The Twilight Homicides Vol. 2 - Missing Persons (Twilight fanfiction)

Chapter 8 | Estranged | Charlie Swan

Bella and I had decided to have breakfast at the local cafe. With everything that has been going on, I never had the chance to really talk to her. I just wanted some quality time together. Anything to make my time with her less tense. We climbed into my police car and started the drive. Everything was very quiet. Everyday Forks was looking more and more like a desolate ghost town with hardly a soul to be seen.

As we drove towards Carver Cafe the only people I saw were the Corwins and their friends on the street, looking at me with the utmost contempt. They had been coming to the police station every day, demanding to know what we were doing about the murders and how we planned to find Lacey's body. I wish I had something to give them. Any scrap of hope to show that we were on to the culprits and that their daughter would be returned to them. Why couldn't those bastards just leave these poor people to mourn their child in peace? Why were all the victims being dug up at all? Was this some fucked up taunt by the killers? A show of power? What was their goal?

I slowly drove into the car park and pulled the car into a small space. I could see Cora waving at us through the window as we climbed out and headed to the entrance. On the way in we bumped into Leah Clearwater. Her face was red from crying as she held the stack of missing posters that she'd been hanging all throughout the town. We said a quick hello and wished her well before she hurried off down the street to put up more posters. Poor Leah. Sue told me all about how she'd stopped eating properly and that all through the night she cried more than slept. There was still no sign of Sam. That was the only good news. Every hour he didn't turn up was a reason to hope. He may still be alive, and with some luck, he might be on his way home. At least that's what I want to think.

"Hey, Charlie I got your table for two just in the corner," Cora said as we walked in. She was a very pretty lady, always smiling. She was very tall, had almond skin and a head of black curly hair. "I'll just finish serving Waylon, then I'll be back to take your orders. Here's your menu."

"Thanks, Cora. Hi Waylon." I said sitting down at the table next to Waylon's. Carver's wasn't very crowded, two or three customers, Cora, Bernice Crowley and the Chef.

"I think you might have a shot with her," Waylon whispered with a cheeky smirk.

"What? Cora? We're just friends." I said, feeling a bit awkward. It had been such a long time since I dated anyone. The last time I thought of a woman that way was when I had a momentary crush on Sue, Harry's wife. There was a part of me that wondered if she ever felt the same. It was so stupid.

"She fancies you. I can tell." He smiled.

"You remember my daughter, Bella." I blurted out to try and change the conversation.

"Bella? Oh my god, I haven't seen you in ages. How is Renee and What's his name? I heard they got married." He asked.

"Mum great. She and Phil are flying all over the place for his baseball tournament." She said.

"How come you're not flying with them?" He asked.

"I was with them last year. This time I just couldn't be bothered. All the hassle, coming and going from one place to another. I just couldn't keep up. It was exhausting." She rolled her eyes and smiled.

"You'll be like your dad then. He's a home bird as well, never been one to travel far. Am I right Charlie?" He smiled.

"Yes, Waylon." I smiled back at him as Cora approached with a large tray of food.

"Here you go Waylon, hot out the oven." She said putting down a plate of bacon, eggs, and beans and then a big steaming cup of coffee. It all smelt fantastic.

"Thank you, Cora. You're a treasure." He said tucking into the eggs. Cora turned towards us, putting the tray under her arm and pulled a notepad and pen from her apron.

"Ok, What can I get for both of...?" With a loud bang, Cora's gaze turned away from us and towards the door. Even Waylon looked up. An uncomfortable silence fell over everyone as Graham and Doreen Corwin looked around the cafe until their icy stares fell on me.

"I don't believe this," Graham said as he stormed up towards me with Doreen at his heels. "What the hell are you doing here when you should be out looking for our daughter?" He asked.

"Graham please don't make a scene." Cora pleaded.

"I am sorry Graham. I and my team are doing the best we can, But..." I tried to explain.

"Goddammit, Why isn't anyone doing anything?" He clasped his hands to his face in frustration. "Every day it's the same thing. We're doing our best. You all sit at your desks ringing other counties, filling out stupid paperwork. Your job is to protect your town."

"C'mon Graham, What you have them do? Everywhere from Seattle to Vancouver is on high alert. Waylon argued.

"They should have more cops patrolling the streets. They should be bringing people in and demanding answers. What about that Uley boy? What if it's all him? and you've just let him run away." Doreen snapped.

"I and my team can't just roam the streets harassing the public, blaming other potential victims and causing more panic. I understand how you feel." I said. My team and I did consider the possibility that Sam was somehow involved with the murders, but we found no evidence to back the theory.

"No, you don't. Your daughters sat there having breakfast with you, while our girl dead. Our girl is dead." Doreen's face was red with anger as tears ran down her cheeks.

"Doreen Please..." Cora Cried.

"Don't touch me," Doreen said, slapping Cora's hand away when she reached out to comfort her.

"I am so sorry for your lose and believe me I'm doing everything in my power to find Lacey's killers," I said.

"You're sat on your arse in that police car doing bugger all," Graham argued.

"I promise..."

"To hell with your police force and to hell with you. We're organizing a neighbourhood watch. The meeting is tonight at 6 in the town hall. Anyone else who wants to help is welcome. If you won't do anything to protect this town we will." Graham snapped as he stamped towards the door and stormed out with Doreen at his side. His face, he hated me.

After the door slammed shut there was an uncomfortable silence as everyone looked around, too frightened to say anything. Then finally Cora spoke up. "They're just hurting is all. They don't mean to be so harsh."

"Yeah, I know. I just don't want them to do anything rash." I said.

"It's just a neighbourhood watch. It's not like it'll kill anyone." Waylon reassured me.