SECRETS AND SPIES
Chapter Twenty-Two
James Hunter's story
A heavy ashtray flies across the room and smashes into the door frame. Throwing objects is James Hunter's preferred method to dissipate his anger. Boxing and judo come a close second and third. The ashtray was closest to hand today.
"What the actual fuck," James yells as he tugs at his dark blonde hair and digs his fingernails into his scalp. This basic distraction technique doesn't stop reality lodging in his head which means James finally has to accept that he's been taken for a very expensive ride.
Victoria appears in the doorway, her eyebrows raised in shock. Even though Laurent warned her this might happen she still presumed James would get the news he'd been waiting for. Bottles of Champagne were in the cooler ready for a celebration that obviously won't be happening now, so the next few hours would be challenging for anyone in James' vicinity.
"Is it bad?" she asks nervously as she steps into the office, carefully avoiding the shattered glass and cigarette stubs. She'd seen James angry before but this is next level. His posture is menacing; his face red with fury, his eyes bulging with rage. He'd never taken his anger out on a member of his staff as far as she knew but she daren't move closer as there's always a first time for everything.
"I've been shafted, Tori. I've checked the bank. Not one fucking cent has been deposited. Their cell numbers are dead. It's like they never fucking existed. I've been a fool for trusting them for so long."
"Is there anything you can do?"
"Nah, and they know it. What we did was illegal. All that time, effort, and risk for nothing."
"How much?"
"Half a mill. More than fifty percent profit. The rest covered expenses I paid upfront. The bastards have effectively stolen over 200k from me and my guys have worked for nothing for six weeks."
"Holy shit! Where does that leave us with the bank?"
"Don't ask. The mortgages won't get paid this month. You guys won't either."
Victoria doesn't blink an eye. James has had cash-flow problems before but he'd eventually find a way to pay the bills. He hadn't let her down yet. There's always a first time for that as well.
"Lucky we've only got one job on at the moment then," she replies lightly, attempting to sound positive. "How many people are we employing over and above the three of us, Jane in Atlanta, and the security details?"
"Edmunds and Franks in San Francisco watching Cullen; Swan in Colorado watching his son. I've paid Swan half upfront. She needed cash for her mom's medical bills. I shouldn't have been so fucking generous."
"Yeah, well, you've always had a soft spot for her, so own it, James."
"Nah, she's not my type."
"Bullshit – she is."
"You're my type, Tori. You know that. Redheads do something to me. Look, darling, just leave me alone. I need to think this through. I'm not losing all this because of those crackhead assholes in Colombia. Believe me, I'll catch up with them someday. They won't know what's hit 'em.
Victoria pulls the office door closed behind her and heads to the kitchen where Laurent is making coffee.
"You were right; they've turned him over," she says philosophically as she takes a seat on the barstool next to him.
Laurent scoffs as he passes her a cup. Without asking permission he fingers her long curls as he drawls his response.
"Never trust drug dealers, Tori, especially South American ones. I warned him, but James always thinks he knows better. I know these people and they'll kill you without a second thought. Payment is always optional."
Victoria sighs as she swirls cream in her coffee. She'd refused so far to take contracts James offered her that were dangerous, including the one that had just backfired. The protection contract she was about to commence in Tennessee would give her some breathing space. Whether she came back from there was debatable.
"James is getting desperate, Lauri. He's got cash-flow problems again and work is drying up. There're too many other companies out there doing what we're doing now. My guess is he'll take on something stupid and risky again. I like the money, but I'm getting worried we may get dragged under with him. I might not come back after I've finished in Tennessee."
Laurent slides his arm around her shoulders and pulls her in for a kiss.
"One more year working for James, Tori, and then you and I can retire to my island in the Caribbean."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
Existing on a military pension had never been Hunter's plan when he left Special Forces. His goal was to acquire wealth quickly and retire when he was still relatively young and healthy. Building a legitimate security company that provided protection to the powerful, rich and famous, and then sell it as a profitable business had been his aim and the first eighteen month's income had been good. By the end of the second year, work wasn't as abundant. There were too many other companies like his springing up which meant profits were not going to be enough for James to achieve his ambition to retire in a manner he aspired to before he was fifty.
The means to increase his income rapidly but illegally came to James via word of mouth from one of his satisfied clients. To begin with he'd refused as money earned legally was still trickling in. When expenses began to outweigh profits, James was compelled to review his business plan.
Blurring the lines between what was legal or not became too much of a temptation. Laurent convinced James that having the cover of a legitimate protection business would mean it would be easy to launder fees paid by dubious clients for dubious jobs. The contracts being dangled rewarded according to how legal, illegal, or dangerous they were and eventually James decided to take a chance.
He put together a small team of ex-military colleagues, including several who'd been dishonorably discharged. His private army trained at the ranch he owned in Bakersfield, but this facility stretched his finances to breaking point. It wasn't long before he regretted not keeping his business in a more manageable size as the outgoings meant he constantly had cash-flow problems. The more desperate he became, the more risks he took, including one industrial espionage contract he bitterly regretted taking on.
From his time in the Service, James was well aware of the dangers associated with drug Cartels. The smuggling deal with the South Americans he knew was risky; the promised payment too tempting to refuse. Pure greed had been the reason he'd allowed himself to be talked into being paid after the job was complete. It was an expensive mistake he now had to reconcile in his head and his bank account.
After Victoria leaves the room, James considers his limited options. He'd been in this financial position before but always had jobs in the pipeline to keep his bank account in the black. This time the situation was different. His phone hadn't rung for days and he needed cash quickly. A quarter of a million dollars would give him breathing space. Half a million he would be flying again. He could reduce his staff, sell Bakersfield, and eventually return to being an honest, tax-paying citizen again without the stress of looking over his shoulder every moment of the day. One more high-paying job; that's all he needed.
A number stored on his cell tempts him. Li could be the answer to his problems. He'd worked with Li before on a highly illegal contract but promised himself when the job was done that this would be a one-off. After doing business with Li, James discovered even the Triads were frightened of him which in anybody's book is bad news.
Li specialized in intellectual and industrial property theft, including weapons, medicinal drugs and computer technology. The payment Li offered James had been mouth-watering, but James had discovered too late that he'd unwittingly played a part in the Chinese obtaining details of the latest US Guided Missile System. James was mortified when he realized what he'd done, but couldn't inform on Li without incriminating himself.
The payment he received for that job was dirty, even to James' corrupt standards. As he'd devoted most of his adult life to serving his country, he passed every cent of profit after expenses to a veterans' charity to ease his conscience. This helped him sleep at night, but he was still overwhelmed with guilt.
Patriotic or any other type of scruples are luxuries James knows he can't afford anymore, so after a few deep breaths, he hits the phone icon next to the number he always promised himself he'd delete. While he waits for the call to be answered, he recalls the phone call in April when a guy called Jacques van Wyk from Johannesburg hired him to protect Carlisle Cullen and his son.
After he'd agreed to take on the contract, he thoroughly investigated Carlisle and Edward Cullen; standard procedure for every personal protection job he took on. Knowing as much as possible about the subjects he was paid to protect James considered to be the most vital part of his job.
Carlisle Cullen's Wikipedia page astounded him. James quickly realized he'd been charged with protecting the computer world's equivalent of science's Einstein. His first surprise was discovering that Carlisle lived in an admittedly expensive but otherwise ordinary district of San Francisco, and not in an over-the-top gated property in one of the more exclusive parts of the Bay Area. Learning that Carlisle could have been super-rich, but instead had become a philanthropist after the death of his wife, was the second and even bigger surprise.
Edward's resume was less impressive with very little information online, only that he was the sole proprietor of a landscape gardening business in Colorado. Initially, James couldn't understand why Jacques wanted to have Edward protected as well. When he read up on Carlisle's inventions it made sense.
James then investigated the South African laboratory to establish their connection with the Cullen's. Once he Googled the laboratory's name, recent reports of their ground-breaking work where they connected a human brain to a computer using an EEG machine were the first pages to come up. The breakthrough had been reported extensively in articles and on TV but not in the type of magazines or channels he would usually read or watch. Science had never interested him.
After listening to an interview where Jacques admitted his laboratory had come to a dead-end taking the research further, James made an educated guess this was what Carlisle was working on. He'd been intrigued at the concept which even he realized could be game-changing, but initially, the notion to use this information to his advantage didn't enter his head, even though his team had already taken on a small number of industrial espionage contracts.
He recalled his first thoughts when Jacques hung up. He was being paid handsomely to protect two guys in the United States because of a threat from nutters in South Africa. This would be easy money he thought at the time. Now, if he could use what he knew about Carlisle Cullen, this innocuous contract could get him out of trouble and give him the opportunity he needed to return his life to some sort of order.
After about fifteen rings, James considers hanging up. He'd prefer not to leave a message on voice mail and is about to disconnect when the call is answered. He recognizes Li's voice immediately and shudders in revulsion because of what he's learned about this man. For a fleeting moment he contemplates saying to Li he hit his number by mistake but desperation stops him. Li speaks first; his strong Asian accent resembling an archetypal video-game villain.
"Hunter. I wasn't expecting to hear from you again. What do you want?"
James swallows hard. This is it. Once he crosses the line there'll be no going back.
"I have a proposition for you, Mr Li, but it'll cost you."
"What type of proposition?"
"Next level computer technology. I know who's developing it. It's accessible, but only by me."
"I need more details."
"No, that's it. You'll have to trust me as I trusted you. You won't be disappointed. I've done my homework and worked out what this guy is creating. Whoever has this device will rule the technology world."
"That's an extraordinary claim, Hunter. Since when did you become a computer genius?"
"These are extraordinary times, Mr Li, and as I said, I've done my homework on this guy. I want half a million dollars; two-fifty paid upfront tomorrow to give you sole interest and to cover expenses. Any later, I'll go somewhere else. If I can't deliver the goods you can have your investment back but I know you won't want to do that."
The line goes quiet and James visibly perspires. Li is still there though as James can hear background noises, including a woman talking in Mandarin, a language he knows quite well.
"Two-fifty will be deposited in your bank tomorrow, Hunter. I'll call after the transfer. You will tell me everything then."
"Agreed."
"Good day, Mr Hunter. Always a pleasure to do business with you."
James shudders again as he disconnects. His financial problems are temporarily solved which means he can relax for a while. His only concern now is whether he's invited danger into his life? Only time will tell.
As James leans back in his chair, he knows associating himself with Li is a massive risk but no other options are available to him. Losing everything he's built would be failure in his eyes and he'd never failed at anything. Double-crossing Jacques and his team in South Africa would be regrettable, but as the old saying goes, 'business is business'.
He makes his way outside onto the shabby patio that surrounds two sides of the villa and attempts to light a cheroot. His hands are shaking so hard it takes several attempts before he's able to inhale a lung-full. Evidence of his habit litters the ground he's walking on, and as he paces up and down, he kicks away visible evidence of the stress he's been under.
"What a fucking mess," he says to the guard dog lounging by his kennel, and shakes his head as he accepts that statement could just as well apply to his life as well as his property.
His mind turns to the burning issue of how to get his hands on Carlisle Cullen's work. As Carlisle has celebrity status in Silicon Valley, this would be doubly difficult because of the publicity such a theft would attract. His first thought is using force shouldn't be necessary, although how he ends up achieving what he wants would need very careful planning.
Breaking into the house in San Francisco to steal Carlisle's computer and papers is his first and most obvious idea, which is quickly dismissed as Carlisle would still have the knowledge in his head. Li would demand total monopoly of this link device, which means Carlisle would have to be taken to a secure location and kept there until another company patented whatever he'd invented. As the implications of what would have to be some sort of abduction exercise find a home in James's head, it raises the first niggling doubts about whether he can actually pull this off.
He soon beings to realize this is not going to be the easy job he first imagined it would be. Abducting a US citizen and not for ransom bothers him. This is the type of crime he never imagined he'd get involved with. Carlisle's disappearance wouldn't be treated as a random citizen going missing. His fame in the tech community would mean the police would feel obliged to throw manpower and resources into looking for him.
Another problem he begins to consider is that once Carlisle's disappearance became a newsworthy event, which was inevitable, the South African lab would contact the San Francisco police to let them know his company had been hired to protect him and his son. The last thing he wanted is the police sniffing around his business and the adverse publicity this would attract, so the whole abduction scenario would have to be re-thought.
Panic begins to set in as James realizes he's been impulsive. Dangling a carrot in front of Li before working out how to achieve the prize was an idiotic thing to do. The temptation to snort a line of coke overwhelms him as pitfall after pitfall becomes clear. He resists temptation though as his new habit would only hinder his brain rather than help him find a solution.
"Concentrate, you fool," he spits as more elaborate methods to force Carlisle to give up his secrets are invented then dismissed. Whatever plan he concocts he finds an insurmountable problem, until abducting Carlisle and faking his death occurs to him. At least that would get the South Africans off his back and would give the police a bona fide avenue of inquiry as they would no doubt suspect whoever was threatening Jacques was responsible.
'Is this a step too far?' James asks himself. More important though, could he get away with it? He decides to run the idea past Laurent. Laurent warned him about the drug Cartel and he hadn't listened. He would this time.
James's brain begins to work fast. He would have to recruit someone who could make sense of Carlisle's work to ensure he wasn't being taken for a ride. He was still in touch with an ex-colleague who trained as a physicist. This guy had taught specialist military recruits about explosives. Victoria and Laurent would remember him. He'd retired from the Service some years ago, but James felt confident he would jump at boosting his pension. 'Even if he doesn't understand completely what Carlisle creates, he'd look the part' he muses. 'Put a white coat on him and give him a clipboard to hold, he'd easily get away with looking as clever as Stephen Hawking without a wheelchair.'
How would he get Carlisle to cooperate? That became the next burning question even though his military training had supplied several answers.
"You already know what to do," he says out loud and with an evil edge to his voice. The ruthless side of James Hunter had reared its ugly head and the last smidgeon of decency dissipated as quickly as smoke from his cheroot.
Threatening to harm his son would ensure Carlisle played ball. If this didn't work, he'd abduct Edward as well and torture him. Inflicting pain was not something James liked doing. He'd leave that for Laurent to handle as well.
He shouts down the corridor for Laurent to come to his office and takes a seat at his desk. He doesn't want Laurent to suspect he's nervous, so he keeps his hands out of sight or clasped behind his head to stop him from seeing that they're shaking while he tells him his idea.
Over the next two hours, Carlisle's abduction and disappearance are planned meticulously and James begins to feel more relaxed. They both agree to keep Victoria in the dark as Laurent suggests abducting Carlisle would be a step too far for her ethically. There'd be no need for her to know their plans as neither of them could foresee the whole exercise taking more than a week.
"Where're you going?" James asks as Laurent heads out of the office.
"To source a body that looks like Cullen. Where d'ya think?"
This was one part of the plan James wasn't relishing, but if Laurent wanted to take this on as well, he was more than happy.
Later that evening Victoria is pouring him a second glass of champagne from one of the bottles which had been on ice to celebrate the end of the disastrous and now forgotten drug deal.
"Is everything okay now, James?" she asks.
"Absolutely, honey. Everything is hunky-dory.
Before Victoria leaves for Tennessee, she picks up something is going down in the villa but can't discover what. Laurent has been tight-lipped since yesterday when he and James were closeted in the office. Her prediction that James would take on something stupid or illegal to dig himself out of the financial hole he was in had more than likely been justified, but neither James nor Laurent had let slip what they had planned.
Laurent had confided in her about the disastrous drug deal while it was happening, and she knew from a few cannabis-fuelled conversations with James that he had done much worse in the past. There was the scam involving military plans which shocked her, as even though James was a complete asshole in some respects, he was still a patriot in her eyes which counted for a lot.
When she was out of the way in Tennessee, she would start making phone calls. Enough was enough.
The day after a quarter of a million dollars lands in his bank account, James is fine-tuning Carlisle's abduction which would happen as soon as Laurent sourced a suitable body when his phone rings. Jacques's number pops up. James hadn't been expecting him to call and his first thought is to ignore it, until he considers there could be a chance something had happened that could compromise his plans, like Carlisle flying to South Africa unexpectedly.
"Hey, Jacques. How can I help?"
"Mr Hunter, we have a problem. No, that's an understatement. We have a serious problem. Two of my scientists have been kidnapped. They're being held for ransom. Either we give up what Carlisle Cullen is working on when we receive it or they die. I'm calling to ask you to double or treble Carlisle's protection. These guys may come after him next. We'll pay for the extra cover."
"Jesus, Jacques!" James hisses as the implications of what Jacques is saying pushes alarm bells in his head. "What the hell are you going to do?"
"We don't know. They've threatened to kill my colleagues if we go to the police. These guys probably have the local police in their pockets so it's a no-brainer. We're powerless."
"Do you know who they are?"
"If it is who we think it is, yes. We have a Chinese mafia here. They're into everything, especially intellectual property theft. It's a very scary world, Mr Hunter."
"Chinese you say?"
"Yes. The kidnapper who called had a strong Chinese accent. There are a lot of very scary Chinese people in Jo'burg, and we're really worried about Carlisle now. The only people who knew that Carlisle is working with us are my colleagues in the lab and your company, so someone has talked."
"Leave it with us, Jacques. We'll make sure no-one gets close to Carlisle. Just keep us informed of developments down there and I hope your colleagues are okay."
"Between you and me, Mr Hunter, I doubt whether we'll see them again. I've put my wife and children on a plane to Australia and told them not to come back until this is resolved."
Jacques hangs up and James slowly digests what he's learned. He'd just been given a legitimate reason to get Carlisle off the streets, but this isn't what is occupying his thoughts.
Everything he'd learned about Li since he worked with him goes through his head. Without needing corroboration, he's convinced Li has attempted to bypass him and get the device for himself. This time a bronze sculpture of a horse flies across the room followed by a stream of foul language, which prompts Laurent to rush into the office.
"What the hell's happened," he asks as James drops into his chair and puts his head in his hands.
"Li's trying to double-cross us," James hisses. "The lab in South Africa is being targeted. I'll bet my life Li's people have gone to Johannesburg to get their hands on Cullen's invention before me. Bastard!"
"You don't know that for certain?"
"Agreed, but I'm not hanging around to find out whether I'm right or not. We'll have to pick up Cullen today. At least I know Jacques hasn't got this link-thing yet. Call the boys in the city and tell them to grab him. I don't care how they do it. Just make sure he's alive when he gets here."
"I haven't found a suitable body yet."
"It doesn't matter, Laurent. Get it sorted. I want Cullen here NOW before Li gets his hands on him."
"Holy shit," Laurent mumbles as he searches for Edmunds' number on his cell. After calling him and telling him what to do, he messages his contact in a city morgue and ups the price he's willing to pay for a John Doe, as long as he can take delivery either today or tomorrow.
Carlisle's abduction had gone smoothly. Edmunds had assured James there were no witnesses and Carlisle was unconscious during the drive to Emerald Lake Hills where he was stitched by Drew. For a while, Drew was worried that Edmunds had hit Carlisle's head too hard with his gun as he was still out cold when they arrived at the villa. Luckily for Edmunds, Carlisle's vital signs such as his heart rate were okay, and after two hours he came round. After being shown a set of photographs of Edward that one of James's team had taken when his protection was being arranged, Carlisle agreed to cooperate.
The following morning after Carlisle had been given the night to recover from his injury, James's 'watertight' plan went haywire.
When James informed Carlisle he wanted the plans for the link in exchange for his freedom, Carlisle had laughed in his face. Carlisle explained to James, slowly and carefully like he was talking to a first-grader, that his work on the link wasn't anywhere near complete. He'd been attempting to find a solution since April and was still nowhere near achieving a result. He'd agreed to cooperate yesterday but would need at least four weeks of peace and quiet, plus access to the internet and an extensive list of equipment to complete the job.
"No fucking way," James had yelled at him. Carlisle had shrugged his shoulders and told James he could shout and curse for eternity, but he couldn't produce something that hadn't been invented yet.
James threatened to abduct Edward and harm both of them if he didn't come up with plans for the device in the next couple of days. Carlisle had got angry, saying if Edward was harmed in any way, he'd kill himself rather than cooperate.
After everyone had calmed down, Carlisle agreed to start work and gave James an extensive list of equipment he needed which angered him again.
"Patience, James, patience," he said out loud when he got back to his office and tapped out a line of coke to calm himself.
James's phone vibrates. He'd been expecting this call so an Oscar-worthy performance would be required when Bella breaks the news about Carlisle's demise.
"Hey, Bella. This is early for you. Anything wrong?"
"You could say that. Edward's father's been found dead overnight. What the fuck's going on, James? I thought you guys were protecting him."
"Shit! Are you serious? I've heard nothing from San Francisco. Are you absolutely certain?"
"Of course I'm certain. Edward's had to fly out there. He dropped his dog off with one of the guys from The Yard and told him what happened."
"What d'ya mean, found dead? Did he have a heart attack?"
"Don't know. Edward said something about a burnt-out car. Emmett didn't want to press him for details as Edward was really distressed when he showed up. When I find out more I'll get back to you. I've still got over two weeks of my contract to run. I'll stay on 'til Edward gets back. I'm not walking out on him now."
"Yeah yeah, that's fine. You stay put until I tell you to leave. Call me anytime. I'll be kicking butts today so leave me a message if I don't answer. If the guys in San Fran haven't been doing their job, they're history."
"Right. I'll call you later when I hear more. Bye"
Bella hangs up and James allows himself a smile. At least that part of his plan seems to have gone okay, but nothing else has since Carlisle was abducted, and now he's got the added pressure of waiting to hear whether the police have been taken in by the fake Carlisle in the car. Laurent had prepared the corpse and had driven off with Drew last night to do the deed. It was a waiting game now.
James is under no illusion that if the police carried out DNA or dental checks, there's no way he'd get away with the switch, but it's a chance he has to take. Counting on the police being sloppy and not bothering to look too closely at the body is risky. Laurent used Carlisle's car and placed personal items such as his gold chain, his wallet and cell phone next to the body. The only item James kept back was Carlisle's Rolex. He decided to keep that for himself.
Bella not suspecting he's involved was important. Even though there'd be no reason for Bella to guess there's anything connecting Carlisle's abduction to him, he'd taken into account that Bella is a sharp cookie and nothing usually gets past her. If she'd picked up anything in his tone of voice she'd be suspicious, which is why he'd kept her away from all his illegal activities. Laurent had suggested pulling her out of The Yard before Carlisle's abduction but James said no as Bella would be instantly suspicious once she heard Carlisle had been found dead.
Later in the evening, Laurent is reading The New York Times online when he spots a story that makes him choke on his coffee. After reading the article and searching for a more local source to verify the report, he runs down to James's office to break the news.
"James! Jacques van Wyk's lab in Johannesburg was destroyed in an explosion yesterday. Eight dead, no survivors. What does that mean for us?"
James's mind works fast. Either this is the work of the Chinese Mafia that Jacques mentioned in his last call, or Li could be covering his tracks. It doesn't really matter though because this has played into his hands. Now the San Francisco police will never be able to prove a link between Jacques and his company.
The next morning, Carlisle informs James he can't achieve anything without the computer and papers from his study. James has no option but to comply, knowing his first opportunity to clear Carlisle's study would be the day of the funeral. So this would mean more days wasted.
Carlisle has been in the basement of the house in Emerald Hills for over a week when James receives a call from a contact with connections to the San Francisco police who knew he was 'protecting' Carlisle. When he disconnects he now has another problem he hadn't foreseen. He immediately calls Bella and relates what he'd heard about Edward not believing that his father committed suicide.
"Edward isn't back yet," Bella replies between yawns. "I haven't spoken to him since he left. I've just sent texts about what I'm working on. Do you want me to do some fishing?"
"No, Bella. Just keep me informed if he says anything. I'm guessing the police haven't picked up that we were protecting him."
"Okay – will do."
Bella hangs up without questioning him further which makes James suspicious. Her disinterested response is unlike her as she usually digs him for information. Why didn't she ask him how he found out why Edward was thinking this, which makes James wonder whether Bella is keeping information from him?
As he's contemplating what to do if the SFPD becomes interested in his company, Li's number appears on his phone. He'd already stalled Li once. Twice was going to be more difficult. Three times would be impossible. James doesn't give Li the opportunity to speak.
"Good news, Mr Li. Cullen said he needs approximately two more days. He wants papers from his house - something to do with his work on the neurological connections. I've sent my guys to get them while the family is at the funeral. I'll keep you informed of developments."
"I'm losing patience, Hunter," Li growls. "I've deadlines to keep too."
"Apologies, Mr Li. These things take time. It'll be worth it in the end."
"Two days, Hunter, or we'll take matters into our own hands. Whatever's in Cullen's brain is my property now. Understand?"
The line goes dead before Hunter can reply.
"Shit!" he hisses and scrabbles in his desk for his coke supply while cursing the day Laurent introduced him to the drug.
Every time his cell vibrates James breaks into a sweat. The caller could be Li or his contact at the police department giving him the latest news about Edward not believing the story about his father. The funeral had taken place yesterday meaning the replacement body had successfully fooled the police which frankly astounded him. This had been the only piece of good news he'd received lately, other than Laurent and Drew had successfully cleaned out Carlisle's study and got away with it. James was in Atlanta to sort out some issues with the bank and his accountant. Three days of aggravation he could do without. It's not that he didn't trust Laurent and Drew to keep Carlisle working hard; he would rather be there himself.
James hadn't counted on Carlisle's son persisting with wanting his father's death investigated further. Bella had given James the cabin's landline number after she started at The Yard in case of emergencies, so he gets Laurent to call it in front of a gagged Carlisle. Laurent doesn't speak as his voice is distinctive; his goal is for Edward to feel intimidated, and to intimidate Carlisle.
When James learns that the SFPD has agreed to keep Carlisle's case open, on the night Edward returns to Colorado, James orders Drew to arrange for one of the security team to drive his SUV to the cabin to terrorize him. As the SUV drives up to the cabin, Drew calls the landline and threatens to 'burn Edward to a crisp' unless he backs off. On reflection, Drew regrets doing this as he realizes afterward he's probably only reinforced Edward's belief that his father had been murdered for a reason, rather than a random act of cruelty. He'd been impulsive and that's not good so he doesn't let on to James what he's done.
While he's still in Atlanta, James receives a call from Laurent telling him that Carlisle is insisting a set of computer discs he needs had been left behind when they cleaned out his study. This adds to James' stress and he smashes up his hotel room.
He flies back to San Francisco the following morning and accuses Carlisle of stalling, threatening again to abduct Edward and harm him.
James's cell vibrates and he panics, but this time it's Bella, and he can guess why she's calling.
"Hey, Bella, what's the latest?"
"Edward's definitely being threatened, James. Someone left phone messages on the landline in the cabin while he was away. He got home on Monday and a vehicle roared up to the house then backed off. He was definitely followed at work yesterday because I saw them and then he told us some weird shit about what his dad was working on. Now he's told us there's more of his dad's papers and a computer in the basement and he's worried they'll get stolen too.
"What basement?"
"Under the house. You access it through a panel in the hall."
"Anything else?"
"No, but aren't you concerned that Edward's being threatened? Is there something you're not telling me, James? Is Edward in serious danger?"
"Don't know, Bella. I've heard on the grapevine though that industrial spies are after Carlisle's work. They may think Edward has information that could be useful."
"Why didn't you tell me this before? It'd be nice if you kept me in the loop. Anyway, he's a landscape gardener for fuck sake! He knows nothing about computer technology."
"He's not our problem now, Bella. The client who hired us is dead, remember? I'll pay you to the end of the contract. If you want to stay longer that's your decision."
"I was hired by Carlisle to protect Edward and that's what I'm going to do. Fuck you, James, and fuck the money. If they're assholes out there after him they'll have to get past me."
Bella doesn't wait for his response and disconnects. Her attitude concerns James who wonders whether there's something more going on than her only wanting to see the job through. After finding the photos he has of Edward stored on his cell, he looks closely at the man in question. He's strikingly handsome and not much older than Bella. Has she fallen for him? Is this what this is really all about?
Abducting Edward to keep him out of Li's hands was becoming inevitable. Bella protecting him means this won't be a walkover. Clearing the basement will be his first priority though. Hopefully the floppy discs Carlisle insists he needs will be down there. He'll know by tomorrow. If this fails, he'll have to abduct Edward and transport him to California.
"Why the hell did I put Bella Swan on this case," he asks himself, not for the first time.
So, James is selling Carlisle's work to a very dubious character. He'd been impulsive, offering the deal before working out how to achieve the information, and now he's digging himself into deeper holes in desperation.
Edward is unaware that the South African lab is no more. The explosion wouldn't have been widely reported on the news media in the US, and as very few people know Carlisle's connection to the lab, there's no reason for him to be informed. Bella is still under the impression at this time that Carlisle hired her through James, and we obviously know why she wants to protect Edward.
We're back to the story next chapter. Yorkie is taking them to see the house in Emerald Lake Hills and Edward has to trust Bella more than ever before.
Joan x