Chapter Eighty

Peter

The day of the funeral it stopped raining for just long enough to put Charlie to rest. The ceremony was short and poignant, a few of his friends said something about him. All in all it seemed he'd been respected as a fair man and a good Police Chief. Eddy came over to us after the service and quietly asked Jasper to give Bella her Dads shield. He took it and we turned away from the friends who were going back to the house for food and drinks all laid on by the Quileute women as a mark of respect for him. We checked out of the hotel and got into the rental car, The Major silent behind the wheel.

"So where now?"

"I want to speak to Alice. She's knows more than she's telling."

He started the engine and we drove back to the Cullen house, none of them had gone back to Charlies, what would be the point? Alice was waiting for us on the porch with Jake and Carlisle,

"I thought you'd be back" she said skipping down the steps. "I can't help you"

"Yes you can, you just won't" his voice was grave

"Now Jasper I'm sure Alice would help if she could."

He looked at Carlisle,

"Are you sure about that Carlisle? Because I'm not. Why won't you tell me where Felix is because I know he hasn't gone back to Italy"

She looked shocked,

"How do you know that?"

"I have my sources. Where is he Alice?"

"I told you to leave things alone Jasper. It will only start more trouble if you go after him."

"Yes and you are more worried about your own pretty little neck than you are in helping us avenge Charlie's murder."

"Jasper I don't think that's fair."

"Yes it is" she interrupted Carlisle, "I am worried about myself and Jake and the rest of the Cullen family. If you take Felix out then Aro will come here looking for revenge. He won't lose his best fighter and just take it. We could all be wiped out."

"But you won't be will you Alice? Because I think you've already made a pact with the Devil. You're going to hand us over to save yourselves. The crap about having problems if we don't stop wasn't a threat it was a promise wasn't it? Who have you sold out Alice to ensure your safety? Because I have to tell you, I know Aro and his brothers and whatever you've offered it wont be enough. They'll keep coming back until they have everything."

"No, its not true. He promised me"

Carlisle

I looked at Alice horrified

"What have you done Alice?"

"Aro contacted me, he threatened to kill us all if I didn't give him a way of getting what he wanted. He needed them here. It was her or all of us"

"Her?"

Jasper and I worked it out at the same time.

"You told him him how to get Bella. You knew she'd been changed so she wouldn't be able to come to Forks but at the same time someone would have to on her behalf so she'd be vulnerable. You got Charlie killed as a distraction?"

Jake was looking at her as if seeing her for the first time and was horrified.

Peter

I was ahead of them all and already dialling the house. The phone rang on until it was obvious no one was there to answer it. Then I tried Char's cell phone and after a few rings it was answered, but not by her.

"Hello?"

"Who is this?"

"I just found this phone on the road. I was taking it to the local police station. Do you know who it belongs to?"

"Where are you?"

"Near the airport. The screens all scratched and it looks like it was tossed out of a car window, the case is cracked."

I didn't wait to hear any more. If the phone was near the airport then the girls were probably already on their way to Italy. A red mist obscured my vision and I went for Alice Cullen. Jake tried to stop me half heartedly but I avoided him and got my hands around her scrawny neck.

"You bitch. We trusted you and you betrayed us"

"I had no choice" she spluttered as Carlisle tried to free her from my grip.

"You gave Bella up to save yourself, and my wife with her."

I felt myself pulled hard backwards and turned to look into The Majors face.

"Get a grip Peter. We have something to do. The bitch will save for later."

He turned to Carlisle,

"If I were you I'd get the family away from here as quickly as you can. Aro will probably send the Guard after Alice. If she escapes them then she has a little time to make her peace with whichever deity she believes in before I come looking for her."

I was getting heartily sick of Italy and the Volturi.

"So what's the plan this time? I can see Aro going "OK Major of course take your wife home. Sorry we bothered you".

"Well one way or another she is coming home with me or I'm staying with her. You coming?"

"Now that's a silly fucking question. Just get the tickets and remember my wife is there too."

Again we were lucky because there was a flight leaving in a couple of hours. We sat and people watched until our flight was called and it was packed so there was no opportunity to talk tactics. We both feigned sleep to keep the Flight Attendants at bay then I watched a mind numbing film about stealing cars. By the time we put down in Italy I was surprised the rest of the passengers weren't brain dead. Believe it or not it was the same girl on the car rental desk and I got a rather nice sports job for a few more compliments.

I was still talking when The Major appeared with our bags and literally dragged me away giving me just enough time to grab the keys.

"Whoa. I'm coming"

"You want to waste time chatting up girls fine. I'll go alone."

"I was just getting the best vehicle"

"Well, now you've got it, let's go."

It was dark and the roads were almost empty so we made very good time. There might be a few speeding tickets headed the cars way but who cared! My paperwork was phoney anyway.

"You going in head on?"

"Yes I'm getting sick of this. She's my wife and I want her back."

"Yeah me too, so we go in side by side."

He looked at me for a moment then nodded,

"You know there's a good chance we won't come out again?"

"Well I ain't planning on coming out without Char in any case"