Back at the Volturi's home, Aro is sharing his plans to show Micanopy to Esme, as he's completely aware of her superb planning skills.
"But you don't think it would be ready in a month?"
Esme shook her head. "Of course not. You're bringing a few sponsors this weekend, right? Then, we have to plan the potential date with the council. The whole town needs to be involved." When Aro was about to protest, Esme continued. "Look, James sent me his plans and what he expect from the festival. This could be huge if we really plan it and involve the community." She was also expecting to gain time for her own plans. "When is James coming back? He mentioned a girl."
"Don't get your hopes up high. She's an opportunist of the worst kind. Just wait to meet her. Look, I know we don't meet eye to eye in many, many things, but this is about our son. I want to find a way to end it."
"That bad?"
"Just wait and see."
Esme thought about it for a second, and suddenly she saw a new plan. "Guess who's back in town? Bella Swan, James' first love."
xxx
James was happy to get back home. He was hoping Lauren liked Micanopy as she was used to big cities. Lauren, on the other hand, was trying to hide her distaste until she saw the Volturi's mansion.
"Wow! So this is your home?"
"Yep, this is where I grew up." He said as he opened the door. Inside, Chief Swan was waiting for him.
"Hmm, Lau, do you mind if I have a chat with the Chief? I'm sure he wouldn't be here if it wasn't something important. Why don't you take a look at my parent's library, I'm sure you'll find it interesting."
So he left Lauren roaming around while he had a talk with the Chief.
Charlie seemed relieved to finally talk to James. There are things he won't ever discuss with Rose or Aro if he could avoid it and the abandoned car was one of them.
After a few pleasantries, he told James about Jessica and Royce, the way the case was finally closed, and sadly mentioned the abandoned car. Charlie mentioned he found who was the owner but there aren't reports of him missing. He tried to contact his family at Forks, but it seemed Quill didn't have a close relationship with his mother and she was only interested if there was a reward involved.
Charlie asked if this Quill disappearance has something to do with Aro's plans, but James explains to Charlie that they never heard of Quill before, and asked him to remain calm. Maybe it was a prank, the guy was in college, right?
xxx
Inside the house, Lauren was high-fiving herself for landing James, as he was filthy rich. She wandered around the gigantic living room that separated the house in two wings and started to make plans to dispose of certain furniture she thought was old. She just needed to secure James' proposal. Then Rose came walking around. Lauren feeling threatened by Rose's stance and beauty was fast to call her as she was the maid. Better to make the blond know her place around here now that Lauren was home.
"My bags need to be brought to my bedroom," Lauren said snapping her fingers.
Rose just quirked a brow and glared at Lauren.
"So? Your hands seem to work fine. Go and take them upstairs." She turned around as she had a busy day.
"Don't you dare to talk to me like that. Don't you know who I am?" Lauren screeched. She had to make this blond know who was the boss around here.
Rose again, knew she had the upper hand. This must be James' girlfriend, and Aro was right. She was a golddigger. And not a bright one.
"Not really, but in this house, everybody cooperates. It's the only way we can work. I'm sure you are the one who doesn't know who I am so I'm going to clear it for you. I'm Aro's right hand, and obviously, I held more power in my pinky that you'll ever imagine. I'm way up higher than your boyfriend. So, I'll be clear again, take your bags and drop them in James' room. It's on that wing, the last room on the left."
Too bad for Lauren, Rose had enough confidence to back her threats. Lauren was still unsure of the place she held in James' heart. Still, she had to say something.
"I'm so going to tell James." Lauren glared at Rose.
"You do so, please. Toodles!"
Lauren, completely humiliated, decided to get her things up in their room. She had to find a way to get rid of the blond. 'Just wait 'til James hear the way she treated me' she thought.
xxx
Bella was mortified at the lab, still shocked of what could happen if Angela didn't intervene with Jacob and Embry. She was the one who put them in their place as demanded Jacob to leave. Clearly, he still believed Bella owed him something, as he threatened to kill Tony. Angela was so right to hide Tony until Jacob and Embry were gone. Embry came back next day to apologize, and asked Bella for a chance to talk about the strange things that were happening. He couldn't stay longer as Charlie was calling him on the radio, but Bella agreed to have him to dinner at night.
"So what do you think of my plan?" Carlisle asked.
"I think it will be fine, but if we accept the help the guys are offering we could find the nest faster."
Carlisle wanted to start to search for the nest where the eggs were laid. I mean, Bob had to come from somewhere, right? Now that they had a few techniques to handle the caterpillars, their sting and a way to contain them, just like Bob. Tanya offered their help as the guys finished their 'work day' after lunch as she noticed a few girls from town trying to catch their attention, something they must avoid at all cost. It was enough with Bella, and luckily she would leave town soon.
But Carlisle wasn't so ready to accept their help.
"Think about it. Six more eyes to help us. We can cover all the area surrounding town in one day. We can start wondering inside the preserve tomorrow!"
xxx
Rose went to Caius hotel, the last one on her list. She found it was occupied by two college girls who had an accident a few days ago. She offered to help them so they could leave by Friday as she needed, but she found Caius and his wife were reticent to send them away as Bree was wearing a cervical collar.
"So Bree, when are your parents coming to get you?" The girl must be eighteen, Rose thought concerned. But Caius and his wife were protective of the girls, sending them away could be difficult if she didn't offer something in exchange.
"Hmm, well, they were coming yesterday, but the doctor suggested to wait for a couple of days. Vicky's wound also requires rest. My parents are coming next Friday."
Rose thought it was a big risk if by any cause their parents got late. Maybe if she offered to get them home sooner...
"Why don't you rest? Perhaps one of my friends can get you home sooner and we avoid to bother your parents. The people in Volturi Corp. wants to get any visitor the best experience, so they will come back. What do you say?"
Rose left, unsure of her success as Caius demanded to get the doctor clearance before letting both girls go. On her way back home, she passed a group of people wandering by the side of the road. She swore her eyes were playing a joke as she thought her ex-friend Bella Swan was here in Micanopy after all these years. Certainly, a hallucination.
xxx
Jasper, Edward, and Bella were looking around the area close to the cave. They found promising clues as they got the remains of a couple of eggs and one spine.
From the other side of the road, Alice was pushing Alec to walk faster.
"I'm sure it's here. It has to be here. Just think about it, it no man's land, outside town, Esme told us it was full of bats and guano inside, and the only neighbor around is a woman who isolates herself from the world. "
Two minutes later, both groups clashed.
"What are you doing here?" Alice said with unjustified bravado, as she wanted these people to leave so she could investigate.
Bella just raised her brow. What crap crawled to this girls ass? "What are you doing here?" She was sure she never met her before, but this part of town didn't belong to anyone, it was a public space.
"We arrived first, and we're dealing with important business on behalf of Esme Volturi." Alice huffed.
Bella walked around the tiny girl, not impressed at all. Bella knew she mentioned to Esme her own plans to investigate around, and was sure Esme would help her if Aro hadn't requested her help. And Esme knew it was dangerous. This girl was lying.
"Really? Because I just talked to her and she never mentioned you."
Alice wasn't one to let anyone stand in her way, least now that she was sure she was onto something big. "Well, clearly what I'm doing it's far more important and urgent, and as far as I know, she doesn't answer to you so why would she bother to call you?"
Bella hummed and was about to answer when Jasper came to her side and put his hand on her shoulder.
"Let me deal with her, please?"
Bella nodded curious s to what he would say.
"Listen, Miss..."
"Mary," Alice answered, remembering she wasn't using her real name.
"The subject of our business is a matter of life and death, and if you don't mind me saying it, there's no way yours is as important."
Alice got red as she got madder.
"I don't care! We got here first!"
"So? We're dealing with something vital!" Jasper answered, annoyed with the pretentious woman.
Soon, both were yelling to each other. Bella just went to Tony's side as he smiled and muttered 'Sure, he has it under control'. Alec just stood quietly with his camera, noticing the others were carrying some sort of equipment and gloves. Alec began to wonder if they were part of the lab and remembering the giant bug decided to shut up Alice. They could come on another time.
Mrs. Rachel, angry at the screaming outside her usually quiet home, got out to get rid of those noisy people. They were scaring her babies.
"Shut up!" She yelled, making Jasper and Alice to stop arguing. "Whatever problem you have, take it far from here, you're scaring my babies."
Alec, Edward, and Bella offered their deepest excuses, Jasper and Alice just stood quietly.
"Look, come inside. I think if we all talk about your problems, we can settle your argument."
Once inside, Mrs. Rachel was kind enough to help them settle their dispute. Making Alice accept she wasn't offering a valid excuse to wander around the cave before the others checked it. And Alice wasn't ready to share her plan.
Bella noticed Lucky was sitting with a bloated paw.
"Oh my God! what happened to you?"
"He got lost and came back like this. I was so sure those punks Noah and Lewis were the ones who took him, but apparently he just curious."
When Bella figured out what happened to Lucky, Mrs. Rachel whispered she believed something was going on inside the cave as the animals around here were so quiet or just left, but she didn't like the petulant attitude Alice showed.
Bella advised her to keep her cats inside until Bella deemed the coast clear, as she was so fond of the cats as she was fond of the owner.
"Guys, I think we're on the right path. I bet you my next month paycheck that we will find another caterpillar inside that cave!"