Jeremy Bower was lying in a hospital, wishing he were dead. He was still in his were form, and couldn’t be more uncomfortable. Both his arms and legs strapped down with stiff leather restraints. An armed guard stood outside, and another guard was stationed inside the room. Jeremy’s head felt like someone drove an eighteen wheeler into it.
He no longer wanted anything to do with that ungrateful bitch. Spencer had obviously found someone else to shack up with, and Jeremy didn’t want anyone’s “leftovers”. The splitting headache he had was just making him more and more irritable with each passing second.
Jeremy heard a group of people approaching his door. His ears perked up, and then lay flat against his head when he heard Evan Lawson’s voice among them.
“Come to gloat has he?” Jeremy thought angrily.
Of the five adults who entered, Jeremy only recognized Evan. There was a woman, a werecat by her smell, a doctor, and two police officers.
“Some welcoming party,” Jeremy said. Evan balled his fists and moved closer to Jeremy’s bed. One of the officer’s held him back, and told him to relax.
“Jeremy Bower, I’m Moon Lake’s Head of Police, Douglas Cooper. This is Officer Ryan Conner, and Dr. Garrett Henderson. And our town Chancellor, Samantha Twist.” The officer subduing Evan said.
“Ya, great. Nice to meet you. So what happens now? You turn me over to the feds and then I go back to prison for eternity?” Bower asked.
“Not until you get your story straight.” Evan growled.
“Really? What story would that be? The one where I was a helpless victim, and your nut job daughter jumped me and sank her teeth into my head?” Jeremy asked innocently. Evan pushes past Cooper and sticks a clawed hand in Bower’s face.
“You have some kind of death wish Bower.” he snarled as his face pushed out into a muzzle, now inches from Bower’s own face. Jeremy returned the snarl and attempted to bite Evan. The other office, Conner, transforms in order to pull Evan back. The two werewolves struggle, until Cooper growls at them both to stop.
“I said you could be here Lawson, don’t make me retract the offer. And you,” he said turning on a smug looking Jeremy, “you’re just damn lucky I don’t turn my back and let him mangle you. You’ve caused enough trouble.”
“Have I?” Jeremy asked sarcastically.
“Yes you have you little piece of…” Evan started to say, but Samantha cuts him off.
“You broke out of prison, and then traveled halfway across the country, not to mention you were risking exposure the entire time. Thank your lucky stars there are some powerful people who were able to clean up your mess. As it is, it’s going to be pretty tough to convince those US Marshals you should stay here for the time being.” Samantha said.
“I’m staying here?” Jeremy asked, actually surprised.
“Just so I can operate on you” Garrett said, “after which you’ll be arraigned in Seattlee.”
“What the hell for?” Jeremy demanded, trying to sit up. He was straining against the straps so much they started to cut into his skin.
“You broke about half a dozen laws on your little excursion out here. Technically you could be extradited to any number of states. But for convenience, the courts have decided to put you on trial in Washington.” Samantha said.
“Great, so what’s this about some story I have to get straight?”
“The cover story we’ve had to create to explain why you and Spencer have such severe injuries.” Cooper said.
“Wouldn’t it just be easier to let this guy kill me? We all know he wants to.” Jeremy said, pointing (or trying to point) to Evan Lawson’s shaking form.
“It’d be my pleasure, but that’s not how to shift focus away from us.” Evan said cooly.
Jeremy kept silent while the police and Samantha explained the story they fabricated to explain Jeremy’s cracked skull, and the many gashes he had on his body. Most of them were healed, but they were still very noticeable.
“So you’re going to put some metal slab on my head, and then put me on the stand to lie to a grand jury?” Jeremy said. He couldn’t believe this was the brilliant plan they’d come up with. When he was five he’d told better lies.
“If you plead guilty you won’t be put on the stand.” Samantha said.
“And if I don’t?” Jeremy asked.
“I’ve got some friends who would be more than willing to send you to a prison very, VERY far away.” Evan said. Jeremy internalized his shiver of fear. The last place he wanted to end up was Guantanamo, or anywhere equally terrible.
“Okay, okay. I’ll play along. Provided you keep HIM away from me.” Jeremy said jutting his head at Evan.
“No problem. You play along and do what we say, and I’m more than happy to never see your sorry face again.” Evan said.
“Ditto.” Jeremy said. One thing the two men could agree on, they were eager to settle this business so they could be out of each other’s hair.