Martin is in his home office trying to catch up on his work that he had to leave unfinished, when the school called. Finding out Julie attacked another student; Eric Anderson. A person he forbade her from interacting for the sake of the town and its secret nearly pushed him over the edge. Despite their problem he was glad that Melissa was there to help keep him from striking his daughter.
Martin was not a violent person by nature but lately with his daughter’s erratic behavior and Alyssa Cooper’s arrival to re-kindle their relationship; has nearly pushed him to the brink. Seeing Melissa enter his office, he knows that the day’s adventure has yet to be concluded. Not being able to concentrate on his work, Martin get ups from his desk and sits on the nearby couch. Melissa joins him.
“I think I finally may have broken through to Julie,” she states. “I told her, I might possibly be pregnant.”
“Will that be enough to make her do a complete one eighty?” Martin asks.
“It did for you when we arrive to speak with Principal Andrews,” Melissa answers.
“I’m afraid it might not be enough,” Martin states. “Sure she looks defeated now. But who knows what tomorrow will bring. Despite our best efforts, she seems hell bent on extracting he pound of flesh with young Eric.”
“Which is why we need Dr. Twist, Martin;” Melissa pleads. “She is a dam good therapist.”
“I’m not arguing that,” Martin retorts. “I’ve see her provide testimony in court that has helped several were’s get reduced sentences or outright acquittals.” Martin continues, “The question is, will Julie accept this help?”
“We could force her,” Melissa thinks out loud.
Martin chortles in disgust, “Look at what that has achieved.” Martin pauses to finish the remainder of his beer. “Julie has been given a good scare today. Perhaps she will be receptive to therapy if we ask her tomorrow. Right now we should just give her some space.”
Melissa is silent for a moment; listening to the gentle rustle of the leaves that have fallen, flit about in the fall breeze. “Is what you said true? Could Julie be tried as an adult?”
“If it's who I think might be assigned the case to prosecute her, then yes.” Martin responds.
“Who?” Melissa pleads.
“Johnson,” Martin answers. “Jack Johnson.”
“Your opponent during the last election?” Melissa responds. “Surely he still isn’t sore from losing to you to use Julie as a means to get revenge.”
“No it’s not that,” Martin responds. “After the election we had a good talk the two of us. The only reason why he lost and these are his words: ‘If I hadn’t of bad mouth the Knights, then they wouldn’t have supported you and I would be mayor’.” Looking at Melissa, “his words.”
Melissa shakes her head in utter disbelief. “Politics; it’s all petty politics.”
Martin nods in agreement to that. “Johnson ran on a tough on crime platform.” Martin continues, “As a prosecutor he would merely be following that directive.
Martin pauses for a minute before and ideal comes to him. “While Julie may have added to the issues, we are currently trying to deal with; I know someone who may be able to help with one that I’m to blame for.” Martin gets up and heads to his desk. Grabbing the phone he dials out.
“Hello Sheriff Cooper. It’s me Mayor Stovall. I’m sorry to catch you as you were going to bed, but I was wondering if you could do me a favor.”
“Mayor Stovall,” Cooper answers. “What is it you need?”
“I’m sure you know your cousin is in town,” Martin states.
“Alyssa is here?” Sheriff interrupts completely awake. “Why didn’t you tell me before?”
“Completely slipped my mind, what with Julie’s recent actions,” Martin answers.
“I take it; this favor is asking me to run Alyssa out of town?” The Sheriff bristles.
“No!” Martin is shocked that the sheriff would think of such an action. “My favor is to ask if you could fast track a restraining order against her.”
“That is an odd request,” Sheriff Copper responds. “Has she threatened you or your family in any way?”
“Not in the physical sense. But she did call here repeatedly throughout the day and left Melissa a rather salacious message on her voicemail.”
Sheriff cooper thinks as he is sitting on his bed. “I can talk to Alyssa tomorrow. Let her know that she has run out her welcome as it were.”
“Sheriff you and I know that won’t be enough,” Martin responds. “Despite her being a were-mer; Alyssa is like a dog with a bone when she sets her mind on something. Only the possibility of legal action has ever gotten her to back off."
The sheriff sighs, “Yeah your right in that regard. I’ll see what I can swing. But it will take a few days. In the meantime, if she calls or tries to visit in any way, document it and state quiet emphatically that if she doesn’t cease her action towards you or your family you will charge her with harassment.”
“Thanks sheriff,” Martin answers. “And once again. Sorry for calling you at this late hour.”
“That’s ok Martin. “The sheriff responds. “I was just getting ready for bed anyway.”
Martin hangs up and looks at Melissa. “You heard what the Sheriff said?”
“Document everything, and give that skank a warning,” Melissa responds. “It’s not much."
“But it’s a start, Melissa.” Martin finishes. “Perhaps we should go to bed and then pick this up again in the morning.”
“I can’t argue that,” Melissa yawns.
Both Martin and Melissa leave Martin’s home office and head off to bed.