Chapter 24 – Coming to an end
An: This twisted little tale is coming to an end. Can a fic have more than one villain? The stalker is out of the picture, but that doesn't necessary mean that things will be smooth sailing from here on out. Renee will make another appearance in this final chapter. I'll be using her to fill you in on the last clues in this puzzle. Remember Jamie T Wilson, the shady photographer that took the nudie pictures of Edward? Read on and you'll find out how all that fits in to the over-all plot.
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Isabella is back (in LA) in black
Just Jared | September 10, 2010
It was all dark colors for the media shy step daughter of governor Phil Dwyer as she arrived at LAX last night. Isabella, who is still morning the loss of her late husband, motorcycle champion Jacob Black, is rumored to be in town for Dwyer's annual celebrity baseball fundraiser event. This will be her first public appearance since the tragic crash in January earlier this year.
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La Luna Steakhouse and Grill Bar in Los Angeles California.
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Private investigator, Laurent Delmas, settled back in his seat and played with his napkin as he waited for his 'date' to arrive. The bar was not a fancy one—he wasn't in the mood for that tonight. He just wanted somewhere that he felt comfortable. He had a lot of money riding on this.
Tossing the napkin aside he looked up to check the sports scores on the flat screen TV above the bar. That's when he caught sight of a familiar face walking in through the front door. He smiled as she made her way through the half empty bar. Governor Dwyer's wife in a black short fringed wig and colored sun glasses. Now that was a sight you didn't see every day.
"Mata Hari, I presume," he greeted her as she came within earshot.
"Renee, will work just fine," the woman remarked and eased herself into the leather upholstered seat. "Thanks for meeting me here. I know it was short notice."
"Always at your service." Laurent touched his forehead in a mock salute and slid a glass of whiskey across the table. "I must say I was surprised when I got your call today. With your daughter in town for the fundraiser I figured my services were no longer needed."
"Getting her to make an appearance was only the first step. My daughter is one misguided young individual in need of constant guidance and strategic direction."
Laurent quirked his lips in a rather knowing expression. "And by guidance you mean you want to control the company she keeps."
"For her own good, of course," Renee agreed without as much as a flinch.
"Of course… and for the good of Dwyer's campaign. Don't think I don't know where your priorities lies."
"Public appearance is everything in this business. I need her image as the grieving widow to stay intact until after the election. It wont look good if she moves on too quickly."
"Especially not with someone whose family openly and financially supports your opponent."
"Exactly."
"Most mothers would kill to have their daughters date someone of Edward Cullen's financial and social status. He comes from a family of 'do-gooders' and 'go-getters'."
"They are his adopted family, mind you. And I don't care if he is related to mother fucking Teresa in direct line of descent. He is not dating my daughter. Not now and preferably not ever, if I have any say in the matter."
"Right and how is that working out for you?," Laurent asked coolly. "Last I heard you were pushing for a restraining order." He drained the last of his whiskey and then held the empty glass up to get the barman's attention.
Renee waited until the bartender had set down two new shots of the golden liquor and walked away before responding.
"I was, but I can't follow through on that just yet though. I can't risk the press learning about any of this, let alone my daughter. No, I need to find a quiet solution to this dilemma." Almost thoughtfully she swirled the ice around in her glass without looking at it. "Those kids have only been separated for a few weeks and lover boy is already trying to weasel his way back into her life. Just this morning there were a dozen red roses on our doorstep. I'm not sure how long I can keep Isabella in the dark about his efforts."
"You need something that will give you the upper hand when dealing with the Cullen boy."
"Yes, that's exactly what I need and I'm willing to pay handsomely for it."
Laurent suppressed a smile and pulled a wallet sized photograph from his pocket. "I am going to charge double my usual fee and you're going to cover my traveling expenses."
"This better be good, Delmas. Why am I looking at a photograph of a bunch of kids in a sandbox? What does this has to do with anything?"
"Everything, honey. This IS what you're been looking for, " Laurent's replied smugly. He had her now. Her interest was sparked. He could practically smell the money.
"The girl in this picture, Angela Weber, is the stalker your daughter been chasing the last couple of months. She was born Larissa Angelica Grey on april 23, 1987, in Holley, Florida. Her parents divorced early on in Angela's life and her mother Barbara remarried reverend Thomas Weber of the Baptist Congregation in Seattle."
"Is this leading anywhere anytime soon because as you know I have an unusually short attention span."
Ignoring her remark Laurent continued his story. "The biological father, Angelo Demarcus Wilson, was a hard-drinking criminal who died in a shooting during an attempted store robbery just a few years back. Her biological brother, however, is still alive and kicking." He tapped a finger at the boy in the photograph. "James T Wilson is his name. You might, even recognize it, seeing as he appears to be following in his fathers shady footsteps."
Renee nodded. "I assume this is the same Wilson that is wanted for the murder of judge Harridan's nephew…"
"Yep, that's the one. He started his career as a studio photographer, but he soon developed a somewhat questionable reputation."
"When he started dabbling in porn?" It was more of a statement that a question. "Look, this is all very fascinating, but I still don't seen how this could be of any use for me."
"Patience my dear, patience… In 2003 James helped his then barely teenaged sister get a summer job as a darkroom assistant. To make a long story short, the young girl witnessed more nudity and sexual aversion that summer than any young girl should ever have to witness. James was caught with his pant's down, literally… He was sued for sexual harassment and his sister was forced to testify against him in court. It was her words that got him convicted, something brother dearest wasn't too happy about. Death threats followed, hence the sudden name change. Larissa Grey became Angela Weber."
"Right, and stalker girl never quite recovered from all that drama, "Renee cut in, impatient as always. "The girl was in and out of mental health programs until she turned 18 and could cut all ties with her mother. About a year ago she relocated to NY where she started working as a cashier, a flower delivery person, and a nanny. That's how she met Cullen, got smitten and developed a crush bordering on obsession. I know this part of the story already."
"I know you do, but did you know that the girl recognized Edward Cullen from her summer as a darkroom assistant?" Laurent asked with a triumphant glint in his eyes. "Not only did she recognize him, but she had some rather disturbing photos of him in her possession. Her brother's handy work. I haven't seen them myself, but I've been told there is both nudity and homoerotic content."
"Now we are getting somewhere," Rene commented, a smile curling on her lips. "Disturbing photos of the Cullen heir. How much do I have to pay to get my hand on those photos?"
Ah here it comes…. Laurent Delmas all but rubbed his hands together in eager anticipation.
"How much are you willing to pay?"
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A few weeks later in a doctors office at a medical center two blocks from the FBI HQ
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After being examined, Bella waited for the doctor to return to his office. She knew it was merely a formality. Her health, both mental and physical, was back to tip-top condition.
She had made a promise to herself and she had been sticking by it like glue for the last couple of weeks. No more dwelling on the past, no more wondering "what if" or anything of that nature….And no more waiting by the phone like a lovesick teenager. Five weeks and still no word from him. Edward wasn't going to call - it was as simple as that.
It was probably for the best. She was only one clear bill of health away from getting her status as a field agent reinstated and in her line of work, attachments could be very dangerous things to have.
That thought brought a little twinge to her spine, but she shook it off. In truth she missed him; missed the sparring, missed the arguments, missed his wry sense of humor.
"Special agent Swan," the doctor acknowledged her as he came into the room.
She stood. "I hope you come baring good news, doctor. All this waiting is not good for my nerves. "
He threw her file onto the desk. "I don't know where to start."
"Sir?"
"If I didn't know any better, I'd swear this was just another case of a female agent trying to get out of field duty."
"I don't understand."
"You're pregnant."
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THE END
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AN: Yes I'm an evil, heartless wench for ending the story there. Please R&R and I might consider moving on with the sequel I had originally planned to write after finishing this fic.
There is a bunch of plot threads left hanging :
-Angela's motive
-James, the seven year old photo shot incident and the ongoing murder investigation
-Renee's odd behavior
And of course Bella's unexpected news
My personal goal with every new story I write is to try and write something that generates more reviews than my previous fics. In this case I'm still 12 reviews short so this is a great time for everyone who hasn't to let me know you're out there!
If I decide to go ahead with the sequel it would be a stand alone story (because that's how I prefer to write them) but it would pick up from where this one left of.
It will have Bella and Edward (and Seth) working together on another case. A new character will be introduced; a tiny, diaper clad one…. And no, it's not Bella and Edward's lovechild. Bella's pregnancy will be addressed, but it will play a minor role in the story…. That's all I'm saying at this point…
I'll have a teaser (first chapter) up within a week so be sure to put me on authors alert if you're interested in reading it. If I decide to go ahead with this new story I'll start updating it once I have the last chapter of "A twisted tale" one up on twilighted (I'm about 3 chapters behind over there…).
Thanks so much to everyone who has read, reviewed and/or put this story on alert.
It's been a pleasure writing for you!