Chapter Forty Four

Bella

I couldn't shrug off the feeling that something wasn't right. I think Peter's call to Esme had set the alarm bells ringing. Why would he call Esme rather than Charlotte? He wasn't exactly a fan of any of the Cullens.

When the others returned from their evening out I pushed the niggling doubt to the back of my mind and listened as they began to relate their adventures.

It seemed that Alice, having wanted some time to herself and leaving earlier, had met up with the others after half an hour. I thought her inability to see whatever had tried to get through worried her. Maybe she had thought time alone would clear the vision although she said nothing about it to anyone and I didn't like to ask her.

Charlotte's phone ringing interrupted the story telling and a few seconds later she jumped up asking Alice and Sasha to join her outside.

"What's going on, Charlotte?"

She smiled at me reassuringly, "Nothing for you to worry about. The guys just want a girl's take on something. We won't be long, Bella."

I noticed the quick glance that passed between Charlotte, Esme and Rose and as soon as we were alone I quizzed Esme about it.

"What's going on, Esme? Something isn't right. I can feel it."

"Really, Bella. I have no idea what the guys are up to but I suspect they're just running an idea by the girls before deciding what to do. Peter's probably come up with a crazy scheme and the others are hoping Alice or Sasha can talk him out of it."

Rose added her thoughts, trying, and almost succeeding, in sounding reassuring.

"It could be some last minute glitches, Bella. They often crop up at weddings."

"You think so? Tell me, Esme. Why did Peter call you?"

She smiled but it appeared a little forced to me and proceeded to ignore the question. Or was I just being paranoid?

"I know. Why don't we watch Peter's DVD again? I was really surprised that he could be so thoughtful. Those photographs of Charlie were lovely. I always thought he was a handsome looking guy."

Rose jumped in before I could answer, "I have a feeling that there's more to Peter than meets the eye."

I nodded, agreeing with her statement. What you saw was not necessarily all there was as far as Peter Whitlock was concerned.

She slid the DVD into the machine and pressed play and I found my concerns melting away as I saw myself as a little girl with both my parents.

I did feel a pang of regret as it occurred to me that my dad wouldn't be walking me down the aisle tomorrow. How I would have loved that, him too.

As for Renee, well, I felt sorry that she had turned into the kind of parent she had but I wasn't going to miss her presence. All the people I loved and who cared about me would be there and in the end, that's all that mattered.

Charlotte

I had no idea what was going on but I did recognize that tone of voice. Something was seriously wrong or Peter wouldn't have called and while I was curious to know what I understood that now was not the time to start asking questions. Instead, I did exactly what Peter had asked and Sasha and Alice followed me out, both looking curious.

Once out of the suite I led the way into the elevator and pushed the button for the parking garage beneath the hotel.

Alice frowned, "Don't tell me the guys forgot to get something important like the flowers? They really are useless without us around."

Sasha appeared to have read the atmosphere better and frowned at me, "Why so mysterious? Are you going to tell us what's going on?"

I nodded in reply to her question, "Sure. Once we get downstairs I'll explain everything."

Alice stared at me pensively then shrugged and shot Sasha an enquiring look but Edward's wife was busy studying her nails and ignored both of us.

The garage was huge and when we first arrived I'd noticed a maintenance door in the far left corner which led down to the services, the heating system and such stuff. Hopefully, at this time of the night, it would be deserted. It was the only place I could think of where we could hold Alice without causing any difficult questions from the others. Of course, I had no idea why we were doing so or how long this was likely to go on.

As soon as we were settled I'd call Peter back for some details.

The other two followed me through the door and into a dimly lit corridor with stairs going down into the basement of the building.

"Charlotte, where are we going? What's going on?"

"In a minute, Alice. As soon as we get downstairs."

"You said that before."

She looked around at the huge pipes that ran along the walls and the machinery which hummed in the semi-darkness.

"Don't tell me they kidnapped Jasper and tied him up down here? Now, that would be funny."

I wondered momentarily if she could be right before dismissing the idea as silly. No, whatever was going on it had nothing to do with stupid pranks. Peter's tone had been far too serious for that.

"Or maybe we're going to kidnap Bella and keep her down here. You know, make Jasper hunt for his bride. It's the sort of thing your crazy husband would think amusing."

She waited but getting no reply she fell silent. I could see she was becoming more and more uneasy as we descended the stairs and found a small office come workshop off to one side.

I gestured for the others to make themselves comfortable, "I won't be a minute."

A glance at Sasha behind Alice's back put her on alert and she positioned herself between the door and Alice while I went to call Peter back.

Moving far enough away that Alice wouldn't be able to hear the conversation I dialed my husband's number and waited for him to pick up.

As soon as he did so I snapped, "What the hell is going on? Why am I playing secret agent?"

"Did you do as I asked?"

"Yes. We're in the basement of the hotel. No one will be around this time of night unless there's an emergency. What happened? Why am I supposed to hold Alice? What's she done? If she plans on ruining this wedding I'll kill her myself."

"Keep this to yourself, for now, Charlotte. The Major's missing and I think Gabriel may be involved."

I was stunned, "Missing? Is this one of your stupid stunts, Peter?"

He growled angrily, "No, of course not. We split up last night and were supposed to meet up again at dawn. He never showed. We've looked everywhere and there's nothing. No sign of him."

"What do you mean he never showed?"

"Just what I fucking said. He never showed up. He's gone. Vanished.

I struggled to make sense of what I'd just heard.

"And you think he's been kidnapped? How is that possible? Didn't you feel anything?"

"No, I didn't. And that's why I think Gabriel is involved. Edward's gift isn't

working, neither is Alice's, and mine let me down. The only person we don't know is Gabriel. I think he's got a gift that fucks with others. It's the only explanation that makes sense. No one could creep up on the Major otherwise."

"But why? What possible motive could he have for doing such a thing? If anyone, his beef should be with Sasha."

"If I knew why I wouldn't be speaking to you right now. Alice is our leverage. If he won't talk, you can take care of her."

I still couldn't believe it but my mind was working overtime, "Oh God, poor Bella. Do you think Alice is involved too?"

"How the fuck should I know? I'm not a fucking mind reader. However, I intend to find out. I asked you to bring Sasha along because she doesn't have a history with Alice Cullen and things could get nasty.

Talk to Alice, see if she knows anything. If she doesn't, then see if she has any idea who Gabriel might be working for. Ring me as soon as you get anything and don't tell Bella. I'm hoping we can find him before the wedding."

"Peter! I can't leave her in the dark."

"Yes, you can. At least until we can tell her more than just the fact that her bridegroom has disappeared into the fucking ether!"

I wasn't happy keeping the truth from Bella, but he was probably right. What was the point in upsetting her until we knew something?"

I promised to call him as soon as I had anything and then rejoined the others and closed the door.

"We have a problem, ladies."

They both looked up at me frowning, but it was Alice who broke the silence, "A problem? What kind of problem?"

I stared at her, "I was rather hoping that you might be able to tell me, Alice."

She stared at me, her eyes narrowed now, "Me? What's going on Charlotte? Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Yes, I'd like to know too. Am I here because you suspect me of being involved in your problem too?"

I turned to Sasha, "No, you're here to help me persuade Alice to tell us what she knows."

Sasha smiled looking suddenly delighted, "Oh good. This could be interesting. Alice, what is it that you know?"

Alice shrugged, "About what? I have no idea what Charlotte is talking about. Do you?"

"No, but I'm sure she'll fill us in. If I had to guess I'd say something had happened back at the ranch and I'd further guess it has something to do with Jasper. Why else would Peter be asking us to grill you?"

Alice turned to me, "Something happened to Jasper? What happened?"

"You tell me, Alice. What did you see earlier that upset you?"

She frowned then remembered her earlier vision, "I didn't see anything. If I had, I would have told you."

I wasn't sure that I believed her but for now, I would give her the benefit of the doubt.

Well. If you aren't directly involved then maybe you can tell us who Gabriel is working for?"

Her frown deepened, "Gabriel? What's he got to do with anything?"

Sasha tapped the desk, "It might be helpful if you told us what's happened, Charlotte. All we know right now is that it concerns Bella and Jasper."

Alice jumped in, "Gabriel had never even met them until yesterday. So, whatever is going on. Why would you think that he was involved?"

I leaned forward to stare into her face, "Well this is how it was put to me. Jasper is missing and the only stranger in our midst is your husband. See how that might make us suspicious?"

She nodded, "Well, yes, but that doesn't make it true."

Sasha worried her lip for a moment before stepping in, "I'm sorry if this is going to sound a little naive but isn't Jasper supposed to be this Supersoldier? How could anyone get the drop on him? And how come the others haven't managed to find him? There must be tracks surely?"

Alice nodded eagerly, "Yes, and how come Edward didn't hear the suspect's thoughts? Maybe he's involved."

Sasha laughed, "Edward? Please. He's no match for Jasper and he wouldn't do anything without telling me. So, back to your boy. What do you know about him?"

Sasha waited and when Alice failed to answer her she stepped forward, "I can slap it out of you if you prefer."

Alice bared her teeth but didn't follow up on the threat. Instead, she went on the attack.

"Why ask me? After all, you're the one who turned him."

I thought about that for a moment, "What can you tell me, Sasha?"

She perched on the edge of the battered desk and closed her eyes as if visualising the moment she had met Gabriel.

"Well, it was night time. I was hunting for prey in Mexico City and wandered into the Neza-Chalco-Ixta slum. Do you know how large that is? Lots of doomed poverty-stricken people live there. I thought I was doing them a favor. Plucking them from their miserable lives.

"You ran into Gabriel in Mexico?"

Alice sounded confused.

"That's what I said. Why?"

Alice shook her head but I thought it had come as a shock to her. So, where had he told her he came from?

"Was he alone? Did he say anything?"

Sasha laughed, "Of course he was alone. I don't usually invite an audience when I dine and I didn't spend much time in conversation. Do you usually talk to your meals?"

So, all we knew was that Gabriel had lived in Mexico City. Why did that set my hair on end?

"What about you, Alice?"

"What can I tell you? I met Gabriel, we recognized what we meant to each other and we've been together ever since."

"And he never told you about himself?"

"Of course he did. He ran away from an orphanage and made his way alone in the slums. When he realized the path he was treading he wanted a way out and she…" Alice pointed a finger accusingly at Sasha, "told him she was working with a charity that could help. He believed her and let his guard down. You know the rest."

Sasha burst out laughing, "Is that what he told you? Do I look like a charity worker? He was after something a little more basic than a new life I can assure you."

Alice's look was thunderous but Sasha ignored it and continued.

"I lured him into an alley and while he was fumbling about I bit him. I'll admit he was a good looking youngster but a little inexperienced for my tastes."

I broke in, "Why didn't you drain him, Sasha? You just said you'd taken him for his blood."

She frowned, "Something happened to disturb me. Now, what was it?"

She thought for a moment and then her face cleared, "There was trouble, some kind of disturbance. I thought it was the cops doing a sweep and I didn't want to be discovered standing over a drained corpse."

"You said you thought it was the cops? So it wasn't?"

She smiled, "No, it was a round-up of some kind. The locals were terrified. They scattered like ants and I decided to make myself scarce."

"A round-up?"

"Yes. I don't know exactly. As I said, I didn't hang around."

"Did you hear anything?"

Sasha shook her head and then stopped, "Actually I did hear a name. There was a lot of whispering. Carlos, that was it. I don't suppose that's of any help though. Half the boys in the area were called Carlos or Sanchez."

She noticed the expression on my face and stopped, "What? What did I say?"

When I didn't answer she turned to Alice, "Do you know why Charlotte is looking like I just poked her in the eye?"

Alice stared at me. Yes, she knew. Jasper must have told her the stories of the Southern Covens and that the leader of one was called Carlos. He picked up his new recruits in Mexico City but that didn't explain why Gabriel should be involved in the Major's disappearance. Or did it?