Chapter 4 The Graysons

Nessie and I left Jacob s house a couple of hours later. While we were there, I kept trying to find reasons why I needed to leave. But I could tell Nessie was having fun, and I didn t want to upset her. Knowing it would only anger Jacob more, I didn t say anything more about the missing pets, or the murder in Kalaloch. As I thought more and more about the news I had heard, I was sure it was a murder.

From the sound of it, I didn t think a bear could do that much damage, especially when the victim was dead. Bears were known to attack humans, but only because they were protecting their young. Once the threat was over, the bear would leave. They wouldn t keep up their attack especially if the threat was dead.

As I put more thought into it, I was sure that the victim wasn t killed by any normal animal. But if it wasn t a wild animal, and if it wasn t Jacob s pack, then what was it? Two hours later, I still hadn t answered my own question. But I still decided I needed to talk to Charlie.

That was when Nessie and I left. I made up an excuse, saying that Edward was probably wondering where Nessie and I were. I did need to talk to Edward about this, but first I wanted to talk to Charlie. He had to know that Jacob and his friends weren t responsible for the murder in Kalaloch.

We arrived back in Forks about thirty minutes later. I was thankful it was a cloudy day, otherwise I would have gone straight home. I drove to the police station, knowing that was probably where Charlie was. When I recognized his car in the parking lot, I knew I was right. I parked the car near his.

Mommy? Ness said, I thought we were going back to see Daddy.

We will, Nessie, I said, I just need to talk to Grampa first, okay?

Nessie nodded.

Okay, I said, Come on!

Nessie and I walked into the police station. Mr. Dayton, an old family friend, and one of the Forks police officers, was sitting at the front desk.

Isabella! Mr. Dayton exclaimed, jumping up from his seat, Charlie told me you were in town!

Hi, Mr. Dayton, I said, Do you know where my father is?

He is in his office, Mr. Dayton said, He s speaking to someone, but I don t think he ll mind if you intrude.

Thanks, I said.

I took Nessie s hand and walked toward my father s office. I knocked on the door, then opened it, and we walked in. Charlie was at his desk, but he wasn t the only one in the room. A man in his late-thirties or early forties was sitting in the chair at the desk. He had long black hair that went down to the middle of his back. I noticed a few grey spots here and there in it. I also noticed that he had a long beard that matched his hair.

Bella! Charlie said, standing up, Hi! I was actually talking about you. Isabella, this is Mr. Lyle Grayson.

If my heart could beat, it would have skipped a few of them. Mr. Grayson stood up and turned around. When I looked at his face, I realized he had a couple of scars down the sides of his cheeks. He also had dark brown eyes that almost looked black. He looked like a very stressed man, and I was surprised at how tan his skin was. Most of the people in Forks were more pale than the usual human.

It s nice to meet you, Isabella, Mr. Grayson said, a booming tone echoing in his voice. I could also sense a European accent in his voice, Charlie has told me a lot about you. He is very proud of you, it sounds like.

Nessie backed away and hid behind me. Mr. Grayson got closer.

What a beautiful daughter you have, Miss Swan, he said, looking down at Nessie.

It s Mrs. Cullen, actually, I said.

I put my hands behind me, and Nessie took them. A wave of her emotions ran through me, and I could tell she was very frightened of Mr. Grayson.

I do apologize, Mr. Grayson said, Charlie hadn t told me that you re married. Forgive me, you just look a little younger than I had in mind.

I couldn t find my voice anymore. It was like it refused to show itself in the current situation. I looked from Mr. Grayson to my father.

Mr. Grayson, Charlie said, clearing his throat, I believe you came here to fill out a report?

Oh, yes, Mr. Grayson said, I almost forgot. Thank you Chief Swan.

As he said this, he never took his eyes off of me and my daughter.

It seems I am a magnet for trouble, Bella, Mr. Grayson said, a throaty laugh escaping his lips, My family and I are refugees, I guess you could say of the country we were in. I was erm falsely accused of some crimes in my country, and I chose to move with my family.

Forks, Washington seems like a weird choice for a first pick, Mr. Grayson, I said, when I found my voice again, I m sure my father would disagree, but it is sort of a boring place. Not a good impression for new citizens to the United States.

Ah, yes, Mr. Grayson said, Well, where my family and I lived, the town was similar to this. It was a small town where everyone knew everyone else. Where if a boy fell down a well, everyone would know it in less than an hour. You get what I m saying? The weather is kind of dreary, I must say. But I can get used to it, I think.

You say you re having some trouble? I asked.

Oh, it s not too much to worry about, Mr. Grayson said, My dog s gone missing and I can t find him anywhere. I have six children and they love the dog dearly, so it is my personal mission to find him.

Six children! Well, assuming Lyle had a wife, then the Graysons were indeed a bigger family than the Cullens.

I m not doing so well, sad to say, Mr. Grayson said, So I hoped to enlist the help of your father and his officers.

Well, Mr. Grayson, Charlie said, If you talk to Mr. Dayton up front, I m sure he will help you. I would assist you, but I have a feeling my daughter needs to talk to me. Is that right, Bella?

I nodded.

Very well, Mr. Grayson said, Thank you, Charlie. Mrs. Cullen, it was very nice to meet you. I hope this isn t the last time I get to talk to you and your beautiful daughter.

Another wave of frightened emotions were sent from my daughter to me.

Adieu, Mr. Grayson said.

He walked over to the door and I followed him with my gaze. He then turned around.

Oh, before I forget, he said, I m having a party tonight. It s just a small thing. Kind of a get-to-know-you party. My wife planned it. I know she wants to try to make some new friends for her book meetings, but I also have a feeling she hopes this could increase our chances of getting our dog back. I would be most pleased, Chief Swan, if you would come. Bella, her daughter and her husband could come as well. I would love to meet the man who stole your daughter s heart, and I bet my children would love to meet this beautiful girl. You know my address, I think, Chief Swan?

I didn t know if my father could hear it, but I thought I had distinctly heard some emphasis in Mr. Grayson s voice when he talked about my husband. That phrase he used stole your daughter s heart. Before a year ago, I probably wouldn t have thought too much about it. But, being the slightly paranoid person I am, it affected me a little bit more than it should have. Because, as a vampire, stealing my heart was basically what Edward had done. However romantic it sounded to me, it put a bit of emphasis into my whole existence. Could Mr. Grayson possibly know what I was, or was I just being my usual paranoid self?

Yes, Lyle, Charlie said, I ll see what I can do.

Wonderful! Mr. Grayson said, The party is at seven-o-clock.

Charlie nodded. Mr. Grayson bowed slightly to Charlie, then to me and Nessie. He then left the office. Nessie immediately calmed down. She walked over to Charlie and hugged him, then sat down in one of the empty seats. I sat next to her.

I m sorry, Bella, Charlie said, I know that was kind of awkward.

No, it s fine, I said, my mind still on Mr. Grayson.

What do you think of Lyle? Charlie asked.

Interesting gentleman, I said, simply.

I have a feeling Lyle is going to be a great addition to Forks, Charlie said.

What does he do? I asked, trying to sound casual.

I believe he is an antique collector, Charlie said, I think his intentions are to buy a shop here in Forks and turn it into a small museum. He is a very wealthy man, from what I hear.

Yet another similarity to the Cullens.

So, Bella, Charlie said, clapping his hands together, I assume you didn t come here just to say hello, did you?

No, I said.

I m guessing you went to La Push? Charlie asked.

By La Push, I knew he meant that I went to Jacob s place.

Yes, I said.

Did you learn anything? Charlie asked.

Jacob and his pack, I said, and I could see Charlie tensing up, were definitely not responsible for what happened in Kalaloch.

Charlie didn t say anything.

They have an alibi, I said, using the police terms, They were at a bonfire last night.

Mmhmm, Charlie said, I m assuming Jacob told you this?

Er yeah, of course, I said.

And you believe him? Charlie asked.

Of course, Charlie, I said, nodding, Jacob wouldn t lie to me.

Oh, really? Charlie retorted, Remind me. How long did you know Jacob before you knew what he was?

Dad, I said, sighing, Jacob isn t what you think he is.

He is exactly what I think he is, Charlie said, his voice getting louder, Because, if you recall, he showed -- he told me what he was. Please answer my question.

Jacob wasn t always a -- err -- what he is, I said, cautiously, It s been in his blood, of course. But it didn t affect him until only some months before he told you. He never had a reason to lie to me. In fact, he let me figure it out for myself, but only because he was ordered not to tell me. And then, of course, I realized later that even I was wrong in my discovery.

Then he did lie to you, Charlie said, So how do you know he isn t lying to you now?

Billy knows that Jacob was in La Push all night, as well, Dad, I said, hoping Charlie would finally believe me now that I mentioned his friend s name.

Billy knows a lot of things, Charlie said.

Dad, I said, Billy s your friend. You can believe him, right?

Billy s lied to me many times as well, Bella, Charlie said.

I groaned.

This is ridiculous, I said, You have no reason to feel this way about Jacob and his friends, Dad.

Doesn t it seem weird, Bella, Charlie asked, leaning into me, how the description of that body in Kalaloch sounds? They are saying that it is similar to the attacks that happened in the forests around here. And you know as well as I do who was responsible for those incidents, right?

I fidgeted around in my seat. I felt very uncomfortable at the moment, and it had nothing to do with the chair.

Dad -- I began.

Bella, Charlie interrupted me, You can t expect me to believe a story until I get all the proof. I am a police officer, and I am Sheriff. I go by what the evidence tells me, and the evidence, at the moment, leads to one thing.

You don t know the whole story, though! I said, defensively, Dad, the body was found in Kalaloch. You don t have connections there, do you?

No, Charlie said, But--

So how would you know where the evidence leads? I asked.

It s a joint investigation, Bella, Charlie said, Police from Seattle have joined up with police in Kalaloch, and they are sending officers here as well. They are fully aware of the incidents that happened here.

Dad, I said, You aren t going to tell them about Jacob and his pack?

Bella, Charlie said, sighing deeply, If it comes down to it, I m going to have to.

People will get hurt, Dad! I said, in a worried tone. Please, Charlie. Don t tell them.

People have already gotten hurt, Charlie said.

Exactly, I said, The citizens of Forks and La Push don t need any more blood on their hands.

Bella, I m sorry, Charlie said.

I groaned.

Come, Nessie, I said, in a half-disgusted, forceful tone, We re leaving.

Are you going to go to Mr. Grayson s party? Charlie asked, as I stood up.

Ugh. How could Charlie think of parties right now?

Lyle would be happy if you went, he continued, I might go too.

I ll think about it, Dad, I said.

Though, at the moment, I had no intention to go to any party.

Here s the address, Bella, Charlie said.

He jotted down something on a Post-It slip and handed it to me.

Thanks, I said, grudgingly, stuffing the small piece of paper in my pocket, Come, Nessie. Say bye to Grampa. We re leaving.

Bye, Grampa, Nessie said, waving to Charlie.

I ll see you later, sweetheart, Charlie said.

I led Nessie out of the office. As I went to the front of the station, I noticed that Mr. Grayson wasn t there. I figured he must have left, and didn t think of it any further. Nessie, nor I, didn t say anything until we got in the car.

Are we going to that party later, Mommy? Nessie asked, as I got in the driver s seat.

I don t know, I said, looking at Nessie in the rear-view mirror, I ll think about it.

We re going to see Daddy now? Nessie asked.

Yeah, I said, starting the car, and the ignition roared in response, We re going to see Daddy now.

------------------------------------------

I drove the car a little faster than I should have, especially with a child in the car. But I wasn t exactly paying attention to that. I was still disgusted at my father s response to the whole situation. If he was smart, he would have stopped this from going too far. Now, whoever was responsible for the incidents, if it was human or (I winced at the thought) immortal, they would definitely realize that there was an investigation. While there was a chance it would scare the perpetrators out of the area, or out of the state, there was also a chance they would react harshly and that it would just get worse.

We arrived back at the house pretty quickly. Edward was working on one of his cars, but as soon as we pulled into the driveway, he stood up with inhuman speed. I frowned and just waved at him, as I stopped the car. Nessie got out of the car quickly, and hugged him.

Where were you at, Nessie? Edward asked our daughter, as I stepped out of the car.

We went to see Jakey and Grampa, Nessie said, grinning, And we made a new friend.

A new friend? Edward asked, looking at me, Really?

He invited us to a party, Daddy! Nessie said, Can we go? Please?

Let me talk to your mother about that, Edward said. Tell you what. Go see Grandma Esme. I bet she will make you some lunch! Eh?

Nessie nodded and ran into the house.

Looks like you ve been busy, Bella, Edward said, Would you like to talk about it?

I sighed, stalling for a moment. Should I tell Edward the truth? Or just a little bit of it?

Does this, Edward said, have anything to do with the reports on the news?

Drat! I should have known he would have seen that. I nodded.

I had to make sure it wasn t Jacob or his pack, Jacob said.

And? Edward asked, Was it?

I don t think so, I said, slowly.

You don t sound so sure about that, Edward said.

Well, I said, Jacob says that he and the pack were at a bonfire last night. Seth says that too. But --

Jacob is Seth s Alpha, Bella, Edward said, Seth would go with whatever Jacob said.

But Billy also said Jacob was in La Push all night, I said.

Billy is Jacob s father, Edward said, Of course he would lie for him if it meant that he was keeping Jacob out of trouble.

Come on, Edward! I sighed, Can t you even open your mind up a bit?

I find that hard, Edward said, especially with my ability. So I assume you went to your father about this as well?

I nodded.

What did he have to say? Edward asked.

He thinks Jacob or his pack did it, I said, But only because he can t get past the fact that Jacob is what he is. My father is going too far in this, Edward! He told me that there will be a joint investigation, and Seattle and Kalaloch police are coming here. They believe the Kalaloch murder and the incidents in the forests around here are connected.

Maybe they are, Edward said.

I don t think they are, I said, There has to be another explanation.

Like what? Edward asked, What could it be? More --

He paused and didn t continue.

More what, Edward? I asked.

Never mind, Edward said, quickly, So who is this new friend of Nessie s?

I narrowed my eyes. I hated that he had changed the subject.

When Nessie and I went to talk to my father, I said, We met Lyle Grayson.

Edward s eyes went wide.

I m surprised Nessie calls him her friend, I said, You should have seen how frightened she was, Edward. Her fear went right into me.

Then why does she call him her friend? Edward asked, eyebrows raised.

Apparently Lyle Grayson, I said, is having a get-to-know-you party for the town. Well, you know how much Nessie likes parties. She really wants to go.

Edward sighed deeply.

Lyle Grayson wants to meet you, I added.

Why? Edward asked, looking into my eyes.

Apparently, I said, He wants to meet the man who stole the sheriff s daughter s heart.

I guess I can t refuse then, Edward said, When is the party? Where?

At seven tonight, I said, slowly, He gave me the address. Why? You want to go to the party?

I m just curious, Edward said.

You think there is something fishy about Lyle? I asked.

No, Edward said, Do you?

I shrugged.

Then we should go, Edward said, I could read his mind, and see if there is any reason not to trust him in there. If there isn t, then that s fine.

And if there is? I asked.

He didn t answer for a moment. I knew he was trying to figure out how to answer that question.

Then we ll look into it, Edward said, Or we ll tell your father about it. He s going to be there, right?

He was invited, I said, unsure if he would go or not, So we re going?

Does Grayson have kids? Edward asked.

Six of them, I said.

Six?! Edward asked, in a shocked tone, Hmm. The more the merrier, I guess. Nessie needs some friends, though. And she sounds like she really wants to go.

Are you sure? I asked, I mean --

Nessie will be fine, Edward assured me, Besides Alice is still preparing for the party. We have to keep out of the house tonight anyway. What better way to spend the night then go to another party?

I shrugged, and nodded. This was definitely going to be interesting.

-----------------------------------------------------

I didn t know if this would be a formal party or not, so I decided to wear something that was half-and-half. As I was changing, I realized I hadn t read the Post-It note my father had given me yet. I dug into the pocket of my jeans and took out the tiny slip of paper. I read it, and could barely read my father s hand writing:

La Push Road. Look for a large house.

I sighed. What kind of instructions were these? La Push Road was a long stretch of almost nothing that went in between Forks and La Push. I had driven down that road plenty of times and had never seen a large house. Was this some kind of a joke? Perhaps my father didn t want me to go, and this was just his way of telling me

Something wrong, dear? Edward asked.

No, I said quickly, trying to hide the Post-It note.

Honey, Edward said, You re standing half-naked in our bedroom and reading a Post-It note.

What note? I asked.

I am so lousy at lying. He walked over to me, and took the tiny piece of paper away from me, then read it. He looked at me, and I shrugged.

Large house on La Push road, he said.

My damn father and his worthless instructions, I muttered.

Shouldn t be too hard to find, Edward said, There aren t that many large houses on that road. We just look for the one that screams Oi! There s a party here! Eh?

I laughed. I had to hand it to him. He could be funny when I was not.

So are you going to the party like that? Edward asked me, staring at my half-naked body.

In your daydreams! I scowled.

Not even close, Edward shrugged, In my daydreams you re --

Don t even finish that sentence! I interrupted.

He laughed out loud. I narrowed my eyes at him and walked into the large closet.

-
Edward decided that we should leave pretty early, since we might have to search for the house. So Nessie, Edward and I piled into our car and started down the road.

I turned and looked at Nessie. She was wearing one of the two half-formal party dresses Alice had bought for her. This one was pink and frilly. I didn t know if I wanted to thank Alice or hit her. It was just like Alice Cullen to turn my baby girl into a party queen.

I was wearing a black, full-bodied blouse and heels. I figured it went with my personality. Edward was wearing what my father sometimes referred to as a poor man s tuxedo : black pants and a white shirt and tie. I thought he looked quite sophisticated.

It didn t take as long as I expected to find the Grayson s house, and I didn t know why I was so worried. Lyle Grayson had not wasted any energy to flaunt the fact that he had money. The house looked like an old-fashioned mansion, and I knew why I hadn t seen it before while going down La Push road. It was half-hidden behind a bunch of trees, and, in a way, only visible when you were looking for it. It looked like every window in the house was on, and there were more than a dozen cars in the driveway. I privately wondered how many of these were the Graysons cars and how many were guests. As we parked in the long driveway, I noticed the familiar white car with police lights on the top, and the Sheriff logo on the side. My father was already here.

Impressive, I heard Edward mutter as we stepped out of the car.

We walked up to the front of the house. The double-doors were already open.

And I half-expected someone here to take our coats, I muttered.

Be nice, dear, Edward said.

Mrs. Cullen! I heard a half-familiar voice speak up.

Lyle Grayson walked up to us.

I see you brought your lovely daughter again, he said, And this must be your husband.

I m Edward, Edward introduced himself stiffly.

Lyle held out his hand, and Edward paused then shook it. I noticed a bit of worry on Edward s face, but I didn t know what it was.

Ooh! Lyle said, Must be cold out there. Your hands are chilly. Come in and warm yourselves up a trite.

Lovely house you have here, I said.

Thank you, dear, Lyle said, Make yourselves at home!

As we followed him into the living room, Lyle continued.

My wife is in the kitchen preparing the food, he said, My children are around here somewhere. Well, most of them anyway. My oldest son should be here soon. He s just picking up his new girlfriend. I must say that I was surprised to hear Lyle had found someone so soon. He s barely sixteen, but he seems to be in love. I must really talk to the boy, you know. He should be careful about these things, eh?

Yeah, I said, with a small laugh.

I looked at Edward. He had a stony expression on his face.

What s the matter? I whispered to him.

I ll tell you later, he said to me.

I could have picked a more beautiful night for a party, though, Lyle said, Cloudy and it looks like rain could be coming our way. Ah well. It s what you have to expect here, I guess.

Yeah, Edward said, I guess so.

Here she is! Lyle said, Patty! Come here. I want to introduce you to someone.

I then noticed Lyle s wife. I half-expected Patty to be quite beautiful and elegant, but I was pleasantly surprised. She looked pretty average-looking for a human. As she got closer, I noticed a small scar on her forehead that could have been mistaken by any normal human for worry lines.

Patty, Lyle said, This is Edward and Bella Cullen. And their daughter

Renesmee, I said, Or Nessie, as most people call her.

Beautiful name for a beautiful girl, Patty said, her voice soft and sweet, Nessie, we have a little girl about your age around here somewhere. She is just as sweet and lovely as you. Her name is Krystal. If your parents are okay with it, we can go and find her.

Be on your best behavior, Nessie, I said, looking at my daughter.

She nodded, and I knew that she what I meant.

Go on and have fun, Edward said to her.

Wonderful! Patty said.

Bella, Edward, there you are! I heard Charlie s voice say.

Hi, Dad, I said.

Chief Swan, Edward said, nodding.

You could have given me better instructions, Charlie, I half-scolded him.

You found the place, didn t you? Charlie said, grinning.

Barely, I muttered.

Edward laughed. As Edward and I sat on the large, white-leather couch, I looked around to see if I recognized anyone. Sue Clearwater was talking to Mrs. Mason. I cringed at a thought. I wished I had worn more make-up. What if my friends had come? Would they realize I looked different?

Bella? Edward asked, Something wrong?

I m beginning to think this was a bit of a bad idea, I whispered, What if my friends come?

Don t worry about it, Edward said, taking my closest hand in his.

Before I could say that I was truly worried, Lyle spoke up.

Louis! he exclaimed, There you are. Finally!

I looked up at the entrance of the large living room. Lyle s oldest son looked just like his father, but I wasn t looking at him. His guest grabbed my attention more than he did: it was Leah Clearwater. Her imprint was Lyle Grayson s oldest son.

Beside me, I heard a low growl come from Edward.

Edward, I hissed, Stop.

Did you know? Edward asked.

I knew Leah had an imprint, I said, I didn t know it was the Grayson s kid.

Edward sighed.

Damn it, he said.

Edward? I asked, What s wrong?

Not now, he said through his teeth, and I noticed he was staring at Louis.

When, then? I asked.

After the party, Edward said, I don t want to cause a stir.

My eyebrows narrowed, then raised. Had Edward found something bad when he searched through Lyle Grayson s mind?

Suddenly, I heard a small squeal. I recognized it as my daughter s, and I got kind of tense. I noticed Nessie running, and I almost screamed her name, when I realized she was laughing. She was being chased by a black-haired girl around her age, and a little boy that was probably six or seven years old. Both looked so similar to their parents, that it was kind of eerie.

Looks like Nessie s found some new friends, Charlie said, laughing.

I sighed in relief.

I ll be right back, I said, standing up, It s getting hot in here.

Bella? Charlie asked me, Are you okay?

Fine, I said.

It s just a little too stuffy for her, I think, Edward said, She just needs some air. I ll go with her.

Edward stood up and I walked with him outside.

Are you okay, Bella? Edward asked.

I don t know, I said.

I put my arms around him, and put my head up against his chest.

I almost over-reacted in there, I said, I thought Nessie was in trouble.

She s just excited, Edward said, She s never been around kids her age. Given her situation, that isn t much of a surprise. It s nice to see her have a little fun.

Yeah, I said, It is.

I d just hate to tell her that it won t last very long, Edward said.

I let go of him and backed away.

What do you mean? I asked, surprised that Edward would say this.

It s nothing, Edward said, avoiding my eyesight.

Edward, I said, Tell me what s wrong. Now.

Edward didn t answer and I realized what was going on.

What did you see in Lyle Grayson s mind? I asked him.

Nothing, Edward said.

Nothing? I replied, relieved, So he s fine?

You don t understand, Bella, Edward said.

My eyebrows narrowed. Edward looked really worried and it was starting to worry me too. He took my hands in his and I could tell he was actually shaking.

I didn t see anything in Lyle Grayson s mind, he whispered. I couldn t even get into it!