Chapter Thirty Seven

Jasper

I was glad to leave the driving to Bella. It gave her less time to brood and I knew the more relaxed she became the less her thirst for vengeance would grip her thoughts.

It was obvious that she had expected me to argue as I was sure Edward would have, but I had no problem with Bella making her own decisions on a day to day basis.

I thought that Darius had done us a favor, or rather Bella a favor. The little trick with the accusations of financial irregularities, however he had pulled it off, meant that the Volturi would be struggling for some time. Clearing their name would be time-consuming and during that time the authorities would be taking an unwelcome interest in their activities.

I was sure he had not done it purely for his own satisfaction. He would have known that it would mean that they had to be cool-headed; they had little time to concern themselves with Bella. Just in case Aro changed his mind about wanting a truce. That was recompense to her for his using her to get to Caius.

I just wished I had known him years ago. He was the kind of man I would have been proud to have called a friend.

Dissuading Bella from killing Johnny H and Paul would still be difficult even if she was much calmer and clear thinking. I had no problem with her taking out Paul, that action I could understand if I couldn't find a way to dissuade her but Johnny H was another matter. His reasons for holding back certain information from her bore challenge, but killing him was not the answer. Besides, it would almost certainly start a war.

The guardians would now regard her as a friend of the vampires and none would believe that her reasons were purely personal. They would assume that she was working for us and that would, in turn, lead to an all-out war which, in turn, would lead to the needless slaughter of a lot of innocent people. It could be even more dangerous with the Volturi under a magnifying glass and possibly unable to act as quickly and cool-headed as usual. I had no idea how to prevent this but we had a few days before it became a critical problem.

I knew I should be working on the problem but I found myself watching Bella and allowed myself to daydream about what might have been if circumstances had been different. Looking ahead I saw no outcome that allowed the two of us to become intimate but a guy could dream.

"What are you thinking about? You're very quiet."

I blinked, dragged from my reverie by her sudden question.

"Sorry? Oh, nothing much."

"Then can I ask you a question?"

"Sure."

"Where's Alice? I mean I know the two of you aren't together now but…"

Her cheeks flushed, "Sorry. It's really none of my business. Forget I asked."

I shrugged, "No, that's OK. Honestly? I have no idea. I understand she called to warn Carlisle there was a problem when this blew up, but I haven't heard from her since leaving Forks and I seriously doubt that I will now."

She looked troubled, "Do you blame me for that?"

I frowned, "You? No, why?"

She shrugged nibbling her bottom lip, "I don't know. Because of my party, I guess. They all blamed you for what happened."

"It wasn't your fault. I think it was all a setup. Carlisle wanted you dead and maybe Alice was helping him. I mean seven vampires in a room with a bleeding human…"

She shot me a glance, "Yeah, it should have been a bloodbath yet no one attacked and I have you to thank for that."

"You didn't deserve that."

"Carlisle is a monster and yet he seemed so sweet and thoughtful. Would he really have been prepared to slaughter me in front of everyone? Or are they all in on it?"

"Not all, no. As far as I can make out it was just Carlisle and Edward. Maybe Alice too, at the very least she helped him. I don't think Esme, Emmett or Rosalie knew anything about it though."

"Do you think it was Carlisle who sent Victoria after me? Or Caius?"

"Not Caius. Besides, Victoria's dead. I killed her."

She shot me another look as if waiting for me to continue but I said nothing further. She didn't need me to.

"It's funny, I never knew I had so many enemies."

"You have friends too, Bella."

She smiled a little wistfully, "My knight in shining armour looking out for me."

I returned the smile, "Always."

The silence in the cab was more companionable after that and Bella turned on the radio and hummed along as the blacktop stretched out before us.

Carlisle

The news story broke like a tsunami over the citadel. We all knew who was responsible for the accusations but Darius was beyond our reach. Nothing had been heard of him since Caius disappeared shortly after leaving Italy.

It was a clever kind of revenge. He didn't want to destroy the Volturi but he was quite happy to make life extremely difficult for us.

He wasn't the only one who was clever at creative accounting but proving our innocence meant close contact with the Italian authorities and we had always avoided that as much as possible.

Aro had contacts in the town authorities but this wasn't a local problem. The police and organized crime departments from the central government would be breathing down our necks and not everyone was as easily corrupted as the present town Mayor and his councillors.

I wondered who Aro would use to work with the authorities, neither he nor Marcus was comfortable around humans after so long in the shadows.

The meeting of the Volturi council was tense. Everyone was looking to Aro to solve the problem and it occurred to me as I watched him scanning our small group that perhaps he was no longer up to such a challenge.

"As you are all aware certain allegations have been made against us and we all know that Darius is responsible. This is his way of paying me back for standing beside Caius."

"Why don't you let me track him down? He got us into this mess, let him get us out."

Aro shook his head, "Two reasons Demetri. I very much doubt even you could track Darius where he has gone. And even if you were able to there is nothing any of us could threaten or offer him that would be acceptable. Darius is beyond our reach and I hope has found the peace we denied him for so very long."

It was strange hearing such words from my friend. He rarely showed any emotion except to his beloved Sulpica and it occurred to me that he was feeling guilt. How very unsettling!

"This 'difficulty' will not beat us but we must be careful. We need a face for the foundation. One that can deal with the humans on their terms while we work in the background to ensure that the accusations are laid to rest quickly and quietly."

Glances were exchanged, no one wanted that particular poisoned chalice!

"Marcus and I have discussed the matter at length and have decided that there is only one man who can do this."

He turned to me, "Carlisle, fortune brought you here at the very moment your particular skills are needed. You will be the face of the Volturi foundation."

I opened my mouth to protest but he continued speaking, a glint of amusement in his eye. He was enjoying this, it was to be my punishment for disappointing him.

"Your name and that of your lovely wife have been given to the authorities as the new chair of the foundation. You have stepped in to ensure the matter is thoroughly investigated. You will find our Mayor and his minions most amenable. They will help you in any way they can."

"But I know nothing about the foundation or its workings. I haven't even been here in years."

"Exactly Carlisle and that is why you are the ideal person for the role. Marcus will have all the paperwork sent to you and he and I are here for any questions that you may have. Once we know all the accusations Heidi and Chelsea will work with Marcus and Edik to provide the appropriate paperwork to refute them."

I remembered Edik from my time in Volterra. He was a bear of a man with a thick Russian accent. A lawyer in his own time amused by the meaning of his name, rich protector. He used to laugh about it. 'Merchants thought a lawyer was there to protect them when in reality the only class that could afford our skills were the rich. We protected their roubles, diamonds, and gold from the greedy hands of others.'

He was also a skilful forger, I had seen some of his work and ideally suited to conjure up whatever documents were needed in this instance.

"Cheer up old friend. This is your opportunity to prove your loyalty to us. It means you get to leave Volterra too. I'm sure Esme will appreciate that."

I nodded, there was nothing else for me to do and Aro knew that.

"Good. Well, now that is settled I would like to speak with you privately, Carlisle."

The others, looking much relieved, filed out leaving us alone except for Felix, his ever-present shadow even within the safety of the citadel.

"I have a rather delicate problem, Carlisle. One I think you can help me with."

I stiffened, not liking the tone of his voice or the gleam in his eye.

"What kind of problem? I'm going to be rather busy with the task you have already given me."

He nodded sagely, "That is true. However, I fear that a friend of yours may be in danger. Surely you would be willing to help a friend in need?"

I answered warily, sensing a trap.

"If it were possible, of course."

"Good. I believe that Eleazar's life may be in jeopardy."

I stared at him, the statement had blindsided me for a moment,

"Eleazar? Who? Do I know the other party?"

"I rather think that you do, which is why I am reaching out for your help. It would appear that The Major, or sorry should I say, Jasper Hale, has discovered that it was Eleazar who pointed him out to Maria."

I stared at him, "Is that true? But, how? Who told him?"

"I would have thought that was obvious, Darius has certainly stirred the pot well."

"And you think he's going to kill Eleazar?"

"Wouldn't you? Oh, I forget, the compassionate Dr Carisle Cullen wouldn't think of such a thing. Forgive me."

I scowled, he was trying to needle me and succeeding.

"I don't see what I can do. Jasper and I are no longer on speaking terms and I know you aren't expecting me to stop him."

"No? Perhaps not. Then of course, as you said you will be very busy. I must choose someone else."

I felt an icy chill run through me despite my cold flesh.

"Who?"

"Does it matter?"

"Yes."

He smiled, predatory like a snake about to attack, "I suppose you do deserve that much. I understand Edward is very good at diplomacy. His gift makes it so easy for him. Or perhaps I should ask Esme to go. He is more likely to listen to her and she and Carmen are such good friends. I'm sure you could manage without her for a short while. Which would you choose, Carlisle?"

I stared at him in horror but he merely returned the look impassively.

"Come, come, Carlisle, I'm interested to hear your opinion on the matter as you so wholly ruled yourself out."

"Wouldn't it be better to call Eleazar if you believe the danger is so real? He could take off somewhere. Avoid Jasper."

Aro smiled and it reminded me of a cat I'd once watched in an alley tormenting a rat before killing and devouring it.

"I'm not sure Eleazar would take a call from me. He decided to retire and cut himself off from all his old acquaintances. Besides, it is a warning better handed over in person."

"Well, surely you have someone closer? Or I could call him. He'd listen to me."

"Perhaps not if he knows you are back in the Volturi fold and news travels so fast these days. No, I think he should be told in person although I'm not sure running will do him any good. Or hiding for that matter. The Major is very good at what he does, or should I say did? Why else would Darius use him to hunt down the girl? From the reports, I heard he would give Demetri a run for his money. The Major is a man of many talents and all of them deadly."

"Then surely sending someone there would be dangerous too? What's the point?"

"The point is that I can offer him sanctuary. The Major is no fool. He wouldn't come here looking for Eleazar. I need an emissary to carry my offer along with a token of my sincerity. So, who shall we send?"

Whatever I said I was doomed. Asking me to choose between Esme, my soul mate and Edward, my only son was cruel and unnatural but that was nothing new for Aro. This was my real punishment, not a spell in Volterra or a bureaucratic role in the Volturi.

"I'm sorry to hurry you Carlisle but Eleazar's time is limited, who knows when his nemesis will appear in Denali?"

"Edward" my voice was hoarse, barely above a whisper and the name stuck in my throat like a fish hook.

I couldn't tell if my decision had surprised or pleased Aro and I didn't care. Edward was more precious to me than anything, or almost anything. If I had been asked to make the choice a few days ago it might have been different but Esme had demonstrated her love for me so clearly. Despite her hatred of the Volturi she had chosen to stay at my side and her loyalty had to be rewarded.

Edward on the other hand had tried my patience, lied to me and gone behind my back to try and save Bella. A girl he hardly knew and most certainly never truly loved.

"Very well. Perhaps you could tell him of his task and send him to me. We should move as quickly as we can if we are to save your friend. It will be just like old times, all of us together once more. Sulpicia will be delighted. She always had a soft spot for Eleazar, but then he always was quite the ladies man."