AN: We're back to the future again.

Thank you to everyone who reviewed the last chapter and hope you all enjoy this one too!

MeteorOnAMoonlessNight has beta'd perfectly as usual and has my thanks as always.

Disclaimer: SM owns it all; I know, I checked again

Dangerous Secrets

Chapter 4

Now, Bella

I was supposed to go into the office today, but received a call from Victoria saying that I wasn't needed and could work from home this morning before heading out to see one of my authors in the afternoon. When Edward dropped by and offered to take Charlie to school, I was more than happy to accept so I could spend a little time with Lily before Sue, my babysitter, dropped in to take her for the rest of the day.

I was lucky to be able to work from home most of the time, and could take Charlie and pick him up from school as often as I wanted. Of course, there were times when Edward took him to school or finished work early and picked him up; times he loved. Lily, my little girl, was not quite a year old and was with my babysitter because I was expecting to be in the office and then at my client meeting. I usually had her with me all day as I'd had with Charlie throughout his first year, but she loved Sue and was happy to go to her when the need arose.

So I was at home that morning with the sound on the television low as I read through my author's story for the tenth time making sure I had all my notes ready for this afternoon's meeting. I happened to glance up as the words at the bottom of the screen showed the name of Charlie's school and the picture showed police cars and a fire engine.

Leaping to my feet as a cold wash of fear rolled over me, I grabbed the remote control to turn up the sound. The newscaster was explaining that there had been gunshots fired and there was now a fire in the building. They didn't have more information than that, and only showed a contact number on the revolving words on the screen.

Searching for my phone, I rushed into my home office, grabbing it from the desk and then back into the kitchen where I had been sitting. Before I could dial the number it rang, and Edward's name flashed across the screen.

"Edward…" I barely managed to squeak out his name as my throat became thick with tears. "Did you see the news?"

"I did, and I'm on my way now, Bella. Hold tight and try not to worry, I'll be there in less than ten minutes." His calm voice blanketed me as he hung up, and I paced from the kitchen to the living room window, seeing him pull up less than ten minutes later and fly out of the car and into the house.

As his arms enveloped me and his scent filled my nose, I broke down and sobbed hysterically into his chest. His hands rubbing slow circles over my back and his murmured words slowly allowed me to get control of my tears, while he fished his phone out of his pocket and dialed a number.

"We have to go to the school, or call the police, Edward. I need to know if Charlie's okay."

Without answering me he spoke into the phone, barking out some orders, though I had no idea who he was talking to. "Get Felix here, I want to know what happened. Where were Demetri and Santiago?"

Shoving his phone back into his pocket, his arms once again tightened around me. "Shhh, Bella. We'll get him back, I promise."

Eventually, when my tear ducts had temporarily run dry, I raised my head and stepped out of his arms. "What do you mean, we'll get him back? Where is he? What are you not telling me?" Something about his demeanor told me he knew more than he was letting on.

At my accusation and questions, his face closed up. I had seen him do this many times when my questions about his life and family became close to those he wouldn't or couldn't answer. This time I vowed I wouldn't stop asking as I usually did; I wanted to know exactly what he meant.

I didn't understand anything of what he had said on the phone, but before I could ask any more questions, the doorbell rang and I raced toward the door, hoping it was someone bringing Charlie home. I opened it to find three people on my doorstep. With Edward behind me, each showed his identification; a police woman from family liaison, Emily Clearwater, and two detectives, Sam Uley and Emmett McCarty.

I opened the door wider, inviting them in and without a word, turned to lead them into the living room, my eyes catching a strange look between Detective McCarty and Edward, as he followed us into the room. I was confused as to why there were police in my home and afraid that their presence confirmed Edward's words and if that was true, why weren't they out there looking for my son?

"What the fuck?" My language always degenerated when I was over-emotional.

"I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news," Detective Uley began. "But we have reason to believe that your son, Charlie, has been taken from the school."

"Taken? No," I whispered, my fears realized by his words, making everything real. "Why?" I looked at Edward, waiting for him to explain more about what he had said earlier, but he was silent and avoided looking at me. Instead, he faced the officers.

"At this time, Mrs …"

"It's Miss Swan," I interrupted.

"Miss Swan. At this time we have no idea." Detective Uley acknowledged my correction while I allowed the female police officer to take my arm, encouraging me to sit down.

"Is there anyone else we can call to be with you?" Her soft tones broke the silence.

"Yes, Rosalie Hale." I answered slightly robotically, unable to take in more than the fact that Charlie was gone; taken by strangers to who-knows-where. I felt the adrenaline rush through my body as I thought of my little boy out there somewhere with people he didn't know. Was he already missing me? Were they treating him well? He had to be so afraid without me there to protect him.

Detective Uley continued to speak, unaware of my inner panic. "Just after ten-thirty this morning, when the children returned from their morning break, a fire started in the teachers' lounge. It seemed fortunate at the time that the school had arranged for a talk from the fire service but we have reason to believe that the was set deliberately. The fire alarm was set off, but before the children could be escorted to the fire point in the school playground, the firemen headed directly to the classroom where your son was, so I'm guessing he was the target; he's the only child missing. Since then, we've discovered the bodies of two men who died from a single shot to the head."

At my gasp of horror, I looked at Edward as if he had all the answers. The look on his face was absolute fury laced with fear, but there was also something in his eyes that I didn't have time to interpret before the detective pressed on.

"We have now found the bodies of two members of the fire service, who were supposed to be at the school. It seems that they were intercepted and their place taken by imposters. From my experience, it looks very much like a professional hit. Can either of you tell me who might want to take your son? And why?"

There was an extra beat of silence before Edward answered. "None, Detective Uley. I'm a simple business man, although I suppose it could be for ransom. What about the other kids? Have you checked their parents' backgrounds? Maybe I just have more money than any of them."

I looked suspiciously at Edward; his words sounded almost belligerent and I had no idea why he would deflect like that. "We don't have any enemies, do we, Edward? Why would they target Charlie, Detective? We're nothing special; just an ordinary family." Edward could hear my voice was pissed although it bypassed the detectives.

"Please, Miss Swan, call me Sam. Emily is your family liaison, so if you need anything please feel free to ask her, she's here to support you through this trying time as well as Detective Emmett McCarty," he answered. "Mr. Cullen, do you know of anyone who would want to hurt you or your family this way? Do you know anything about the dead men?"

It seemed for a moment that there was an undercurrent to his words, as if he was asking a completely different question. Detective McCarty said nothing, seated on the sofa silently watching. Edward continued to deny he knew anything at all, but I wasn't so sure; he'd always kept me away from his family, and now I really wanted, no needed, to know why. I tuned out the detective after we described what Charlie had been wearing and provided him with a recent photograph. I was unable to stop the tears running down my face.

Emily moved closer to me and took my hand. "It's okay, Bella. Is it okay if I call you Bella?" she said soothingly. I shook her off, not wanting comfort. I wanted my son.

"Fucking let me in, you moron." Rose's voice echoed from the front door. I leapt to my feet and rushed out of the room, shouting at the police officer standing outside the door to let her in. He moved sharply to one side and I fell into her arms as she barrelled into the house.

I thought I had no more tears, but found myself unable to say a word for the sobs tearing through my body straight from my heart. The fear that I would never see Charlie again overwhelmed me and my legs buckled as I sank to the floor, taking Rose with me. She said nothing, hugging me tight, and just allowed me to cry hysterically and rant incomprehensibly.

I was barely aware when Edward lifted me and carried me to the master bedroom, placing me in the middle of our bed. I assume he'd called a doctor, though I never saw or heard him, when I felt a sharp prick on my arm and everything went fuzzy and I felt myself drift away.

Waking a few hours later, it only took a second for the events of this morning to flood back in, and I sat up abruptly. Looking around, I saw Rose sitting at the end of the bed. Immediately, tears welled up in my eyes, although I did feel calmer than before.

"It's true, isn't it, Rose?" I whispered quietly through the thickness in my throat. "He's been taken; my sweet little Charlie has been taken by someone."

Rose scooted closer to me and wrapped her arms around me again. "I'm so sorry, Bella. Yes, it's true, but we'll get him back. Try not to worry, Edward's helping the detective downstairs. Do you want me to get him for you?"

At the sound of his name, I remembered his first words, 'We'll get him back, I promise', from when he burst into the house. It had seemed strange at the time, and I had almost forgotten about it until now. He had said that before the police had knocked on the door. And then there was that phone call to people I had never heard of before. Who were Felix and Demetri and Santiago? I knew I didn't know his family, but the way he spoke to them was not the way you would to members of your family, or even your employees or colleagues; more like your subordinates. This was Chicago, and I couldn't stop my mind from drifting over the word 'Boss'. I didn't know his family at all, and that now worried me.

These thoughts only took a second and Rose left the room to get Edward as I had asked. A new determination filled me; he would answer my questions this time. No more avoidance.

** Dangerous Secrets **