Chapter Thirty Three

Sasha

The guys had sent all the evidence to their lawyer so Carlisle, Emmett and Edward were busy celebrating their brilliance with an animal hunt, something I had passed on. Rose and Esme were busy with their last business event and I was feeling a little superfluous to requirements. I was all alone and bored. Which is why, when Magda called and asked if I would meet her, I agreed. After all, what harm could it do? She didn't know about the crap that was about to hit the fan regarding the King business affairs or my connection to it.

We met at her favorite boutique but she wasn't interested in shopping. Oh no, Magda had something far more interesting in mind.

"Sasha. I wanted to thank you for telling me about Bruce and that whore Sophia. I don't think I did so at the time. I was a little distracted."

I patted her arm sympathetically, "I'm just sorry I was the one to bring it to your attention. I had no idea who the woman was. I thought she was just a client."

"Of course not. How could you? I haven't told Bruce that I know what he's up to yet. Luckily I was 'asleep' when he got home from seeing her and he snuck off early to the office the next morning. I've tried to hide my rage. I wanted to make the reveal a shock to them both and I was wondering if I could impose on you to help me?"

I felt a thrill rush through me, this sounded like it might be amusing.

"What exactly would that entail?"

"Well, I happen to know that the two of them are out of town today. He has a business meeting in Glendale and checking his cell phone I found a message arranging to meet her there.

I know he'll call later to tell me that the meeting has overrun and he'll be staying overnight and guess who'll be there to keep him from getting homesick?

Knowing this I thought it would be a good time to leave my calling card at Sophia's place."

"Your calling card?"

"Well, a vengeful wife's version of. So, are you willing to help me?"

"As long as it doesn't involve anything violent, yes. I know what it's like to be a woman scorned as I told you earlier."

I had spun her a tale about my late husband being a womanizer and how I had been lucky because he died before he could leave me for his latest conquest.

"Oh, yes. Your late husband had a mistress too. We do everything for them and they treat us like dirt in return. I knew you would understand. I promise you I don't have any weapons on me."

We laughed but I knew her, I'd seen the rage the night she discovered Bruce had rekindled the flame with his mistress. She had been ready to gun down the pair of them.

It sounded like we might have some fun and I could have a good time. I tried so hard to be good for Edward's family but sometimes the beast needed to be let out to play.

"Just one thing. How are we supposed to get into the apartment?"

She pulled a set of keys from her pocket and dangled them in front of me, "Easy. I borrowed Bruce's when I found out about Sophia the first time and had duplicates cut. He never even knew I had them and I doubt she's changed her locks,

"Well then, what are we waiting for? Let's go have some fun."

We walked into the apartment building using the duplicate keys and rode the elevator to the third floor. Sophia's apartment was at the end of the hall, nicely tucked away from prying eyes and we were inside in seconds.

Magda pushed open the door into the lounge and we stood there looking around.

"She does well for herself. Does she work?"

Magda laughed spitefully, "Only on her back! I think she divorced her first husband and took him for everything he had. She needn't think she's going to leave me a pauper, the bitch!

Come on."

I followed her through to the bathroom where she emptied the contents of the cupboard onto the floor separating the cleaning products and pushing them to one side.

"Now where shall we start? The bedroom I think."

I wasn't sure what she had in mind until she started but I soon caught on. By the time we had finished the drawers and closets had been emptied and their contents, some very expensive clothes and lingerie plus shoes and handbags, covered in bleach, shampoo, foundation and anything else we could find.

She smeared make up over the huge mirror scrawling words that described what she thought of Sophia over its silvery surface.

Next, she disappeared for a moment and when she reappeared she was holding two carving knives. Handing one to me we began on the bed, plunging the blades up to the hilt and puncturing the mattress over and over until the warm water began to leak and soon the thick pile carpet was sodden.

Whoever lived in the apartment below was in for a nasty surprise!

From there we moved into the other rooms and destroyed everything we could find, pictures, ceramics, and soft furnishings. The cushion filler swirled in the air like snowflakes, the smell of makeup, perfume and cleaning chemicals all mixed together becoming almost overpowering. I hadn't had so much fun in years!

Edward

After our hunt, I was happy to return to Sasha but the others had a different idea.

"I think we should find out whether Patrick King was involved in the arson attacks."

I glanced at Emmett then Carlisle who was nodding his agreement.

"I thought you already decided that he wasn't?"

Emmett frowned, "We don't know for sure though, do we? Bella deserves to know the truth and we're the only people who can give her that."

"Do you agree with this crazy idea, Carlisle?"

I was slightly shocked when he nodded his agreement. Carlisle wasn't the type to get involved in anything that wasn't necessary yet he seemed happy enough to go along with Emmett. What the hell was Bella doing to my family? I barely recognized them these days.

"Well, what do you suggest? Are you going to kidnap him again and threaten to rip his arms off if he doesn't come clean?"

Emmett smiled smugly, "That was my first thought I admit, but then I looked at you, Edward. Why do we need to torture the guy when we have our very own lie detector with us?"

I scowled, "So, you're happy for Sasha and me to use our gifts when it suits you? Great."

Carlisle turned to me, "It sounds like you aren't happy to help Bella, Edward. Why is that?"

"That's not it at all. In fact, I think Sasha and I have done plenty to help Bella. I just think you can carry things too far. I mean, does it matter whether he's involved or not? He's not involved with Bella any more and he's going down with the rest of his family either way."

Carlisle sighed, "I'd hate to think that an innocent man is going to suffer on our watch."

I nodded, "Of course, you would. Isn't the fact he almost got Bella killed in that accident enough proof of guilt?"

"That was an accident, Edward. I know he tried to pervert the course of justice by blaming Bella, but I think that was done more in panic."

"Good old Carlisle, always looking for the good in people. Well, let's get on with it then. Where will we find him?"

"At the office, I hope. When we get there you go in. You can present yourself as a friend of Bella. Ask him how you can contact her. Bring the fires up, get him to think about what happened. You'll soon know if he was involved."

"Very well but this is it. This is the last time I'm getting involved in this business. I think I've done more than my share already and I want that clearly understood."

Carlisle nodded, although he thought I was being a jerk and Emmett, well his thoughts on me hadn't changed, the big oaf!

Patrick was in the office and had time to see what he thought might be a new client. It wasn't until we were alone that I brought up the true reason for my visit.

"I'm sorry to have misled you, Mr King, but I'm actually looking for my friend, Bella Swan. I understand the two of you are close."

He stared at me a little nervously and I knew he was wondering if I was connected to the two heavies who had put the fear of God into him after the accident.

"I've just returned to the States. I've been in Europe for the past year but we kept in touch by email. Bella and I went to school together."

Whoops! I remembered hearing that Bella had told him a little about me. I was glad I'd given him a false name!

"Oh. Did you know the guy she was dating there? Edward something."

"Yes. She took it hard when he left. I did my best to support her so I was happy to hear that she met you. I don't seem to be able to trace her since I got back and then I discovered her apartment had been gutted. Has she moved in with you?"

"No. We split up a while ago. It just didn't work out. I'm sorry I can't help you. I don't know where she is now."

"It was a shock when I went to the address she gave me. Gutted, and the gallery. What happened?"

I waited, listening, but he was as clueless about that as he was about Bella's whereabouts. He still had feelings for her and he would never do anything to hurt her.

"I have no idea. I mean I heard it was an arson attack. The cops spoke to me because it happened soon after we parted but of course, I had nothing to do with it and I haven't spoken to Bella since before Christmas."

"That must have been hard on you. Do they have any suspects? I mean the Bella I knew never had an enemy in the world."

"It was the same here. It's a mystery. Maybe it was a case of mistaken identity."

"Her business suffered a fire too? Must have been a really stupid criminal to get it wrong twice."

He was nervous again now. He had his suspicions but he refused to give them credence. So, Patrick suspected that his father might just have had something to do with it all, but he was in the clear.

Having decided he'd said enough Patrick made his excuses about being very busy and showed me out. He was still terrified of getting another visit from Emmett and Jasper and wondered if perhaps I was in league with them. I thanked him for his time and returned to the others with my findings.

"I'm glad he wasn't involved even if he does suspect his father."

"That's all well and good Carlisle, but do we try to help him or let him sink with the business?"

I stared at Emmett in disbelief, "Why would you care if he goes down too? He knows there are underhand things going on and turns a blind eye to them."

"I guess so, and he did try to get Bella to take the fall for the accident."

"Exactly, let him sink or swim with the rest of the family."

Carlisle nodded, "I have to agree with Edward, Emmett. I don't think he deserves any special treatment. I think Bella will be relieved to know that he is innocent. There's nothing worse than discovering that someone you cared about has deceived you. She was right about him."

When we got back to the house Sasha was waiting, eager with news of her own. I groaned as I read her thoughts. What the hell had she been thinking of getting involved in such reckless activity? I wasn't the only one concerned either. Carlisle looked very solemn as he quizzed her about what exactly they had done.

"Were you caught on any CCTV cameras?"

Sasha shrugged, "I've no idea, why?"

"I would think that the lady in question will be calling the police as soon as she gets back to her apartment. They will then be looking for Magda and her accomplice for criminal damage."

Sasha shrugged, "Well I don't see as that matters. Magda doesn't know who I really am or where they can find me."

"Maybe not, but they might put your photograph on the news asking for information. It's possible that you've been seen coming here. We do not want the police knocking on our door. That could be very inconvenient. I think you and Edward should consider leaving immediately."

Sasha pouted, "But I was just having a bit of fun. Do we have to go?"

"Yes. I do not want the family to become involved in this business. We keep a low profile, Sasha. Surely you can understand why?"

"But you already are involved, Carlisle. You set the authorities after the Kings, the boys kidnapped and threatened Patrick King. What I did is nothing in comparison."

"Maybe not, but no one can link us to those things. We were very careful and discreet, two things it would appear that you still need to learn. I'm sure Edward will explain the situation in more detail when you have time. For now, it would be better if you left the area, preferably the country."

Sasha frowned but she wasn't about to argue with Carlisle. No one did when he spoke so gravely, not even me. Besides, I knew what he meant. Drawing the attention of the authorities was a very bad idea.

I took her arm, "Come on darling. It's time we headed home. I'm sure Carlisle will keep us abreast of the situation."

"But I wanted to go to the wedding. We can come back for that, can't we? Or are you just trying to get rid of us now we've saved Bella?"

She was getting upset and that wasn't good, for any of us.

"I'm sure we'll get an invitation, Sasha. Bella won't forget our help with her problem but Carlisle's right. We should make ourselves scarce."

She took a little more persuading but eventually we said our goodbyes. Unfortunately Rose and Esme were not back but Carlisle promised he would pass on our apologies.

"Tell Esme I'm sorry I caused a problem. I don't want her thinking badly of me. I just didn't consider the possible consequences of my actions."

I was amazed, my wife admitting to and apologizing for her thoughtlessness! There were such things as miracles after all!