WHO IN THE HELL WROTE THIS STORY
Disclaimer: The Cullens, the Swans, and most of the characters mentioned in the story that are known from Stephanie Meyer's Saga beloved Twilight, are all hers and hers alone. I neither have nor wish to pass in them off as mine. I do appreciate the fact that she did bring them to life and allows us to play with them our imaginations. The only thing I will claim is the current storyline.
This chapter has been beta'd by dowlingnana and her work is making the story flow more smoothly.
It was time to act as a complete family, but, no one forgot the heavy issues that were still in existence due to Carlos, another member of the family. They all knew that somehow he would have to be dealt with, but, now was the time to become acquainted with a member that was new and to welcome him, true, belatedly, but, nonetheless, make him welcome into the family.
No one noticed the small glimmer of a female figure standing quietly in the corner of the room watching with a smile upon her face.
CHAPTER 26: WHAT ABOUT A GOOD PLAN?
Young Elizabeth continued to stand off to one side for mere moments longer gently smiling in approval at the way the two sides of the family had handled the coming together. But, once the moment had passed and the entire group began discussing the action of notifying the authorities of the fact that the Swan/Hale/Brandon family was still alive, well and accounted for and how that notification should be handle, Elizabeth left them to their talks. She left being fully aware that she still had more work to do before the danger to her family was at an end, but, at the same time knew that the end of the danger was near to being concluded and over.
"Charlie, I do have a suggestion to make in regards to contacting the authorities that I think would be a better way and, perhaps, maybe a safer way for everyone, to let them know that your family is alive." Carlisle thoughtfully said as if the idea was developing in his mind as he was speaking aloud.
"Okay. I'm willing to listen to any suggestions, especially something that will keep all of the kids safe and sound."
"What were your instinctual feelings concerning this detective that you met and spoke with yesterday? Did you have any bad vibes or whatever coming from him as you both spoke about Edward's and Jasper's parents' death?"
"No, the man seemed to be completely dedicated to his job. He seemed to be a good cop that really would like to close the case in an honest and appropriate manner." Charlie answered without hesitation to the questions.
"Good. Good. Then I believe that is the only person that should be made aware that you and your girls are still alive and was not on the plane that exploded. Reason I'm making this suggestion at this point is I've got a feeling that the less people knowing about you the better until we can have a good solid plan in place to finally catch this Carlos Hernandez and put a stop to all of the destruction and violence he is spreading and threatening our families and involving others that have nothing to do with this vendetta of his.
"Look at it this way; this detective, along with yourself, both being connected to law enforcement agencies would have people they could call on to render aid if and when needed."
Charlie took a few moments to consider all that Carlisle was suggesting and he was seeing the merit of it, but, his years of training was battling with the idea of only informing one person, and that not even being the person that needed to know, of their survival. Weighing all of the odds and trying to work out all of the consequences that could possibly be involved in such action was giving him pause to readily agree to what Carlisle was wanting.
"Although, I'm wanting to jump at your suggestion I'm having a hard time justifying only informing one person that isn't involved in the investigation concerning the explosion and not informing the authorities that are in charge. It goes against all of my training.
"However, I can see where it would have the benefit of insuring the safety of the kids. That has to have a high priority as well."
"You misunderstand me. I didn't mean not to inform the others, but, only to do it through a person of trust that can do it in a manner that will keep everyone safe while helping us to have an almost fool proof plan in place that will catch this Carlos person."
After further thought and just as Charlie was about to make a comment, Bella spoke first. "Dad, I think Carlisle is right." He looked at his daughter and then at his two nieces to see them nodding their heads as if in agreement with Bella.
"You are sure, each of you that this is what you think is best?" He asked them.
"Yes, Uncle Charlie." Alice and Rosalie answered. "Yes, Dad." Bella answered as well.
After experiencing a bit more self-doubt as to the suggestion Charlie agreed to it since the girls were all for it. It wasn't just himself he was having to consider, but, them as well and now the two Cullen boys. So, with a final nod of his head he pulled out his phone and dialed the number he had for Det. Michael Richards.
Without pause Charlie hands the phone over to Carlisle who looks first at the man handing him a phone and then glances at the phone. He could hear it ringing, but, he isn't understanding what Charlie Swan is wanting so shocked is his mind due to Charlie's actions without a word be spoken. Charlie switches the phone to speaker and indicates that he wants Carlisle to speak to the man on the other end of the call.
"Hello." A pause that is met with silence and then once again, "Hello, is anyone there?" The answerer asks as the silence seems to grow. Then just as he starts to hang up he hears someone on the other end clearing his throat. "If someone is there stop playing games and tell me what this call is about?" Richards demands in a tone which is all business.
"Det. Richards, it's been a while since we've spoken to one another; several years in fact. You were the lead investigator on the Masen case which were the parents of my two younger boys, Edward and Jasper. This is Carlisle Cullen. Guess I should have told you that in the beginning. But, I need to ask you to meet with me at my home as I've come into new evidence concerning the case and would very much like to discuss it with you."
There was a silence on the line, but, Carlisle did hear the indrawn breath before Det. Richards spoke, "Mr. Cullen, I do remember you and your family and I sincerely hope that over the years the two boys have done well. My apologizes for not staying in closer contact with your family concerning the case, but, after the trail went dead there wasn't much more that I could tell you. But, I've never forgot the case and do from time to time look over the case to see if there is anything new I might have overlooked, or, something we might be able to get a better understanding with the rapid pace of technology.
"What has me puzzled is that first, I have a police chief from Washington State inquiring into the Masen case and now I receive a sudden call after all of this time from you, Mr. Cullen, to inform me that you have new evidence about the case. All of this sudden interest about this old case is making me curious about what the hell is really going on." Richards mused aloud with Carlisle waiting to hear if the man would come or not.
Finally, after a time listening to the wonderings of the man Carlisle simply asked, "Can I expect you or not? Are you interested in my new evidence or are you just talking?"
That stopped Richards's musing and dead silence reigned on the airwaves for a few heartbeats before the answer was given, "Yes, I'll be there. What time?"
"Now." Was all that Carlisle said.
"I'm on my way." Then the line went dead before Carlisle could make any further remarks.
"Well, that didn't go quite as I had expected, but, at least, he's on his way." Carlisle commented as he hit the end button on the phone and handed it back to Charlie.
"How do you expect him to react with so many people bring up the case in only a matter of a few days?" Charlie asked.
"You have to remember something, Carlisle, and that is that cops are the ones that like to feel as if they have control. They like to have everything make sense and want to be the one to discover new facts to an old case, if those facts exist at all. Anything other than that situation is hard to swallow.
"Look at it this way; I call with a request to see an old case of his and want to meet with him. When he wants to know why I have to explain about my family and what the outcome was there. In other words, I did something he wasn't able to do: I got the guy that had murdered most of my family. That is hard to accept for him since he hasn't been able to close his case because he hasn't caught the one responsible.
"Next, you call saying that you have new evidence in a case that I'm checking into. It is now starting to make him worry about how good of a cop and detective he might be. Self-doubt gets a toe hold after two consecutive calls. So, that is where his attitude is coming from."
"But, why didn't you talk to him, Charlie?" Carlisle questioned.
"You had suggested that the less who knew we were still alive would be better. Therefore, it made more sense for you to be calling him about the Masen case since my family isn't supposed to be still alive as yet."
"Oh, I didn't think of that and I'm usually quicker on the uptake than that." He said with a smile and then a laugh as the humor hit him. After all Charlie was only doing what he had suggested to him, so, the joke was on himself for not seeing the logic of Charlie's actions ahead of time.
Even though, conversation became of a more general nature, mostly centering around Alister and the type of life he has led, the true nature of the situation and the circumstances surrounding the recent events are still on everyone's mind, but, they are keeping it all just below the surface. Nothing was going to be done in haste and they were all anxious to hear what advice and plan Det. Richards might come up with after hearing all that has been learnt.
Time did seem to be moving slow, but, in reality it wasn't that long before a banging was heard due to someone knocking on the front door. Esme rose to go greet the police officer and to conduct him into the library. It had been decided that Carlisle would talk with Det. Richards first before bringing up the fact that Charlie and his girls were still alive.
As the man and woman entered the library Carlisle rose from the seat he had taken behind the desk in the room and began to move forward with outstretched hand while greeting the detective for coming so promptly. "I know you're curious as to what I've found and as to how I came across the evidence that I've gained, but, if you'll have a bit of patience I will be more than happy to explain everything to you." Then he motioned for the detective to have a seat and to get comfortable before starting their conversation.
"I know this might be a bit of an inconvenience due to the incident at the airport and the excitement surrounding it. What I have to tell you covers both the Masen case and the explosion at the airport."
With that last statement Carlisle noticed Det. Richards come to attention immediately and snapped his eyes up to Carlisle's face. He was looking the speaker straight in the eye before asking, "How did you come across this information? When did you receive it? Why aren't you reporting this to the proper authorities instead of to me?" He steadily snapped question after question to Carlisle without pause long enough to get answer.
When Carlisle was able to speak he simply said, "It was felt that you were the only one that could really be trusted with the handling of the information we have and that once you were brought up to date that you would be able to help formulate a solid plan to bring a close to both cases."
"What do you mean about me being the only to be trusted to handle whatever information you do have? You could have gone to any law enforcement officer and they would have handled the information properly."
"Det. Richards, if you'll follow me I think all will become a lot clearer once you see what we have." And with that said Carlisle rose and waited for the detective to do the same and then led the way back to the room where everyone else was waiting for the two men.
As Det. Richards followed Carlisle into the room his eyes quickly moved around the room to survey the situation and immediately halted movement as he noticed one individual that was standing, waiting to greet him.
A/N: Is everyone on the right page in thinking that limiting the amount of people being made aware of Charlie and the three girls still being alive? Will Richards be able to come up with a workable plan to handle bringing the mysteries to a close and to capture Carlos Hernandez? Will the detective believe that Alister had nothing to do with the death of the Masen parents?
As always I welcome your comments and look forward to answer you back.