Chapter 21

Edward's POV

Whoa… I didn't connect the dots back then, when my colleagues treated the guy - in that hospital room next to Jasper's. Didn't see how Bella Swan being hit by a car had anything to do with Jasper's injuries. Now, I get the picture. The two accidents had one common denominator, and that was Alice. Mary Alice Brandon, now deceased and unable to bear the consequences of her deeds.

She was the person who made first contact with Tyler. She even helped plan the scene for the accident. Then, she made sure it all worked. Sneaking under Tyler's van, she cut a brake cable. Funny thing, the guy didn't know it the first time, because the van moved at very low speed and halted after hitting Jasper, and then the curb. But the second time, after hitting Bella, jumping on the brakes pedal, he knew. He called Alice and she admitted her interference. She also promised to full repay him for the vehicle once she gained her money. Tyler had no choice but stick to her plan, get rid of the van and wait.

But he didn't have the chance to meet her again. He was summoned by Chief Swan instead. I have no idea what the Chief said or did to him, but Tyler kept nothing secret.

Now that we're all gathered in the precinct, Tyler doesn't look anybody in the eye; he picks at his fingernails and sweats.

Jasper and Rosalie both look pale.

"Do you have anything to add, Mr. Hale?" The Chief has turned his back on Jasper. His absent look is pointed in my direction but I clearly see he doesn't acknowledge me. Whatever goes on in his head makes his brow furrow, then he turns abruptly on his feet and faces my boy. "Well?"

"No, Sir." Jasper shakes his head and crosses his arms across his chest.

The Chief cocks his head towards Rosalie. "Miss Hale?"

No, she won't add anything.

"What do I do with you three now? Uh?" His finger is buried in that moustache again and he grunts. "Agent Biers, any suggestions?"

"I say, let them go. Let's focus on the bigger picture."

We all gape at the Agent.

"Oh… and what would that be, Riley?" Chief Swan is somewhat shaken, it shows in his whole posture. He's now looking at the Agent with a worried expression on his face. "What are we missing here?"

"Jane. We have to nail her for attempted murder."

Everyone's faces are painted in different emotions. Agent Biers has a smirk on his lips. The Chief's forehead is even more deeply furrowed. Rosalie has closed her eyes, while Emmett's are saucer-like. One of Jasper's eyebrows is raised, and he pierces me with his gaze.

He may think I'm nuts, because I have a wide smile on my face.

There's this rush of euphoria trying to burst out of my lungs, like I'm going to scream with happiness. Maybe, just maybe, there's hope for us? Maybe we have a future together?

Whaddya say, bitch?

Jasper still looks at me when my eyes go down from the ceiling, and now he smirks too, and shakes his head in disbelief.

"How do we find her?" he says. "I guess she's long gone."

"For starters, let's call the Hospital authorities, ask if she really has a contract with them," the Agent answers.

Well, I guess I am closest with the Hospital authorities, and I have a manager's number stored… so I say it out loud. "I'm gonna call my Dad."

It's a short conversation. He's positive they haven't employed such a person.

"Where are you, Edward?" My Dad asks.

"At the Police Station," I answer, and hell, I don't want to go further.

"Are you in trouble, son?"

"No Dad, I'm not. Talk to you later, okay?"

"Hm."

"Dad, please."

"Okay, Edward. Make sure you come home as soon as possible."

"I will, Dad. Bye."

I tell everybody that we don't have that trace.

"Then, we're drawing a portrait," the Agent says, "I have some skills."

In the next fifteen minutes, we're sat behind the Chief's desk, Jasper, Riley and I, shoulder to shoulder.

"No, the eyes are a bit wider… thinner upper lip… the chin is, I don't know, fluffier? Right… Yeah, that looks like her." I am finally pleased by the result.

Jasper nods. "Yes. That's her."

And then we're faxing the image to someone. The prehistoric machine sends one line a minute and by the time the sheet goes through, I'm all nerves.

"Now, we wait," Agent Biers announces. "Let's eat, I'm starving."

I guess it's not only me; I bet the food has a bitter taste to all of us. There's several types of sandwiches and they all taste the same. I'm on my fourth when the Agent's mobile chimes. He takes it out of his pocket and reads a message.

"I need your computer, Chief," he says. He fumbles with the keyboard and mouse for good five minutes without uttering a word. Then he hits the Enter key one last time and announces, "Got her!" standing on his feet and rubbing his neck. "I have to go now. Nobody leaves town. See you all tomorrow morning, here at 10 a.m."

We all stand, dismayed, and stare at him leaving the room without more ado.

"Now, what?" Emmett asks, holding Rosalie's hand. She only blinks and turns her gaze to Jasper, then me, then back to Emmett. "I still have my hotel room," he adds.

Rosalie looks at Jasper again. He gets the hint.

"Go, Rose. I'll be okay."

We all step out of the Precinct - and now Jasper and I are on our own.

"I'm taking you home, Jasper," I tell him, "you'll meet my parents."

A/N I'm reaaly thankful to Lou for pre-reading, and to all of you who read & review.