Closer to the edge

Chapter Five-Bones

Emily bounded over to Shawn and Gus next, hugging them each. Shawn awkwardly hugged her back and Gus squeezed her affectionately. Besides Lassiter, Emily seemed to have taken a shine to Shawn. She happily slipped her hand into his. He gave it an affectionate squeeze.

“Well how about I take munchkin here for some delicious cafeteria food?” Shawn volunteered. “If she’s not sick by the end of that we have a keeper.”

Jo’s lip twitched as she nodded.

“Sure go ahead,” Jo said ruffling Emily’s hair affectionately.

Gus headed off with Shawn and Emily.

“What were you three talking about?” Lassiter asked her folding his arms across his chest and regarding Jo carefully. “It looked serious.”

O’Hara was watching too with curiosity.

Jo sighed.

“You won’t believe it if I tell you,” she said wearily as she rubbed the bridge of her nose between her thumb and index finger. “I’m still swallowing it down myself.”

“Try me,” Lassiter grunted.

So, Jo launched into everything from the beginning. From the bar vision, to Stella to what was going on now. O’Hara’s eyes were wide as she explained things. Jo didn’t expect them to believe her but much to her shock, O’Hara seemed to.

“Wow,” O’Hara breathed wide-eyed. “And you can remember things but we can’t?”

Jo nodded. Sure enough, Lassiter grunted and scoffed.

“That’s preposterous,” he said shaking his head. “I think you’re overly stressed with your job at the FBI but that explanation is ridiculous. I’d expect it from Spencer and Guster but you?”

“Why not?” O’Hara interjected. “Carlton, Shawn’s living proof that psychics exist. He’s helped us on numerous cases. Why can’t there be things in the universe that we don’t understand yet?”

Jo’s heart warmed toward O’Hara. She should’ve known Lassiter would never bite.

“But seriously O’Hara,” Lassiter snorted. “You think Miss Harris is going through some kind of reincarnation thing each time she dies? Really? I’ll bite that she believes this is happening to her but not that it actually IS.” He said. “I just think it’s all this stress. Plain and simple.”

Jo sighed but she caught O’Hara’s understanding expression. At least she had three people that believed her so far.

Shawn, Gus and Emily came back and they headed out.

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Walking back toward the car, Lassiter’s phone rang. He paused and answered it. Jo was watching curiously while Emily and Shawn got into a fart noise contest. She was half listening to them, and half listening to Lassiter’s conversation.

“…..remains of a female found where?...alright we’re on the way,” he grunted and hung up. “Let’s go. We got a body.”

Jo got into the blueberry with Shawn, Gus and Emily as they followed the blue Crown Victoria back to the precinct.

Jo left Emily with one of the female officers as they headed down to the morgue area where a tall, slightly balding man with blue eyes was standing beside a metal exam table where the skeletal remains of a human was displayed.

“Hey Woody my man,” Shawn said giving the man a high-five.

“Hey Shawn,” he said eagerly. “If you’re here to sell organs on the black market, let me tell you it’s a really bustling industry now. I just got like 1200 dollars for a lung the other day,” he said leaning in.

“What?” Lassiter grunted arching an eyebrow at him.

“Uh nothing,” Woody said quickly.

“Woody,” O’Hara said patiently. “You called us about the remains.” She said motioning to the skeleton.

“Oh right,” he said exhaling loudly in relief as he turned his attention onto the remains. “A construction site was digging and found them. She appears to have some kind of head injury.”

He gently tilted the skull so that a large hole was toward the back. Jo was standing in between Shawn and Gus. She suddenly felt a heavy sensation in her stomach.

“Is there any way to identify her?” Lassiter asked.

“Yeah I could take some DNA from the bones and run it through the database,” Woody said nodding. “I’m guessing either someone shot her execution style or something sharp and pointed. Maybe some kind of melee weapon?”

“Like a sledgehammer maybe?” Jo suggested feeling that sinking feeling intensify in her stomach. “The hole. Its U shaped. No jagged edges.”

“Yeah that would work,” Woody said nodding in agreement.

“What are you thinking, Mrs. Harris?” Lassiter asked looking up at Jo.

Suddenly a sharp pain shot across Jo’s skull and she felt something leaking from one of her nostrils.

“Ingrid,” Shawn said in an alarmed tone.

Ingrid raised a finger to her left nostril and when she lowered her finger, blood was on the tip. Woody quickly got a tissue and handed it to her.

“Thanks,” Jo said gratefully as she pressed the tissue against her nostril. “I’ve got a migraine. I think it might be the smell of the formaldehyde in here.”

“Go back up to my desk,” Lassiter grunted.

Jo excused herself and gratefully headed up stairs. She took a seat in front of her desk. Emily had been playing with a burly officer named Buzz. She liked Buzz. He was sweet and kind and gentle and Emily took to him immediately. When they spied her, Emily came rushing over.

“Mommy are you okay?” she asked worriedly.

Buzz stood behind Emily as Jo smiled at her and nodded.

“Yeah it’s just a nosebleed sweetie I’ll be okay,” She said reassuringly but for some odd reason, the migraine had vanished as soon as she’d gotten away from the bones. The nose bleed had begun stopping as well.

A few moments later, Shawn, Gus, Lassiter and O’Hara came up. Lassiter took a seat behind his desk and regarded Jo.

“Are you alright?” he asked her worriedly.

“Yeah,” Jo admitted nodding. “I’m feeling a bit better now.”

Lassiter nodded and looked relieved. Jo threw the tissue out into the wastebin. Lassiter’s phone rang. By his expression, Jo knew who it was right away.

“The wife,” he grunted and put the handset to his ear. “Hi honey.” His tone changed to a warm and silky tone. Jo tuned him out and got up from the seat. She gently took Emily’s hand in hers.

“Hey Ingrid, why don’t you and Em’s come over for dinner?” Shawn suggested eagerly. “I’m sure Dad misses you and it would be fun watching how awkward he is around Emily.” A mischievous grin formed on Shawn’s face that Jo couldn’t help but match. The idea sounded funny and right now Jo needed something to lighten up the way she was feeling. From the way Shawn sounded, Jo had seen a lot of Henry. But with this new ‘situation’ she wasn’t sure what the story was. She remembered staying with Henry before when this all began, but apparently she worked for the FBI now and the information was new. She had no idea what had happened.

“Sure,” Jo agreed nodding.

“Shawn do you think that’s a good idea?” Gus interjected. “You know how your dad hates surprises.”

“Yeah Gus but this is a surprise that will force him to relax around kids,” Shawn said grinning at Gus. “Come on buddy don’t be a banana in a cucumber party.”

Gus frowned but Jo waved good-bye to O’Hara and followed them out. She had deliberately ignored Lassiter.

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Sitting outback at Henry’s at a red picnic style table while Henry cooked some hot dogs and his signature hamburgers, Jo had to admit she felt relaxed and peaceful right now. Emily hungrily dug into her hotdog. Jo scooped out some potato salad and some cole slaw onto Emily’s plate. She hungrily dug into her own food. She realized she was starving.

Shawn and Gus were digging into some potato chips and dip. Jo looked up at Henry.

“How are you doing, Henry?” she asked him softly taking a bite of her burger. “Mmm this is so delicious.” She said licking her lips as she watched Henry.

“I’m doing fine, Ingrid,” Henry said flipping a burger. “My son on the other hand, will probably not live to see his next birthday.”

“Dad come on,” Shawn rolled his eyes. “Emily adores you. Loosen up pop.”

Emily beamed at Henry and took another bite of her hot dog.

Henry exhaled and closed the lid to the grill.

“Emily isn’t the problem Shawn,” he said arching an eyebrow as his gaze suddenly settled heavily on Jo.

Jo’s heart raced madly in her chest. What happened? What was going on here? Jo never did anything to Henry that she could remember.

“Dad that was like 2 years ago” Shawn snorted. “Let it go already.”

“I will not Shawn,” Henry snapped pointing a spatula at his son. “This woman made a mockery of me and nearly cost you your job in case you haven’t forgotten!”

Jo was really upset and confused.

“What did I do?” she asked glancing from Henry to Shawn.

“There was a case that we were hired for two years ago,” Gus explained. “Your bureau had gotten involved as well as it had been a high priority case. Anyway, Henry had allowed Shawn and me to get involved on it but you had claimed that Henry was partial to letting you get cases being he was your father and the consultant for the SBPD. That it wasn’t right that the FBI had the case first and there was just this whole big issue. Henry and Shawn were almost fired from the SBPD, but thankfully Chief Vick intervened.”

Jo raised a hand to her mouth which had fallen open in a silent O.

“Oh,” she said abashed. “Henry I’m so sorry. I-I didn’t know what I was thinking doing that.”

Henry just grunted and shrugged a shoulder. Jo turned her eyes onto Shawn.

“You guys hate me,” she said quietly.

“No we don’t,” Gus said quickly but he could see Henry and Shawn silently debating on their response. “Guys seriously.” Gus snapped at them snapping them out of their stupor. “Let it go.”

“No I don’t hate you,” Shawn said shaking his head and smiling at Jo. “But pop does.”

“Shawn,” Henry rounded on Shawn. “No I don’t hate you, Ingrid,” he said exhaling tiredly and running a hand over his face. “It—it was just a mess really and we were shocked that you would do such a thing anyway being we were very close. But Shawn’s right, as much as I hate to admit it…it happened over 2 years ago. Time to move ahead.”

Jo only felt worse. Whatever happened two years ago, she had no memory of it. Jo lapsed into silence now as Emily began eagerly talking to Shawn now. Jo finished her burger and iced tea and before she knew it, it was time to go. Emily hugged Henry happily and then Shawn and Gus. Jo drove back home.

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That evening, Jo left Emily with the nanny she learned was named Rosa Mitchell. Apparently she’d hired her after she caught her husband cheating on her and began the divorce. Lassiter had called everyone down to the precinct. Woody had some news about the skeleton that was found at the construction site.

As they milled around the table once again, Jo felt that heavy sensation in her stomach but this time the migraine didn’t come.

“So what did you find out Woody?” O’Hara asked him curiously.

“Well, I was doing one of my late night specials with a little Mexican woman, whom by the way did any of you see on the way out?” he asked looking from each of them.

“No pal,” Shawn said shaking his head.

“Woody,” Lassiter growled in a warning tone.

“Okay never mind,” Woody said quickly. “I took some DNA from this young lady and ran it through the data base. Her name came up as a Stella Gates.”

Jo’s heart nearly stopped at this point and she gripped the table edge until her knuckles turned white. She heard Shawn and Gus whispering and figured they must’ve recognized the name also.

“Ingrid, isn’t that one of the names you mentioned to us?” O’Hara asked turning her eyes onto Jo. “You were explaining things to us about what was happening to you.”

Jo swallowed.

“Yeah,” she said nodding. “I don’t understand that.”

“Um, there’s more guys,” Woody said in a strange tone. “The DNA also matches Ingrid’s, though there are some variations but it’s exactly the same.”

“What?” Jo blurted out. “How do you know this?”

“I found the bloody tissue in the waste bin,” Woody admitted sheepishly blushing. “I was on one of my late night bin binges. I was bored and wanted to compare my blood cells under the microscope. Yours just happened to match Stella’s.”

“What are you saying, Strode?” Lassiter grunted. “That Stella Gates is a relative of Ingrid’s?”

“Um no, not exactly,” Woody said slowly again. “I’m saying Stella Gates is Ingrid.”

********************************************************************************

Jo stood in front of Lassiter’s desk as he feverishly typed up the report on Stella’s remains. O’Hara, Shawn and Gus were quiet. Jo looked at Lassiter.

“Say something, Lassiter,” Jo said quietly.

There was a moment of silence before Lassiter finally responded and pounded his fists on the desk causing everyone to flinch.

“What do you all expect me to say? That I believe that you and this Stella Gates are the same person? It’s preposterous! I think Strode must’ve smoked something before coming to that conclusion.”

“Carlton,” O’Hara prompted slowly. “Blood and DNA don’t lie. You of all people should know that. There’s clearly something going on here that Ingrid’s been telling us all this time.”

Jo swallowed hard. Her mouth had gone dry suddenly. Shawn and Gus were whispering to one another. Jo went around Lassiter’s desk and sank into a crouch beside him in the chair. He watched her movements precariously but said or did nothing. She slowly placed a hand over his, intertwining her fingers with his. Feeling his hand under hers, Jo sensed an electric current passing through her and she wondered if he’d felt it. His hands were rough and calloused, probably from handling guns but she felt a great deal of strength and gentleness as well.

“Please detective. Something is happening and I’m really scared here,” she pleaded looking up at him.  “All I know is that whenever I die, I come back but at some different point in time. You, O’Hara, Shawn and Gus you all stay the same. But situations are different and you don’t remember anything that happened. Only I do. I’ve got to know what’s going on and what these people want with me. The ones who are after me.”

Lassiter looked into Jo’s eyes. Jo once again felt her heart pounding in her chest. She held her breath, waiting to see what his response would be.

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Lassiter’s heart was racing a mile a minute in his sternum as he felt Ingrid’s hand over his. He looked up at the others. Spencer had this goofy, smug expression on his face. O’Hara was watching too with a small grin she was trying to hide but wasn’t succeeding at all. He scowled. He refused to believe what Ingrid was saying, but O’Hara was right. The DNA results didn’t lie. He was for once in his life, stumped and confused. Something he didn’t like one bit. He found himself giving Ingrid’s hand a gentle squeeze, light though. He found he had little resolve when it came to her. Why? He was a married man now. But something about her tugged at him. Not to mention Emily. Emily had simply adored him and he returned it. She lit up whenever he was around. He felt bad for her going through the divorce. He wondered if he’d made the move a long time ago, would he be married to her now. The thought sent a warm feeling through his body. He found he secretly loved her and it only confused him more and cranky.

Cranky because honestly he wasn’t happy with his marriage. His wife was a controlling wench that needed everything her way. At the time, she hadn’t always been like that. She had been fun and kind. But now, eesh. He realized he’d been lost in his own thoughts and looked back down at Ingrid. She was looking at him with a hopeful expression on her face.

“Ugh,” he grunted haughtily. “Fine. I’ll bite.” He muttered.

Ingrid beamed and threw her arms around his neck. She pressed herself against him in a hug. She squeezed him. Their chins rested on one another’s shoulders and Lassiter’s arms slowly encircled her; one arm slipped around the backs of her shoulders while the other one went around her waist. Ingrid’s arms were around the back his neck as she pressed her face into the grove of his shoulder.

His heart rate jumped at the close contact with her.

“Thank you,” she whispered in his ear.

He caught the scent off her. It was a violet lily scent. He grunted a response but as he looked at the others over Ingrid’s shoulder, they were all grinning like idiots. Spencer was grinning and clapping the heels of his hands together.

“Hercules! Hercules!” he said in an annoying voice.

“Aw that’s a cute scene,” O’Hara grinned.

Muttering curses under his breath, Lassiter gently extricated himself from Ingrid’s embrace.

“Shut it,” he snapped at them in a warning tone.

“Where do we start Ingrid?” O’Hara said clearing her throat.

Lassiter knew he didn’t intimidate those three anymore and it annoyed him too. But thankfully, O’Hara’s question shut up Spencer for a bit and seriousness took over the group now.

Ingrid just shook her head.

“I honestly don’t know,” she said biting her bottom lip. “I guess we should start with that radical group? Perhaps those men are members. We should question their leader.”

“I agree,” Lassiter grunted. “O’Hara get me the last known address to these sci fi freaks.”

O’Hara nodded and headed off.

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Jo’s heart was starting to slow down after her hug with Lassiter. He had a faint trace of his cologne on as well as a mix of after shave and some kind of gel. She reached up and tucked a few strands of her hair behind her ear. She texted the nanny. Emily was asleep and perfectly fine. Jo relaxed.

She told the nanny that they had a break through in one of the cases and would be home late. Rosa assured her that she would stay until she got home. That released a major weight off Jo’s shoulders.

Slipping her phone into her purse, she saw O’Hara come running up with the address and they all set off.

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Jo had no idea what to expect or what they would find. As they pulled up to the location of the Autonox’s headquarters, dread filled her. They climbed out of their cars and Lassiter and O’Hara cautiously approached the front door.

The building was an old warehouse. It didn’t look familiar though, but that didn’t mean anything at this point. The entire moment felt wrong and just eerie and Jo felt a few shivers running up her spine. They got a few feet from the door when a large light was turned on above the door and a voice boomed out over a speaker system.

“Stop right where you are,” the voice commanded. “Who are you?”

Lassiter raised an arm to shield his eyes from the bright light as he reached for his badge which was clipped on his belt band.

“Head Detective Carlton Lassiter with the SBPD and this is my partner, Juliet O’Hara,” he barked in an authoritative voice. “We want to speak to your leader. He might have some information that is imperative to us.”

There was a silence then the light was turned off and the front door opened.

A man, about six foot and weighing about 150 pounds answered the door. He was dressed in a pair of jeans and a plaid shirt. He had brown hair and the faint traces of a beard.

“Our leader has been waiting for you five. Let’s go,” he ordered.

********************************************************************

Inside the warehouse, it was large. There were pews set up and an altar at one end.  To Jo, the sense of a cult over whelmed her.

They all milled in the center of the warehouse. The man headed off into the shadows.

“I don’t like this,” Lassiter whispered, slowly moving his hand under his arm to where his shoulder holster was. She heard the soft ‘snap’ of the holster being unbuttoned and his hand remained on the butt of the gun. His body was tense as he looked around. O’Hara was doing the same thing.

Suddenly, something heavy connected with the back of Jo’s head. She felt her body dropping to its knees and the startled shouts of the others before blackness swallowed her up.

*****************************************************************

Lassiter shouted when he saw someone swing a solid object at the back of Ingrid’s head. She fell forward unconscious.  Whoever this was then grabbed her and dragged her away.

“Hey,” he shouted angrily drawing his gun.

O’Hara did the same, ushering Spencer and Guster behind them.

“Relax…” a voice called smoothly. “You will see her again shortly.”

A man stepped out of the shadows. He was tall, good looking with dark brown hair that was wavy, shocking blue eyes and a clean, sharp shave. He was dressed in a suit and tie.

“I’m Johnathan Ross,” the man introduced himself smiling. “I’m the leader of this organization. How can I help you?”

“You’re not Johnathan Ross,” Lassiter snapped. “You’re Alexander Cross. Wanted for several counts of violence, abuse, rape and other things. You’re a sick bastard.”

The man’s pleasant expression darkened and a sinister look slipped across his face.

“Aw so you caught me,” he said in a hard tone. “I’m famous I gather then.”

“Where did you take Miss Matthews?” Lassiter growled through clenched teeth. “I swear if you hurt her in any shape or form I will…” Lassiter’s voice trailed off as Alexander cut him off with a loud, malicious, cold laugh.

“What? Kill me?” He mocked still chuckling. “Oh I seriously doubt that detective. Because we have something you want.”

“You have nothing that I want except Miss Matthews,” He retorted coldly.

“Oh I beg to differ,” He smirked and waved an arm toward a darkened corner of the room. The lights blinked on and the group turned to look. Lassiter’s heart froze in his chest. 

There were two chairs facing one another. In one chair sat Ingrid. She was gagged and her arms were tied behind her. Her ankles were bound together as well. She had this thin collar around her neck which was blinking. She was unconscious. Blood trickled down her temple to her jawline and some blood had caked in her hair. Across from her in the same predicament, was his wife.

“Now,” Alexander said in a hard tone. “You will shut up and listen. Those collars around their necks are bombs. If they so much as make a move, I will detonate them. Understand? You will make a choice at the end of my explanation. Save your precious Ingrid, or your wife Hannah. Are you ready to hear what I have to say?”

Lassiter’s temper was hitting the boiling point, but he knew that Alexander had him and the only thing he could do was nod. He was silently figuring out a way to save both, but from the looks of things, it didn’t look good.