Chapter Twenty Two
Esme
I knew something was wrong as soon as we pulled up outside Bella's apartment block, I couldn't say how but I just sensed it and when we got to her door I could see that I was right. It hung open, the door frame splintered where something had been rammed between door and frame in order to break the lock.
Carlisle touched my arm when he heard someone moving around and Rose pushed the door open and stepped inside.
We heard the sound of voices and Rose called for us to join her.
Standing in the lounge with her was a young boy, about ten or twelve looking petrified. Surely he wasn't the one who had broken in?
"This is Tim, he found the door open and decided to take a look. He lives in the apartment above and knows Bella. Or so he says."
The boy scowled up at her, "I do. Bella gave me some books a few weeks ago. I was only looking to see if she was OK."
"When did you notice the door was broken?"
Tim, now looking even more scared, shrugged his shoulders, "I was searching for my rollerblades. My friend pinched them and hid them somewhere. He's always doing it and I usually find them on this floor or the one above ours. At first, I was going to tell my mom about the door and then I decided to take a look in case Bella was inside hurt. I've seen COPS on TV, I know what happens when someone breaks in."
Carlisle, who had disappeared while the boy was talking, arrived back holding a pair of rollerblades which Tim immediately grabbed.
"See. where did you find them?"
"Where you said they would be, on the floor above yours underneath a cabinet."
"Thanks. Mom would have killed me if I lost them, They were really expensive. So is Bella OK?"
"Yes, she's fine. She wasn't here when it happened. Did you see who broke her door?"
He shook his head, "No. but I'll bet Mr Hancock did. He's always snooping out of his window."
"Can you show me?"
"Sure. You won't tell my Mom, will you? About being in Bella's apartment, she'll skin me."
"Is there anything you can tell me about what happened here? Anything at all?"
He thought about it then shook his head, "No. I didn't see anyone."
"OK then. You introduce me to Mr Hancock and I won't tell your mom, but in the future, if you see a broken door like this you call the cops. Don't go inside to look around. The guys who did this could have still been here. What might have happened then?"
The boy's eyes opened wide, he hadn't thought about that.
"I won't. Thanks."
While Carlisle went to talk to Mr Hancock, Rose and I started to collect Bella's files when I suddenly froze. I had heard something, a very faint noise that had been drowned by our conversation with Tim.
There was a flash of light and Rose ran out of the bedroom, "Get out now. Someone left a timed incendiary, the drapes are alight and the bed covers."
We grabbed what we could and ran out of the apartment calling the fire service as we did so and banging on doors along the corridor to alert other residents.
Carlisle met up with us outside as we watched the firefighters put out the fire. Luckily they had arrived very quickly so only Bella's apartment was damaged although there was a lot of smoke in the corridors and the whole place had been evacuated.
"Who is doing this, Carlisle? Did Mr Hancock tell you anything?"
As I took in Carlisle's expression I froze, "What? What did he see?"
"Not now, Esme. Too many ears. I'll tell you later. The police are on their way."
We spent the next two hours at the police station answering questions about why we were at Bella's apartment and what had happened. Tim's name was taken and a policewoman was detailed to talk to him.
When the police handed us over to the detectives I knew they were taking the arson attacks seriously.
They had linked the two fires and wanted to talk to Bella again so they followed us home, presumably so we couldn't speak to her before they did. They had nothing to hold us on once Tim had given them his story. We hadn't even been at the building when the break-in took place.
Bella looked dreadful by the time her interrogation was over. Not because they believed she had anything to do with either fire, but because she knew then that she had someone who wanted to hurt her.
The police took copies of the insurance documents and a list of her clients and customers as well as a list of everyone she had interacted with over the past month.
Just before they left one received a radio message and turned back, "Miss Swan, do you know anyone who drives a bright red convertible?"
Bella blinked, surprised by the question. "Yes. My ex-boyfriend Patrick King. Why?"
"And you say you and Mr King broke up recently? Was it acrimonious?"
"A little but he wouldn't stoop to burning my home and business down."
"Nevertheless we will be talking to him."
Carlisle spoke to the detectives before they left and when he came back into the house he looked grave.
"I've told them that you need to get away from here for a while and they have agreed as long as they have the address where you'll be staying, Bella, I think they fear there may be an attack on you personally and although we can protect you they don't know that. I suggest Jasper takes you somewhere quiet so you can get over the shock of what's happened recently."
Bella, who was white-faced and crying, nodded. She looked like a person at the end of their tether, close to a nervous breakdown and I agreed with Carlisle although I sensed there was something he wasn't telling Bella, or us for that matter.
"I'll contact Peter. We can go to the ranch. Bella will be safe enough there and it's peaceful."
Emmett snorted at the idea that anywhere Peter was could be classed as peaceful but he didn't say anything.
"Good. I suggest you leave as soon as possible, Jasper. It's a long drive. Bella, let me give you something to calm you down. Just for a few days."
Bella nodded and then rushed out of the room and we heard her vomiting in the bathroom a minute later.
"It's been too much for Bella. Her mother, Patrick, the gallery and now her home."
"So who's behind it, Carlisle? You know, or you suspect."
"Was it that scumbag boyfriend of hers?"
"I don't know anything for sure, Rose, but I doubt that Patrick was responsible, Emmett."
Jasper shook his head, "No. He was too scared of us to try anything. Besides, it's not really his style, is it? Arson? He wouldn't know how to put together a device."
"My thoughts exactly, Jasper. White-collar crime would be more his forte, setting the IRS onto Bella maybe. Anyhow she's coming back. Rose take her upstairs and help her to pack. Jasper, you call your friend. We'll take care of whatever is going on here once Bella is safely out of the way."
Bella was shaking as Rose went upstairs with her to pack for the trip and Jasper headed outside to call Peter, leaving Emmett, Carlisle and me alone.
Carlisle shook his head in warning as I opened my mouth to question him further.
"Later, Esme. I'll tell you what I suspect later."
I frowned then it hit me. If Patrick King wasn't responsible then who? Bella had no enemies that we were aware of and Jasper had been watching Bella long enough to know if there was. Unlessā¦Unless there was someone else. Another friend of Victoria's maybe that we knew nothing about.
Jasper
Bella was close to falling apart and I couldn't help her yet. Once we were on the road I could help her relax, maybe even sleep but for now, she was so upset and confused I didn't seem to be able to get through. Or was my inability to influence her emotions something to do with the gift that had prevented Edward from reading her thoughts. Maybe it was a defence mechanism.
I called the ranch and spoke to Charlotte which was a relief, she wouldn't ask too many questions.
"Major! We thought you'd forgotten us. Have you finished your quest?"
"Sorry, Charlotte. Yes, and no. Look, I need a favor."
"Sure what do you need?"
"I need somewhere safe and peaceful for Bella. I don't have time to explain right now but can we come to the ranch?"
If there was any hesitation it was momentary, "Of course, you don't need to ask. I'll make sure we have some things in for her. When can we expect you?"
"We're leaving soon but I think the drive will be too much in one go for Bella so the day after tomorrow?"
"Look forward to seeing you both and Major, don't worry about Peter. I'll make sure he's on his best behavior."
It had been so much easier talking to her and I knew Charlotte would lay down the law to Peter. He may be a loose cannon but she ruled the house and he would behave himself, for a while at least and we would be safe there from any kind of hassle.
I went up to find Bella sitting on the bed, tears rolling down her cheeks.
"Have you finished packing?"
She nodded, "Well, Rose did it. I don't seem to be able to think. Why would someone do this to me, Jasper? Who could hate me so much?"
I shrugged, "I don't know but we'll find out, and if it was Patrickā¦"
She shook her head, "No. Patrick would never get involved in something so vile and criminal. He's not violent, Jasper."
"Well, whoever it is they'll be wishing they'd never heard your name before this is over. Come on, we'll get away before Edward and Sasha get back."
She stood up and looked around at the two bags that waited for her, "That's all I own in the world now. Everything else is gone, destroyed. Even the photograph of my dad and the painting I bought that reminded me of you. My books, my clothes, everything."
I wrapped her in my arms, "Hey, the important thing is that you're OK. We can replace material things. I'm sure we can get you another photograph of Charlie too. Now, come and say goodbye to the others."
"Are you sure your friends want me to stay?"
"Knowing them, they can't wait to meet you in person. They were helping me to keep you safe for long enough. Just ignore anything Peter says, his mouth tends to move before his brain engages."
That elicited a weak smile from her and I carried her bags downstairs where the others were waiting to see us off.
Bella looked at me, "Where's your bag?"
I smiled, "The ranch is a home from home for me. I have stuff there. Peter and Charlotte are my other family."
She nodded but still looked puzzled. I didn't blame her. She only knew me as one of the Cullens when in fact I had been a Whitlock first and Peter had been like a brother to me for a very long time. One day I might tell her the story of how we met but now was certainly not the time!
Everyone embraced Bella and promised to keep in touch and let her know if they discovered anything.
"Look after her, Jasper."
"I will, Carlisle."
"We're going to miss you but I think getting away from Phoenix is the right thing."
Esme held Bella tight for a moment then let her go.
"Rose made some sandwiches for the trip and packed some sodas although I'm sure Jasper will stop for you to eat. See you soon, Bella."
Emmett loaded Bella's stuff in the trunk while Rose chatted to Bella as she climbed in the car.
"The cops still suspect Patrick but they're barking up the wrong tree, Jazz."
"Are you sure? It was his car that guy saw."
"Maybe but he wasn't driving it. I checked out the security system at his place, it was easy to break into. He was home all day."
"So someone wanted the cops to think it was him? Why?"
Emmett shrugged, "No idea, yet but we'll find the bastard responsible. You take care of Bella, man."
"I intend to. I'll be in touch."
Emmett nodded and walked back to the house. This was getting stranger, why would someone want to frame Patrick for the arson attack on Bella's apartment? And why was it so amateurish? It wouldn't take the cops long to find out what Emmett had and then he would be in the clear. I didn't like this one bit. There was someone working in the darkness. Someone we didn't know about yet. Was it connected to Victoria? It seemed unlikely. None of her friends had been particularly technology-savvy but that didn't mean that we hadn't missed one. Yet somehow this felt more personal and that worried me because I couldn't imagine anyone that Bella could have made hate her this much.
