~A/N Many you were getting a little worried, so I got this ready as fast as possible. Check out my photobucket (link on profile) for the chilling chapter banner, courtesy of Urban Rose. It's really, really good.

Listening recommendations: "Closer" by Nine Inch Nails. It's gritty, raw and definitely NSFW, but it reminds me of Edward and Avery. "Brain Stew" by Green Day is my Jacob inspiration for this one as well.

Copyright disclaimer: Twilight and all recognizable characters are sole property of Stephenie Meyer.

Chapter 14: Framed

Jacob got to the parking garage and shoved his bag in the front seat.

Jacob called Embry and gave him the address. He would make it first, but Charlie left the res and was on the way with Chance and Griffin. The others were all following Bella. Paul had let Embry know, the kid seemed to be fine. Rachel was on the way home with Wyatt, so he'd go either way Jacob instructed. Jacob told Embry to send him back to Seattle. He texted Rose to leave immediately. The meeting was an emergency. It killed him to ask them for help, but he needed every resource that existed. Despite their faults and their pretentious behavior at times, the rest of that family cared about Bella. She said they were on the way also.

He also sent out a message to Seth.

U good?

Yes, all good

He sent another to Bella.

I love u

She didn't respond. He knew she loved him back, but she was going into that shut down thing she sometimes did. Her silent treatment let him know she was unhappy with his decision. He had no other choice. After he finished with Edward, they'd all see it was the right one. Jacob punched in the address on his GPS. He thought the street name was familiar. As soon as he realized how close it actually was, it made more sense to go on foot. Fucking hell, if that was his location all that time, he was practically under his nose. To think they'd spent time searching in Canada, which turned out to be a wild goose chase.

Jacob was quick, but he kept alert...he turned and sniffed the air at every intersection. This was Cullen, he'd tried to kill him months before, so it could be another set up. Embry was the closest, but he didn't want to wait another second. They couldn't take the chance of missing him.

He hesitantly approached a warehouse. It was vacant, it seemed. Cullen's scent lingered in the air. He hoped that meant he was inside. Jacob realized the bottom floor was empty. A service elevator was located in the far right corner of the building. He followed the stronger scent there. Another scent was present. Not good, not good at all. As the door closed, he reconsidered. Maybe he needed Embry after all. The tiny hairs on the back of his neck stood up. The wolf rumbled, he was warning him. He watched as the elevator rose, passing non-existent floors two and three. When the arrow stuck on the numeral four, a old-fashioned bell chimed. He pried the door with his hands, since it didn't open on it's own. The carnage permeated the stale air. He was overwhelmed by the scent of blood, fear and death. The last remnant of a floral perfume was the most nauseating smell. Further proof that something living had only recently breathed her last breath.

Jacob stepped off the elevator. He had just missed him. He was certain he was gone. Jacob knew what awaited him around the corner, but he needed to see for himself. He tiptoed around the river of blood, making sure he didn't come in contact with it. The scene didn't resemble a normal vampire attack in the least. They usually drained the body, it was always quick and tidy, only a puncture wound. Good God, if it wasn't for the black and white platform heels tossed about in two separate areas and the smell of a familiar perfume, he wouldn't have even recognized her.

He knelt down, her name barely a whisper, "Avery." She was a self-absorbed bitch, a trouble maker, but she didn't deserve what happened. She was a daughter and a sister and he would never wish that fate on anyone. What could he have done differently back at the office? He had to protect Bella first. It wasn't like he could tie Avery up and store her in the supply closet. The leech was already lurking somewhere in the shadows...out of sight, so he didn't sense him, but close enough to accomplish his goals. And what were those fucking goals anyway? Why murder her senselessly? Was she no longer useful to him?

He needed to get the fuck out of there, but he surveyed the area one last time in case he was missing an important clue. Just under her blood soaked thigh, his eye caught it.

"Fuck me," he growled. His letter opener from his top desk drawer stuck out from under the hem of her short skirt. It was unmistakable. Bella bought it for him because the top was a pewter wolf head. She thought it was perfect for him. Jacob scanned his arms. The marks were healed, but she'd scratched him earlier. He knew what would be under her fingernails. He also knew his office was probably all abuzz with chatter about Jacob, Avery and Mrs. Black having some sort of dramatic interchanges.

How could he get that murder weapon out from under her? Jacob took one tentative step forward. A high pitched voice reprimanded him, "Don't...don't move, Jacob."

He turned around and saw Alice, Rose, Emmett and Jasper. If it was possible for bloodsuckers to get even paler, it happened in front of his eyes.

"He did this, so I'd go down for it."

"We know, Bella called because she was in a panic Edward had a human girlfriend that was linked to you. She told us everything." If he wasn't already suffering enough turmoil, the sirens sounded far off, in the distance. No doubt, a concerned citizen or homicidal murderer had made the anonymous call. Rose pulled him back. "Let us see what we can do. You need to get as far away from here as possible. There's no time."

He got in Alice's face. "Well, fucking do something. Look in that damn crystal ball of yours. Where is he? How did you miss all this shit?"

"I...I don't know. He's been doing something lately mucking with my visions."

"Try...goddammit. I have to find him."

They all screamed for him to go again. Emmett found a way up, he couldn't go back to the ground level. The sirens were much closer. Right before Jacob climbed up, Alice shrieked, "The airport... British Airways. That's all I saw."

Jacob went to the roof, jumped to the closet building, ran across and went down the fire escape farthest from the warehouse of death. He jerked his phone out and called.

"Where the fuck are you?"

"I had to detour, there's a bunch of emergency vehicles blocking the way." Jacob didn't go into the reasons for that, but told him how to find him.

He jumped in with Embry in a nearby alley. "Dude, you look like shit. What's that smell? What happened back there?"

Jacob told him all of it as the sped toward Sea-Tac.

"Screwed doesn't even begin to scrape the surface. I mean, he literally fucked me up without coming near me or Bells. They're going to find my DNA, I don't even know what that shit will look like to them. Hopefully, they got the murder weapon out of there at least."

Embry tried to remain positive that maybe there'd be some circumstantial stuff, but not enough to cause him any real trouble. Jacob wanted to rip something to shreds, preferable Edward, but if he was already far into the airport, how would that be possible? He looked at his feet and knew he couldn't keep his boots on. Embry had spare ones in the backseat. They all kept extra clothes and shoes for emergencies.

"If he gets on a plane and out of the country, this is only the beginning."

Jacob got a hold of everyone else and told them all to meet up at the airport. "Drop me the fuck off. I can't wait for you to park."

"You think that's wise?"

"I don't give a shit."

Embry dropped him off at the passenger drop off line. He ran full force hoping he could catch a break. It was a Friday afternoon and the airport was jam packed. Jacob was pretty sure he was onto something despite all the sights and sounds overwhelming his senses. He ran towards the British Airways check-in first, but no luck. He fled to a security check point next. Just before a turn and the moving walkway, he spotted him. Cullen didn't turned around, he simply waved over his head as a signal he knew he was just out of reach. Jacob rushed the gate. He was met with at least three TSA personnel.

"Hold on sir, what's the hurry? Where's your ticket?" He could have taken them with ease, even the others that were approaching them anticipating a disturbance. When it was determined he wasn't a ticketed passenger, they insisted he step aside or they'd escort him off the premises. Jacob went to the counter and tried to buy a ticket. He had no idea where to or what flight to chose. He was asked for his driver's license and passport. Fuck...his passport was back at the lake house.

"I don't have it."

"Then I'm sorry, I can't sell you a ticket. These are all international tickets."

Jacob pitched a mini fit. Security responded again. Lucky for him, Charlie showed up with Embry. Charlie flashed his badge and smoothed over what was about to be a very volatile situation. His father-in-law pulled him aside.

"I get it, son, but this isn't going to help Bells," he pointed out several guards eyeing him. "They think you're a lunatic. You've already been flagged. You aren't getting to Cullen in this airport. Do you want to be detained or do you want to get back home?"

"Charlie, he's getting away. I can't have this hanging over us indefinitely."

"I understand that, but today is not the day. Tell me what the hell went on at that warehouse. Embry called us while we were all parking." Jacob and the guys all left the airport terminal and discussed what happened. Charlie told him the best thing was to get the hell out of the city and home to Bells. "They're going to question you. I have no doubt, but we'll work on getting you the best alibi. Best case scenario is the Cullens disposed of the murder weapon linking you to the body. The rest is purely circumstantial."

Jacob felt so strange. He suspected something was up with Bella. Charlie was right. He needed to get to her as soon as possible, but Charlie suggested wheeling through a drive-thru, just so they'd be seen in another location if anyone asked what they were up to. He rode with Charlie back to the office and told everyone else to head home. Paul said Rachel was happy to report, Wyatt was up eating chicken nuggets and acting like nothing ever happened. That was a bit of a relief, but they still needed to figure that out, since there were so many pups in the pack.

As soon as Charlie pulled in the garage, Jacob saw the flashing lights.

"Shit, that's for me, isn't it?"

Charlie told him to play dumb. They've been out for dinner and nothing more. "Don't volunteer any information. Hopefully, they'll touch base and let you be on your way tonight, but if they ask you to come down to the station, be cooperative. You have nothing to hide."

Jacob got out at his vehicle. A detective was writing down his information. "Stop right there. Are you the owner of this car?"

"Yes sir, um, officer...Jacob Black. I work here, but went to grab some food with my father-in-law. We were about to head home."

"You don't live in Seattle?"

"No, not full-time. I stay many weekdays for work, but I lived a couple of hours from here normally, out in the country."

"Do you know Avery Hammond?"

"Of course, she's the executive assistant for my team." Charlie swung around the parking lot and pulled into an empty spot. He came to Jacob's side and introduced himself as the chief of police from Forks.

"What's going on here, boys?"

"Chief, we found the body of your son-in-law's secretary. We'd just like a quick rundown of what went on today because when we visited the office, we heard a few stories that Mr. Black was upset with Ms. Hammond."

Jacob was afraid to say anything. Charlie said not to volunteer information, so he kept quiet.

"Did you hear me? I said your assistant was brutally murder, her throat was cut, ear to ear and you don't even have a reaction?"

"No, I...I'm just shocked. I don't know what to think?"

The second detective approached. Jacob suspected he was good cop, while the first one was bad cop. "Would you mind coming down to the station so we can establish a timeline, maybe figure out when she was last seen alive."

Jacob looked to Charlie and he gave him a slight head nod. "Sure...anything I can do to help."

He spoke to Charlie while the officers stood off to the side. He told him to go home, but he refused. "I'll follow you, but I'm calling Bells."

"No, hell no...don't tell her any of this. She's freaked out enough already."

"You stay off your phone then. I'll call Billy and get his opinion. Remember, don't add to any of their questions. Simple answers, you don't know what happened when she left the office today."

Jacob got to the sub-station that was nearby. Charlie followed him. He had a seat in the waiting room. Jacob followed the detectives back to an interview room. He answered the questions exactly how he thought he should. It went on and on. Of course, they already knew about the fights. He felt like he was in some sort of sudden death chess game. It went back and forth for over an hour.

"Were you intimate with Ms. Hammond?"

"No."

"Never?"

"No, not ever."

"Did she injure your wife?"

"Yes."

"Did you call security? Where you going to press charges?"

"No and I don't think so."

"Did she quit or did you fire her?"

"Both."

"Do you have any idea who might want hurt her?"

"None, but she had a boyfriend." Finally, a question he felt safe adding to.

"Did you know him?"

"No, but she said his name was Masen Edwards and he was in publishing. That's all I know. Listen guys...I want to help but I haven't eaten all day. My wife's pregnant and was hurt today. I really need to get home and check on her. Can we pick this up another time?"

"We're going to need to speak to her as well."

"Fine...here." Jacob pulled one of his business cards out of his wallet with all his information and told them to contact him anytime. They told him he was free to go. Jacob knew without a doubt that wasn't the end of it. Right before he exited the room, another officer came in and whispered something to them but Jacob heard him and knew what they were going to ask.

"One more thing, Mr. Black. Would you mind removing your shirt, so we can have a photograph for the record?" He thought it would be in his favor to do so, since there was no trace of the scratches. Jacob did as they requested and a photographer came in and took several pictures. Thank God, he switched shoes with Embry back at the airport because he was sure they had some blood on them and he witnessed the detectives studying every part of him several times.

"Oh yeah, didn't you say you grabbed food with Chief Swan?"

"Um...yeah, but I didn't have a chance to eat it, since you all needed to speak to me."

"Really, so does he normally drive all the way here to get take-out with you?"

"No sir, it's just..." Jacob wasn't sure which way to answer, because they were trying to make him slip up. Good cop, came to the rescue and told him not to worry about anything else. It was getting late and he was sure he wanted to check on his wife. He got out to the parking lot, told Charlie he didn't want to talk about it. He just wanted to be home with Bella. The drive seemed endless that evening. He called ahead and realized Bella was at Sue and Charlie's. Leah answered.

"She's fucking out of it, Black. Can't you tell?"

"Yes and no. I thought it was me all over the damn place. What do you mean out of it?"

"Well, first her blood pressure was sky high and now it's too damn low. The baby sounds okay, but I started an IV because she won't eat or drink and I know she's dehydrated. She can't go on like this. She needs you."

"Who the fuck told her?"

"Alice first, but then the guys have been in and out. We can't keep shit like this under wraps."

Jacob asked Leah to put her own the phone. "Honey, it's me...I'll be home soon. Bella, you need to eat and drink. I'm fine, okay. Sorry, I couldn't talk to you earlier. It's just been crazy. Bells, are you there?"

Leah, came back on, "See...she's staring at the ceiling. She's completely checked out. If she doesn't snap out of it soon, I'm going to have to take her in. If this was one of my regular patients, we'd already be at the hospital."

He hoped he could snap her out of it. He couldn't help feeling like he failed her. He allowed himself to be framed for Avery's murder. There was no doubt, those cops thought he did it. Edward was gone...out of the country. How much misery was ahead for them? He wasn't even certain he still had his job. The days leading up to their child's birth should be there happiest days of their lives. Earlier, that morning, it seemed true, but so much had changed in the blink of an eye.

A few hours went by before they made it back to La Push. He rushed inside to find much of the pack scattered around Sue's living room. Bella was in the midst of them, covered in a blanket, staring at the ceiling with a tube sticking out of her arm. The dog was curled up next to the sofa. Even she appeared worried. He knelt down and kissed her cheek.

"She's freezing...goddamn, couldn't one of you warm her up?"

Quil told him she wouldn't let any of them touch her. "She freaked out briefly when Leah started her IV, so we stayed back. Sue tried to get her to eat but she refused." He scooped up his wife and took her back to the bedroom. Leah pushed the IV stand behind them and told Jacob she was staying the night. Jacob pulled off his clothes and pulled her against him. She finally responded by lifting her shirt. He held her against him, skin to skin.

"Baby, I told you...I'd come back. I'm here. Please, Bells. You're scaring me."

"Jake..."

"Yes, I got you."

"He beat us, didn't he?"

"No, no way." He swore to her, he wouldn't give up until Edward was a pile of ash, but she had to trust him. He felt both their hearts sync and relax to a slow, steady cadence. Jacob rubbed his hand on her stomach. The baby maintained it's usual fast and furious heart rate. "I love you. We're going to be fine. Remember, if you're okay, I'm okay."

Her hand moved over his heart. She pressed her forehead against him. "Avery's dead and he made it look like you did it. I'm not okay, Jake...I'm far from it."

~Thanks for reading.

Hit me up with your responses. Also, Butterfly Wishes is on the top ten list for completed April fics. (TwiFanFictionRecs) You can vote, if you wish. Of course, that list is always heavily loaded with vampire fics.