This had never happened before. Isabella's attention was split two ways and she had a hard time focusing on her case. This never happened to me, not even with Laurent! She jolted, eyes tearing up as the name crossed her mind. She hadn't allowed herself to even think his name. Tears traced down her cheeks, leaving salty, wet trails in their wake. Edward did not look up from his sheet music once. He just... played. There were moments where he would close his eyes, as if he were allowing himself to drift away. His hands danced up and down the keys with ease.
Mike gently tapped her shoulder, offering a tissue. "Are you alright?"
"Yes," she squeaked, throat closing over. Flashes of Laurent's face began to hit her over and over again.
She had fallen in love with his sense of humor. She loved his dedication to his work. She remembered the day when he brought in his first suspect on an arrest. The whole squad had gone out to celebrate. She remembered the day he asked her out to dinner and the day he proposed to her. Then her memories melted into his cold, lifeless, hateful glare.
"Isabella," Mike had wrapped his arms around her, trying to hold her together as panic set in. The only thought she could focus on was, how could he trigger all of this with one song? Why now? Why?! "Someone, get Black!"
"Yes sir!"
Arms lifted her out of her seat just as the audience rose to applaud.
"What happened?!"
"I don't know! She just started having a panic attack and sobbing," Mike's voice crossed over her head. A pair of hands ripped her hands away from her face. Jacob's intense
black eyes met hers. In a flash, Laruent's image colored over him.
"No!" She reared back. "Get away from me!"
"Bella! Bella calm down!"
"Bella, mon cher," Laurent's voice sang in her ears. He mocked her in her memories... taunted her, daring her to lash out at him again.
She shrieked as something cold and wet pressed into her cheek. She blinked and found a furry head beside her own. A bright blue-green eye stared into hers. Jethro, Jacob's
canine partner, stared intently at her. The voice stopped. Jethro sat down and began licking her cheek softly. It took her a few minutes to stop sobbing. "I'm sorry... I don't know what came over me."
"You were having a panic attack," Mike told her. "Do you have any medicine for that?"
"No. I haven't had a panic attack for over a year now. I thought I was past them." A new wave of tears fell from her eyes and Jethro whimpered softly, licking her face again.
"Are you going to be okay or should I bring Leah in for the rest of the guard detail?" asked Jacob. He turned his attention to Mike, "It's your case; your call."
"Isabella?"
"I... I think I'm going to be okay. I'm going to go wash my face first." Isabella rubbed Jethro's golden ears and stood up, moving in the direction of the rest rooms. A few seconds later, she turned around when she heard foot steps behind her. Jacob easily covered the distance and walked beside her.
"I didn't understand your message earlier. What were you trying to tell me?"
"I was trying to tell you... that the Viper might be here."
"What?!" Jacob hissed, instantly alert. Jethro growled low in his throat at their distress. "Are you sure?"
"There is a woman here going by the name of Tanya Denali. I think it might be an alias that Jane has picked up."
"When did you find this out?"
"When we got here... I found out from Nicholas Halloway that Tanya Denali had called. She was the one who got Edward Cullen to play today's concert."
"So... this is hear-say?"
"I find it very odd that two women hold the same surname. The Viper has known aliases, what's to stop her from creating a new one?!"
"Easy Bella, I'm just trying to reason here."
Isabella stopped outside the bathroom door. "There's one more thing. Alert the team that Jessica Halloway is here."
"WHAT?!" Jethro barked at his master's outburst.
"The alert is given... do what you need to." Jacob pulled back, concerned by Isabella's lost tone. It was as if she had been a year after Laurent's death. The cold, lifeless eyes that she held onto for so long... Jacob was scared of losing his best friend again.
"Jacob?"
"Yeah?" He looked up again and watched as her eyes narrowed.
"Why didn't you tell me my parents are here?"
Jacob reddened under his tan. "I didn't have time. By the time I knew, you were already here."
Isabella stared at her friend for a long time before relaxing. Nothing in his words, voice or face gave any indication that he was lying. If Chief Swan wanted to surprise them, he succeeded. "Okay." She turned away and entered just as a woman was leaving.
"Oh! Excuse me!" The woman held open the door with a warm, sweet smile. "After you."
"Thank you," Isabella entered the bathroom quickly, heading straight to the sink.
"Miss, are you alright? You look like you've been crying."
"I'm alright, thank you. I just had a small panic attack, that's all."
"Oh my," the woman moved to her side. "Well you certainly shouldn't be alone. Is that officer out there your boyfriend? He's very caring to walk you to the restroom."
"You mean Jacob? Oh no, he's not my boyfriend. Actually he's my sister Nessie's boyfriend. He's just my friend."
"Oh, I'm sorry for the assumption. Where are my manners? My name is Esme Cullen."
Isabella's eyes shot to the mirror, meeting Esme's deep green eyes. How did I miss this? I'm getting sloppy, just like three years ago. Esme had a brilliant, warm smile that made her eyes shimmer like springtime. The lighting wasn't perfect but she could see flecks of gold in them. She was sure they were beautiful in natural sunlight. She even had copper hair like Edward's. Hers was neatly brushed back and secured with a jeweled clip near her neck. Her perusal brought her to the outstretched hand. What a rock, she gaped! Gathering her wits, Isabella turned and accepted the handshake. She was startled by the strength in Esme's palm. She shook it confidently, making sure to return the strength equally. Esme grinned at her.
"Now that is a handshake. I can't tell you how many of these other rich folk give the weakest handshakes ever. It's like holding a limp, overcooked noodle sometimes," she giggled. "What's your name?"
"Isabella Swan, it's a pleasure to meet you Mrs. Cullen. You... you're Edward's mother, right?"
"Oh, you know my Edward?" Esme's warm smile turned into a brilliant sunbeam grin. "Well that's refreshing! I haven't met any women Edward has known in so long. He works for the Seattle Police if you can believe it."
"I don't know... Edward that well," Isabella answered hesitantly. "We've really met only in passing. I didn't know he played."
"Oh he's a natural! Carlisle, my husband, and I both run the Cullen Institute of Fine Arts and Music. Carlisle teaches the dance aspect while I teach music. Edward took to it
like a fish in water. Honestly, I didn't think he would agree to play for the harpy. Everyone knows this is just a ploy to get more rich parents to bring their kids to the school. Although I don't agree with dragging Edward into her scheme, I have to admit it is a brilliant move. Still, I don't care for her one bit. I'll be sure she doesn't sink one talon into my son, mark my words!" Isabella couldn't help the giggle that escaped her lips; another followed, then it formed into a chuckle, and finally it transformed into a full blown laugh. Esme's eyes crinkled softly at the edges and she turned on the faucet, wetting a paper towel, and turned Isabella towards her. "That's better, you look so lovely when you laugh. Do you feel better?"
"Yes I do," Isabella admitted, letting Esme clean her face and remove the running mascara she had been wearing. "Thank you."
"My son use to have panic attacks like that," her eyes dimmed. "He hated it when I would try to tell him to, 'Calm down' and that it was 'Going to be okay.' 'Don't tell me it's going to be okay, because it's not!' he snapped on more than one occasion. I learned quickly not to use that... so I would wait until the worst was over and try to make him smile."
"It's a good technique. I hated it when my friends would tell me to calm down too. It drove me insane! It can't be helped when it happens and that phrase only makes it worse."
"I know... I learned this long ago with my Edward." Esme's green eyes dimmed and she went quiet. "Well, you know what cheers me up?"
"What?"
"Listening to my boy's music. I would listen to every CD that they had ever made while they were under my tutelage."
"'Boy's'? As in, more than one?"
"Oh, yes, Edward had a twin brother Anthony. He died back in 2001. Edward blames himself even though he won't say it outright." Esme fished out a pendant from under her
dress and opened a locket. "This is him. It's my favorite picture of him."
Isabella's breath caught in her chest as she took in a familiar set of blue eyes and tousled blond hair, instead of coppery-brown. Anthony was sitting with a guitar in his hands. The picture seemed to have caught him in mid-verse, singing away. No way... it's... it can't be! "He was very handsome," she managed to push out. Esme closed the locket, tucking it away again. "I'm sorry for your loss."
"Thank you. It's been hard on all of us."
"He... he looks a lot like Edward. If I didn't know they were brothers I would've sworn they were the same person."
"Don't let my Edward hear that. He hated being mistaken for Anthony when they were children. Now, whenever he looks in the mirror... I worry that he sees Anthony looking back at him instead of himself."
Isabella's heart clenched at the thought. I guess that's what Emmett meant about there being a story. I never thought it would be one as tragic as that. "If I may ask... how did he die?" She nearly jumped when Esme's smile completely disappeared. "You don't have to tell me if it's too painful. I won't make you relive it. I'm sorry!"
Esme's eyes misted and she leaned over, hugging Isabella. "You are so kind, thank you. I know I can tell you though." She pulled away, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Anthony was murdered."
Murdered?!
"Is the case still open?" The question was a reflex, one she used for private clients in the past.
"Yes it is."
"Then I know the killer will be brought to justice."
Esme smiled, wiping her eyes. "I know they will. I have faith." She squared her shoulders and took a deep breath to steady herself. "Shall we get back to the show?" Isabella nodded and followed her out, much calmer and collected. Esme Cullen is an amazing woman.
"Are you alright?" Jacob asked as soon as she stepped out.
"Mmhmm," she nodded. She turned to Esme and offered a smile, "Thank you for the talk. I appreciate it."
"You're welcome. I will see you later, Ms. Swan. I have a feeling you and I are going to be excellent friends." With a wave, Esme Cullen disappeared down the hall and into
an ornate set of doors leading into the auditorium.
"I have something to tell you," Isabella spoke when she was sure no one else was listening. Jacob turned his attention to her. "Jessica Halloway, she is here. I'm certain of
it. She's got a black scarf around her head but I know it's her. There is a woman with her with a matching black scarf and the man from the picture. They were about three balconies away from where Sondra and Nicholas Halloway were sitting. If we're lucky, we can catch them before they even leave the box."
"Great work, Blood- I mean Isabella. I'll take it from here. Let's go, Jethro." The dog got to his feet immediately and trotted in step with his master. We're coming Jessica, stay strong.
Isabella walked the hall swiftly, her heels clicking softly in her wake as she made it back to the doors to her own seat. Leah was waiting there, her own canine partner Halo at her side. Halo's ice blue eyes turned to her and the black Shepard's head turned her way. Suddenly, her hand shot up to her ear and Isabella caught sight of a white plastic earpiece that was carefully hidden by Leah's raven black hair. "Copy that, Black. We're on the move." She turned to Isabella and offered a rare smile.
"Excellent eyes, Swan. We'll see you after the show."
Isabella nodded in acceptance, slipping into the dark auditorium. The music had changed since her last visit. It was a song she recognized... a favorite of hers. Clair de Lune.
The pain is over now. When she took her seat, she looked down onto Edward and her eyes stretched wide. In the shadows, just for a second, was Anthony Cullen's image.
Anthony turned and she could tell he was looking directly at her. Oh... oh my God! When she blinked, the image was gone.
The whole concert took over two hours; not one second of it was wasted with idle silence. When the lights lit and the applause finally ended, Sondra Halloway got to her feet. "Let's get this over with." Isabella's eyes shot to the elder Halloway. Now she could see how tense she actually looked. She narrowed her own eyes before speaking.
"Mrs. Halloway." Sondra's slate gray eyes met Isabella's brown ones. "Look over there," she pointed. Sondra followed her gaze and her jaw dropped.
"Oh!" For the first time, the stoic mask slipped away and Isabella could see the true face of the concerned great-grandmother Halloway. Finally. Nicholas followed her gaze and his jaw dropped and he paled. Isabella's eyes sharpened. You know who that is, don't you Nicholas?
"Let's go get your great-granddaughter." Sondra shot to her feet and hurried out of the balcony, briefcase clutched tightly in her hand. Mike swiftly took the lead, ensuring that Sondra had protection while Isabella took the rear. She caught Nicholas's glance back her way as he exited. For the first time, the cocky, gruff exterior he had was gone. He looked... genuinely scared. The emotion puzzled Isabella. What was that all about?
The group weaved through passing people and rounded the corner to where an usher, Jacob, Leah and their canines waited. Isabella's steps faultered when she saw her father waiting close by. His brown eyes immediately caught her own. Fuck... I've been spotted.
"Are we ready?" Jacob asked. Isabella nodded and secured her purse around her shoulder so that her weapon was in easy reach. With a nod, the usher unlocked and opened the door. Isabella took Sondra's arm.
"This is the King County Sheriff's Office and Seattle PD! Come out with your hands in the air!"
Isabella jerked when she heard a soft whimper and soft, hissing voices. They didn't account for this? The fools.
"Lower your weapons, I'm armed and I will kill her," the man's voice was not what Isabella expected.
"That was not what was planned!" a woman's voice hissed out.
Sondra gasped, eyes widening. "M-Miranda?"
Slowly, the trio emerged out of hiding. Jessica came out first, hands held up and Isabella could see telltale bruises on her arms from where the man gripped her. The black scarf had fallen away and her chocolate brown hair was held back in a severe bun. Dark circles were under her pale blue-gray eyes and the skin close the corners were pink from tears.
Miranda emerged next, yanking the scarf away from her own head. Nicholas' breath hitched at the sight of her. "Miranda... how..? You said you were sick."
"I never took you for that big of a fool, Nicholas. We could've had so much together... so, so much if you had taken my offer."
Mike moved back and turned his eyes on Nicholas Halloway. The man had the decency to shrink under Mike's ice blue gaze.
"But lo and behold, another opportunity came up for me. Someone so much... more powerful." A hand emerged from the shadows and wrapped around Miranda's waist. The man emerged, a silver gun in his hand.
"Robert Castielle," Sondra growled out. "I should've guessed!"
"It's nice to see you again Sondra."
Castielle?! Well... that would explain a lot. This mystery just got a whole lot clearer.
"Robert Castielle, Miranda Lois, you are under arrest for the kidnapping of Jessica Halloway and the extortion of the Halloway Family. Drop your weapon and step away from Jessica," Mike's command surprised Isabella. He really has changed from that bumbling class clown from the academy, she thought in the back of her mind.
"You are not in any position to make demands, Detective. After all, I hold all the cards here," Robert pressed the barrel of is gun to Jessica's back. "Sondra Halloway, bring me the briefcase and the documents- not you Bloodhound. You stay right where you are. I prepared for this kind of scenario in advance. I'm not stupid!"
"You could've fooled me," Isabella shot back. "You are outnumbered, Castielle. You're better off dropping your own weapon."
"Not a chance, not with a hostage in my corner."
Fuck me... we're at a stand off, Isabella glanced around. There is no way we can get a clear shot without risking Jessica.
"I will kill her. It would be inconsequential to what my real goal is. Sondra, come here with the documents!"
"Jessica..." Sondra whispered out. The Halloway girl raised her eyes to meet her great-grandmother's. "I'm so happy you're safe."
She isn't safe yet, Isabella thought.
"How about a trade? A person for a person, so to speak? You will get Jessica, just like you want and I will get the documents that I need... you just have to give me Sondra in trade," Robert's face split into a grin. "After all, what can an eighteen year old with no power over the family, ever hope to achieve?"
The realization hit Isabella like a lightning bolt. Why didn't I see it before?! Jessica was never the real target here. It's Sondra! Goddammit! It makes sense now. What Robert says is true, Jessica doesn't have any powers of the estate yet because she has not fulfilled any part of her great-grandmother's will. Only Sondra can make the changes. Fuck we stepped right into a trap!
"Oh, did you not realize that until just now?" Miranda cooed. "Such a shame. Here I thought that the brilliant Isabella Swan, pride and joy to our beloved Sheriff Swan, would've figured all of this out on her own. I guess we overestimated you."
"You're not getting out that easy," Jacob's voice growled out. "We have canine units and undercover agents all over this place. If you do try to escape, I can guarantee that you will not get out without wounds at least."
Robert's face dropped, dark eyes narrowing.
"Please, just give me my granddaughter," Sondra finally spoke. "I will give you the documents; just don't hurt her."
Jessica's eyes widened. Isabella caught her expression and heartache filled her chest. It seems this is a rare moment for Sondra to be showing any kind of real maternal emotion.
Isabella took a step forward and between Sondra and Jessica. "If you want Sondra, you are going to have to get through me first."
"I'm not above killing a dog," Robert raised his gun. "You don't scare me."
Now!
Isabella grabbed Jessica's arm and yanked her down. "Jacob!"
A shrill whistle cut through the air and a dog snarled over her head. Isabella covered Jessica's body with her own as a shot rang out and Jethro sailed overhead. Halo fallowed like a shadow, teeth bared as she cornered Miranda in between the wall and the thick, velvet curtain. Robert screamed in outrage and pain. Somewhere a shot went off overhead.
"Jethro!" Jacob screamed, fear lacing his command.
Robert Castielle's cries of outrage went from anger to pain in seconds as a sickening snap filled the air. Isabella raised her head and watched as Jethro finally let go of the man's wrist. The gun fell from his limp fingers. Jethro broke his wrist! The Italian man cursed out a storm in both languages as Jacob and Leah swiftly went in to assess their dogs. Isabella sat up and looked down at Jessica. The girl was staring past her, though. A scream tore from her lips and into Isabella's ear.
"Mrs. Halloway!" Mike's voice was frantic. "Someone call an ambulance! We need EMT's STAT!"
"What are you all staring at? Move out of my way!" Isabella nearly froze as her father's command cut through the building pandemonium. "You, call 911. Jacob Black, is your dog alright?"
"Yes sir, no harm done to Jethro."
"Halo is good too, sir," Leah's voice echoed out. Isabella stood up, helping Jessica to her feet and turned her head so their eyes can meet.
"Look at me, girl. Everything is going to be okay now, do you hear me?" Isabella barely recognized her own voice, but it seemed to get through to Jessica.
"Yes," she answered hoarsely; fresh tears cascaded down her face.
Isabella steeled herself and turned to asses Sondra. The elder Halloway looked to be in bad shock. Red blood was quickly spreading down from her shoulder. Isabella pulled off her sash from around her waist and gave it to Mike.
"Tie her wound with that." Mike didn't have to be told twice. However... from the way Sondra was reacting, Isabella was unsure if she would survive the shot.
Shots fired! Shots fired!
So, we have finally figured out the kidnappers in this part of the mystery and we have some insight into Edward's family life... sort of.
Were you right? If you guessed Miranda was the insider on kidnapping Jessica, congratulations and give yourself a pat on the back. A conspiracy between Robert Castielle and Miranda Lois... now onto the why and how it was done in the following chapter or two.
Stay tuned for more Edward and Bella as the chase continues.
Oh... by the way, who is this slinking Viper people keep talking about? *wink and whistles innocently*
Thank you again to Shelindrea for your fantastmic editing and beta-ing skills.
Blessed Be, loves. I hope you enjoyed the longest chapter to date in Strangers in Passing.
Next chapter is being written up! Stay tuned,
-Kestra
