Chapter 20
"Identify yourself." An officer demanded from the small gathering of uniformed men.
Bella stopped in her tracks.
"Isabella Swan."
"Ma'am, raise you hands."
"I can't. I have a baby in my arms."
"Why are you treating her this way?" Edward shouted. "We've found her." He said, deciding to approach Bella after stating the obvious.
As he approached, Bella started walking, and then running towards him until she slammed into Edward's chest and let out a huge sigh of relief.
Edward held her tightly, mindful of Lucy in her arms though. He brushed the mess of hair off her face and just held her in his hands for a moment. Still in disbelief over what had happened. And that he'd found her.
Safe.
And in one piece.
"It's really you." Bella said, before burying her head in Edward's chest. "I thought I'd never see you again." She sobbed. "They were getting ready to take me somewhere else and I knew you'd never find me they did that."
At this point, Bella had become almost hysterical, so Edward wrapped her in his arms even tighter and rubbed her back gently. Trying to sooth her and prove to her that she was safe.
Her skin was frigid which made him wonder just how long she'd been flying in the cold air, with nothing to protect her soft, thin skin. He shrugged off his jacket and wrapped it around her small, shivering body. Hoping that it would help warm her up, but also keep her secret safe from the prying policemen just behind them.
"Sir?" A deep voice from behind them asked. "We need to move."
Bella was in no shape to walk after her ordeal, so Edward scooped her and Lucy up and began walking back to the police car. He held her to his chest and smiled softly in delight when one of her arms snaked around his neck to hold him. Burying a hand in the curls at the nape of his neck.
In that moment, Edward knew they'd work everything out.
As they approached the car, Edward carefully lowered Bella and Lucy onto the back seat before following in behind them. The detective up front introduced himself to Bella as the lead on her case and then asked if he could ask her a few questions.
"Of course, Detective Martin." Bella stated, clearing her throat and drying her tears.
"Where were you being held?"
"A building, not far from here. I must've fl-" She stoped herself. "I must've run for about 15 minutes when you found me."
"From which direction?"
Bella pointed to where she'd entered the clearing.
"What did the building look like?"
"Abandoned." She stated simply. "The parking lot had leaves and debris everywhere, like no one had been there in months."
"And the building itself?"
"Grey with multiple stories. Seven, I think I saw in the elevator."
Quickly the detective turned to his radio and informed his SWAT team of the newest information. The man on the other end confirmed that the building sounded like their target, and that they were approaching now.
"Do you remember where The Doctor was in the building last?"
"My room on the top floor, but he left hours before my escape. I don't know where he went during that time. All I know is that I was on the top level at the end of a long hallway. There were doors all the way up and down it. I looked in some, but they appeared to be cleaned out. No furniture. No carpet even in some of them."
"The building is scheduled for demolition later in the week. It's been stripped of anything valuable." The detective explained.
"How do you know about The Doctor?" Bella asked suddenly. As if just realizing the detectives implication.
"We heard about him through underground channels and that he had come out of hiding. Supposedly he'd acquired an asset worth risking his freedom for. Do you have any idea why you're so important to him Bella?"
Bella looked at Edward for answers but found none. So she simply shook her head no and looked down at Lucy in her arms.
At that moment, Lucy decided to make her presence known by giving out her 'I'm hungry' squawk.
Both Edward and Bella recognized it, making Bella blush. She had no idea how she was meant to nurse her poor baby in this situation.
Seeing her dilemma, Edward started to pull his jacket more securely around her shoulders. The detective looked puzzled until he draped a blanket he found on the floor over Bella's shoulder and Lucy's head.
"I'll give you a moment." Detective Martin said, before leaving the SUV.
"What happens now?" Bella asked, once the door was closed.
"I need to call Dad. You're not in any trouble, but they'll have questions. And I don't know how we're meant to keep your wings a secret for much longer." Edward responded with sorrow in his voice.
Bella nodded and asked that he call Carlisle now. She had a plan, but she'd need his help.
Carlisle arrived at the police station in a crisp black suit and tie, with the documentation Bella requested in his hand. He greeted Bella and Edward as they walked in from the police car a few moments later.
They both looked exhausted, especially his youngest girl. The poor thing had been through so much. And he was shocked by how skinny and drawn she had got in the last two weeks.
"Bella" He greeted her, with a warm hug. Feeling the sickening protrusions of her bones. "Why aren't we at the hospital?"
"I'm okay. Carlisle." She insisted. "Besides, the thought of doctors right now terrifies me. And what they might find out about Lucy and I. I just can't."
Carlisle nodded his head in understanding. She made two very good points. He was sure she wasn't okay though.
"Mr. Cullen." Both Edward and Carlisle turned around and responded,
"Yes?" They both said in unison.
"Mr. Edward Cullen." The officer specified. "We're ready for Bella in room three."
"Just to take a statement." Carlisle clarified.
"Yes, Mr…" he trailed off.
"Carlisle Cullen. Her Attorney."
"Oh. Well yes, just a statement. If you wouldn't mind following me."
"Mr. Cullen." The officer said to Edward. "You'll have to wait out here."
Before Edward could protest his father stepped in agreed, much to Edward's chagrin.
"It's why you called me, Edward." Carlisle reminded his son.
Edward paused, before nodding and relinquished his hold on Bella to his father.
"Can I take Lucy for you?"
Bella paused for a moment. Could she be apart from them both?
"It will only be a few moments." Carlisle informed her.
"Okay. Just keep her safe." She begged.
"Of course, sweetheart."
Carlisle and Bella made their way into the interrogation room and took a seat on the uncomfortable metal chairs. The table was dirty and sticky and the room was dimly lit. If the point was to intimidate, they succeeded.
A nurse came in briefly and explained she was there to take some blood. Since Bella had refused to go to the hospital, they needed to do it at the station. She was weary, but Carlisle explained it was necessary for both her and Lucy to have blood drawn. So she agreed…begrudgingly.
They waited for some time after that. Mostly in silence, apart from the constant ticking of the clock on the wall in front of them. Carlisle tried to engage her in conversation but Bella was too tired and too overwhelmed to say much. He understood though, and focused on the documents he had in front of him. Thinking of what needed to be said when the detective came in.
Eventually, an officer poked his head in the door.
"The detective in charge of your case, Detective Martin, will be with you shortly."
Before closing the door behind him with a soft click.
Carlisle turned to Bella. "I've got the documentation you asked for. Are you sure you want to do this?"
"It's the only way to explain everything without anybody else being implicated or charge with obstruction. Or perjury."
Carlisle nodded. Proud of her for even knowing what the terminology meant. It was only months ago that he explained what a credit card was to the sweet girl.
"Okay." He said, "We'll get him to sign the NDA and then you can tell him exactly why The Doctor took you. He can decide where to take it from there. They have The Doctor on kidnapping charges regardless of motive."
When Detective Martin came into the room he smiled at both Bella and Carlisle and greeted them warmly.
"Before we begin. I've told Mr. Edward Cullen he can watch and listen through the glass. Is that ok, Bella?"
Bella nodded.
"Can you verbalized that for me, Bella?"
"Sorry. Yes it's fine if Edward Cullen watches and listens in."
"Thank you. Let's get straight into it. Tell me how this all started."
"Actually." Carlisle interrupted. "There's some sensitive information about to be shared and Bella would feel for comfortable if an NDA was signed."
"An NDA? This is very unusual Mr. Cullen. How am I meant to prosecute if I sign it?"
"You're a smart and resourceful man, I have complete faith that you will be able to prosecute The Doctor regardless. It's a simple stipulation. Bella has been held for most of her life by The Doctor. The reason for which will not be revealed unless you sign."
Detective Martin's face was red at this point. Obviously not appreciating Carlisle's tone. Or the information he was relaying.
With much annoyance, the detective reached for the document and read it over.
"No one except for the Detective in charge of Ms. Swan's case, Edward Cullen, Carlisle Cullen, and Isabella Swan will be partial to the interview. No recordings. No other police witnesses." He muttered as her read the document. "No information regarding Isabella's Swan's heritage, "condition," or how she came to meet The Doctor will be discussed outside of the integration room with said attendees." He continued.
And so it went. Stipulation after stipulation until it was time for the Detective the sign. Which he did. Unhappily.
He left the room after that for some time. Bella assumed to follow through with all the monitoring stipulations. It wasn't unheard for officers to sign NDA's. But usually it was to hide something embarrassing. He didn't get that vibe from this NDA.
No. This was something much more. Something deeper and dangerous. Not for the first time, Detective Martin wondered what this slip of a girl could have got herself into. A what "condition" was so important it needed to be hidden
When he finally returned, nearly 30 minutes later, he placed a warm cup of tea in-front of Bella and started from where he'd left off previously.
"Tell me how this all started."
