What about the pamper day friends Peter arranged for?
Chapter Forty Three
Carlisle
I was puzzled when we got back to the house to find Jasper wasn't there waiting for us. He'd eluded pursuit and we had checked for paint splatters. Peter and I had won as only Edward had been tagged. That didn't sit well with my youngest son, especially as one of the tags had been mine but he'd get over it.
Emmett went to the barn to let Hugo out. He had been barking furiously since he heard us return and ran straight over running rings around us and crying to be fussed.
As he returned Emmett sounded a little uneasy, "I'm sorry, Peter. It looks like Hugo objected to being locked up all night. He's clawed huge furrows down the wall and splintered the wooden locking bar. He must have been stressed out. He's tried digging his way out."
Peter waved off Emmett's concerns. He didn't appear to care that the huge dog had caused so much damage.
"Perhaps we should call Jasper. Tell him that he's safe."
Peter looked at me disdainfully then pointed upwards, "See that great big fucking yellow ball in the sky, Doc? That tells us it's sunrise. Even the Major couldn't miss that. He knows he's won. I guess he's just making us wait. He'll probably make a big fucking entrance real soon."
We showered and changed then split up the list of chores Charlotte had left for us but Hugo refused to settle. He ran from person to person yelping and bumping legs until Peter threatened to lock him back in the barn. He then sat in the middle of the yard staring down the track and making little noises in his throat. He must be missing Bella but after spending time with Emmett surely he should settle down?
By mid-afternoon Jasper still hadn't shown himself. Was he just avoiding the chores or more likely, avoiding Peter who wouldn't miss any opportunity to get one over on his friend before the wedding?
Checking his watch Peter cursed and pulled out his phone. "I'd better call Masie and tell her the pamper treat is off. I wouldn't mind but I'll still have to pay her. Guess it's just one more thing the Major will owe me for. He's ruining all my fun."
I thought Peter sounded troubled rather than irate but decided not to say anything just yet.
When he still hadn't turned up by dusk and wasn't answering his phone I confronted Peter.
"OK, enough is enough. Where is Jasper?"
Peter shrugged, "How the fuck should I know?"
"Because this is just the sort of stunt you'd pull. Hiding your friend away and making us all worry."
Peter looked at me with disdain, "Hey, Doc. For your information, the Major is my friend. I wouldn't fuck up his wedding. Besides, if you remember, I've been with you since yesterday evening."
He was right of course. Then I remembered that we had split up for a while. Long enough for Peter to do something.
When I pointed that out to him he retaliated by pointing out I'd had the same opportunity and we discovered that everyone had been alone at some point during the night.
"I'll call the girls. See if he's been in touch."
Before I could stop him Peter called. To my surprise, he spoke to Esme, not Charlotte, and I have to say he handled it quite well.
"He's not been in touch with them either. So where the fuck is he?"
Deciding someone should answer Peter, I ventured a suggestion.
"Do you think he's just winding us up? You know, staying out of sight to worry us?"
Peter shrugged, "I guess he might be, but I doubt it. He'd be missing an opportunity to crow about how he eluded us all."
"Maybe he went off the ranch."
I looked over at Gabriel who had just spoken, "Even if he did he should be back by now."
Peter sighed heavily, "Then I guess we'd better go find him. Let's split up, we can cover more ground that way."
I was nervous about splitting up, in case Peter or one of the others had pulled the disappearance, but what he said made sense.
"Emmett you go south. Edward and Gabriel, head east, Carlisle you get the west and I'll take the north. It's the trickiest part of the ranch with bogs and thick undergrowth."
I thought it best to have some kind of deadline.
"OK, but we keep in touch by phone and meet back here in an hour whatever we find."
Hopefully, we would return to find Jasper waiting for us. A big smile on his face.
The others agreed and set off. It wasn't going to be easy because we'd already been trampling the ground for twelve hours hunting Jasper and the scents were either fading or becoming mixed up.
Emmett called Hugo but the dog had already run off on his own and refused to come back.
"Great! That's all we fucking need. To lose Bella's dog and her husband."
Emmett shrugged, "He'll find his way back." then they set off.
Keeping Peter back I waited until we were alone before confronting him. He shrugged off my grip on his arm testily.
"What? We don't have time to fuck about, Carlisle."
I hesitated, he was beginning to look genuinely worried but I was still suspicious.
"If this is one of your games, Peter…"
He scowled, "One of my games? What the fuck are you talking about?"
I plunged on, "Look, we all know that you like to play jokes on people or wind them up and that's fair enough. However, this isn't funny any longer"
I found myself staring into his eyes from inches away as he grabbed my collar and pulled me close.
"Now you listen to me, Cullen. If I was responsible for this I would hardly be running around like a headless fucking chicken. I don't know where the Major is. All I know is that he should have been back hours ago. Even if he wanted to wind us up he would have arrived by now. So, I'm thinking there's something wrong. You can go look or stay here and count your fucking digits but just get the hell out of my way."
As I struggled to keep my balance after being thrust forcefully backwards Peter took off. It was his actions as much as anything that forced me to accept he had nothing to do with Jasper's continued absence. But, if not Peter, then who or what?
As I began searching I called Edward.
"Any luck. Carlisle?"
"No, nothing. You?"
"Nope. I crossed his trail close to the creek but then lost it again. Do you think Peter is responsible?"
"No, I don't. Not any more. Edward. Have you heard anything suspicious? I mean among our party."
"No, I haven't but you don't suspect Emmett or me do you?"
"Not really. I just wondered if you'd picked up any stray thoughts that might lead you to think someone knew more than they were saying."
"I don't find it as easy to read minds clearly since I met Sasha. I think it's her gift that interferes with mine. I thought while we were apart it would clear but everything is still slightly out of shape. I hear odd words rather than complete thoughts. It didn't bother me too much until now."
"What about Gabriel?"
"Gabriel? He's odd. It's like I'm hearing two people at the same time. I don't know if it's because he thinks in Portuguese and English or if he starts in one and lapses back into the other. What I don't understand is why anyone would want to cause trouble for Bella and Jasper."
"I can think of several people if we're being honest."
Edward's voice was cold when he replied, "I take it you are including me in that list? Let me guess, Sasha maybe? Gabriel? Alice? If it's not Peter then it must be one of us."
"I didn't say that but you have to admit that you all have motives."
"Oh really? And what are they? I broke things off with Bella, not the other way around remember? Alice broke up with Jasper so what's her motive? Petty jealousy? As for Sasha, she's bent over backwards to be helpful but you still suspect her too. We can't win, Carlisle. Anyhow, I did not kidnap my brother and if you don't mind I'm going to keep on searching while you start to whittle down your list of suspects."
I'd upset him and he was right. No one had a good reason to do something to Jasper, and to be honest if we hadn't been able to catch him over twelve hours when we knew where he was, how could anyone else? Jasper was too canny to get ambushed. Unfortunately, none of that made me feel any more hopeful. The truth was, he was missing and his wedding was in less than 24 hours. We had to find him before Bella got back or there would be all hell to pay. She wouldn't believe that one of us hadn't caused his disappearance.
An hour later we met up once more. No one had found Jasper or any clue as to his whereabouts and I was now becoming extremely concerned.
"I think we should call the girls again. Bella has a right to know what's happening."
"And what exactly has happened, Carlisle? What are you going to tell her? Sorry, but we lost your fiance. Don't you think it would be better to keep looking and let her get a good night's sleep? After all, there's fuck all she can do except worry."
Peter was right of course, but it felt wrong keeping this troubling news from Bella.
"Who would want to stop Jasper from getting married?"
I glanced at Emmett, at least someone was thinking rationally.
"That's a very good question, Em. If he isn't just winding us up then he has an enemy who wants to ruin his big day."
Peter sighed, "Not necessarily. It may have nothing to do with the wedding. The Major has enemies, most of whom would like him dead. If one came across him and saw an opportunity they would take it. The problem is that I can't think of one capable of taking him. Did anyone find unusual tracks while you were out there?"
Emmett and I shook our heads which left only Edward and Gabriel.
Peter stared accusingly at them.
"Well? Anything Eddie boy? Don't be shy now. Or is this down to you? Pissed that Bella chose the better man maybe?"
Edward scowled, "No. I had nothing to do with it and I didn't find anything except there were signs someone or something slipped on the creek edge. Could have been a deer or something. Hugo was there sniffing around."
"A deer? And I thought you were supposed to be the bright one of the family. How many deer have you seen slip into a fucking creek unless they've been shot?"
I stepped between a now enraged Edward and Peter, "We can't afford to argue among ourselves. Let's go see that spot at the creek."
Peter sneered, "Before we go haring off on a wild goose chase why don't we take a look closer to home."
He gestured to Emmett and Edward to close up then continued, "Gabriel, what about you? You're being pretty fucking quiet."
I turned to look at Alice's husband, aware that the atmosphere had cooled considerably.
"What about me?"
"Well, you don't seem very concerned that the Major is missing. Do you know something we don't?"
Gabriel no longer looked like the innocent young man that Alice had introduced to us just a few weeks ago. Now he looked older and more dangerous and feeling the same way I did the boys closed in until they stood at the young man's shoulders.
"I don't know what you mean."
"Like fuck you don't. See, I keep wondering how come someone managed to creep onto the ranch and get the drop on the Major and none of us suspected a fucking thing."
"Well, maybe you aren't as clever as you think."
"Oh, I'm not clever but I do have a gift. I smell danger coming, yet I sensed nothing. We're all pretty good at tracking. Even the Doc there isn't a slouch yet not one of us has found anything useful."
"Maybe you've been listening to your own press releases for too long."
Peter smiled coldly, "Maybe. But then there's Eddy boy. His gift isn't working properly either. You have to admit it's suspicious."
"I don't have to admit anything except that word of your arrogance wasn't overplayed. You really do think you're good, don't you?"
"Nope. I know I am and I know a snake when I see one. What I don't know yet is why. I mean, you didn't come here to play games off your own back. No, you're a pawn and what I want to know is who's behind you?"
Gabriel tensed but must have known that there was no escape. Emmett's hands shot out and caught him by the shoulders, his knuckles turning white with the pressure he was using.
Gabriel didn't seem to care, nor was he intimidated.
"What? Are you going to threaten me? Beat me until I tell you what it is you think I know?"
Peter studied the young man's face closely, his eyes narrowing into dangerous slits.
"A pawn prepared to die. Now that is unusual these days. So, was any of it real?"
Gabriel spat at Peter's feet, "Any of what?"
"Your thing with Alice? I'm assuming with the gift you have, some way of fucking up other gifts, you could easily persuade the crazy bitch that you were the one."
Peter had hit a nerve. Gabriel attempted to launch himself at his accuser but was held firm by Emmett and Edward.
"Are you saying he wormed his way into Alice's affections just to get to Jasper? That's a bit of a stretch, Peter."
Peter turned very slowly and regarded me coldly, "I wish I lived in your cozy little world where no one lies or cheats or kills. It must be mighty comfortable there in the land of rainbows and fucking unicorns."
I opened my mouth to answer him, but he had already turned back to Gabriel.
"So, was any of it true?"
Gabriel's lips remained firmly closed as he returned Peter's stare.
"Well, I guess there's one way to tell."
He took out his phone and hit dial.
"I'll have Charlotte take Alice out for a little chat. She can be mighty persuasive if she needs to be. Maybe the two of you are in it together. Women will do just about anything to feed their spite."
"Leave Alice out of this."
"Your choice, Amigo."
Something told me that Gabriel truly cared for Alice which meant that Peter had all the leverage he needed. What concerned me was what he might be prepared to do to my daughter to get the truth out of Gabriel. If that is, the young man was actually guilty of anything.
"Peter…"
He turned on me, eyes flashing dangerously, "Shut the fuck up, Cullen."
Taken aback I wasn't sure what to do and neither were Emmett or Edward. They looked from Peter to me but neither loosened their grip on Gabriel.
"Char, we've got a problem. I need you to take Alice somewhere quiet and keep her there. If she gives you any trouble, you know what to do. Ask Sasha to help you, she has no conflict of loyalty."
Charlotte never questioned him. She trusted Peter completely and was happy to wait for answers.
Gabriel struggled again but couldn't break free.
"Now, my friend. I'm thinking maybe whoever sent you here didn't know you would fall so hard for Alice Cullen. This has been a long while in the planning. Someone wants revenge or to make a name for themselves and you were heaven fucking sent. Who is it and where should we be looking?"
"Just a minute, Peter. Alice saw a vision of Gabriel. She found him. Not the other way around."
"I'll bet even she believes that, Doc. It's not that difficult to confuse a gift as nebulous as hers. If you spoke to her I'll bet you'd find someone mentioned him to her, or we've got another gift involved. This stinks of the Volturi but I'm guessing they wouldn't bother playing games. If they wanted the Major to disappear he'd have been gone long ago. So, who are we looking at?"
"What about Bruce King?"
We all stared at Edward and Peter rolled his eyes, "Did he strike you as the kinda man who had dealings with vampires? You really are a fucking idiot."
I wouldn't have put it quite the way Peter did but I had to agree that it had been a stupid idea!
Gabriel continued to stare defiantly at Peter which I thought was a very bad idea. I may not be his biggest fan but I knew his loyalty to Jasper would drive him to any length to find his friend.
"You want to play chicken with me, Gabriel? Fine, but let me assure you that you'll be the first fucker to blink."
I closed my eyes in defeat knowing this was about to turn ugly and that there was nothing I could do to stop it.
Deciding I had to at least try I stepped forward but suddenly a huge furry shape leapt into the middle of us growling menacingly at Gabriel. It seems even the dog suspected him and like Peter, it would seem that Hugo had a very short fuse!
