Chapter 10
Alice left to take Jasper back to his room and just as Edward and I were ready to go, Angela walked in. I noticed Rose's smile widened a bit when she saw her and reached out for her hand. Emmett moved so Ang could sit next to the bed.
Ben was holding a Gatorade and handed it to Emmett when he reached for a sip. "I had an extra but Jasper took it," Ben said with remorse.
"We ran into Jasper and Alice in the hall," Angela said, and then took an embarrassed peek at me and Edward.
I wanted to throttle Alice for obviously telling Angela and Ben the 'big' news. I was sure the whole town would know by the weekend. I looked at Edward and worried about how he would handle the gossip.
"We're going to run," I announced and walked to the bed to give Rose a hug. Right then my phone rang so I dug it out of my pocket without walking away.
"Hi, dad." I instantly wondered if he had somehow heard the gossip about my afternoon activity.
"Edward's with me, can he bring me?"
"Okay, see ya in a few."
I hung up and Edward looked at me with eyebrows raised. "He wants you to drop me by the station," I told him.
Emmett pulled out his keys and tossed them to Edward, "Pick me up on your way home."
When we got to the truck I pulled on Edward's arm. "I'm sorry about this being public knowledge. I really wish we could keep it to ourselves."
"The whole world can know how much I love you, I don't care," he said before kissing me lightly.
I sat up against his side rubbing my hand on his stomach as we drove to the station. It was great not having to worry about him pulling away or asking me to stop. I felt like I could touch him as much as I wanted now.
We found Charlie sitting in his office and he motioned for us to have a seat. "We have some information on the dead man," he said while looking at his computer screen.
"It wasn't Mr. Klein?" I asked in shock.
"Oh, yeah, the man in the water was Mr. Klein, I meant the man in the house."
"Oh," was all I could say.
"His name was Laurent. He was a religious fanatic from Alabama who went a little nuts, started believing he was Satan or something."
"I believe that," I mumbled.
"We still haven't gotten anything from the other guy and no sign of the woman yet." I felt my hope plummet but my father didn't seem at all concerned about the possibility she wouldn't be found.
"Was this Laurent guy connected to anyone in town? Did he know the Denali's?" Edward asked.
"He was a counselor at a Bible camp outside of Seattle a couple of years ago, but that is the only Washington connection we can find."
"Dad, nobody knew about the rabbits and the words, finders keepers, so somebody who knows us has to be involved. Plus, he specifically mentioned you, dad."
"I agree, but we can't find the connection yet. It has to be through James or the woman. I went through all the arrest records for the last five years and there is nothing to match any of them."
My father could tell how stressed I was, so we sat and chatted about the team's chances at regionals for awhile. Baseball was the only subject both of my men could relate to and the only subject they could talk freely about. Finally Charlie told Edward he could leave and I could ride home with him.
I walked Edward to Emmett's truck and didn't want this day to end. I wanted to go home to a place we shared together, so I could spend hours upon hours in his bed, wrapped tightly in his arms. "I'll miss you tonight," I whined.
He ran his hand through my hair and smiled at me, "Thank you, for today."
"It was my pleasure," I giggled. "So… no regrets?"
"Yes, one."
My eyes snapped up to see him smiling and my heart melted at the sight.
"I just wish we hadn't waited so long." I could see the regret in his eyes along with the love he felt for me, and hoped he could see the same in mine.
"Well, if you recall Mr. Cullen I tried my best to tempt you long ago, what was so special about today?" I teased him.
He laughed and shrugged, "I guess you could say I was kind of on a roll today."
I looked at him with a confused expression.
"It was a high scoring day," he laughed referring to the uneven score of the baseball game.
"I was just another homerun?" I protested.
"No, love, you were a stolen base," he laughed.
"Are you kidding, I walked you all the way in."
He picked me up and twirled me around a couple of times before leaning me against Emmett's truck and kissing me hard. My hands went to his hair and his ran down the back of my body before my dad cleared his throat.
"I love you, Bella," he said as he regrettably pulled away.
"I love you, Edward."
I stood there watching him drive out of sight. I would remember this day forever and couldn't wait to be alone with him again.
My dad made a couple of stops and when I finally got home Edward's car was gone. I went to my room and removed the soiled sheets before my dad saw them. I picked up the trash, to empty it into the container in the garage, and saw it was empty. I looked around the floor to see if maybe Edward had missed when he tossed the condom. I couldn't even find the wrapper.
"Crap," I said under my breath and looked toward the hallway.
How could I possibly ask my dad about it? I didn't want to hear his lecture about his house, his rules. I thought back to how he acted at the station. Nothing in his demeanor showed he was aware Edward just relieved his all too willing daughter of her innocence.
I pulled out my phone to call Edward when my dad hollered up to me. "Bells, want to watch a movie?"
This was new….maybe my near death experience was giving my dad a whole new appreciation and he was willing to give up baseball or fishing to spend time with me. I just really wished he hadn't chosen this night to do it. I wanted to go over every detail of my time with Edward and sear it into my memory. I would probably end up writing a poem or some pathetic girly thing like that.
I walked downstairs and looked at Charlie, trying to decipher if he knew or not. He seemed perfectly normal and wasn't even playing with his mustache, like he normally did when he was anxious. I curled up on the couch as he put the movie Ironman in the DVD player. I didn't make it long before I was sound asleep.
I felt my dad shake me lightly calling my name, so I sat up. "I'll get in my bed," I said sleepily.
"Bella, I need to go in, so I'm going to drop you at the Stanley's," he said with a tight voice.
"Can't Edward just come over?" I asked and knew he would never agree, but my less than awake state gave me the courage to ask.
"I already called the Stanley's and Lauren is spending the night, too, so I'll take you there."
"Okay, let me grab my pillow and some clothes," I grumbled as I headed slowly toward the stairs.
"Hurry, Bells," he said, sounding very agitated.
I was shocked to see it was three in the morning. "Dad," I called out. "Can't I just sleep here, it's almost morning."
"Now, Bella," he said forcefully. I could tell something was terribly wrong. I hurried down the stairs and could see the stress in my dad's eyes as he played with his mustache.
"Anything wrong, dad?"
"Just work," he said as his jaw tensed.
The lights were on at the Stanley's and the door opened before I could knock. Mr. Stanley waved to my dad and I headed right for Jessica's room. I found her and Lauren sound asleep, so I climbed up on the spare bed to lay at Lauren's feet. It took some time, but I finally fell asleep.
I woke up to my cell phone ringing. I was disoriented and didn't make it in time to answer the call. I was sure it was Edward checking on me, but when I looked at my phone I saw it was Angela.
The door opened and Jess walked in carrying a glass of juice. "How did you get here?" she asked.
"My dad made me come when he got called in. It was freaking three in the morning; I guess I will be babysat till they catch the woman."
Lauren came out of the bathroom and lay down next to me. I began playing with her hair while Jess turned on her ipod. We didn't want to think about the cabin and needed to feel normal for a change. Life used to be simple and our troubles consisted or parent issues or boyfriend issues.
"So, is the big news about you and Edward true?" Jess asked.
"Are you kidding me, how did you find out?" I said in anger.
"Ben told Mike…and just so you know, Ben is totally disgusted with you both. He didn't feel like so much of a freak, when he wasn't the only hold out."
"Yeah, I lost my virginity just to spite Ben."
"Well, I'm relieved," Jessica announced. "I was afraid Mike was going to make a pass at you just to get it over with. I can't believe how stubborn Edward can be. So…." she giggled, "How was it?"
"I'm sure it was awful, just like sex always is," Lauren added with a roll of her eyes.
"Oh, sweetie, boy are you sleeping with the wrong guys," I laughed and fell back on the bed with my hand over my heart.
They both screamed loudly and moved closer to me wanting details.
Jess's phone rang at that moment and she held up her hand to stop me from speaking until she was ready. She answered, "Hi Ang."
Her smile fell and she listened for a bit before she gasped and yelled, "No way." Her eyes went straight to me and I sat back up. "Bella's here, can I tell her?"
She listened for a little longer, driving me insane with curiosity, and finally put the phone down.
"You are never going to believe this, Bella. Tanya died last night."
I heard the words, but I couldn't fit them into any sentence that made sense to my already stressed brain. I had dreamed of hearing those words, certain I would be ecstatic and plan a huge party. But, there was nothing joyful at all. In fact, I felt a little sick to my stomach.
"What?" I asked so she would repeat herself.
"Tanya was killed in her sleep last night, right in her own room. She was murdered," Jessica added for emphasis.
I now knew why Charlie made me leave the house. I grabbed my phone and called Edward, he needed to know things would change for him now. His phone was turned off, so I called his house. It rang several times, but nobody picked up.
"How did Angela find out, is it on the news?" I asked.
"She said her father was called to the home as a spiritual advisor for Mrs. Denali. He wants to send Angela away now, because he is so worried. She's freaking out that it will ruin her wedding plans if she has to leave."
I tried to call Edward again and this time I left a message. "Edward, this is Bella. Your phone is turned off so call me as soon as you get this message."
"Can I use your car, Jess?"
"I guess, but where are you going."
"I have to tell Edward. I really thought the Denali's were involved in the whole cabin thing, but I guess not. At least Edward will know his nightmare is finally ending."
I took her keys and ran for the door, just when I opened it my dad was there with his hand lifted, ready to knock. "Dad, I just heard about Tanya," I said as I tried to catch my breath.
He took hold of my shoulders and pushed me back into the Stanley's house. "I need to talk with you, Bells."
I waited impatiently for him to lecture me on personal safety, when he pulled me into a tight hug and whispered, "I am so sorry, honey."
"Dad," I said pulling away from him, "You're scaring me." I looked into his eyes and my chest tightened so much I could hardly breathe.
He stood silently.
"I'm going to Edward's," I said trying to will the news he had to tell me away.
"You can't, sweetie."
Tears welled up in my eyes and I began biting my bottom lip as I looked around the room for something to concentrate on. He led me to the couch and sat me down. I was shaking badly, and remembered when he told me my mom had terminal cancer.
He had come to Arizona for a visit and that alone was odd, but when he sat me on the couch and told me how sorry he was, I knew everything in my life had changed. He promised to take care of me and said I would be happy in Forks. I didn't know how I would ever be happy again. Who would teach me how to be a woman, and help me raise my own children? I had felt so lost.
I felt the exact same way now, something awful was coming and I wasn't sure if I could take anymore.
"Dad, please." I begged as tears slid down my face. I didn't know what I was begging him for, but I knew my happiness was about to end and I wanted my father to do everything in his power to stop it. Wasn't that what fathers were for?
He took my hands in his and looked into my eyes as he spoke very softly and ended all my hope for happiness. "I had to arrest Edward this morning for the murder of Tanya Denali."
Chapter 11
My reason for living was pulled out from under me. Edward was everything good and Tanya was pure evil. There was no way he could do what my father was accusing him of doing. I pulled my hands from his and shook my head as I tried to catch my breath.
"It's not true," I said.
Charlie didn't respond and gave me a moment to work it out in my head. It couldn't be true, he made love to me yesterday, our relationship was moving forward and our future together was bright.
"Dad, it can't be true. Her father is just blaming it on Edward."
"Honey, they have some pretty good evidence," Charlie said softly and I couldn't understand why he didn't believe me.
"What evidence?" I demanded, sure I could prove it was a set up.
"She was raped; they have body fluids as well as his hair in her hands. You have to admit Bells, he has pretty unique hair."
I felt like my chest wouldn't expand to breathe in enough air. I was suffocating with the thought of Edward being locked away because of Tanya. She was dead and still destroying his life.
"Dad, it can't be true, because if it is, I don't want to live anymore."
"Bella, you know the history they have, Edward was bound to react sometime. It would take a saint to ignore what she has done to him. Add to it the fact he thought the Denali's were behind what is happening to you and it's a pretty cut and dry case."
I knew their history would look damning for Edward, but I also knew it was possible to frame him with the missing condom. I had to save him, by telling my father I had sex with Edward in my room.
"Dad, I'm going to hurt you with what I have to say and I just want you to remember that I love you, but I'm an adult now and I love Edward, too."
His eyes narrowed and he braced himself.
"Edward and I had sex for the first time yesterday…in my room. Last night when I got home I washed my sheets and went to take my garbage out, because there was a used condom in it. But it was gone."
Charlie slowly stood and paced a few times rubbing the back of his neck. I knew how much I had disappointed him, but I couldn't think about that right now. Edward was innocent and if I didn't do something he would be locked away from me forever.
"Dad, Edward would never rape Tanya the very day he made love to me."
"You're going to have to tell this story to a lot of people Bella. The Denali's are ready to have Edward electrocuted and they will bribe whoever it takes to make sure it happens."
"I had more of a problem with Tanya than Edward did. He was resigned to his new plans; I was the one who couldn't deal with her," I pointed out.
A loud knock sounded on the door and it swung open to reveal Emmitt. He looked at my father in anger. "Come on Chief, you know damn good and well Edward couldn't kill anyone. He wouldn't touch Tanya, not even to kill her. He never went near her."
"They have evidence, Emmett. It's in the courts hands now."
"No, dad," I yelled. "There is a killer out there doing anything she can to ruin my life. She took the condom and she took Edward's hair from my brush. You have to find her, dad." I was now screaming and close to hysterics.
Emmett looked at me and lifted his hands to say he wasn't following.
"Emmett you know, tell him, tell my dad about yesterday. How you came over right after Edward and I had sex, tell him."
Emmett, despite his huge size, seemed to cower at the thought of telling my father what I wanted him to say. I grabbed the front of his shirt pulling myself right up to his face.
"Edward threw the condom in my trash and it was gone. His fluid IS on Tanya, but he didn't do it. You have to help me, Emmett."
He turned to look at my dad sheepishly. "Sir, I'm sure Edward isn't your favorite person right now, but as his friend, I know how much he loves Bella. He would never jeopardize his relationship with her, especially with Tanya."
Charlie stood in the middle of the room trying to think. He finally turned to me with an apprehensive look. "We need James to talk. If someone, let's say someone like Bella, happened to get into the jail section of the station when the guard was busy, maybe this person could get him to say something."
"I'll do it, dad."
He walked over and put his hand on my face. "Bella, you could get in a lot of trouble. And if it doesn't work, James' lawyer will have a field day with it."
"How could he, you had no idea I was planning to do it?" I smiled.
"I can't let you near Edward, honey. The Denali's would have him moved to a state facility. You have to stay away from him, understand?"
How could I promise to stay away from the man I love more than myself? Could I really be in the same area he was and ignore him? I wanted him to know I was doing everything I could to prove he was innocent.
I nodded weakly and my dad nodded in return.
"Emmett how did you hear the news?" Charlie asked him.
"I got a call from Esme, they're pretty ripped up over this."
"Can I go see them, Dad?"
"Sure, Um, I got a call saying you can pick up your jeep. Do you want me to have it towed?"
Yesterday I would have said yes, today my world was so much worse than what happened at the cabin. I knew I had to eventually face the fear, it couldn't be a memory buried deep in the forest, some obscure road that gave me the creeps every time I drove past.
"I can get it for you, Bella," Emmett offered.
"Let me talk to Carlisle and Esme and then I will figure something out."
Emmett gave me a ride to the Cullen's home. Esme opened the door while I was getting out of the truck. I ran to her and we both sobbed openly. Emmett stayed back and paced awkwardly.
She finally led me into the home. I sat on the couch next to Carlisle as she sat in a chair next to Emmett.
"He didn't do this," I said adamantly. "I know how they got his…um…the evidence they have."
Carlisle suddenly seemed to have hope. He sat up straighter and his eyes were no longer flat and lifeless.
"I'm sorry to tell you this, and I feel like I am betraying Edward, but you have to know how he is being framed. Edward and I had sex for the first time yesterday, and his used condom disappeared from my house."
"I think everything that has happened is related to the fiend they have locked up," Emmett said. "He's working with someone we all know, someone who hates Edward and Bella."
"Plus, they have never found the woman," I added.
Carlisle cleared his throat, which was very hoarse, and gave me some news that made my head spin. "They found one of Esme's knives in Edward's car….with Tanya's blood on it."
For a moment, a split second, I let my mind consider something I wasn't willing to accept. What if Edward killed her? What if her taunting, and her demands, and her constant stalking drove him over the edge? But one fact pulled me right back to my senses. He would never rape her. He would never do that on the same day he made love to me, it was not even a remote possibility.
"So what," I said to Carlisle. "You don't think a person capable of stealing a used condom can steal a knife?"
My phone beeped and I looked at the text I just received from Alice, it read: Jasper not doing well; may lose leg.
It was too much to comprehend at the moment. This was supposed to be the best time of our lives, we were young and in love and had the world at our fingertips, but somebody was systematically ruining our lives and I didn't have a clue who it could be.
I finally reached my limit, my poor brain and heart could not take anymore. I stood and the room began to close in on me and everything went black.
I woke up lying on Carlisle's sofa with my feet on some pillows. "Bella, do you feel better?" he asked me.
"Jasper," I said.
"Yes," Carlisle answered. "He has a rare bacterium in his blood. It lives in streams and rivers so he most likely got it from the forest or from the trap."
"Let us call your father to come get you," Esme offered.
"No, I have something I have to do, to help Edward."
"We've hired an attorney, Bella; he will contact you when he needs your information. We will tell him what you shared with us."
I nodded and looked at Emmett; he understood what it was I needed to do. "I'll take her right home," he agreed.
Instead, we headed to the station. I walked inside while Emmett waited in his truck. Charlie saw me and picked up the phone to call the officer watching the jail area. When he sat the phone down and put his hand up to his hair and held up his fingers, first four, then five, then two. I nodded at him and waited for the officer to enter his office.
I hurried past the open door; nobody seemed to notice or care. I was a pretty constant fixture around the place for many years. When I got to the security door I punched in four, five, two and a little light turned green, so I pushed the door open.
When I got to the second cell I saw him, James, lying on his bunk. Edward's freedom was depending on me, so this just had to work. I walked up close to the bars and took hold of them for strength, "Finders, keepers, asshole."
He jumped up quickly, but then stopped where he was and smiled at me, "Lonely, sweetheart?"
"Not as lonely as you, maybe your little girlfriend will join you soon….unless she has moved on to bigger," I looked at his crotch, "and better."
"I'm not worried," he chuckled.
"Yeah, that's what Laurent said….right before my friend turned him into a shish kabob."
I saw his eyes flash as if he was getting the news for the very first time. His hands flexed and the muscles in his neck tensed.
"Oh yeah, she ran a stick right through him, then shoved his nose through his brain. All that muscle and he was bested by a girl, kind of emasculating, don't you think?"
"Who's Laurent," he said with a smirk.
"Didn't you know? He's the antichrist…gonna rid the world of all of us weak pious people. Oops, guess he didn't have eternal life after all. You should have paid better attention at Bible camp."
I saw James swallow; he was suddenly taking me seriously.
"He's going to kill you," James said as he walked toward the bars. His voice was shaking but it wasn't fear, it was anger he was trying to control.
"Sorry, but dead guys can't kill," I said with a smirk.
He stood right in front of me, but I kept my hands on the bars, ready for any sudden movement to pull them back.
"Believe me; you are as good as dead," he whispered.
I stared into his wild eyes and suddenly had a hunch we were talking about two different people. I decided to run with it and see if I was right. "He's just as weak as Laurent was," I said with as much distain as I could muster.
He lunged at the bars and I pulled my hands down just in time. "He is perfection and a little slut like you will never bring him down." James was spitting from rage at the very mention of his mentor being called weak.
"He's a coward, sitting back to let you take the fall. Too afraid to face anyone while little girls pick off his friends one by one."
"You vile whore," he screamed at me. "You jezebel, it's time for your sex to be wiped off the earth. You're weak and stupid and he has no need for any of you."
I smiled as big as I could and shook my head, "Weak? Look where you are, idiot."
"You'll see, vengeance is his, what he finds he can keep."
I took a step closer but remained just out of his reach and kept my hands away from the bars. "I found you, and I get to keep you, locked away in a cage like a dog. Roll over, play dead, James."
"He's coming," James whispered and shook a finger at me.
"Bring it on, I'm ready, and when I look into his scared, pitiful eyes what message do you want me to give him from you?"
"That I will join him, soon," he sneered at me.
"Sure you will, hell has lots of room. And I will be sure and tell him how much you miss screwing him, but your new shower buddy is helping you forget."
I hit a nerve and it suddenly became very clear that James was not involved with the woman, but with whomever from town was helping him. He looked not only angry, but a little panicked.
I pretended to know what was going on; I hit my hand on my forehead and exclaimed, "Of course, it all makes sense now. It was him all along; he got into the locker room and into my room. Thank you, James."
"I didn't tell you anything," he screamed.
"That's not the story he's gonna hear."
"You bitch, you know nothing. He will kill you, just like he planned, and take him away from you. He will belong to the master and he will keep him forever."
I felt the blood drain from my face. Was this about Edward, did some psycho want my boyfriend? I had been so worried over Tanya and she may have been killed for simply wanting Edward, when some man wanted him. Maybe she was just competition the guy wanted out of the way?
I was just plain pissed now. I didn't care which gender it was, Edward was mine and I wasn't about to let anyone take him from me.
"I like you James," I said calmly. "So I'm gonna give you a little advice. I'm an only child; I guess you could say I'm a bit spoiled. There is one thing I never allow, and that is somebody touching my shit. And unfortunately, He, and we both know who I mean, touched my shit."
Anger boiled up in me when I thought about Edward being framed and the venom in my own voice scared me. "He's gonna pay!"
I turned and walked away, out of the secured area and down the hallway. A door to an interrogation room opened and an officer pulled a handcuffed suspect out into the open. My heart sank when I saw his red, puffy, eyes.
"Edward," I yelled as I dove at him.
The officer jumped in my way and pushed me hard, sending me crashing to the ground. Edward swung his bound hands at the man, "Keep your hands off of her," he screamed in rage.
Two other officers jumped into the skirmish, pinning Edward against the wall with an arm across the back of his neck.
"Stop it, you're hurting him! Dad," I screamed.
A large figure stepped out from behind the officers. He bent down to where I was sprawled on the ground, so his round bloated face was right up to mine. I could smell the cigar on his breath and he reeked of expensive cologne.
"This is your fault, Bella Swan. My baby girl is dead and I will make sure you get what's coming to you."
"Is that a threat, Mr. Denali?" My father said behind him.
The man stood, almost a full foot shorter than my dad and straightened his suit. "That's a promise, Charlie."
Chapter 12
I gave my father all the information I got from James. None of it would be admissible in court, but it gave my father some clues to follow up on. He asked me to keep the information quiet and not to tell my friends. I was all too aware how quickly information passed with my friends.
"Dad, I'm so sorry for all the trouble this has caused, but I am not sorry for loving Edward."
"I have to remind myself sometimes that you are not ten years old anymore. I guess I want to always be the man in your life."
"Just like I always want to be your little girl," I said with tears in my eyes.
He stood from where he was leaning against his desk and pulled me into his arms. "You will always be my little girl," he said as he kissed my head.
"I am so scared, dad," I cried.
"I'm going to figure this out, Bells, I can feel it."
I nodded against his chest and sighed.
"Emmett," my dad called out loudly.
"Yeah," a voice said behind me.
"You're on the clock now. You don't let her out of your sight."
"Dad, Emmett has practice today and a big game tomorrow."
"Then I guess you do, too," Emmett said with a laugh. "Guess you're our new bat girl?"
I rolled my eyes and deep down didn't know how I would be able to cheer the team on without Edward; his one bright spot from his senior year taken away from him, again.
I was sitting in the dug out watching Jake, a sophomore, taking Edward's place at shortstop. It looked all wrong. Jake was too tall and too muscular and his brown skin was a direct contrast to Edward's pale complexion.
"Bella," Angela called softly. "I turned to see her and Ben standing sheepishly outside the dug out.
"Hi Ang, Hi Ben, come on in."
They walked over and sat next to me. Angela put her arm around my shoulder. "Are you okay?"
I let the tears fall and rested my head on her shoulder, "Will this ever end?"
"Yes, honey, it will end, but you have to do what you made us do at the cabin; you have to stay strong and keep the faith."
"I'm trying," I assured her."
"I got a call saying I can pick up my suitcase at the state police office," she informed me. "Ben's going to take me."
"Yeah, my dad said I can go get my jeep, too. It's still at the cabin and I need to replace the battery."
"Do you need some help?" Ben asked.
"Emmett said he would get it for me, but I hate to take his focus off the game."
"Angela and I are going to the game tomorrow, you can come with us and we can go by and get your jeep on the way back. I'll drive it home, if you don't want to," he offered.
"I'm not sure I want to go there," Angela said softly.
"It will be daylight, you can just drop me off and I'll fix the jeep," he said, being much braver than me or Angela.
"Thanks Ben, let me talk with my dad and Emmett, I just may take you up on it."
I had to admit I felt more secure with Emmett than Ben, but that was just because Ben was so laid back and sweet. He wasn't a small guy, just polite and mannerly.
"I saw Edward," I told them as fresh tears fell.
"How is he?" Ang asked.
"Horrible. He's innocent," I demanded. "How could anyone think Edward would hurt Tanya now, after everything she has done, why would he do something now?"
She just squeezed me and didn't agree or offer her own defense of him. If Angela doubted Edward's innocence, he didn't stand a chance.
"Have you heard any news on Jasper?" I asked, angry that she didn't defend Edward.
"I guess they are trying to figure out how the bacteria got into his system. It can't live outside of water, so he had to drink it."
"I'm sure he drank tainted water, as he was crawling around out there," I mused.
"He swears he didn't. He's only had Gatorade and milk from the hospital."
"Did they check his IV?" I was wondering if someone was tampering with it.
"Yes, they didn't find anything," Ben said shaking his head.
"How's Alice?" I could only imagine how hard she would be taking the turn of events. I knew she would love Jasper all the same, whether he lost his leg or not.
"Bouncing off the walls. The mayor told me she won't leave the room at all."
"Well, she knows Jasper wouldn't want her to leave."
Ben rolled his eyes and I knew Angela hadn't filled him in on Jasper's history. Angela was so trust worthy and never gossiped or got involved in petty matters. How did perfect people like her exist in a world so evil and not become jaded.
The players were coming in for a drink break so Ben and Angela said their goodbyes.
Emmett patted Ben on the back as he walked by.
Jake seemed like he was trying to avoid me and I knew he must be uncomfortable taking Edward's spot right in front of me. I walked over to him and said, "Jake, you're looking good out there. Make Edward proud."
"I'll try, the pressure's on, ya know."
"Yeah, I bet. Just stay loose and don't swing at the high pitches. You tend to drop your elbow and pop ups won't do us any good."
The entire dugout got quiet and then broke into loud laughter. "Crap Bella, just castrate him why don't you," Emmett roared.
I knew what I was talking about and just because I was a girl I wasn't going to back down. So while I had their attention I was going to straighten out some of the other guys, too.
"Emmett you take an extra step when you throw to first. You don't need it and it cost time. Mike, stagger your feet when protecting home plate so the runner can't knock you down or reach the plate between your legs. Sam you play too shallow, run into the ball not back to it."
Coach Banner came over and put his arm around me. "I've told them this stuff for four years now, they won't listen to me, but maybe they will listen to a pretty face."
I stuck my tongue out at Emmett.
"Okay men," Coach Banner said. "As you heard, we have a lot of work to do, get on the field."
He leaned over to me and whispered, "I'm impressed."
"My dad's a baseball fanatic and he doesn't have a son," I explained as my face reddened.
I walked over to take my assigned seat back on the bench and watched the rest of practice as I ached for Edward.
"Want to go see Rosie?" Emmett asked as we drove out of the parking lot.
"Sure." I knew he wanted to see Rosalie, and since he was stuck with me, it was important that I wanted to see her.
I noticed a car sitting outside the house with a very large man inside. I had no idea why they didn't just stick with Emmett by her side constantly, instead of paying for a private body guard.
Rosalie was sitting by the pool in a bikini showing off her disgustingly perfect body. "Hi, baby, Hi, Emmett," she teased.
He ran over and pretended to throw her in the pool as she screamed and kicked over his shoulder. After their horseplay he sat down and pulled her onto his lap. "We need some alone time," he said looking at her longingly.
It made me long for Edward to see them so wrapped up in each other. Rosalie turned to me, "What's new, Bella?"
I looked at Emmett and he shook his head back and forth letting me know Rosalie was in the dark about what had happened.
"Um, have you heard about Tanya?" I asked hesitantly.
"No, what has the bitch done now?"
"She was murdered last night," I told her outright.
She looked back and forth between me and Emmett waiting for us to tell her it was some kind of sick joke.
"That's not even the worst part," Emmett said.
"Do I want to hear this?" she asked warily.
"I know I sure didn't," I mumbled.
"Edward's been arrested," Emmett told her.
"What?" she screamed jumping off his lap. "Edward killed Tanya?"
"No," I yelled at her in anger. "God Rose, why would you even think that."
"But you just said…."
"He said Edward was arrested, not that he killed Tanya." I could feel the tears forming in my eyes and my hands began to shake.
"Well, he has nothing to worry about. I'm sure a first year law student could prove he didn't do it," she said to steady me.
Emmet and I looked at each other. Rose sat back down on his lap before asking, "What else?"
"They set him up pretty good; his used condom disappeared from my trash can."
"He didn't flush it," she asked in shock.
"No," I said ashamed. "I don't have my own bathroom if you recall. I'm sure running into Charlie in the hallway would not be a good thing!"
"So what can we do?" she asked.
"We have to find who is behind this. Who would know what went on at the cabin and have access to the school and my room?"
"Well, any of the cops or any of our guys," Rose said.
"I didn't tell Edward about the rabbits or the words finders keepers, did you tell Emmett?"
Emmett shook his head. "So that leaves us with the cops!" Rosalie said in fear.
I jumped up. "Yeah, and a cop would want to get back at Charlie. He would have access to the school and nobody would think twice about seeing a patrol car at my house. It has to be a cop!"
I pulled out my cell phone and called my dad. After finishing with my brilliant deduction he spoke angrily. "You better be very careful with what you're suggesting, Bells, my guys are clean and I'm willing to stake my life on it."
"Really, dad, are you willing to stake mine? Because I would stake yours, mine and anyone else's that Edward is innocent."
"Yes, I am," he said emphatically. "I have a few leads Bella, just be patient and let me work this out."
"While Edward rots in there? I can't be patient, dad."
"Carlisle is working on getting Edward bail. Just sit tight, honey."
My heart soared at the thought Edward could be released and I finally saw a ray of hope. I instantly hung up and called his cell phone, but it was still turned off. I tried the house and nobody answered. I finally sent a text, hoping Edward would get it the second he got home.
We decided to go to the hospital and check on Jasper. I rode in Emmett's truck but Rosalie had to ride with her body guard.
I was shocked to see Jasper. He looked so healthy when I saw him the day before and now he was so pale, with sunken eyes, and several I.V.'s. He didn't respond when Alice whispered in his ear that we were there.
I walked over and hugged Alice. She looked so worn out and that was very unusual for the usually happy Alice.
"Alice, let Emmett sit with Jasper and you come with us to get something to eat," I suggested.
"I can't leave," she said sadly.
"Sure you can, Em won't leave, will ya?"
"I got it Allie, go ahead and take a break," he assured her.
We were followed down the hallway by Rose's body guard and Alice kept looking back at him suspiciously.
"Don't worry," Rose told her, "he's my hired muscle."
"Why, you date Emmett," Alice said.
I laughed loudly and agreed it was just what I thought, too.
"Did you hear about Tanya?" Rose asked her.
"Yeah, do you think it's related?" Alice asked.
"Of course, why set up Edward if it isn't related."
"Wait," Alice stopped walking. "Who set up Edward?"
"Didn't Ang and Ben tell you Edward was arrested?" I asked shocked.
"No, and that is pretty crucial, need to know information," she complained.
"I guess they felt you were dealing with so much already. My dad said Carlisle is trying to get him out on bail."
We sat in the hospital cafeteria trying to take Alice's mind off of Jasper, but she was so consumed, it was an impossible task. After asking to go back to his room for a third time we finally gave up.
As we headed down the hallway I received a text: I'm home, don't come over.
I stared at the words over and over again. Why wouldn't he want to see me? Did he think I really believed he killed Tanya? I wasn't about to let him push me away. I texted back: Too bad, I'm coming.
Rose left with her body guard and Emmett drove me to Edward's house. Carlisle answered the door and brought us into the living room where Edward was sitting with his mother. He stood and shook Emmett's hand and then turned to me. I threw my arms around him and felt him tense and awkwardly hug me for a fraction of a second and then pull away.
I felt like he had slapped me in the face. His cold greeting hurt me more than I could put into words and I felt tears begin to fall down my cheeks. I watched as he returned to his seat and his eyes looked only at Emmett.
"Are you guys going to pull out a win tomorrow," he asked.
"If Jake can handle short, I'm just not sure he can take the pressure all at once, he's pretty young." Emmett sat in a chair but I remained standing, staring at Edward in shock.
"Edward," I finally interrupted. "You're going to talk about baseball?"
He glanced at me and quickly turned away. I felt numb and I was having difficulty breathing. I walked over to stand directly in front of him.
"What about us?" I asked in a strained voice.
He kept his eyes down, refusing to look at me and mumbled, "There is no us."