Summary: "When Royce King II is found dead, Detective Jasper Whitlock is called in to help the investigation because of the high priority of the case. It seems to be simple, but is it really? And will he find more than just the person responsible?"

Disclaimer: Of course I don't own it! I may have some physical likenesses to Stephenie Meyer, but I'm not her.

Chapter One – Wake-Up Call

It was well past my usual bedtime when I received a call from Emmett McCarthy, one of my old friends at the police force I used to be part of myself. I had resigned from the force after a particular painful incident, but I was still called on quite often to lend a hand.

Solving murders had always been my passion, so I was glad there was a way to be of service still, even though I was in no way obligated to quit. Emmett's phone call was more than welcome.

I could remember the conversation as if it was yesterday.

The shrill tone of the telephone woke me up. I would have been annoyed, had I not known that there was only one person who ever called this number. With that knowledge, it didn't take me long to find the phone in the darkness of my room and answer it.

"Hello?"

"Hi Jasper. I'm sorry, I probably woke you up, didn't I?"

He didn't sound very sorry, but since this wasn't a social call, and it probably meant there had been another murder they couldn't solve and could use my help with… Well, I could hardly be annoyed for that, now could I? I didn't have anything to do these days, and despite the fact that I despised murderers, I couldn't say I didn't enjoy the fact that they gave me something to do, however messed up that may seem.

"You're right. You did. So. Which case do you need my help with?"

"Ah. Always the impatient one. I could have been calling for some other reason than a case though."

"Yes, you could. But you never do. So let's cut the crap and get to the point." I laughed.

"True. Alright. Well… we've got ourselves a bit of a… problem, if that's what you want to call it."

He hesitated, as if searching for the right words to explain this problem of his.

"Umm.. Well, I'm guessing you've heard Royce King the second was murdered?"

"I have. I read an article on it in the newspaper the other day. Stabbed in the chest a half a dozen times a month or so ago?"

"Seven times, actually. See, that's the problem. That's all we know for certain, how he was killed. Apart from that, we've got nothing. There's no evidence whatsoever, but there are a whole lot of people with a motive to kill him it seems. The press is all over us, questioning whether we're actually doing something, since we haven't given any new information out since the announcement of his death and how he died. That's why we need your help."

He sighed, obviously annoyed at something before continuing.

"We're at a deadlock, the press is breathing down our necks, our bosses are anything but pleased, and I haven't even mentioned what the King family has been saying about us."

He still seemed hesitant, which was very unlike him, but I thought I understood. Being involved in a high-profile case with my past… well, let's just say it was anything but ideal. If I hadn't been cooped up in this house barely worth the name for so long already, I would have probably thought it through first. But as it was, I didn't even think. All that came out of my mouth was "when do you want me there?"

I heard Emmett exhale, as if he'd been holding his breath since the moment he'd finished his speech.

"Let's see…"

I heard him toggle on the keyboard of his laptop.

"The next flight here leaves in three hours. Would you be able to make that?"

I looked at my clock and noticed that would give me three hours to get there. Since the airport was only half an hour's drive from here and I never took much with me, I figured it wouldn't be a problem.

"Not a problem."

"Great. I'll pick you up from the airport."

"Okay. I'll see you in a few hours then."

"You will. I won't need to stand there waving a sign, will I?"

I knew he was kidding, but I responded anyway.

"I'm sure I'll manage to find you without it," I laughed " and even if I don't see you, I'm sure I'll hear you."

He chuckled.

"I guess you will. Oh, and Jasper?"

"Yeah?"

"Thanks man. I owe you."

I didn't get a chance to reply since he'd already put down his phone. I sighed and started packing.

As I was driving to the airport, I couldn't help but think about the case. Who could have killed Royce King?