CHAPTER 7

"Emmett!" I holler from the drive way, "help Rose with her crap!"

I rush up the stairs and pass Emmett on the way, "What's up with you?" He asks me, but I ignore him and enter the house and run up the stairs, not breaking my stride. "What's up with her?" He asks Rose behind me instead.

"Don't know, she's been acting weird since Seattle."

I shut my bedroom door and lock it in my wake, then delve straight into Jasper's file once again. I flip to the police report and read the list of his known associates, but mark the page with a piece of scrap. I then flick back to the beginning of the folder, and find the list of known associates there. I compare the lists, and unsurprising, they differ greatly. The police report list has about twenty associates, whereas the bio has only six. I note that two of the people there have the same surname as Jasper, but he wrote that he had no family left. Using another piece of scrap, I decide to take their details first. Peter and Charlotte Whitlock, address unknown, contact number. I write the number down and make my way to the kitchen. I dial the number, a man's voice answering after the second ring.

"Hello," the voice says.

"Hi… is this Peter Whitlock?"

"Yes ma'am, it is. May I ask with whom I am speaking?"

I almost go to say my name, but for reasons unknown, I refrain. "I am a friend of Jasper's, I was wondering when you spoke to him last."

"Hmm, I'm not sure I like your line of questioning missy, do you care to elaborate what this is about?"

I bite the inside of my cheek, my nerves getting the better of me. "Okay, he's in trouble, and I'm sure I'm right to presume you don't know anything about it."

"Yes you are, now what kind of trouble?"

"Firstly, I'm sure he hasn't told you because he is proud, so am I correct to assume he is also unforgiving?"

"You are, anything you say to me from here on out will be held against you."

My head drops, but I can't not do this… this isn't about me. "Okay, I can live with that."

"I thought you might… finding a blacklisted phone number and all."

"So, someone managed to pin their crimes on Jasper, he is currently in the Washington State Penitentiary after being found guilty. The evidence against him was astounding."

"And what is the name of the snake?"

"That would be Aro Volturi. Do I need to make anymore calls, or can you do something about this?"

"No, I got it… no need to drag anyone else into this when he clearly didn't want this known."

"Okay, did my number show up on your phone?" I ask, making sure he can contact me if he needs more information.

"No… but I've already traced it and recovered all of your personal data Isabella. I'll be in touch."

The phone clicks, and I'm left standing here in silence, feeling like a betraying bitch… but it isn't just about him anymore, Aro's reach has captured Rose and I can't let anything happen to her.

I rush back upstairs and re-read his last letter, then pull out pen and paper for myself.

03/26/2016

To Jasper,

I don't mind in the slightest if you tell me what is happening with you, regardless of how disturbing or horrifying it is. I just hope you're watching your back in there. Having them after you isn't as bad as being one of them, just remember that. I hope your solitary confinement wasn't too bad, though I must admit, I prefer to be alone than around people, so I'd likely be starting fights all of the time to get into solitary… but if I was in there, I'm sure my perspective of things will be a whole lot different than what they are now.

And wow, anger management classes, there should be some interesting specimens in the group, but as you say, it kills time. There's that word again. You say it depresses you, but time fixes all wounds, as they say. I hope that's true anyway, for your sake.

Well, as you might have figured out by now… I'm baulking and I now find myself in your position. I am the one that is hoping you will continue your correspondence with me, but I will cease sending letters if that is your wish, not that I won't be sad about it. So, we have only exchanged a few letters, I have only seen two photos of you and you know nothing about me nor have you even seen a mere grainy photo of me. So now that I have pointed out our short and meagre relationship, let me now explain how I have managed to betray you already. But first, the why. I was helping my sister pack up her apartment in Seattle when I flicked the news on. They were headlining a new arrest in their war against drugs, but the alleged supplier was screaming at the camera that he was innocent… that Aro Volturi had set him up. Of course, this took me by surprise, and then they said that this was the fifth arrest. I don't know if the other three are in the same situation, but it got worse. I followed Rose to her landlord, who was Felix Volturi; Aro's son. But that isn't the bad part, Rose has borrowed a large sum of money from Aro to open her own business. That is what has frightened me… this psycho has resources beyond our compare, and I didn't know what to do.

So I betrayed you.

I'm sorry, I am, but this is for you too. You shouldn't be stuck in that hole for no damn good reason.

I called Peter, your file said his last name is Whitlock, but you said you had no family. I don't know what he is to you, but he said he will sort everything out, and not tell the others… whoever the 'others' are.

I'm sorry.

Feeling remorseful,

Bella