Chapter Fourteen

"Well, this escalated quickly," Paul remarked, leaning back in his chair with feet on the desk. In front of him, Leah and Jacob sat down, waiting for their supervisor to digest the information. In the captain's hand, was a significant break in the case. "Are you sure this is authentic...? Please, tell me it's authentic."

"Yes," Leah said, confident. "What you have is a correspondence between Gianna Castellano and Irina Denali. It appears that Gianna wasn't only loyal to the Volturi. For ten thousand dollars, she provided the Olympic coven valuable information while receiving information about the UV's."

Based on the letter, it was clear that Gianna, like Jessica, had been double-crossing a very powerful family. All for ten thousand dollars? That's insulting, Leah thought. If she were going to betray a clan that held the power of life and death over her head, she would have certainly demanded more money.

"We have a motive," Paul declared.

Leah nodded.

"Someone found out," Jacob further explained. "Someone told the Volturi who ordered the hit on Gianna because she talked. Someone they could trust…"

"Demetri," Paul suggested.

"Cause of death was different from Jessica's," Leah added. "Gianna didn't die from a bite. She had her throat slashed, somewhere outside of LaPush. And per Volturi orders, dumped at the landfill. It's the ultimate disrespect."

"They didn't even want her blood," Jacob remarked.

"Why not kill her before?" Paul asked. "Why drag her into the Dahlia mess?"

"Gianna was used to lure people to Demetri," Leah told the captain. "Maybe Jessica wanted her there? Trusted her? And Demetri, he enjoyed her. Why not have one more last ride?"

"Also," Jacob added, "Come to find out, Gianna was also the liaison between LaPush and the Volturi. Although Demetri was calling the shots, no one wanted a known mobster on their records. Gianna, someone without any criminal record, was safe. She was personable. She was the only one allowed to get the hotel key. She needed to be there."

Leah followed up her partner with, "She told Irina, who told Esme about the plan against Jessica. She didn't think it was a good idea, given Carlisle's relationship with the woman, but the Volturi had made their decision."

Paul sat up, folded his arms, and frowned. "So, did LaPush."

Days later, Leah smirked, proud and triumphant, holding the phone to her ear as the message on her answering machine played on. It seemed that Mrs. DuPont didn't take the news about being used very lightly. She, like Rosalie, had her suspicions but believed that after everything she had done for the Volturi, who was supposed to be like family; she was simply in denial.

"She's gonna talk?" Jacob asked.

"She's gonna talk," Leah affirmed, smirk growing as she ended the message. She wrote the details of the upcoming meeting with the scorned socialite. "Tomorrow at nine am. You down?"

Jacob brought a hand to his chest. "I'm insulted you had to ask."

Jenks dropped the breaking news later that afternoon. "Mrs. Sonya DuPont is currently under federal investigation for her possible association with a human trafficking network, criminal organization and bribery of public officials and the death of her husband, Mr. DuPont—but you didn't that from me."

Leah and Jacob exchanged a look of surprise.

"The jury found her not guilty," Leah carefully pointed out.

"Yes, but that was Cook County court," Jenks explained, lighting up one of his precious cigars. "I'm talking about federal. A whole different ball game."

And it appeared that Carolina Barba was back to her old tricks. Good for the criminal justice system, not so good for the prosecutor's target. Barba had vowed quite a few times, quite vehemently that she would raise hell on the covens (only those involved in criminal enterprises, she would always emphasize) despite threats on her life.

"Barba's gonna throw the book at her," Jacob said.

Jenks nodded. "Unless they strike a deal," he said. "Which I believe they will. That woman had a plethora of information, as you both know. We probably don't even know the whole story."

They most likely didn't.

"She's a madam," Leah said. "They're known for harboring secrets."

"Exactly, which is most likely the reason why Miss Hale is her lawyer. There's probably damaging information in that woman's documents, including, but not limited to, her client book."

"Still couldn't get a subpoena?" Jacob asked the prosecutor.

"It's a bit complicated," Jenks admitted. "But if we can't get it, I'm sure the feds will. They're open to sharing information due to their newfound interest in the Voldemort's investigation."

Leah's expression was deadpanned. "Again."

Jenks shrugged. "Hey, priorities can change and then change back."

"You're allowed to tell us this?" Jacob asked.

"As I said before: you didn't hear all of this from me. It's technically confidential, but not classified." Jenks waved flippantly. "We should be fine."

"So, what do we do with Heidi?" Leah asked. "Due to information provided by a source, she's willing to talk. We have a meeting with her and Rosalie tomorrow. And I bet she's expecting some sort of deal."

Jenks raised an eyebrow, removing the cigar from between his lips. "A plea deal?"

"Or immunity," Jacob suggested.

"If you haven't noticed, we can't hand out plea deals or witness protection like candy," Jenks said, shaking his head. "We already gave Jane immunity. The judge won't accept another one. We can devise a plea bargain, but it won't save her from the feds."

"That's not our problem," Leah said. It might be harsh for a woman who might deserve it, but it was the truth. CPD didn't handle federal investigations. If Heidi wanted some leeway, she was going to have to talk to the agents. "That's not our jurisdiction."

Jenks nodded, leaning back against his chair. He brought the cigar to his mouth and deeply breathed in, letting the smoke flow through of his nostrils. "No, Detective, it is not."

"Thank you, Mrs. DuPont, for agreeing to meet with us."

"It wasn't like I had much of a choice," Heidi bit out, arms crossed, mad at the world. She was sitting, notedly dressed down, next to Rosalie, who looked like she wanted to be anywhere but inside a police station's interview (interrogation) room.

"Still, we appreciate it."

Heidi huffed and rolled her eyes.

So dramatic.

"What do you want to know?"

Leah folded her hands and leaned in. "Everything."

Heidi checked in with her counsel, who, although reluctantly, nodded. "Carry on."

"So, are you a matchmaker, or are you a pimp?" Jacob put up a hand to stop and correct himself. "Sorry, madam?"

Leah found a smile. Jacob being snarky and getting straight to the point, two of the things about dishing out the questions with him. Nothing flowery. No fake pleasantries. Only questions needing to be answered. The investigation was time-sensitive. Shit had to get rolling.

"Pimp is a strong word," Heidi carefully replied, echoing Alister's words from months before. She had her palms set down flat on the table, a meditation method, Leah realized. "I arrange dates between willing parties. The exchange of money and other luxuries are simply addendums."

So, she's a madam, Leah wrote in her notepad. For her sake, Heidi better come up with a better job description before the agents came knocking on her door. Leah set her pen aside and asked, "Why did you direct Patrick no to cooperate with the police?"

"Isn't he cooperating now?" Heidi retorted but dropped the act at the sight of her lawyer's warning glance. She cleared her throat. "It wasn't a direction; it was a recommendation. We have enough problems."

"He was a witness."

"He didn't see anything."

"Maybe, but he was in the same hotel room, not far before Jessica's death," Jacob said. "It would've saved us a lot of time."

Heidi snorted. "Like I care about your time."

"You should," Jacob smirked. "If Patrick had spoken to us earlier, you wouldn't be here with us. Talking to us to make a deal."

Heidi gasped, putting a hand of her chest, offended. She looked to her lawyer for a response, but she didn't provide one. Rosalie knew Jacob was right; her hardened stare told the detectives such.

Rosalie's behavior was interesting. Gone was her usual fiery spirit, ready to sue any person in a drop of the dime. Rosalie was making sure that her client didn't do anything that would jeopardize a potential deal. Rosalie wasn't putting up much of a fight because she didn't think it would be worth it. A fight meant more subpoenas. Once a guilty plea or such was processed, Heidi would, more or less, be left one—

Ah, that was why Rosalie had agreed to be her counsel. It wasn't because of Heidi; it was because of what Heidi had. The quicker the Heidi situation could be squashed, the easier Rosalie's life would be—or so she thought. Leah had a feeling that Rosalie knew about the federal investigation involving her client.

Leah remained quiet for a moment, studying the two women across from her, and then, purposely throwing the other side off, asked, "What was the nature of your relationship with Demetri Karlov?"

Heidi shared a look with her counsel, who, arms tightly crossed, curtly nodded. "Demetri?"

"Yes, Demetri," Jacob confirmed.

Leah hadn't expected to see such a visible reaction from the socialite. Heidi had known Demetri alright. They had known each other for a while; their relationship was personal, but not romantic. Heidi's eyes didn't glisten at the sound of Demetri's name or as she described him. Her words were full of familial fondness. To her, Demetri hadn't just been a comrade—it was odd, given Leah's information on the man, that someone would see such a deviant being in a positive light.

"Demetri and I... he was like a brother to me. We went through everything during the past several centuries. We were each other's rock." Heidi sighed, now placing her hands under the table, presumably on her lap. "I thought him everything about the art of seduction. He was an attractive man, but back then? During the fourteenth century?" Heidi shook her head, features softening as she recalled the memory. It was a look Leah hadn't expected from each a woman. "He did not have—what do people call it now? Game. It took him a good hundred years to be on the right track and after that... it was history."

"Were you two close as of a couple of years ago?" Leah asked.

"We were always close even after my untimely departure from the Volturi," Heidi replied. "He always told me that he wanted me back. Become his partner-in-crime once again. He promised that if I helped him out, he would put in a good word to Aro, convince him that what happened years ago had been a miscalculation."

"Why did they let you go?" Jacob asked.

"I was supposed to seduce a judge, a client of my business," Heidi said with some bitterness, confirming Ben's intel. "The Volturi wanted him to abandon whatever arrangement he had with the Cullens and the Denalis and become one of their many lapdogs."

Sorio, Leah realized. Goodness, it was like the fucking circle of life. Or six-degrees of separation. Everybody was connected. "How about—?"

"My client will no longer discuss her departure from the Volturi," Rosalie interjected. "As mentioned in our agreement."

Leah gave the lawyer an exasperated look but backed off. "Right," then, "Mrs. DuPont, what do you know about circumstances behind Demetri Karlov's death?"

After receiving approval, though hesitant, from Rosalie, Heidi once again placed her hands flat on the table and said, "They say it was a suicide, but I know it wasn't. I might have been fond of Demetri, but many were not. Even within the Volturi."

"Are you implying their involvement?"

Heidi shook her head. "Not at all. I know for a fact that they wouldn't choose such a way to kill the man." She leaned back in her seat. "My guess is one of the Cullen-boys. One who knew of Jessica's relationship with him and after she did, made sure he was silenced."

"Why?"

"Demetri was not the one for secrets, both a blessing and a curse. He would have discussed his affair with Jessica, and what would that achieve? Nothing but chaos within the coven," Heidi explained. "Plus, the Cullen's had it out for him for centuries. Jessica's death was the catalyst."

"Which one?"

"The Cullen boys?" Heidi provided with a shrug. "Jasper, Sicario, would be the most obvious choice, but from what I hear, he's no longer an enforcer. The job was too sloppy for Emmett, so I suppose Edward would make the most sense. He usually did his boss' personal bidding without consulting the others."

"Do you think Carlisle knew about Jessica and Demetri?" Leah asked. Technically, Jessica's dalliances with Demetri weren't on the record, but Heidi knew about the affair.

"I don't know," Heid said. "But Esme did."

"Do you think she told Carlisle about Jessica's other lover?"

"I honestly don't know," Heidi said. "It can go both ways."

"What information can you provide us about the death of Jessica Stanley?" Jacob asked.

"I suppose your main suspect is Esme. I understand. Jilted wife upset with her husband's mistress." Heidi shrugged like it was nothing in the world, but then, seriously, "I am not ashamed to admit that I was never a fan of the late Cullen's wife, but I know she did not do the deed. I know she did not arrange it. It was just a convenient turn of events because Jessica was sleeping with her husband—"

Leah never thought she would hear a Volturi-associate defend a member of the Olympic coven. "How can you be so sure?"

"Because I was there when the plans were set," Heidi admitted, and then quickly clarified. "I wasn't involved in the actual meeting, simply present. See, Jessica was creating an issue for everyone. Rumor has it was that she was trying to undercut her bosses. All of them by introducing low-grade UV's. She was in contact with some street dealers…" She trailed off and shrugged. "Can't tell you much about that."

"You knew Jessica, right?" Jacob asked. "Do you think she's capable of that?"

"She can be smart when she wanted to," Heidi replied. "I warned her about everything. Even about going to Alistair, but she wanted Carlisle. Everything was about that man. See, Carlisle had connections in the arms market, even more than the Volturi, believe it or not." She snorted. "She… I guess she wanted to impress everyone. Wanted to give them a reason to give her the bite. You know, it's not something my kind gives out like candy."

"You couldn't personally hook her up with Carlisle?"

"With my supposed affiliation?" Heidi shook her head and snorted. "Absolutely not."

"Tell me about Jessica?"

Heidi raised an eyebrow. "More than I have already told you?"

Both detectives nodded.

She needed to make money to keep up with her lifestyle, and she found the supernatural world intriguing. She was a pretty girl with an infectious personality, so of course, I took her in."

"How long ago was this?"

"About three years ago," Heidi answered. "She was very popular, very likable. I introduced her to some of my associates, including Demetri. He took a liking into her. She had aspirations of becoming a vampire, but we couldn't help her. Frustrated, she went to Alistair."

"Are you and Alistair rivals?"

"Friendly," Heidi said. "He aligns himself more with the Olympic while I with the Volturi…" she trailed off, gaze losing focus. Leah figured she was recalling the real reason why she was being questioned. "Or so I thought."

Leah jotted down some notes. "I see."

"Esme knew it was going to happen. Hell, so did I. So, I suppose the only crime we both committed was not doing anything about it."

Among other things, Leah thought, exchanging glances with her partner. He was thinking the same thing.

"That is not a crime," Rosalie spoke up, determined.

"Didn't say it was," Jacob said. "Carry on, Mrs. DuPont."

Heidi bit her lip, uncharacteristically losing her well-manicured resolve. But it was only temporary. In a blink of an eye, she was back to being her. "I knew about it due to eavesdropping. Esme told me that she knew about it because Gianna told her about it. Gianna was playing on both sides."

Jacob raised both eyes. "She told you? You two talk to each other?"

"Once in a blue moon," Heidi confessed, frowning. "Anyway, I suppose someone found out and killed Jessica."

Leah nodded and pulled out a photo from the file. She held it up high for both Heidi and Rosalie to see, studying the shift on their faces, their eyes. There was acknowledgment in both women's eyes. "Do you recognize him?"

Heidi leaned over to study the page and then retreated. "Arms dealer. Worked with Maria. There are rumors that he was involved in the production of knock-off UV's."

Interesting. That dealer who was holding the case full of low-grade UV's had to have been in cahoots with Jessica. The one Embry had identified just this past week as one of the slaughterhouse victims…

A thought came to Leah's mind: perhaps, Jessica was the one who set up the events of that night. After all, the room was in her name; she had booked the room, supposedly, in celebration of her birthday. Maybe Jessica wanted Demetri to be cool with the idea, cool enough to think she deserved the bite and wanted him to see the product for himself. Perhaps she had been under the belief that Demetri would be more agreeable when occupied.

The theory might be a stretch, but it did make sense.

Relatively speaking.

"What about Gianna?" Jacob asked.

Heidi sighed. "Gianna. Oh, Gianna. She wanted to be a vampire. That was why she worked for the Volturi, but she had nothing they wanted. Poor her, she was so innocent. Relatively speaking." She shrugged, not seeming to care about the murder victim. "She had a complicated relationship with Demetri."

'Complicated enough to get killed by him?"

"Honestly, I am not too sure about what happened between the two," Heidi admitted. "All I know is that the Volturi wanted Gianna dead because she betrayed them—exactly, how, I am not sure. They were so disgusted by her actions that her blood wasn't worthy of being consumed."

"Bad blood," Jacob added.

Heidi nodded.

Goodness, Leah couldn't help but think. If whatever Heidi saying was true, then the Cullens weren't implicitly improved in the deaths of Jessica Stanley and Gianna Castellano. Their only crime (relating to the death, that is) was obstructing the investigation by attempting to bribe Dr. Swan and successfully bribing the disgraced Sorio into hampering Jessica's autopsy.

"One last topic: do you know someone by the name of Thomas James?" Jacob asked, switching topics, throwing Heidi off guard. "A vampire, turned back in the eighties. Aspiring actor living out in California? He was declared as missing—"

Heidi's reply was delayed. "He's dead."

Jacob was surprised. "Really?"

"Explain," Leah demanded.

"Felix got to him," Heidi said. "I suppose they found out about Thomas' friendship with Mike Newton, a man who should've died in that bombing. Along with that human woman he was traveling with."

"Do you have proof?"

"No, I simply have eyes in many places," Heidi said. "Unfortunately for my former employers, they didn't get what they wanted during that mission: Mike Newton and that girl. By the time they knew where they were— in Nebraska, I believe— the Cullen's had reached them and brought them back to Chicago." She gave the detectives a pointed look. "I'm sure you know about that."

"How did Thomas die?" Leah asked.

"I don't know."

"Do you know where his body is?" Jacob asked.

"No. Most likely, he was drained of his blood and tossed into the Pacific."

The questioning would continue for another ten minutes. When everyone was about to leave the room, Heidi stopped Leah. "One last thing," she said. "And it can be off the record: If I were you, I'd tell Jane that she can't hide in the shadows forever." She added a smirk. "The Volturi knows about her move, and when the right time arrives, they will act."

Jacob cleared his throat.

Leah raised an eyebrow, challenging. "All the way from Moldova?"

"The Volturi has friends in high places," Heidi declared, head up high. "How do you think they were able to leave this country so quickly when every three-letter agency was after them?"

"No hath fury like a woman scorned," Paul declared sometime later after Leah and Jacob provided him an update on one Mrs. DuPont.

"That's not actually how the quote goes," Leah pointed out with a smirk.

"Thank you, Detective," Paul said, mocking sincerity, causing the detective to snort. The captain leaned back against his chair, nodding with approval. "Damn, Mrs. DuPont spilled all of the beans. Did she finally admit that her birth name was Heidi Baumgartner?"

Leah rubbed her chin—Oh yeah, they should have asked that. But then again, Rosalie had called Leah out during the last interview. Most likely, Heidi already knew the detectives were onto her.

"No, but it honestly doesn't matter," Jacob said with a nonchalant shrug. "She explained to us her affiliation with the Volturi."

"How do we know she's not messing with us?" Paul asked. He was happy with the results of the interview but still remained cautious. Leah appreciated that; it meant he wasn't nearly as gullible as a significant number of supervisors.

"Her replies coincide with the intel we've been receiving," Leah said. "And considering that thinly-veiled threat Heidi made, it seemed that Jane knows what she's talking about."

Paul nodded, still with some doubt on his expression, but he was giving everyone the benefit of the doubt. "Is she still laying low, causing trouble as she forms a coven?"

"Forming a coven isn't a crime," Leah pointed out.

"No, it is not," Paul said as if wishing for a brief moment that it wasn't the case. But criminalizing a coven would be a slippery slope. "So, Heidi thinks you're getting all of this information from Jane? That saves our favorite undead agent's behind. Is he still messing with them?"

"It's complicated," Leah said. He's still too low on the totem pole to be considered a threat. Even if one coven mandated him to spy on another."

"He's choosing to stay on the low," Jacob added. "According to his mobster friends, he's giving us false information."

Paul scoffed, shaking his head. "That man doesn't like to live a quiet life, does he?"

"We should also let the feds know about Felix's possible involvement in James' death," Leah recommended. "He was one of the few Volturi that got caught before heading to Moldova. I don't think he'll crack, but it's another charge that can be added onto his rap sheet."

"Another murder that could be added to his list," Paul muttered, shaking his head. Leah felt him; all of these bodies dropping, all from one investigation—it was insane. "Damn it, during the past few months, we were doing so well in the no-homicide department."

It wasn't until later that night, closer to midnight, as she laid across her bed, fighting with her mind to let her sleep, did Leah realize that Heidi knew about Jane. She knew about the former Volturi member's cooperation with the police. With the feds.

And if she knew, that meant that Rosalie knew.

And then, there was the Volturi.

Of course, they would know.

Fuck.

It was late, but Leah had convinced herself that she had no choice but to call Jacob. Surely, underneath his sleepy grumbles, he would understand.

"Should we be concerned?" Leah asked her partner in a whisper. Admittedly, it was a stupid question. Heidi was well known in these parts. She knew many people, for years, some for even centuries. "Revise—should we take action?"

She heard Jacob move around his own bed, perhaps sitting up, let out a sigh, and then a groan. She could picture Jacob running a hand down his face, questioning his decision to pick up Leah's call.

"Don't you find it interesting that the Volturi just let Jane leave?" he replied, suddenly sounding very awake. "I mean, this is the Volturi, we're talking about. They're not known for letting people walk. No matter how high in the totem pole that person is at."

Leah blinked several times to fight the urge to shut her eyes for the night. She heard her phone closer to the side of her face. "What are you insinuating?"

"Either Jane's in cahoots with them, which I highly doubt because of the whole Alec and being blamed for the raid situation. Or they don't see her as a threat."

"This is Jane. I've seen hardened criminals tremble at the sound of her name."

"True, but she was operating under the Volturi. Not on her own. They just see her as another Volturi henchmen."

"Should we be concerned?" Leah asked again.

"We should remain watchful. One of these days, the Volturi's gonna make a move," Jacob said, leaving no room for a challenge. Not that Leah would give him one. Besides the fact that she was finally moments from passing out, Leah fully accepted the fact that Jacob knew more about the Volturi than she ever would.

"Go to sleep," he then added, fighting a yawn. "This can wait until our shift starts."

It was more like a command, and to Leah's surprise, it worked.