Chapter Nineteen

Peter

When I got the message I almost deleted it then thought the girl sounded sincere and concerned so I decided to ring back, Charlotte shaking her head at me.

"We shouldn't be getting involved with a human Peter"

I hushed her with a hand gesture and continued,

"So Bella Swan why are you contacting me?"

"I was told that you were a friend of Jasper Whitlock."

"Really? And who told you that?"

"Alice Cullen"

"Who? Never heard of her."

"Is she wrong? Only I really need to talk to someone about him"

"No, she's not wrong. So you talk and I'll listen."

"This is very difficult but I need help"

"Help? You need help? Is he after you?"

"No, I'm after him"

"Sorry? No one with a brain would go after him, not even another of his kind. What's your problem Bella Swan? You crazy or something?"

"No I'm not crazy but I saw him about two weeks ago in Seattle"

"You saw him? And you're alive to tell the tale? Excuse me if I find that difficult to believe,"

"He was involved in an underground fight event"

"Fuck yeah, that sounds about right. Winning I hope"

"I think so. I didn't see the fight but I saw him afterwards, he's in trouble"

"Sorry? The Major is in trouble? You got the wrong man Bella Swan. Anyway, what's your point?"

"He needs help and I thought if you were his friends, his only friends, you might help me"

"Help you? Do what precisely?"

"Find him"

"Excuse me, but didn't you say he was in Seattle. I know it's a city but it's not difficult to follow his scent."

"That's probably true but I can't follow a scent trail, I'm a human remember."

"Human, of course. Do you know what I am? What he is?"

"Yes, you're a vampire."

"How did you know that?"

"I was involved with the Cullen's at one point, Edward Cullen to be precise."

"You were girlfriend to a vampire? Are you nuts girl?"

"Probably but my sanity isn't at issue at the moment."

"Feisty too, I'm beginning to like you Bella Swan."

"Then maybe you can help."

"Where are you?"

"Forks Washington but I can drive to meet you if you like."

"Washington? OK I'll meet you in Seattle Saturday morning at the airport. You have transport?"

"Yeah I 'll pick you up"

"OK, You can take me to where you saw The Major"

"Who?"

"Jasper. We'll soon trace him"

"He's not in Seattle any more, he escaped."

"Escaped? But you said he was fighting"

"He was but he wasn't free. I found him in a cage but Alice said he'd escaped. She sees things, the future."

"Are you talking about Alice Brandon?"

"I know her as Alice Cullen. She's living with the Cullens."

"Yeah, I've heard of them, crazies who live on animal blood. You do know that I don't?"

"Yes."

"And you're still prepared to meet me?"

"Yes. I need to find him"

"Need? That's a pretty strong word Bella Swan. OK I'll see you Saturday morning."

When I ended the call Charlotte looked at me sceptically,

"Do you think she's telling the truth?"

"Are you willing to take the chance?"

"What about you, how do you feel?"

"I've had a bad feeling for a long time but nothing I could get a fix on. I think she's telling the truth, anyway its the first lead we've had in years."

"Why would he be involved in underground fighting?"

"He was pretty low when we saw him last, who knows what state he's in now."

"Peter why is a human girl looking for him if the last time she saw him he was in a cage, a fighter. We both know what he's like in the zone. He should have frightened the life out of her."

"Well we'll find out in a couple of days won't we?"

"You don't think its a trap do you?"

"A trap? Who wants to trap us Char?"

She didn't say anything but I knew she was still concerned. I was too, but not for the same reason. I just wondered if he'd finally lost it altogether, if so it was up to me to take him down, at least I'd make it quick.

Bella

Alice wasn't at school Friday but Charlie didn't know that so when I told him I was going off with her again he didn't question it. He was too happy that Edward and I had broken up to worry what else I was up to. I drove to Seattle hoping I would be able to spot a vampire in the airport and hoping there wasn't more than one. I parked the truck up and walked in feeling really nervous but still sure I was doing the right thing. It wasn't until I'd been waiting in the arrivals hall for nearly an hour that I saw him, but he wasn't alone. The female with him must be the Charlotte whose name was on the napkin too. He smiled over and I put my hand up self-consciously. They were both very pale and very beautiful, she was petite like Alice Cullen and he was very similar to Garrett, tall and rangy. They walked over and he put out his hand smiling somewhat humorously,

"Captain Peter Whitlock at your service Bella Swan"

I took it, not worrying about the coldness of his skin, and shook it,

"Thank you for coming Captain Whitlock. I'm sorry, I didn't know you had a rank."

"That's OK Bella Swan, I'm sure there's an awful lot you don't know about me."

"I know you are a friend of Jasper Whitlock, are you related?"

"In a way, why are you so interested in him?"

Charlotte interrupted,

"This isn't the place for a discussion Peter. I suggest we find somewhere quieter and more private to talk."

He looked around and nodded,

"OK, Where's the car?"

They followed me out to the truck stopping when he saw it, then he walked forward to stroke the hood,

"Shit I haven't seen one of these in years, she's a beauty. Bella Swan, you have just gone up in my estimation."

"Thank you. She's slow and thirsty but she goes."

He nodded and we got in,

"You drive to a restaurant then while you eat we'll ask the questions."

"A restaurant? You don't eat."

"But you do, and we can play with a coffee. Or if you prefer we can get a motel room. I just thought you might to stay in a public place."

I didn't say anything but pulled into a motel car park off the highway and he smiled,

"Ballsy too. OK"

He rented a room and while they settled in or whatever vampires did I went to grab a coffee and a sub, I was hungry. I took them back to the room to find them sitting down waiting patiently.

"Well now Bella Swan. Lets get acquainted. I'm Peter Whitlock and this beautiful creature is my wife and mate Charlotte. We are friends of Jasper Whitlock otherwise known as The Major. At least to those of us who have fought beside him. Now you saw him here in Seattle, what two, three weeks ago?"

"Two weeks tonight."

"OK where?"

"A warehouse, he was in a cage on the loading bay."

"A cage?"

Charlotte sounded horrified.

"Yes, he was injured, I know you heal but his injury was bad and I think he was thirsty too"

"Why do you say that?"

"His eyes were very dark"

"You were close enough to see the colour of his eyes?"

"Yes, he touched my wrist."

"Fuck you were close"

"I told you that."

"OK Bella Swan. Now the difficult questions. Why do you care what happens to him?"

"He's a sentient being, isn't that reason enough?"

"Not really but it will do for now."

"Alice said he had escaped but I still think he needs help, he sounded and looked so depressed, so lost, so hurt"