After Demetri's statement, Aro and Charlie had no reason to keep Esme arrested. They released her. and now they were back to the beginning. They decided to go with Esme, Tanya and Demetri to their home. Better to start revising this case again. Aro was sure he must had passed out something, and now he would be looking things from a different perspective .

The five of them were walking through the quiet streets of Forkshire, because Esme decided she wanted to stretch her legs after being seated for so long; and she also wanted to piss off Aro and Charlie for getting her arrested in the first place. Aro was glad it was quiet, most of the people were at their homes having dinner.

"Aunt Esme!" Jane just turned from the corner, running to hug Esme. "I knew they would release you!"

Bella was running behind her. "Uncle Aro! I have something important to tell you." She came running and out of breath. "I know who did it! I know who killed Carmen."

Aro looked around nervously. "Bella, we're going to Esme's house. I think we can talk more then."

Bella felt a relief that Aro didn't doubt her. Aro, however, was worried about someone hearing her. The street was quiet, but who knows if anyone listened. News spread too fast in this town. He took Bella's arm and asked her to tell him everything in a low voice, while they walked behind the rest of their group.

xxx

Helen was glad to be finally home. Her feet were killing her! Now if she only could get a nap before dinner... But no, someone was knocking at her door. It was the mailman.

"Mrs. Webber. I have a package for you."

"Oh, well. Give it to me."

"It's not that simple."

"What do you mean?"

"See, Mrs. Denali tried to send this package to you. But she forgot to put the stamps..."

"Well, but she's not around anymore. Do you remember she died, right? What do you want me to do? Give you the stamps?"

"If it's possible. Otherwise I'm afraid I shall keep the package in storage."

Helen went to her husband's study. He had a block of stamps in one of the drawers.

"Here. Will this be enough?"

"Ahem. Sure, but..."

"But what? Do you realize that your duty as a government employee was to deliver the package to the police?"

"Hmm, well, I didn't think about it. But now that you mention it..."

She took it out of his hands.

"Give me that. I'll go by myself to give it to my brother."

The mailman was flustered. She had a bit of a temper to be the vicar's wife. He thought it would be better if he left.

"Well, good evening Mrs. Webber."

"Good evening."

She closed the door and cursed. She had taken her shoes only two minutes ago! Better to finish this, so she put her shoes again and left to the police station, before curiosity made her opening the package.

In her way, a car passed by her side, speeding down the road. That's why there were accidents! Where was the police to... The car stopped. And got back to her.

"Mrs. Webber, where are you going with that box?" Seth asked, after opening the window of the police car.

"I'm going to the station Seth, it's very important that I speak with my brother."

He got down to help her into the car.

"Come on, I'll give you a ride. They're going to the Cullen's house, though I'm not sure why."

"Good, I just got this package. Carmen Denali sent it to me before she died. I don't know what it has inside."

Seth gave her a pair of cotton gloves.

"If you want to open it, use these. If we mess with the fingerprints Jacob is going to kill me!"

Helen debated if she should open it, but her curiosity was stronger, and she gave in. She tore the paper and very carefully opened the box. Inside was a bottle of absynthe, wrapped in a handkerchief. And a letter.

Dear Helen: I know we've never been friends, but this is a desperate situation. I know who killed Carlisle Cullen, and I am scared for mine and my daughter's lives. The person who did it, is trying to frame her. She came to hide this bottle in Kate's room. I think she's been following me and suspects I know, so if anything happens to me or my daughter, I entrust you with this bottle, proof of the way she killed him...

Helen halt her reading of the letter. They arrived to the Cullen's home.

xxx

Kate felt terribly lonely in this house. Everybody was out! The sun was setting, and she was hungry. Today was the service's day off, but they left her food in the kitchen. She was unsure if she was meant to eat alone, or if she should wait for anyone to come.

The house was quiet, too quiet. Eerily quiet.

If she was a bit like that mousy Isabella, she would find solace in one of the various books Esme left for her. But reading was not for her. And Alice locked her room, so she couldn't get hold of her gramophone. Some little music would cheer her up. And some noise would make her ignore that awful silence.

She looked through the window. It was dark. Better run to turn on the lights...

The light was on.

But how? She never got the chance to...

"Good evening Kate. Aren't you bored?"

She knew that voice, she turned to greet her... and saw the gun pointing to her.

xxx

Edward got a hold of the only cab at the train station. His friends hurried to get inside with him. He was glad it was old Mr. Jenkins.

"Mr. Jenkins, I need you to get us quickly to the Cullen's home. There will be a hefty tip if you get us soon."

He didn't have to tell Mr. Jenkins twice.

"Are you sure that's how it happened?"

"Of course, it's the only way. And we got the proof."

"But you said someone was in danger."

"Kate probably is alone in the house."

Mr. Jenkins was slow for everything, except driving. One time or two, Emmett was ready to ask him to trade places. He was sure he would get them in an accident. But, luckily, Mr. Jenkins prove him wrong.

"We're here Mr. Masen."

Edward paid him the triple of the fare.

"Thanks Mr. Jenkins, you probably saved a life today."

They entered the house. It was dark, but the saw the faint traces of a light in the kitchen.

"Shh. We must be quiet. We don't want to alert anyone of our presence."

So with so much carefulness, they went to kitchen.

There, they found Alice, pointing a gun to Kate.

"You think I didn't know you rat on me." Alice said to a very scared Kate.

"What are you talking about?"

"Your mother told me. She tried to extort me, but little she knew that I would never let her get away with it."

"Alice, I don't understand."

"Silence! I know your mother told you. Otherwise, why would Esme ask you to stay here? To watch over me!"

"But Alice, I..."

"Alice stop!" Bella entered to the kitchen. So sure of herself, not scared of the gun.

"Oh, now the poor rat is here. Come, I have enough bullets for both of you."

"Oh Alice, that's where you are wrong. The police found out you killed Carmen."

"What?" Kate was confused.

"Oh yeah, and please do tell me, how did they find out?" Alice never stopped pointing the gun to Kate.

"We know you were watching Esme and Carmen talking that day. You were in the attic. Don't you think is pathetic that at your twenty-four years you still draw tiny hearts with your initials and Jasper's?" Bella said with a sarcastic smile.

Now Alice pointed the gun to her. "So what? Jasper is going to come back to me! And the police doesn't have any proof..."

"Oh but that's where you are wrong Alice." Edward came from the shadows of the hallway.

Alice didn't know where to point the gun.

"We just came with the lab results. We know you drugged Kate. That orange lipstick..." Edward said.

"You don't know a thing."

"I know you convinced her to stay and try to stay in my room. You offered her an alibi, when in reality that alibi was for you."

"No! Kate was desperate to get you! Is the only way she has to get of this miserable town!"

"And you being the most charitable person gave her the idea, right?"

Kate was shaking her head. It wasn't possible!

"Alice, we know you drugged Kate's glass. It was one of the pair Esme left in Carlisle's study. He was supposed to drink from them, but you took them to your room. It was for your little night of debauchery. Kate told us you used to drink and smoke in your room. So she drank without a care."

Alec came from the dark. "But there were three glasses."

"One for Alice, one for Kate and one for Carlisle. She left the one with the cachet. She needed him to be drowsy, otherwise he would had fought her. She stabbed him out of pure hatred."

"He scared Jasper away and took my money!"

"What?" Kate asked.

"I heard him the other day, talking to Emmett. He left the house to that conniving wrench Esme. And I heard him telling Emmett that he was changing his will, to let someone else handling my money. I couldn't let him do that! And then, when I got him and confronted him, he told me how he made Jasper to drop me."

"Alice, you alone made that. That letter..." Edward said,trying to get closer to disarm her.

"He told me he had someone investigating Jasper. He said he found he had interest in some other woman. So he asked me to write a letter for her, so she knew he was meant to be by my side. He said that if our love proved to be worthy, he would help. But that night... the bastard told me Jasper was married, and he used the letter to make him go away from me. And that he was sending me away, to give him a chance to get dull Isabella to marry him. He said he needed an heir, a male heir. And that I was a disgrace to the Cullen name, going for a married man who had no interest in me... I had to kill him!"

Alice pointed her gun to Bella, she thought it would be the only way to get away. If Bella fell, Edward would run to aid her, and Kate was no problem. Alec was a bit far and it was dark; her knowledge of the house would let her leave...

"Hello! You won't believe what I received on the mail today. Carmen left me a..." Helen said, coming to the kitchen with the package in her hands, not noticing the drama developing there. Edward ran and kicked the gun out of Alice's hand. Bella punched her in the nose.

"Wow! I guess you found out." Helen said smiling.

Alec ran to help Kate, she was shaking. "She killed my mother! And I thought she was my friend!"

"Don't worry Kate. She will get what she deserves."

Charlie and Seth took Alice and cuffed her.

"Alice Cullen, you are under arrest for the murder of Carlisle Cullen and Carmen Denali."

Jasper came and looked at Alice. The hatred was visible in his eyes.

"How could you? You killed her!"

"No Jasper, my father made me. I didn't know..."

"You don't know how much I despise myself for even thinking to be near you. I hope you rot in jail."

"No Jasper, please, I need to know there's a chance..."

"A chance? The same you give my wife? Or Carmen?"

"She blackmailed me! Carmen wasn't an innocent woman. And your wife... you were tied with the burden of a crazy wife! It was for your own good."

"I loved her once! You deserve what's coming to you." Jasper turned around and left. He needed a drink.

Edward took Bella in his arms and kissed her with all his will.

Aro coughed.

Bella should blush, but she better took the chance.

"Now that this case is closed, I hope you're giving your approval to my wedding."

"He knows he had my permission from the beginning."

"Right, that's why you investigated me."

Aro laughed. "Nothing her father wouldn't have done."

In that moment Didyme and Rosalie came running into the house.

"We know who did it!"

Rosalie looked around.

"I guess they found out first. Aunt Didyme, you owe me. I told you Bella would find out first. What is in the box, Mrs. Webber?"

"Oh, it's the bottle with the Veronal. Alice tried to hide it at Kate's room."

Aro smiled. "Well, then I declare this case closed."

Well, now we know who did it, and why. Hope you liked it. Next will be the epilogue.