Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction

Behind Steel Bars

By Midnight Dreamer

Chapter 07: Frantic Phone call

Isabella was resting in her living room watching Court TV when her phone began ringing. Figuring she would just let the answering machine get it and call whoever it was back later, she continued to watch her show. She listened as the answering machine picked up.

You have reached Isabella Swan. I’m sorry that I’m unable to come to the phone right now but if you would please leave your name and number after the beep, I will return your call as soon as possible. Thank you!

Beep.

“Bella, Bella! I know you’re there – please pick up! I have to speak to you – I don’t know what to do. Peter came home in a tizzy saying something about his brother being at the police station and that he has to call our lawyer. He also said something about a fight and ambulances. I don’t know what to do…”

Hearing the urgency in Charlotte’s voice caused her to jump from the couch and grab the receiver.

“Char, I’m here. Calm down and tell me what is goin’ on.”

“Oh Bella it’s just awful… I can’t believe she did that to him. Why would she do that…? And with his best friend! I can’t believe she would stand up for that piece of…”

“Char, I don’t understand what your rambling about. Now take a deep breath and start from the beginning.”

“Sorry Bella.”

“It’s okay – now start over.”

“Well, the day started out okay. I went with Peter to pick his brother up from the airport. His brother is finally home after serving 8 years overseas. Any way, we came home to his Ma’s house for dinner – as per her orders. Let me tell you, you don’t go against that woman – she is scary as all hell when she is mad. So we came home and had a wonderful home cooked meal. Well it had become late and Peter offered to drive his brother home so he could surprise his wife. And all I can say is it was his brother who got the surprise: he walked in on his wife of 7 years with his best friend. It lead to a fight – the friend started it and ended up being hurt; he was taken away in an ambulance while Peter’s brother got arrested. And now I have no idea what is gonna happen.” Charlotte started crying.

“Oh, Char, I’m sorry all this is happening. Do they have any proof that the other guy started it?”

“Well, I guess so. Jasper is a very protective person and his entire house is wired with camera’s inside and out. It’s all recorded so even all the times she cheated are on tape.”

“Are the tapes kept at the house? Could the wife have erased them?”

“No, the recordings are transmitted to his Ma’s house. Peter has our home wired the same way. I guess it comes from growing up with money and being so well known; they are paranoid about people stealing from them.”

“Could be. The Whitlocks are well known.”

“What are we gonna do Bella? He just got home! He spent the last 8 years protecting our country and now he is sitting in a cell because his cheating- no good- white trash hoe of a wife couldn’t keep her legs closed!”

“Well okay then – tell me how you really feel about her?” Isabella asked, causing Charlotte to giggle.

“Okay I guess that was a little overboard. But if you met him you would understand. He is the sweetest guy, and he seemed so excited to surprise her. Then he comes home to her with another man. That has got to be heartbreaking.”

“Yeah I understand. Not from experience but I can imagine how it feels.”

“I’m glad I can talk to you about this. Peter is still ranting in his office to our lawyer.”

“Who is your lawyer?”

“Jenks.”

“He’s a good guy and should have no problem getting him out of whatever they try to charge him with.”

“I don’t even know if they are gonna charge him since he was attacked in his own house. How much can they possibly charge him with?”

“Who knows. I have seem them trump up some dumb ass charges against people.”

“Well I hope they don’t try pulling that shit. I have a feeling that Peter will hit the roof if they do.”

“I think you should go calm him down before he heads to the police station with the tapes. Make sure they are just copies and not the originals in case they want to keep them.”

“Okay Bella. Again – thanks for just pickin’ up and lettin’ me vent.”

“You’re welcome.”

“Oh and Bella? Could you meet us at the police station…? I could really use a friend to sit with me while Peter deals with all the stuff down there.”

“Sure, which station?”

“The one are 24^th street in Dallas.”

“Sure thing see you there in an hour?”

“Yeah that sounds about right. See you soon.”

“See you soon.”

The two woman ended the call. Charlotte went to calm Peter down while Isabella went to change into something decent.

Isabella arrived at the police station 40 minutes later to find Charlotte on the front steps waiting for her. She hurried over to her friend.

“Char, how is everything?”

“I have no idea. They won’t tell me anything. Peter and Jenks are in with Jasper right now.”

“Jasper?”

“Oh sorry, I forgot you didn’t know his name. That is Peter’s brother.”

“Wow… Is he named after Major Jasper Daniel Whitlock?”

“Yes, how did you know?”

“I love history.”

“Oh. Well, I guess that would explain it.” Charlotte chuckled.

“Shhh don’t tell anyone! I have a reputation to protect.” Isabella laughed. Charlotte laughed along with her.

“I guess we should go in and see if we can find anything out.” Charlotte said coming back to reality.

“Yes, I guess we could try.”

They slowly got up and made their way inside. Once inside they went to the front desk to inquire about any news on the Whitlock case.

“Excuse me?” Charlotte called.

No one seemed to be paying attention to what she was saying.

“Yo! Is anyone actually workin’ here or do you always just stand around wastin’ tax payers money?” Isabella yelled.

Every head in the place turned to look at her. Charlotte was trying to hide her laughter, and Isabella stood with an aggravated expression on her face.

“I’m sorry ma’am, is there something I can help you with?” one of the officers asked.

“Yes I  would like to know what is goin’ on with the Whitlock arrest.”

“Who may I ask is inquiring?”

“Charlotte Whitlock and Isabella Swan.”

“Did you say Swan?”

“Did I stutter?”

“No ma’am.”

“Then you have your answer – now I want mine.”

“Yes ma’am. I will see what I can do.”

“You do that.”

Isabella stormed over to the seats draggin’ an awed Charlotte with her.

“Char what are you lookin’ at?”

“You. That was awesome.”

“It’s all about who you know.”

“No it’s all about who you are.” Charlotte corrected. Causing the girls to laugh loudly.

“What has you two laughing like loons?” Peter asked.

“Just that Bella here caused the best scene ever..”

“Oh and how so?” Peter again asked.

“Oh sorry Peter, you have yet to meet Isabella. Where are my manners. Peter Whitlock this is Isabella Swan…Isabella Swan this is my husband Dr. Peter Whitlock.”

“Pleasure is mine, Miss.” Peter said takin’ her hand kissing the back of it. Isabella blushed.

“And mine.” she said.

“Did I hear the name Swan?” Jenks asked coming from behind the front desk.

“Yes, sir, you did.” Peter told him. Jenks looked up and caught sight of Isabella.

“Well if you ain’t a sight for sore old eyes. You look just like your Mama.” Jenks said kissing the back of her hand.

“You knew my parents?”

“Well yes, I often worked with both your mother and father. They were great people.”

“Yes, I miss them dearly, but it has been a long time since they passed.”

“Yes, but the Swan name remains.”

“Yes it does.” Isabella blushed once again, not used to all the attention.

“So shall we go get something to eat and discuss where to go from here. They won’t let him out for at least 72 hours anyway.” Peter said.

“Sounds good. Where to?” Charlotte asked.

“I was thinking the little Chinese place down the street.” Peter said licking his lips.

“Well let’s get goin’ then.” Charlotte said as Peter ushered the two woman out the doors.

As they walked together down the street, both ladies looped their arms on either side of Peter. Upon entering the restaurant, Peter growled lightly as the men in the restaurant would follow them with their eyes, obviously drooling and lusting after one or both of the ladies on his arms. They took their seats and looked over the menu. After placing the orders they began talking about what was to happen next.

“So Peter, what the hell is goin’ on with Jasper?”

“Well they are keepin’ him until they find out about Edward.”

“Why?”

“So they know what to charge him with.”

“Why are they charging him if he was defending himself?”

“Because after they saw the video they also thought the same thing that Edward did. They think that Jasper pushed Alice down and not that she lost her balance and fell. They believe Edward was protecting Alice and, you know, second person self defense.”

“That’s bullshit. I saw those tapes you can see that she fell.”

“I know, I was standing right there.”

“So why are they waitin’ to find out about Edward?”

“Well he fell and hit his head; they want to know if they are gonna have to charge him with manslaughter. It all depends on when – or if – Edward wakes up.”

“Huh?” Isabella asked confused by the whole conversation.

“Sorry Isabella, I forgot you don’t know all that is goin’ on. What all has Char told you?”

“Just that her brother was arrested after getting in a fight with his best friend for sleeping with his wife, and said best friend was hurt and taken away in an ambulance.”

“Well you got the cliff notes version.”

“Okay so what is the full story? Perhaps a fresh view on things could be helpful.”

“Sure it can’t hurt.”

“Well…”

“Alright. Well Jasper, my older brother, joined the Marines fresh out of high school and signed up for two tours. He was right out of basics when he met Alice; they spent a year with the whole letters, emails, and what not. When he came home for Christmas he asked her to marry him and, of course, she said yes. They planned on getting married when he came home again for the fourth of July. All went as planned and then two weeks later he was shipped back overseas. Coming home for a couple weeks at a time when given leave. They spent all their time with friends hanging out at Masen’s Tavern, which is owned by Edward Masen, said best friend. Well while he was away, I had met Charlotte here. He was already 6 years in and he came home for leave; when he left Edward and Alice were there to see him off. It wasn’t a month or so later that Char and I got married. He couldn’t come home for the wedding but he sent us to Hawaii for two weeks. Then when we got home, I guess, is when you met Char here.”

“Okay, so how does this all lead to a fight and prison time?” Isabella asked.

“I’m getting to that… So anyway, time flew by and we saw less and less of Alice at Ma’s. I just figured she was busy working since she is a designer for some big company. Well the day before Jasper was to come home he called Ma; she wasn’t supposed to let anyone know he was comin’ home cause he wanted to surprise Alice. But since Char and I were there when he called, I told Ma we would pick him up. She gave direct orders that we were to bring him back home so she could see him and cook him a home-cooked meal since he hadn’t had one in two years. We all know that Alice can’t cook to save anyone’s life and she orders in all the time, or they go out to eat. Anyway, we pick Jasper up and of course, he turns on the charm and flirts shamelessly with my wife.”

Charlotte and Isabella giggled.

“Yeah, he did. I told Peter if I’da known his brother was such a charmer I would have married him instead.”

“You didn’t?” Isabella said through her laughter.

“Yes she did. Anyway, we took him home; Ma cried and Jasper reassured her that he was home for good. We all ate and then Jasper told her that he had to go home to surprise Alice. Ma told him to come round for supper the next day and with his agreement, I took him home. We saw Edward’s car in the drive and thought nothing of it as he was their friend so he was probably just visiting to see how she was doin’. Walking inside the house, it seemed almost empty. I set his bag in and went to grab us both a beer. He, of course, went lookin’ for Alice; he walked passed the living room, only glancing in so I guessed she wasn’t there. He headed back the hallway toward their room and then I heard him yell so I ran to his side. Alice and Edward were standing there naked as the day they were born, trying to tell Jasper it wasn’t what it looked like. Yeah right! Even I’m not that stupid. So, he told them to get out of his house.

Alice came up to him and tried to explain, but he told her he didn’t wanna hear it. When he went to turn to her, she lost her balance and fell on her ass just as Edward came around the corner. He took one look and lunged for Jasper, thinking that Jasper had pushed her. They fought, managing to go from the kitchen to the living room and then back to the kitchen in their scuffle. Neither watching where they were goin’. Edward tripped on one of Alice’s bags that were laying there. Everything seemed to go in slow motion;you could see what was gonna happen but were powerless to stop it. Edward hit the corner of the marble table top with the side of his head knocking him out. Alice rushed to his side, blaming Jasper for the whole mess which caused the two to fight, which is what was going on when the police and ambulance showed up.”

“Who called it in?” Isabella asked.

“I did. I was the only one in their right mind. And Edward was in no condition to be calling anyone.”

“So it was all self defense.”

“Yes. I have It all on tape. I made several copies before comin’ to the police station with the lawyer. Jenks has a copy, the police have a copy, and I have several – including the original.”

“Well, if you don’t mind… I would like to look at one?”

“Not at all perhaps you will see something that the rest of us didn’t.”

“Perhaps…”

They didn’t even notice that their food had arrived and they had finished eating throughout the whole conversation. Peter walked the girls back to the police station where they had all parked. Leaving a copy of the tapes with Isabella, they all went their separate ways. Peter and Charlotte heading home to let Ma Whitlock know what was goin’ on and Isabella was on her way home to review her copy of the tape.