Chapter XI

Bella Swan

"No," I whispered, as white as a ghost. "That's not possible. I watched him die! I saw Mike die! He couldn't have lived!"

"I'm sorry Bells," said Charlie sympathetically. "You were quite close to him."

"But that's not possible! The doctor said-"

"The doctor? Dr Cullen was drugged and abducted, and kept a prisoner of his own car. He had no idea about Mike Newton. Mike's mother had agreed in giving Mike life support, and when one of my officers asked whether she had agreed to taking away the life support, she had no idea what he was on about, and threatened to sue."

"I'd better go."

"Yeah. I'll see you later."

I was confused and shocked.

Is Edward involved in this? Did he drug his own father to kill Mike? Why would he kill Mike? He has no motive for it…

Or does he?

Contemplating my thoughts, I left and saw Jacob Black on the way.

"Hey Bells," said Jacob, flashing me a smile. "Heard that you're back in town! Haven't seen you in a long time either! Are you going to Forks High School, like the others? It'll be unlike you to ditch a few months of school to spend time with your dad!"

"I'm taking a holiday," I said, suddenly shy.

"Cool. Maybe we should get together sometime."

"Yeah, maybe. Are you working this case with my dad? He mentioned last night that you are a very bright detective-in-training."

"That's an exaggeration! Yeah, I am! A damn tricky case too!"

"Can you do me a favour?"

"Sure Bells. Just name it and it'll be done!"

"In the meeting today with the other people on the case, can you please agree with my dad that both murders are connected? He's really tired and protesting that he'll survive on fast food. I want him to eat a proper meal for once in his life!"

"Of course Bells! I guess I'll see you later!"

He flashed me another bright smile and went to Charlie's office.

I watched him go, and felt warm and fuzzy inside.

Why do I have weird feelings for both Edward and Jacob? Is it normal for a girl my age? I had feelings for Mike too…before I arrived at Forks.

Thinking of my guy problems, I walked out the police station.

In a few seconds, I found myself flat on my stomach on the pavement outside the station. I had tripped over the welcome mat again!

Every time I come here, I always trip over the damn welcome mat!

"Let me help you," said a familiar, melodious voice.

Dazed, I looked up and saw Edward, holding out his hand, a charming smile on his face. What is he doing here at a time like this?!

I took his hand, and he pulled me up.

"I hate welcome mats," remarked Edward. "I tend to trip over them when I'm deep in thought. I see that you have a habit of tripping over them and landing on your stomach as well! What a coincidence! And why are you here?"

"I might ask you the same question," I said boldly.

"I heard about what happened to my father, and the phone call thing. I want to clean matters up before it gets serious. You?"

"My dad's Police Chief Swan."

"Ah, visiting your father on a nice sunny day. Very thoughtful of you. I've been thinking. Even though I only know you for a couple of minutes, I feel attracted to you. It might be a bit too soon, but I want to ask you out for dinner. Not like a date, but you know, to get to know you more. It'll be alright if you reject my offer, but it's just a suggestion."

"I won't mind! The problem is, that I promised my dad that I'll cook him dinner today."

"That's fine. When will you be available?"

"Tomorrow night will be great. Maybe we can exchange numbers? To keep in contact or something. I hope your meeting goes well with my dad."

We exchanged numbers, and I felt nothing but happiness.

Edward smiled again at me.

I shyly smiled back.

Edward stepped into the station, stopped and looked back at me.

"Bella," he called. "I love your smile. You should smile more often. Your eyes are beautiful. I love the brownness of them! Reminds me of chocolates. Especially the chocolates I love most. Your eyes are the most prettiest eyes I had ever saw in my life! Looking at you, I can write a love poem just about your facial features! I'll see you later!"

I watched Edward go into the station and ran off, squealing in delight.

I couldn't believe it!

Edward Cullen loved my eyes!

HE LOVED MY EYES!

I skipped home happily, knowing that I'll have happy dreams tonight. I couldn't believe that Edward invited me to dinner either!

When I arrived home, my mind was full of Edward, and I had forgotten Jacob and Mike.

Edward Cullen

It had occurred to me (when I was disposing William's body) that Bella looked a lot like Esme. Could she be the girl of my dreams and the one who suffers on behalf of Esme?

The more I thought of it, the more it bugged me.

Why didn't I see it earlier?

Why didn't I realise that the girl in my dreams is a replica of Esme? I can't love a girl who looks like the woman who ruined my life!

"Can I help you?" asked an officer.

"I'd like to see Police Chief Swan," I answered. "It's an emergency."

The officer went into a room.

I sat down and waited patiently.

A few minutes later, he returned with another man.

"I'm Police Chief Swan," said the man, extending his hand. "You requested to see me? I presume it has something to do with the case, since I told the officers to only allow people to see me if they have information relating to the case I'm working on. I'm guessing that the officer that you saw didn't tell you what he's supposed to."

"I work at Forks Hospital," I said, shaking his hand. "One of the junior doctors that was assigned to the late Mike Newton."

"Why don't we discuss this in my office? Tell me on the way, please."

"I had heard of what happened to Dr Cullen, so I thought to come straight here. I was the doctor that answered the call from Mike's mother that she gave permission for Mike's life support to be taken away. I didn't move the body, and-"

"Why don't you tell me from the start?"

"Well…there's nothing much to tell. All I can tell, is that after I took away life support, I went to wash my hands and get a cup of coffee. After that, I went back and the body was missing. I thought one of the other doctors had taken away the body, but when I asked them, they didn't know what I was talking about. After that, I came here."

"How long were you away from the body?"

"It took a bit of time in getting the coffee, and I had to wait in the bathroom line. Around ten to fifteen

minutes, I think. It could be a little shorter. Why don't you check the surveillance cameras? It should have a time stamp on it. Unfortunately, I wasn't wearing a watch earlier today, and my phone was turned off, due to hospital protocol."

"Of course. I'll have a look. And your name?"

"Thomas Willoughby."

"Well, Thomas Willoughby! It's my pleasure to meet you! I'll keep you contacted of what happens in the case! Thank you for coming here."

"No problems."

I shook hands with Police Chief Swan again, and departed.

Hopefully what I did would save me from suspicion, and not a mistake. What I said to him, I don't believe. I could tell that my lies weren't as good as I hoped they would be, but what's done is done. I can't go back in time to fix it up.

I happened to glance at the window of Police Chief Swan's office, and noticed a large, framed photo of Bella hanging across the window.

I had the urge to rip the photo from the wall and stamp on it.

I wanted to scream and rip it to pieces, bringing out all my anger of Esme, onto the harmless photo of a girl who just looked like her! I wanted to bring out all my hatred of the woman who made my life miserable for half a century!

At the same time, I wanted to cherish the photo, love it and keep it.

What is wrong with me?!

I noticed Police Chief Swan staring at me, and I looked away.

I planned to steal the photo as soon as I can. That way, Bella can be with me everywhere. Even if I hate or love her in my mood swings.

For a split second, I wondered if I had the heart to kill anymore.

Do I really need to take my anger out on humans?

Humans haven't done much to hurt me, apart from the fact that some of them look like the vampires that made my life Hell, and their pungent scents drove me crazy when I first became a vampire. Their blood make me hard to concentrate, and made me distracted easily, but they don't deserve to die because of their blood scent!

Shouldn't I take out my anger on vampires?

No, I chided myself. If I kill vampires and the Volturi finds out, I'm screwed. Taking revenge on humans is much easier. Not much of a fuss.

I drove home and had no heart to practise my sadistic experiments on Mike today. I glanced at the table where I experimented with William.

It still had blood stains on it from earlier.

Hours past, and I sat, thinking of Bella.

After a while, I decided that I can't go on living life, without the framed photo of Bella. I can't kill people without the photo of Bella. I can't do anything without that photo of Bella. I need Bella to know that what I'm doing, is all for her.

The people I killed, are both for her.

Suddenly, I was struck with a brilliant idea.

I decided to present my sweet, darling Bella the hearts of my victims! The only way I can do that, is to retrieve the corpses, and rip out the hearts, polish and preserve them, and put them on tissues in two small, pretty boxes!

I'm such a genius for thinking that out!

Now, the first hurdle.

To find Angela Weber's body.

After disposing her body, at least two days have passed, so the police must've already retrieved the corpse and placed it in their morgue.

To find the morgue, I'll need my laptop.

I decided to leave Mike the way he is (maybe he can die of starvation) until my Bella is with me. Mike will be another present I'll give Bella. She'll have the pleasure of watching Mike die, first-class. If I was Bella, it would be the best present I would've ever received. Maybe I would let her help kill Mike. A minor killing part, of course.

Lucky for me, Forks isn't a particularly large place, and only around two morgues in it. Hopefully I can find the right one fast.

Today was a day when internet connections were slow.

I grew impatient, and even thought of throwing my laptop onto the ground!

No, I told myself. Bella wouldn't have wanted it. To please Bella, you'll have to be patient. Even if it's slow, it'll be worth it. Think about it. Bella would be so happy. Whatever I do, is for Bella. Bella will be angry if you don't give her a present!

The motivation worked.

I waited for three hours, and finally the webpage showed up!

As I predicted, there were two morgues (Forks Mortuary and Forks Morgue) in Forks, and the more popular one was Forks Morgue.

Instinct told me that Police Chief Swan would more likely go to Forks Mortuary to speed up the process, but I also considered the crime rate in Forks, which was pretty low. He could've placed Angela's body in either one of those morgues.

I looked up efficient Medical Examiners and found that most of them are clustered in Forks Morgue, while only a couple are in Forks Mortuary.

A trip to Forks Morgue it is!

Police Chief Charlie Swan

Young Jacob is an officer to be proud of!

That thoughtful young man had agreed with my theory, while most of the other detectives argued against it and thought of it as rubbish.

If only Bella's interested in him! That would make my life almost complete.

I must've drank at least ten cups of coffee today, to concentrate on the case.

If I wasn't given a case, I could spend more time with my Bells.

At the end of a long, tiring meeting, the other officers and detectives were convinced that my theory was the most likely to prove, and agreed to go with it for now. I left the station to go to Forks Morgue to check out the corpses.

Hopefully it won't take too long.

Bella would probably be disappointed if I don't turn up for dinner.

I felt bad for not caring properly for Bella when she was younger, and refusing custody of her when I was offered it.

"Police Chief Swan," said the ME, opening the door.

"Hello Dr Anderson," I answered. "How's the bodies? I'd like the autopsy reports and is there any similarities between them?"

"Here's the report."

"Thank you. And any similarities?"

"Both the killing styles are different, and it's obvious that the killer has a different Modus Operandi for each body, but after digging through more reports and examinations on the bodies, I found an unusual, but definite connection between the two bodies. I'm actually quite surprised that such a well-organised killer would leave his DNA on his victims."

"There's DNA?"

"I know. I was just as surprised as you when I found out. The problem is, that the DNA doesn't match any blood on our system."

"Of Washington?"

"No. All of the United States. I checked through the database for DNA matches, and none matched. I don't even know if it's DNA now."

"You're one of the best MEs in Forks!"

"Thanks for the compliment, but this type is different. I assumed it's DNA, and I looked in the database

in all of the United States for both blood types and DNAs!"

"And?"

"Take a look yourself. It's in the form of blood, but it doesn't match any blood type, but it's not a typical type of DNA either!"

"Not saliva? Hair samples?"

"It's deep in the body of both victims."

"Do you know which parts?"

"On Miss Weber, his DNA was injected through her hand. On Mr Wellington, all his fingers were injected with DNA. I also think that both of them were injected with a drug that contains something that makes you feel like you have arthritis. That's definite in Mr Wellington, but not too obvious in Miss Weber. When he died, he died in pain."

"I see that Angela was burnt to death and William skinned alive."

"Both painful deaths."

"I know. Can I see the bodies?"

"Of course. Just follow me. Come."

I followed Dr Anderson into another room, and almost crashed into him, as he suddenly halted in front of the door.

"What is it?" I said urgently.

"The body!" gasped Dr Anderson. "Someone's been here-"

I pushed him aside, and pulling out my gun, I ran into the room.

On the table, the body was different from the last time I saw it. Very different. There was large, bloodless cuts on the frozen, charred body.

"Is this even possible?" I asked.

"That someone attacked the body?" said Dr Anderson, glancing at the body in distaste. "No. This morgue is under high protection the whole time! It's impossible for someone to break into and create such a big, bloodless cut on a body!"

"No. Can a burnt body still um, look like this?"

"Pardon?"

"What do you think happened to the body to make it look like this?"

"I'll have to re-examine the corpse before I can tell you what exactly happened to it, but I can tell you that the attacker was aiming for the heart area."

"Why isn't it bloody?"

"It's quite scientific. The only thing I can tell you, is that once the body thaws a bit, the blood in the body will be jelly-like, and may ooze out."

"Okay…I'll check out surveillance of the morgue. How long will it take for you to look and re-examine the body for answers?"

"Um…half an hour, if you want DNA-"

"No. Just what happened to it. DNA isn't on the list of important matters right now. I have other things to attend to, then chase after the person who's DNA matches him or her. I'm surprised that the killer didn't rape Angela due to his sadism."

"Yeah, same here. If you don't want DNA check, then it'll take around twenty minutes. I'll call you when I finish the re-examination."

I nodded and went to the surveillance room.

The door was closed, and locked.

I pulled out my gun and kicked the door open.

The surveillance officers were all on the ground, unconscious (or dead), and all the surveillance cameras were turned off.

Someone had broken into the morgue.

I stepped into the room and noticed that the wires and cords used to operate the surveillance cameras had been neatly cut.

It'll cost millions to repair them.

"I need back up," I murmured into my walkie talkie watch. "There might be a murder in Forks Morgue,

and an ambulance is needed with paramedics as quickly as possible. There might be a couple of officers down already. This is Police Chief Swan."

Grimacing, I bent over and felt for a pulse beat on an officer.

There was a faint one.

I groaned as I looked around. How hard can this case get?! Whenever I have a feeling that the case will get better, the case only gets worse.

In this case, I already have two bodies (one with her heart missing) and an abduction to solve, and now this! It's such a bonus cherry on top. In a bad way. I hoped the surveillance officers are still alive, to help me with this case.

I examined the wires.

Even if a technician tries to put them back together, it won't be any good.

The surveillance tapes had been removed.

That bastard is on my nerves! He knows how to avoid being caught (and leave his DNA on his victims), rip apart surveillance tapes and machines, abduct a doctor, knock out three officers without making a fuss, breaking into a well-secured morgue and rip out the heart of a body without much of a mess! It seemed impossible to find him!

"This'll cost," commented a morgue officer, behind me. "What kind of guy can do this?"

"No idea," I murmured. "I can't think of any human being that can possibly kill and escape the authorities like this. The only thing that comes to my mind that can actually commit such a heinous crime, is a monster."