4

Ben had been able to get a leave of absence when he spoke to Sarge about his search for his father. Sarge was more than accommodating when Ben revealed he had a solid lead on him. Of course he may have left out the part that his father was a two-time FBI most wanted member.

Ben had poured over the files and papers that Amber had given him for days. He finally decided he should talk to two of the policemen mentioned. Something about the one case just nagged at him and the other had their name mentioned in various reports but nothing solid.

The first one he spoke to was a Detective Diana Ballard out of Baltimore. She had since retired, so it took a bit of time on the phone to track her down. Ben decided to be upfront and honest with these cops. He came right out and told her of his search and that it led to Dean Winchester. He also told her that there were some spots in her reports from her time with Dean that led him to question it. He said he just wanted the truth and her honest opinions. He understood they were wanted for murder and that Dean wasn't spotless. He just needed to know anything she could tell him.

Apparently, it pays to be honest. She told him this crazy story of a justice seeking ghost and that the boys, as she referred to them, weren't guilty of any crime as far as she was concerned. They were actually in town investigating the same murders they had been arrested for. They ended up helping with the ghost and finding the true murderer. She felt they had been misunderstood the whole time. "How does one defend the helpless and kill the things that go bump in the night without coming across as a murdering crack pot?" she had said. Sadly she had no idea if they were even alive or dead or how to find out. I thanked her for her time and hung up.

A ghost? She really sounded like she believed it all. I guess I never really put much thought into anything supernatural in nature. In my line of work, there was enough horror, that I didn't need to make any more of it up. Ghost stories aside, she really felt like Dean, and his brother Sam, were good guys. The first and only ray of hope to this Dean guy's character.

Next up on my call list was a Sheriff Jody Mills out of South Dakota. She never makes reference to Dean or Sam by name, but she has had several odd reports over the years, some of which coincide with sightings of either 'the boys' or their car. The car they drove was quite easily identifiable and was always on the back burner for police departments to keep an eye out for. A '67 Chevy Impala, 4 door, black. It also appeared in my dreams and I'm beginning to wonder how fictional my dreams really are.

Again I started my conversation with the honest truth. She immediately told me everything she knew. In fact, when I introduced myself, she almost sounded like she already knew my name. She had had several occasions where she worked with Dean. And, like Detective Ballard, she told fantastical stories of zombies, creatures she called leviathans, demons, and even a roman goddess! I'm beginning to gather that Dean and his brother traveled all over the country hunting...well...things! If it weren't for the content of some of my dreams, that may actually be memories, I would have tossed her comments out without another thought. But two good cops, both telling these crazy tales? I guess I would have to try to keep an open mind.

Sheriff Mills was eager to try to help and even told me both brothers were very much alive! I couldn't believe my ears! She wasn't sure where they were at the moment, but knew of someone who usually had their ear to the ground, so to speak, that may be able to help. And with that phone call, I was off on the road. It all seemed so surreal! I might just actually meet my father! I had to keep in mind, though, that he probably doesn't want anything to do with me. One would think he would have looked me up by now, if he did. He may not even know I exist, but my dreams tell me different. Now I was just outside Grantsburg, Wisconsin, about to meet a man named Garth.

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The house was a farm house on a secluded road, outside of town. When I pulled in on my bike, I got the feeling I was being watched. It made my skin crawl. As I took off my helmet and looked around, I noticed a few guys out by a barn just staring at me. They must not get many visitors out here. I settled my helmet on the seat of my bike and made my way to the house. Just as I was about to knock, the door flew open and a scrawny guy threw himself at me. He gave me a big hug and said, "You must be Dean's son!"

I can best describe this guy as Ichabod Crane. He would play the role perfectly if the chance ever arose. He grabbed me by the shoulder and ushered me into the house.

"Bess, honey cakes! Come here! Dean's boy is here!" He calls into the house. He introduces himself as Garth with a firm handshake while we await 'Bess'. A blond woman comes in and is all smiles. She reaches for my hand and gives it a gentle but firm shake.

"You must be Ben. What a pleasure! Are you thirsty? Would you like some lemonade, I just made a batch."

"That would be nice, thank you, ma'am."

"Well he certainly didn't get his manners from his old man!" She laughs and leaves to get drinks.

Garth leads me into a sitting area and offers me a seat on a couch. "So, that an Indian you rode in on?"

I'm impressed, most people don't recognize it. "Yeah, it's a 1950 Indian Chief I've been restoring. This is the first big trip I've had her on. She purrs like a kitten. Guess I have a thing for the classics."

Garth chuckled. "You and Dean both. He's still driving around that old Impala. The thing must cost him a fortune in gas alone, not to mention the upkeep."

Bess came in with some lemonade and then quietly left us alone again.

"Listen, anything you could tell me about my father, I would greatly appreciate it."

"Oh, that's no problem! If I had more time, I could regale you with story upon story. Oh, your dad!" He sighs and chuckles to himself. "Sadly, I have a town board meeting to attend in about fifteen minutes, but I'll tell you the important stuff. First, be warned, your dad can get pretty ornery, but he is a teddy bear at heart. Keep that in mind and you'll be fine."

"So, I happen to know that they just finished a job out in Pennsylvania. A nasty vengeful spirit. But your dad is probably the best hunter alive! Course, a year fighting for your life in Purgatory will hone anyone's fighting skills pretty good, I should say! So, anyway..."

"Wait! WAIT! Purgatory? You're joking right? Is that the name of some military boot camp or something?" I'm really trying to keep an open mind, but seriously? Come on! The guy had to be messing with me.

"Oh no. Purgatory as in The Purgatory! You name it, your dad has been there. Heaven? Been there. Hell? Been there. Purgatory? Been there and got the tee shirt! All I'm saying is, he's the best hunter I've ever had the pleasure to know."

He had a big, silly grin on his face. What am I to make of all this? Maybe just change the direction of the conversation...

"So, doubt you'll know, but...do you know why he never came looking for me? I mean, did he even know I existed?"

"Well...I think that's really a question for him to answer. I have my suspicions, but I will leave it to him. I will say, though, that if the man considers you family, he would, and has as a matter of fact, move Heaven and Hell to protect you. His loyalty knows no bounds. Possibly to a fault...anyhoo...anything else I can tell you before I give them a call?" He says this as he pulls out a cell phone from his pocket.

Anything I may have wanted to ask just blew out of my head like autumn leaves caught in a whirlwind. Call them? I wasn't expecting that.

"I...uh...call them?" I stammered.

"Well sure! How else will you know where to go to meet up with them? Silly goose!"

"I … wow! I wasn't expecting...okay. If you call them, please don't use my name or that I'm Dean's son or anything. I'm afraid if they knew who I was and what I was up to, they wouldn't want to see me."

"Oh, don't be silly! You're family!" Garth studied the panicked look on my face for a moment. "Okay, fine, it'll be a big surprise, then."

Garth stood up with his phone. I found it comical that people tend to stand and even walk around while talking on the phone. I'm sure there's some pyschological thing behind it. Garth thumbed his phone a few times and held it up to his ear and started pacing back and forth in front of the couch.

"Sam! It's Garth! Heard about the vengeful spirit. Great work as always!...Oh, you know us! Bess is just fine and so are the twins! Uh-huh...yeah." Garth went on for a bit, catching up with Sam. I felt like an intruder on their conversation and, although I tried to tune out the personal comments, I found myself way too intrigued to do so.

Garth turned away a bit and spoke quieter, but I could still hear him. "Well, when they're born into it, the first change isn't usually until after their 16th birthday, so a couple years yet. Well, we've been building up the goat herd quite a bit in the last year or two, so we'll be ready. Uh-huh...yeah. So, where are you two now?"

At this Garth turned back toward me, giving me a thumbs up. Even though I was trying to figure out what the heck he had been talking about, when he had asked where they were, I zeroed in on him and all other thoughts were lost.

"Upstate New York? What's going on up there? I haven't heard anything...Grave robberies...uh-huh...uh-huh...yeah, I would say it definitely sounds like ghouls. You guys be careful and remember they could be anyone. Hey, before you go...I have someone here who has been trying to get into contact with you two for ages. He really needs to meet you guys. Yeah, I know. Where in New York are you, so I can tell him where to go? No, no, he's not a job and I guarantee he won't get in your way. Uh-huh...Sunsetview? Yeah...great! Okay I'll let him know. No, I'm sure he'll be able to find you. Okay, great! Thanks and you two take care of yourselves!"

Garth hung up and smiled at me. I have to admit, his smile was infectious.

"So, I'm sorry to cut this meeting short, but I have to get going, here, pretty soon. The boys are on their way to a small town called Sunsetview, NY. Up by Lake Ontario. They don't know where they're staying yet, but I'm sure you'll be able to find them. Just look for that car of theirs. Well, you're a cop, I'm sure you can handle it!"

"Thank you so much. You have no idea what this means to me." I stood up and held my hand out to shake his in thanks. Instead, he just grabbed me into another hug. This guy was a hugger!

"It was no problem! I think Dean would benefit greatly by having some more family in his life. Remember not to let his short fuse get the best of you. Stand up for yourself and you'll be fine."

He gave me another hug and led me to the door.

"Thanks again." I called as I got settled onto my motorcycle. Guess I'm heading to Sunsetview, NY.