Chapter Seventy Eight

Bella

My life was now complete, I had my Jasper for all time and he understood that I never blamed him for changing me. Peter needed a few words of wisdom but that could wait. First Jasper would take me hunting something that was worrying me. I would have liked to concentrate on animals but with the others all human hunters that would be very difficult and Jazz had promised to ensure I only drank from suitable candidates as he so delicately put it. We didn't have to go too far until we ran into some hunters laying illegal snares and once my thirst exploded instinct took over. By the time I drained my victim my throat was soothed and I was ready to take on Peter the Prick! As soon as we walked in I knew something was very wrong. There were no smart remarks from Peter, and Charlotte looked upset.

Jasper

I felt the emotions in the room and pulled Bella closer, putting my arm tightly around her.

"What's up Peter?"

He looked at Bella then sighed heavily

"Shit Bella, I don't know how to say this so I'm sorry if it comes out the wrong way. We got a call from the Forks Police Department a few hours ago, Deputy Eddy Martin, he said you know him"

Bella nodded stiffening,

"It's Charlie isn't it?"

"I'm sorry Bella, there was an intruder at the house, he called for back up but they were too late. He's dead Bella"

She slumped against me, a terrible wail breaking from her lips,

"No he can't be. He was here a few days ago he can't be dead. Did he say who did it?"

"No, I don't think they know."

"I have to go back to Forks"

"That might be a little difficult Bella under the circumstances. Remember everyone still thinks you are dead"

She stiffened and looked up at me,

"So what do I do?"

"Peter and I have arranged with the Deputy to go as Charlie's distant relations"

She saw the truth of my words but they still hurt and frustrated her.

"But I have to go. Its my Dad, I'm all he had left. What am I going to do Jazz?"

Peter

We all knew what we had to do,

"Bella you can't go or all the suffering Charlie went through to keep your survival a secret will have been for nothing. The Major and I will go on your behalf. We'll do right by Charlie I promise you".

"I want to know who did it Peter. I want to know and I want five minutes with him, or them."

"No worries Bella, whoever did it is yours."

"Would you be happy to let us do all the arrangements Bella?" Jasper asked turning her to face him,

She nodded, her eyes filled with venom and a whimper escaping her lips.

"As long as you find out who did it. I want them."

"We will. You stay here with Charlotte and we'll ring as soon as we have any news. Do you have any special requests for Charlie?"

"He wanted to be buried in the local cemetery near his parents. I think the plot is owned by the family anyway."

Jasper

I hated the thought of leaving Bella after all I'd put her through but the others were right. There was no way she could be seen without causing a terrible problem. That night she refused to hunt, just lay on the grass looking up at the stars and shaking. I lay beside her and held her close, trying to help with the pain of her loss. She clung to me like a drowning man and I whispered memories of Charlie to her. Our hunt, his pride at seeing her a bride, the way he'd stood up to me when we first met and she smiled at some of these.

"Jasper do you think it's just a coincidence?"

"How do you mean?"

"He finds out about vampires and sees me marry one, then he gets murdered."

"You think the Volturi might be involved?"

"Don't you?"

"It doesn't sound like them Bella. They'd just kill him, drain him, and the body would never be found. If he's been left its as a warning."

"A warning to me you think?"

"Well I guess it could be. They may not know what's happened to you. That you're already a vampire."

"Charlie was my warning to change or else?"

"I guess it's a possibility but if it was the Volturi they made a big mistake."

"By not knowing I was already changed?"

"No, by killing a member of my family"

"What can you do though Jasper? You can hardly declare war on the entire Volturi guard."

"Maybe not, but I can have the person who did it."

"But not the one who ordered it?"

"That would be Aro or Caius I guess, if it was the Volturi. It would be very difficult to get to them but I would if you asked me to."

"NO. I don't want to lose you. I can't lose you Jasper. I'd rather Charlie's killer got away with it than risk losing you."

She held on even closer, almost cracking my ribs till I was forced to remind her who needed to take care now.

"I'm sorry Jazz I just need you close. I feel like I'm losing everything, I can't lose you too."

I kissed her and caressed her as her shoulders heaved, the dry sobs racked her body.

"Don't worry darlin' you're not going to lose me. I'll look after you, we all will. You know you're part of a family still, the Whitlocks. Not the same as your own but one that will love you just as much."

"My family" she said firmly "The Whitlocks, that sounds good."

Peter

When I went out to them some hours later I had some new information. I'd spoken to Deputy Eddy again and he understood that Bella couldn't attend the funeral as everyone still assumed she was dead but that Jasper and I would be representing the extended family as distant relatives on Charlie's side. When I asked him if they'd had the autopsy he was a little coy but I managed to get the details out of him in the end. Charlie had died of a massive brain haemorrhage caused by several heavy blows to the skull made by what appeared to be a fist or a sand bag or similar object. His neck was broken and his skull fractured in several places. There were other injuries but these were the most severe. Char made travel arrangements and I spoke to the Funeral Director and arranged a meeting the day after next. Eddy had spoken to Bella's mother and thankfully knew that she wasn't aware of Bella still being alive. What exactly Charlie had told Eddy we didn't know but he was willing to go along with whatever we decided. He also gave me a number for Charlie's lawyer and I instructed Jenks to liaise with him.

Bella

I listened to Peter without taking it all in but from his and Jaspers reaction to Charlie's wounds they knew something. When I questioned them they both came up with the same name Felix, one of the Volturi guard. I told them I wanted words with him and to my surprise they readily agreed once the funeral was over. I hated saying goodbye to Jazz and Peter even knowing they would soon be back. Charlotte was going to take me hunting and the guys were going to keep me in the loop once they had a chance to speak to everyone.