Hello readers! I've received several emails asking me to make the chapters longer, so as Edward says, Your wish, my command (New Moon). This is my attempt anyway.
Just as a heads up, the second part of the story after the page break is from the point of view of the police officer. You'll see. Hope you like it!
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She woke early, stomach tight with anticipation. The plan was in motion. Today was the day for execution. Naomi giggled to herself, tension rising like a bubble. Execution day was technically tomorrow. She sobered at once. She may technically die, and her heart may technically never beat again, but this most certainly was no sentence to death.
Seth appeared, his black hair messy. He was smiling, black eyes flashing in the morning light. He had a glass of orange juice, held out as an offering.
"Morning. We have breakfast for you." Naomi took the glass. She sniffed. Bacon and eggs, sausages. Seth led the way to the kitchen.
It was organized chaos. Pans sizzled and steam flew. Delicate crystal bowls were piled high with sliced fruit. Apples, red and green, pears, blueberries, raspberries. Naomi blinked. Was that chocolate? Alice beamed and wrapped her arm around Naomi's waist.
"Welcome to one of several delicious feasts we have planned for you." Alice said gesturing grandly.
"It may be your last." Emmett said spookily, wriggling his brows. Bella hit him playfully.
"We realize that not all of this is what you would call 'breakfast material' but it's a special occasion." said Esme with a smile.
"Thank you." Naomi said sincerely. "Wow…" She sat down to her last breakfast and ate chocolate chip pancakes, watermelon, gummy bears and milkshakes. She ate until she could not eat a single bite more. She was content.
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Officer Raymond Creston pulled his cruiser with Abbotsford County scrolled across the side in large blue letters. He ran his hand over his face, then fitted his cap on snugly. He tried to look calm and reassuring. He stepped out of the car and marveled at the house before him. Enormous with imposing grey stone. If only he had that kind of money…
He walked to the door and debated. Ring the bell or knock on the door? Knocking seems more neighbourly. He knocked three solid thunks. He felt nervous. The imposing house had done its job. He felt intimidated. He wished his partner were here, but in a time of emergency, one is all they could spare from Abbotsford's minimal police force.
A young man answered the door, brow wrinkled with worry. Raymond was briefly astonished by his almost angelical good looks. Glowing blond hair and eerie yellow eyes. Raymond started. They couldn't be yellow. He shook his head gently.
"Officer, Doctor Carlisle Cullen. I appreciate your promptness." Carlisle said welcoming him in. The worry hadn't left his eyes. Raymond's eyes flickered to the teens strewn throughout the room. It was unnaturally silent for so many people. Tense. The tension of those in the midst of a tragedy.
"We don't like to waste time in this type of situation." Raymond replied evasively. "Is there somewhere where we could talk in private?"
"Of course." Carlisle replied. "Let's go to my office." Raymond followed the doctor up two flights of stairs to a large office. Its pale wood floors were stacked with books, as were the shelves. Carlisle smiled.
"We bought this house for the office."
"And the view?" suggested Raymond. Carlisle smiled again.
"Among other things. Please, have a seat." Carlisle said, motioning to the chair sitting before his desk.
Raymond hesitated. "Doctor, how well did you and your family know Miss. Wilson?"
Carlisle pondered this. "Not well, I suppose. She only just moved here, from my knowledge. My daughter Alice and son Jasper met her last week. Seth, the son of our close family friend, is dating her." He smiled ruefully. "He's quite smitten." A fist seized Raymond's heart. He felt like the destroyer of worlds, the bringer of darkness to the picture perfect family.
He cleared his throat. "Doctor, what I'm about to tell you is confidential. However, your family could be at risk. What I'm laying out is a worst case scenario, but we like to be prepared." Carlisle frowned fixing his eyes on Raymond. Raymond wondered if he should be telling the doctor this, so soon into the investigation. But chances are Naomi didn't forget to return their calls.
"Naomi's real name isn't Naomi Wilson. It's Naomi Quinn." Raymond explained slowly. Carlisle's frown deepened in confusion. "She was involved in a very serious rape case involving four members of the Doomstown Crips. They were brought to trial, but they had alibis."
"Good lord." the doctor buried his face in his hands and closed his eyes. Raymond gave it a moment to skin in, each moment wishing he would hear the delighted shrieks of the girls downstairs and the slam of a door, signaling Naomi's return. He didn't hear anything.
"She changed her name and moved here. There was a significant chance that the Doomstown Crips would threaten her life for slandering their name and disrespecting them." Raymond explained. "Now I know you don't want to think about this, but have any of your children talked to you about seeing anyone suspicious? Perhaps around their school, or at Naomi's house?"
Carlisle shook his head. "They haven't said anything. Do you think that the gang members could have…?" Carlisle voice trailed off, not wanting to voice his thought.
"There's a chance." Raymond replied gently. Carlisle stood and looked out the window. Raymond stood also. "Is there any chance I could have a word with your children? I don't want to frighten them unnecessarily, but they could be instrumental in ruling out gang activity." Raymond felt better having something to do. Something to go on. This is what the handbook said to do. Find witnesses, interview them. He felt sure of his actions.
"Of course." Carlisle answered at once. He sounded dazed. "They aren't all my children. Three have been left in my care by their parents, who are doing aid work in Africa." He said it mechanically, Raymond noted. He may be in shock. He's grasping at strings, trying to gain some sense of control.
"Do you want to sit down?" Raymond asked. Carlisle shook his head.
"No, no. I'll be alright. I'm simply presenting some signs of shock." Carlisle remarked calmly. "Please, after you."
All heads turned as Raymond and Carlisle walked down the staircase. Three were standing by the window, two with hair the colour of charcoal and one with hair like bronze. The children, more like young adults, really, were standing in clusters of two or three. One of the boys with black hair assessed him, then turned his gaze back to the window that overlooked the great expanse of woods. This must be the new group of kids his niece was telling him about. Stuck to themselves, an unusual sort of group. They were adopted, but-he wasn't sure this was true- they were dating. He understood how Becky could be fascinated by them. He found himself equally fascinated. As well as a whole lot of nervous.
"Hi kids, I'm Officer Creston." Raymond said, trying to sound friendly. The sharp eyes were unblinking. He swallowed. "I would like to get a sense of how today played out. Would you mind answering a few questions?" The teens looked at one another, then one spoke.
"That would be fine." It was the tallest of the boys with black hair. A girl with the same bronze hair as the boy slipped her fingers through his. The family arranged themselves on the large couches.
"Seth, come on." the boy with bronze hair murmured to the boy by the window. Seth glared at him, and then took a seat.
"Do you mind if I record the conversation?" Raymond asked. The family shook their heads. Raymond pulled a tiny recorder out of an inside pocket of his jacket and flicked it on.
"Could you identify yourselves?" There were several brows raised, and Raymond blushed. "Just so we can get to know each other…" Raymond trailed off. There was silence before-
"Edward Cullen. The others are Bella Cullen-" he gestured to the girl who's arm was wrapped around his waist, "Alice Cullen, Nessie Cullen, Emmett Cullen, Rosalie Hale and Jasper Hale. Seth, Jake and Leah Clearwater are family friends." Raymond tried to scribble descriptions on his pad of paper. He attempted for a moment longer before the names and faces ran together. Damn. He could always ask Becky.