A/N… An extra chapter since When Angels Fall isn't posting this week or next. This is all Edward, so I'll let you get to it.

~oOo~

Chapter 8

EDWARD

"Here you go, Masen," I heard beside me as a box was set down on the corner of my desk. "The Bree Tanner case."

Nodding, I stood up, pulling off the lid. "Thanks, Alec," I said to the detective from Cold Case. "Anything I should know?"

"Yeah. That girl disappeared off the face of the fucking earth. Like smoke in the wind," the older officer said wryly as he gazed over my case that was tacked up on the board. "This bastard was all over that case, but we couldn't tie him to any of it." He tapped a picture of James. "According to everyone we interviewed, he was obsessed with Bree. I'd say he was in love with her, but I sincerely doubt that motherfucker knows that emotion."

I snorted, nodding a bit. The fact that he confirmed what Bella had told me about her former roommate made me frown down at the box in front of me. I'd officially pissed off that beautiful brunette. She hadn't spoken a word to me in going on two weeks. Maybe it was for the best. Maybe I was getting too close to someone who was surrounded by everything to do with my current case.

Yeah, that was bullshit. I'd taken Bella's kindness and thrown it in her face. That was an asinine thing to do. It was one thing when she hated me because I'd blown off her opinion when I arrested her brother; it was another thing to know she hated me…for me. It certainly wasn't the first time that had happened, but it was the first time that it was keeping me up at night.

I pulled out the file of interviews, searching for one in particular. Bella Swan's interview read exactly how she'd told me about Bree – that one day the girl simply didn't come home and her phone was shut off. Apparently, Bree had shared the same apartment that Bella was in now as they both suffered Inferno together. Bella had been adamant about James's attraction to Bree, but the only thing she'd seen were endless texts and calls to Bree's phone, and that device was nowhere to be found in any of the girl's belongings. The two young women had only lived together for a few months.

I pulled out the small shoebox that Bella had given me of Bree's things that had been left behind. There wasn't much to see – a small photo album, a few paystubs from Inferno, and some jewelry. Bella had told me that she'd donated the clothes and that Bree didn't really have many possessions because she'd left Portland with a simple backpack.

I took her picture out, pinning it to the board next to the picture of Maria. This whole case was a clusterfuck. I'd bet big money that James was responsible for the deaths of both of those women, but I couldn't fucking prove a damn bit of it. Hell, I couldn't even prove Bree was actually dead.

"You know what you need?" Alec asked, and when I glanced back at him, he was still studying the board. "You need to tail Hunt. And not just follow him. You need someone to watch his comings and goings for a while. We knew the last person to see Bree Tanner was James Hunt. But he didn't even leave a body to be discovered. He's got someplace he can hide what he really does."

Sneering, I nodded. "You might be right. I'd say one of his own people, but the only one I'd even consider asking is currently serving time in KCC."

Whitlock would be perfect to step back into his role but as an informant back to us. He could plead ignorance to Hunt about the drugs, blame it all on Maria. He was just enough pissed off at it all to probably get it done.

But it could also get his ass killed, and then Bella would truly hate me. She needed her brother clean, not stepping back into the deep end of shit. He had a kid on the way, so I scratched the idea as soon as I thought about it.

"Well, the DA has made worse deals," Alec pointed out with a soft laugh.

I groaned, scrubbing my face and raking my fingers through my hair with both hands. "I don't know. I don't think it'll work. But you're right about tailing Hunt."

Shifting through Bree's things, I decided there wasn't much to go on as far as clues. There wasn't really a connection between Hunt and this girl, aside from Inferno. I set the shoebox inside the case file box and dropped it to the floor. Next, I pulled out the pictures of the items we'd collected from Maria's locker at Inferno, the items found on her person at the crime scene, and finally I sorted through the files she'd had on that thumb drive.

Jessica's friend at the lab had gone through that thing with a fine-tooth comb. There were no viruses, but there were a few interesting documents, some security footage, and screenshots of a chat between her and James. It was where to make the buy, when to go, and who to see. There were some threats thrown in from Hunt for good measure, but Maria barely reacted to them.

The documents, however, finally told us James's higher connection. Everyone assumed he had someone high up in Seattle's government to get him out of trouble. They were right. Randall Powell, Chief of Staff to the mayor. In all reality, that guy ran the city, because he was responsible for meetings, approvals, and the day-to-day operations of the mayor. And he was James's uncle.

I could see where Maria had tried to stack up some things on Hunt – connections, threats, and even a video with Bree on security footage – but all that last thing did was show the girl entering James's office. Nothing more.

I glanced over at Garrett, who had taken on all the Inferno security footage. He was going cross-eyed trying to sort through it all. We were struggling with this case. Our best witness had been killed in county lockup. The other two were back out on the streets awaiting a court date. And James Hunt continued to live his life like nothing could touch him.

"You ready?" I heard in front of my desk, and I glanced up to see Tanya there.

"For what?"

"Jesus Christ, Edward. You really should thank me for reminding you about lunch with your family," she pointed out.

"Fuck. But that's…"

"Today is Sunday, Edward."

Garrett snorted into laughter. "Go on, Masen. Call it an early day. We'll go through more shit tomorrow."

I'd forgotten all about it, though if I were being honest, I wouldn't have gone, which is probably why they'd invited Tanya in the first place. She'd be sure to make me go.

Sighing deeply, I snatched my jacket off the back of my chair. "See you tomorrow, Garrett."

Tanya followed me out to my truck, and I unlocked it, opening her door. Her amusement was all over her face.

"Relax, Edward. You just might enjoy yourself," she teased.

I rolled my eyes as I walked around to the driver's side. "Where are we going? And why is this so important?"

Tanya snorted. "Waterfront. And if I had to guess, Emmett probably proposed to your cousin, so announcements need to be made."

I didn't say anything to that as I started the truck. If that was the case, I was happy for Rose. Emmett was a good guy. He and I had been friends in high school. We'd rented a place together while he was at UW and I had joined the police academy. It worked. The four of us – Rose, Tanya, Emmett, and I – had all suffered high school together. Tanya had been right; I'd introduced Emmett to my cousin. I sighed, thinking those three had probably kept me from losing my mind somewhere around tenth and eleventh grade.

Things stayed quiet for a few blocks, until Tanya couldn't take it any longer.

"You okay?"

Shrugging, I stopped at a red light and glanced over at her. "My case is a fucking mess. I've got a nasty gut feeling I know who did it, but proving it has been difficult. And apparently, my victim isn't his only one."

She waved that away. "You'll solve it. It's a puzzle, Edward. You'll piece it all together eventually." She tilted her head. "What about that stunning coffee girl?"

"I fucked that up."

She sighed with deep frustration. "What the hell did you do?"

I huffed a short laugh through my nose. "What didn't I do?"

"Ah, hell. Tell me."

As we drove through the city toward the restaurant, I told her what I could about Jasper Whitlock's arrest and his younger sibling, who just wanted her family whole and healed. I'd assumed at the time she was just as deep into it all as he was. I moved on to tell her what I could about my crime scene, and the Common Ground T-shirt, and Bella's story as to how she'd acquired the building. But then when I told her about Bella cleaning my split brow, about the break-in, about cleaning up her apartment, I could feel Tanya's gaze on me.

Finally, I told her what I'd said to offend Bella so badly and Bella's wicked response back, and I heard another sigh from her.

"I didn't… It wasn't what I meant. I just… She's…" I rambled, raking a hand through my hair as I pulled into the parking lot of the restaurant. Once the truck was parked, I finally braved a glance Tanya's way. "I know! I fucked up."

"Jesus, Edward," she whispered softly, shaking her head. She turned toward the windshield. "Do you want to end up alone, bestie? I mean, would that make you happy? Because if you keep pushing away everyone who tries to care for you, then there won't be anyone left."

I flinched at her candor, but she'd always been that way. I should've been used to it, but it was different when she aimed that sharp shit my way.

When I didn't say anything, she took off her seat belt and shifted closer. "Look at me," she commanded, and I obeyed. She reached up and brushed a lock of hair off my forehead. "You need a trim." Her voice was soft but sad. "You know I love you, and you know that I want you to be happy. But you have to want that for yourself.

"Edward, she offered you her time and help and food and, apparently, nursing skills…" She reached up to touch the thin scar above my eyebrow. "She did those things of her own free will. She sounds amazing. She isn't stupid, either. She grew up knowing what your job entails. Jesus, that was half the problem with you and Maggie – who's getting married, by the way. She couldn't deal with your job, which I always said was bullshit because she worked fucked-up hours as a nurse. But that's merely my opinion." She rolled her eyes at herself.

"This one could abso-fucking-lutely deal with your job. That's point one. Point two is… It's really okay to let someone take care of you. You're so fucking independent. You've been that way since you moved in with your aunt and uncle, and independent is fine, but unreachable is another."

I wrinkled my nose, shaking my head a bit.

Again, when I didn't say anything, she asked a question. "Why is it okay for me to help you unpack and not okay for this beautiful girl – who you really like, or we wouldn't be running late getting inside the restaurant – to concern herself with you, whether you've eaten, or how tired you may have been? Why, Edward?"

"Because you know me."

"Well, she never will unless you fucking let her."

"She's surrounded by everything about my case, Tan. What the hell am I supposed to do?" I argued weakly.

"Keep her safe? Solve the case? Live happily ever after? I don't know, Edward, but you can't keep everyone back. Your own family wants to love you, and you won't let them. But you like this girl, so… It's on you to fix it."

Nodding once, I glanced around to see everyone was waiting for us. "We should go join them," I said with barely any conviction.

Her expression seemed to waver between worry and sadness. "Not everyone you love leaves you, bestie." She pointed toward the door of Waterfront. "We're all still here."

I glanced toward the family in question. Emmett was laughing with Rose, but Aunt Esme and Uncle Carlisle were looking at us wearing concerned expressions. My aunt was difficult to see because she looked just like her sister – my mother. And sometimes, that shit fucking hurt. However, my uncle was the epitome of patience and kindness and gentleness, which was the complete and total opposite of my own father.

"C'mon, you can buy me a drink."

"Fine," I conceded. "But I won't drink until we're done here."

She laughed. "That's what I'm talkin' about… Maybe Rose and Em will want to hit a bar when we're done."

"C'mon, you lush."

She grinned, opening her door, and that seemed to give the all-clear to my family to approach us. I was instantly wrapped up by Esme.

"Sweetheart, it's good to see you," she said into my chest. "How's the new place?"

"It's good," I said, kissing her cheek and turning to Carlisle. "Sir," I greeted, smirking when he pulled me in for a hug.

When he pulled back, he said, "You look tired, son." The doctor in him kicked into full gear as he eyed my brow. "What happened?"

"A suspect got a little out of control." I shrugged, trying not to focus on the fact that the asshole who kicked me was now dead.

"Someone cleaned it well," he noted softly.

Tanya snorted. "Someone did. Huh, how 'bout that."

"You can shut up now," I threatened her uselessly, because she merely smiled up at me as I went to greet Rose. "Rose…Emmett."

"Hey, bud," Emmett said, shaking my hand and patting my shoulder. "I've been meaning to call you, but…We're working for the same team now. I've been hired at the DA's office."

"Seriously?" I gaped at him a little. "Congrats! I didn't know you were interested. I thought you'd stay in the private firms."

"I guess both of you will fight bad guys," Rose said as she gave me a hug. However, I eyed the ring on her finger. Tanya was right, but Rose smirked, punching my shoulder. "Shut up, and don't say shit."

Grinning, I shrugged. Rosalie and I couldn't be any more different. She was blonde and outgoing – a cheerleader in high school. When I'd had to move in with them, she'd quietly watched over me – they all had.

Lunch was chatty and loud, and there was a part of me that simply absorbed the whole thing. Tanya talked about Liam, who Emmett knew, because they both worked for the same law office at one point. The announcement was made that Emmett had indeed proposed, so we all toasted to them.

I sat between Esme and Tanya, but Esme ignored wedding talk and tapped my arm. "You okay?" she asked softly.

I nodded. "Yeah, just busy. Homicide is different than Narcotics. I've been dealing with an ugly case."

She smiled softly. "I can understand that, but I meant you. Are you doing okay?"

"I'm okay, just working."

Her eyes matched my own, which matched my mother's, and they brought back memories – both good and bad. They reminded me of laughter and of tears. They reminded me of hearing the words, "Your mother left." That's it. That's all I was told at fourteen at like six o'clock in the morning before I got ready for school.

However, left wasn't exactly the truth. Then again, Edward Masen Sr. hadn't always been honest.

"It's okay to miss Liz," Esme whispered, because she knew me that well. Of all of them, I was probably the closest to her; I'd needed her love back then, and she was just about the only one I'd let in.

That thought brought up all the things Tanya had said in the truck, and maybe she was right – not everyone who loved me left me. And it wasn't so bad when Esme checked on me. She did it because she cared. Because she wanted to take care of me…for her sister.

Which brought me back to Bella, and I truly needed to apologize to her. She cared for people so effortlessly, so I don't know why it shocked me when she'd aimed it my way. Even when she didn't know me.

"The offer for Dr. Gerandy is still open, sweet boy," she whispered, pushing my hair from my forehead. "It wouldn't hurt to talk to someone."

"Maybe—" I said, frowning when my phone rang. "Sorry. I'll take this outside." I stood up from the table, swiping my thumb across my screen. "Masen."

"Edward, it's Alice."

There was quite a bit of noise in the background, and it didn't really sound like Common Ground. I stepped out onto the front steps of Waterfront.

"Alice, what's wrong?"

"Bella didn't want me to call you, and calling 911 won't really do any good, but… We were out shopping for baby stuff, and Bella wanted wings and beer when we were done, so we stopped at The Hub. You know it?"

"Yes, go on."

"James is here. With Jake and Laurent. Which means—"

"They followed you. Don't move. Don't leave that bar, Alice. Understand?"

"Yeah, yeah, I get it. But… The way he's looking our way is so…angry."

"Where are you now?" I asked her, walking back into Waterfront to tell everyone I had to go.

"The jukebox. I was going to call you from the restroom, but I didn't want to take my eyes off our table."

"Okay, give me a few minutes. If any of them come near you, I really want you to call 911. And I want you to give them my name, Alice," I instructed her, and she agreed before ending the call.

I met worried looks at the table. "I've got to go."

"What happened?" Tanya asked, starting to get up.

"James Hunt is stalking Bella and Alice."

Emmett's gaze darkened. "The strip club guy?"

"Yeah, and my suspect." I eyed him a bit, because he was a big bastard, former football defenseman. "Feel like scaring a couple of assholes?"

He grinned like I'd handed him the keys to a fucking Porsche. "Hells yes, I do."

"C'mon," I told him, bending quickly to kiss Esme's cheek. "Sorry, but I need to go."

"Both of you be careful" was all she said back.

I looked to Tanya, who was already waving me away. "Rose will take me back to my car. Go!"

Emmett followed me out to my truck, and once we were on the road, he turned to me. "Talk to me about Hunt. Who are Bella and Alice, and why is he fucking with them?"

I caught him up on the case. Everything from Maria to Bree to James Hunt, and then added, "I can't fucking prove it, but I know he's responsible for it all. The best witness I had was killed in jail, because he was just stupid enough we could've made a deal with him. The other one is in rehab, and he's just…" I trailed off as I stopped at a light.

I told him about Bella, Alice, and Common Ground. "It's a stupid fucking coincidence that the building I moved to is connected to any of it."

"How connected? Like is she—"

"No, she's… She's not involved in any way other than knowing these people. Thanks to her brother, she and their father have been wrapped up in all this bullshit."

"And you've only gotten warrants for your vic's stuff at Inferno?" he asked.

"That's all we could do. We wanted in, but they'd only approve her property and the security footage from the last day we knew she worked. I can't touch Hunt until I've got something concrete. But I can't let him bother these girls. One is pregnant and the other is innocent. He's looking for his drugs, and he's convinced that they know."

The Hub was several blocks away from Waterfront. I probably broke way too many traffic laws trying to hurry. By the time we parked the truck, my temper was on edge.

As we got out and I locked the truck, Emmett asked, "What's the play here?"

"We just need to act as a shield. Hunt is trying to intimidate Whitlock's girlfriend and sister. Pregnant girlfriend. They don't know where his fucking shit is, but he probably doesn't believe that."

Emmett nodded, rolling up the sleeves of his button-down to expose his large forearms, and then reached for the door of The Hub. I glanced around at all the tables. I set eyes on the one I needed most. Alice and Bella were in a booth in the window. James, Laurent, and Jacob were sitting at a high-top bar table in the center of the room – so they couldn't be missed. My nostrils flared as Jacob started to slip down from his stool.

Alice caught his movement just as she saw me. An evil smile crept over her face. "Edward!" she called, patting the top of the table.

Bella's gaze snapped from her beer mug to Alice and then to me. Those deep-brown eyes were filled with an angry fire. However, the table full of assholes came to a standstill.

"Have a seat," Alice offered, smirking at Bella's sigh. "Who's your friend?"

"Alice Brandon, Bella Swan… This is Emmett McCarty. He works at the DA's office, and he's engaged to my cousin," I said loud enough that James could hear me, despite the sports on the TVs, the noisy tables around us, and the waitstaff chatter that echoed out from the kitchen.

"Good to meet ya," he greeted, taking the seat next to Alice, and I slid in next to Bella. He shook both of their hands, giving them a smile. "Heard you got some trouble."

"How long have they been here?" I asked them both softly.

"About five minutes after we sat down," Alice answered, shooting a nasty glare toward the men in question.

"Have they said anything to you?" I looked to Bella for this answer, and I didn't think she'd answer me until she finally nodded reluctantly. "What? What did they say?"

"They… They asked about Jasper. Jake… He…" She trailed off but met my gaze. "He wanted to know if they could join us, b-because he knew I m-missed him. I said no."

I gritted my teeth. It was one thing to try to scare a couple of girls. It was another for Jake to smash their former relationship into her face. Especially after wrecking her home. And cheating on her. And trying to record her during sex. She'd never said it out loud, but I was sure the only reason Bella would've destroyed hundreds of dollars-worth of camera equipment in a tub full of soapy water was that he'd tried to record her.

"Anything else? Did James say anything?" I asked them.

"Just if she wanted to come back to Inferno," Alice said softly. "He asked if we'd talked to Jasper, and the next time we did, we were to tell him hello."

I met Emmett's gaze. "That's a subtle threat."

"Right? Because if they pass on that message, then it proves James can get to them," he replied softly. "You say there are cruisers around Common Ground."

"Yeah, but they can't drive the girls around like a fucking Uber," I countered, smirking when both of them chuckled – even Bella.

"What does he want?" Bella hissed my way.

"He wants his drugs back, though by now, he may simply want revenge for what Jasper and Maria set into motion," I replied as honestly as I could.

"We don't know where it is," Alice argued. "But he doesn't care, does he?"

"No, probably not." I sighed, rubbing my face and raking my hands through my hair. "Problem is… This…" I gestured toward their table. "This shit isn't illegal. He could follow you, come into Common Ground to eat, or pop up at the grocery store. It's creepy, but it's not breaking any laws. And he fucking knows it."

"Unless he touches us," Bella surmised in a soft mutter, wrinkling her nose.

I nodded, but the mere thought of him touching her made me volatile. I shook my head, trying to calm down, but James was a fucking killer, and that could not happen to the girls at this table.

Alice looked to Emmett. "Um, now that you're here, can one of you walk me to the restroom? I didn't want to go alone, and I didn't want to leave Bella."

"C'mon, I'll guard the door," Emmett offered, but as they walked away, I noticed James was getting up from the table, tossing money down.

I glanced to Bella, who was downing the last of her beer, and she glanced up at me. "She shouldn't have called you."

"This is why I gave you my number, Bella. For this type of shit right here." I sighed, shaking my head. "Look, I know you're pissed at me, because I can't… I can't seem to say the right thing to you. I'm sorry for how I say shit. Emmett says I have no chill."

Bella fought her smile and won for the most part, but it fell when James approached the table.

"Detective," he greeted, wearing a smarmy smile. "I didn't know you knew Bella here. She and I go way back."

I stood from the table so we were eye to eye, and I decided to fuck with him just a little. "She's my neighbor," I said with a slow smile. "Like right downstairs."

It most likely dawned on him how I'd busted his buddies at her apartment, because his eyebrows shot up.

"Well, isn't that…nice…"

"Mm, yeah." I leaned in, keeping my voice low. "I get what you're doing. I also know what you're looking for, Hunt. You won't find it here." I pointed to the table, but he knew I'd meant the girls and Common Ground.

"What do you think I'm lookin' for, Masen?"

"Two kilos of heroin that Maria Navarro stashed before her…unfortunate demise?" James's eyes narrowed, but I went on. "You see, I arrested Jasper Whitlock for dealing for you six fucking months ago. I know all about you, Hunt, and what you do outside of Inferno. And trust me, the only one who knew where your shit went is now dead. So…sorry about your luck."

James sneered, but he was smart enough to say nothing.

Emmett and Alice appeared behind him, but so did Laurent and Jake, and I leaned closer, saying, "Make sure Black and Brunelle make it to court, Hunt. I'd hate to see them get a warrant for skipping bail."

James grinned, and he looked like he'd just been invited to damn game. "Oh, don't you worry."

"Also…I'll be putting in an order of protection on Common Ground, the apartments above it, and these two ladies against Jacob Black and Laurent Brunelle, so the next time I see them anywhere near them, I'm going to arrest them again. Am I fucking clear?" I asked, practically in his face.

"Motherfu—" Jacob started, stepping closer.

"Problem, gentlemen?" Emmett asked, stepping forward. "Aw now… You wouldn't assault a police officer, would you?"

Jacob, who was a tall fucker to start with, eyed Emmett up and down. Truly, I'd appreciate what would happen if Jake decided to jump, but Laurent was way smarter than I gave him credit.

"Let's go!" he snapped at Jake and James. "We've got shit to do."

Turning back to the table, I saw Bella drop money, slipping out of the booth seat.

"C'mon, ladies. We'll happily escort you to your car," Emmett offered with his usual happy grin.

I stopped Bella before she could follow, and she rounded on me. "Alice is driving, Detective. I know I've been drinking."

"That's not…" I sighed, shaking my head. "I'm sorry, Bella. I know I'm an ass. I just… I'm not good at…letting people in."

She narrowed her eyes. "What the fuck happened to you? It must've been a tidal wave of shit to make you this way."

I huffed a humorless laugh. "That's one way to put it." I guided her outside onto the sidewalk. "I'm used to taking care of myself, so I'm sorry if I threw your kindness back at you. It's not you; it's me."

I repeated what she'd said concerning her original attitude toward me the night she cleaned up my split brow.

She smirked, answering, "Sounds like a break-up."

"I don't want it to be. I just… I'm not good at accepting help."

Bella nodded, walking slowly toward her car. Before she reached Alice and Emmett, who were now laughing and getting along just fine, she said, "Thank you for coming. I wasn't sure what they'd do."

"I'm doing my best to keep you safe, Bella. Both of you."

She nodded, giving me a small smile before getting in the car that Alice had already started.

Once they pulled away, Emmett looked to me. "You like her."

I glanced over at him, unable to deny it any longer. Between her anger, Tanya tearing me a new one, and James's threats, I couldn't stop it.

"Yeah, I do, but I think I'm driving her crazy."

Emmett laughed, gripping my shoulder and guiding toward my own truck. "Hell, Edward, we all drive our women crazy. You'll figure that out fast enough."

~oOo~

A/N… Most of your reviews made me laugh – he's hot when he's cranky. And a lot of you said he needed to apologize. Yes. However, Tanya takes no prisoners. LOL And you guys got to see there wasn't much on the thumb drive AND Edward's family.

Next chapter will still update on Tuesday, and it's one of my favorites from this story. So until then… Mooches, Deb ;)