Chapter Twenty Three
Esme
Once Bella and Jasper were safely on their way I rounded on Carlisle.
"Well? Come on, what have you been hiding from us?"
Rosalie, hearing my question came over looking puzzled, "Yes, Carlisle, what is it that you're keeping to yourself?"
He sighed and slumped onto the couch gesturing for us to join him. He called Emmett over too.
"Have you found anything else, Emmett?"
"Not yet, I'm still gaining access to the rest of the CCTV footage of the surrounding buildings."
"And you will I take it? Before the police do?"
He nodded, "Sure. The program is still running and there are only two more to break into."
I was becoming frustrated with all this ambiguity.
"Carlisle!"
He nodded, "I'm sorry but it is important. When I spoke to Mr Hancock, the old man that Tim introduced me to, he told me something very interesting. He'd seen the red convertible parked behind the building a couple of times before. And he'd seen the driver. A man who fits Patrick's description…"
"I knew it. That man is evil. How could he? I wouldn't be surprised if Bella's mom wasn't involved too."
"Rosalie!", I was shocked at her bitter tone but Carlisle ignored her outburst and carried on.
"However, the driver on this occasion was not the same man. Nor was the licence plate. Someone wanted the police to think it was Patrick parked out there."
"So someone knew about the breakup and used it to hide their identity? But why? And who?"
"I don't have all the answers yet, Esme. However, I can tell you that the person who was driving the convertible was male and it was he who ransacked and set fire to Bella's apartment and I'm pretty sure it was the same person who torched the gallery."
"OK, but who is he?"
Carlisle turned to Emmett, "Have you got a copy of the image showing our arsonist?"
Emmett rose and retrieved his Ipad turning the screen for us to see the figure. I didn't recognize him. Just a young man with dark curly hair and a thin ratlike face.
"Who is he?"
"We're working on it, but I have my suspicions. And that's why I didn't want to say anything to Bella."
"Well? Don't keep us in suspense, Carlisle."
I was getting more worried by the second, what was Carlisle so unwilling to say?"
"It occurred to me that if Patrick isn't involved then I can think of only one person who might want Bella to suffer although I'm still at a loss for a real motive. It occurred to me that these fires only occurred after Edward and Sasha left."
Rose and I were shocked, "You suspect Edward?"
"More Sasha, actually. You see, Esme, I was not as blind to her actions and attitudes as you thought. I admit I didn't want to believe she was a bad influence on Edward or could be petty and cruel but…"
I wasn't convinced, even though I agreed with Carlisle's assessment of our daughter in law.
"But why, Carlisle? She doesn't even know Bella and Edward is hers so jealousy can't be behind it."
He shrugged, "That's where I hit a brick wall. I have no idea but we are digging into her past. Have you found anything there Emmett?"
"Plenty, but nothing that helps us understand why she would target Bella. Her family were killed in a fire, she was the only survivor, which is a coincidence. Her savior was a nomad who was interested in her."
"Do we know who her sire was?"
"Yes. A guy called Camus, but he's been dead for centuries. He joined the Romanians and was killed by the Volturi during the power struggle."
"And Bella has no connection with the Volturi so that can't be a motive."
Rose picked up the Ipad and stared at the man pensively.
"Emmett, where have you looked for this guy's identity?"
"Police databases but he doesn't have a record or not one I could find."
"So he's not a felon. Carlisle, how would Sasha find this guy? I mean you can't just go up to some stranger and offer him money to burn down two properties."
"Maybe she used Edward to find someone who would be approachable through his thoughts."
Rose shook her head, "This doesn't feel like Edward's sort of thing. I doubt he hates Bella sufficiently to ruin her life, even for Sasha. Besides, he knows if he did and Jasper found out he'd be a dead man."
Rose had a point and I felt we were back at the start with no real suspect and only the rat-faced guy as a clue. Then something occurred to me.
"If you have a photograph of the guy you think set the fires what else are you and Emmett expecting to find on the other cameras?"
"It's just a long shot but I wondered if the person who hired our man might be somewhere near at hand."
Rose stood staring at the photograph but her mind was far away.
"Is this why you didn't tell Jasper?"
"I didn't tell Jasper, Esme, because as Rose has pointed out, I could well be wrong and I knew if I told him there was a good chance he would either leave Bella with Peter and Charlotte and go looking for Edward himself or send them to hunt Edward down and I doubt any of them would ask questions before pulling the trigger."
Carlisle was right, of course. As far as Jasper was concerned Bella was his mate and he would do whatever was necessary to keep her safe.
"You're wrong, Carlisle. Neither Edward nor Sasha has any reason to hurt Bella. I think the fact that you don't like Sasha much has colored your thoughts. If Edward suspected his wife was out to hurt Bella he would soon put a stop to it. He doesn't hate Bella. If anything he feels guilty at the way he treated her. No, someone else is behind this."
"Thank you, Rose. I felt I had to put the theory out there or fear being accused of blindness to both Edward's and Sasha's shortcomings. I'm glad you feel that way although it doesn't help us to discover who was responsible."
Bella
I knew we were headed to Boulder to stay with Jasper's friends but I was very nervous at the thought of meeting them. What if they didn't like me? Then I remembered that was the least of my worries right now. There was someone out there who hated me enough to destroy everything I possessed. Did they assume I was in the apartment or didn't they care?
I kept seeing Patrick's face when I told him it was over. He was so hurt and angry but surely he wouldn't stoop so low? It wasn't as if the fires were going to make me run back into his arms. Then I saw Renee's face. She had stood there backing Patrick against me. The thought that my own mother could be so cruel hurt. She had said some terrible things and I would never forgive her.
If only Charlie was still alive. I missed him terribly right now because he would have stood up for me even if he disagreed with my decisions. He'd always been there as a quiet presence in my life and especially since I got to know him better after moving to Forks. I just wish I'd been more appreciative. I wish he had been a more constant presence in my life, but Renee had seen to it that he couldn't by moving around all the time and telling me small things that didn't register at the time but I realized later had been meant to push us apart.
These thoughts made me cry again and I cursed hoping that Carlisle's meds would kick in so I could stop the constant weeping. I was sure Jasper must be getting fed up with it.
As if he could read my mind he took my hand and squeezed it gently, "Bella, you've been through a lot recently. More than anyone should be forced to face. Let's try to think of happier things."
I twirled my engagement ring and managed a smile, "OK. I guess I should get a wedding ring on here before you decide you don't want to marry a wreck like me."
"Hey, I love you, wreck or not, and once we get to Boulder I know you'll feel better."
"Do you think they'll find out who is doing this?"
"The cops? Probably not, or if they do it will be too late. My money is on Emmett and Carlisle. They're pretty good at finding things out when they want to."
I was overcome with sudden terror, "You won't leave me to go looking for whoever it is, will you?"
He smiled at me, "I promised I wouldn't leave you and I won't. They don't need my help."
I nodded feeling relieved and as the miles rolled by I felt myself beginning to relax. The fear was still there but it was partially hidden by a chemical fog. I hated taking pills but I knew I wouldn't have made it to Boulder without help and Jasper needed his wits about him to drive us there safely. I began to feel safer too. Whoever was out to hurt me to couldn't be any worse than Victoria and her friends and Jasper and his friends had kept me safe from them for almost four years so why should I be worried now?
We stopped after a couple of hours so I could use the restroom to tidy up and get some coffee. I groaned seeing my reflection in the mirror. My eyes were red and puffy and I looked as white as a sheet. Very sexy Bella, I'm surprised he hasn't run for the hills by now. Even as I thought it I knew Jasper would never leave me and with him at my side I was invulnerable.
I didn't want to eat so we pressed on for another few hours and when I woke from sleep I was shocked to see it was dark.
"How long was I out?"
"A couple of hours that's all. How are you feeling?"
"Better. I'm not sure if it's getting away from Phoenix or the meds."
"It could be the company, maybe?"
I smiled at him, "Are you fishing for compliments?"
"I could be."
"OK then maybe it's the company. How much further is it?"
I felt like a child chanting are we there yet? But I couldn't help myself. I could do with stretching my legs and I was finally beginning to feel hungry.
"It's quite a way yet. I thought we might stop at a motel tonight and carry on tomorrow. You must be exhausted and hungry."
"Yes on both counts. Thank you."
"For what? Caring? That goes with the territory soon to be Mrs Whitlock."
I smiled, "Bella Whitlock. That sounds nice."
"I'm glad you like it. Here we are. I'll pull in and rent a room. You go into the diner and order. I'll join you in a few minutes."
"Do you think it safe?"
He nodded and winked, "I wouldn't suggest it if I didn't think so but I'll be watching you."
I almost ran into the diner and sat by the window from where I could see the office door. It was strange how vulnerable I suddenly felt and that didn't ease until I saw Jasper coming to join me.
"I ordered for both of us. I thought it would look less odd."
He grinned, "If I can manage a Christmas dinner I'm sure I can cope with whatever you've selected."
I felt more comfortable as we sat together eating. We looked like any normal couple on a road trip or on the way back from a day out and I liked it. The diner was also somewhere Patrick would never have considered. It had to be a restaurant, a pricy one with a menu I could only half understand. Why he should think that a French name for a dish I would have understood in English should make it three times the price or more was a mystery to me.
We walked to the motel arm in arm talking about the way the server had made eyes at him and the looks he got from several other diners. I would have to get used to my partner being eye candy for every hot-blooded woman on earth.
"Do you really think that?"
I nodded, "I saw the way the girls looked at you."
"But did you see the way the guys were looking at you?"
I laughed, "Rubbish."
"OK if you say so."
I studied him expecting to see he was grinning but he was straight-faced. I knew I was no beauty but he saw me differently and for that I was grateful.
The room was small but warm and cozy and to my delight had a bathtub.
Seeing my smile Jasper suggested that I have a long soak while he called his friends to let them know we would be there sometime tomorrow and check if Carlisle had any news for us.
I almost fell asleep in the tub feeling more relaxed than I had for days and decided that drowning myself was a really bad move considering the alternative. A night alone with my fiance. The first time we had truly been alone since he proposed to me.
I wrapped my bathrobe around me and went into the bedroom to find him sitting cross-legged on the bed.
"You look better. Did you leave any hot water for me?"
"Of course. Any news?"
"No, not yet but they are looking. Oh, and Peter says he's looking forward to meeting you."
"Really? Why?"
"He says because he's interested in meeting the girl who stole my heart."
I smiled blushing furiously, "That's nice."
"Yes, and most unusual for Peter. I think he's under a threat."
"What's he like?"
"Peter? He's difficult to describe. Let's just say once met, never forgotten."
I wasn't sure I wanted to meet this guy, Esme had called him unusual and now Jasper tells me he's unforgettable.
"Don't worry Bella. Peter's bark is far worse than his bite and he's like a brother to me. He and Charlotte saved my life."
I warmed to him immediately. "How?"
"It's a long story. I promise I'll tell you some time but it's not a tale for bedtime."
He wrapped me in his arms and kissed me before disappearing into the bathroom leaving me waiting for his return.
I slipped into bed and turned the TV on flicking through the stations without really noticing the programs.
Looking up when I heard the door open, there he stood with a towel wrapped around his waist and looking like a God.
He grinned as I looked him over, "Wow! Now I know how a horse feels at auction. Interested in what you see ma'am?"
I smiled back, "I might be, but I'd like a closer inspection."
"I see. Well, be sure to let me know what you decide later."
I knew I was blushing again but I didn't care. "Oh, I will."
A second later he was with me in bed and the TV was forgotten as he pulled me into his arms and kissed me. Our naked bodies touching and setting my blood on fire.
