Author's note: I promise I WILL finish this story. I can only fault my addiction to reading fanfiction for the delay in posting.
I hope you enjoy this little catch up chapter and please let me know if you have any questions.
Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer owns Twilight and is gracious enough to let me play with her characters and Twilight Universe. All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
Aggravatin' Papa
Songwriters: Britt, Addy / Turk, Roy / Robinson, J. Russel
Sung by Bessie Smith
Aggravatin' Papa, don't you try to two-time me!
I said, don't two-time me!
Aggravatin' Papa, treat me kind or let me be,
I mean, just let me be!
7 a.m., Wednesday, January 14th 1931, Clearfield City Hospital.
Carlisle was called back into work early before the sun rose to perform an emergency autopsy on the body of John Rennie. The reporter was found murdered in an alley by the bank. Rennie had somehow lost his police escort five hours before they found his body.
Carlisle walked back to his office after finishing the autopsy on Rennie. The victim was older than the others and his murder was more rushed but the body mutilation was identical to the Clearfield Ripper killings. He noted the one detail that was different in the report. Carlisle was a bit disturbed by the clinical technique of the murders. It convinced him the Ripper had a medical background. He wrote his findings and suspicions in the autopsy report. A policeman was waiting outside his office for his report to deliver to Lieutenant Shaw. It was a sunny day so Carlisle would continue his shift until evening. Since meeting the Nomadic Vampire he did not want his family vulnerable to any hostile attacks. He was eager to return home but wasn't too worried since Esme and Edward would be spending the day at home together.
11 a.m., Wednesday, January 14th 1931. The Clearfield Police Station.
Lieutenant Shaw's office was over run with piles of reports pertaining to the Clearfield Ripper case. Officer Van and Detectives Dupper and Haus were seated around Shaw's desk going through evidence.
"We have a total body count of six men, only three are identified as Scott Davis, Robert Applegate and the most recent John Rennie." Shaw stated sternly, "I want to know how Rennie got away from protective custody."
"Sorry Lieutenant, he slipped out the window of the men's room," Haus replied sadly, "He had left the diner 15 minutes before we noticed."
"We have to do better." Shaw glared at Haus and Dupper.
Detectives Haus and Dupper had been overwrought when the discovered the reporter gave them the slip at the down town diner. The killer had threatened Rennie when he did not print the madman's letter in the newspaper. The newspaper editor's and Rennie's boss helped police go through his notes and belonging in his office in hopes of finding some clues. They went through Rennie's calendar; there was a time set for a meeting on Friday night with someone. The meet-up was set to be at upcoming Ladies Auxiliary Cotillion of all places. The calendar notes did not say why the meeting was set up or with whom but Lt. Shaw suspected that this person could be the key to solving the reporter's murder.
"Van did you find anything out from the purchase orders and autopsy report from Dr. Cullen?"
"I went through the records from the Medical supply company to trace any purchases made of items used in the killings." Van began, "The records show the biggest orders came from the hospital."
"But there were two other orders that might surprise you." Van said, "The High School principal Mr. Thorton ordered a large supply of scalpels and medical equipment."
Van continued, "And the music teacher at the school, a Mr. Ellis Michaels made a big order six months ago."
"And what about the autopsy report?" Shaw asked.
"Rennie was killed the same way the other victims were except for one difference," Van stated, "His head was still attached but his tongue was cut out."
"The Doc also reports the killer is most likely a man with some kind of medical training because of the way the bodies are prepared and the way he makes his cuts with the scalpel."
"Anything else?" asked Dupper.
Van's face sickened as he answered, "The body was drained of blood before the killer operated on him."
"We need to question the hospital staff again." Shaw ordered, "I also want to question Thorton and Michaels."
"Has anyone notified Rennie's wife yet?" Haus asked.
"No, not yet." Shaw answered grimly "I'll be doing that in an hour."
Notifying the families of murder victims was the worst parts of police work in Shaw's opinion.
"We need to narrow down the list of suspects and gather more physical evidence." Shaw said deter idly, "We have to find who ever Rennie planned on meeting at that Cotillion this Friday."
"How are we going to do that?" Haus asked, "We don't even have a name."
"We go to the Cotillion and see if we can shake up any of the attendees with questions about Rennie." Shaw informed him, "It's a long shot but we have to explore all our options."
"What list of suspects?" asked Dupper.
"Well the last know destination of the victim Scott Davis was the high school." Van started, "And Robert Applegate had that interview at the bank."
"So Principal Thorton and Ellis Michaels are our first two suspects." Said Haus.
"And the banker Andrew Ratcliffe our third." Dupper added.
"Dr. Cullen said the killer has a medical background." Shaw interjected, "And the only staff members with key knowledge of the killings Are Doctor. Foster, Doctor Archibald and that hospital orderly George Lehman."
"What about Doctor Cullen?" Haus asked warily, "We still don't know if he was the leak or not."
"The Doc was with me during the time that Rennie was murdered." Van replied. "And he was as surprised as we were at the newspaper articles. He is not the leak."
"Van, I want background checks on all six men." Shaw ordered, "Start with Michaels, I want to know why a high school music teacher needs medical supplies."
3:30 p.m., Wednesday, January 14th 1931, The Cullen House.
Esme had been keeping Edward busy helping her in the kitchen all day. She was cooking large amounts of baked goods for the upcoming Ladies Auxiliary Cotillion.
"Esme, there can't possibly be that many people in the state of Pennsylvania let alone Clearfield to eat all of this food." Edward complained as he pointed to the additional dishes, two smoked hams, and four roasted chickens sitting on the near by table.
"They are not all for the dance silly." Esme chided him gently as she took two cherry cobblers out of the oven. "The rest of this food is going to the Soup Kitchen Down town."
"How are we going to get ALL of this Downtown?" He asked perplexed.
She laughed softly at his antics and told him "I have a deliveryman arriving at four o'clock to pick up the food."
"Well that's good…" He started to reply then his head turned to the side as if he were distracted by something.
"Edward, what is it?" Esme asked concerned.
"We have visitors, students from the high school." He replied hurriedly.
"I better stay out of sight since I'm supposed to be sick." Edward said as he sped up to his room.
Esme rolled her eyes and retorted, "You can't hide yourself away forever."
"Yes I can," answered Edward, "I'm a vampire remember, all we have is forever."
"So stubborn." She sighed. Even without Edward's mind reading ability they could easily converse from separate locations in the house using their enhanced hearing.
Esme could hear the students finally approaching the house. She did a quick clean up 'throughout the house before the knock on the door. She waited a moment then walked to the door at human speed. She opened the door and was met with five young faces. Two boys, she recognized one as Harry Shaw the policeman's son. Three girls stood beside the boys. One girl was a tall and slender brunette she stood closest to Harry. The other boy had auburn hair and blue eyes the girl standing next to him had a strikingly strong resemblance to him in her features and hair coloring the two had to be brother and sister. The girl directly in front of Esme had blonde hair and hazel eyes.
"Hello," Esme greeted them, "may I help you?"
"Hello Mrs. Cullen, I am Mary Hogan," said the blond haired girl, "we're here to see Edward and we brought his homework."
"That is very thoughtful," Esme replied, "I'll be sure to tell Edward you stopped by."
She noticed their faces fall slightly with disappointment.
"Give him our best wishes," said the brunette, "we hope he returns to school soon."
Esme observed the nervous shuffling of the two boys. They were acting as if they were guilty of something. Esme recognized them from the fight in the schoolyard. She remembered they tried to defend Edward and held other boys back from jumping into the attack.
"I remember you boys," Esme said gently as she noticed them flinch.
"You both tried to stop the fight the other day." She continued, "Thank you for trying to help my brother."
"We heard he could be very ill from the fight." The auburn hair boy answered looking down at the ground.
"Y-yes we're very sorry," Harry, blurted out, "We should have gotten Principal Thorton before it started." He started rambling, "We didn't know he has a bad heart."
"Oh you poor dears!" Esme exclaimed, "Please come in to talk, you boys have nothing to feel badly about, please all of you, come in."
She led the group into the parlor, "Now you all sit down," Esme insisted, "Edward will be fine."
Esme managed not to smile when she heard Edwards long suffering sigh from his bedroom. "He's been resting, but I'm fairly certain he is getting impatient with all of the restrictions my husband and I have been putting him on for his health." Esme said in a conspiratorial whisper. "Please make yourselves comfortable, I'm sure Edward would enjoy some company."
Esme left them in the parlor while she cajoled Edward into greeting his visitors.
"It would seem the rumor mill at school has turned my absence into a death scene out of a penny novel." Edward huffed.
"Be nice, " Esme scolded, "I think it's sweet that they are so concerned."
"You do realize that I am a danger to those children." He argued.
"No more than I am." She countered, "Besides, I was hoping to have them taste my cherry cobbler."
He stared at her and his mouth dropped open in surprise.
"What?" she said defensively, "I really want to win the baking contest this year."
He shook his head with apprehension.
"Edward, don't ruin this chance for me." She told him with amusement, "Besides they all look very kind and you deserve to make some friends."
"All right I'll go," Edward conceded, "I'll do anything to help you win the blue ribbon for best cobbler away from Flora Caldwell."
While Esme left for the kitchen, Edward warily entered the parlor. His five guests were nervously waiting, afraid to leave after Esme insisted they meet with Edward.
"Hello." The young vampire cautiously greeted his classmates. They noted Edward's hair was a mess and he was not wearing his eyeglasses. The dark circles under his eyes stood out against his pale skin. He was looking at the floor as he ran his fingers through his disheveled bronze mop.
The five teens returned his greeting awkwardly, not knowing how to proceed in the conversation. Esme interrupted carrying a tray with tea and freshly baked cherry cobbler.
"I am so glad your friends came to visit Edward." She said enthusiastically, "It gives me a chance to see how my latest recipe worked out."
"Esme," Edward began, "this is Mary Hogan" he introduced the blond, then waved his hand towards the brunette girl, "Margaret and her brother Harry Shaw." And pointed towards the red haired couple, "And here are Will and his sister Kitty Foster."
"I am very pleased to meet you." Esme welcomed them with a smile, "It so thoughtful of you to visit." Esme served the tea and cobbler and watched with glee as her guest gave appreciative moans of delight as the ate. The boys especially enjoy the desert and had second helpings. She was also happy to notice the conversation became more comfortable and relaxed. It seemed that Edward was finally beginning to make some friends. And she was certain her new recipe for cherry cobbler had a chance at winning the baking contest.