him. He narrowed his eyes and scratched his head with his free hand.
"Esme, I think there were two apples here last night. Did you eat one by any chance?" Dad glanced at Mom with a pleading look in his eyes, as if her admission of eating the apple would save the day.
"You know I wouldn't, Carlisle, dear," Mom answered, as I expected. She hated fruit just like me. Wait, I mean the opposite, I was like her.
"Okay, we have a missing apple too now," Dad stated. There was a hint of panic in his voice.
"Wait a minute, Dad. Are you going to ask me to help guard your laundry and food now?"
"Well… not exactly. I think we should stay awake tonight and guard the doors to the house."
Right. Someone must have been sneaking in while they slept.
"But aren't you locking the doors? And I thought you had a security system?"
"We do."
"How the hell, then, do you think someone is entering?"
"I really don't know, son. Maybe they're disabling the alarm and unlocking the door with a credit card, like in the movies."
"Dad, this is ridiculous. I think we should call for help." And I really needed to catch up with some sleep after last night.
"Any ideas?" Dad asked, not bothering to add enthusiasm to his voice.
"I guess so. We need a detective agency. If you pay, they won't be too picky whether it's valuables or apples missing."
My dad looked at me as if I had just invented the wheel.
"This might be the solution to our problem!"
Mom stood in one abrupt movement and rushed outside of the dining room, only to return a few seconds later with the Yellow Pages in her hand.
"I think we should call someone immediately. This whole thing is creepy, and I'm losing sleep."
"Esme, dear. Put the phonebook away, we don't need it yet." Dad tried to comfort her. "I'll make a few phone calls and try to find a better choice than picking a random name."
A certain 'Hale' agency was recommended to my Dad by an old family friend.
~"~
Detective Jasper Hale stood still outside the opened door. He should have entered thirty seconds ago, but he didn't, the only obstacle in his way being my debilitated self with my feet cemented to the floor.
Because, you see, the man was stunning, with the most beautiful face I had ever seen. I couldn't make myself move, or peel my eyes off him.
After opening the door, I had unexpectedly learned the meaning of "you take my breath away." A stupid old song was playing in my head while I tried to bring my vocal chords to life and invite him in.
I don't know why I expected an older man in a tweed suit. This one wore designer jeans and a white button-down shirt under a suede, dark blue jacket.
My embarrassment doubled when my cock twitched.
Finally, I felt my Dad's palm over my shoulder, which triggered some much desired movement – I stepped aside and let the man in.
"Good evening, Madam, Gentlemen. Detective Jasper Hale at your service."
Well of course, a deep, velvety voice, too. Fuck me. A half smile adorned his lips.
He grew serious while he listened to Mom and Dad's story. He asked pretty much the same questions that I'd asked, and this time, my father confirmed that, yes, all the clothes were washed and dried before they disappeared, and yes, the doors had been locked every night. No, he couldn't say if other food was missing, because they had a fully stocked kitchen and didn't keep count of the items.
The detective asked us to show him around the house, and Dad walked away with our visitor. Seconds later, I heard my father's receding voice explain that my parents had owned the place for a mere couple of weeks and were still fascinated by the comfort and design of every single room, even the attic.
The tour took almost an hour. When they came back to me and Mom, Jasper Hale was even more serious and engulfed in his thoughts. We stood silently until he made a few steps toward the exit.
"I need to take a look at the house from the outside, too," he finally stated.
My dad asked me to join the detective for his survey.
The request made my knees tremble. At first, I wanted to believe it was because of the hangover. But a moment later I had to admit to myself I was enthralled by the man in the suede jacket, and the idea of spending the next few minutes with him shook me to the core. Never had I seen a real private investigator, let alone a young, handsome, and mysterious one like Jasper Hale. I gulped and followed him outside. Was I supposed to talk to him? Should I follow, or should I lead him around the house? I was totally dismayed.
He stepped only several yards away from the porch and stopped, his eyes observing the outlines of the house for no longer than a minute. We were standing on the gravel path dividing the house from the main asphalt road.
"Dear Edward, can you help me pick a few dozen of these black pebbles?" Detective Hale's quiet voice startled me. He was already bending his knee and reaching for a dark, hazelnut-sized stone which lay beside the path. I realized there were plenty of these around us and it wouldn't be hard to collect the amount he needed. I had no idea what they were for, but I did what I was asked and started picking up the pebbles. When both my palms were full, I turned to him to ask what to do next. He only took the stones and meticulously planted them in a zigzagging line across the path, adding to the amount he had already placed.
"And some more," he said with a smile. I shrugged and went on with the job, not daring to ask for his purpose.
'Am I not a shy boy,' I laughed at myself. Nah, I was only dizzy with a hangover and not in the mood to speak. That's what I told myself, but I knew I was lying.
When he was ready at last, we were standing on both sides of the dark-pebbled zone. I could clearly see three zigzagging lines, but I realized they would appear as a random cluster to someone who didn't know they were deliberately placed. What on Earth… I decided Jasper was either a wacko or an eccentric genius, who didn't find it necessary to explain his deeds. Whichever it was, I liked him very, very much.
Imagine my disappointment when he turned his back to me and walked away.
"Please say goodbye to your parents, Edward. I'll be back early in the morning." He approached the asphalt without saying another word.
After my simple "OK," he got into his car and took off.
~"~
Of course, I decided to stay for the night. The thought that I would see him in the morning was enough reason for me, and to Mom and Dad, I said I needed a good rest. I locked myself in the guest room, jerked off to the daydream of a naked Jasper Hale, and fell asleep.
The next morning greeted me with a bright sun in the window, and my Mom's shriek.
"Carlisle! Come down right now, dear!"
I heard my Dad's footsteps descending to the first floor, and a bit later, their hushed voices. I couldn't overhear the reason for Mom's panic. Curious enough, I hurried downstairs too, only to see Detective Hale's car pulling up at exactly the same place as the day before. I watched him slowly advance towards the house. I wondered if he would avoid stepping on the line of dark pebbles, and was oddly disappointed when he unceremoniously put his foot right in the middle of our creation.
"Good morning, Madam, Gentlemen," the velvety voice greeted us once we let Jasper in. "How are you today?"
"We have another missing apple this morning!" It was my Mom who answered first. That was why she was panicking earlier, I concluded. They had obviously added two apples to the basket last night, and I noticed there was only one in it now. Oh my.
"This would be expected," the detective spoke. "I think someone here is especially fond of red apples. And now, we need to go upstairs to your attic, my friends."
We followed him in bewilderment.
"Mr. Cullen, please open that wardrobe," the detective spoke after we were all gathered in the attic. He pointed at an oak antique cabinet standing near the northern wall.
My dad did what he was asked. The wardrobe was empty.
"Now please, push the back wall, Mr. Cullen."
My dad did so.
The wall fell, and a huge empty space behind it emerged before our eyes.
"Step in, Mr. Cullen," the detective commanded, and Dad's figure disappeared.
Then we heard a girl crying.
"Come on, Miss Swan, follow Mr. Cullen's lead and let us see your face."
It took a couple of minutes for my Dad's figure to reappear. He stepped outside the wardrobe, and after him, another figure emerged from the outlines of the wooden furniture.
The girl was tiny, and very young, maybe a high-school junior. Her long hair partially hid her face, but the traces of tears in her eyes were clearly visible. Somehow, she reminded me of a frightened, strayed lamb.
"Just don't take me back to my parents. Please, please!" she whispered, and started crying again. Her whole body shook with her sobs.
~"~
The next minutes were a whirlwind. The girl made a scene when Dad called the police. When they came for her, we found out she was reported missing three weeks ago. She had escaped her divorcing parents, and was obviously hiding in my parent's house for the last few days. And her parents were the former owners of Mom and Dad's new place.
"I want my old room back, and I want my parents together, and don't want to go anywhere with you," she kept repeating through her whining. The police took her away despite her desperate pleas. The four of us watched her struggle for her freedom while the officers had to force her into the squad car.
~"~
It was time for Detective Hale to speak. And so he did, when we turned our faces toward him with our unspoken questions. What the hell happened? How did he know?
"From the very beginning, I knew no one was going in and out of your home unnoticed. Not with the security system you have installed. So it had to be someone from the inside, someone who stayed here and needed fresh food and occasionally some clean clothing. I had to find out where they were hiding, and after walking around, I knew the attic looked narrower from the inside than from the outside. Of course, I could bring you all upstairs and show you the place where the girl was, but I first needed to know if one of you was helping her. In case she had an ally, someone would warn her and she would escape during the night. That would have stopped the disappearance of your belongings, and everything would peacefully end. Besides that, the member of the family who had a secret would not be denounced.
I had a lot of time to think during the night. The person who needed your clothing, Mrs. Cullen, would be a female, and well familiar with the house. My first thought was to check if I could find anything about the former owners of the house. And, bingo, they had a disturbed teenage daughter, Bella, who had made several attempts at running away from her parents, and was recently reported missing again.
This morning, I saw that the pebbles placed yesterday were untouched. So, I was willing to believe the person, Bella or not, was still inside, and I led you all to her.
She will escape from her home again, of that I'm certain, but she will never come back here, and will never again steal your underwear and apples.
Now, Mr. Cullen, I would ask you to send the sum we discussed as my fee to my office today. Or, Mr. Edward can bring it there."
With that, Detective Hale turned his back and reached for the door handle. Right before he stepped out, he turned my way and winked.
"In fact, Mr. Cullen, I'd rather prefer Edward bring the check, if that's okay."
"That's okay," I answered instead of my father, leaving him speechless.
A/N: Thanks for reading! Now it's time to ask a question if you have one *winks*
Next: Detective Hale and the Murder in the Tulip Garden