Reaching for Love
Chapter 16: Police Report
EDWARD
The drive back to my office was quiet, and it gave me time to think. Jacob had clearly upset Bella with what he whispered, even though the courts would consider it hearsay since no one else heard his threat.
"Sweetie," I started when I pulled the car into my parking spot. "I think you should file a police report against Jacob."
Turning, I found Bella playing with the hem of her shirt and her lip was between her teeth. In the short time I've known her, been married to here, I knew that was a good indication she was pondering, worrying about something.
"Talk to me," I coaxed gently as I freed her lip.
She sighed. "If I do, it will be my word against his."
Her thoughts mirrored mine. "I realize that, sweetie, but what he said about you not seeing the last of him and the threat."
"Still." She raised her hand.
Honesty. I had to be honest with her, or as honest as I could. Reaching up, I cupped her face. "I'm afraid if he appears again, he might hurt you and I don't know what I would do if that happened."
I watched as her eyes softened as my thumb caressed her cheek. "Oh." Her lipped again disappeared into her mouth for a moment before she continued. "What would filing a compliant do?"
A smile formed on my face. "It help establish a pattern of harassment. Get your story to authorities so it has more weight than his. Like you said, it is your word against his."
After what felt like a lifetime, Bella nodded. "Okay. Who do we need to call?"
I released the breath I didn't know I was holding. "I'll call Jasper and see if he can come over to the office and then the local police."
"Don't want me to speak to the police without a lawyer, huh?" she asked playfully.
I chuckled, letting my hand drop. "Not at all, sweetie. I just want you protected from probing questions, not that I think there will be any."
Her responding smile was beautiful, and leaning in, I gave her a quick kiss. "Now, we had best get inside so my staff doesn't think I'm skipping out on a meeting."
~~ Reaching for Love ~~
My office was unrecognizable when I walked in an hour and a half after leaving Bella alone. Gone were all the file folders from around the room. Two wood boxes sat on one side of my desk labeled review and file.
"How?" I found myself saying. I wasn't sure what I was really asking. It would have taking me days to figure out what was what and Bella did it in less than two hours.
The ensuing blush on Bella's cheeks was remarkable. "My grandmother taught me the best way to file is to have a list of what's important." She picked up a piece of paper and held it up. "I got a list of your upcoming appointments from your secretary and got started."
I hooked my finger and motioned for her to come to me. A smile planted on my face. Once she was in front of me, I wrapped my arms around her. "Thank you. It would have taken me weeks to organize everything."
She laughed. "That's what your secretary said."
I joined Bella in laughing. When I settled, I remarked, "Jasper should be here soon."
BELLA
To say I was nervous the moment Jasper arrived with a police officer in tow would be an understatement. I was sure the officer would take one look at me and leave without taking my statement.
"Ms. Cullen," the officer started. "I'm sorry you were detained by your ex. Would you tell me where you were and what happened?"
I recounted the encounter I had with Jacob and what he whispered. The officer took notes, asking the occasional question.
He asked me to wait in Edward's office while he went out to his vehicle to type out the report.
Edward wrapped his arms around me, giving me a hug. "You did a great job," he whispered.
My gaze went to Jasper, who nodded. "I wish all my clients could give a concise and detailed statement like you did."
I felt my cheeks get warm. "Geesh, thanks."
"Just so you know," Jasper started, glancing at Edward, "while we were in Vegas, Emmett ran a scan of your old phone. There was a hidden tracker on it."
Edward was scowling at Jasper. I quickly put two and two together.
"You didn't want me to know," I stated rather than asked.
"Only because Emmett couldn't find out who was tracking you," Edward said.
My eyes bugged out. "It shouldn't have mattered."
I thought back to all the times Jacob appeared when I wasn't expecting him. Doctor's appointments, the grocery store, and when I was with a few girlfriends. "Oh, God." My breathing started to hitch. "It could have been Jacob. I wondered why he showed up at the oddest times."
Edward guided me over to the sofa and pushed me gently down until I was seated. "This is why I didn't want to tell you," he said kneeling in front of me. "We all thought it could be Jacob, but there was not proof. Him showing up today makes me wonder if he was and still is monitoring you in some way."
"She's being monitored?" the officer asked, coming back into the office with some paperwork in his hand.
Edward looked over his shoulder. "Maybe. There was a tracing application hidden on her old phone, but I've since replaced it and her cellphone number is new."
I watched as the officer lifted his hand and rubbed his jaw. "From your wife's statement and the nature of the medical building being women's health, it seems to me her ex didn't have a reason to be there."
My eyes went wide as my breathing hitched.
"If I were you, Mr. Cullen, I would check out any other devices of your wife's and any online accounts for trackers or unknown IP addresses."
A whimper left me as I lowered my head to my knees. Could Jacob be tracking me through other means? Sure he was the bastard who knocked me up, but to say he was stalking me after he kicked me to the curb was outrageous.
Edward took hold of my hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. I lifted my head and met his eyes.
"Sweetie, it going to be okay. I'll have Emmett come over and run checks on all our computers tonight. We'll changes all our passwords, too."
The sincerity in his voice told me what he didn't say, he would protect me from whoever was targeting me. Though I was afraid, I was growing to trust Edward and knew he was a man of his word. A timid smile formed on my lips in gratitude.
"I just need Ms. Cullen to read and sign her statement," the officer said.
Holding out my free hold, I accepted the forms and skimmed through them. The officer had accurately captured my story. Once they were signed, we all followed the officer out.
