"Sam, I think I know what our next hunt is," said Dean. It's time to make those bastards pay.
Two hours later Sam and Dean were on the road, headed towards a small town in northern Minnesota. Sam had wholeheartedly agreed with Dean that they track down the bastard who shot their Dad. A silence had fallen over the car. For once Dean wasn't in the mood for his tunes. Dean could help but think back to that night all those years ago. The night his mom died was the worst night of his life, but the night John got shot ran a close second.
Flashback
Dean was sitting on the sofa in Pastor Jim's family room with Sam's head in his lap. The little boy consumed by exhaustion had fallen back to sleep half an hour ago. Dean sat as still as possible afraid to move for fear of waking his brother. He had never Sam that upset before and that included the time Sam accidentally got hit in the eye by a baseball. I won't let that happen again thought Dean. It's my job to look after Sammy. Dad trusts me to look after him and I've got to make sure this never happens again. Dean was so lost in thought about how to help Sam in the future when their Dad was away on a hunt that he didn't notice the phone ring.
Pastor Jim walked in the room with a worried look on his face. He walked over to the sofa and stood directly in front of Dean.
"Dean, can you come into the kitchen for a second," whispered Pastor Jim so as not to wake Sam.
"I don't want to leave Sammy. He might wake up," Dean whispered back.
"I'm sure he'll be fine by himself for a few minutes," Jim helped move Sam head off Dean's lap. The little boy stirred slightly, but didn't wake up.
Dean reluctantly followed Jim into the kitchen. He didn't want to leave Sam even for a few minutes in case he woke up. Why hasn't dad called yet he wondered.
"Pastor Jim when's Dad gonna call?" asked Dean.
"Dean, I need to talk to you about your dad. There was a robbery at the store your dad was in and your dad was shot." Jim paused as he saw Dean's eyes go wide. "He had to have surgery, but Josh said that your dad's going to make a full recovery. He's going to be just fine."
Dean hadn't heard anything after your dad was shot. "Dad's been shot?"
"Yes, but he's going to be just fine," Jim could see that Dean was trying not to cry. "It's okay, Dean. It's okay."
Dean was still trying to process the fact that his dad was shot. What if Pastor Jim was wrong? What if his Dad wasn't okay? What if he dies like Mommy did worried Dean.
"Dad's not going to die like Mommy did is he?" asked Dean his voice wavering.
"Oh Dean, your Dad's going to be fine." Jim pulled Dean close and the boy finally let it out. Dean cried and cried.
Dean didn't feel better until he saw with his own two eyes that his dad was okay.
End Flashback
Those bastards got away with what they did all these years. No more. It's time they pay thought Dean as they rolled into town.
"Dean, I think we should check into a motel first then we came head over to the mini-mart to see we can find anything out about Danny's whereabouts," said Sam.
"Sure," replied Dean.
After checking in at the Motel Yorba, Dean took the room key from the desk clerk and headed out to the Impala.
"We're in room twenty-three, Sammy." Dean opened the trunk and took their duffel bags out. After handing Sam his they headed into the room. Dean had to try not to gag. Everything in the room was colored Pepto Bismol pink, from the carpet to the bedspreads to the lamps on the bedside tables.
"Well this sure is a cheery place isn't it?" said Sam.
"It's like being inside a strawberry milkshake. So what do you say we check out the mini-mart first?" asked Dean.
"Sure, so what are we this time cold case cops?" Sam wanted to get their covers straight before the headed out.
"Uh, I think we should say we're private investigators because in a town this small people will know all the Barney Fife's on the squad," replied Dean.
"Barney Fife's?" Sam raised his eyebrows at Dean's comment on the local police.
"Well, if they couldn't figure out Jeff was in on the robbery, they can't be much smarter." Dean headed towards the door, already chomping at the bit to get started.
oooooOOOOooooo
Hal's Mini-Mart had obviously seen better days. The exterior was painted a canary yellow, but with all the spots where the paint was chipped and peeling you could see the original green paint. The grime on the windows made them look like they hadn't been washed in a couple of decades. There various sign in the window advertising the price of milk, eggs and cigarettes among other things. To Dean this looked just like so many of the stores he had been in growing up. To Sam it was the setting for one of his worst nightmares ever.
As Sam and Dean entered the store the bell on the door signaled their entrance to the clerk. That sound sent a chill down Sam's back. Dean looked at his brother and could tell right away that Sam was already uncomfortable being in there. He made a mental note to try and get out of there as quickly as possible. The pimple faced clerk with braces, behind the counter, looked to be about sixteen, so Dean was pretty sure he couldn't be Jeff.
"Brad, is it, could we speak to Hal?" asked Dean as he read the clerk's nametag.
"You want to speak to Hal?" asked Brad.
What does he not speak English, thought Dean. "Yes we want to speak to Hal. Is he here?"
"No," answered Brian.
"When will he been?" asked Dean.
"Not anytime soon. Hal's been dead for thirty years," replied Brad with a smirk.
"Well then who runs this place?" asked Sam silently pleading with Dean not to hit the clerk.
"That would be Hal, Jr.," said Brad.
"Is Hal, Jr. here?" asked Dean.
"Yes, he's in the stockroom," said Brad.
"Why didn't you just say that in the first place?" God I hope everyone is this town is not this obnoxious, thought Dean.
"You didn't ask for Hal, Jr. You asked for Hal," said Brad.
"Look Brad, can we please speak with Hal, Jr." Sam felt his patience start to slip.
"Sure. Hal, Jr., some customers wanna speak with you!" shouted Brad.
What guy is still called junior thirty years after the senior died wondered Dean.
Hal, Jr. came out from the stockroom. He was a short, balding man with a large beer gut. His once white t-shirt had turned a slight yellow from years of washing.
"What can I do for you fellows?" asked Hal, Jr.
"My name's Dean Gossard and this is my partner Sam Ament. We're private investigators hired to look into the shooting that happened here eighteen years ago," said Dean.
"Yeah hired by who?" asked Hal, Jr.
"The family of the victim John Winchester," answered Sam.
"I already went over this with the police at the time it happened," Hal, Jr. acted like he had better things to do with his time that talk about something that happened almost twenty years ago.
"Listen Hal, I don't think it will kill you talk to us for a few minutes," growled Dean.
"Hal was my father. It's Hal, Jr. What do you want to know?" asked Hal, Jr.
"The clerk who was working that night, Jeff is he stilled employed here?" asked Sam.
"Jeff Connors, nah. He quit not long after the robbery. I think he was too scared. I can't blame him. I won't want to work someplace where I saw a man get shot," said Hal, Jr.
"Do you know where he is now?" Please don't let this be a dead end prayed Sam.
"Yeah he works as a night watchman at the processing plant," said Hal, Jr.
After getting directions to the plant and buying a couple of Cokes, Sam and Dean headed towards to the door. Sam paused as at the spot where he had seen his dad lay dying. He half expected to still see some blood on the floor. He quickened his pace and rushed out of the store, relieved to breathe in the fresh air.
"You alright, Sammy?" asked Dean once they were back in the Impala.
"Not really. I can't get that image out of my head. Dad lying there bleeding to death." Sam shuddered slightly.
oooooOOOOooooo
The lead detective on John's case had retired two years earlier so they spoke to his former partner, Jack Oliver. Sam quickly explained who they were and why they were there.
"So what can you tell us about the Winchester case?" asked Sam.
"Well, Mr. Winchester couldn't remember much of anything due to his head injury and poor Danny, well he was so scared he couldn't remember much about the robber," said Jack.
Scared my ass thought Dean. He struggled to keep the scowl off his face.
"So, you didn't have any suspects?" Sam knew already knew the answer to that, but he wanted to hear what Jack had to say.
"No, we had no suspects. Look this is a small town things like that don't usually happen here. Why all the interest in this case now. I mean it's been close to twenty years," said Jack.
"A man almost died in your small town and somebody has gotten away with that for all these years. The family would like to see justice served. Is there something wrong with that?" growled Dean.
Sam put his hand on Dean's shoulder briefly. He hoped that Dean would do anything rash like punch Jack. Spending a night in jail for assaulting a police officer was not something Dean needed.
"There's nothing wrong with that and I don't like the fact that the robber got away, but we exhausted all the leads we had eighteen years ago. I don't think you two are going to find out anything new," bristled Jack. He didn't like any implications that the police didn't do everything they possibly could have back then.
oooooOOOOooooo
"Well that was a waste," huffed Dean.
"Yeah well I'm just glad you didn't deck Jack," replied Sam.
"Don't worry. I'm saving that for Jeff and Danny." Dean just wanted a few minutes alone with each guy.
Sam and Dean decided to stop and get something eat at the local diner before they headed to the warehouse. The sign in front of Marla's Diner promised the best burger in the county. Dean hoped that it was true.
"I wonder if Marla still works here or will it be Marla, Jr.," said Dean with a chuckle.
Sam and Dean were seated pretty quickly and they both ordered deluxe burgers and fries.
"So how do you want to approach things with Jeff? I think we shouldn't let on that we know he's involved and see what he has to say." Sam knew that sometimes Dean could be a hit first, ask questions second kind of guy.
"I guess, but I don't know if I be able to control myself once I see that bastard," hissed Dean.
"Well please try." Sam didn't want Dean to be arrested for murder.
At the end of their lunch, Dean did have to admit that they probably did have the best burger in the county.
oooooOOOOooooo
Sam and Dean arrived at the processing plant early. They parked in the lot next to the plant and waited for Jeff to arrive. Each was lost in their own thoughts. Dean was remembering two small boys anxiously waiting for their dad to get back from a hunt. Sam was trying not to think about his dad lying on the floor, blood spilling out of his side. Sam could still hear Danny's voice ringing in his head. No, we are going to stick to the plan. Besides he'll be dead soon. Sam shuddered involuntarily. He was pulled from his thoughts by the sight of a new red Mustang driving into the Lot. It was Jeff. He maybe older, heavier, and have less hair on his head, but Sam recognized him immediately. He nudged his brother's shoulder.
"Dean, he's here," Sam nodded his head in the direction of the Mustang.
"Are you sure?" asked Dean.
"Positive," growled Sam.
They exited the Impala and walked over to Jeff, stopping him before he headed inside.
"Excuse, are you Jeff Connors?" asked Dean.
"Yeah who wants to know?" I don't have time for this. If I'm late they'll dock my pay thought Jeff.
"I'm Dean Gossard and this is my partner Sam Ament. We're investing the robbery and shooting at Hal's Mini-mart eighteen years ago. It's my understanding that you were the clerk working that night," said Dean trying to keep his voice calm.
There was an instant change in Jeff. His face turned white as a sheet of paper and his throat suddenly felt too dry. He hadn't thought about that night in a long time. Stay calm he told himself. There's no way they could know.
"Why are you looking into that now?" asked Jeff trying unsuccessfully to keep his voice steady.
"We've been hired by John Winchester's family," said Sam.
"Who?" asked Jeff not remembering who John was.
"John Winchester. The man who was shot during the robbery." Dean couldn't believe that bastard didn't even remember his dad's name.
"Why now. I mean it's been close to twenty years. Why bring this up now?" asked Jeff.
"The family wants justice served for John. Besides the statute of limitations doesn't expire for attempted murder," I think you've got away with it long enough Sam silently added.
"Well I don't how I could help. I mean like I told the police I wasn't able to get a good look at the guy. I was afraid he was going to come back and shoot me too." Jeff told them same lie he told the police.
"Lucky for you he didn't," replied Dean.
"Yeah, lucky me. Look I don't want to get docked for being late so if you don't have any other questions," said Jeff as he glanced at his watch.
"No more questions for now. We'll contact you if we need anything else," said Dean as he turned to leave.
oooooOOOOooooo
As soon as Jeff had clocked in, he pulled out his phone and dialed Danny's number.
"Pick up. Come on Danny pick up," said Jeff as the phone rang. It went to voicemail "Danny, it's Jeff. Listen two guys were just here at the plant. They're investigating the robbery at Hal's. The family of the schmuck you shot hired them. Danny call me as soon as you get this message." Jeff shut his phone off and put it in his pocket. It was going to be a long night for him.
More to Come
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