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Chapter 12

Edward Cullen

"I don't honestly know, Bella. We'll need to give this some serious thought." I said, suddenly wishing we'd brought Jasper along. I felt anything but calm.

We'd just found that the suicidal woman that I'd heard in the diner earlier, was indeed, Bree's biological mother.

Bella searched the rest of the small purse she'd found by Nadie's side. All she found was a card with the name of a church and it's pastor on it.

"I wonder if that's who she was with?" I said, not realising that I'd spoken aloud until Bella answered.

"Maybe we should find out? You said that he definitely seemed like a kind, caring man. He might help us. We can't get directly involved just yet, but maybe if we gave him the means to help her properly..." she broke off, shrugging.

I didn't need to be able to read her thoughts to know that she was struggling with this situation. I knew that she'd find it difficult to keep this a secret from Bree. They were very close.

"I'm pretty sure she's out of it for a few hours at least." I told my dearest. "I think you're right, we should check out this pastor. See if it was the same person that was talking to her at the diner."

"I don't want to leave her alone. What if she vomits and chokes or something?"

My cell buzzed, indicating there was a new text message.

Jasper will be with you very shortly. He left just after I had a vision about you finding Nadie and needing help. I wont say a word. Promise. See you all in the morning. Love A xx

I truly adored my tiny sister. The day she bounced herself and her soldier into our lives enhanced them to an unbelievable degree. I was still a little ashamed that I'd ever doubted her when she and Jasper left.

Bella and I talked about our next step and agreed that if we established that the pastor was, indeed the man from the diner, then we should try to talk to him. Nadie needed help and fast. The downward spiral that was her life was out of control. I just prayed that he would agree to help.

Jasper arrived about half an hour after Alice's message came through. He promised to stay with Nadie until we got back, hopefully with the pastor in tow.

Bella and I left. We headed for the Mt. Calvary church of Seattle at 1723 Waterford Street. Hoping beyond hope that Pastor David Reynolds was who we were looking for.

I checked out the address on my phone. It wasn't far away, not that it would have mattered any if it was.

We reached our destination about 15 minutes later. I felt like a burglar as we sussed out the best way of entering the parsonage, which was a small 2 bedroom, one storey place attached to the church. Bella found a window at the back that wasn't fully closed. I managed to get it open, very carefully, making no noise whatsoever. I was reminded of all of those nights when I sneaked in to Bella's bedroom. It felt like a lifetime ago.

Bella joined me. We didn't need to go any further into the his home as we both recognised his scent .

We went back outside to discuss how best to progress.

"He's a pastor, Edward." Bella said. "I'm pretty sure he won't mind us waking him. It's kind of an emergency after all."

I had hesitated when Bella suggested just ringing the doorbell.

"Okay, then. Let's get this over with." I suggested.

We moved around to the front door and Bella rang the bell.

After a few seconds we heard the unmistakable sounds of footsteps approaching the door. Several locks were unlocked and the pastor opened the door.

He rubbed the sleep out of his eyes, squinting to see who was waking him at 2 am.

"Er, hello.. what can I do for you?" He asked, clearly a little confused as to why two complete strangers were waking him at this unholy hour.

"We're terribly sorry to bother you. Especially at this late hour, but we need your help Sir." Bella began.

His natural instinct to us took over. He was slightly alarmed by our presence. His thoughts giving him away. He backed off ever so slightly.

"Sir, as my wife said, we need help. We mean you no harm." I said, in my most reassuring voice.

His features softened and he composed himself.

"What can I do for you?" He asked warily.

"Sir, my name is Bella Cullen, this is my husband Edward," She said her hand held out to where I stood. I know this might sound strange to you, but we believe you have been helping a woman we know. Nadie Tanner?" Bella asked.

"Sorry, miss, I think you must be mistaken." He replied immediately. "I don't know anyone with that name.

"You are David Reynolds Sir? I countered. Knowing we needed to get some positive dialogue started.

"I am. Yes. How did you know that."

"Would you mind if we came in? We have quite a story to tell you." My wife encouraged.

If he was worried, his thoughts hid his insecurities well.

"Of course, come in." He stood back and motioned for us to enter.

His home was what you'd expect of a pastor. Clean, comfortable, decorated simply with minimal enhancements.

"I'm really sorry," he said. "I really don't know how I can help you. I don't recognise that name at all."

"Sir, or do you prefer pastor," Bella began. "We are private investigators. Our client is looking for his sister. We believe her name to be Nadie Tanner. She may be using an alias though. We've been keeping tabs on a Native American lady fitting her description. We believe she met with you in a diner across town today."

"Please, call me David."

Holy Fuck, my wife was a genius. How did she come up with that story, and so quickly?

I handed him the card that we'd found on Nadie.

I heard the realisation dawn on him immediately.

"Oh, you mean Natalie Black?" He asked.

Bella's eyes widened at his use of Nadie's maiden name.

"Is that what she's calling herself now?" She asked. Calmly keeping any surprise out of her voice.

I don't know her by any other name. She's attended my church for many years now. She's always been troubled. But now..."

He spoke the last two words like a question. His thoughts were a mixture of concern and despondency.

"She is a very desperate lady." Bella told him. "I know that this will be difficult for you to understand, but my husband has a talent, given by God, I believe. He is very intuitive. He seems to understand what people are thinking, how they're feeling. When we tracked Nadie to the diner earlier, he got the feeling that she was reaching the end of her rope, so to speak. So, when she left you, we followed her. She went to an abandoned warehouse, where she proceeded to drink herself into a stupor. She's still there now, unconscious."

"Are you sure we're talking about the same person?" David asked. "Natalie assured me that she was doing fine. Told me she'd found somewhere to live."

Bella showed him the picture she'd found in Nadie's purse.

"Yes, we are." He conceded. "That's her with her little girl, Breeanne. What a tragedy."

"Tragedy?" Bella asked, intrigued.

"Yes, Breeanne died when she was three years old."

I tried to cover Bella's sharp intake of breath.

"David, I believe that our client's sister may well be suicidal. She needs immediate medical attention and rehab." I told him.

"I agree. The problem is, much though I'd love to help, I can't afford to put her into any clinic that can keep her. Any charitable organisations that could help her are voluntary. She needs to accept that she has a problem and be willing to attend, unfortunately she refuses all the classes and support groups that I can refer her to."

"We can help with that." Bella said. "You need to know, however, Breeanne is not dead. Nadie left her with her abusive husband whenn she was three years old. She has probably built her story since then, so much so, that she believes the lie. Our client has given us carte blanche to help his sister. He already has Breeanne under his care. If you could consider helping us to help Nadie, or Natalie, I am sure he'd be very grateful."

David's eyes lit up.

Thank you Lord. I heard him think.

So there, we are preparing for the long, difficult road to Nadie's recovery. It won't always be pretty.

Thanks as always to my amazing pre-reader Courtney0624. Please review. I love to hear from you.