subplotkudzu | DTVS 1:4 Lone Wolves Part 10 Aftermath

Before they can do much else the group is warned by Leet's keen ears "People Come!" he barks to Frost. "Doctor!" The group is too dazed to question the specificity of the husky's warning as they quickly gather their weapons, toss the net off the body and flee through the hold's rear entrance[1]. On the other side of the door they can hear Watkins' voice commanding the police. "There it is men! Fire!" The fusillade of shots is followed by a ricochet or two and in the din the four humans and one dog slip off the ship undetected.

Shortly after returning to their homes Edwin and Helena receive messages: Watkins wanted to know how much credit Professor Winterbourne wanted for his assistance in finding the beast, given his earlier stance (answer: none); The press wanted Helena's permission to use her sketch of the beast, as provided by Dr. Watkins (answer: of course! At a fine rate, too! - this was one of Watkins' conditions for an interview). The paper the next day carries the story in all it's glory: how Watkins and other 'noted experts' at Yale identified the beast and helped organize the police in the hunt, how a scream led them to the decapitated corpse of Captain Duhamel, the irony of his death given it was he who brought the Waheena to the city, how this was the clue that led Watkins to deduce the beasts origins and lair, and finally the shootout against the creature on the Denneval. The beast is now in the custody of the Peabody Museum taxidermists for eventual display.

What is missing, much to Helena's annoyance, is any indication as to why Duhamel took such a risk. The search of his house revealed nothing - it seems the man burned some papers and photos on his desk before going out on his final hunt. When the beast is finally displayed at the Peabody the custodians quickly become irate at the prankster who keeps dropping off reindeer meat at its feet in some strange tribute. No one notices the top hat wearing, hawk nosed gentleman who arrives on the first day of display with some tut-tuting critiques of the signage and setting, nor does his arrival after hours to watch young Frost make this attempt to propitiate the spirit raise any guard's attentions.

"Shame to lose the Mighty Waheela as a display", he states with a smile as he exits the building, "But there's a good chance on replacing it with a real live Wolf Boy. Who wouldn't pay to see that?"

[1] Stephen: I dog the door wheel. Bob: Leet can do that!

I'm so obssessed I'm laying subplots and doing foreshadowing in a one shot. It's sad, really.