Chapter 7
Rosalie was determined to find out more of what happen to her parents. Why was her mother being remembered for murder? The question was daunting on her. What was Vera talking about when she said 'She thought she had the right reasons. She thought she was taking justice into her own hands.' Those words kept replaying in her mind. They didn't fit Lillian Hale in anyway, shape or form. Her mother could barely speak for herself let alone take justice into her own hands. Rosalie kept trying to piece this together. She then remembered what Esme had told her, the one clue to fit the puzzle. 'John will take care of it. He can type well'. Did they send something to her parents? If they did, than why are all those theories about her are still around. This was still racing through her mind when Rosalie came out of the shower. She heard whistling from outside the hall. Rosalie quickly threw on a pair of jeans and a white T-shirt, than through her wet hair in a pony tail to speak to the second person who let would know, the bell boy. He seemed to know everything about this place, he would know the history.
"Excuse me, sir," Rosalie called as she came out of the room.
"Yes, miss," He asked pleasantly.
"Remember earlier when you were taking our bags up?" Rosalie asked. "You said something, about the Hales, how Dad—I mean Mr. Hale outlived all his children,' as common belief.' What did you mean by that? I already know about Rosalie."
"I figured you would," He smiled. "Probably more than most people, it is quite a legend. That is why your room isn't that popular Don't worry she's harmless."
"Did they ever figure it out, what happened?" Rosalie asked. "Did they get any some clue she was still alive?"
"They did get a note," He answered.
"Form her"? Rosalie asked.
"From them," The man corrected. "Ransom, the Hale's were rich. No one knew about the note in till it was discovered in the seventies, it was found in Mr. Hale's desk."
"He kept that at the bank," Rosalie said stunned. "Why would it be here?"
"Mr. Hale left the bank shortly after his daughter's disappearance," He explained. "Frank Carpenter found the note hidden in Mr. Hale's desk, never told anybody. He found another note form the police, saying the ransom note is not evidence."
"Where is the note?" Rosalie asked.
"Right were it was found, in the family a photo album of the Hale family," He said calmly. "It shouldn't be shown to guest, but I will make an assumption for you."
"I need to see it," Rosalie explained.
"Come with me," He sounded sympathetic. "Something tells me you need to see it."
Rosalie followed the bell boy to her father's old office, and open it. "She's not here, must of went home for the day. I hoper her grandmother comes back later. The old woman said she had something at home she needed to return."
"Good, I want her to meet my husband." Rosalie explained to him.
"She'll love that," The man smiled. "Now, which one of these books is it."
"Is it that red leather book?" Rosalie asked.
"Yes, and how did you know that?" He asked surprise.
"Lucky guest." Rosalie lied pulling it out. Rosalie open up to a page, it was a picture of her around the age of twelve, she was wearing a dancing dress and standing on her father's toes. Next to that page was two old carefully preserved folded pieces of paper. Rosalie took out the first one.
"He found it on his desk one morning at work" The bell boy explained. As Rosalie read the old neatly typewritten letter.
To Alexander Hale:
As you very well know your daughter is missing. From my understanding you just spent a larger portion of money on an upcoming wedding. This event will never take place if you don't cooperate. Give me six million dollars and your daughter might be alive. I will send another note saying when and where.
Keep in mind you have two strong sons, I would hate to have anything happen to them.
The Bride Snatcher
Rosalie knew who wrote this letter, and the reasons for this letter. They were trying to throw the police and everyone off. He knew her parents could never come up with six million dollars. She knew the threat towards her brothers was to throw them off even more, and get them to leave Rochester. She remembered what Vera had said about the detectives who where suppose to find her. How careless they seemed, it caused her to open the letter from the police.
Dear Mr. Hale,
I am sorry to inform you the letter giving at the ransom is not a valuable clue to the investigation. It was found on your desk. Anyone could of put it there, and everyone knew of the wedding was expansive. It is our advice is to wait for the kidnapper to send another letter, than we will know where he will be.
Rochester Police Department.
"Wouldn't the note being found on his desk would mean it was someone who has accuses to his office?" Rosalie asked.
"That's what Alexander said, but the police refused to investigate any further," He explained.
"Why?" Rosalie asked.
"No one knows the true reason," The man sighed. "The Hales of course, came up with their own theory. People didn't believe them, it didn't seem right at that time."
"That was?" Rosalie asked.
"You don't know," the man took the letters. "I am sorry, miss, I am not the one to give you that information. I have to ask you this, why do you care so much? This was over seventy years ago. You now have a husband waiting for you down stairs, just enjoy your weekend."
"Your right," Rosalie looked down sadly. "There is nothing that could be done now. I have to get ready, my husband is waiting for me down stairs." She then left, it was the past, perhaps it should remain that way. Emmett, who made her new life livable, was waiting for her and he is here to have a good time.
"Pick it up," Lillian ordered as Emmett quickly picked up the phone.
"Emmett," Edward answered slowly.
"Edward," Emmett said awkwardly. "So what's up with you?"
"I'm calling you back," Edward answered.
"I called earlier," Emmett asked as Lillian giggled. "Needed to make sure it was Esme's brother."
"Yes," Edward answered. "And you didn't say anything, I just kept hearing a woman screech. Esme and Alice also said they got weird phone calls from you two too. What's going on?"
"Ask him what he saw at the train station on May 2, 1933?" Lillian ordered.
"That's when Rosalie went after her first victim." Emmett glared towards Lillian suspiciously. "Where you at the train station that day?"
"Yes, now ask Edward what he saw." Lillian demanded. "Ask him who he saw and what they were doing?"
"What about Rosalie's first victim?" Edward asked out loud.
"What did you see at the train station that day?" Emmett asked quickly.
May 2, 1933
I was sitting in the car, Esme took Rosalie so she could make sure no one else would get hurt. It was raining, I was waiting in the car for them to come back. Hoping the train won't leave for Atlanta with the two of them still on board. Just as I was about to get out, another car pulled in front of me, it was Lillian Hale with her two sons. She had on a coat, and her hair was pinned in a hat. She was paler than last time I saw her, and she seemed to lost an unhealthy amount of weight. I saw the older son go to the trunk and pull out two suit cases.
A certain newborn vampire, who they would recognize was also in the train station, getting a certain job done. I had to keep an eye on them, I didn't want to a reunion to end badly. I listened to Mrs. Hale's thoughts 'I hope no one we know sees us' She was looking around, imagining each person she saw snatching Rosalie. That was when I decided to keep my distance, but I followed them into the train station when I heard. 'Final boarding call for Atlanta' I knew they would be back soon, so follow the Hales, making sure they didn't run into what Mrs. Hale was looking for.
'Don't worry mother, I will take care of him,' I heard the older brother speak.
'I have no doubt in my mind you can take care of yourselves,'' I heard Mrs. Hale 'I am going to purchase the tickets, if you see anyone you recognize don't tell them were you are going. Tell them you are waiting for a relative who doesn't know. Keep your younger brother quiet.'
'I don't want to leave,' I heard the younger brother, it sounded like he was crying.
'It is for are safety,' The older brother told the younger brother.
'I miss Rose,' The younger brother said crying. 'Mommy and Daddy were happier when she was around. Will she come back?'
'I don't know, I miss her too.' The older brother answered. I could hear his thoughts 'I am going to kill the punk doing this to us those.' He didn't say anything the younger brother, those were his only thoughts. It didn't take long for Mrs. Hale to come back with the train tickets.
'My brother will meet you at the train station, you will be his adopted sons,' Mrs. Hale said firmly.
"We'll call you when you get there?" I heard the younger brother.
"No, you won't," Mrs. Hale informed them. "Their can't be any phone calls."
'Can we write to you?' the younger brother asked. I could tell he didn't quite understand what was going on.
'Yes' Mrs. Hale answered. 'Just use a different address and a different name on the envelop send it to Daddy's business mail. Don't worry, this is only in till we get things figured out.'
"First boarding call for San Francisco, California." The announcer called.
'You better get going,' Mrs. Hale hugged the boys. 'Mind your aunt, tell no one, not even their maids, why you came.'
'We won't' I heard both of them, she than her hug her two boys as they departed.
"I always seem to see that image," Edwards said sadly. "Mrs. Hale trying to save what was left of her children, it was very sad. Why are you asking me this?"
"I'll explain later," Emmett answered as he looked over. Lillian Hale was still there, seventy years later with her sad eyes looking back at Emmett. She touched the phone, causing the signal to be lost.
"You know rude that is," Emmett said as he hung up the phone.
"Manners aren't exactly a top priority on your list when your dead. Anyway you know now." Lillian said. "I didn't want him to tell you anymore. He doesn't know the full story on what happen the next day."
"Did you know what happen?" Emmett asked.
"Not then, we were still clueless, we just had suspicions, that is why we didn't tell anyone we hide our boys. We didn't even tell them they were away. We told the schools they were ill," Lillian explained. "Now, Emmett, I am going to tell you something, something that happen, that no one else knows. Don't let Rosalie know either."
May 3rd, 1933
Today would have been the day, Rosalie's wedding day. Now is the day they called off the search. How hard life has to be, I was thinking that when I went to her room. Everything was just the way she left it. I crawled to her closet, and let out a scream. It was a morn, cursing whoever took her away. I was cursing this person for ruining my family and everything that meant anything to me. Then I cried, next thing I know there was a knock.
"Mrs. Hale," Mrs. O'Brian, the house keeper came in. I could see she was facing similar pain, she didn't know where the boys went either. She was holding it in a lot better than me. "The King's maid is here, she has something for you. She says it's about Rosalie?"
"I'll get dressed and be down in a minute." I said as I jumped up.
She stood their nervous and scared, with her brown eyes booming with sorrow towards me. "Mrs. Hale, I'm Celia, the cleaning woman at the Kings household."
"I know that," I answered. "I was told you have information on Rosalie."
"Yes, and I sorry, I didn't come forward earlier." Celia started nervously.
"Why did you wait?" I asked, where was she two weeks ago.
"I was worried about my job." Celia explained. "Times are hard, but safety has to be taken into consideration. You see I have a fourteen-year-old daughter, Emma, a couple days ago she came to me, complaining."
"About what?" I asked her, wondering how is this related to Rosalie.
"About Royce Jr.," Celia answered as I felt my eyes widened. "She said that he has been looking at her in a way that makes her feel uncomfortable. Then he said something to her, about her hanging with them the next time his friends are in town. Today, her father is taking her to Pittsburgh; I give Mrs. King my notice."
"What's this have to do with Rosalie?" I asked wishing she would just tell me.
"I remember the night she disappeared," Celia explained as I shot her a stunned look. "When Royce came home, he didn't seem at all worried. I thought that was strange, so I deiced to clean the upstairs stairs hall while Royce was with his friends in his room. I overheard them."
"What where they talking about?" I asked slowly.
"They were laughing," Celia explained embarrassed. "Then I heard them typing something. Royce said 'I'll put it on the desk, so it is the first thing he sees. It will keep them going.' Then the next day, some detectives came by. That was when I deiced to clean the hall in front of the cigar room. He was talking to both of them as he poured them brandy. I heard 'boys will be boys', and then he offered them some money. He was making a deal."
"What was the deal?" I asked as I felt my body temperature rise.
"Mrs. Hale, being a mother, my heart went out to you." Celia explained. "I couldn't imagine what you are going through, so I took things into my own hands. This is hard for me to say, but I have to say it to you. So I am just going to let it out. Rosalie is not coming home."
"Don't say that," I yelled at her as my chest tighten with pain. I wanted to throw her out, for taking the only hope that kept my husband and I going. "She is coming home, we are still not giving up on her."
"I found the ransomed note next to Royce's typewriter, it was to throw you off. You won't get another ransom note." Celia interrupted me. I was frozen, no one knew about the ransom note. Not even the King family, not even Mrs. O'Brian. How did she know that? I was shocked. Celia grabbed me by the shoulders and forced the journal in my hands. "While I was cleaning his room, I found this" she should it to me. "I took it home, to read it." Celia then open up to a page. "I have to warn you, my husband is a strong man. He almost fainted reading it. You have to read it those, to give you closer."
I knew she was right, I read that journal, my eyes kept forcing me to read faster. I read every detail. How dare he? Was the only thoughts that came through my head. 'to my daughter.' It was hard for me to read, the rage kept building inside. What made him think he could take my child, who I had dedicated all my hopes, joys and my very existence to and he treated her as if she was trash. My hands clutch to her heart, slamming the book, as I felt my entire soul changed through this unconditional rage, that brought out my very instincts.
"No." I cried at first, it was as if my worse nightmare had become real.
"No!" I yelled my rage was so strong those were the only words I could get out. How dare Royce think he could pluck a hair from my daughter's heads and get away with it!
"Bustards!" I screamed as my face became a harden red, throwing the book on the table. I ran off slamming the front door then got in the car and drove away.
Emmett looked up, Lillian was still there, staring at him with anger she got from thinking about it. "Where did you go?"
"You'll find out tonight, her daughter is a talker," Lillian pointed to a blind old woman coming in with a tiny box. "So is mine, I have to warn you, be alert when you are at the Ball Room. Don't let history repeat itself tonight. The next one will be there."
"What are you talking about?" Emmett asked.
"She is waiting for you," Lillian disappeared. Emmett looked over to see Rosalie in a silver dress with a skirt flowed down to her knees, tightened from her waist to her shoulders to show her hourglass figure, she had with one sleeve over the shoulder, the other bare showing some cleavage. Rosalie then pulled in a bun with a purple flower in it matching her dangling amethyst ear rings.
"Emmett," She smiled then came down and gave him a kiss. She then looked over at the old woman sitting in the chair off to the side of the lobby.
"You came back," She smiled at the old woman as her head propped up. "Mrs. Cullen, yes, I have something for you."
"Come on," Rosalie pulled Emmett to the table the old woman was sitting out. "Vera, I would like you to meet my husband, Emmett, Emmett this is Vera Carpenter."
"Vera," Emmett smiled, looking at Rosalie surprised. "Nice to finally meet you, heard so much about you."
"Nice to finally meet you too, I didn't know I made such a good first impression," Vera extended her hand to Emmett as he kindly shook it. "Are you two going out this evening?"
"Yes, to The Ball Room," Emmett explained. "That use to be a country club."
"I know, my daughter owns it now," Vera smiled. "I have something for you. It's funny, I feel like I'm returning it to you." She then gave Rosalie a tiny white box.
