Chapter Thirty Four

Charlie

I missed my daughter but more importantly I had to come up with a cover story to stop Renee worrying, at least until I had some idea whether Bella would be able to speak to her or meet her again. The Cullens lived among us so I guess I was hoping that Bella could too. I told the school there had been a change of plans, that Bella after the scare of the accident had gone back to her mothers. They weren't overly concerned, I was the Chief of Police, why would they suspect me of lies? Renee was away for two weeks so I had time to work something out but the Quileutes, they were definitely in my sights and then Harry called again.

"I don't think we have anything further to say to each other. You got your daughter back, what more do you want of me Harry?"

"I need you to come with me Charlie"

"Really? And just why would I do that?"

"You know about our world just as your father did but what happened to Bella was outside any sense or reason. The elders have spoken to our leader, they've lied to him and they are hoping he will declare war on the Cullens. They'll be fair game for any guardian tribe to take out, all of them."

"And I should care because they changed Bella? It's a war between species I don't belong to Harry."

"But your daughter does, she's with the Cullens isn't she?"

"Well yes but..."

"No buts Charlie. If they find the Cullens they find Bella and if they find Bella they will kill her too."

"But she wasn't responsible for any deaths, she was a victim."

"I know that but Johnny H doesn't and neither do the other tribes, they wont pick and choose who they kill."

"Then I have to warn the Cullens, they have to be careful, leave the country or something".

"There are guardian tribes and sects all over the world Charlie, not just in our country and he is the ultimate leader of all. If they flee the country he only has to make one call and the hunt will start over. The only thing we can do is try to speak to him personally. He wont listen to me but he will listen to you. So I need you to come with me to Denali."

"Alaska? Why would he listen to me?"

"He's wise Charlie and he will hear the truth in your words, if he does he can call a halt to the hunt, its Bella's only hope of survival."

"Why are you trying to help me Harry? Why would you go against your own people?"

"Because I believe in justice and the truth and our elders have lost their way."

If he was telling the truth then I had no choice and I couldn't see why he would be lying, he had nothing to gain by it.

"OK, Give me a few hours to sort out the mess at the station, the storm really caused some problems that we are still trying to sort out, then I'll meet you at the diner."

"Thank you Charlie for trusting me."

"I'm not sure I do but I can't afford to ignore you now can I?"

I watched as he drove away then grabbed an overnight bag and the stash of cash I kept in the house for emergencies and drove to the station. There I called a meeting of my deputies and explained I needed some time with Bella after her accident. As I knew they would, everyone offered to help out and we reorganised the rota for a week,

"If you need longer Charlie just rung"

"Thanks Andy I will but I'm hoping a week will be long enough. Now I need to get going."

I drove to the diner and found Harry drinking coffee but he wasn't alone, sitting beside him was Sam Uley and he looked in an ugly mood.

"Fancy seeing you here Chief Swan."

"Just calling in for coffee on my break. Don't see you here often Sam"

"I was worried about Harry, what with his daughter being kidnapped and all. He's been a little emotional since then"

I could cheerfully have taken out my gun and shot him but I guess it might be hard to explain to a diner full of innocent bystanders.

"That's good of you"

I ordered coffee at the counter,

"Can I join you?"

"Sure why not."

I sat down opposite them, Sam hemming Harry in,

"Look Chief Swan, I understand your anger at losing your daughter but we didn't turn her, that was down to the leeches and we will take care of the problem so you don't need to worry."

"Take care? You mean kill her?"

"She's a vampire"

His voice was a whisper now,

"A blood drinking monster, she'll be better off dead. Just leave things alone"

"Or what?"

"Or there could be another "accident" but this time there will be no walking away."

"Are you threatening me Sam Uley?"

"Yes I guess I am Chief Swan. Come on Harry lets get you back to the res."

As Sam stood up I felt Harry's hand on my knee and something pushed into my lap then Harry rose and went out shoulders bowed like an old man, Sam keeping a grip on his arm as if Harry might make a break for freedom. Once I'd seen them drive off I lifted my hand to the table and unfolded the napkin Harry had slipped me. On it was an address in the Denali National Park and a name,

Annie. Who the hell was Annie? I thought I was looking for a Johnny H? All I could think was that she might be a go between. Well it was down to me now with Harry a prisoner on the res. I finished my coffee and went outside where Andy's car waited for me, he'd loaned it to me for the drive to the airport, he and Eddy would pick it up tomorrow.

I drove slowly out of Forks wondering if I would ever see the place again, I wasn't even sure I wanted to, any good memories had been wiped out by the occurrences recently. I had a long wait in Seattle but I spent the time on my laptop looking up Denali and the reservation Harry had pointed me too. It wasn't a large one, hardly the kind of place you would expect to find the overall leader of all guardian tribes the world over but maybe that was the point. The flight I spent pretending to sleep so I didn't have to make conversation with the annoying sales rep I was seated next to. It worked, he put his head phones on and was soon snoring himself.

When we landed it was snowing and I was glad of my thick jacket and boots, it made a change from the rain anyhow. Renting a four wheel drive I stopped to eat and get my bearings then with a few supplies for the journey, more hot coffee and rolls, I set off for the res wondering what kind of reception I would get if I managed to find this Annie. I didn't even have a surname for her which was daunting unless she was so well known it wasn't necessary. By the time I reached the res it was getting dark so I found somewhere to spend the night and sat down to a hot meal, my first in over two days.

"We don't get a lot of visitors Mr Swan, not this time of year. Are you a hunter?"

"No ma'am. I'm looking for someone actually"

"Oh why is that?"

She sounded suspicious but I didn't have time to be coy,

"I need to speak to Annie."

"Annie? Is she expecting you Mr Swan?"

"I don't really know but I was given her name by a friend of mine, Harry Clearwater, he's a Quileute."

"Quileute? Then you are a very long way from home."

"Yes I am but its necessary I speak with her. Can you get her a message or tell me where I can find her?"

"Possibly but not tonight. In the morning."

"I'd prefer to do it tonight."

"I'm sure you would but no one travels far after dark, I will contact her for you in the morning"

So I could do nothing but go to my room, the only plus was that my host seemed to know this Annie I needed to speak to. I just hoped she really intended to connect me to her.