Chapter Fifty Two.
Bella
Just when we thought things were about to settle down allowing us to take time for each other we got the phone call from Alice. Jasper answered it and I knew there was trouble as soon as I heard her voice,
"I need to speak to Bella Jazz,"
He handed the phone to me putting an arm around my shoulder to pull me close,
"I'm really sorry Bella but Charlies been shot"
"Shot? At work?"
"No on the Reservation. Harry and Paul, one of the wolves, met him at the airport and took him to the Reservation, they knew what had happened. Paul felt everything that his pack did and he was looking for retribution.
"Paul shot Charlie? That doesn't sound right and I can't see Harry letting anyone hurt my dad."
"Wrong Bella, they were all baying for his blood but it wasn't Paul. The elders told Charlie to leave and not come back but Sue Clearwater wasn't satisfied justice was being done, and she shot him."
"Is he dead?"
"He bled out on the operating table. I'm sorry Bella to have such bad news but I thought you'd want to know."
I wasn't sure how I should feel, my feelings about Charlie were so mixed up after everything he'd done.
"Thank you Alice. I don't really blame Sue, I'd probably feel the same way if I lost two of my children fighting a battle that wasn't theirs."
Jasper took the phone from me thanking Alice again before putting the phone down then guided me over to the couch and I leaned into him for comfort.
"I'm sorry Bella."
I looked up,
"Thanks Jazz but it's probably the best thing for him, he'd lost everything and had the guilt of what he did to live with. I could never have forgiven him, not after he tried to hurt you."
The phone rang again and Charlotte answered,
"Who? Just a minute. Bella, its Billy Black."
Startled I looked at Jasper who took the phone from her,
"Yes"
"Jasper? Its Jacobs father from the Reservation."
"I know who you are, what do you want?"
"I'm ringing about Bella's father, Charlie. I thought she should know that he's been shot, he's dead."
"We are already aware of that."
"Oh, well in that case I'd better tell you what happened."
"We know that too, Sue Clearwater shot him"
"Well that's the truth but it's not the official story. He regained consciousness in the ambulance and told the medics treating him that it was an accident. He said Harry, he, and I were testing out a handgun and he stupidly crossed the target as I test fired."
"I see, well I'm not surprised he lied to save your skins but why are you telling us?"
"I was hoping you and Bella would allow the lie to stand."
I held out my hand and Jasper handed me the phone,
"You dare ring and ask me to lie for you after what you did? I've a good mind to come to the Reservation and kill the rest of the tribe."
"Leaving only one guilty party alive, how convenient"
"If you are referring to Edward Cullen then don't worry Billy, he's already felt my wrath. Just be thankful I've had enough of death for now"
I cut him off before he could say any more, angry now rather than sad.
"So, we going to kick the rest of their furry butts?"
"No Peter. I've had enough of killing. Let them be, they've already lost enough"
I knew he wasn't happy but I couldn't stomach any more killing, I just wanted peace and quiet and time with Jasper but something occurred to me then,
"How will they explain the loss of so many young men from the Res?"
"Probably say they moved to other reservations. It happens a lot between tribes and as the only people who will miss them already know the truth there's no one to start looking into the disappearances."
I guess he was right because there didn't seem to be any hunt for missing teenagers or anything in the papers about a mass disappearance from the Quileute Res and I did search for it.
I knew it was coming but I was sad when Garrett finally said his goodbyes, but relieved when Peter and Charlotte elected to stay on.
Garrett smiled,
"I realize you'll be lost without me Peter but do try to behave, for Bella's sake. We don't want her picking up any of your less desirable traits"
"All my traits are less than desirable and don't worry, you'll be back. No one can stay away from me for long, I grow on you"
"Yeah like pond scum"
"Sticks and stones Garrett. I can rise above such slurs"
"Really? I must polish my insults for our next meeting. In the meantime just hold this thought Tonto, you too are related to the mutts."
Peter chased Garrett out of sight, and it was a long time before he came back.
"Decided to stay?"
"I want to be here if the Volturi decide they want to cause trouble, you'll need someone to speak on your behalf."
Jasper laughed,
"Only if I want to die Peter. You are better with your fists than your mouth."
"Well thank you for that vote of confidence Major. I don't know why I put up with your shit."
"I do, you'd be lost without me"
Peter shrugged then sidled up to him and with a stage aside whisper said,
"Now Major you know I'm the brains of the outfit, I just let you take the accolades, like Holmes and Watson, the doctor was the brains he just led Holmes around by the nose and was too shy to own up the ideas had been his."
"Peter you never cease to amaze me, the amount of self deceit you have. Still Watson, where do we go from here?"
Peter scratched his head then smiled and shook his head,
"Ah, now you see, you're trying to trick me. I only use my immense brain in situations of danger. I leave the easy decisions to you. Makes you feel useful, see?"
I laughed at the comic duo,
"I think perhaps we could try finding somewhere to make a permanent home"
"See Major, now the others know your guilty little secret they'll all be jumping on the band wagon and making decisions."
