Chapter Seventy Two
Jasper
If you're here it means this is down to Alice. Char nodded,
"Yes, We didn't get here in time to save Charlie from getting trapped but Bella's not going in alone."
I nodded, "Good. Alice would just kill the two of them"
"Yes well, if we don't catch up they may kill three instead of two. Where the hell have you been? I've been waiting ages."
"Sorry I didn't know or I'd have speeded up my hunt. What happened?"
"We tracked Alice to Seattle but lost her for a while. Next time we found her she'd made arrangements for a car hire firm to pick Charlie up but we missed him so we had to wait to see what she was going to do. The car made for your place so we watched and when we saw Bella we did a swap with the driver. Now we see where the bitch hid Charlie."
I just hoped she was right, but according to her they had one hell of a head start.
Bella
I looked more closely at the driver, "Peter? What the hell are you doing here?"
He turned a broad grin on his face and doffed his hat, "Well hell Bells I thought my disguise was perfect." "Oh it was, it was the joke that gave you away"
"Joke? What Joke?"
"Never mind. What's the plan?"
He shrugged, "I don't usually have a plan. The Major and I just go in, kick butts and save the lady in distress."
"Well, number one The Major isn't here and Number two the damsel in distress is Charlie"
"OK, Slight change in plans, The Major isn't going to be here in time so you are officially promoted to my second in command. Number two you get to kiss the damsel when we save her, I mean him."
I nodded, "How do you know that's what do we do now?"
"You go in as instructed by the driver"
"How do you know that's what he was told?"
Peter looked at me surprised, "Bella I asked him and he was happy enough to tell me"
"I'll bet".
"Go" he said flapping his arms.
I got out, turning back to him, "I hope you know what you're doing Peter."
He smiled, "Nah Bells, I make it up as I go along but remember this. The Major will chew me a new one if you get hurt. So go"
Charlie
I heard a noise and the iron door opened slowly to reveal a man standing holding a rifle and wearing shades. "This way please Chief"
I crabbed across the room and stretched with relief when I could stand up properly in the corridor.
"Where are we going?"
He just prodded me with the rifle barrel and I walked along a corridor no warmer than the room I'd been kept in and I could see it was a machinery housing of some sort but disused by the amount of rust and cobwebs. My guard, still with the rifle aimed at me pointed to a steep flight of iron steps. I thought I might have a chance of overpowering him as he came up behind me but whoever was behind this was far to clever to be caught out like that. At the top stood another armed guard and I went ahead as indicated. It was getting warmer now and there were dust-covered windows providing light instead of dusty light bulbs. At the end of this corridor was another iron door which I pushed open.
Standing in the centre of the concrete room was Alice Cullen.
"Alice? What the hell's going on?"
"Oh I think you know Charlie. I think you know a lot more than you should, dangerous knowledge but there, it wasn't your fault. Please come over here" she asked holding out a hand to a tubular steel chair by her side. I walked over reluctantly and at her command sat down. As I did so a loop of wire was dropped over my head, coming to rest around my neck, tightly enough to feel but not to cut off my air way. I put my hands up but the wire tightened and I choked.
"Hands down please Charlie" she instructed. "We don't need any unpleasantness if you behave".
"Why Alice? What do you want from me?"
"Oh nothing from you Charlie, you are merely the bait".
"Bella?" I asked concerned.
"Bella and Jasper" she amended. "Now its my turn to hold the trump card and their turn to dance to my tune. I've been hounded across the country by his so-called friends and I'm sick of it. If he doesn't call them off I kill you. Simple really".
I saw the flaw in the plan and she smiled,
"Oh no Charlie I've lived far too long to trust anyone. Bella leaves with me, we'll be travelling companions, unless of course someone goes back on their word, then she'll be the late Bella Swan".
I could still see a flaw but I tried to keep a straight face. She bit her lip looking vexed.
"You don't think I can keep Bella behaving do you Charlie?"
I shook my head, "I wouldn't".
"No but you see I still hold the trump card".
"What's that?"
You Charlie, her father. Do you think she'd put you in danger?"
She saw my expression, "No me neither".
"So I'm being held captive for her good behaviour?"
"Yes, brilliant isn't it" she crowed.
"Yes until it fails". The voice came from the doorway and she spun to see Bella and a Driver standing there. I heard a curse, "You" she spat.
The Driver took off his cap and glasses and she seemed to recognise him, "Peter".
"Sorry to spoil your party but Bella doesn't want to play. Now hand over Charlie and we'll leave quietly".
"Oh yes I can just see that. Leave me like you did Edward?"
"He was an ass hole" Peter spat.
I felt Alice close behind me. "Do you think you're faster than me Peter? Like to try?"
Bella gasped as Peter leaped forward but I knew he was going to be too slow and I felt not the wire noose cut into my flesh but sharp teeth followed by a burning sensation.