Chapter 16– #116- Four phone calls and one hospital visit
.
..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._
# 116
Another lesson to learn.
Another pain to embrace.
Note # 116 came with a Hallmark card and a box of chocolate.
.
..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._
.
Phonecall nr 1
.
Edward was wrestling with the chorus of a new song on his keyboard when his cell phone started ringing. Judging by the sound of the ringtone it was a call from home.
He managed to dig it out of the back pocket of his favorite jeans on the third ring, which was pretty darn good considering those jeans had been piled away in a remote corner of the room with the rest of his dirty laundry.
"Hi, Esme, wassup?"
"Screening your calls, are you? You sound a bit out of breath. Did I call at a bad time?"
"Nah, it's cool. I'm still at home. My ten o'clock meeting was canceled so it looks as if we're going to be stuck here for a while."
"Ah ha, that leaves you plenty of time to chat with your mother then."
"Yes, you caught me in a good time. So how is everyone? Irina and baby are still visiting, right? Did she enjoy the present we sent?"
"Yes, she sure did. I think Alice can expect a thank you letter from her in the near future. Speaking of letters…Sweetie, I hate to bring this up but you are still getting hassled by that stalker, right? "
"Yeah, why?"
"Your father and I received a very upsetting package just a few hours ago. We thought you ought to be made aware of it."
"Upsetting how?" Edward asked and braced himself for the answer, not sure he wanted to hear it.
"Well at first glance it looked like an ordinary gift basket. You know, with exotic fruits, flowers and a bottle of Champaign. Only most of the fruit is spoiled, the flowers are kind of dead and the Champaign… well, the neck of the bottle is broken and about a third of the liquid is pooling into the bottom of the basket."
Edward rubbed his face in frustration and sighed heavily "Let me guess, it came with a note?"
"Yes, a perfumed card in a red envelope."
"Okay, what does the card say?"
"Happy 20 year anniversary!"
"What? I don't underst-…"
"Wait, there was something else in the envelope. An old newspaper clipping…."
"I still don't understand."
"It was written 20 years ago. Let me get my glasses and I'll read it for you…. "
There was a rustle of movements and then his mother cleared her throat and began recite the article.
"UWSOM Sued for Malpractice Coverup. A federal lawsuit with ugly allegations is boiling over at University of Washington School of Medicine….'
Edward only heard a fraction of what was being read to him, his mind going into overdrive at the amount of conflicting emotions his mother's words were generating.
"…no less than four physicians…. sued for allegedly retaliating…accused of protecting an unlicensed department head…"
Edward's knuckles turned white from gripping the phone too tightly as the memories of the trial came soaring back to him. Not that he had been present in the court room for the actual hearing or anything but he remembered the tension in the air and the sense of crisis surrounding those days. He had been seven years old at the time, too young to really understand what was going on but old enough to know that being put on trial meant that someone had been wronged.
When all was said and done, Carlisle had been exonerated from all charges, but had not been welcome back to his old position at the hospital in Seattle. That's how they ended up in Forks, Esme's old hometown. Evil tongues would say Dr. Cullen bought himself the position of Chief of Surgery at Forks General Hospital but to be honest without his generous donations there wouldn't be a medical facility of that sophistication and size in Forks to begin with.
"Are you still there sweetheart?" Esme's voice broke through Edward's thoughts and he realized he'd left her hanging.
"Sorry, just thinking things through. It's been 20 years, who would still care about or even remember this incident."
"The court records are public. Anyone can find this information, it's just a matter of looking in the right place."
Edward cursed at this. "Sorry you had to be on the receiving end like this. The whole thing is sick and twisted on so many levels." He sighed into the phone and then cursed again when another thought struck him. "Please tell me you didn't find the basket and the note inside the house?"
"No, I found it by the front gate. It must have been delivered sometime between four and seven thirty this morning."
"Delivered as in dropped off by an over night courier service? Those people keep all sorts of information about their customers in their records, don't they?."
"I don't know, maybe… It wasn't there when Carlisle went to work this morning. He was called in for surgery at a quarter to four. I spotted it when I retrieved the morning paper a few hours later. We can't know for sure how it got there."
"What about the surveillance tapes? The gate is camera monitored, isn't it?"
"The whole security system is out of commission. That's why I didn't call you sooner, I had to get us all to a safer location first."
"You're at the hospital," Edward guessed. "Have you spoken to the police yet?"
"No, I mean yes…We're at your fathers office, but we called the security company, not the police. They are looking over the house as we speak. If they find anything they'll notify the authorities. You're father thought it would be better this way."
"He's probably right. So is he there? Can I speak to him?"
"Not this very moment. He's busy finishing up with work. He's been in and out of surgery all morning, you know how it is... I'll make sure he gives you a call as soon as he is done here."
"I could jump on a plane and come see you. Waiting isn't my strong suit."
"I know, honey, but I think you should stay where you are for now. We'll know more once the security guys are done. We should wait with the conclusions till then."
"Okay fine, but you'll let me know if anything else happens, right? I'd hate if anything…if you were to get hurt or… if…." he trailed off without finishing his sentence. "Just stay safe, alright!"
"Of course, honey. We're fine, don't worry about us. You're the one who needs to be extra careful right now. Promise me you won't take any unnecessary risks."
"Fort Knox has nothing on this place. Don't worry."
"I'm you mother, it's my job to worry about you."
"I'm going to hang up now before you start babying me."
"We care about you, sweetheart."
"Bye, mom. We'll talk more later."
"Bye, honey. Stay safe!"
"Always," he sighed ending the call.
..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._
.
Phonecall nr 2
.
"I'm you mother, it's my job to worry about you."
"I love you mom but you haven't been my MOTHER since I was 13 years old," Bella sighed and cradled the phone between her ear and her shoulder. "I'm fine, everything is fine. There is nothing to worry about."
"You say that now, but what if you can't handle the pressure? The the consequences could be dire. I'm sure under the circumstances that no one would blame you if you handed your assignment over to someone else."
"And then what? You want me to stay home and do nothing? It's been almost seven months now since…since Jake's passing... I've got to get on with my life." She straightened up in her chair and took a deep breath, "Besides, I shouldn't even be discussing this with you and especially not over the phone. How did you even get this number? It's supposed to be confidential…"
"Nothing is ever confidential in my world. I'm the wife of a governor now, remember?" A sarcastic laugh filled the phone line.
"You are putting my safety at risk here. I'm not supposed to have contact with anyone or anything from my 'real' life while I'm working under cover. Come on, you know this. I've told you how it works several times before."
"I just think it's too soon, that's all. Why couldn't you settle for a desk job. I could talk to your talk to your old boss. I'm sure he would be delighted to have you back on his payroll."
"And work with traffic safety? Thanks, but no thanks. I'm quite happy where I am at the moment. Did you hear that? H-A-P-P-Y", she spelled the word out letter by letter. "I'm happy to be working again… Happy and ready to move forward with my life!"
"Bella, you worry me when you talk like that. You have that tone in your voice…"
"What tone?"
"The one that makes you sound like a rebellious two year old. Somebody's been putting ideas into your head. Is there a new guy? Are you seeing someone?" Renee inquired in a commanding tone of voice.
"Of course not! Don't be ridicules. I'm not even out looking for something like that. My marriage was a mess, you know that. I have learned my lessons the painful way. I'm not gonna rush into a serious relationship anytime soon. "
"But there is someone, isn't there? I'm your mother, you can't hide those sort of things from me. It's that rich guy, right? That old high school sweetheart of yours that you are working with…"
"Hey, wait a minute who said anything about a high school sweetheart? Bella asked in a voice that was tinged with suspicion.
Silence filled the phone line for a moment.
"You did, when you told me about this assignment. You said he was an old boyfriend."
"No, I just said it was an old friend. I never said anything about an old boyfriend or a HE for that matter. You are doing it again… spying on me and interfering with everything I do… You never change, do you?"
It wasn't a question, it was a statement of fact. Not bothering to deny the accusation, Renee changed her tactics.
"What was I suppose to do. You abandoned your apartment without as much as a hint of where you were going. You are my daughter, my only living blood relative, I'm worried about you. "
"Worried about me? Seriously Renee, the only thing you worry about is how my absence is going to affect Phil's chances of getting reelected. It will look bad for his campaign if his stepdaughter, who he claims to love as his own, isn't by his side supporting him…"
Even over the phone line, Bella could hear her mother's sharp intake of breath. She gripped the cell phone a little tighter in preparation for the counter attack she knew was about to come...
"You are walking on dangerous ground now, Isabella. Tell me something, what does your doctor think of all this?"
"My doctor?"
"Dr Barnett, your psychiatrist. I think he'd agree with me that it's too early for you to go back to work. And what about your boss? He'd take you off your precious case if he knew about your medication, wouldn't he?"
Bella didn't say anything for a moment. Her mind raced. Her head throbbed, and she felt a sickening churning in the pit of her stomach. Finally she found her voice again.
"This is none of your business. Please. Don't do anything…" The phone clicked in her ear. "…stupid. "
..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._
.
Phone call nr 3
.
This was not good. This was not good at all…
Moving to Phil's desk, Renee placed the handset of the cordless phone back on its base and
buzzed her husbands secretary on the intercom.
"Karen, I need aspirins."
"Yes, ma'am. I'm on my way. Anything else I can do for you, Mrs. Dwyer."
"Did you reach Dr. Barnett?"
"Yes, he is waiting on line 4."
"Okay, that's all for now."
Slipping her headset back on again Renee took a seat behind the big polished mahogany desk.
"Hey Jon, I'm sorry you were put on hold. I am sure you know why I'm calling…. "
".. ….. …."
"Yeah well, we have a problem. I wanted her more manageable. You promised the medication would make her easier to handle but it appears to have had the complete opposite effect."
"…"
"This was not suppose to happen... I need to know exactly what went wrong… What can we do to fix the
situation?"
.
..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._
.
Bella looked up from her computer and watched Edward pace the narrow foyer. Four steps and a turn, four steps and a turn… It had been going on for more than five minutes and it was getting rather annoying. The reception area of the gym was only about fifteen square meters. Well, you get the picture…
Bella made sure to save the document she was working on and then she snapped the laptop shut. The noise startled Edward enough to pause mid-stride to look at her.
"Edward, if you keep this up I'll have Emmett come and put you in a spinning class or something."
"I can't help it," Edward groaned as he sank down in the empty chair next to her. "God help me, I think I'm going crazy."
"Well don't look at me. I'm just mortal. You want to talk to God, I suggest you hit your knees and pray, but do it quietly, okay? I'm trying to get some work done over here."
"Very funny! Is that your polite way of saying get lost? Because, correct me if I'm wrong but doesn't your job require that you stay within 30 feet of me at all times?"
"This place is rigged with more cameras than your average reality show house. You're safe for now. "
"Safe, yeah right! That's what you think…," he muttered, with a sidelong glare.
"Okay, I have had enough of this. Whatever it is that's bothering you spit it out already!"
Edward's only response was another glare.
"Is this about tonight? You nervous about going on stage? The security will be tip top, you have nothing to worry about."
"You always say that, but it's just empty words. You want to know what's bothering me? I'll tell you what's bothering me." Moving closer, he lowered his voice. "My parents received a rather disturbing package on their doorstep this morning."
Bella stared at him blankly for several moments. Then she sprung into action. "Oh great! Why wasn't I told? What kind of package are we talking about here Edward? Where can I reach your parents? Are they at home or at work. I'll need more information."
"How about we make a trade?"
"What kind of trade?" she asked warily.
"I'm not stupid Bella. This isn't the work of some delusional lovesick woman. It's time you stop sugar-coating the situation. I know you know more than you're letting on, I want to know what's going on. I have the right to know so that I can protect my family."
"I'll make sure our family is safe. It's my job to do so. You don't have to worry about that…. but okay fine, you're right, we DO need to have a little talk," Bella admitted slowly. "This is neither the time nor the place for it though."
"Name a time and a place and I'll be there."
"Later tonight, after your gig. My place."
"Okay, I'll be there."
"You better be there or I'll find you and drag you there by your testicles."
"Is that a promise?" he asked with that annoying, yet attractive, smirk on his face.
She ignored his comment and handed him a pen and a piece of paper.
"Where are your parents right now; at home, at work? I'll need contact information. Have they spoken to the local police? Find it out and write it down, pronto!"
..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._
.
Phone call nr 4
.
This time when the phone rang Edward was sitting backstage at Forever Dawn with his head buried under a towel, breathing in hot air from his vocal steamer.
When he poked his head out from underneath the towel Special agent Swan was standing before him with the ringing cell phone in her hand. "I think you should take it."
"Okay," Edward agreed clearing his throat nervously before he reached for the phone in her hand. The caller id showed a local number, which he didn't recognize.
"Hello, Edward speaking", he answered in a cautious voice.
"You are doing it again…" The muffled voice on the other end sounded about as cheerful as always.
"Excuse me?"
"Shutting me out, refusing me the attention I deserve. What do I have to do to get the message through to you?"
"You are sick in the head, you stalking bitch!" Edward replied choosing his words carefully to make sure everyone in the room was clued in on what was going on. He knew Bella needed at least two minutes to plug in the tracking device and trace the call.
Rumbling laughter filled the phone line "No sicker than you my dear…. Another secret uncovered... You seem to have more skeletons than you have closet space... "
"Leave my family out of this!"
"Another lesson to learn. Another pain to embrace… The phrase guilty by association never seemed so seemed more appropriate, wouldn't you agree?"
"Please listen to me, whoever you are. You aren't cute, you aren't funny, and you've destroyed any chance of ever having me for so much as a friend. Take a hint. Leave me alone. And for God's sake, stop calling me."
The phone clicked as the person on the other end hung up. The phone fell to Edward's lap and his hands curled into fists. Would this nightmare never end? Growling in frustration, he slammed both of his fists dawn hard on the coffee table before him.
The impact was enough to not only send two empty bottles flying but also to make the vocal steamer tip over edge off the table.
Edward yelped in surprise as a cascade of boiling water hit him in the chest.
Another lesson to learn. Another pain to embrace… The words rang in his head, and with them came the pain, a fierce, fierce burning pain that seemed to almost consume his mind. A string of angry curse words passed his lips as the hot liquid ran down the front of his shirt and dripped with a sickening tap tap tap onto the floor.
.
..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._ ..~.._
.
One hospital visit, several icepacks and a whole bunch of painkillers later…
Bella placed her hand by the door handle ready to unlock it but suddenly stopped. A surge of uneasiness came over her at the thought of what was waiting for her on the other side of the door.
Second-degree burns produce severe pain and swelling. Watching Edward be in burning pain was... horrible…The trip to the hospital had brought back a lot of bad memories. She knew she had gotten too involved in the case, too emotionally attached to the victim. Losing one's objectivity meant loosing one's ability to reason clearly. Maybe her mother was right, maybe she had thrown herself back into the game too soon…
She didn't like the feeling in her stomach nor the doubts that were popping up. She wasn't a quitter. She was a survivor and besides Edward needed her. She couldn't turn her back on him now, not when she was already involved.
With renewed determination, she slid the key into the lock and turned it.
Her arrival grabbed the attention of everyone in the room and three sets of eyes turned toward the doorway as she entered the apartment.
Act normal, you fool, she told herself as she closed the door and turned to face them. These people can't know you're having doubts. They depend on you, they trust you - you can't let them down now.
"Sorry, it's just me," she said and smiled in what she hoped was a reassuring manner. "I swear I used the secret knock, did you all miss it? "
Her joke was met with silence. She looked around, surprised to find the otherwise so easygoing Emmett frowning and shaking his head.
When she met Alice's gaze, the woman glared and stormed out on the balcony. Bewildered, she turned to Jasper "What's going on here? I was only gone for five minutes. You guys are acting very strange all of a sudden. Did I miss something while I was out?"
"Did you miss something? Well, let me put it this way, someone threw a tantrum, and it wasn't pretty."
"Oookay and it wasn't Elliott this time, I take it…," Bella scrunched her eyebrows together and glanced around the living room. "So, Edward threw a tantrum, huh? Poor guy, he has had a rough day. Where is he now? He still here, right? Please tell me you didn't let him leave."
"No, he's still here. He locked himself in the bathroom," Emmett informed him with a pointed look.
"He what? Why?"
Jaspers expression turned somber "I guess he needs to be alone."
"Oh…That's understandable considering the circumstances."
"What circumstances?" Emmett asked. "What's going on? Have there been new threats?"
Bella shook her head "I need to see to Edward and make sure he's alright. I can't divulge any information at this point, you guys understand that, right?"
Before they could answer she had already started toleave the room.
AN: As always, big thanks to those of you reading and reviewing! As you may realize, english is not my native language and I struggle sometimes to get the words out right. Every little comment is a huge encouragement for me, so keep them coming...
I'm off to spain now (sunday - wednesday) for some sunshine. I would love to see some reviews when I get back...