Chapter 3

I closed my books with a huff. Studying was one of the few things I did in my spare time. Not always because I have to, but because there is nothing else to do. Yup that's me, boring Bella.

Smiling to myself, I get up off my bed and walk into the living room. As if he knew that I was sitting down to work, Jasper called. I answered on the third ring ( I didn't want him to gain pleasure in the idea that I was awaiting his call).

"Are you going to pay attention this time?" His husky voice questioned without saying hello. I couldn't help but grin.

"I can't promise anything, but I suppose I can try." I stuck the end of my pen in between my teeth and started my old computer up. I barely used it, and when I did it was purely for research reasons. Jasper took a deep breath on the other line. I knew I was in for one of his long rants. I wasn't disappointed.

"I know how interested you are in the murder cases. The two women here in the city."

"Uh huh." I clicked on the internet browser and silently cussed when it wouldn't load.

"So I went down to the crime scene to see if there was anything 'suspicious' or similar between the two sites." In case you were wondering, Jasper Hale is my partner in crime – or something equivalent since I don't pay him. I've been friends with him and his sister, Rosalie, since we were kids. Jasper was always there to beat on my bullies, or to help me study for exams. He always knew when I was angry or sad, and for some reason he always knew exactly what to say. And he was always the one to pick me up and push me in the right direction. He's one of those people who believe in the circle of life.

"Uh-huh, and did you scout out anything... Special?" I twirled my chair away from the computer monitor and listened attentively to what he would say next.

"Absolutely nothing besides the obvious. Yes they were both young women, but that's about as familiar as your going to get." I frowned in disappointment.

"So…?"

"So. There was no calling card left by the killer, no fingerprints, no nothing. I asked the big guy if I could be put on this case, and he turned me down."

"That's so unfair!" I said angrily, "You're the best one there! They should bow to you or something."

I heard Jasper laugh on the other end. It made me angry that he didn't care what his boss thought about him.

"What are you going to do?" I asked while bringing up the website of the local newspaper. Jasper didn't answer at first. I had time to shift through today's news. No more murders, which was good, but also 

strange in a way. The last two murders had happened exactly a year apart. I wasn't going to create a pattern until I saw proof. I had four days until I would know for sure.

"Absolutely nothing." Jasper said finally. "That they will know about. So if you need my help with anything just ask. Okay, Bella?"

"You can count on me, Jazzy."

"Don't call me that." I smiled.

We both said our goodbyes and I hung up the phone. I just stared at the computer screen. There has to be something up with these murders. Something tying them together. With one last look at the screen, I lean forward and turn off the monitor. I have to meet Angela and Ben for dinner.

We meet at our usual restaurant. Not to fancy, yet not your typical Pizza Hut either. It's just a casual restaurant that we eat at. We've been eating here every Tuesday night. It was kind of a tradition. It used to be Fridays, but then we got so worked up in parties and night clubs that it just didn't work out, we couldn't stop and actually talk. Saturdays were out, because I always spent the weekends up at my Dad's house in Washington. So Tuesday's it was.

"Hey guys." I sat down, after handing the hostess my coat. Someone else handed me a menu and I immediately handed it back. "Same as last week." I smiled at the waiter. He was new.

"And that would be?" He asked tiredly yet not taking his eyes off my face.

"The cook knows." I winked at him and then turned my head. "And bring me a nice glass of wine as well."

"Alright." He said, yet he didn't leave. I could feel his presence beside me. I looked across the table at Ben, he was smiling wickedly. Rolling my eyes I plastered a friendly smile on my face and turned to the waiter. He was still staring at me. "Sometime tonight would be swell." I said. He blinked a couple times and then turned away. "Geez." Angela laughed.

"You've sure got a weird effect on some people." She smiled.

"Yes, but you always attract the weirdo's." Ben answered before I could. I smiled to myself. This is why I came to the city—to be with my friends. I would not want it any other way.

"So what's going on in the P.I. business?" Angela asks later on while we eat.

"Looking for murders, the usual." I swallow my mushrooms and take a drink. Angela smiles.

"Must be an exciting job." Ben says.

"Oh yes."



"Couldn't you do something that was so dangerous?" Angela asked wearily. She had good intentions at heart.

"And what, stick to adultery? I think not." I finish of my dinner and lean back in my seat.

"Sometimes digging into things like this. Like this case with the girls. I have heard that sometimes the murders go after the investigators…" She did really look scared.

"I'll keep an eye out." I laugh nervously. "I'll be fine, Ang." She just shrugs her shoulder.

"Who's in for ice cream?" Ben's voice breaks in.

We leave the restaurant after paying our hefty bills (and getting another stalkerish stare from the waiter) and make our way down the street towards the promenade at the other end. There were still cars on the streets, but they weren't as aggravating as they were in the daylight. We talk about random, normal stuff, while we walk. It's not long before we are in the square, amongst many midnight shoppers. This was where the festivities were at night. It was as if the city changed as soon as the sun went down. Amazing to see, really.

"Look…" Angela says. I turn from sticking my tongue out at Ben to Angela. She's nudging her chin in the direction of the Ice Cream shoppe door. I steal a glance.

"Where's Lauren?" I ask when all I see is the good-looking copper haired god from lunch.

"Who cares." said Ben. "I know him. Edward!" Ben yells. Edward turns his head and then his face turns up in a smile. Nudging his friends, he makes his way through the crowd.

"Hello." Edward says to Ben, his voice almost like a song. I wonder why I didn't notice this at lunch. It might be because I barely heard him talk. His eyes shift to Angela and then to me. His mood brightens even more. "Well hello again." I can see his teeth in the night. I let one side of my face go into a smile.

"Hi." I say. Angela just waves as she wraps one arm around Ben's waist.

"This is my sister Alice." Edward puts a hand on the shoulder of a small pixie like girl with nice shoes. I can see her shoes because I am looking down. I swear I can't look into his face. "And this is my best friend, Emmett." I look up into the eyes of a bigger, yet also good looking, male. He has curly brown hair and a goofy grin on his face. He looks from me to Edward and then back again. He winks and smiles at me. I furrow my eyebrows in confusion, and look up to see Edward staring at me.

Okay, is there something wrong with my face? Everyone keep staring at me!

I can't help but blush. Dam it, what is wrong with me?

"Hello." Alice says. "You guys want to join us? We're going down to the park." She has a friendly smile. Angela is about to answer.

"Actually no." I say, smiling. I turn my eyes away from Edward and towards Alice.



"Too bad." Alice says with a frown, but it turns to another smile. "Tomorrow then?" She asks. I can almost see her hopping up and down. She looks like someone who would be great to hang out with.

"Uhmmm. I don't know." I say, looking towards the door of the Ice Cream Shoppe.

"I'll find you." Alice says. She grabs a hold of Emmett's arm and they walk away. I look at Edward who is still standing there.

"We'll meet you inside." Angela says. I nod. Edward smiles down at me. I don't smile back, but I head after Angela and Ben.

"Have fun with Lauren." I call back. I don't turn around, but I hear him say, "Shit." Before the Shoppe's door closes behind me.