Chapter Fifty Five

Bella

I had finished in Volterra but not with those who played with the lives of others, I knew only too well the heartache that brought with it. Darius had agreed to try hacking further into the Players website and see if he could identify those who had been most interested in Alice's activities. If we could unmask them then the others had already agreed to help me get revenge on them. Marcus and Athenadora had agreed to house the culprits in Volterra and try them for their actions if possible, if that is they could find a law these players had broken. But before that I intended to have a short and painful meeting with each of them. They found it amusing to destroy the lives of others, I wondered how they would feel if their own lives were destroyed in much the same way. We knew there weren't that many serious players so there couldn't be that many backers either and one, Aro, was already dead. I wanted any other backers too.

"You know sending them to Volterra wont be much of a punishment and if they have access to computers they could carry on, are you sure that's the best justice?"

"So what do you suggest Darius?"

"Well Emmett and I have been talking and we think we have a better idea, a more just idea too. If we can find out who they have been targeting we could just slip their names to the victims."

"And if you can't or the victims are dead?"

"Then you get your turn but you were keen to take personal revenge, don't you think others will too?"

I nodded, they were right of course so I held off but I only gave them two weeks, then we started the hunt ourselves.

Carlisle

I begged Marcus to allow Edward more freedom, to let him live with Esme and myself but he wouldn't budge and neither would Athenadora. In hindsight and with a few choice words from Esme I understood that he deserved the punishment he received but I missed my son and I knew he chaffed at his confinement.

"Perhaps you would do better to think of a way to clear your own conscience Carlisle."

"I'm not sure I understand you."

"Charlie."

"I don't see what I can do now and besides Bella is now one of us so there's no point. She can never see her father again."

"That doesn't mean he shouldn't know that you lied and don't try telling me you only did what you thought was right. You influenced that poor man into believing his daughter was a tramp."

She more or less stood over me as I rang the Forks Police Department and asked to speak to Chief Swan.

Charlie

I was shocked when Debs told me Dr Cullen was on line one, what could he want after all this time? He had shown me what a fool I'd been with regard to Bella and now she had dropped off the face of the earth. Neither her mother nor I had spoken to her in months and I guessed she was probably shacked up somewhere with some guy from college since she hadn't attended her classes for months either and this despite her insistence that she wasn't interested in any guys. I still felt very disappointed by her behaviour, I had thought so much better of her and it had been a bitter pill to swallow.

"Dr Cullen?"

"Chief Swan I need to talk to you. Would now be convenient?"

"You're in Forks again?"

"No, I'm afraid I am unable to travel at present. I meant is it possible for you to give me a little of your time uninterrupted if possible?"

"If its important although I can't think that we have anything to talk about."

"I have something to explain Chief Swan and it's not easy."

"Just a minute then"

I got up and went to my door opening it and calling to reception.

"No interruptions unless it's an emergency Debs please."

"OK Chief"

I went back to my desk picking the receiver up and sitting back in my chair,

"Right Dr Cullen, you have my attention but make it short and sweet. I take it this is personal?"

"Yes it is. I have an apology to make."

"Apology?"

That threw me somewhat,

"Exactly what is it you are apologising for?"

"First let me tell you that I have a...gift I suppose you could call it. I can influence your reaction to things I say. Very much like hypnosis I suppose is the best way to explain it."

"Hypnosis? OK I'll buy it, go on."

"When I spoke to you about Bella's behaviour..."

I interrupted him upset now,

"That's in the past. Or at least I try to keep it in the past. Don't ask me to apologise for my daughter's behaviour again. She's learned her lesson, or at least I hope so."

"She had no reason to do so Chief Swan. Bella wasn't guilty of anything in the first place, I can't explain why I did what I did but I thought you should know that I lied and used my gift to persuade you to believe me."

Carlisle

I waited for Charlie's reaction and for a few minutes he was silent then I heard the anger in his voice,

"Explain yourself Doctor."

"For reasons I'm not willing or able to go into I used my gift to make you believe the lies about your daughter. Bella was innocent of everything."

"You mean she never did anything with your son Jasper? "

"No, Bella was blameless, she always has been and now you are away from my influence I'm sure you feel it wasn't like her."

His hesitation told me he was thinking about this,

"You turned me against my daughter? Lying to make her out to be little more than a cheap tramp and you won't tell me why? You know you ruined my relationship with Bella not to mention her mothers. How could you?"

"I can only apologise, I can't explain and it wouldn't be helpful in any case. I have spoken to her and apologised."

"You know where she is?"

"No I'm afraid I don't, not any longer. Only that she is happy."

"Happy? Well that's something I guess. Is she with Edward then?"

"No. She never forgave any of us but she has reaped her revenge although I can't explain that either."

"I should hunt you down and kick the crap out of you Cullen and believe me I'll find a way to ruin your life in the way you ruined ours."

"Unfortunately you're too late Chief Swan, your daughter got in before you. I have to go now but I thought you should at least know the truth."

"Yeah, now there's no way back. Watch yourself Cullen because I'm coming for you"

He slammed the receiver down on me and I turned to Esme,

"Do you really think that did any good?"

"In as much as it forced you to tell the truth then yes. I feel sorry for Charlie and I wish he had some way of finding you and showing you exactly how much you hurt him but he can't, as you said Bella got in first."

She turned away and went to the window looking out across the courtyard,

"I'm just glad she's happy, she deserves that much at the very least."