Chapter Ten
Jasper
We heard about the shooting as Peter put the radio on in the pick up. The girl in the store had been shot and was critical,
"Bella"
It felt as if a red-hot iron bar were pushed through my chest, she couldn't be shot, she couldn't die, I had to get to her and Peter drove as fast as he could to the hospital, we'd be too late at the scene, the paramedics would already have taken her away. I didn't even wait for Peter to pull up but jumped from the pick up and ran into the reception where reporters and others were all milling around waiting for news. A doctor came through as Peter joined me and I could see the news in his expression.
"I'm very sorry but the young lady from the feed store died a few minutes ago. The shotgun blast to her chest was fatal."
I felt my knees buckle and Peter took me to sit down on one of the plastic waiting area chairs. Why had we suggested she take the job? We were responsible for her death and I'd lost my mate before I even declared my love for her.
Peters tug on my arm didn't register at first as I felt the waves of sorrow washing over me. Then he shook me,
"Major some thing's wrong with this."
I looked up at him uncomprehendingly,
"What?"
"This girl, the one who was shot, it's not Bella"
"What? I saw her go in, you told her about the job."
"Well I don't know what the fuck is going on but the girls parents are here and they certainly didn't just materialize from Forks or Jacksonville."
"Not Bella? Then where is she and why didn't she tell us she wasn't working there?"
"Did you ask her?"
"Well no but..."
Peter hushed me and turned to look at a young guy standing at the desk,
"Come on"
He dragged me up and approached the guy,
"Excuse me but did you say you were looking for a girl named Bella?"
He started then turned to look at me,
"Yeah, she came in just after the girl from the Feed Store"
"Where from?"
"Sorry?"
"Where did she come from and why?"
"She works with me at Cy's bar and there was a guy who was trying it on. I think he tried a little too hard and she fought him off or at least tried to. When I went round the back he was kicking the shit out of her."
Peter
I grabbed The Major and held on tight,
"Why? Do you know her?"
"This is her boyfriend"
The guy looked at The Major,
"Oh, I didn't know she had one, she never said."
"Where is she?"
He shrugged,
"They think she's still in with the doctors, we just have to wait. I have to give the cops a statement too so I guess I'll be here for a while."
"Who was the guy who attacked her?"
He looked at me warily,
"Tad, Tad Nelson. He's the son of one of the ranchers out to the west of town."
"Yeah I know him, I bought a horse from him a while back. Thanks."
The guy walked over to the Police Officer standing by the E.R door and introduced himself and they moved into one of the side rooms while we went to the desk.
"This is Bella Swans boyfriend. Can you tell us anything about her?"
The Receptionist looked up ready to give me a hard time so I tried a little vampire dazzle on her and her expression softened.
"Well I can't tell you much she's still in with the doctor but I think she got a good beating by the sound of it. Tad's a nasty piece of work."
"He's done it before?"
"Not like this. Most girls give in without a fight, this one wound him up."
"Are you saying it was her fault?"
The Majors voice was full of anger,
"No, not at all. I was just saying..."
"Best not to say anything" I looked at her name badge, "Shirley. But could you let the doctor know she has someone here?"
She nodded smiling at me seductively and I returned the look, keep her sweet and on our side for now. Pulling The Major to a seat I pushed him down.
"Keep your cool Major or you'll be kicked out of the hospital. Let's wait and see what the doctors say."
I kept a hand on his shoulder, feeling his anger and worry soaking into me, his body shaking slightly with the tension. I saw Shirley go through the swing doors and when she returned she approached us.
"If you'll follow me the doctor will talk to you in a few minutes."
"Thank you Shirley."
She smiled and blushed as she took us through to one of the relatives rooms.
"Can I get you anything? Coffee?"
"No thanks we're fine."
She went out reluctantly and I was relieved when the door shut.
"He is dead."
Three words that breathed a death sentence for Tad Nelson.
"Later. Let's see Bella's OK first."
He nodded and closed his eyes struggling against the overwhelming sense of rage that I too could feel. A few minutes later the doctor came in looking grave.
"I'm Dr Hart and you are Bella's boyfriend I understand"
He held his hand out to me so I shook my head and pointed to The Major who shook hands briefly,
"How is she doctor?"
"Well she'll live, her injuries are extensive but not life threatening. We had to put her out for a while to set her arm and strap her ribs so she won't be conscious tonight. When she does wake up she's going to be in a lot of discomfort even with pain killers."
"What are her injuries doctor?"
He noticed the menace in The Majors voice and stepped back slightly,
"A few broken ribs on her left side, a broken radius on the let arm, extensive bruising mainly to the left side and facial cuts and bruises. her left eye is swollen and closed, the other bloodshot but not injured and I'm afraid she has a broken jaw so she can't talk for now. We did X-ray her head but there doesn't seem to be any fractures to her skull although she has a very deep cut on the back of her skull and bruising. I think that's about it, oh yes four broken fingers on her right hand, I think they were bent backwards as she fought off her attacker. It looks a lot worse than it is, let me assure you."
"Can I see her?"
The Majors voice had softened.
"Yes of course. Follow me."
It sounded to me like the bastard had done his best to beat her to a pulp and he was going down hard for that. He was a dead man walking, his fate only delayed a short while.
Jasper
I followed the Doctor, her injuries echoing in my head, how close to killing her had he come? I should have been there to watch out for her but Peter told me to give her space to make up her own mind about me. I blamed myself for listening to him. Trying desperately to control my emotions I took a deep breath as the doctor opened her door.
"Please try not to disturb her, sleep is the best healer of all."
I nodded and walked over to the bed looking down on the slight figure sleeping peacefully. Her arm was plastered and I could see the edge of the rib strapping through her hospital gown. Her face was the worst of all. One side was swollen out of all recognition, the eye lost in the swelling amid the dark bruising. Her jaw looked lop sided and I saw that it had been wired to keep it in place. One hand, unmarked except for the cannula in the vein lay over the covers and I took it gently, sitting carefully on the edge of the bed. She continued to sleep as I explored her emotions. Under the anaesthetic she was fairly settled although every now and then I felt a spike of terror. Calming myself I projected it into her and felt her level out. How could a man do this to a woman just because she rejected his advances? Peter touched my shoulder,
"I'm going out to talk to the doctor and that guy from the bar. I'll be back"
I nodded never taking my eyes from her face, it killed me to see her in pain, abused by a scum bag who was due to meet The Major very, very soon.
