DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN TWILIGHT OR ANY OF
S. MEYER'S CHARACTERS… UNFORTUNATELY.
I JUST PLAY WITH THEM.
Blood In The Snow Chapter 22
Previously:
He grabs the throw off the back of the loveseat and snuggles down with me, covering us both. "Sleep, my love."
JPOV
Why is it so bloody hot in here? Reaching for the covers to throw them off and try to cool down, I discover the reason for the heat wave… Edward. His arms are wrapped around me n a death grip and one of his legs is draped across my lower body, tangled with my legs. I am effectively trapped and at his mercy.
Pulling at his arms, I try to extricate myself, but he keeps tightening his arms, muttering softly.
"Edward." I whisper… nothing. "Edward. Edward!" I try to shake him. He groans, slides his arms from around me and turns his face to the back of the love seat. Sliding off the side of the love seat, I hit the floor harder than I expected. "Oooff!" That sucker is higher than I thought. Peeking up over the edge, I check to see if he is still asleep… he is.
Getting to my feet, I look around for my pants or boxers. I find my boxers across the room and slip them on, heading for the bathroom. After I take care of business, wash my hands and brush my teeth, I feel human again.
Wandering into the kitchen, I look out across the deck and yard. The sun had apparently just gone down, pink and gold streaks still painted the evening sky. The snow had stopped while we were sleeping and the yard was pristine, no footprints to mar the perfection.
The outside security lights, scattered around the edge of the yard, cast a soft glow across the snow, creating sparkles everywhere the gentle breeze caused movement. It looked like a magical fairyland or one of those fancy, expensive Christmas cards. I stood and stared for quite a while. So peaceful… I love it here.
Looking around the kitchen, I spot the espresso machine. Cool. Digging through the cabinets, I find everything I need to make us a couple of vanilla mochas. The smell of the espresso brewing must have awakened Edward. He comes shuffling into the kitchen, rubbing his eyes. He looks like a little boy, just getting up from his nap. Adorable. Reaching out, I pull him into my arms, holding him close. "Hello, love. Sleep well?
"Umhumm." He sounds so sleepy still.
"I'm making us a vanilla mocha. Sound good?"
"Oh… yes." He mumbles, snuggling his face in to my chest, his hands caressing my back.
"Come on, love…" I lead him over to the breakfast bar and settle him on one of the stools. "Sit here while I finish them up." I kiss his temple and am rewarded with a sweet smile from my love.
I finish up the drinks and we wander back into the living room to sip them and watch for animals to sample our tree. We don't have to wait long before Edward nudges me and points. A small doe eases her way into the yard, finding the corn we scattered there earlier. She nervously looks around before lowering her head to eat. After a few minutes another deer joins her. We grin at each other, snuggle closer and just watch. This is heaven.
CHPOV
Well, that went better than I thought it would. James and I met, separately, with Paul, Embry and Quil. Each man got a different story. They took notes, asked all the right questions and agreed to keep the information between the three of us, as protection for Jasper, of course.
Now, we just have to wait and see what the Volturi do. James has got all the surveillance in place. Their cell phones are all bugged, as are their desks. We couldn't bug their cars, but we did get GPS devices attached to the cars. They are set to report any findings to either James or myself and check in with us daily, just to let us know where they are in their investigations.
James and I are the only ones who know Jasper is actually here in Washington. He and I had a long discussion the day after I got back from my 'fishing trip' with Jacob. He agrees that the plan we came up with should work. He kept telling me how glad he was that I trusted him with the truth. Not sure why, but I didn't tell him about this Edward Cullen guy. I know Jacob didn't want me to, so I guess that's why I didn't.
"Hey, Charlie!" James stuck his head around the corner of the door. "You stayin' here all night?"
Looking up from my computer screen, I checked the time on the wall clock. Good grief… 7 pm already? "Naw. Time just got away from me." I shut down my computer and locked it down for the night.
"Want to join me for a bite to eat before you head to the house?"
"Where at? That little diner down the street? I stood and reached for my coat, pulling it on
He shrugged. "Yeah, that will work. Best burgers in town."
"Got that right." I hit the light switch, plunging my office in darkness. "What are you waiting for?" I asked as I headed down the hall to the elevators.
"Right behind you."
The little diner was nearly empty when we walked in. We must have missed the dinner rush. Good. James and I made our way to a booth in the back, sliding in across from each other. The waitress was at our table almost before we could get settled.
"Hi. I'm Candy and I'll be your server tonight." She practically drooled all over James and I'm not sure she even saw me." "What can I get you boys to drink?" Hmm, maybe she did notice me after all. She leaned in closer to James, showing off her ample cleavage. James seemed to enjoy the view, giving her a big grin.
"I'll just have a cup of coffee, Sweetheart." He purred at her, eliciting a blush that crept up her neck and across her cheeks. She glanced at me. "Same here." "Be right back", she turned and walked away.
She was back in a minute with coffee for us and we ordered burgers and fries. While we waited for our food, James fidgeted around.
"James, what's wrong with you? You can't sit still." He looked at me, like he was trying to decide how to tell me something. "Spit it out, man. What is it?"
He rubbed his hand across his face, then looked up at me. "I think Paul is the mole."
"What?" Paul had been on the force for over eight years. Never in trouble… never a complaint against him. I'm shocked.
"I know, I know. I couldn't believe it myself. He's been like a brother to me. But, I've got the recordings from his phone… " He trailed off, looking anywhere but at me.
"I want to hear these recordings. Where are they?" I can't believe Paul would do something like this. Damn.
James reached into his coat pocked, bringing out a small cassette tape. "I had a copy made for you, Charlie." He handed it across the table to me and I put it in my pocket. I'll listen to it later tonight. "It's pretty incriminating."
"Have you said anything to him?"
"No. I wanted to run it by you first."
The waitress brought our food over. "Here you go." She set the plates in front of us. "Can I get you boys anything else? Anything at all?" She stared at James, hope in her eyes.
"No, honey, this is fine." I sent her on her way.
We were quiet as we ate. I always loved the burgers here, but tonight… they had no taste… at all. We finished eating and left several bills on the table for the waitress, heading out the door. We walked back to the station parking lot, both lost in our thoughts. As we walked up to my truck, I turned to James.
"Don't say anything to Paul just yet. I want to hear this recording and keep an eye on him for a day or two." James nodded. "I want you to follow him. Find out who he's seeing and talking to."
"Will do. Should be easy enough with the GPS. He'll never know since I can choose my own route." I nodded. "Want me to get video if I can?"
Yeah. I want to be absolutely sure before we ruin his career." I unlocked my truck and slide in. James turns to go to his car. "James." He stops, turning back to me. "Man, be really sure." He nods and heads to his car as I start my truck and head home.
JHPOV
I can't help but snicker as I get in my car. Charlie is such a chump. When I first came out here to Seattle, I was just trying to get away from the Chicago Internal Affairs. They hadn't gotten enough on me to file charges, but they sure were looking really hard for evidence. I figured if I transferred out they'd think I must be clean, since I'd be leaving all my connections, if any, behind. Timed it just right. 'Course, I didn't give up my connections… I just re-connected with Aro's men out here.
I need to convince Charlie and everyone else that Paul is the mole. He actually is, but he's not the only one. Demetri recruited him about a year ago, but only gets the small stuff from him. They don't completely trust him yet. He doesn't know that I'm their main information guy in the department. Hell… they've got me keeping an eye on him. He'll be the perfect fall guy. Once I bring him down, Charlie will believe anything I tell him from now on.
My cell phone vibrates in my pocket. Pulling it out, I see that it's Demetri. "Hey D! How's it goin'?"
"Yeah, yeah." Demetri doesn't do small talk. "Had a call from Paul. Says Whitlock is back in Chicago."
"Yeah, well… maybe not." I chuckle.
"You think its funny, Jimmy boy?" Demetri snarls. "Aro wants to know where he is… NOW. Trust me, you do not want to mess with him."
"Chill, man. I've got the right info. Charlie is trying to find out who's passing info on to you guys. He's put out three different stories. I need you to act like you believe Paul. Be obvious and make it look like you're sending someone to Chicago to get Whitlock."
"And why would I do that?"
"So I can prove that he is the mole and get the heat off. The less heat, the more info I can get to you."
Demetri is silent for a few minutes. "All right. We'll do it your way." He paused. "Don't make me wait too long for the real location. Got it?
"Shouldn't take more than a week at the most." The line went dead as he hung up on me. Prick. Without my info, they never would have found them in the first place. And it sure wasn't my fault they were too stupid to make sure they had Whitlock dead before they dumped him. And if Demetri thought I was gonna screw up my Christmas by getting involved in this hunt, he was crazier than I thought. He can wait until AFTER the holidays.
Punching the remote for the garage door, I pull into the garage, lock up the car and go inside. I toss my keys in the bowl on the table by the door and grab a bottle of water from the fridge, before slumping down on the couch and turning on the TV. I always think better with a little background noise. Now, how do I set Paul up to get caught…I already told Charlie I heard the tape and I know he's at home listening to it. Knowing him, he'll want to stake him out and catch him in the act. Okay. What could go wrong? Paul is not supposed to know about me… but what if someone has let it slip… hmmm.
I wake up, still on the couch. Damn. That couch was not meant to be slept on and boy do I feel it this morning. Groaning, I crawl up off the couch and head into the bathroom to get under my hot shower and hopefully loosen up some of these knotted up muscles.
Oh… that feels so good. The water beats down on me and I just stand there, head down while it soothes away the aches. Then it hits me. The only way to safely pin the mole label on Paul is to 'accidentally' shoot him when we catch him in the act. And, if possible, I need to catch him alone and have him shoot me. Then I can claim self-defense… I had to shoot him… he shot at me. Even if I have to shoot myself. Yeah, that will work.
CHPOV
I got to my office before any of my team. I need to listen to this tape again. I just can't believe that Paul was our mole. Pressing the 'play' button on my tape player, I lean back in my chair, closing my eyes to listen closely.
"Yeah."
"It's me… Paul."
"Got something for me?"
'Yeah. Swan called me in for a meeting with him and Hunter this morning."
'And?"
"They know where Whitlock is."
"You gonna tell me or do I have to convince you to talk?"
"Felix, man… you don't have to threaten. I'm gonna tell you. Uh… is the family still offering the reward for the info?"
"Yeah. $10,000 when we get him."
"Good. He's back in Chicago. Hiding out in his old apartment. Dummy thinks no one will look there for him."
"I'll have someone check on that. Anything else?"
"Yeah… uh… I think one of the guys might think I'm giving you information."
"Who?"
"James Hunter. He keeps looking at me funny."
Felix chuckles. "Don't worry about it, man. You're good."
"What's funny about that?"
"Nothing. Call if you find out anything else." He chuckles as he disconnects the call.
As the tape ends, I sit up and punch the 'stop' button. Paul thinks James is involved? What was the chuckling about? No way. James is straight as an arrow. I know this. He wouldn't have given me the tape with his name mentioned if he was dirty. Yeah. Felix is just trying to cause trouble.
"Morning Charlie!" James walks into my office and flops down in a chair. "Did you listen to the tape?
"Yup. We need to feed him something he has to take to them. We have to catch him in the act. The tape is good, but he can argue that it's someone else imitating his voice."
"True. But what arewe gonna give him to take to them?"
"Well, I've been thinking about that. The first thing we have to do is let him think he's being watched and maybe bugged. Then we let it slip that Whitlock is talking to Black and is gonna testify. And that he has more evidence in his apartment. That should be enough to get Paul to meet up with them."
"I'll get right on it" James got up and headed out. "Be good to get this leak shut down, right, Charlie" He stopped in the doorway and grinned at me.
"Just take care of it, James."
AN: Dun, dun,dun…duuuunnnn. Here it comes.