First off thank you all for the wonderful reviews, Killing Time finally made 200 reviews. Wow! And second I stand corrected. When I researched the name of Jacob Black in Italian I inadvertently used a Spanish term that should not have been used. Therefore Giacobbe 'el Nero really should just be Giacobbe Nero. That's the way you'll see it in the rest of the story. Don't ever worry about letting me know if I use a wrong term or use a word improperly. Hey, that's how we learn!
I don't own anything Twilight, just the story idea and non-cannon characters are mine.
This would have been one chapter with over 13000 words so I decided to split it between what is happening with Edward at St. Paul's and the next chapter will be what's happening in London with Jasper.
Chapter 12 – Edward at St. Paul's
EPOV
The train ride seemed to go on forever only emphasizing the distance between us. Neither Emmett nor I spoke much during the ride. Both us had our minds elsewhere with someone else.
I prayed that he would be safe and was thankful that Tart was there beside him. I knew a man like Tart, in a time like this, would never fully understand how two men could care so deeply for each other; but he respected Jasper as a constable. That would have to be enough for now. Maybe someday things would change for men like Jasper and I. Maybe there's a place where condemnation wouldn't haunt us. I smiled at myself suddenly hearing Jasper's voice in my brain. "Stop thinking so hard, idiot. You're going to hurt yourself." The rest of the ride seemed to go a little faster.
At the station, we procured a carriage to carry us and our bags to St. Paul's. Pulling into the main yard, we noticed right away, the constabulary standing guard outside the bell tower. A silent shiver crawled over my skin, for what reason, I did not know.
One of the porters met us and took our bags to our sets. We then made our way to the Head Master's quarters. The grounds were beginning to show signs of the students returning for the Lent semester. Eric Yorkshire and Ben Waters stopped us just as we reached Dr. Cullen's door.
"Dr. Masen, Mr. McCarty. So good to see you both again," Lord Yorkshire said as he shook our hands. "Isn't it awful, what happened to Brother Jacob?"
"Good to see you both, gentlemen," I answered.
"Do you know if he is doing well," young Ben asked quietly, always the shy one of the two.
"Actually we were just on our way to see the Head Master, to see if there was any news. We know they brought him to City Hospital in London but we'd had no other news before we left," Emmett offered.
"Eric, you and Ben, could help with this situation," I stated and saw both boys heartily shake their heads in agreement.
"Try to quiet any tittle tattle you may hear among the other students. No use in speculating on what we don't know. Be aware of anything that looks out of place, not the ordinary and alert Mr. McCarty or myself," I cuffed Eric's shoulder and added, "most of all be careful. This isn't over yet."
Both Eric and Ben's eyes widened with the unsaid things they heard in my warning. We parted then, the boys off toward their own sets and Emmett and I to Dr. Cullen.
Emmett stopped me just as I went to knock on the door. Touching my arm he motioned silently for me to look back at the retreating boys. For the first time, I realized something. They were talking as they walked, their heads extremely close together, too close. I looked at Emmett and he agreed with a slight nod. He saw it too. Eric very quickly kissed Ben's cheek as they headed up the steps of their dorm.
"Edward, they are together. This could be very dangerous for them," he said worriedly.
"Aye, as soon as we finish here we'll go talk to them. If we saw that tender exchange, someone else could have too," I said shuddering again. I didn't realize how right I was until much later.
The housekeeper, Mrs. Coy, a rather large robust woman, showed us to the Head Master's study. He sat behind his desk; seemingly lost in thought. I noticed the lines at the corners of his eyes and sallow tint to his face when he looked up to acknowledge our presence. He looked tired and…old.
"Dr. Masen and Mr. McCarty, please have a seat. I wish I could say being back was a good thing but as you know," he left off his words as we sat.
"Any news of Jac…Brother Jacob," he asked. I noticed his very near use of Brother Jacob Christian name. Why would he suddenly change his mind?
"No sir. Dr. Whitlock was on his way with Inspector Tart to see if he had been brought in to the hospital as we were leaving," I answered. I sat back in my chair at the look on Head Master Cullen's face. He was suddenly extremely furious and it surprised me.
"I know the two of you were companions of that man but he will not be returning to St. Paul's," he spewed the angry words, clearly upset about something. "Did either of you know that in reality he was spying on us, that man; Inspector Whitlock!"
"Sir," Emmett tried to get his attention by calling to him calmly. "We only found out over the holiday. Did Jasper say he was not returning to St. Paul's?"
"Of course not, I haven't spoken with him and I have no intention of doing so," he stood behind his desk as he spoke. "He wanted to find someone at St. Paul's guilty of those awful crimes and now it looks like he could have had a reason himself!" He had a copy of that awful paper on his desk and slapped his hand on it to emphasize his point. I'd had enough. Standing I looked him square in the eye.
"Jasper was only doing his job!" I yelled back at him. "And he's proven who did commit those murders in London. At this moment he and other constabulary are in pursuit of the real fiend."
A shocked look came over his face, "Do they know who killed William…Longworth?" He seemed to break at the mention of the young lad who had been killed so close to St. Paul's.
"The person who committed the crimes in London may not be the person responsible for the two murders that took place close to St. Paul's," Emmett spoke up.
I hadn't thought about it until he voiced it. But he was correct, the two murders here, probably didn't have anything to do with Newton at all. Longworth never worked at Marshall's and the man named Felix didn't fit the descriptions of the others at all.
Somewhere in the house, the telephone bells rang out causing us all to start. Shortly, Mrs. Coy entered saying the call was for me, much to the surprise of all of everyone. I followed her to where a telephone sat in the parlor.
"Hello, Dr. Masen, here," I answered dryly not knowing who might be calling me here. I heard an exhale and he breathed my name. Relief flooded me.
"Jasper," I sighed.
"I just needed to be sure you were back and safe," he answered sounding as relieved as I felt at the sound of his voice.
"I'm here, though things are not good. Dr. Cullen is extremely upset. In all my years at St. Paul's, I have never seen him like this. He knows about you being with the constabulary. And something about William Longworth's death agitates him severely," I told him of what I had seen and heard. "And he's angry, Jasper, as if you were accusing him of being involved somehow. Why would he feel that way?"
"I'm not sure what the connection is between him and Longworth but I'll straighten it out when I get there. For now, my full attention is going on what's developed here," he stopped to speak to someone with him, and then returned his focus to me. "Could you do something for me?" he asked already knowing the answer would be affirmative.
"First of all, I need you to be very careful how you approach Dr. Cullen. He could be on the verge of a breakdown and you never know how a person will react when they are like that," his concern was clear.
He then proceeded to explain to me that the man brought into City Hospital had been identified by his solicitor, whose name was on documents inside his robes. The solicitor identified him as Sr. Giacobbe Neor. I was astonished at this news.
"Are you saying that Jacob Black and Sr. Neor are really one in the same, Peter's brother-in-law?" I answered and listened carefully to the rest of the information he had to offer which included Jacob's condition at present.
"He may not wake for another thirty six to forty eight hours. The concussion was very bad. Until he wakes up, we don't know who attacked him at St. Paul's. Be very careful Edward; take Emmett with you everywhere you go," he was quiet for a moment.
"I'll leave it to your discretion on how you question Dr. Cullen about the Jacob situation but be careful. Sr. Neor's solicitor has agreed to meet with me and Liam, Inspector Tart. I have to ring off now. I love you Edward," he added the last line very quietly, only for my ears, I was sure.
"I love you as well. Will I see you soon," I couldn't help but ask.
"I'll be there as soon as things are taken care of here," he answered then the line went silent. I heard the distinctive click of another line hanging up before I put the receiver in the cradle. Who had been listening in and for how long? I did not see this as a good thing.
I stood by the telephone table for several moments, gathering my thoughts before I returned to the Head Master's study. There really was something else at work here beside Newton. But what, was not clear yet.
"That was Inspector Whitlock," I stated to both men's questioning glances as I entered and retook my seat. Best to give the news before I questioned him, I thought.
"The doctors say the blow to the back of his head was severe. His concussion may keep him unconscious for another day or two. He is stable but not awake," I watched Dr. Cullen's face as I spoke.
"For now, I suppose all we can do is wait," Dr. Cullen stated solemnly.
"There is a most unusual circumstance however," I said and his troubled eyes focused on me again. "It seems Brother Jacob carried papers in an inner pocket of his robes, stating that a specific solicitor should be summoned if he were injured or unable to speak for himself."
"He had a solicitor in London," Dr. Cullen asked truly perplexed by what I had revealed.
"Yes he did. The truly amazing thing is the solicitor identified Jacob as one Sr. Giacobbe Neor. Did you know he was using a different name when he came here," I questioned gently. Dr. Cullen was not shocked by the mention of this other name at all.
"That was his name when I first met him," he answered as if his mind was visiting a different time or place, "many years ago when we were younger."
"You mean he isn't a priest," Emmett asked in amazement.
"Oh no, of course he's a priest," though Dr. Cullen didn't sound so sure of that statement. "I assumed he changed his name to something simpler when he joined the clergy."
"Did you receive papers from the church in regards to his being appointed here," I suddenly wondered if there was more to this.
"No, I never thought to go to the church. He brought papers with him when he arrived," Dr. Cullen seemed to be trying to remember something else.
"Do you remember meeting Peter Marshall and his wife Charlotte at the dinner at Inspector Whitlock's home," I asked Dr. Cullen.
"That man Marshall, he's the one who killed all those boys. According to the paper anyway," he answered then asked back, "why do you ask that?"
"Sr. Giacobbe Neor is Peter Marshall's brother-in-law. Charlotte is Jacob's sister. And Peter is not guilty of those awful crimes," I rebutted.
"Jacob's sister? She was just a tiny thing when I visited there so long ago," his eyes were taking on an especially painful look as he spoke.
"There is one more thing, Dr. Cullen that might be difficult for you to hear," I tried to speak softly to lessen the blow that I felt sure was coming. "Sr. Giacobbe Neor is the true owner of Marshall's. Peter is just the business manager."
His eyes grew decidedly wider and colder as he looked from me to Emmett and back. I watched as his body began to strain from the weight of holding back his anger. Soon there were tiny tremors running up and down his hands causing him to clasp and unclasp his hands into fists at his side.
"That is not possible," he spoke each word with a deadly coldness to them. "He would have told me. He would not have kept that from me. I don't believe that is true at all."
Slowly I rose from my seat and motioned for Emmett to do the same. I was not sure what the man in front of me was capable of but if the words 'if looks could kill' were true, I would be dead where I stood.
"Evidently you are clearly upset by this news. I believe Mr. McCarty and I will let ourselves out," I said as I began to back away from the desk and the man behind it.
Suddenly, all color washed from his face and he lunged forward against his desk, screaming as if in some horrible pain. He grabbed his left arm and panted for breath as we watched sweat break out all across his face. He looked at me and uttered one sentence before he collapsed. Emmett rushed to find the housekeeper and some other help while I stayed with the man who had fallen to the floor in a pile.
Mrs. Coy screamed at me to get away from him as she planted herself on the floor and pulled him into her arms. She was rocking him slowly and murmuring to him when several other hands and the universities doctor came running in shortly. Emmett and I stepped back to let the doctor and his nurse take charge. Mrs. Coy was still fussing at people to leave him alone but finally relinquished her hold so the doctor could get a closer look. Mrs. Coy left the room hurriedly giving Emmett and me an evil look as she went.
Shortly she returned with a hysterical Esme Cullen who fell on her husband as soon as she saw him. The doctor had finished his preliminary exam and sent two men after a gurney so they could move him to a more comfortable place. He motioned for Emmett and me to follow him into the hall where he asked us what exactly had transpired. I explained that I had to give him some news that seemed to upset him greatly and then described how he reacted. The doctor relayed that he believed Head Master Cullen had suffered a stroke or possibly a heart attack. The severity of which he wasn't clear as of yet, he was alive and breathing on his own which was a good sign.
They quickly moved Dr. Cullen to his room on the second floor where Mrs. Coy and Esme made him comfortable and then the doctor went in to see him again. Emmett and I were about to leave when Esme stopped us at the door.
"What happened to him Dr. Masen?" she asked still weeping.
"I'm really not sure Mrs. Cullen. It all happened so fast and I was so terribly glad Mrs. Coy was so close by and that help came right away," I answered her as honestly as I could.
"Whatever were you discussing that would upset him so?" she pressured for more information.
"We were discussing Brother Jacob's condition and that awful article in the paper this morning," I wasn't sure just how much I should disclose to her.
Her face went blank for a moment and she suddenly became very sober.
"My husband is very…fond of Brother Jacob of this I know. I'm sure he was upset by his death," she stated with a tiny smile on her lips.
"Oh he's not dead," Emmett offered from his place at my side.
"Not dead," she asked not believing. "But someone hung him in the bell ropes. Of course, he's dead."
"No, Mrs. Cullen, he is not. The blow to his head has caused a severe concussion but they expect him to make a full recovery," I added to Emmett's words.
"Gentlemen if you'll excuse me now, I must see to my husband," she stated and simply turned and left us standing there.
"What was that all about," Emmett asked as we passed the threshold of the lodge into the main yard. "And what was it the Head Master said to you just before he collapsed?"
"I have no idea what that was with Mrs. Cullen and the words he said before he passed out made no sense to me at all, Emmett," I stopped and turned to him. "He said, and I quote 'how could he have killed my love?'."
"I have no idea what it means Emmett but I believe it is very important," I answered as perplexed as he was.
Emmett and I walked back across the open center yard to Eric's set. Knocking upon the door on the third floor landing, we waiting as we listened to whispers and hurried movements before the door opened. A slightly disheveled Eric and Ben stood side by side blushing profusely. Emmett burst out laughing at the sight of them and I couldn't help but chuckle myself. The two of them had clearly been involved in something amorous. I wondered for a moment how different my life would have been had I met Jasper at their age. Known what love could be before so many nameless faces had passed through my life. Finally registering Eric's surprised voice my focus returned on the scene before me.
"Dr. Masen is something wrong sir," Eric asked.
"The two of you need a good talking to that's what's wrong," Emmett said beside me, clearly worried about the boys.
"Sir," Ben questioned his words.
"May we come in Eric? What we need to discuss with you is not for just anyone's ears," I answered.
Eric and Ben, though clearly nervous, set side by side as Emmett and I paced the floor in front of the hearth. Emmett finally spoke and told them of his young brother. To their credit, they did not admit what was between them but listened patiently as he spoke. When he finished, I saw tears in Ben's eyes and it spoke volumes to Em and I both.
"I'd thought of that," Ben admitted. "Thought, I wasn't normal. Didn't think anyone would understand, especially my best friend," he said looking at Eric. Something passed between them, meant only for each other.
"Then I admitted how I felt and we sort of…well," Eric colored profusely at Ben's words. "It just feels so right. Dr. Whitlock, he helped us too."
I was surprised at the mention of Jasper's name. Not that he wouldn't have helped them, just that Eric would mention him.
"He did," I asked curiously.
"I thought to come to you but wasn't sure of how I would have been received. I should have known you would listen too. I was just afraid," Eric admitted shyly. "Dr. Whitlock said not everyone thinks what we feel is so wrong. He's a good man."
My heart swelled again at the thought of Jasper and his kind help to these boys. I missed him terribly and we'd barely been apart a day. Emmett's hand on my shoulder let me know he understood.
"Aye, he is a good man," Emmett answered Eric.
"Now, here's what you two have to do," Emmett firmed his face and spoke directly to both boys.
"Though your feelings are true, you must not allow them to be public. The law, though terribly wrong, is the law and you can be imprisoned as well as publically ridiculed for what you feel. There are those who would not bat an eye about pressing charges against the two of you. More importantly there is a killer still loose who has an adamant hatred for those whose inclinations lean in the same direction as yours," Emmett's stern voice seemed to get through to them.
"Your feelings, we understand and with us or Dr. Whitlock you can be free to be yourselves but stay hidden from the rest," he added. "It's truly for your safety that we are concerned."
I could see the crushed look on both boys faces. I understood completely how they felt. Always hiding, never being allowed to walk the boulevard hand in hand with the one you love, it was an awful way to live. I wished I could give them some hope for a brighter future but the only thing I could really do was let them know that they were not alone.
"Mr. McCarty is correct. We will always accept you as who you are but there is still something evil at work here. Until we are sure that the person has been jailed for all these crimes never go anywhere alone and show no affection for one another in public view," I confirmed Emmett's words bringing home the importance of the situation.
"Alright, Dr. Masen, we will be very careful until either you or Mr. McCarty or Dr. Whitlock tell us everything is right again," Eric stated and Ben confirmed.
Eric and Ben offered their hands to confirm our understanding with a hand shake. I saw Emmett smiling out of the corner of my eye as he forgoes the hand shake and hugged both boys to him. They were both blushing again by the time he released them. I only smiled and cuffed their shoulders before we left them.
Emmett's set was in a different building as mine so he waited till I reached my door before he took up the steps to his set on the second floor of his building. With a wave and a smile, we each entered our own sets. I was much too tired to go to table for the evening meal so I stripped and took a long hot bath. Feeling refreshed after dressing for bed, I put the kettle on and looked about the cupboards to see if I had left anything that still might be edible after my time away. I found a couple of biscuits that didn't look too bad and after making the tea, poured myself a cup.
It wasn't too long until I was settled in front of my own hearth, sipping tea and thinking again. I finally decided to grab paper and pen. Maybe if I wrote it out, I could straighten some of the facts out in my mind. I couldn't escape the feeling that we were missing some fact, a connection that would pull it all together.
I made a list of all those involved then wrote beside each name what we knew and if they intersected with anyone else on the page. The clock in my set chimed midnight and I was shocked to find that I had been sitting and writing for nearly four hours. The fire in the hearth had nearly gone out. The room had chilled greatly. A look out the window confirmed what the chill had implied. The temperature outside had dropped and it had begun to snow. It was coming down steadily and appeared to be set in for the duration. I suspected we would have several inches of snow on the ground by daylight.
I left the pen and paper, stoked the fire and did my nighttime routine. Snuggled down in the bed, my mind returned to Jasper. Though my bed here was a single and would have been quite crowded with the two of us in it. I wished he was here. I fell asleep hoping the next day would bring news and move us closer to a reunion. It didn't.
Two days passed and nearly two feet of snow had fallen; and still no news from London. I was beginning to worry even though Emmett insisted we would have heard if things had gone wrong. There were a few moments of levity to break my constant thought process.
Emmett decided an impromptu snowball fight was much needed by Fellows and students alike. And as yet classes had not resumed so the majority of those on campus thought why not! We divided ourselves up and marked off territories, and then the battle began outright. The skirmish went on for more than two hours and we were all becoming drenched from being pelted with snow. Eventually it was determined that the only way to win was to conquer and divide the opposition. Everything was going along fine until several fourth year boys got Ben Waters off by himself and were mercilessly bombarding him. Eric was busy in his own pursuits and did not miss Ben for a few moments. By the time he saw him the older boys had Ben on the ground rubbing his face in the snow. Eric exploded at the sight, taking off after them. I saw him run past me and watched as he attacked the first of Ben's tormentors, throwing him to the ground. He pushed, pulled and eventually moved all of them away from Ben who was lying in a ball on the ground. I yelled for Emmett and we caught up to them as quickly as we could. But the damage had been done.
Several of the boys were standing around, sending curses at Eric and calling Ben several names that I'm sure they had never heard from their parents. The worst came when one of the lads accused Ben of being a Nancy boy and didn't understand why Eric put up with him. Emmett helped Ben to his feet and I stood beside Eric, silently reminding him that this was not the time to declare himself. I was extremely proud of him when he stated quite firmly that Ben was his friend and it wasn't right to treat anyone that way.
After making sure that Ben wasn't physically harmed, Emmett allowed him to return to his set. He was extremely embarrassed and I could understand his need to be away from the rest of the crowd gathered around. The whole thing broke apart then and Emmett sent everyone to change into dry clothes and clean up before evening meal. I wasn't surprised when Ben didn't show up for dinner. It would be hard for him to face any of the students for a few days until it had all died down. It would but at his age nothing was worse than being the butt of everyone's jokes.
Mrs. Cullen's joined us in the Senior Fellows Room after dinner to bring news of Dr. Cullen. I was surprised to see her looking so…well rested and refreshed. I assumed that the Head Master had not made much improvement and that she had been by his side the entire time.
"Good evening everyone. I wanted to bring you news of Carlisle," she said as she sat in the Head Master's chair. There were a few murmurs at that but things quieted down quickly.
"The doctor and Nurse Swan have been dedicated physicians and have assured me that he is doing as well as we can expect at this point. He is awake and taking some nourishment, though he has been unable to move his right leg or speak. The doctor believes he has had some sort of stroke causing the paralysis. They tell us that only time and nursing will help. Fortunately, I have hired a staff of nurses to see to his every need," she stated with a calm and even voice. It seemed odd that she didn't look in the least bit upset about what she was telling us.
"It gives me great joy to comfort and care for my husband at this time," she added as she rose from his seat. "We are not sure what the future will bring for Dr. Cullen or St. Paul's but I can assure you that we will keep you informed each step of the way. Unfortunately, he is not up to having guests quite yet. The board of regents has been notified of Dr. Cullen's condition. I have been told that they are planning to meet within the month to make some decisions. And now if you will excuse me, I must return to my husband's care." And with that precise and somewhat practiced speech, she took her leave.
"That woman confounds me. What do you suppose that act was all about," Emmett whispered the question keeping our conversation as private as possible. Though I doubted anyone else in the room was paying attention to us, as they were talking in groups of twos and threes here and there.
"Not really sure, old man," I answered as perplexed as he was. I needed to take a look at the list I was working on two nights ago, again.
"She certainly didn't seem like she was terribly upset about the Head Master's condition, did she," I asked Emmett.
"No, she didn't," Emmett answered as we took our leave and headed for our own sets.
It had been an extremely long day and I was very ready for my own hearth and maybe a glass of sherry or two. I bid Emmett good evening and trudged my way through the snow which had begun to drift earlier in the evening due to increasing northern winds. Upon reaching my set, I shook off the snow before I entered and left my boots by the hearth to dry.
Sherry glass in hand, I curled up on the settee and relaxed in front of the fire. I'm not sure when I drifted off but the loud banging on my door startled me and I dropped the sherry glass and its contents on my trousers. The sherry left a dark red stain on the light tan material. I was sure it would never come out. The banging continued as I made my way to the door in my sock feet. I pulled the door open without thinking to find Eric Yorkshire shivering and exceedingly upset.
"Dr. Masen please, may I come in," Eric stuttered the words. "It's terribly cold out here."
I opened the door allowing his entrance when I noticed he was wearing neither an overcoat or a hat or gloves for that matter.
"Eric what are you doing out at this time of night and without proper outer attire. You'll catch your death," I answered then stopped when he turned to face me. His face was utterly heartbroken.
"I had been studying one of Dr. Whitlock's case assignments that he had given us before holiday and when I came back to stoke the hearth back up, I found this slipped under my door," he said quietly handing me a folded note.
"It's from Ben. He's left sir. He left me," Eric's voice only quivered on the last sentence.
"I don't understand Eric," I said as I opened the little note.
In a very neat pen, Ben had written that he was very sorry; but he couldn't stay at the school anymore, not after what happened today. He said it was too dangerous for Eric to be around him when everyone thought what they thought about him. This way Eric would be safe and could have a normal life. The last line said that he would always love him and that he was truly sorry.
At that point, I was nearly in tears myself. Life was terribly unfair at times. Ben was doing what he thought was best to keep Eric safe and what he was doing was breaking Eric's heart.
"Eric, I'm terribly sorry, lad. I'm sorry for what happened this afternoon and I'm sorry he didn't talk to me or Mr. McCarty before he made this decision. I never thought he would do something like this. Do you suppose he's tried to go home," I asked Eric.
"I really don't know. I suppose it would be the most likely place. But sir, something about that note just isn't right," Eric said looking at me seriously.
I looked at the note, reread it and couldn't see what he was talking about. I shook my head not understanding where his train of thought was going.
"It's that line sir. The one where he says I could lead a normal life," Eric stated with some sort of sureness. "Remember when we talked and he mentioned not feeling normal but after talking to Dr. Whitlock, he realized there was nothing wrong with what we felt. And then Mr. McCarty told us our feelings were true that time. Ben and I talked about that after and we decided that what we had was real and true and it was normal. He would never tell me to have a normal life, not the way that statement made it sound."
I listened very carefully and as much as I wanted to see what he was seeing in that statement, I believed that Ben probably had no hidden motive in the statement. He'd probably gone home and in a few days after things had settled down he'd return and things would get back to normal.
"Eric, why don't you sleep on it tonight and we'll give his parents a call tomorrow. I'm sure that when he's had time to settle down away from here, he'll decide to come back to university and the two of you can talk things out then," I proceeded to put my boots and coat on as we talked and I found a coat that he could use as I walked him back to his set.
"Come on then, let's get you back to your set," I said as I opened the door and we headed for the open courtyard.
About half way across the yard, Eric stopped and grabbed my arm. He didn't speak but pointed towards the bell tower. The constables who had been standing guard had left earlier in the day when the snow had begun blowing with the strong winds. They were ever more blustery now than earlier and it had begun to snow again. At first I didn't see what he was pointing at because of the blowing snow, and then I saw it. A light flickered in one of the windows on the third floor. That was where the ropes had been undone and rerouted so the bells wouldn't ring. They still had not been fixed considering it was a crime scene. Soon we both realized that it was probably from a candle rather than a lamp because of the low light and the flickering movements. Why would someone be up there with a candle and this time of night?
We slowly crossed the yard and watched as the light finally came to rest. Whoever it was had stopped moving. I turned to Eric and pushed him to the side of the building.
"Go to Mr. McCarty's set and tell him what we've seen. I'm going to stay here and watch to see if I can see who it is and what they are doing," I whispered close to Eric. The wind was beginning to howl and I wasn't sure he had heard me but he shook his head yes and took off towards Emmett's building. I lost sight of him in the dark and prayed he would not lose his way in the blowing snow.
Not for the first time, I wished that Jasper had returned from London. This time it was for a very different reason. Whoever was in the bell tower in a blinding snow such as this in the middle of the night couldn't possibly be up to any good. I watched as the light began to move again in the tower. It was soon visible on the second floor then the first. The light went out and the entire building was covered in darkness again. The door opened and a figure wrapped in a dark cloak halted then walked out into the snow. I couldn't be sure but the cloaked figure somehow seemed familiar then an exceptionally strong wind blew up and the hood of the cloak fell back. Just for a moment I could see the face hidden in the cloak. To say I was shocked into place was an understatement. The figure continued to travel to the north of the tower and finally disappeared into the Head Master's lodge.
What on earth was Esme Cullen doing out in the middle of a blizzard and more importantly what had she been doing in the bell tower?
I stayed put waiting for Emmett and Eric to join me. It was getting colder and the snow was heavier now than even a half hour before. It was with great relief I saw my friend and his young follower approaching a few minutes later. I wondered what they would think when I told them what I had seen.
So not really a cliff hanger and like I said the next chapter will be Jasper in London. The following chapter will take up right where this one leaves off. I see possibly three more chapters then the epilogue. We're getting close now. So a lot of you have suspected Esme all along, do you still feel that way? And where on earth has Ben gone too? I'd love to hear what you think, send me your ideas.
