Chapter 4
Disclaimer: as chapter 1.
"O.K so maybe something else is going on." Dean let out a slow breath "We'll hit the library and the sheriffs office, see what we can dig up on the Ritter family."
Dean brought the Impala to a stop in front of the quaint white washed library/town hall/whatever, glowering at the scene in front of him. "God I hate this place."
Sam laughed, looking down the street. The town was tiny, it'd probably take all of 5 minutes to walk from one end to the other. Old worldy in a way that could only come about with modern planning, it was a tourist town pure and simple. No wonder Dean hated it.
"I'll hit the library and catch up with you for lunch at the diner." Climbing out, Sam paused for a second before leaning in the cars open window, waiting to catch his brothers eye "Dude, don't do anything stupid O.K."
"What?" Sam shifted uncomfortably under his brothers suddenly intense gaze "Your spidey sense tingling or something Sammy?"
Sam opened and closed his mouth a couple of times unable to answer his brothers question. Deans face softened, letting the kid off the hook.
"Or you just worried I'm going to get us run out of town again, for hitting on the mayor daughter."
Sam laughed, it sounded sharp and false to his own ears. "Yeah, man. That must be it"
"What can I say she was Hot." Dean gave his brother his best shit eating grin, but couldn't hide the concern behind his eyes.
Sam broke the moment, leaning back and slapping the cars roof. "You better go, Dude. I'll catch you latter."
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Dean pulled away, he was worried. He just didn't know what was going on with Sam any more. Hell the kid hadn't even reacted to his dreaded pet name, things must be bad.
The sheriffs office fit in perfectly with the rest of the well manicured town, complete with brass bell above the door, which rang wildly when Dean pushed through the door, fake press credentials clutched in his hand. The man at the desk looked up a neutral expression on his face.
"Sheriff……." The hunter ducked his head to see the mans' badge, sticking his hand out in a friendly if overly earnest manner. " ..Bright. I'm James Olsen from the Denver weekly, my partner and I are up doing a piece on small town mysteries, just a local colour piece really, you know the kind of thing. Maybe even drum you up some more business for you. Everybody loves a good mystery after all." Deans smile became fixed as the man failed to respond.
"Is there something specific I can help you with son?" The sheriffs face remained impassive but the young man felt as if he was being weighed up against some unknown set of criteria and found wanting. Dam, he hated it when people called him son.
"Arrr… Yes" Dean cleared his throat "The Ritter case" The sheriffs head shot up a look of panic flashed across his face, before a mask of calm disinterest snapped into place. "about six months ago." His voice trailed off.
The sheriff visible relaxed. "That old chestnut." The man snorted. "Take my advice son, go look for your colour somewhere else. Old man Ritter was 3 parts crazy and his sons ain't no better. This is a quite town." Dean didn't miss the warning edge in the mans voice or the dismissal his words implied.
"Yes, sir." Dean smiled "Thanks for the advise, I'll just be going now."
"You see that you do that son." The man seemed to have already gone back to his work, but Dean could still feel his eyes burn into his back as he exited the station. Yes, defiantly something going on.
He glanced at his watch as he climbed into the car, it was nearly lunch time. He'd hit the diner early and see if he could pick up any local gossip.
I'm away for a few days but will be back if anyone's interested. Things will start to make sense soon, or at least I hope they will and the chapters will get longer.
