Closer to the Edge
Chapter three-not alright
A few days later, Jo was sitting on Henry's porch sipping some iced tea. Henry had gone to work at the precinct as a consultant overseer. He basically was in charge of Shawn and Gus and their cases that they would work on.
Thankfully, nothing odd had happened in those three days which caused Jo to breathe a sigh of relief. But that relief would be short lived. She heard the screeching of tires and looked up as a black Ford Econoline van pulled onto Henry's property. She felt her heart racing madly as she stood up and watched men and women dressed in dark clothing get out of the van. Three men rushed toward her. She dropped her ceramic cup of tea, causing it to shatter on the porch. She went to run but they caught her and dragged her into the van. They covered her head with some kind of burlap cloth. Fear gripped her chest like a tight vice. She was flung into the van. She began sobbing uncontrollably as she felt the van lurch and she was driven away from Henry's.
She felt herself being forced onto her knees on some cold, hard ground which felt like cement. Her arms were pulled in front of her and her wrists pressed together. Cold iron shackles were snapped around her wrists. The sack was still over her head, obscuring her sight. When it was taken off, she gasped as she saw Lassiter in front of her in the same position. He had a black eye and a cut lip. The collar of his blue shirt was blood stained. She quickly scanned over him and saw a gash on his temple. It was as if they'd beaten the snot out of him before shackling him to this structure. His chin was resting against his chest and he was breathing softly.
He was unconscious. One of the men came over to him and kicked him in the ribs.
"Wake up!" the man yelled in disgust.
"Stop!" Jo screamed.
Lassiter let out a grunt and raised his head. When his eyes focused on Jo, she saw rage and anger come across his expression.
He strained against the shackles, but the metal only bit into his skin.
"I swear you lot will pay dearly," Lassiter growled angrily.
"I highly doubt that," the man spoke in a scoffing tone. "You two are gonna die. We can't have you messing things up now can we?"
"What are you talking about?" Jo stammered in fear.
The man came over to her and roughly grabbed her chin yanking her head back so she could stare up at him.
"Don't worry your pretty little head dearie," he smirked. "You'll find out soon enough."
With that, he released her and then left the room so that Lassiter and Jo were alone.
"I will get us out of here Miss Williams," she heard Lassiter grumble under his breath. "I promise you that."
Jo just let her forehead press against her forearms and was silent.
Lassiter watched Ingrid carefully. He saw the bandage still around her neck and now the metal shackles were digging into her wrists causing a few trickles of blood to leak down. Anger and rage filled his chest as he angrily pulled at his own restraints. But the metal bit into his skin and he hissed. Her blond hair fell forward and he could see a few black streaks in it. A frightening thought suddenly snaked into his mind…ishe's actually quite attractive/i
He froze, mentally scolding himself. Why on earth would he think that? And this wasn't the time or place to. Still he found himself gazing at her from time to time.
A few days passed. He knew that O'Hara, Spencer and Guster and Henry would be looking for them. The problem is he had no idea where ihere/i was. The only person out of those four that he hated to admit, but would be able to find them was Spencer. Anything that pointed to Spencer being right he would never admit it. But he knew Spencer was their only shot. Ingrid seemed to be getting weak. They were given no food or water for the past 5 days. His body was weak itself, but he was more concerned about Ingrid at this point. She just slumped against her restraints and slept a lot. Lassiter was growing even more determined, which probably kept himself going. He was going to get out today.
"Miss Williams," he grunted in a loud voice.
She stirred slightly and raised her head to look at him. Her lips were cracked and bled. Her eyes seemed dull now.
"I'm going to get us out of here, right now," he growled as he yanked on his restraints. After fighting with them for a bit, he realized he could pull one of his wrists free. It hurt like hell and he winced and hissed as his left wrist was pulled free. Then using his free hand, worked to get the right restraint off. Ingrid was watching him.
Eventually, both of his wrists were free. He stood up and stretched quickly letting his body get used to being in the erect position. His knees were aching and painful but he ignored them and went over to Ingrid. He stood in front of her and undid her own shackles. She was weak and almost lost her footing, but he threw her right arm around the back of his shoulders. With his left arm he wound it around her waist.
"Lean on me," he grunted.
She obediently did and Lassiter supported her as he looked around the room. He noted a door at the end and headed toward that. He opened it and peered into the corridor. It was clear. So he began searching for a way out. He reached under his arm for his glock, but someone had taken it.
"Dammit," he muttered under his breath.
A few more paces and he heard voices.
He quickly helped Ingrid into a corner where no one would be able to see her. He stood in front of her and peered around the corner watching warily. A few of the men walked by talking animatedly and laughing. They had guns. He turned his attention onto Ingrid. She was leaning against the wall.
"Miss Williams," he whispered gently taking her chin between his thumb and index finger. "Stay with me okay? I'm gonna distract those guards and get a weapon. Stay here and stay quiet."
Ingrid just nodded and Lassiter carefully slipped behind the men. He grabbed a pipe and threw it a few yards away from where there was an exit door. He wasn't stupid enough to hit one of them because he knew that would only cause him to get shot and he had to worry about Ingrid.
"What was that?" one of them said as they both began heading in the direction of the loud 'clang' noise the pipe made. Lassiter spied his glock on a wooden crate. He easily grabbed it and clicked back the hammer. What idiots leaving the gun like this exposed. Clearly these men were not the sharpest crayon in the pack. He slinked back over to Ingrid and helped her over to the crate where he was hiding behind. Ingrid slumped against the crate with her back pressing against it as Lassiter used his elbows to prop up on the top of it. He watched as one of the men got into his range and fired his gun. The shot rang out as a red stain formed on the man's chest. He went down. The second man fired back, and he felt a sting in his shoulder. Hissing, he fired again. The second man went down.
"Come on we gotta get out of here, otherwise the whole calvary will have heard those shots," He grunted as he helped Ingrid to her feet and out the exit door.
Once out in the night air, Lassiter was able to see a dirt road leading into what appeared to be some kind of lab complex. He kept his arm around Ingrid's waist as he hobbled along the edge of the road. Suddenly, headlights rolled over him. He froze, his hand resting on his gun.
"Carlton! Ingrid!" he heard O'Hara's familiar voice cry as he realized that O'Hara was there with Spencer and Guster in their ridiculous and pathetic excuse for a car. Relief poured over him as he saw O'Hara rush forward. Spencer and Guster rushed over and took over Ingrid helping her into their car too. Exhaustion overcame him as he leaned against O'Hara.
Jo blinked a few times as bright lights hovered over her. She moaned and raised a hand to her forehead. There was a faint restraint in her hand and as her vision cleared, she noted an IV taped down feeding her saline. She looked around and realized she was in a hospital bed. She spied O'Hara, Shawn, Gus, Henry and Lassiter milling around her.
"What happened?" she asked, her voice sounding cracked and watery, even strained. "I remember someone grabbing me and pulling me into a van."
"Yes," O'Hara said nodding. "Lassiter was taken as well. He got you out."
"What happened?" Gus asked looking worried and anxious. "Why did those men want you?"
"I don't know," Jo said wincing and slowly easing herself into a sitting position. A hiss escaped her lips as a shot of pain shot through her body like a freight train. Immediately, she was surprised to see Lassiter rush over and grab one of the pillows to fluff it behind her. "Thanks." She mumbled startled by the act of kindness from him but welcomed it. "I don't even know who they were."
O'Hara squeezed Jo's hand.
"Well don't worry. Lassiter got a good look at the guys and we're working on finding them. You need rest right now." She said softly.
"Yep! Don't worry dudette! Pop has plans for you when you get home. We're gonna order some strippers for you," Shawn said winking as he gently grabbed Jo's foot.
"Shawn," Henry scolded his son rolling his eyes. "No I said when she gets home she'll need rest. NO excitement. Sometimes I worry about you."
He winked at Jo and clapped Gus on the shoulder before he, Shawn and Gus headed out. O'Hara followed suit, but only Lassiter remained behind. She spied his shoulder in a sling. Concern filled her expression.
"Oh no are you alright?" she asked worriedly motioning to his injury. "I hope the bullet just grazed you."
Lassiter grunted.
"No it went right through but thankfully nothing serious," he grunted.
Jo was silent for a moment staring down at her hands.
"I'm glad," she whispered silently. "I'm grateful to you for getting me out of there. I-I dunno what those men wanted with me. I don't know what's going on anymore."
Tears began flooding her eyes at this point. She raised her hands to her face.
There was a silence before she heard Lassiter grunt.
"We're going to find out what's going on Miss Matthews mark my words," he grunted as she suddenly felt a hand on her arm. "Try not to worry okay?"
Slowly Jo lowered her hands and looked at him. She offered him a faint smile before nodding and wiping a tear from under her eyes.
He gently patted her knee. At that moment, a nurse came in. She grinned as she looked from Lassiter to Jo.
"Your boyfriend's brave," she commented. "He sat there like a trooper while we stitched him up."
Jo blushed slightly.
"I'm not her boyfriend," Lassiter grunted.
"No, but I am," a voice said from the doorway.
Jo looked up in shock and surprise. By the look on Lassiter's face, he too was in the same boat as she was. Standing in the doorway was the most gorgeous man she'd ever seen. He had the most intense and stunning blue eyes; dark brown hair that was wavy and full and swept to the side. Full cheekbones that gave him a sort of Scandinavian appearance. He was dressed in a suit and tie. His complexion was olive and he had a clean smooth, shave.
He must've spied the dumbfounded expressions on their faces because his lip twitched as he stepped into the room. He extended his hand out to Lassiter, but Lassiter didn't raise his hand to shake.
"Johnathan Ross," he introduced himself.
Lassiter just kept his eyes narrowed at the man suspiciously.
"Miss Matthews didn't tell us she had a boyfriend," he said his tone cold and stiff.
"Yeah Miss Matthews wasn't aware herself she had one," Jo chimed in frowning at the man talking about herself in third person.
Lassiter backed up against the bed protectively. Jo could see that Lassiter clearly didn't trust this man more than he could throw him.
Johnathan chuckled.
"I'm sorry. I apologize," he said his blue eyes piercing Jo's causing her heart to flutter. "We've been together now for quite a while Ingrid. I guess with everything going on, you forgot. It's understandable."
He reached over to gently sweep some of Jo's hair behind her ear. She could've sworn she heard Lassiter growl under his breath. Jo frowned.
It was true. There was a lot going on and her memory was crap nowadays. She's having these visions and delusions.
"Y-You're probably right," Jo said raising a hand to her forehead. "My mind hasn't been right these past few days."
Lassiter whirled around and glared at her.
"You're seriously taking this guy's word for it? How do we know he's not some kind of lunatic or serial killer?" he asked her incredulously.
"Detective, my mind hasn't been right," Jo said to him.
"I assure you," Johnathan cut in. "I'm neither. Look."
He reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet. He flipped it open to show Lassiter a picture of Jo and himself on a yacht. Jo looked incredibly happy and they were both sipping champagne.
"This is my yacht. We were together New years eve," Johnathan said raising his eyes to Jo's. "You got sick from the shrimp and we spent the entire night lying on deck just staring up at the stars…when you weren't barfing over the edge." He added with a lighter joking tone.
Jo frowned. This guy certainly knew about her so it had to be legit…right?
"I don't believe this," Lassiter grumbled. "You're buying into this garbage?"
Jo's head snapped up as she looked at him.
"Why do you care? You're not my boyfriend remember?" she snapped.
Those words seemed to have smacked Lassiter right in the gut. A muscle in his jaw twitched as he just stormed out of the room.
Johnathan came over and grabbed her face, planting a passionate and intense kiss on her lips that left her breathless afterwards.
Jo's head was still whirling around from the kiss.
"They contacted me when the detective brought you in," Johnathan said sweeping some hair behind her ear as he gently rubbed his index finger up and down her jaw. "I was so scared."
"But why haven't you contacted me before now?" Jo said to him frowning.
"I was away on business," he said studying her. "After all I run my own company remember?"
Jo's breath hitched in her throat. iwow….rich…handsome and incredibly sexy…this guy can't be mine…/i. Johnathan gently grabbed her hand, and intertwined her fingers with his and gently kissed them.
"Get some rest now," he said leaning over her and kissing her on the forehead.
Jo snuggled down under the blanket and sheet and closed her eyes.
Lassiter's temper had hit the boiling point. He jammed his finger against the call button on the elevator. He couldn't believe she was taking this stranger's word for it just because he was good looking and says that he was her boyfriend and shows some picture. He could've gotten that image from anywhere. Something in his gut was telling him this guy was trouble. But…what was this other feeling slithering into his chest? Jealousy? Nah. Couldn't be.
But then why did her words sting him so badly? A muscle twitched in his jaw again. Finally the doors whiffed open and he stepped into the elevator car. He turned to press the button to go down when Johnathan entered and stood with his arms folded over his chest. Standing shoulder to shoulder, Lassiter was fighting the urge to take out his gun and pop a few rounds into him.
At that moment, Johnathan turned to him.
"I just wanna thank you for saving Ingrid," he said to him. "You saved her life. She would've died."
Lassiter just grunted a response.
"Yeah well," he grunted. "That's my job."
"Still," Johnathan replied. "We owe you."
Lassiter was silent for a moment before he rounded on him.
"What are you playing at?" he snapped. "Who are you really and what do you want with Ingrid?"
Johnathan just arched an eyebrow at him and had an amused look on his face.
"Ingrid is it now? I thought it was 'Miss Matthews' before?" he said in a smooth and calm tone that Lassiter felt getting under his skin. It wasn't like the calm and easy going tone he'd heard him use just moments before. "Ah I see what's going on here," Johnathan said in a soft tone as the elevator continued to descend to the lobby. "You're sweet on Ingrid aren't you?"
He turned to get directly into Lassiter's face.
"Yeah," he said smugly. "You like her don't you? Well I'm sorry old man but she's with me. Trust me, she's not gonna want you. Why would she? Steer clear of me or else the next time you get shot it won't be in your shoulder." His tone was cold and dripping with malice.
Lassiter's temper exploded and he shoved Johnathan against the elevator wall and pinned his arm under Johnathan's throat.
"Let's get something straight," Lassiter growled. "I don't trust you, nor do I like you at all. I'd steer clear of me if I was you, because I'm gonna find out what you're up to. What game you're playing. If you even so much as itouch/i a hair on Miss Matthews head or hurt her or I find out you're trying to do her serious harm, you'll have me to contend with."
With that the doors whiffed open and Lassiter released his throat as he casually exited. Lassiter wasn't done. He was going to do a background check on this guy. He was igoing/i to find out what he was about.
A few days later, Jo was released from the hospital. Johnathan agreed to pick her up from the hospital. Lassiter and O'Hara were out on a case. Guilt began eating away at Jo for the way she'd spoken to the surly detective. She felt bad. Johnathan had sent for Jo's things at Henry's as he was requesting that she stay with him. Jo hugged Henry tightly.
"Thank you so much Henry," she said warmly to the older man. "I appreciate it. You made me feel so welcome."
Henry blushed but she could see he was pleased.
"You're welcomed any time, Ingrid," he said waving a hand dismissively.
She hugged Shawn and Gus next.
"You two stay out of trouble okay?" she said lightly wiping a tear from her eye. "I'm gonna miss you two."
"We'll try," Gus said solemnly.
Shawn was silent for a moment before he leaned in close to Jo.
"Keep an eye on him Ingrid," he said under his breath. "The spirits are telling me that this guys bad news."
Before Jo had a chance to respond, Johnathan whisked her away in his limo.
Back at Johnathan's place, it was incredible. It was an apartment at the top of one of the most lavish apartment buildings in Santa Barbara. It was a penthouse. The view was breath taking. Jo stood looking out the glass windows that were ceiling to floor.
"Wow," she breathed gently placing a hand on the glass. "This is amazing."
"You're amazing," Johnathan whispered coming up behind her and winding his arms around her waist pulling her back against him. He gently kissed her neck causing Jo's body to melt. He grabbed her and pulled her roughly into the bedroom. He threw her across the bed. He grabbed her wrists and pinned them hard as he straddled her.
"And now you bitch," he sneered at her. "My boss is going to have fun knowing that I've finally got you…but not before I have some fun of my own with you."
"Who are you?" Jo cried in fear staring up at him with terror and fear.
"You don't worry about that right now," he snapped as he roughly slapped her causing her to cry out. "You just lie there and shut that pretty mouth of yours."
As he began roughly and violently forcing himself on her, Jo's eyes filled with tears as the last thought in her head before a violent slap again sent her into unconsciousness.
Lassiter was sitting at his computer typing in Johnathan Ross' name into the database. O'Hara came over and slid her hip onto the edge of his desk. She was wearing a dark blue women's suit. Her blond hair was pulled back into a French twist and supported by two chopsticks. She saw the screen and he saw her lip twitch a bit.
"Mm someone's doing some light reading," she said in a light teasing tone.
"Something off with that mongrel," Lassiter grunted as he watched the screen. "There's something telling me in my gut O'Hara."
"Are you sure you're not just jealous," she teased lightly bopping him on the shoulder.
Lassiter scoffed but avoided eye contact. Finally the database was finished and the screen popped up with Johnathan's picture, and entire rap sheet.
"Oh my God," O'Hara breathed raising a hand to her mouth. "He isn't who he says he is! His real name's Alex Cross. He's wanted for rape, molestation and violent assaults. He apparently works with some group called the Autonox's. They're an extremist group that feel that there are alternate universes and have a history of kidnapping people and forcing them to admit they're doppelgangers."
Lassiter looked up at her.
"You see," he said. "I knew there was something off about him."
He slammed his fist down on the table.
"Miss Matthew's is in trouble!"
"Uh Lassie?" Spencer's annoying drone hit his ears. Normally he would've told Shawn to piss off but something in his voice halted him.
"What?"
"I don't think Ingrid's in trouble," he said.
"And why not? Didn't you hear that you hobbit?" Lassiter snapped, impatient with Shawn's riddles.
"I did, Ingrid's here pal."
Immediately, Lassiter jumped to his feet and O'Hara followed. When he reached where Spencer was, standing staring at the stairs that led up into the bullpen, his heart dropped to the floor. She was standing at the top of the stairs. She had a nasty bruise on her cheek. A cut lip which was bleeding. Her clothes were torn and he spied some blood on her inner thigh which looked like scratch marks. Her hair was tousled and she looked like she could hardly walk.
"Oh God," O'Hara bleated out.
Several officers rushed over to her as did Lassiter, O'Hara, Shawn and Gus. Ingrid's eyes focused on Lassiter. Just as Lassiter reached her, She collapsed into his arms. Lassiter's good arm were around her as her cheek rested against his shoulder. Her hair gently tickled his cheek. She was trembling violently.
"You're safe now," he whispered in her ear.
Her only response was a soft mewl and whimper.
He was certain that Johnathan did this…and he was going to make him pay. Whether arrested…or shot. Whichever one came first at this point, Lassiter didn't care.