CLOSER TO THE EDGE
CHAPTER NINE-winter is coming
Jo gasped and raised a hand to her mouth at the sight of the blue eyed wolf below. She quickly turned away from the window and leaned against the wall, her heart hammering loudly in her chest. No that couldn’t be him…no way. This was not happening. That had to be some other wolf…but what was a wolf doing here? Coyotes were indigenous to California but not wolves. After she managed to get her breathing under control, Jo turned back to the window. She peered down and cried out.
The wolf was climbing up the side of the house. All four legs were digging into the siding of Henry’s house. The nails left small holes with each step. The wolf’s cool ice blue eyes were locked on hers as it carefully maneuvered up like some gigantic spider. Jo backed up into the room until her back bumped into the door. Her heart was pounding away like a rabbits. It thrummed against her ribs and she could feel it in her skull.
Eventually the wolf climbed into the room and landed gracefully onto all fours soundlessly on the carpet. It was huge. About 200 pounds give or take. The fur was salt and pepper colored but more pepper. She could see the sides expanding each time it took a breath. The large triangular shaped ears were pricked upright. It lifted its muzzle up and sniffed the air.
Jo was pinned against the door in fear. She could hear a low rumbling in its throat. Jo felt tears forming in her eyes. She began crying quietly and softly. This was it. If this was Lassiter, which it was beginning to look more and more like it was, he was going to kill her. Her best friend was going to end her life.
The wolf began taking slow steps toward her. Sobbing, she slowly slid down against the door. She shut her eyes, waiting for it to sink its teeth into her flesh. She could feel the weight of it walking over her legs, which were outstretched. She could feel the hot breath tickling her face and feel the soft fur against her skin.
But what after what seemed like an eternity, the sensation never came.
She slowly opened her eyes. The wolf was right in front of her face. She took shaky trembling breaths as the wolf began sniffing her. The cold wet nose touched her cheek, her neck, the hollow point of her throat. She kept her eyes shut the entire time as she kept her body immobile.
A few seconds later, she felt a weight on her lap. She slowly peeled one eye open afraid to look but she had to. The wolf was lying across her lap like some overgrown dog. Her breath hitched in her throat as she slowly raised a hand. Her fingers were inches from its soft fur. The wolf was watching her hand intently. A low rumble came from its throat and Jo paused. Her hand shook a bit.
“It’s me,” She said in a shaky voice. “Please don’t hurt me.”
She slowly inched her hand closer until her fingers touched the fur and then she slowly stroked its head. The rumble vanished and the wolf slowly closed its eyes in bliss. She swept her hand over its head and over an ear.
At that moment, there was a knock at the door.
“Jo? Is everything okay?” Henry’s voice called.
The wolf got up off her and growled. She got to her feet and opened the door.
“Yeah everything’s fine,” she said to him.
“What’s that noise?” he asked frowning. “It sounds like a dog growling?” he asked her.
“My stomach,” She lied. “I guess I’m a bit hungry.”
At that moment, Jo felt the wolf dart under her legs, knocking her flat back. She landed on the floor hard on her back, causing the wind to be knocked out of her. She could hear Henry’s startled shouts and the nails of the wolf scraping against the floor as it bolted down the stairs. Jo eventually got her second wind and propped herself up onto her elbows. She could see long gouges in the wood from where the wolf had run. She got to her feet and followed after Henry.
The wolf had jumped through a window and disappeared into the darkness. Henry turned around to look at her. He looked frazzled, confused, scared and a little annoyed.
“What the hell was that?” he demanded.
“That was Lassiter,” Jo said slowly.
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With everyone gathered around, Jo was pacing the living room floor. Henry was completely in denial that the wolf that they’d witnessed was the boorish detective. But Jo had seen it with her own eyes.
“I’m sorry but I don’t believe that black beast was detective Lassiter,” Henry said shaking his head as he pointed in the direction that the wolf had jumped out of the window.
“It had blue eyes Henry,” Jo argued. “No wolf had blue eyes! Even the black ones.”
She could see that Gus believed her though. Shawn however seemed to be on the fence. O’Hara was chewing her bottom lip.
“I did try and call Lassiter though,” she said slowly. “There was no response and that’s not like him not to answer his phone.”
“So maybe he turned it off,” Henry suggested but then by the look on his face he realized that argument didn’t hold water. Lassiter NEVER turned off his phone for any reason. At that moment, there was a knock at the door. Shawn went to answer it and within a millisecond, a high pitched girls scream came from the front door.
“Oh Dear God!” Shawn cried in a prissy voice. “Lassie my god put some clothes on!”
Jo felt herself blushing as she raised a hand to her mouth. Henry grabbed a throw cover and hurried after his son. Within a few moments, Lassiter stumbled in wrapped in the throw cover tightly which Jo was grateful for. Lassiter took a seat on the couch and Jo watched him intently.
“Are you alright?” she asked him slowly placing a hand on his arm carefully.
“No,” he growled. “I have no idea how the hell I got out here. The last thing I remember was being in my apartment. Then I woke up a few feet from Henry’s.” he grunted. “What the hell happened? I never lost my faculties before!”
“Wait yes you did buddy,” Shawn interjected. “Remember the night we partied a little too much and you shot Bobo the doughnut man?”
“Shut it Spencer,” Lassiter snapped at him. “This is different. I wasn’t drugged.”
Jo bit her lip anxiously as she studied Lassiter. She could see he was really spooked and honestly she didn’t blame him one bit. It would’ve scared the crap out of her also. She knew what she had seen. That wolf was definitely Lassiter. Jo watched him.
“I hate to say it Lassiter,” she said biting her lower lip. “but you were a wolf.”
Lassiter looked at Jo like she was mad.
“There is no such thing as wolves. Are you implying I’m some kind of werewolf?” he asked her dubiously frowning.
Jo paused and within that pause, Lassiter knew she was saying ‘yes’. He grumbled something incoherent under his breath. Jo wondered if he was cursing. She wouldn’t blame him one bit.
“I saw you with my own eyes,” Jo said biting her lower lip and chewing on it anxiously. “And there would be no mistaking it.”
“Are you certain?” he grunted at her arching an eyebrow at her. “Wolves look exactly the same,” he argued.
“Most wolves don’t have blue eyes, detective,” Jo retorted quietly. “Its unheard of.”
Lassiter just threw his hands up into the air in disgust and shook his head. There was no way he was going to believe her…or anyone.
“This is preposterous and I refused to believe it,” He snapped. “There’s a logical explanation for my faculties failing me.”
“Like what Lassie?” Shawn interjected. “Old age? Buddy that’s a really bad time lapse.”
Jo silently thanked Shawn. It seemed like he was on her side. Though he hadn’t said anything on whether or not he believed she saw Lassie as a wolf, there was some doubt there which was good enough for her. Perhaps she could get Shawn to see.
“Dude you were bitten by a wolf,” Gus offered. “Have you not seen the movies?”
“Guster,” Lassiter said through clenched teeth. “Movies are fiction. Nothing more.”
“But there is usually some basis for truth buddy,” Shawn offered. “While I don’t think you’re a werewolf, there is a reason why you blanked out and why you showed up at my dad’s house in your birthday suit, which is something that is burned into my brain right now.” He said and offered a violent shiver of horror. Jo’s lip twitched at that.
Henry cleared his throat next.
“Lassiter, I don’t know what’s going on either, but I did see a wolf exactly as Ingrid described,” he said to him as he regarded him steadily. “While I don’t believe in this ‘werewolf’ nonsense either, there is something going on for sure. Right now I think you need to go home and we all need some sleep. There are some spare clothes in the guest bedroom. Help yourself to them.”
Lassiter just muttered and got up keeping the throw cover over him carefully as he headed to the guest bedroom. Jo ran a hand through her hair and went over to Shawn and Gus. O’Hara waited for Lassiter and she would drop him off back at his condo. Once everyone was gone except Shawn and Gus, Henry decided to make some hot chocolate for everyone. Jo sat down next to Gus as she sipped her mug. The hot liquid felt good going down her throat. Henry said good night to everyone before turning in himself.
Jo looked at Shawn.
“Shawn you have to believe me,” she pleaded. “The wolf I saw was Lassiter,” she said to him. “I don’t think those wolves that barged into the precinct were normal.”
“I believe you,” Gus said leaning in and offering her a smile.
Jo let out a breath of relief that she had at least one person on her side. She looked at Shawn pleadingly.
“Come on son,” Gus shot at Shawn. “You believe in bigfoot and other things…why is this so far fetched? Even when we had that case where the guy thought he was a werewolf too, but it turned out it was the psychiatrist who was framing him…for a brief moment you actually believed he really was a lycan.”
Jo saw the wheels turning in Shawn’s head. Eventually he let out a sigh and studied Jo.
“Alright,” he said in a resigned tone. “Say I believe you…how would we prove it to the others? I mean my psychic gift can only go so far. I don’t think they’re gonna like me saying ‘oh yeah Jo was right , Lassies a werewolf.” I’ve skated on some thin ice but this is all new territory to me without actual proof.”
Jo understood and she nodded at him.
“I understand and you’re right,” she said as she tilted her head in thought. “I have an idea.”
Gus and Shawn leaned forward eagerly. She slowly broke into a grin.
“Do you have cameras?”
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Shawn had managed to get McNabb to get some surveillance camera’s set up. There were 2 around Henry’s house being the wolf was spotted there first. The rest were set up around Lassiter’s condo, which Shawn and Gus had to convey a plan on having Lassiter allow them into the condo in the first place. Eventually they’d come up with a plan and while Lassiter had stepped into the other room, they quickly placed the camera’s in places that were inconspicuous and hard to spot. They met up with Jo again that afternoon.
“Camera’s in place,” Shawn said. “Now we wait.”
The next full moon wasn’t until the following week. So sitting in the PSYCH office, Jo, Shawn and Gus sat around the laptop. On the screen was the video feed from the camera’s, which were split into two columns. They could see around Henry’s house clearly, and inside the condo. Lassiter appeared to have fallen asleep on the couch. The window could be clearly seen off to the right of him which showed a full moon. She had begun staying with Henry because Lassiter felt it was a more ‘proper’ place for her to stay. Mind you she preferred staying with Lassiter, but now she was silently thankful incase he really was a lycan which wouldn’t be good.
“I hope this works,” she whispered under her breath.
They watched the camera’s with baited breath. For a few moments nothing happened and Jo was starting to think that perhaps she was really going crazy. Just when she thought about telling them to shut down the laptop and forget it, Lassiter’s body jumped violently on the couch.`
They heard him let out a grunt of pain and slid off the couch, landing on his hands and knees. One arm was pressed against his stomach, while the other arm was bracing against the hardwood floor. By now, Shawn and Gus’ eyes were glued to the screen. Jo’s heart was racing madly in her chest.
She watched as his shoulders and back rolled as though he was doing some kind of yoga position. She heard the ripping of material as his robe began ripping straight down his spine falling off in halves. Dark fur began sprouting all over his body at this point. She watched in horror as his ears grew upwards, tapering off into points. His nose and mouth pulled forward, tapering into a snout. She could see his muscles rippling and changing beneath the skin. White canines and incisors slid down under violet lips. His legs bent into haunches and his hands shrunk as paws broke through his skin. A tail grew from the base of his spine. It was like watching a snake shed its skin and it was horrifying that she had to look away for a moment.
When she finally looked back, Lassiter was no more and instead was the same salt and peppered colored wolf with blue eyes she’d seen before. Her mouth fell open in an ‘O’ as she raised her hand to her mouth. Shawn and Gus were speechless for a moment before they let out a high pitched scream and slammed the screen down on the laptop. Gus jumped up and began pacing.
“Oh my God!” he cried pacing frantically. “oh my God! Did you see that?” he shouted freaking out.
Shawn had gotten up too and was looking paler than usual.
“That was not a special effect,” he said anxiously. “You’re right Ingrid,” he said turning to Jo. “We’ve gotta alert Jules.”
“What is she gonna do Shawn?” Jo asked him. “I agree we gotta show her this,” she said pointing to the laptop. “But no one else because we can’t go blabbing this around! Not until we figure out what’s really going on here in Santa Barbara. Remember, we got snow only a few days ago! Something’s really wrong.”
Shawn took a deep breath.
“Alright. We’ll show this to O’Hara and Lassie when he’s…not a doggie,” Shawn admitted. “But you’re right. There are still some things that are happening that even I can’t explain and that frankly scares me.”
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Jo had asked Shawn what had changed his tune about believing that Lassiter was werewolf. At first he was skeptical like Jo herself, but she figured that watching him shift before the camera was enough to make anyone a believer. Because that was not a special effect. It was happening in real time and that was what made Shawn and Jo a believer now. Her mind had been forcing her to say that it was real, but this only solidified it.
Bundled in a pair of white ugg boots, a pair of jeans and a sweater beneath a parka the following morning, Jo, Shawn and Gus proceeded to show Juliet what hey had found on the laptop. For a few moments she was silent before she responded.
“Oh my God,” she said quietly raising a hand to her mouth. “This…this happened around midnight?” she asked looking up from the laptop screen to glance at Shawn, Gus and Jo.
The three of them nodded mutely with solemn and grave expressions on their faces.
“Do we show this to Lassie?” Shawn asked her.
“Not yet,” she said quickly glancing up as Jo followed her gaze. Lassiter was strolling through the bull pen. There was definitely something different about him. His whole posture and demeanor now. The female officers looked up too. Jo and Shawn exchanged a private wink and Jo swallowed.
“What are you four milling around for?” Lassiter grunted. “We need to find out what’s going on. There’s 3 inches of snow on the ground out there for crying out loud.”
He dusted some of the snow off his slacks as he took a seat at his desk. His blue eyes shifted to Jo.
At that moment, Chief Vick came over and handed him a tan manila folder.
“I need my two best detectives to head to Rayn Basin,” she said. “There’s been a murder. A young man was torn to shreds by some kind of animal.”
“What kind of animal chief?” O’Hara asked curiously as she peered over Lassiter’s shoulder.
“Witnesses say it was some kind of wolf, but that’s ridiculous. There are no wolves here. It was probably a mountain lion but head down there anyway and I could use your talent Mr. Spencer to see if there’s anything else going on.” She said addressing Shawn.
Jo saw Lassiter’s expression pale and he swallowed hard causing his Adams apple to bob slightly.
“No problem,” Shawn said giving her a mock salute.
Chief Vick gave a nod to Jo.
“Who is this?” she asked.
“Chief, she’s my…” Shawn’s voice was cut off by Lassiter.
“She’s my friend,” Lassiter cut in. “from high school. She came up to visit me.”
“Alright then,” Chief Vick said extending her hand out to Jo. “I’m Chief Vick. It’s nice to meet you.”
“Same here,” Jo said softly. “I’m Ingrid.”
“I want a report on my desk in the morning,” she said to Lassiter and O’Hara.
Shawn was eyeing Lassiter. Why did he suddenly cut in? but what was Shawn going to say that made him interject?
“Whoa Lassie,” Shawn said grinning at him. “If I didn’t know any better I’d say you were jealous. I was about to say that Ingrid was my girlfriend.”
“Shut it Spencer,” Lassiter snapped at him grabbing his car keys and getting up abruptly from the desk. “Let’s go to this crime scene. Ingrid you are riding with us.”
Jo nodded and snuck a glance at Shawn. He had this smug look on his face as Gus and he began whispering to one another as they headed out of the precinct.
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Another freak snow storm had hit Santa Barbara the following morning. Another inch had been dumped on top of what was already there. It was weird seeing the normally sunny and thriving summer community now wearing sweaters and parkas. Santa Barbara was also known for its art and architectures. Surfing was also a good thing. Snow clung heavily to the tree branches and cars. There were a few icy patches on the streets. She was standing in front of a restaurant that Emily had wanted to try. They’d been shopping earlier that afternoon and now it was time for dinner.
Ingrid shivered in her parka at the thought of what could possibly be happening. Something was occurring in time here. But what? Why did those werewolves appear? Why was it suddenly snowing in a region that was usually always in the 70s? What about those mysterious orbs that seemed to have changed the entire foundation of a building turning it into something from the olden days?
She really wasn’t sure she wanted to know the truth but at the same time, she had to find out. Plus find out why she was here in this Santa Barbara and had all these weird time lapses. Who was she really? Was she this Stella woman?
She realized her mind was starting to go onto hyperdrive and she began hyperventilating. At that moment, a soft voice cut through her thoughts.
“Mommy? Are you okay?” Emily’s voice hit her ears.
Jo glanced down and spied her daughter. She let out a soft sigh and smiled at the little girl.
“I’m fine,” she said softly. “I’m sorry.”
Jo took a deep breath.
Feeling as though she really didn’t want to be alone, Jo turned to Emily.
“Hey how about we get some food to go and go and see if Detective Lassiter wanted to eat with us?” she suggested.
Emily’s face broke into a huge grin and she nodded eagerly.
They’d ordered their food and realizing she didn’t know what Lassiter liked, Jo just grabbed a simple sandwich and they headed to the precinct. She figured Lassiter worked late and sure enough he was sitting at his desk typing. He had a pencil tucked above his ear as his eyes were glued to the computer screen. His tie looked askew as well. It looked as though he had been working furiously over something.
“Hey, I thought you might be hungry,” Jo said reaching into the bag and pulling out the turkey sandwich. She placed it onto his desk as Emily hopped up into one of the large leather seats in front of his desk and hungrily dove into her own food. She beamed at Lassiter.
Lassiter looked up startled for a moment but he let out a huff and gratefully took the sandwich. Jo took a seat next to Emily and began eating also. There was a comfortable and companionable silence as they ate. Once they were done, Jo tilted her head to the side.
“Whatcha working on?” Jo asked him curiously as she took a sip of her iced tea.
“I’m trying to understand what the hell is happening to me,” he grunted. “I know I can’t deny the security footage, which thanks to Spencer, which was highly illegal breaching my privacy, not to mention the sanctity of my own home,” he growled annoyed. “But I know it was done out of care.”
“Yeah,” Jo said nodding. “We all are worried about you.” Jo said anxiously biting her lower lip.
“Are you feeling okay, Mr. Lassie?” Emily asked worriedly leaning forward.
A soft, timid expression flashes across Lassiter’s face for a moment.
“Yeah I’m fine,” he said gently patting Emily’s hand.
Emily seemed happy at that and curled up in the seat. Jo checked her watch. It was getting close to 9 pm. She knew Emily was probably tired and they should be getting back to Henry’s. Jo looked at Lassiter.
“So,” she said clearing her throat. “How’s your wife doing?”
Lassiter looked up at her and grunted.
“She’s fine,” he grunted but Jo saw something in his expression. It looked like he was hiding something. Maybe they were having problems? He certainly seemed to be giving off that vibe but Jo smiled.
“That’s good then,” she said as she gently shook Emily, who had dozed off. “Come on sweetie let’s head back to Henry’s.”
Emily groggily woke up and took Jo’s hand. Lassiter stood up as well.
“How about I give you two a lift?” he offered and Jo nodded gratefully.
As they pulled up in front of Henry’s house, Jo unbuckled her seat belt and went to grab the door handle when Lassiter’s hand gently grasped her left wrist. She stopped and turned to look at him.
He looked like he wanted to say something. Finally he cleared his throat.
“Have a good night, Miss Matthews,” he grunted finally.
Jo narrowed her eyes at him.
“Detective I like to think we’re good friends. If you have a problem you do know you can tell me right?” she asked him. “But yes thank you. Have a good night too.”
She pushed open her door and climbed out. She helped Emily out of the back seat and headed up the front steps to Henry’s house, which the front was illuminated by the headlights of Lassiter’s black Ford Fusion. She had just gotten Emily inside when she felt someone grab her arm. For a moment fear gripped her but when she turned around it was Lassiter.
“I-I am not used to having….” He began but took a deep breath. “Thank you.” He finished quietly. “For caring.”
Jo nodded.
“Of course,” she said sounding shocked. “You’re my friend. Did you honestly think I wouldn’t care about you? You’ve all been wonderful to me helping me figure out what the hells going on here as well.” She said smiling at him. “I just want you to know you can trust me if you have an issue or problem and wanna talk about it.”
Lassiter nodded once and Jo smiled. She stepped up to him and wound her arms around his midsection. She gently hugged him. Her cheek pressed against his chest. She could hear his pulse pick up a bit. She snuggled against him. For a few seconds, Lassiter’s arms remained at his sides but then he slowly raised them and wound around Jo. He awkwardly patted her and then gently disentangled himself from her embrace. He cleared his throat before turning around and heading back to the car. Jo shook her head with amusement before turning and heading into the house.
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