Chapter Fifty Two

Harry

When Charlie had contacted me demanding our help in exchange for keeping our secret I thought he was crazy but after he told me of his confrontation with the Cullens I understood he was a man on the edge and capable of just about anything. Speaking to Sam and the other elders we decided it would be better and safer to agree to his demands, besides I at least felt guilty at keeping the Cullens true identity from him, especially once Bella became involved. It was decide to send three of the pack to patrol the grounds of the Cullen house and ensure that no one left and I rang him back with the news. He didn't exactly thank me but I could hear the relief in his voice all the same. He had no idea where his daughter was, only that she was in danger and was doing the only thing he could, put pressure on the doctor to find and return her although I didn't fancy his chances much. Few humans ever got free of the vampires, it was the reason we existed.

Charlie

Knowing the wolves were working with me helped tremendously and I could see the news unsettled both the Cullen women. I didn't like taking the fight to them but they were the only ones available and so until I got Carlisle or my daughter back they would be my hostages. Esme tried to diffuse the situation by telling me how much Jasper loved Bella and how much he had been willing to sacrifice for her but I wasn't really interested.I wanted my daughter back in my arms

"We truly are sorry about Bella. None of this was planned I promise you and we are all very fond of your daughter."

"Really? Well excuse me for not getting too excited at the thought my daughter appeals to a family full of vampires. I only just got her back and now….she's gone again. I don't know where she is or who she's with just that a group of vampires are trying to find her. If she is in Italy,what's going to happen to her?"

"I don't know Chief Swan.

"Well who are those people?"

"The Volturi? They are our government, they keep the law."

"Vampires have laws?"

"Yes, not many but we do and I'm afraid one of them is keeping our world a secret from yours."

I thought about this long and hard,

"So if they know my daughter is tied up with Jasper then they will know she knows about their world. What will they do? What's the penalty for breaking your laws?"

She didn't answer me but the look they exchanged was enough.

"If she's there they'll kill her won't they?"

"Not necessarily Chief Swan. Jasper is the one who broke the law not her."

"So they'll kill him?"

"It's certainly an option although they might keep him for the guard."

"The what?"

"It's the vampire equivalent of your job, they police our world."

"Vampire policemen? Now I've heard everything. Why would they want him for this guard though?"

This was another subject neither wanted to discuss which just made me more angry.

"Well?"

"I think Carlisle should explain the rest Chief Swan. besides shouldn't you be at your office?"

I laughed at that idea,

"You think I'm going anywhere until I find my daughter? I may look like a hick cop but trust me I'm smarter than most."

Neither were prepared to speak although Esme Cullen made me fresh coffee and a sandwich both of which I looked at suspiciously,

"I have things in for when Bella visits Chief Swan, I assure you its all perfectly safe."

"Yeah but am I?"

"Most certainly, neither of us would dream of attacking you, we live on animal blood as I told you."

"But most vampires don't?"

"No."

"So Bella could be attacked and drained by these Volturi? Would that be her punishment? Are they going to kill her? Tell me Mrs. Cullen."

I know I raised my voice but I couldn't help myself, I was angry and scared.

"I don't know Chief Swan. Carlisle is better equipped to tell you, he knows the Volturi, I don't."

"Then we'll wait for your husband to get back shall we? And you better hope he's got good news for me."

It was some hours later as I was dozing sure the wolves would keep Mrs Cullen and her daughter trapped in here with me that my radio went and it was a call patched through from Seattle. The same detective as before,

"Chief Swan I thought I'd better ring you with an update. We found a suicide note in your deputies hand, it was in the glove box along with a photo of your daughter. It seems he had a thing about her. He explains he couldn't stop thinking about her and he kidnapped her but she fought him. I'm really sorry Chief Swan but it seems he killed her and buried her body, he doesn't say where then he drove out to the airport. He was going to make a run for it but decided he couldn't live with what he'd done. He stripped off his uniform, feeling he had disgraced it and dumped it somewhere then drove to an isolated spot and shot himself. We think as he fell into the trunk of the car the lid dropped on his body hiding it. His gun was tested and it had been fired recently, the wound was close quarters and the M.E says its consistent with suicide. So we are focusing on finding Bella's body now."

"What? You were convinced it was a murder now you change your mind? Andy never looked twice at my daughter."

"I'm sorry Chief but that's the way its looking. Wish I could tell you different but I have guys at an apartment he rented here in Seattle…"

"Yeah I knew about that'"

"I'll bet you didn't know it was covered in pictures of Bella and other girls too. Your deputy was one sick puppy. I'll let you know if we get anything else."

I put my phone away unable to believe what I was hearing, if I hadn't heard about the Cullens and the wolves I might be more inclined to believe him but no, this was a cover up of some kind, Bella wasn't dead but someone wanted that to be the story. I looked at Esme

"Someone has framed my deputy for Bella's murder, does that sound like the work of your Volturi?"

She shrugged,

"I have no idea Chief I told you I don't know them but believe me Bella is not dead, I don't believe that for one second and neither should you."

"I don't which means I have to believe that she's with Jasper, or the Volturi, or whoever, because thats the only other alternative.

At that moment there was a knock on the door and I watched as Esme went warily to answer it only to find one of the Quileute boys standing there looking like he'd rather be anywhere than here.

"Chief Swan?"

He saw me standing behind her,

"Are we to let anyone in?"

"Who?"

"Jasper Hale is on his way, one of the patrols spotted him driving this way on the Port Angeles road."

"Oh yes, I want to speak to him."

"Fair enough. Any news yet?"

"Not yet but soon I hope, very soon."

He nodded and melted away into the trees while I looked at Esme,

"Well Bella's not with your "son" so lets hope he knows where she is or I might just decide to use this gun I carry on my hip, just to prove its not for decoration. I don't know if it will kill you but I'm pretty sure it will slow you down a while. Either that or I go to the authorities and if you think you can take me just remember the Quileutes are on my side not yours. They'd love an excuse to kill you all."