The Stovall morning was typical for most families. Martin the husband getting up to the sound of his alarm clock; his wife Melissa, now nearly a week pregnant follows shortly after. Both are dealing with marital issues; Melissa who originally planned to divorce her husband soon after their daughter graduated high school, chose to put off that plan after finding out she was pregnant. Also with their daughter Julie facing some serious criminal charges stemming from her assaulting Eric Anderson and Frieda Knight last Tuesday during freshman lunch; the entire family has been seeing Doctor Frances twist in an effort to repair their relationships and marriage.
Martin was the parent that usually went into Julie’s room to wake her up for school; but since she was suspended indefinitely for her actions, Martin just skipped that part of his morning routine. Getting dressed and heading to the kitchen for his breakfast of coffee and toast, he already sees his daughter up and eating cereal.
“You could have slept in,” Martin looking at Julie.
“I went to bed early last night,” Julie answers; “It’s not as if I had anything to do.”
“The school work John brought you all done;” Martin pouring his cup of Joe.
“Sitting at the front entrance for him to pick up,” Julie answers.
“Then you can do a few chores around the house while I’m at work,” Melissa walking down the stairs.
Melissa Stovall was the founder of a small company called Stovall Systems; a computer tech company based in Moon Lake but with customers all across Washington State. Specializing in network security and server hosting, Melissa was making decent money from her small company. It was so successful, that she has received offers from both Tachibana Enterprises and Knight Industries to bring her company into their respective conglomerates. Since the company is private and not publicly traded; neither company could try and oust her. Melissa was her own boss and wanted to remain that way.
“What chores,” Julie asking as her mother poured herself a glass of fruit juice; with Melissa pregnant, she was abstaining from caffeine based products for the health of her developing fetus.
“Well to start, you can wash the dishes by hand,” Melissa sipping her juice; sweep and mop the hardwood floors and check and swap out the pool filters.”
“Can’t do the pool filters mom,” Julie responding; “they are located in the cabana.” Pointing to her ankle monitor, “it’s too far away that this will start beeping.”
“I’ll deal with that when I get home Martha,” Martin remembering the minor scare when Julie through no fault of her own was sent to the backyard while her parents talked to Frances Twist.
“Okay,” Melissa also remembering the limits of the ankle bracelet; “then instead of the pool filters Julie, you can swap out the furnace filters.”
“You’ll find the new filters in the closet next to my study,” Martin finishing his coffee. Looking at his watch; “well I’m off to work. I’m certain that I’m to be deluged with a thousand requests to fund this project or that. What with the budget that I passed Friday.”
“The one that put the town in the black,” Melissa answering.
“That’s the one,” Martin at the door putting on shoes; “Samantha Twist an myself are going to have one busy day today.”
Martin opens the door to see John Shafer about to ring the doorbell. John a six foot tall fourteen year old werewolf; he made quite the imposing look, and he wasn’t even in his fursona. His werewolf form pushed him up to seven feet and his coat of fur marked him a timber wolf; with yellow canine like eyes seeing him would make anyone load their pants well before trying to flee.
“Uhm,” John stammers; “I’m here to pick up Julie’s school work.”
“Oh yes,” Martin overcoming his sudden look of shock at seeing the tall teenager; “One moment.” Martin turns around and grabs the stack of completed school work. “Here you go.”
“Thanks,” John answers; “I’m sure the Principal will have some more for Julie after school today. Then I come by Friday to pick it up.”
“Fine, fine,” Martin answering; “Are you okay lugging all that to school? You need a ride?”
“I usually walk to school,” John answers; “but I wouldn’t say no to a ride.”
******
Sheriff Douglas Cooper pulled into the Moon Lake police prescient; after having a quiet Sunday. He was looking forward to what he was hoping to be a quite week. Walking into his office he sees a state trooper waiting for him. The same State Trooper that took custody of Cathy Shafer to face her charges of grand theft auto and a multitude of drinking and driving charges back in Seattle. The Sheriff sits down and starts rummaging for his aspirin.
“Are you here on business or is this a social call,” the Sheriff asks.
“I’m her to deliver unfortunate news, the State Trooper responds; “Do you know where John Shafer is?”
“On his way to school,” the Sheriff answers; “what is this about?”
“Cathy Shafer, his mother passed away last night while in the county lock up. The coroner has yet to perform an autopsy, but since she was a severe alcoholic-“ the state trooper is about to finish but is interrupted.
“She died of liver failure,” sheriff cooper finishes. Sighing he looks at the photo of him and John’s father back when the two were partners in Seattle’s gang taskforce; popping a few more aspirin, he looks at the trooper. “You better come with me. I know where Moon Lake High is. We will also need to tell Cathy’s Sister Beth McDougal. We’ll find her working at Moon Lake’s savings and loan.”
Getting up the sheriff grabs his hat and heads to his police cruiser. With the state trooper getting in the passenger seat; both head to Moon Lake high just as classes are about to start.