SECRETS AND SPIES

Chapter Nineteen

Before I have a chance to respond to Bella's countdown, Sue's Big Ben chimes followed instantly by heavy banging on the door halt the conversation. From our hiding place in the kitchen, we hear Sue shout, "Who is it?"

"Police – open up."

"What's going on," Bella hisses. What do you know that I don't?"

"I met up with Yorkie, the detective handling dad's case. He warned me I may be arrested."

"What for?"

"Their excuse is I stood to inherit so now I'm a suspect. My guess is it's either their bullshit way of showing me they're taking dad's death seriously, or if there's a conspiracy in the police department someone thinks I'm getting too close to finding out what's going on or just asking too many questions."

"So you think the San Francisco police are behind your dad's disappearance?"

"Not the regular guys. They're getting their orders from higher up. Shhh!"

Sue doesn't mess about when she opens the door and for a brief moment, I feel sorry for the officer standing on her doorstep.

"Don't you bang on my door like that, asshole! There's absolutely no need for it. I'm old. You could've given me a heart attack. What the fuck is going on."

"Ma'am. We're looking for your neighbor, Edward Cullen."

"He's in Colorado. He doesn't live there."

"He flew back yesterday. Have you seen him?"

"Obviously not, if ... I ... said ... he ... was ... in ... Colorado. Jesus, are you dumb or something! How the fuck did you get through training?"

"Is that his SUV?"

"How the hell should I know? I don't stand at my window all day spying on my neighbors. Anyway, Wyatt Earp, why have you got your gun drawn? Edward's a decent, law-abiding young man and doesn't own a gun. He's just lost his father so doesn't need any more shit in his life, like a bunch of cowboys turning up on his doorstep waving their willies."

"He's wanted in connection to his father's death."

"That's bullshit. Where's your superior? Get him or her over here. That boy was devoted to his dad. Whoever suggested that is a fucking imbecile. Who is it?"

"So you're confirming you haven't seen him?"

"No I haven't, so fuck off and leave me alone."

"Will you call the police when he returns?"

"No, I fucking won't. I will tell him you've come calling so HE can decide whether to call you or not. If you ain't happy with that, you can arrest me for obstruction of justice. I … don't … fucking … care."

"That won't be necessary, ma'am. Sorry to have disturbed you."

We hear the door slam so hard the rest of the house shakes. Bella looks up at me and grins.

"Jesus – I thought soldiers cursed a lot, but Sue …"

"Fucking Fascists," Sue shouts as she walks towards the kitchen. I know for a fact she's beaming from ear to ear without seeing her face. Once a hippy, always a hippy!

"Quick, upstairs," she whispers as she opens the kitchen door. "In case the cops don't believe me."

"I don't think there's any chance of that," Bella giggles.

We creep out of the kitchen and race up to the top floor to a bedroom that overlooks the street. As I cautiously peer out on the scene below, it occurs to me that the armed officers could be there because they've been told the famed Isabella Swan is with me. Looking at Bella's face she seems genuinely shocked at the hardware on show. If she can get us out of this it will be a miracle.

"Did you arrange to meet Yorkie behind my back," Bella asks and I can tell she's still as pissed as she was when she abandoned me in the back yard.

"No. He followed me to the Headlands. He said my phone is being tracked by SFPD. I went to the Headlands to think. I used to go there when I was a kid."

"What did he want?"

It registers that Bella doesn't ask me straight away what I was thinking about. She's more interested in Yorkie.

"He didn't want anything. He found me to warn me about being arrested. He also owned up to dad's dental records not being used for identification purposes."

"Anything else?"

"Only that he couldn't confirm it was my dad's body in the car as he wasn't allowed anywhere near it. He said government people were on the Headlands but they wouldn't say which agency they were from."

"Is that it?"

"To do with dad, yes. He did say he was present when you stormed a hostage situation in the Napa Valley though. He knows who you are."

Bella's facial expression changes fleetingly. I can't tell whether it's through shock or surprise but she comes back immediately with a response.

"You mean who I was? I'm not working for the government anymore, remember."

"Yeah, I remember," I reply trying not to sound accusatory.

"That's what I was trained for, Edward. I was the best operative they had on the day. They used me because I'm easily overlooked."

"What do you mean?"

"My sex, my build, my youth; I could make myself up to look fourteen. The enemy would never consider me a threat. Their mistake."

"So if you were so good, why did the military let you go?"

"A job went wrong. A lot of people died. I had a breakdown and asked to be released early. They agreed. End of story."

"No more details?"

"Nope! Classified."

We move away from the window and Bella sits on the edge of the bed. I'm not ready to sit next to her so head for a low chair which was probably bright green velvet once but is now faded to a pale leafy color. I settle myself down and watch Bella playing with her hair, which is something she does when she's deep in thought.

Even though I hadn't absolutely made my mind up about trusting her again, the situation I'm in has changed. Either I give myself up to the police, which I'm not prepared to do, or give Bella the benefit of the doubt, or ... I run on my own. Whichever path I take is a risk but I'm not going to find out any more about what happened to dad if I'm locked in a cell.

It's a no-brainer – I have to trust her, only I'll need to be doubly cautious from now on.

"Why did you go to the Headlands to think," Bella asks. "Can't you think at home?"

"I can't think at all in San Francisco. I hate this city. I hate the noise and the atmosphere. I needed to be in an open space."

"So what did you think about, if you don't mind me asking?"

"I'll tell you; it's no secret. Over and above the fact that nothing to do with dad's disappearance and possible murder adds up, and I don't know who to trust or what to believe, I can't reconcile in my conscience whether I should be risking anyone else's life as well as my own looking for dad. I suppose Jake being shot hit me hard last night. I realized too late this isn't a game without consequences. The dentist confirming that the police lied to me was also a shock, even though I've suspected it. Then being chased by Victoria and Laurent. I suppose the culmination of everything that's happened in the last twenty-four hours just got to me."

Bella stays silent which makes me wonder if she believes me. I keep going.

"Despite what you said in the cabin about me being strong, I'm not used to this sort of life, Bella. I'm a gardener. I live on the side of a mountain in the middle of nowhere. I'm not a detective or a special agent. I haven't had military training or any history with the police or guns. I'm just an ordinary, regular guy. I'm only in this situation because I want to find my dad, or at least find out what happened to him, but I don't have the skills on my own to go up against professional criminals if that's what these people are."

"So, what do you want to do?"

"To be honest, until I spoke to Yorkie, I hadn't decided whether to stay in San Francisco or return to Colorado on the first flight. When he told me I was a suspect it pissed me off but it made me more determined to see this through. On the way back I was thinking about you a lot. Yorkie only confirmed what you'd already told me about your military background, but it hadn't occurred to me that you'd actually killed people. I'm still trying to get my head around that."

"Does it upset you?"

"No. Upset is the wrong word. Look, Bella, I haven't known you long and wouldn't claim to know much about you. I'd be a liar if what Yorkie told me hasn't unsettled me because now I'm seeing you in a totally different light."

"My background didn't seem to bother you in the hideout. In fact, my impression was it turned you on. It certainly didn't bother you last night. Don't you find me attractive anymore?"

"I don't know. I really don't. I'm still attracted to Designer Bella, Funny Bella with the stupid truck, Fascinating Bella who likes video games, Feisty Bella who stands up for herself. But the Bella sitting on the bed is Special Ops Bella. It's like you're a Barbie doll with different outfits in your closet. I can only see you in combats now. Yes, you were honest with me about your background when we were in the hideout and I agree; it didn't bother me. I like strong women – the feistier the better, but I don't know if I can block out your past easily. I just wish Yorkie hadn't given me graphic details of the raid."

Bella stares at me while she digests what I've said. To be honest I hadn't thought that deeply about how I felt about her but what I said was true. The Barbie comment seems crass now, but it wasn't meant that way.

"I've tried to block out that day too, Edward. That raid was the first time I'd shot anyone in a combat situation or self-defense. It still haunts me. I was ordered to have psychological testing afterward to check whether killing those mercenaries had affected me negatively."

"Had it?"

"They never tell you the results. Only the top brass know."

"James Hunter?"

"No; someone much further up the chain of command. Look, this isn't important now. We've got to get out of this mess without getting arrested. Is there a back way out of here?"

"Only by trespassing in the neighbors' yards. We can't do that in the daylight."

"We'll have to wait 'til dark then. We'll also have to get hold of another vehicle. Does Sue have a car?"

"No, she walks everywhere."

"So Grand Theft Auto is our only option."

"Not fucking likely, Bella. I'm not having that on my record."

"What do you suggest then?"

"I don't know. I was hoping you had a plan."

"Keeping you out of jail is my number one priority. Is your cell switched off?"

"Yes, which means I can't call Emmett or anyone else and they can't call me."

"Would Sue let you use the house phone?"

"Sure, but without switching my cell on I don't know hardly anyone's number. I never bother memorizing them anymore."

"Who's picking up The Yard's calls?"

"Shit, yes. I forgot about that line. They take it in turns. It's Saturday. I could call the office. Get them to call here if they find out anything."

"Or my burner phone."

"I haven't told them you're here yet. I just said I knew where you were."

Bella gets up from the bed and wanders over to the door. "Is there a bathroom on this floor?"

"No, you'll have to go down to the middle floor. I'll stay here and keep watch."

Bella leaves the room and unnecessarily closes the door behind her, which immediately alerts me that she might be making more secretive calls. I listen to her footsteps on the stairs followed by doors opening on the floor below as she checks which one is the bathroom. After I hear a lock click I pull myself out of the chair, creep across to the door and carefully open it. I can hear Sue muttering about fascists in the living room directly below me and a car revving its engine outside, otherwise the house is silent. Praying the floorboards don't creak, I tiptoe to the room directly above the bathroom and listen.

My heart pounds in my chest when I detect Bella's voice above the noise of the running water she's using to cover any sound escaping from the room. I can't make out anything she's saying apart from one word – Yorkie. I don't need to hear any more. My fears have been confirmed. Bella is reporting in to whoever is controlling her and she's just compromised Eric Yorkie, which is my fault for trusting her.

The sound of the toilet flushing covers the end of her conversation. I use the opportunity to race back to the bedroom and close the door. There's no mirror in here so I can't check whether my face is flushed. My blood pressure must be through the roof though as I'm so fucking angry; not just with Bella, but with myself. I should've trusted my instincts and not confided in her, but it's too late now.

"Hey, you okay?" Bella asks as she comes through the door.

"Fine, why?"

"You look hot, in a non-sexual way." Bella laughs at her own joke.

"It's boiling up here. Sue's air con doesn't touch these rooms. I've probably got sunstroke too – I was out in the open too long."

"Right," Bella says sounding unconvinced. She looks at me strangely then wanders back to the bed.

"So what are we going to do?" I ask again.

"I don't know. How did you leave it with Yorkie?"

"I just said goodbye. That was it."

Bella raises her eyebrows but doesn't pursue it. I'm not going to tell her now that Yorkie said if he heard anything on the grapevine he'd let me know. Because my cell is turned off and the house is surrounded by armed police, his ability to contact me has been reduced somewhat.

We hear footsteps coming up the stairs. Sue knocks twice then sticks her head around the door before coming in.

"They're pulling back. I opened a window and could hear them talking. They're watching the house from the bottom of the hill and patrolling the surrounding streets. I guess they're counting on you trying to get back to the house under cover of darkness."

Bella doesn't say anything. She just nods her head and looks at me. I shrug my shoulders.

"You can stay here as long as you like, Edward. You too, Bella. They'll get fed up soon and give up."

"Thanks, Sue," I say, even though I have no intention of putting Sue at risk any longer than necessary. We need to get out of here and fast.

"Can I use your house phone," I ask.

"Sure. Use the one in my bedroom," she replies without asking why. But that's Sue.

Leaving Bella and Sue talking about the situation outside, I shoot down to the middle floor and into Sue's bedroom which overlooks the back yard. Crawling on my hands and knees to avoid being spotted through the window, I slide the landline phone off the nightstand and tap in The Yard's number, hoping and praying whoever has diverted it to their phone hasn't switched it to voicemail. It rings three times until it's picked up by Alice. I butt in before she gets through the standard Yard response.

"Alice, it's Edward. Are you on your own?"

"No, I'm with the others. Why are you calling The Yard from a landline?"

"The police have put a tracer on my phone. Can you put me on speaker?"

"Sure."

I wait a few seconds until I hear them all shouting greetings. Their cheery voices make me wish I was in Colorado with them, and not hiding from armed police in a city I'm beginning to despise.

"Listen up, guys. I'm in trouble here. I've found out there's a warrant out for my arrest. I've been warned by a friendly cop that I'm a suspect in my dad's death. I can't go into details now, but you won't be able to contact me so don't bother trying."

There's a chorus of 'Holy Craps' and similar in the background and I hear Emmett asking Alice for the phone.

"Ed … what do you want us to do? We can be on the next flight over if you need help."

"No, Em. Stay at the ranch. You're safe there. If the police question you, just tell them the truth about where I am and why I've come here, but nothing of what I told you about what my dad was working on. I'll try and stay in touch."

"What about Bella. Do you want us to warn her?"

"Bella's here with me. It's a long story. She's on a different number so don't bother trying to contact either of us."

"Where are you now?"

"At a friend's house; I'm not saying anymore so you won't have to tell any lies, okay?"

"Yeah fine; look after yourself, Ed. Don't do anything stupid."

"I can't guarantee that. Actually, there is one thing you guys can do for me. Look up the number for Jeremiah Jenks. He's my dad's lawyer. Can you call him and tell him I'm on the run. He might be able to find out who or what's behind this."

"Sure. We'll do that now. Stay safe, Edward."

"I'll try."

I hang up and replace the phone on the nightstand. There's an old number I memorized years ago I need to call. It's a landline so he may have got rid of it by now but still worth giving it a go. It rings three times before connecting.

"Mike, I haven't got much time. I need you to do some digging for me urgently, and I don't mean in your back yard!"

As I'm crawling across the floor to go back upstairs the front doorbell chimes. I stop crawling when I get to the top of the stairs. Sue comes down from above and passes me. I can see she's already bristling through being disturbed again.

"I won't let them in, Edward, unless they've got a fucking warrant."

"Okay," I say, grinning. I just hope they don't barge past her as soon as she opens the door. Even Sue won't be able to stop a San Francisco Swat Team.

Bella is on the floor above looking down the stairwell. I don't know how I'll communicate with her without giving away that I'll never trust her again? Not only is she still working for Hunter, but it's occurred to me she could be faking her feelings for me.

Sue opens the front door and I hold my breath.

"Who the hell are YOU?" she says to the poor soul on her step.

"I'm Detective Eric Yorkie, ma'am. Will you give this message to Edward and Bella? I know they're here but I'm not going to give them away. I've written a number down where Edward can contact me if he wants to. It's my burner cell phone. Tell him I'm here to help."

Sue hesitates for a moment. She's obviously assessing whether she should trust him or not.

"Okay," she says. "If I see either of them, I'll pass your message on."

"Thank you, and have a good day. Oh, and another thing, ma'am. If any more officers come to your door, go easy on them. The previous guy is likely to be in therapy for months."

Sue laughs as she closes the door. "Not fucking likely," she mutters as she ascends the stairs and passes the message to me.

"Do you trust him, Edward?"

"Yeah …. Yeah, I do. Let's see what this says."

Edward,

The shift at the bottom of the hill changes at six. I'll bring my car up on the pretext of speaking to your neighbor again. This will be your only opportunity to get away. If you're ready to take a chance, tell your neighbor to draw the drapes on the first-floor windows. I'll know then to leave my car doors unlocked.

Eric.

While I'm reading this, Bella comes down and stands behind me. I pass the message to her and wait for her response.

"Great, but I'll have to get a change of clothes from somewhere."

I stand up and look her straight in the eye.

"You're presuming I want you to come with me?"

Bella's face changes in an instant. Her eyes narrow and I notice her fists clench. This is it then; crunch time. I can't help it but my next words are venomous.

"Why the fuck should I take anyone with me who makes secretive phone calls from gardens and bathrooms to God knows who behind my back? My life could be on the line here. My liberty definitely is?"

"You think I'm a traitor?" Bella shrieks. She advances towards me as though she's going to hit me.

"You tell me who you're really working for and I'll tell you what I think," I respond just as angrily.

"Think on this before you say one more word, Edward Cullen. Let's turn this on its head. Why the fuck should I trust you? You've given me and everyone else a sob story about your saintly father, but why should I believe anything you say? You could be the best actor on the planet for all I know, and your dad could be a monster. What proof can you give me that you're not behind your father's disappearance? Why should I take anything you say as gospel? I've been trained not to trust what anyone tells me, ever. I find out my own truths. As far as I know, you could be working for the fucking Chinese."

Fury is building up in me as she spits her venom at me. But she's right. Why should she believe me? I've expected her to believe everything I've told her about dad without question. It's a plausible scenario that I would want to profit off dad's discoveries and could be working with a tech giant for money and that my grief is all a front. I have to remain calm though because whether she believes me or not, she's still communicating with someone behind my back.

"Because I'm not lying, Bella. You should've worked that out when you rescued me from the cabin that night. Those guys in the SUVs did not have my best interests at heart."

"Your father warned you he was caught between Titans, remember. Nobody knows who the enemy really is. I still don't know who those guys are."

"So who were you calling from the bathroom, Bella? I need to know."

"Who do you think, idiot? I was calling Yorkie, telling him where we were and that we needed help."

I was not expecting that answer. Is this another lie? Think, Edward, think.

"You could've called him from the bedroom, Bella. There's no reason to be secretive about that when you knew I'd spoken to him earlier and he'd voluntarily given me information. Anyway, how did you have his number?"

"He's the detective in charge of your dad's case. Of course I have his number. I'm a professional, Edward, unless you hadn't noticed. I haven't spoken to Yorkie before now. I called him in private because I had to check out what you'd said to him before deciding what to do next."

"Who were you calling from the garden then?"

"I called an ex-army colleague who I thought might be able to give me info on Victoria. He lost touch with her eighteen months ago so couldn't help. I still can't believe she's gone back to Laurent. She hated every bone in his body when he was arrested for the drugs scam."

"What about the second call?"

"That's personal and nothing to do with you or your dad. Could I leave it like that?"

"Why didn't you tell me this in Mike's kitchen?"

"I was pissed you asked me, number one, and also I didn't want to talk in front of Mike."

I still don't know whether to believe her but I'm not in the right frame of mind to continue the argument. I've a massive problem that needs solving and I haven't got a clue what to do next, even if I manage to get away with Yorkie's help.

"So, what are we going to do next?"

"We're going to run, Edward, and then we're going to find out who's holding your dad, if he's still alive."

I hear a cough and look behind me. I'd totally forgotten Sue was there. She'd been sitting on the stairs and heard every word. She stands up and smiles at both of us.

"Bella, go to my bedroom and pick something suitable to wear while I put some more coffee on. I think we all need to calm down. Is Pizza okay for both of you at five-thirty?"

I smile at her and nod my head. "That would be great. We'll be out of your hair by six."

"Okay, Edward, but your priority, both of you, is to get out of each other's hair first. If you two have secrets and are lying to one another, whatever you're planning to do will fail. Think on that."

Without saying anything Bella spins on her heel and heads for Sue's bedroom while I head for the bathroom where I splash cold water on my sunburned face. As I stare at my reflection in the mirror I know Sue is right but how are we ever going to get over this towering wall of distrust that separates us.

It's gone four o'clock already, which means I've got less than two hours to figure out how, or give myself up to the police.

"Holy crap!"

Bella was very quick with her responses when Edward challenged her, so do you think he should believe her. He definitely wants to believe her as he has no other options.

Sue is hilarious - that poor officer is probably a quivering wreck now. 'How to deal with an ageing hippy' probably isn't in the training manual.

So, it's 'escape from San Francisco' next, but where to? Is Yorkie trustworthy?

I'm getting some great guesses where this is heading - some of you are very near the mark (dammit).

Joan x