As promised a chapter published a lot faster than usual Absolutely loved how easily the dialogue between Isabella and Charlie came out! I want to say next chapter will be as quick but it is in a VERY rough state so it will take a bit more time! Thanks to everyone who is reading along, it has turned what was going to be a one shot into a far more detailed story! Let me know what you think as always!
One advantage of living in a small town? Everything is on the way to everything else. If it isn't? Well it's like only five minutes out of the way of wherever you were headed anyway. Take the cop station, while it's not in between Fork's High and the Res, it only like adds 5 minutes to the trip. It also helps that it isn't difficult to find the station, it looks like it came straight from a police station catalogue from 60 years ago. Slated roof and pebbled floor entrance included.
The entrance is full of that stereotypically expected décor as the exterior. Taking up the wall parallel to the front door is a half wall of glass on top of a room length desk with what looks like breathing holes drilled into the glass for the receptionist. The waiting area is decorated in a layer of dust and cracks that have been painted over, the room is bathed in the smell of the musty carpet.
"Can I help you?", asks the receptionist behind the glass. At first through the scratched warn glass all I catch is a glimpse of a tanned blob with black hair.
After taking a second to realise he is talking to me, and not the empty waiting room, I shuffle forward.
"Umm yeah, I'm here to see Chief Swan", I say trying to make out the stranger through the glass. The closer I get the more the blob turns into sharp defined face with furrowed brows. His dark eyes are glued to the screen in front of him. I don't recognize him, but through the holes I can at least make out that, according to his tag, his name is Paul.
"Do you have an appointment?", he asks.
"Uhh not exact-", I say before being cut off with a frustrated sigh.
"Chief Swan is a busy man, he doesn't have time for people just stopping in", he says. With his eyes never moving from the computer he slides a clipboard with a blank form and a pen tied to the clip through a crack in the bottom of the screen.
"You'll need to fill in this form to raise a case and one of the other officers can take your statement".
Case? I never asked for a case! Did I? I mean of course what else would you do in a cop station? Damnit I shouldn't be here, I can't raise a case against the Cullen's because they're vampires! What the hell would I say? The Cullen's have been looking at me and want to do an assignment with me?
"You know what, I shouldn't have come. Sorry for wasting your time", I say making my way to the glass door behind me.
"Isabella?", Charlie's gruff voice comes through from behind me. I turn and see him standing behind Paul who finally seems to decide I am worthing of eye contact. Either that or I am on his radar as a potential criminal. I don't know which one I prefer.
"O-oh hey Charlie", I stumble.
"That is Chief Swan to you", snaps Paul, his cold eyes clamping down on mine. There is something almost unhinged behind his dark brown eyes, not that it stops me from meeting his stare. I clearly don't have enough problems in this town, lets now add antagonizing a cop to the list.
"Paul its fine", Charlie says calling off the hound.
"But-" starts Paul before Charlie cuts him off with a hand on his shoulder.
"You need a break? You've been working nonstop today, go grab a bite", says Charlie. Paul takes a deep breath and I wait, expecting him to argue the point further. Instead, he turns and pushes his way around to the reception area and out the front door. The metal blinds clanging against the glass door as he slams it.
"He's a good kid", says Charlie, following him out into the reception area. I look at the Sheriff with an expression that must show my disbelief.
"I mean it. Just some stuff going on, half the reason we brought him on. Sometimes people just need a fresh start".
"I get that", I sigh. Goddamnit am I seriously going to end up feeling sorry for every jerk in this town!
"Everything ok?", Charlie asks, "Not that I'm not happy to see ya, but people don't really come to visit the station for no reason.
"Uh yeah, well I mean, its not exactly, umm its kind of hard to explain?", I stumble, the words seem to be tripping over the sighs parting them. Thankfully Charlie just lets out a small chuckle.
"How about you and I have a chat and we can try and see if we can figure it out together. Come on, there's a diner across the road, I need a coffee after today and someone left some burnt brew in the bottom of the pot".
"Hey Charlie, you're in early today want the usual?", asks a waitress with warm smile.
"No thanks, still on duty", he says pointing to the faded sheriff's badge.
"Ah of course. The booth in the back is free, I'll keep the early birds out of the area so you can talk in privacy".
"Thanks Darlene", says Charlie.
"No problem, now who is your friend here? I pride myself in knowing everyone around this town and I sure as heck don't know this pretty young face", she says turning to me. I know I should be used to the attention by now, but it doesn't stop my cheeks from setting themselves alight under her glance. Not that she seems to notice. Charlie, the ever-observant chief of police, thankfully does.
"Uh this is Isabella, she just joined up at Forks High", he says.
"Well Isabella, welcome to our town! Don't you let the rain get you down. Oh look at me, here I go rhyming again but I do mean it! Rain, hail or shine the people around here make it all worthwhile. Now tell you what, just to make sure we put on a good show I'll get some of Jim's best coffee AND I just so happened to cook up my world-famous berry cobbler today", she says.
"No honestly Darlene you don-", starts Charlie.
"Oh hush you, this is my welcome present to the girl, on the house. If I left the welcome committee to you we wouldn't have any one stary longer than a week", she says turning back to the kitchen before Charlie can argue any further.
"Come on we better head to the booth before the whole town comes to say hi", says Charlie walking towards the back of the store.
I don't know what I was expecting from the diner but there was definitely a lot more rubber red seats and black and white tiles in my imagination. Instead, the diner seems really, well cozy. The floors are covered in a well-worn dark wood, and the walls are covered with photos of local fishing groups, and landscapes shots from around Forks. What pulls it all together though, are the windows lining every wall. From the wooden diner, the thick forest from outside almost seems to glow, covering the warm surfaces in a cool shade of green.
"Sorry about all that", says Charlie once we slide in opposite ends of a booth at the back, "unfortunately Forks isn't exactly known for its local privacy".
"That might be the only part of Forks that seems normal", I say lost in thought at a moss-covered tree just outside the window. I had read that in some areas people used the moss to track their direction depending on which side it grew. If they ever came to a town like Fork's they might have a challenge since the furry green has managed to tuck itself into every etch of the dark trunks.
"How so?", asks Charlie.
"Well back home it was the same. We lived pretty close to each other so it felt like people would know what you were going to do before you did". I wonder if they know the mess I have gotten myself into. A pang shoots through my chest, with everything going on I didn't realise how much I was missing home.
"I want to tell you Fork's is different but well you heard Darlene. I am here so often I not only have a regular but a business table", says Charlie letting out a dramatic sigh, well as dramatic as he can manage anyway. I can't help the smile that tugs at my melancholy.
"Ok here we go", says Darlene coming back with a full tray for the table, "two berry cobblers with a scoop of vanilla, I even managed to sneak in an extra scoop for you hun. Then we have one steaming pot of our local brew with our finest china. Now you all enjoy and I'll keep everyone out of your hair".
"Thanks Darlene", Charlie and I say at the same time. We look at each other and look away, Charlie lets out a muffled chuckle.
"See, I told you, predictable", he mumbles with a smile under his mustache.
"Anything for you chief. Now if I don't get to see you later, it was nice to meet you dear and don't be a stranger. Most of us aren't as grumpy as this gruff so don't let him scare you off". Again, before anything could be said she was off. I like her.
"Alright now tell me how's Forks High been treating you", asks Charlie, he sits up straighter and leans forward on the table. I believe Chief Swan has just arrived.
"Schools been good I have a few friends", I say taking the cup he had filled for me with coffee.
"Good, the kids here are pretty nice all things considered. Who have you met so far", he asks.
"Mainly just hanging out with Angela, Jess, Mike and Eric".
"Good kids, makes me feel old to say but I went to school with some of their parents. Careful of Newton though, heard he can be a little, what do you kids call it, keen on the ladies or something like that".
"Something like that" I say pulling the unwanted smile from my face but not before he notices.
"Not that he will be a challenge for you, you managed to handle Jake and Leah well enough", he says. Ease me in and detour closer to the main point, if this wasn't straight from the interrogation hand book I might actually be impressed.
"Yeah, I actually heard that you and Billy were doing the impound lot initiative together. That was what led me to the Res in the first place", I say.
"Oh was it? I thought it was because your car got towed", he said taking a forkful of the cobbler in front of him. I stop the wave of cold in its tracks with a small gulp. How the hell did he know about that? Should I lie? No this is too specific, he knows something. That's ok, so what? He did his research. I take a sip of coffee and let out a small sigh. Damn that is really good coffee.
"Ah you heard about that huh?", I ask.
"I may have had a little birdy call up the station and ask how we could be so heartless as to tow someone's car on their first day of school. They then complained that you had to leave school to go all the way to the Res to pick it up", he says.
"What's so weird about that, they sell secondhand cars?", I ask earning a small chuckle.
"You're not wrong there, but I'll let you in on a secret you can't tell anyone. We don't pick up cars from Fork's High. Not during school days anyway. As long as the kids actually go to school we are happy". Another wave of ice floods my system, this one I let through.
"Well you know I got a job there and, well, Jake let me use the car so I can get there and back. The commute might be a pain but the job has perks", I say taking another large gulp of coffee.
"Need more?", asks Charlie topping me off, "You must be good, Jake has been working on that truck for the last year, he wouldn't let anyone use it".
"Honestly I'm not that good", I say.
"Look I love Jake like a son, but there was no way he would give away his pride and joy let alone pay some to take it. Even if he did, Leah would have pulled his head out before he could", he says, another piece of cobbler. Not a question, but I have no choice but to answer.
"It was Leah's idea for the job", I say.
"Leah? I didn't think the girl had it in her".
"I'm not some charity case", I snap. What the hell is he playing at?
"Never said you were".
"Well it sounds like it", I say.
"All I meant was you said you weren't that good. The Black's can't afford to take on someone who doesn't know what they're doing".
"Just because I don't know the ins and outs of a combustion engine doesn't mean I don't know how to work hard". The chief just stares.
"What? You think I'm not good enough to work with them because I am some new girl? That I couldn't possibly know anything?", I say, I assume my voice gets louder with each word considering the looks the booth is starting to gather across the diner. Another amazing opportunity to keep a low profile. Charlie just looks on, one brushy eyes brow cocked up.
"Sorry", I murmur, "it's just, I won't let Billy down".
"I know you won't", he says and for some stupid reason I think I believe him.
"Then why did you bring me here?", I say receiving another chuckle.
"Didn't you ask to talk to me?", he asks.
"Don't pull the act on me, you're the one putting me through the nineth degree", I say.
It's Charlies turn to let out a sigh.
"I am sorry, suspicious nature is part of the job. Plus you wouldn't have come if there wasn't a reason".
"Don't do that, you know more about my situation than you should for someone who just met me yesterday. What do you want?", I ask.
"I could ask you that same question, but something tells me you won't tell me the truth just for the fun of it. How about we make a deal?", he says.
"A deal?".
"Yep, its easy enough. I tell you the truth no matter what, and you tell me the truth no matter what".
"But?", I say, there is always a but.
"I won't give you any information that will hurt someone, and I don't expect any less from you".
"What counts as someone being hurt?".
"I believe that each person knows their limit".
"And that information stays between us?".
"Again, as long as no one is hurt". Uncle's voice rings through my head, "Promise are only made on the grounds of mutual gain".
"If I agree, what do you want from me?" I ask. He lets out another small chuckle.
"I believe that's fair, ok. I just wanna know why you're in Forks". I jerk back ready to call off the deal, but he raises his hand slowly in surrender.
"Before you tell me where to shove it, I don't give two rats where you came from before here, everyone has their story and it's exactly that, their story. I just wanna know why Forks of all places. I know for a fact we aren't on most maps of the states, and if you're staying at the motel I am guessing you're not too familiar with anyone around here", he takes another bite.
"That's honestly all you want to know?", I ask.
"That's all", he agrees.
"No follow up questions?".
"None you are obligated to answer", he says.
"Fine, deal", I say. He holds out a hand to shake on it but pulls it back as I stare the hand down.
"Fair enough".
"Ok so what I wanted to ask wa-", I start.
"Hold up there", he says, "who said you get to ask first?".
"I asked first didn't I?", I say.
"You did, but I wanna make sure you follow up your end of the bargain first", he says.
"And how am I supposed to trust you exactly?", I ask.
"I don't often like to play the badge card, but I am the chief of police. That does come with a little more credibility than someone that lied in their job interview", he says. I want to argue but he is right. I sigh in defeat.
"Great, now that that's sorted, I believe you know my question", he says. His eyes are watching me, I know that much, but the look in his eye has soften. I am no longer considered a threat.
"Well, I guess you won't accept its due to the amazing food?". He just keeps watching.
"Nope didn't think so. Umm, ok. Well Forks seemed to be the only safe place that my family would let me go to so I could finish school. Its remote, low crime rate, which I should say thank you to you for", I say, he tips an imaginary hat.
"And I guess just the surroundings. I am so used to living indoors, or in the heat. Being surrounded by the forest and the cold seemed like a good change up". That wasn't the best decision in hindsight. I look at the chief, waiting for any sign that I pass his test, but instead he just takes another bite of that damn cobbler.
"Fine! I guess, it was well, it was just quiet. Like I said I've lived surrounded by people my whole life, every moment has been observed, or analysed and being under that scrutiny just makes you feel. I wanted to go somewhere where I would be allowed to be me without the rest of it. Forks just really called out because I would have a second to be alone with my thoughts, which is clearly not the case", I snap.
"Why can't you be alone with your thoughts?", he finally asks.
"I just feel that-. Hang on, no I answered the question, I held up my end of the bargain", I say.
"Not bad, not bad at all", he chuckles.
"So glad I passed your test, so does that mean you will answer my question?".
"A deal is a deal".
"Whats-", I start but pull myself back. I know what I want to ask, does he know if any crimes where there is a body missing a hell of a lot of blood. Any with two puncture wounds, or just what the mortality rate is in Forks. Hell, even the missing person rate. Any of these would be perfect but do any of these come out?
"What is going on between the Cullen's and the guys from the Res?". Nope, it appears I am going with that instead. Charlie lets out a cough as he chokes on his coffee. After a few pounds to his chest he looks back at me with a red face.
"Sorry", another pound to the chest, "that's just not what I was expecting. Has something happened with them?".
"I thought I got a free question?".
"It's just, no your right. Can I just ask you to be a little more specific?".
"I know you broke up a fight between them the other day", I say.
"Good to know the Forks High rumor mill is still spinning", he sighs, "ok you're not wrong. There was an issue between them, Sam and his friends left when I arrived but I stayed to talk to Dr Cullen. He told me it was nothing, just a misunderstanding. So what the problem is I don't know". I start to argue about how much of a cop out that is, but he catches me with another raise of surrender.
"I know I know, I'm not going to leave you with just that. I am being honest though, I don't know what the issue is, however I do know that on the Res there was an uproar with the Cullen's the day they arrived. Billy won't tell me why, but he gets a look on his face if I mention them, and he isn't the only one. However as Chief of Police I am restricted with the amount of information I am allowed to ask for or discuss, especially any official business". I can't help my heart from sinking. I can't use any of this, if Billy won't tell Charlie there is no way he will tell some kid.
"Luckily Jake isn't an official officer", says Chalie breaking me from my internal sprial of doom.
"Jake Black?", I ask. Charlie lets out a small nod while pushing the remaining ice cream around his plate.
"You should ask him about how Sam is feeling", he says, "I heard Sam, Paul and Jared all came down with something recently. Enough to keep them in bed for at least a week, and it must have lingered. They don't seem to have recovered".
"The Paul that is working at the station?", I ask. Charlie lets out another small nod.
"Now", the chief says clearing his throat, "if that's all I believe we both have to get to work". I look at the time and see it is already 4:30pm.
"Shit! Uhh I mean-"
"Its all good, tell Jake I said hi", says Charlie.
"Thank you for, well all of this", I say, pulling my bag over my shoulder.
"Just one thing before you go", he says, "if there is something I should know about, not as me but as Chief, please let me know. I just want to make sure that no one get caught up in whatever is going on", he says. That's what he wants, the big mystery, he wants everyone to be safe. Even worse, he has dragged me in on his mission.
"I will let you know if there is anything you should look out for", I say. He gives a final nod dismissing me and I run out across the road and back to the truck.