Chapter Forty Five

Carlisle

I could see that things were going to go to hell fast if I didn't step in. Peter didn't care how he got answers from Gabriel just that he did and I was sure that Hugo would be only too pleased to aid him.

The dog was now standing at Gabriel's feet, his huge teeth showing as he continued to growl, eyes fixed.

I turned to Emmett, "For goodness sake call Hugo off. I can't hear myself think."

As Emmett tried to coax the huge dog away from Gabriel I continued, "Peter. Wouldn't it be better to find out if Gabriel is actually guilty of anything before you decide to beat the 'truth' out of him?"

Peter was about to answer when his phone rang and he moved away to speak to the caller.

Taking the opportunity this presented, I faced Gabriel who stood defiantly between Emmett and Edward. His eyes were fixed on the dog who looked like he was about to tear free of Emmett's grip if Gabriel gave him any reason to do so.

"Gabriel, I don't know if you're guilty or not. If not then you're playing a very dangerous game. I'm not sure I can protect you from Peter. He's a very loyal friend of Jasper and if he thinks you know what happened then he won't care what he has to do in order to find him."

Gabriel stared at me defiantly, "I don't need your protection old man. Everyone knows you're a weakling. Worrying about the humans and spending all your time caring for them. Do you really think I need your help?"

"Maybe not, but do you have any idea what Peter is capable of?"

Gabriel's face twisted into a cruel smile, "I thought the Major was the dangerous one and it didn't do him much good, now did it? Someone still got past his defenses. Unless you think he's playing with us and hiding out somewhere laughing."

I stared into those cold muddy brown eyes. Gabriel now appeared as one of those vampires who didn't care. Not about anything, except maybe Alice?

Peter rejoined us and I could see he'd received some news. From his expression, it was nothing good.

"So, who lied to Alice then?'' he turned to me, "It appears Gabriel here forgot to tell Alice that he was turned in Mexico."

I frowned. I was sure Esme had told me that Gabriel had been living in Brazil when he was turned.

Turning back to Gabriel Peter's arm shot out like a snake strike and grabbed him by the throat.

"I'm not going to fuck about, Gabriel. Either you tell me what you know about my friend's disappearance or I'll…"

Gabriel sneered, "You'll what? Slap me around? Rip my head off? I'm not afraid of you and I know that Charlotte wouldn't kill Alice. She's not as cold-blooded as you, Captain Whitlock."

Peter smiled, not a friendly expression, more like the one a lion gives its prey before it sinks its teeth into the prey's jugular.

"You think so? I don't know who you got your information from but it's seriously misguided. Charlotte would kill Alice without blinking and don't forget who else is with your precious wife. Sasha has no ties to Alice. She doesn't care who she kills and I doubt there is anything Edward could say that would stop her. Just ask him if you don't believe me."

I wasn't as sure as Peter about that, but it seemed that Gabriel was. He now looked genuinely worried.

"You wouldn't. Carlisle wouldn't tolerate it."

A loud chuckle erupted from Peter's throat, "And you think he could stop me? I don't dance to his tune and neither does Sasha. We're true vampires, just like you. Now, where is he?"

Gabriel shook his head, "I don't know."

"And if you did you wouldn't tell me, right?"

"Something like that."

"Who are you working for?"

Gabriel shook his head and Peter's grip on his throat tightened, "You might want to reconsider that reply."

I saw a flicker of doubt cross Gabriel's face but then his resolve stiffened and he shook his head again.

"OK, we'll do it your way but don't say I didn't fucking warn you."

He hit speed dial and we heard Charlotte's voice.

"Any news, Peter?"

"No. He's playing coy. I think he needs a little persuasion."

We heard movement and then a scream, long and blood-curdling.

"Alice? Alice?"

"Don't worry, Gabriel. It was only an arm. Next time she might not be so lucky."

Sasha sounded dangerous.

I couldn't stand by and listen to Alice being tortured, "Peter! Sasha! You can't do this."

Peter didn't even turn his head but his tone was icy, "Don't, Cullen. Just you fucking don't."

Sasha spoke up again, "Peter's not the one doing anything, Carlisle. I have that pleasure. You once told me that caring is universal. You can't choose who you care for. You're wrong. You only care for those who are worthy and not a lying scumbag like Gabriel. If he chooses not to care about his mate then so be it. I think she's caught a lucky break. It's best to find out who will watch your back before someone comes along with a knife to plunge into it. If Gabriel truly cared about Alice he would speak up."

I could see that Gabriel was torn and wondered who he was working for. Was it likely that it could be someone who scared him more than Peter?

"Fuck it, tear something else off."

I put a hand up to remonstrate with Peter but I was too late. There was another heart-rending scream from Alice and then we heard her begging Gabriel to tell us what we wanted to know. That told me that whatever Gabriel was involved in Alice was ignorant of it and that was a relief.

"Stop! She doesn't know anything. Alice isn't involved in this."

"I don't give a fuck. Tell me what I want to know or next time it's her fucking head."

"Peter! Enough. You can't just torture an innocent person."

Peter's eyes narrowed as he regarded me coldly.

"The fuck I can't. Try and stop me, Cullen."

He turned back to Gabriel, "Well? Your move, dickhead."

Gabriel seemed to shrink. His tough man demeanour was now gone. He looked like a scared young man, not a weathered veteran. He was no match for Peter.

I pleaded with him, "Gabriel. I think you should tell us what you know before things get worse."

"Good advice, you should take it or the next thing Sasha does is to start burning the body parts she's collected."

I felt sick. I knew Peter was loyal to Jasper and that his life had been hard and brutal just like Jasper's but this was taking things to the extreme. I wasn't even sure Bella should be subjected to such creatures but that was out of my hands.

What surprised me was that neither Emmett nor Edward had spoken up in Gabriel's defence, or Alice's. They should at least be defending their sister. Why weren't they? Where had I gone wrong with them?

"OK. OK, I'll tell you but I want to speak to Alice first. I need to know that she's safe. Then I'll tell you everything I know."

Peter studied him for a minute then nodded, "Fine, but if you double-cross me I'll make sure Alice burns and I promise you that you won't even be able to find her fucking ashes."

Gabriel nodded his understanding and took the phone that Peter held out to him with a shaking hand.

Charlotte

Personally, I thought Peter was taking things a little too far, although if I'd been standing where he was maybe I would think differently.

We'd heard everything as my phone was on speaker and I nodded to Sasha who held the phone closer to Alice.

"Are you OK, Alice? I'm so sorry to put you through all this."

Alice's voice was soft and tremulous as she answered Gabriel.

"You lied to me, Gabriel. Was anything you told me the truth? Or was it all a pack of lies so you could get close to Jasper?"

"None of it was lies, I promise you. I love you, Alice. It's just…Well, I had no choice. I promise I'll make it up to you. I'll tell them what they want to know and no one will hurt you any more. I do love you, Alice."

Alice didn't answer Gabriel, instead, she motioned for me to cut the connection which I did after promising Peter we would stand by for any further instructions.

"So. It would appear Gabriel has been stringing you along. It will be interesting to discover if his gift made you think he was the one for you, Alice."

I glared at Sasha, there was no need to rub it in. Alice must be feeling wretched enough.

She appeared to be in love with Gabriel and it must have been awful having to lie to him. Allowing him to think that we were actually torturing her. Still, it was better than the reality of having limbs torn off as I had pointed out to her.

When I knew what Peter had planned I laid it on the line for Alice.

"I don't much care what happens to you. We've never been friends. But I don't particularly enjoy torturing people. If you play along you might find out who Gabriel really is and how much of your love is real. If not, then I'm sure Sasha will be only too happy to help out. It's your choice, Alice."

Sasha looked only too ready and willing for a little sport and I wondered how she and Edward had ended up as a couple. He was happy to mentally torture people with his gift and clever wit but he wasn't a monster. I couldn't see Edward resorting to physical torture.

Sasha beamed, "Just say the word. It's been ages since I had any fun. Edward can be such a stuffed shirt. He disapproves of such things.

Alice stared at Sasha and then turned to me, "So, you've decided I'm not involved in whatever is going on?"

"Let's just say I don't think you hate Bella or the Major enough to try and ruin their day and this is a little melodramatic for your taste."

She appeared reassured by my words, "I'm not involved. I am, however, interested in what Gabriel has to say, so OK. I'll go along with you to a point, but if Peter starts pounding on him all bets are off. We don't know he's done anything to Jasper. I mean you only have to look at him to see that would be impossible. All he's done to me is to mislead me and I doubt Peter would punish him for that. He's more likely to give him a medal knowing how your husband feels about me."

Alice had played her part and now sat there looking as if someone had just told her that her pet dog had died.

"I'm sorry Alice. It must be hard for you."

Sasha laughed, "The seer who didn't see the blow coming, How ironic. Now you know how the rest of us feel all the time. We never see it coming. I noticed you never told Gabriel that you loved him back. Was that deliberate?."

"Sasha. Enough."

Sasha shrugged, "Okay. you're no fun, Charlotte. I was looking forward to a little dismemberment. It's ironic really. Me being the one who turned Gabriel. It's a small world, isn't it?"

"I don't like coincidences. They make me nervous."

That wiped the smile off Sasha's face, "Well, this was a coincidence. How could I know that he would end up with Alice? I didn't even know she existed at the time, Edward or Jasper either. She's the one who can see into the future, not me, remember?"

Sasha was right of course, but it still seemed a stretch to me.

"Shall we join the others now? Only this basement is a little depressing. We'll have to tell Bella, of course. She has a right to know what's happening."

I was about to remonstrate with Sasha when I realized she was right. Bella had a right to know that Jasper was missing. I just wished we had some good news for her too, but that would have to wait until I heard from Peter. Hopefully, Gabriel could tell us where the Major was, or at least who was responsible for his disappearance.

When we got back to the suite I could see that something had happened. Esme was standing by the bedroom door while Rose was on the phone. Did they already know?

Seeing us return Bella came rushing out of the bedroom and confronted me.

"Charlotte, what's going on? No one is telling me anything, but I know something is wrong. Esme won't let me call the ranch. She told me the guys aren't there but she can't tell me how she knows. Now Emmett has called Rose and she's being really careful not to let me listen in. I don't care what anyone says I'm going back to the ranch. Now, are you going to drive me or shall I call a cab?"

She seemed to notice Alice's expression at this point.

"What's wrong with you?"

"Bella. If you just calm down I'll explain the situation."

She eyed me suspiciously before nodding and seating herself on the edge of the couch.

"I'm listening."

I explained briefly. I couldn't go into details because I didn't know them. None of us did.

"Right, that's it. Take me back, Now."

Esme sighed and tried to comfort Bella but it was a hopeless task. Bella was so upset she was visibly shaking and wouldn't even look at Alice who shrank into a corner when she understood that no one wanted anything to do with her.

I put my arm around Bella's shoulders and explained that the guys had kept Jasper's disappearance from her because they had hoped to have found him by now.

"And Gabriel? Has he told them anything useful?"

I glanced at Rosalie who shrugged, "Emmett didn't know. Peter and Carlisle took him into the house to speak to him while Em called me.

Esme went downstairs to settle the hotel bill while we packed everything into the car.

"I'm so sorry, Bella. You have to believe me. I didn't know anything."

Bella stared coldly at Alice, "And you didn't see anything either? How convenient."

"Bella. We think Gabriel has a gift of his own that interferes with others. Edward didn't hear anything, Peter didn't feel anything, and Alice didn't see anything. I'm sure Peter will have news by the time we get to the ranch. Try not to worry too much. The Major can take care of himself."

She turned to me, "Not if Gabriel's gift affected him too."

She had a point, I didn't know what to say to that and was relieved when Esme joined us and we started for the ranch in an uneasy silence.

After a few minutes, Bella turned to Alice who sat behind her, "If anything happens to Jasper I'll make sure both you and Gabriel pay."

Alice frowned and opened her mouth to speak then put her hands to her head as if in pain.

Esme glanced at her, "What's wrong, Alice? Do you see something?"

Alice shook her head and groaned, "It feels like my head is in a vice. The pain is terrible. What's going on, Esme?"

We looked at each other in bafflement, how could Alice feel pain like that? No one was near her except Esme and Rosalie. Bella had elected to sit in the front with me.

Then I noticed that Bella was concentrating on Alice, sheer hatred on her face.

"Bella? Bella?"

She turned her attention to me and slowly Alice's hands dropped. Had anyone else noticed? I glanced in the rearview mirror. It appeared not.

Bella was waiting for me to speak but I didn't want to discuss what I suspected in the car so I grabbed my phone.

"Would you like to talk to Peter? He might know something by now."

She nodded and took it from me but I noticed Alice watching her warily. Was Bella gifted too? It was usually becoming a vampire that made a gift powerful but Bella was undoubtedly unusual. I just worried about what her gift might be and how well she could control it. I doubted that she even knew about it yet.

Edward had been unable to hear her thoughts so she certainly had powers. I just hoped she wouldn't turn them on the wrong people, even unconsciously.