A Mystery in Forks

Sorry for delay! I just got finished with finals and couldn't believe I hadn't uploaded! It will be more a a normal occurrence to update now that i'm done with classes for the summer:) I hope you enjoy!

Chapter 3

Farther down the embankment there was a little evidence flag. It was pretty far from the body. The bag looked like it was sifted through, definitely not meticulously. "Is this how it was?"

"Yes m'am."

"Don't you think that's odd," Bella mentioned to her partner who was intently observing the bag, slowly inching closer while taking in the surroundings.

"If you mean the fact that it was left here near the scene and it looks as though it was thoughtlessly searched through then I agree."

"Good, now let's take a look at its contents."

The duo approached the bag, squatting down and slipping into some rubber gloves. First she pulled out a workout towel, then some bags of food. Where was this guy heading? There was a mix of socks, water, a book, packs of matches, a wallet, and some maps. Nothing else truly meaningful, or screaming foul play with an air of mystery.

"Bella, take a look at this," Edward passed a piece of paper with one frayed edge. It was a note that was shoved between the receipts and money in the wallet. She uncrinkled it.

YOU ASKED FOR IT TIM.

Isabella's mind was on overdrive whirling like a helicopter, not smoothly like a car's engine. What could this mean? Who was Tim? Why were they being threatened? What did they do to make someone resort to killing him, assuming the dead man was Tim.

"Okay take all this to the lab. I need an evidence bag." She stood up, grabbing a bag and a sharpie. "Hey! Are you crazy put on some gloves first! Don't you dare touch anything!"

Eventually, under the lead detectives' supervision all items were logged, bagged, and properly marked. The scene was cleared and officers returned to the station.

In the car, "How is all this evidence going to be processed? Last time I checked Forks isn't that high-tech."

Looking at his frustrated partner, Edward just sighed. "Well, I'm sure we'll figure it out. Maybe take some into the city and have Tracy handle it. She's the best, you know."

"I think we'll have to, that's the only logical thing. Besides, basically Carlisle is the only one with medical experience examining everything and he had his own occupation to be concerned with."

"Maybe we can head to town and grab an intern to help or one from the university?"

"Possibly. I'll call some people when we get back," Bella said, looking out the window. "It's nice to have a few minutes to relax before going into hustle and bustle."

Edward agreed, allowing silence to fill the car the rest of the way.

"Crap," was all that needed to be said. Pulling into the parking lot the car was bombarded with a news crew with the insistent news reporter, Eric.

Bella mentally prepared herself as well as fixed her appearance before stepping out of the vehicle.

"Detective Swan what can you tell the citizens of Forks about this gruesome killing? Should they be scared? Assuming the killer is still at large," Eric walked in sync with her shoving a microphone in front of her face and waving for the film crew to get a particular shot.

"Well the Forks PD is doing everything in their power to learn more. The citizens should continue on with their day." Bella pushed forward, the front door was so close!

"Nothing else to add? Don't you want the people to know what's out there and going on?"

"I think that's all for now, have a nice day." Edward guided his partner into the station,

"Thanks," she pulled his arm back. "I'm sorry I don't know what just came over me. Usually I take their mike and beat them over the head with it."

"It's fine, we all have our moments. Now let's get moving on this case." He smiled and they headed to their desks.

It was not long before there was a curt knock and a huff, "Who told the press?"

"Your guess is as good as mine," Bella commented without looking up at her father.

"Sir we have no idea, they were here when we got back from the crime scene."

"When you got back?"

"Yeah I thought it was weird too," Isabella glanced up at the worry crossing the tall man's face. "What's the matter?"

"Nothing," to that he received to glares, so continued, "Well do you think it was the witness or something? I don't think any of my men would willingly contact those carnivores."

Honestly Bella hadn't thought much about it, she wanted to forget her brief encounter and find the killer. "I don't know dad. Could you put someone else on that? We're kind of busy right now."

"Yes, I guess so, anyways I was going to make a lunch run, do either of you want anything?"

As to answer him there was a stomach growl, causing Bella to blush and giggle. "I guess my stomach's speaking for me now, that coffee this morning didn't do anything. Where you going?"

"Just getting some subs."

"I'll have an Italian BLT."

"Meatball sub sounds delightful." Bella raised her eyebrow at her partner's adjective and shook her head, always mister proper. "Sir why not let someone else get it? I don't think the press has left yet."

"Thanks Edward, but I'm biting the bullet and then hopefully they'll leave." Edward smiled. He loved the Chief's non-nonsense attitude and his constant desire to put younger people in their place.

"What you've got?" Edward waited until his boss left hopeful that his partner found a lead, he had zilch.

"Well, Tracy said any excess immediate things could be transferred to Port Angeles hub. Also they could send over one of their lab rats, Vincent, he could apparently do with the experience."

"But.." Edward knew his partner and that tone.

"Well, he'd need to be picked up and the items brought there. Also he'd need a place to lodge, hotel is out of the question," Bella looked up, trying to read her partner's face.

"So what you are inevitably implying is that you want me to drop off the evidence and bring home a stray?" Ed smirk, resting his hands behind his head, leaning back.

"Maybe?" she replied sheepishly. "Well, it's just that I'd feel bad bailing on my dad, he really wants Jake and I to come over for dinner."

He gave her a look, so she rushed, "I could fill out some paper work for you and be more civil in the next interview on this case."

"Make it civil for the next two cases and it's a deal," Edward countered.

Bella weighed the odds in her mind. He got her, good, he knew it with that ridiculous grin smacked across his ruggedly handsome face. "You've got a deal partner."

They continued to sift through pictures and reports, comparing the two incidences. The autopsy on the new victim wouldn't be ready until probably tomorrow, so they just remained focused on trying to connect the dots. Their concentration wasn't broken until food came and it was a quick break.

Eventually the sun was setting and Edward suggested he'd better go. Isabella stayed for a bit longer, then called Jake and told him dinner was taken care of. He just had to come pick her up. Shortly he drove up in his old fixer-upper, bringing a smile across her face. She said good bye to the guy in the front desk and approached her man.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't my gorgeously magnificent boyfriend and his first love," Bella wrapped her arms around him and held him close,

He pulled her away and gave her a quick kiss, "You know you're my last."

Bella rolled her eyes and walked to the passenger's side, "Come on slow poke, let's not keep Charlie waiting."

Jake looked at Isabella. She was in deep thought with her eyebrows scrunched and everything, staring out the window.

"What's the matter?"

"I keep feeling like we're missing something obvious. Something stupid that could help so much with this case!"

"You're not going to be like this all night?"

"No. As long as you stop with the over lovey-dovey, Mr. Romantic, no offense but I'm not in the mood."

Jake just shook his head and sighed, she could be unbearably stubborn sometimes. How could he really stand it? He settled with turning up the music, Charlie's house would be coming up in no time.

A/N: I'm not all mushy-gushy, that's not what it's about, so there won't be too much of this in there. Let me know if you liked it/ it made sense. Please review! Then I'll upload the next chapter faster!