Chapter 19
LtV
PETER PAN
1 Part Dry Vermouth
1 Part Gin
1 Part Peach Brandy
1 Part Orange Juice
Fill a shaker with ice cubes. Add all ingredients.
Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
Fair warning. According to one reader, the last few lines may require tissues!
(The beginning starts with a few paragraphs of where we last left Edward and Jasper.)
"Good God, Edward. What the hell is going on?" A disheveled Jasper appeared at the door to Bella's now empty room.
"Jazz, man, it's Bella. Something's happened to her." Edward paced the floor, combing his fingers through his hair. "I came into the living area and noticed her door open. Then I peeked in and saw the bed covers scattered everywhere."
Jasper was starting to feel concerned for Bella's safety too. As he looked around the room he couldn't help but conclude that something awful had occurred.
"Okay, Edward, you need to calm down. Take a deep breath."
"How can I calm down when I found this lying on the floor next to the bed?" Practically shouting, Edward held up the empty syringe and handed it to Jasper. "Fuck, Jazz. She was taken right out from under our noses."
Jasper watched his boyhood friend collapse onto the edge of the bed and bury his head in his hands. Standing at Edward's side, Jasper placed his hands on his distraught friend's shoulder.
"You yelled the name, 'James.' Do you think he had something to do with this?"
Lifting his head, Edward looked up at Jasper, with an anguished expression and fearful eyes.
"Who else could it be?"
"I don't know. I hate to jump to conclusion here. Why her? How in hell would he know where to find her, or get the room number?" Jasper's questions did little to calm Edward down. He was beyond help.
"We know that James saw her at the Volturi's house last night. Spoke with her even. She told me that he looked at her like she was 'something delicious to eat." Edward ran both of his hands through his hair. "I have a feeling he found our hotel via Natalia. Bella told me they're lovers." Edward spoke as he paced the room.
"We have to call TAT immediately. I think it would be better if I handle it and take the lead. You're too worked up to think clearly." Jasper placed his arm on Edward's to stop his pacing. "We need to follow procedures here. Keep from making critical mistakes. All right?"
"Whatever you think. I just want her back and never out of my sight again." Edward stood in front of Jasper, with fists clenched and his jaw tight, a wild and angry glare in his eyes. "He better not touch a fucking hair on her head or I swear he's a dead man."
"I'm calling TAT now. So get prepared to shift into action mode. I'm gonna need your help, partner." Jasper patted Edward on the shoulder, trying to show him a bit of comfort.
"You make the call to TAT, I'm running down to the front desk and see if they have any information. If it was James, he had to find our room number somehow." Edward walked over to his computer and printed off a photo of James.
When an FBI agent was in peril or missing, the Bureau issued a "Code Purple". Jasper pressed TAT's direct contact number and waited for her to answer. He also prepared himself for her wrath.
"Denali." Deputy Director Tanya Denali answered the phone with her usual authoritative flare.
"Director Denali, this is Agent Whitlock." Jasper paused.
"I'd say that it's nice to hear from you, but something tells me that this isn't a social call."
"I'm calling to issue a Code Purple, Agent Swan is missing from our hotel room and it appears to be by force."
"What the fuck?" TAT screamed into the phone. "Can you tell me how an agent goes missing from her fucking bed?"
"Actually, we aren't sure. But Edward, or uh, Agent Cullen believes that James played a part in her disappearance. Apparently he was attracted to her last night when they met," Jasper explained.
"Do you think your cover has been blown with the Volturis?" Tanya questioned.
"It doesn't make any sense. Still can't figure out the why in this. What is James' motive in kidnapping her? He deals in trafficking." Jasper paused. "Wait! You don't think, do you?"
"Yes, I do think. And where's Cullen? He's the lead in this assignment?"
"He's, uh, well, ma'am, he's gotten too close to Bella to be objective, so I'm taking the lead for now." Jasper prayed that TAT didn't ask any follow-up questions, but he knew that she would. Hopefully he'd have the right answers.
"Hold that thought, Whitlock. I need to issue the Code Purple alert." Jasper heard TAT typing away on her computer. "I deployed some FBI agents out of Seattle last night after learning from Edward that James was there. They should be pulling up to the lodge shortly."
"Great. Have them contact me immediately. I'll also see if we can secure a conference room here for our command station."
"Okay, just issued the bulletin. Also alerted Agents Yorkie and Clearwater. They should be arriving in Forks within the next twenty minutes. The bulletin will also alert the local and state agencies. They will be awaiting our contact for directions and collaboration efforts."
"No problem. I have their numbers in the case file." Jasper wanted to act now. Each second that ticked by made Bella's rescue less likely.
"Now, tell me what's up with Cullen and Swan. Too close, huh? Damn him. I wished he learn to keep it in his fucking pants."
"Now hold on a second there. He's not gotten that close to her. She's just what he needs in a woman. Won't take his shit and not impressed with his charms."
"So he's not able to play her then?"
"No, ma'am. He's had to be a good boy," Jasper acknowledged.
"All right. You take the lead role in Bella's abduction. I don't want Edward making any rash decisions. Got it?"
"Yes, ma'am," Jasper replied.
"Keep me posted on how Cullen's doing. I'm going to secure a federal warrant to search the Volturi residence and also include a warrant for their arrest. I will add James of course."
"I'll keep a watch on him and plan the raid on the estate with the other agents." Jasper typed his orders onto his computer. "Maybe we should set up an ops base for the investigation at the Forks police station. It will be better equipped for the interrogations."
"Sure, whatever works. It'll probably be the most activity that little town's department has every seen. You will likely intimidate the shit out of them, so it should be easy to work around them." TAT knew how the word "Feds" kept the local authorities under their thumbs.
As TAT and Jasper finished up their investigation's game plan, Edward stood in front of the hotel's front desk. The poor young clerk was trembling after Edward shoved his FBI badge thrust in her face. The FBI letters loomed large and her mind raced as she tried to remember if she had paid that last speeding ticket or if there was something she forgot to include on her tax forms. Her palms began to sweat profusely.
"My name is Edward Cullen, special agent for the FBI. I need to ask you a few questions." Edward placed the picture of James on the granite counter with a loud slap. The young woman shook her head in agreement with eyes opened wide.
Edward pointed to James' photo. "Do you recognize this man?" He searched the clerk's face but knew her answer before she spoke. Her mind was an open book to him. His hands gripped the paper as he desperately listened to her thoughts.
Holy shit, that man was here just about an hour ago. I gave him the number to the rich guy's room so he could deliver an order from the diner. He seemed so nice and kinda hot in a bad way, but I don't remember seeing him walk back through the lobby to leave. Maybe something bad happened to him.
"Did something happen to him?" The clerked questioned Edward, but he already had his answers. No more questions were needed. He was disgusted that she felt something for James. He was a vile motherfucker. A heartless grifter.
"I need to view all the security tapes from the last three hours. Both inside and outside." Edward spoke roughly as his patience with this silly woman frayed.
Nervously, the clerk called her manager and asked the few hotel customers who'd formed a line to wait. She had lived her entire life in Forks and nothing like this was supposed to happen in this sleepy little town. Her biggest care of the day was whether the fog clouds would roll out to the bay or not. Dealing with angry FBI agents wasn't included in her hotel employee training, so she called her boss.
"Yes, there's an FBI agent here." Edward was reading her mind to ascertain the conversation with the manager. His harsh stance toward the clerk softened a bit as her panicky thoughts registered in his mind.
"The manager is coming to help you, sir. Perhaps it would be better if you spoke with him at end of the counter."
Edward moved out of the way so the other hotel guests could start their check out routines. Their thoughts scattered randomly in his mind, distracting him. He wanted the lobby cleared of all these people so he could concentrate. Finding Bella was the only thing that he wanted to focus on right now.
The door behind the desk opened and a middle-aged balding man approached the desk.
"Where's the agent?" The man questioned the desk clerk.
"He's the gentleman at the end of the counter." She motioned her head to the right as she entered a guest's final bill into the computer.
Edward watched the manager move around the end of the counter and approach from the side.
"I'm Mr. Jefferies, the head manager at the Lodge. How can I be of assistance?"
"I believe one of our agents was taken from her room last night. We're staying here while we conduct an investigation." Edward stopped and held up the picture of James. "Your clerk confirmed that this criminal was here an hour ago and was given the agent's room number. A breach of privacy wouldn't you say?"
"My apologies, sir. I can assure you that the clerk went against our privacy policies, and will be dealt with. You're saying an agent, who is a guest at the lodge, is missing?" The manager nervously scanned the lobby. "Wow. How can I help you?"
"I need the security tapes from the last three hours, inside and out." Edward was forceful as he demanded Jefferies' help.
"Of course, please follow me to the security room. It's located through this door." The manager led Edward to a darkened room. As he was about to flip on the light switch, the manager halted him. "Please don't turn on the lights. Just leave the door open for some light. We can see better with a little darkness."
The two men sat down in front of an elaborate control panel. Switches were flipped and Mr. Jefferies' fingers flew over the keyboard as he programmed the security tapes back three hours.
Pulling his eyes away from the controls, Jefferies asked Edward what floor the agent was staying on.
"We had the two bedroom suite on the third floor." Edward was desperate for the man to find the tapes he needed. "Also, the lobby and parking lot. I want to see if we can spot his car. Let's try the parking lot first." Edward crossed his fingers that something identifiable would show up on the tapes. They needed a break or clue, something to get the search rolling.
"All right, the parking lot it is." Jefferies pushed a few buttons on the panel and the darkened parking lot from a few hours ago appeared.
"I've put the tape on fast forward and will stop when we see a flash of movement."
Edward's fingers pulled on his sleep-tousled hair. He had never felt more desperate in his life. There was so much he wanted and needed to say to Bella. All those years he treated women as nothing more than the dirt under his feet haunted him like a bad dream. Only his womanizing ways weren't a dream…instead they were real and painfully vivid. He had lived his life as a user, a totally self-consumed man. As he thought back through the years and faces of women, all he could do was lower his head in shame.
His guilt led him to do something that he hadn't done since he was a child. Pray.
God, please let me find her. I promise to change. I'll do anything. Just please bring her back safely to me.
As Edward was having his "come to Jesus" moment, Jefferies shouted.
"Shit! There's the guy from the photo. He's getting out of that car in the back of the lot. I can't make out the license." Jefferies pointed to the screen.
Quickly raising his head to the screen, Edward saw James snaking around in the parking lot, carefully avoiding the open areas as he made his way to the building.
"That's him. Can you focus the tape more on the car's front? We need to get the damn number on his plate."
"Sure, I can try. I'm not certain how clear it will be though." Jefferies fiddled with the keyboard, his palms sweating as tension grew in the room. He had to make it work.
"You're getting close. See if you can pinpoint it a little more." Edward recognized the make and model of the car James was driving. It was a Chrysler 300 sedan. The windows and car were as black as night.
"There it is!" Jefferies shouted.
"You've got it, man. It's as clear as day." Edward slapped the man on the back. "Print that screen!"
Edward took his phone out and called Jasper. They had their first break and now the authorities throughout the region needed to be on alert for the car. The photo was gold to him. Make, model, color, and license. They were all there.
"Jazz, buddy, I've got a picture of the car that James drove to the hotel along with the plate numbers. We're set."
"That's awesome. I'm just making my way into the lobby with our computer gear. Meet me there, okay?" Jasper had the feeling that Bella was going to be returned to them unharmed. He didn't understand how he knew this, but he did. Call it a hunch, but it was as sure as the stars in the heavens to him. Now he just needed to convince a desperate Edward.
Turning to Jefferies, Edward happily took the printout of the car and thanked him for all his work.
"This information is invaluable. It will help me find my Bella." Edward realized what he said and smiled at the thought. Mine, damn I like the sound of that.
"Wait, who's Bella? Weren't you looking for an agent?" A confused Jefferies scratched his bald head as he followed Edward out of the security room and to the lobby.
"Technically, Agent Bella Swan is missing. She was assigned to the investigation that I'm heading here in Forks." Edward refrained from disclosing too much information. No need to stir up the pot.
"What…here in Forks? An investigation?" Edward then heard the man's thoughts of how bad publicity would hurt tourism.
If having gray skies year around wasn't hard enough, a story highlighting an FBI agent's kidnapping and God only knows what else might put a dagger through our business.
"Don't worry too much. Most likely there will be a media block-out on the kidnapping. We can't play up the publicity part. It's not good for our business, either."
Jefferies found himself scratching his head as Edward uncannily answered the questions in his mind. He shrugged and shook his head as Edward walked away.
Spotting Jasper by the entrance, Edward made his way over to him. "Here's the information, Jazz. We need to get out an all points bulletin A.S.A.P."
"Agreed. Was the guy you were just talking to the hotel manager?" Jasper's eyes flashed to where a man stood by the front desk.
"Yes, his name is Jefferies."
"Ask him if he has a small conference room we could use for a few minutes."
Jasper watched as Edward spoke with the manager and then signaled to follow them to a room off the lobby. It contained a large oval table that took up most of the space.
"Please feel free to use this room. We have nothing scheduled in here for the next few days." Jefferies couldn't conceal his excitement. Now that his fears had subsided he felt like he was involved in an episode of "America's Most Wanted." His inner "crime geek" was making an appearance.
Jefferies stood in the doorway and watched as the agents opened their computers and fired them up. Edward rose to his feet and crossed the room. "Thanks, Mr. Jefferies. We have it from here."
"Oh, sure. Just let me know if I can help in any way," Jefferies eagerly replied.
"Will do." Edward's words were quick and to the point as he closed the door.
"We're expecting two agents from Seattle. TAT said they should be here shortly. Go tell the front desk to send them in here." Jasper's commands came without looking up from his computer. He was determined to get the alert for James' car out to the authorities.
As Edward hustled to the desk, he saw two men approaching the lobby. Their thoughts revealed that they were the agents sent to help them with the investigation. He walked up to them and introduced himself.
"Hello, I'm Agent Cullen. You two must be Yorkie and Clearwater." Edward searched their minds for confirmation.
The taller man of the two spoke. "Yes, we are. I'm Agent Yorkie. It's nice to meet you, Cullen. Just wish it was under better circumstances. Where's Whitlock?"
"He's in the conference room the hotel is letting us use. Here, follow me." Edward pointed the way as the agents trailed behind him.
"Understand that Whitlock is the lead for this investigation. Is that right?" Yorkie questioned Edward, wanting to make sure he knew who was in charge.
"Yes, I'm too worked up to think straight right now. So it's Whitlock at the helm." Edward opened the conference door for agents as they passed through the threshold. "Also, Agent Swan and I have grown close over the last couple of weeks. The case is a little too personal to me."
"Wow. So you and Agent Swan, huh?" This time Clearwater spoke and Edward didn't like where this agent's thoughts were going. "Denali emailed us a photo of her. She's quite the dish."
As Clearwater finished his spoken comment, his unspoken thoughts assaulted Edward. And damn I bet she's quite a sweet one too.
"Sweet doesn't even come close to describing her." Edward retorted and balled up his fists as he moved closer to Clearwater.
Jasper sensed the tension and quickly moved to diffuse the mood in the room. "I'm Agent Whitlock, or Jazz as Cullen calls me. Glad you are here. You'll need to excuse my friend. Agent Swan's kidnapping has him a bit on edge."
"No problem. I'm sorry if I offended you man." Clearwater's apology sounded contrite. "We'll do everything we can to bring her back safely. Okay?"
"Sure. Finding Bella must be our focus. Like Jazz said, I'm a little edgy." Edward looked to Jasper and an unspoken thank you passed between them.
"Why don't we all take a seat around the table and discuss where we stand at the moment."
After gathering around the table, Jasper shared with the other that the all points bulletin was issued for James' car. He assured them all local and state officials would be on the look out for the car. Since James had dealings in Los Angeles, Jasper believed he would most likely return there. His plans for Bella were still unclear, but Jasper believed he most likely wanted to sell her to the human traffickers.
A beautiful woman such as Bella would bring James a pretty penny. Jasper thought James knew nothing of her virginal status. He knew a virgin would be almost priceless to the right buyer. Little did he know that James had listened to their conversation in the car as they left the Volturi's estate.
"Next we need to move to the Forks police station and plan the raid on the Volturis estate. They are more familiar with the area and can support us with back-up too."
Yorkie looked over the papers that Jasper pushed in front of him. They contained pictures of the Volturi family. "So these are the Volturi's. We've monitored their movements from Seattle. They've been a slippery bunch to nail down."
"Well, they messed up big this time. Let's gather up the computer equipment and head over to the station." Jasper started unplugging and dismantling all their gear. "Oh and Cullen, we were able to dispatch a copter from the Coast Guard."
"Wow, that was fast. Where are they flying from?" Edward asked.
"Port Angeles. They might even beat us to the station. There's a landing pad for them there." Jasper smiled reassuringly at Edward. He still felt confident that James' number was up. It was just a matter of time.
"Why don't I go with Yorkie and Clearwater to the station and you drive the sports car. I'll get them up to speed on the Volturi's."
"Sounds good," Edward answered as they all left the room.
Jasper wanted to speak privately to Edward before they departed. He turned to Yorkie and Clearwater before pulling Edward aside in the lobby. "Hey, you two wait for me outside. I need to have a word with Cullen." The agents nodded in agreement and made their way to the glass front doors.
"Here's the deal. I don't want you coming with us when we raid the Volturi compound. But I do want you going with the copter pilot and helping him canvas the area." Jasper watched Edward's brows tighten in frustration.
Edward reluctantly agreed with Jasper. "I feel like a powder keg just waiting to ignite. If I'm around the Volturis, I'm not sure what I'd do."
"Exactly, I'm afraid it might get ugly and compromise the investigation." Jasper was thankful that Edward complied. "We need to keep cool heads for Bella's sake."
"You're right." Edward sighed, letting out a deep breath.
"Get the keys from the valet and meet us outside." Jasper left Edward to find the other agents.
After getting the keys, Edward hurried to the parking lot. His shiny toy was parked close to the front circle, sparkling in the sunlight. As he sat behind the wheel, he felt none of the excitement that he'd experienced before. With Bella missing, the thrill just wasn't there.
The radio rang out from the speakers. The valet had turned up the volume and changed the station, but Edward kept the song on. He'd never heard it before, but the haunting melody matched his mood. The words of the chorus were sung over and over again and cut him to the quick.
I've gained the world then lost my soul
Maybe it's cause I'm getting old
All the people that I know
Have gained the world then lost their souls
The words closely reflected his life. He'd gained the world. He had looks, position, and wealth. A dangerous and damning trifecta. But he was missing something important and was finally able to admit it. All his pride was gone. He needed love. Bella's love.
What he did next surprised him, but there was only one voice that he wanted to hear at the moment besides Bella's.
"Hello," a woman sweetly answered after a couple of rings.
"Mom, it's Edward." After weeks of avoiding her calls, he waited for a sharp rebuke from her but it didn't come.
"Edward? Oh son, I've missed you so much and have been hoping you'd find a minute to call me. I know how busy you get."
Edward cringed. He wished that his mother had lashed out at him. Her kindness stung even more.
"I'm sorry, Mom. I should've called you a long time ago."
"It's okay. How are you? You sound a little down. Not your usual, 'I-can-take-on-the-world' self." Esme knew her son. He might be able to read minds, but there were very few things he could hide from her.
"Actually there's been a lot going on in my life. I only have a few minutes to talk, but I wanted you to know, um, how things are."
"Go on, sweetie. I'm listening."
"Well, a couple of weeks ago I met this girl. Her name is Bella. She's beautiful, Mom. Really beautiful and I like her, a lot actually. I think you'd like her too." Edward paused as his voice faltered and his eyes filled with something that he couldn't remember experiencing before. Hot, angry tears.
"I'm thrilled that you've met someone. I've worried about you for years. I've even had my ladies group at church praying for you. Your father and I just want you to be happy."
After wiping away his tears and clearing his throat Edward composed himself enough to speak. "Ladies have been praying for me?"
"Most certainly. We all have sons in their twenties living like Peter Pan. It's a prayer-slash-support group."
The thought of this group made Edward laugh. "Mom, you never cease to amaze me. I think this group would approve of Bella though. She's everything I'm not."
"Son, you're a good man. Deep down inside, I know that you are." Esme's words gave Edward a little faith.
"I hope you're right, Mom." Edward paused as he had one request for Esme. "Could you do me a favor?"
"Of course. What is it?"
"Can you call the Peter Pan ladies and ask them to pray? Bella's a fellow agent and has gone missing. I can't share the details, but it was by force and I'm scared, Mom. Really scared. I just found her…"
Esme listened as she heard her son's quiet sobs. It was a sound that no mother ever wanted to hear. Her own tears began to join with his.
"Oh Edward, you're in love with this woman, aren't you?"
'Yes," he whispered.
A/N: We would liked to thank our Special Agents…..Betas Elizabethan and Aquariumjenn
Morcheeba, "Gained the World." Lyrics. Dive Deep. Echo, 2008.