"So what's up?" Jacob asked, finishing making enough spaghetti for three people; Billy was sitting in his chair watching TV.
"I don't have to be home until ten," Bella shrugged, and then whispered so only he could hear, "that should be enough time to finish the manuscript."
"Yeah, it should be," Jacob said looking at his dad warily. "Do you think I should tell my dad about this...?"
"I don't know, Jake," Bella frowned, that was a good question. "What do you think will happen if you do?"
"I'm not sure," Jacob frowned, too. "But I'm going to have to tell him something... at some point."
"Well, let's finish the book first, and then you could tell him whatever you think you should," Bella said.
"Sounds good to me," Jacob said, wanting to put off the lengthy conversation he knew he was going to have to have with his father for as long as possible. Dinner was a pleasant enough event. Billy seemed pleased that the two kids appeared to have become friends so quickly and it was clear that Bella was a lot more comfortable today than she had been yesterday. She didn't look quite as gloomy as she did when he had first seen her at least.
After the meal was done, the two teens went back to Jacob's garage (Billy wondered what on Earth they were doing in there that was so interesting, but didn't ask out loud).
"I guess I'll read now," Bella said picking up the book and read, "Interrogations."
CNN broke the story first.
"What story?" Jacob asked.
Bella rolled her eyes. "About the guy that..."
"Oh," Jacob said and then glared at the book.
I was glad it hit the news before I had to leave for school, anxious to hear how the humans would phrase the account, and what amount of attention it would garner.
Luckily, it was a heavy news day. There was an earthquake in South America and a political kidnapping in the Middle East. So it ended up only earning a few seconds, a few sentences, and one grainy picture.
"It's a good thing that those terrible things happened," Jacob muttered darkly.
"I guess he just didn't want anyone in this town to notice that..." Bella said.
"I guess he didn't want you to notice that," Jacob corrected and Bella had to admit he was right.
"Alonzo Calderas Wallace, suspected serial ra**st and murderer wanted in the states of Texas and Oklahoma, was apprehended last night in Portland, Oregon thanks to an anonymous tip. Wallace was found unconscious in an alley early this morning, just a few yards from a police station. Officials are unable to tell us at this time whether he will be extradited to Houston or Oklahoma City to stand trial."
The picture was unclear, a mug shot, and he'd had a thick beard at the time of the photograph. Even if Bella saw it, she would probably not recognize him. I hoped she wouldn't; it would make her afraid needlessly.
"See," Jacob said triumphantly.
"I wasn't doubting you," Bella said, but she was looking at the book sadly.
"What's the matter?" Jacob asked.
"I was just wondering if... that man... if someone got hurt... now, while we're reading this book," Bella said.
"I don't know what to do about that," Jacob said. "I mean even if we do tell someone... it's not like we really know anything that would help catch him."
"I know," Bella frowned, even more down than she was before, but she picked up the book and started to read again.
"The coverage here in town will be light. It's too far away to be considered of local interest," Alice told me. "It was a good call to have Carlisle take him out of state."
I nodded. Bella didn't watch much TV regardless, and I'd never seen her father watching anything besides sports channels.
"That's so true," Jacob said, laughing harder than was necessary in hope that Bella would loosen up some.
I'd done what I could. This monster no longer hunted, and I was not a murderer.
Not recently, anyway. I'd been right to trust Carlisle, as much as I still wished the monster had not gotten off quite so easily. I caught myself hoping he would be extradited to Texas, where the death penalty was so popular...
"You'll get no arguments here," Jacob stated.
No. That didn't matter. I would put this behind me, and concentrate on what was most important.
I'd left Bella's room less than an hour ago. I was already aching to see her again.
"Alice, do you mind - "
She cut me off. "Rosalie will drive. She'll act pissed, but you know she'll enjoy the excuse to show off her car." Alice trilled a laugh.
Jacob rolled his eyes, though it was hard for him not to chuckle at that.
I grinned at her. "See you at school."
Alice sighed, and my grin became a grimace.
I know, I know, she thought. Not yet. I'll wait until you're ready for Bella to know me. You should know, though, this isn't just me being selfish. Bella's going to like me, too.
"Well of course I am," Bella said.
"I have to admit, she's not half bad," Jacob shrugged.
I didn't answer her as I hurried out the door. That was a different way of viewing the situation. Would Bella want to know Alice? To have a vampire for a girlfriend?
"Yes," Bella answered.
Knowing Bella...that idea probably wouldn't bother her in the slightest.
Bella rolled her eyes; he just had to make it sound negative that she felt that way. Jacob, on the other hand, was laughing at her expression.
I frowned to myself. What Bella wanted and what was best for Bella were two very separate things.
"No... what Bella wanted and what you think is best for Bella are two very separate things," Jacob said and Bella nodded her head in total agreement.