YOU'RE WHAT!

Disclaimer: The Cullen's, the Swans, and most of the characters mentioned in the story that are known from Stephanie Meyer's beloved Twilight Saga, are all hers and hers alone. I neither have nor wish to pass them off as mine. I do appreciate the fact that she did bring them to life and allows us to play with them in our imaginations. The only thing I will claim is the current storyline.

The awesome and talented dowlingnana searched out my errors and corrected them.

Everyone left, the clerk reentered the hotel and Charlie slowly made his way down the street looking for another place to stay and a place to buy another phone.

CHAPTER 28: ARE WE RUSHING TO THE END?

After what Charlie had just observed, he realized that a lot of his suspicions had been confirmed. And as much as he hated having to admit the truth of the facts, he knew that he was correct in his assumptions about the leaks. He hated the fact that a good cop, who happened to have also been a long-time friend, turned bad. What in the hell could have caused the change? Why would he chance throwing everything away? How was he gotten to make the change to bad? All of these questions, as well as similar ones, kept chasing each other around in Charlie's mind, but, he wasn't coming up with any answers on his own. At least, none that he was willing to accept.

Once Charlie could make known who was involved in the leakage of information, he knew that his friend and son were going to prison, but, the rest of the family was going to suffer along with them. Everything was going to become public knowledge and the shame the innocent would have to deal with was going to be unreal. It's not only the guilty that served the time, but, their family as well. Public opinion could be a cruel taskmaster in that respect. However, there was nothing Charlie could do about it; the pair, father and son, had caused harm to his family and that wasn't going to be overlooked.

Charlie continued on trying to find his next hang out place while he was still musing about the 'why's', the 'what's' and the 'how's' of what could have pushed his friend to the point of turning bad and taking his son down that path with him.

XXXXXX

"Well, what the hell happened? Once again you report your failure to manage to control things. This is getting to be a habit that is making us very unhappy to the point that we are beginning to wonder about your value to continue to serve us any further."

"Sir, I'm sorry. For some reason it seems that the information we are receiving isn't enough to supply the necessary answers that you're wanting to know.

"The witnesses are going about their business without fear, their known girlfriends are doing the same. It was the same for the one we accidentally managed to snag until we started to work her over to put the fear into her. How-"

"That's the problem! You weren't sent to get a 'girlfriend', as you mentioned, but, one of the witnesses. Instead, you grab one of the women and look where that has gotten us. More damn ass trouble than what was needed and another problem that is going to have to be cleaned up before it accelerates into a bigger problem which from what is being rumored, it already has.

"Next, we have a stranger wandering around asking questions."

"But, Sir, that did lead you to the knowledge that you had a fed within your mist that was gathering evidence from within."

"Did I ask for you to interrupt me? No, I didn't. So, I would suggest that you keep your mouth shut until you're asked a question, or, one of us indicate that it's okay for you to speak. Reason being that, as I indicated earlier, you are walking a very thin line at the moment between life and death.

"Now, where was I? Oh, right, I remember.

"I was talking about the stranger that was asking questions; questions, no less, to the best right-hand man that I had ever promoted to that position. He got things done and they were handled in such a way that produced results; the desired results, I might add. And, it seems that he's the damn law which now makes me wonder just how truthful he was about the results he was supposed to have brought about.

"How is it that he was able to get into our circle and no one suspected him? That I don't understand. Someway, somehow, someone didn't do their job." That is when Aro Volturi looked at the man he had been giving hell before he looked left and then right at his two brothers, Caius and Marcus.

As the brothers looked at one another for a few seconds, they all turned, as if as one, to look at the one person that was standing before them and receiving the ass chewing. That poor man they knew was sweating profusely because of the smell of his fear and due to the moisture, that was rolling off of him in waves. He knew that the bosses didn't hesitate to take a life and never showed any remorse for any of their actions. Once a decision was made by them there was no changing their minds.

Finally, he was dismissed with the warning that there had better be no more screw-ups, or, the outcome in his future wouldn't be pleasant for him. And, that also applied to the others that were involved as well.

XXXXXX

Once again Charlie became lost in his thoughts as he quietly moved along the streets looking for a place to buy a second burner cell phone and some kind of out of the way lodgings. However, it was as if a lightbulb flashed on when he was accidentally bumped into by a passing stranger. That was when he realized that he really didn't need to stay out here any longer; it was time to report what he knew and then to allow the proper departments to do their jobs and their own cleanup. He had accomplished the task he had first assigned himself and that was to rescue Bella.

As Charlie acknowledged the truth of his thoughts, he made the decision to return to Bella's home, to get cleaned up and then to go to the hospital to be with her. It was time, as the saying said, 'to come in out of the cold'. So, that's what he did; went back to Bella's.

XXXXXX

Edward and the rest of the group breathed a sigh of relief as Det. Norris left. They all knew that the detective was only trying to do his job, but, because of the situation surrounding the case that was of a higher priority, the information that the police officer needed for his case, had to be withheld. Chances couldn't be taken with the lives of the witnesses, namely, Edward, Emmett and Jasper.

Bella had already paid part of the penalty by protecting her charge and letting it be publicly known that she and Edward were a couple. She put herself in harm's way to keep Edward safe when the witnesses had been threatened by one of them being almost abducted. The attempt had been interfered with the moment Bella had put herself in the path of the men that made the effort to grab one of the three men.

And, because of her actions taken in the split second she had to make her decision, Bella is now lying in a hospital bed being treated for the results of that decision. It had never really sunk into the realization of the witnesses the true nature of the danger they were in. That is not until now, now that they look at one of their protectors who also became a close friend.

A commotion down the hall by the nurse's station drew the attention of all of the occupants in the waiting room. Edward stepped out to see what might be happening and was met with a surprise: his parents. They had decided to come to give their son and his friends moral support under the circumstances of his girlfriend having been met with an injury, but, they had no idea just what had happened to her. And, with recognizing the couple it didn't take him long to make his way down to greet Dr. Carlisle Cullen and his wife, Esme Cullen.

"Mom, Dad, what are you doing here?" Edward asked as he stood before his parents.

"We felt we needed to be here for you and your girlfriend. And, we felt that it was time for us to meet her in person, as well." Carlisle explained to his son. Then he asked, "Where is everyone else, Emmett, Jasper and their girlfriends that we've heard so much about?"

Edward stood there for a few moments in stunned silence. He wasn't quite sure how to respond to their request. Nothing like this happening had ever been discussed during their conversations over the phone. Of course, Bella had spoken with them up on occasion during those calls, but, for his parents to show up totally without warning knocked him for a loop. But, quickly gathering his wits about him, Edward stepped to one side and motioned down the hall to the waiting room. And, as he began walking back the direction he had come, they followed.

After arriving at the waiting room and then entering, Carlisle and Esme quickly greeted both Emmett and Jasper like long lost sons. Then each introduced Rosalie and Alice which brought about another round of hugs and greetings. But, with all of the introductions out of the way, the passing moments got a little awkward since no one had any idea of what to say next. While at the same time no one noticed that Sam wasn't present during the arrival of the Cullen's to be introduced to them.

Sam stepped back into the room after having checked quietly on Bella and taking a phone call, then he too was introduced, but, as nothing more than a friend of Edward's girlfriend, Bella, and of Edward's. Of course, as he reentered the room and saw Edward's parents, Sam was a bit surprised, but, due to the conversation he had just had on the phone, he felt he knew why the older Cullen's were here; they wanted some answers concerning certain events that have recently taken place in their lives.

It was during the awkward sounding conversation, when it did take place, that Edward realized his parents had something on their minds. He wasn't sure what it could be, but, for them to come all this way he knew that it had to be something serious. They didn't just do something like this without a reason. Their schedules were just too hectic for them to do something like this without planning it first.

Of course, there was a reason as to why the parents had shown up, but, they were a bit hesitant to say why. They had no way of knowing who should be included on a very private conversation and who shouldn't. There had been some strange happenings going on in their lives over the last few months that they felt that a discussion with Edward needed to take place. They were hoping that he could provide some answers, or, at least, give them some insight as to what might be going on. Because one thing was for sure; they knew that all of this was tied to Edward in some manner.

Sam's phone rang and he excused himself as he stepped outside to answer. Once he answered, he heard Charlie's voice and listened quietly while Charlie told him that he had discovered many things while undercover and they needed to be dealt with immediately. That was when Charlie informed Sam that he was getting cleaned up and would be on his way to the hospital shortly.

XXXXXXX

Charlie arrived back at Bella's house and took time to get cleaned up. He called for a cab to come pick him up so he could get to the hospital to check on Bella. But, as he waited, he did call Sam to let him know that he was on the way to the hospital and that he had a lot that needed to be discussed, also.

"You are the second call I've received in the last fifteen minutes." Sam told him with a slight chuckle, but, at the same time sounding a bit puzzled. Then he continued explaining when Charlie asked him what the first call had anything to do with the case.

"Yeah. Had a call concerning Mr. Cullen's parents and then surprise, they showed up here. Not quite sure what is the reasoning for their arrival, but, hopefully, will find out soon."

"Good luck with that, but, once I get to the hospital I need to talk with you about a pressing matter."

"Like what?"

"I know who your mole is. I've also discovered how the information is being fed back to the Volturi's."

"Damn, Charlie, are you sure? Well,l all I can say is to be careful while you're on your way here. We'll get together somewhere private once you arrive. I should have Alice and Rosalie present as well since they're in charge of the witnesses and this case."

"Do that. See you soon." And, with that said both men hung up.

AN: Okay, Charlie is ready to share the information that he has discovered. What could have been going on in the lives of Edward's parents that could have brought then seeking out their son?

Hope you will enjoy this story and will let me know your thoughts, ideas and comments as we move forwards