This was a part of the job that excited Isabella the most; the hunt. It was getting the smell of her prey in her nose, and chasing it down, and bringing it to justice. This case had taken her and her partner, Laurent, almost three years to track and complete. The woman had been tricky to track and as slippery as an eel. Laurent took her hand and squeezed. "Are you sure, mon cher?" Her heart skipped a beat at the term of endearment.

He twisted her engagement ring, bringing it to his lips and kissed the gem. "We don' have to do this, mon petite, not today."

"Yes, we do. This is where we're going to catch her in the act. This is literally going to be the damning evidence for her conviction."

"What if your intel is wrong?"

"I trust my informant," Isabella squeezed his hand, pulling her eyes away from the ritzy hotel. "My information is good, Laurent. Trust me."

"I do," his dark eyes softened. "I don' wanna see you hurt."

"She can't hurt me, not while I have you." She kissed the dark skin on the back of his hand. "Let's move."

She was out of the car with her arrest warrant in hand.

Suddenly, Isabella stopped in her tracks... gaining a sense of deja vu. She blinked and watched an image of herself pull away from her body. She knew that look on her own face. It was time to catch a suspect. No, this is just a dream. I've already done this. I don't have to live this anymore, she thought venomously. She tried to turn around but her body refused her command. Instead, it followed her own image up the familiar granite steps, through the archway, into the gilded elevator... all the while Laurent remained a shadow behind her.

The manager of the hotel appeared as a faceless person to her. She barely remembered who they were, much less what they looked like. They followed them to the penthouse room, 1504. Isabella drew her pistol from its holster and took the key card from the manager. "Stay out here where it's safe." The figure did not answer her. Isabella watched herself open the door and the pair entered. "Jane Denali, this is the King County Sheriff's Office! Come out with your hands up!"

"There is no reason to shout, mon cher," Laurent's voice was so close that Isabella swore he was talking in her own ear. She felt the cold metal of the knife against her neck and the barrel of his pistol at her back. Everything around her seemed to move in slow motion as Jane appeared from around the corner, swinging a deadly looking knife of her over her fingers.

"Very good Laurent," she purred. Laurent shoved Isabella in the back, causing her to stumble. "Drop your weapon, detective. You're outnumbered and outmatched."

Isabella hesitated for only a second before, bending to lay her weapon on the floor. Jane licked her lips, icy blue eyes watching her every move. "Such a good little puppy dog."

"I did try to warn you, cher," Laurent sighed, kicking away her pistol. He bent down and ran the dull edge of the knife against her ear. "If you had heeded my warning, we wouldn't be in this mess. But you got too close... you're too good of a hunting dog." His breath was hot in her ear yet its heat was disguised by the minty freshness she smelled. "We could've been so good together." Isabella trembled, refusing to let her fear show on her face. She jerked when she felt his handcuffs on her wrists, effectively binding her hands.

"You bastard."

"Don' be like that," he licked the shell of her ear and moved to Jane's side. He swept her in his free arm, kissing her deeply. "MMmh... I've missed you, my viper."

"The feeling is mutual," Jane smiled. "Shall we have... a little fun?"

Cold fear set into Isabella's bones. Her gun was out of reach and she was stupid enough not to bring her back up weapons. Laurent grabbed her by the neck, hoisting her up to his face. His once warm irises were now black as night. He looked hungry... hungry to kill.

"No!" Isabella kicked out, knocking Laurent in the stomach. Instinct took over and she scrambled to get her hands under her legs to her front again. But Jane was faster. She attacked Isabella, hitting her over and over in the face and neck, trying to subdue her. Suddenly... the room went dark. When the lights returned, Isabella was the only one standing in the room... in her hand was Laurent's knife. Laurent's body stared in shock up at her... they were lifeless.

Tears began to fall from her eyes as she turned to search for Jane, but the woman had disappeared.Finally, she screamed and fell to her knees.

Isabella could still smell his blood and feel the bone hilt of the knife. She wiped her tears away, leaving bloody smudges on her face. She yelped when her ring scratched her eye. The sight of it caused bile to rise in her throat. She struggled over and over to pull it off, screaming obscenities at it. When she did, she shoved it down Laurent's throat. "Choke on it in hell!"

Finally, the room disappeared and Isabella felt in control of her own body again... however, the wounds and the pain still felt as fresh as the day of the attack. They burned through her entire body as if someone poured fresh salt into her cuts. A hand took both of her own. When she looked up, a man with blue eyes and wild blond hair appeared before her. He wore wings on his back. His eyes were sad. That alone calmed the worse of her pain. On his neck where a pair of punctures... like a snake bite.

"You're going to be okay."

Isabella jolted awake, staring at the ceiling of her bedroom. It took her a moment to gather her wits enough to sit up and take stock of everything around her. Her firearm was still beside her on the table; loaded and ready to fire. The potted plant was still strategically placed in front of her bedroom door and the bells were undisturbed on her window. When her eyes landed on the clock, she realized it was two-am. It's Jessica's birthday. She shivered at the cold breeze that gusted in from her air conditioner. She winced, realizing she was covered from head to toe in sweat. "And here I thought I was over the terrors."

She lifted the blanket and stood up. Her feet immediately protested her weight but she ignored it. She flipped on the light in her bathroom and took stock of her reflection in her mirror. Bruises were beginning to appear on her torso again. God dammit, she cursed. She turned, switching on the hot water in the shower and stripped. Dammit... it's been three years. Three long years... I should be past this by now. The water feels good... she closed her eyes and allowed the heat to penetrate her muscles, relaxing them. Suddenly, the blond haired man's face reappeared in her mind's eye. Her eyes flashed open.

He wasn't there... who was he? A guardian angel?

((Seven hours later))

Mike yawned loudly as they waited for the Halloways to appear at the Golden Anthem Theater. "I thought rich people were always on time. The show is about to start in thirty minutes and it will easily take them forty to get here with morning traffic."

"I suppose they like to be, 'fashionably late,'" Isabella flicked her fingers in air quotes.

Mike laughed, "So there is a sense of humor under that armor. It's nice to know."

"What? Of course I have a sense of humor!" Isabella gaped in confusion.

"No offense, Ms. Private I, but there were some points in these last few days where I worried that you lost your sense of humor."

"Lost it? What do you mean?"

"You really don't remember me, do you... I'm Mike Newton, I was in your class back at the police academy. You were the top of our criminology class. You and I were in the top five rankings in Investigations and Forensics."

Mike Newton from the academy? Oh! "You were the one who got chased up a tree by Mandy the German Shepard!"

"Yeah, that's why I never went with the canine unit. You were the one handling her. You were so cool and calm when we were in our exams that I kind of lost focus and got in Mandy's way. I think I must've pissed her off."

Isabella couldn't help but crack a smile at that. She laughed; for the first time in a long while she really laughed.

Mike laughed with her, "I blame you! I was so dazzled by your detective skills even back then that I got in front of a trained police dog!"

"It's your own fault for getting distracted," she pointed out.

"Detective Newton?" the pair jumped at the voice. Isabella turned and her breath caught in her throat when she laid eyes on Edward Cullen... in a suit. Damn... even for a jerk he cleans up well. The suit was black and tailored to fit him perfectly. His black boots were polished so much that the sun glinted off the steel tips on his toes and heels. He wore a silver chain around his neck. It wasn't thick and gaudy like many men wore, but it was enough to catch her attention. Whatever he was wearing, it was tucked under a white button down shirt. His hair was combed but it still looked wild, like had run his hands through it many times.

"Lieutenant Cullen, I didn't expect to see you today," Mike stood up.

"The feeling is mutual," Edward murmured. "Ms. Swan."

"Lieutenant," she nodded.

Edward's face hardened; his expression looked like he was torn between saying something and yet he was holding himself back. His skin showed a slight pinkish hue on the sharp edge of his cheekbones. Finally he said, "I thought you two are just coworkers."

A hot flash of heat immediately colored Isabella's face. She clicked her heels together, suddenly self-conscious about the dark blue dress she was wearing. The sash around her middle was silver and fit loosely on her hip. Her hair was pulled back with an ornate hair comb and her makeup was minimal. She was going for the 'I'm going to a show' look, not the 'I'm on a date' look.

"We are just coworkers," Mike corrected him. "However, we're on the case today."

Edward's green eyes met Mike's blue ones. "Oh?"

"We can't mention anything here out in the open," Isabella murmured, making sure she was barely moving her lips. "I don't want to sit by the flowers because of the bees. Mike is highly allergic to being stung."

Edward's eyes lit with understanding and a slight smile curled at the corners of Isabella's lips. "I see; if there's anything I can do, let me know. I'm pretty good at catching things. If you see one flying around, let me know." He waved, walking away with his hands in his pockets. A sudden breeze caused Isabella to shiver as she caught a glint of a weapons harness under his jacket. Cullen's carrying.

"Do you think it was wise to tell him?" Mike asked. "You two aren't exactly friends if yesterday was any indication."

Isabella's eyes softened, "A friend asked me to cut him some slack. Until Cullen shows me he can't be trusted, I'll take his friend's word."

Mike grew quiet, nodding.

"Ms. Swan!" Sondra Halloway appeared, briefcase in hand with Nicholas in tow. "There you are!" Isabella took stock of the elder Halloway carefully. She had dark circles under her eyes and there was a slight tremble in the hand that held the briefcase.

"Mrs. Halloway, would you like me to carry that for you? You seem weary," Isabella offered but Sondra shook her head.

"I will carry this through. I hope you know what you're doing."

It seems that I've lost any faith that Sondra had in me at the start of this investigation... what was she expecting? I'm not a miracle worker. Nicholas barely acknowledged her. He favored striking up a conversation with Mike instead, asking him about his career with the Seattle Police. Isabella stayed close to them, however she kept her eyes sharp on her surroundings. A sharp whistle caught her attention and she spotted a dog running over to a blond haired woman. Their eyes met and she held up three fingers. Three canines outside... good, that must mean Jacob is inside. "Hmph, that woman should know better than to let her dog off the leash around here! What if it bit someone?!" Nicholas snorted. Isabella groaned internally and rolled her eyes. With any luck, I'm counting on it Halloway.

"Where is Ms. Lois, Mr. Halloway? I thought she would be joining you today," Mike asked. The question nearly knocked Isabella to the side. That's right! Where is Miranda?

"Miranda caught a cold and couldn't attend. I suppose it works in our favor since it will only be the two of us you're guarding," Nicholas answered.

"That's a shame... that reminds me, which show are you seeing?"

"We intended to bring Jessica to Edward Cullen's performance today. He's a very gifted pianist and Jessica is very fond of his music. We thought that she would enjoy his sudden performance. Our friend, Tanya Denali, called us last minute and told us he agreed to play today instead of one of her proteges."

No way... no fucking way! Her eyes whipped to Nicholas Halloway. She wasn't sure what she was more shocked about: the fact that Edward Cullen was playing here at the Golden Anthem Theater, on Jessica Halloway's birthday, or the fact that a woman by the name of Tanya Denali is close friends with the Halloways! No way... it couldn't be her. She wouldn't be back in Seattle. It's impossible! Could it be a relative? That's unlikely but not impossible. The Viper is back? Fuck, fuck, FUCK how could this be?! She started panting, nearly hyperventilating. No, calm down Swan; focus on one case at a time. Focus! Now, Edward Cullen is a musician, that alone is a shock. The fact that he is one of Jessica's favorite musicians screams trap to me. Could that mean... is it possible that Jessica will be here in the crowd somewhere? I have to alert Jacob!

"Isabella?" Mike appeared at her side, grasping her shoulder. "What's wrong? You look pale."

"I..." she took a steadying breath and shut her eyes to prevent the tears from escaping. Laurent's face flashed in her minds eye and she nearly let herself crumble in pain. No... not here. I can't have a panic attack here! She gave herself a swift smack to the cheek. "I'm fine. I'm sorry I lost my head for a moment."

"I still don't like your color. Are you sure you can do this?"

"Yes Ms. Swan, can you do this?" Nicholas sneered. It was enough to help Isabella banish her nightmare away. She squared her shoulder proudly and nodded, motioning for the Halloways to enter the building.

The group rounded the corner, going straight to the front door with their VIP passes in hand. It was at the security check that Isabella spotted him. He was dressed cleanly with his hair tied back in a low ponytail. His dog, Jethro, sat obediently at his feet. The dogs ears were pricked, alert for any danger. Another canine officer, Leah, was letting her own dog check the baggage as they checked it through. Isabella cleared her throat, directing the Halloways to Jacob's open line. "VIP's?" he asked. Isabella nodded and held up her pass and set her purse by the conveyor belt. Another officer down at the belt was waiting for her.

"Jake," she hissed, bending to take off her heels. His eyes snapped to hers. "Cullen, sting, viper!"

He seemed confused but nodded and gave the command for Jethro to checked her bag before pushing it with his nose onto the belt. "Go ahead, Miss." Isabella grimaced, hating the metal detector that she walked through. Thankfully it didn't screech at her. The officer at the end, though, was standing with her open purse.

"Ma'am, I need-" she reached in quickly and showed him her ID and licensing for the pistol concealed there. "Oh, my apologies, Ms. Swan. I did not know you were attending today. Your parents will be surprised to know you're here."

WHAT?! Isabella nearly dropped her purse as she stared at the security officer. "Wh-what? My parents are going to be here?"

"Yes, ma'am. They should be arriving soon."

Isabella whipped around, almost running into Mike as he stepped up behind her. Her eyes, though, were trained on one Jacob Black. His eyes were firmly trained on Jethro

though. The German Shepard checked the briefcase carefully before sending it through and returning to his spot at his master's feet. The fucker didn't think to warn me?!

"Isabella, is something the matter?"

"Y-n-y... no, nothing's wrong. Everything moves forward according to plan." The group continued into the lobby of the theater. Isabella caught sight of many faces she recognized from the Sheriff's department. Dammit dad... this is overkill and you know it! "I need a drink."

"Is that really wise since you're here for our protection?" Nicholas snapped. "The longer I'm with you the less I have faith in your skills. Did you take the credit from the William Stone case from another detective?" Isabella's face heated with rage and she clenched her fist, not daring to dignify that with a response. Suddenly, the lights flickered,indicating the show was about to start.

"Let's go," Mike took Isabella's arm, pulling her along into the auditorium. The front six rows were filled already, but they were headed for the boxed seats above the main crowd. When they sat down, Isabella turned her gaze around the whole auditorium... searching. Please... please Jessica, be here. She did not spot her kidnapee(;), but she did spot a face in the balcony across from them. A swift hand came down on Mike's leg and she pointed as subtly as she could. It was the man from the security image. Mike looked to where she pointed and swiftly got to his feet. "Excuse me."

"Where is he going?"

"I saw the person whom left the recording with Jessica's pictures. He was stupid to get spotted like that." Suddenly, she spotted a woman enter and sit beside him and a young girl beside her. The woman had a black scarf wrapped around her head. The girl had a matching one. The woman leaned over to talk to the girl and Isabella could see a telling flinch in the girl's reaction.

I was right, they did bring her. Come on Mike, work fast! She waited and waited... watching the trio. But Mike returned, glaring spitefully at them. "I couldn't get through the crowd and their doors are locked. I can't get in," he whispered. "Not without rousing suspicion."

Fuck me, man... they've thought of everything.

If there was one thing she was certain of now: Jessica Halloway was sitting directly within their sights. If her relatives recognized her, they did not react. The stakes just got higher. She didn't dare take her eyes off of them, even when the lights dimmed down and the crowd rose to their feet to applaud. Isabella's attention was caught when Edward appeared on stage. He was dressed immaculately and his hair seemed to have been tended to since they saw him outside. He bowed, the silver chain slipping out of his shirt. She could now see what appeared to be dog tags around his neck. Tags? Why would he be wearing tags? Was he in the military?

Every thought and suspicion flew out of her mind as he sat at the piano and immediately started playing.

The music was soft and haunting... and Isabella knew right then that he was playing from his heart. Tears brimmed in her eyes.

Whew... TREAT DAY! You now have a double chapter up for you guys. I hope you enjoyed the mystery so far... and I hope you enjoy as new twists appear and another case makes it's entrance. *wink*

So, I've renamed the Piano Prodigy Case to the William Stone Case in the previous chapter so not to cause any major confusion. Did you lot find the clues that I've left? Perhaps... you have a theory on the motive?

Ah yes, I see the light bulbs going off! The MOTIVE! Why has this crime been committed? Any guesses? Yes I've left clues for you. Put on your Sherlock caps and enjoy!

Thank you again to my wonderful beta Shelindrea! Without her, I would be lost. She keeps me on my toes and ensures the story is still flowing in the correct direction.

Side note: our mystery begins to tie into Edward's story... be prepared!

-Kestra