Dean and Sam exited the house, Detective Gretel close at their heels.
"Sam! Dean!" Red ran up to them, one of her coat sleeves still rolled up and exposing a newly applied bandage. "I thought you'd left me," she said softly, her eyes wider than Sam had ever seen.
"We keep our promises, Red," Dean patted her lightly on the head, hand flattening some of her hair, "we weren't going to leave you."
Red smiled up at him, then looked at Sam, her smile faltering into a more sad style, "My grandma?"
"The police are going to take her somewhere and clean her up. She's okay, though. She's in a better place," Sam gave her a sad smile and patted her shoulder.
Red nodded solemnly. "Will I ever get to see her?"
"I don't think that's the best idea, Red. She would want you to remember her in happier times," Detective Gretel sighed. "For now, though, we have to get you down to the station. You'll be taken care of there until we can get ahold of your mom."
"But...but…" she looked up to Sam, and then back at Miss Gretel, "I want to stay with them." She backed up a little until she was between them.
"Your mom will be wanting to see you," Miss Gretel explained.
"My mom isn't at home. She's...I don't know…" Red sighed, "She left yesterday."
"Without you? Where'd she go?" Miss Gretel asked, shocked as to how odd it was for Ms. Hood to leave her daughter alone.
"I don't know. That's why I was going to gramma's." Red took Sam's hand. "I want to stay with them."
Detective Gretel sighed, "Red…"
"How about this? You go with one of the other officers down to the station while we investigate and we'll meet you there later. How does that sound?" Sam glanced at the Detective, pleading with his eyes to be okay with it.
Detective Gretel gave a short nod, knowing that that was the only way she'd ever get Red down to the station.
"Promise?" Red looked between the two brothers.
"Promise," they answered together.
Detective Gretel sighed, "Come on, Red, I'll take you to the car." She held out her hand for Red's and Red took it.
Red reluctantly walked along, her head down. She didn't know why, but she felt attached to Sam and Dean; they were almost like the Dad's she wished she had. Ever since her dad had passed, she had been alone with her mother, a mean drunk with a tendency to disappear. She hadn't told anyone, except gramma, of course. That's why she always went to her house, to get away.
Sam and Dean provided what Red really wanted...and needed. They were her protectors, and her heroes. Someone to look up to. Even if she had known them for only a few hours.
"Hey, Maisie pie," an officer greeted her warmly, helping her into the police car.
"It's Red," she mumbled, crossing her arms and pouting. She leaned back into the seat and sighed as the car pulled away, away from Sam and Dean.
Dean watched the car leave, turning to Detective Gretel when it was gone. "You're not going with her?"
"No, I'm going with you. Can't have the Feds messing up my case, can I?" A faint smile pulled at her lips. "Great job with Red, by the way...she really looks up to you," she met his gaze, "Maybe I misread you...maybe you're not bad after all."
Sam smiled, "We aren't, though I've heard we give off that impression."
Detective Gretel nodded, a smile evident on her face. "Well, we might as well wrap this case up, huh? You say that it'll be different this time because I've got you two? Prove it, then. Let's catch this son of a bitch."
The three walked, guided by Detective Gretel, to a police van. She hopped in the drivers seat as Sam and Dean fought over who would ride shotgun. Dean ultimately ended up in the passenger seat, saying 'little kids can't sit up front' and having Sam give him one of his trademark bitch faces. Sam hopped in back and buckled in, feeling like a giant in the back,
Detective Gretel started the engine and they were off, intended on bringing Wolf to justice.
XxX
The trio pulled up to a large house, parking the van at the curb.
"This...this is where Wolf lives?" Dean stared, mouth open at the large white house.
The house was huge; at least three stories tall. Each story had many windows, and the third level had a large balcony, large enough for a group of ten or more to be on. A garden welcomed them along the path, flowers of each kind bordering the walkway. The house had a stain-glassed door, multicolored shards creating a picture of a large mastiff. A few dog figurines stood beside the doors, and some were lawn ornaments.
This was definitely the place.
"I don't know what I was suspecting, but this is definitely not it," Sam explained, stunned at how large and expensive-looking the house was. "Wolf lives here?"
"Mhmm. Richest man in Fabletown. That's most of the reason we can't catch him...he has 'people', 'contacts', that keep him safe from the law," she sighed.
"Hm…" Sam glanced up at the house. He was confident before, but he could feel the weight of doubt and second-guessing pulling him down.
"Well, lets not stand here all night. Let's go inside and arrest this guy," Dean commanded, pulling Sam from thought. He led the group up the steps and rang the bell, shifting nervously on his feet.
A woman in her late forties answered the door. "Yes?"
Dean showed his badge, as did Sam and Detective Gretel. "We're here to speak to Henry Wolf," Dean explained, "Is he here?"
"Um, Mr. Wolf is not seeing anyone at the moment…" she answered, her voice shaking, "You'll have to come back later-"
"-let them in, Esmeralda," a gruff voice boomed, causing her to jump.
Esmeralda stepped aside, visibly shaking, and let them enter.
Dean, Sam, and Detective Gretel walked past her and into the parlor, finding a large, unshaved man sitting on one of the many couches.
"Come in, come in. Please, take a seat," he smiled a toothy grin, patting the couch.
Dean and Sam cautiously made their way over as Detective Gretel stalled in the entranceway.
"Something the matter, Detective?" Wolf asked, cocking his head to the side and flashing her a big smile.
"No, not at all," she responded, making her way to the couch confidently and sitting next to Sam. She flattened out her skirt and squared her shoulders. "I'm guessing you know why we're here?"
Wolf smiled his wicked smile. "No, actually. What have I done this time?"
"Don't play dumb; it's your M.O.. You killed Red's grandma and Mr. Woodman." Detective Gretel glared at him. "Start telling the truth."
Wolf clenched his fist, "I am, Gretel, I am. I really, truly, don't know why you're here...Enlighten me."
"She just did," Dean pointed out, "We're here on behalf of the double homicide. Apparently, you've got quite a reputation regarding things like this."
"You're new. I've never seen you before," he eyed Dean suspiciously.
"Don't change the subject," Dean stared him down.
"Yes, apparently I've done quite a few criminal acts in this town. Apparently, I'm the most notorious one around...but just...apparently," he winked, pulling out a cigar. He lit it and pulled in a big drag. He let the smoke out through his mouth, watching the trio carefully. "I didn't do it, though. You've got the wrong man."
"Then where were you between the times of 10pm and midnight?" Sam asked. "If we have the wrong man, you'll have an alibi."
Wolf stayed silent.
"You dont have one, do you?" Dean smirked.
"Don't mean I killed'em. Could've been anyone," he glared.
"Then tell us where you were; provide a reliable alibi and we'll leave you alone," Sam demanded, his tone commanding.
"Leave. Now," Wolf growled.
"Once we get an alibi, sure, we'll leave," Gretel repeated.
"No, you're leaving now," Wolf stood, his figure stiff and angry.
Sam stood, moving in front of Gretel. "Now, lets just calm down…"
"Calm down?" Wolf laughed. "Calm down...you want me to calm down? How am I supposed to be calm when you barge into my house and accuse me of something I haven't done?"
"Technically, you invited us in...we didn't barge in," Dean pointed out.
Wolf snapped. He rushed toward Dean and grabbed the material of his jacket by his shoulders and hoisted him off the couch, throwing him against the wall and choking him with his forearm.
Dean struggled against the hold, his back pressed uncomfortably up against the wall and his toes barely touching the floor.
Sam pulled Wolf back by his shoulders, trying to yank him off of Dean. He pulled as hard as he could, but Wolf barely moved.
"Sam!" Dean croaked, the word strangled. He thrashed his hands about, but Wolf's arm stayed where it was, up against his throat, squeezing the life out of him.
Sam wrapped his arms around Wolf's throat, and with all the strength he could muster, pulled him back, causing them both to tumble to the ground. Sam landed on his back, Wolf falling onto him whilst being choked.
Wolf pried himself from Sam's choke-hold and flipped over, his fist colliding with Sam's jaw.
Dean slid to the ground, gasping in air. He lifted his head up just in time to see Wolf's fist collide with Sam's jaw for the second time, the action releasing a yelp of pain from Sam. He reached behind him and grasped the gun that had been tucked in between the material and his boxers. He pulled it out and got to his feet, raising the gun to Wolf's head. "Get off of him," he growled.
Wolf didn't hear him; he continued to punch Sam, each blow harder than the last.
Dean glared, feeling his strength refueling, "Hey, I said-"
A shot rang through the air, causing Dean to stumble backwards.
Wolf stopped, his fist pausing in the air. His eyes traveled down to his chest, coming to rest on a red stain, now spreading into a large circle on his shirt. He climbed off of Sam, clutching his abdomen. He looked at the familiar face holding the gun. "Esmeralda?"
Esmeralda was standing, her aim still trained on Wolf, her figure shaking more than before.
Wolf dropped to the ground beside Sam, his eyes closing.
Dean knelt down to Sam, who was sitting up and feeling his jaw for any injuries. "You alright, Sammy?"
Sam looked at his brother's bruised neck and then up at Esmeralda. "Yeah...yeah." He got to his feet, Dean helping him by pulling him up.
Detective Gretel snapped out of her shock and approached Esmeralda, slowly closing the distance. She held her small hands out in front of her to show that she wasn't going to hurt her, and pleaded with her. "Esmeralda? Esmeralda...Can you put down the gun down, sweetheart?"
Esmeralda's eyes glanced over at Detective Gretel and then down at the gun in her hands. "Oh...oh my God…" she dropped the weapon and stumbled backwards. "I...I...He was…" she stuttered, "I…I'm so sorry…" Her hands went up to her face and began to sob. "He was…he was hurting you...I didn't...I wasn't...I'm so sorry…"
Detective Gretel wrapped her in a hug, shushing her and rubbing her back soothingly. She looked at Dean and Sam, pity in her eyes. "I'm going to take you down to the station, okay? It's okay, Esmeralda...its okay…" she cooed to the woman sobbing into her blouse.
Dean and Sam looked down at the body.
Sam sighed, "Well, at least Red is safe…"
Dean rubbed his face. "Yeah…"
Detective Gretel sat Esmeralda on the couch and pulled out her phone, approaching the boys. "I'm going to call the station, see if I can get someone to clean this up. Then, we're going to take Esmeralda to the station and see if we can get her some help." She placed the phone to her ear and when someone answered, she read off her orders. She snapped her phone shut and looked over at Esmeralda. "Poor girl…"
Dean sighed, "Is she…?"
"Going to jail? She did just kill a man...but," she lowered her voice, "the law has been known to turn a blind eye on occasion."
Sam nodded, "We won't tell, we understand."
Detective Gretel sighed in relief. "I definitely did judge you two too soon. You Feds actually do have a heart." She walked over to Esmeralda and helped her up, placing a comforting arm around her shoulders. She led her out to their vehicle and put her in the back with Sam.
They drove off, the ride already proving to be a silent one.
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