Chapter 10

The announcement was made and Angela wasn't seated in the stands. She was in the wings of the stage feeling that maybe something was afoot. She had been wandering around before the performance when Jay spotted her. She could tell that he was half in mind to not go on but he also didn't want to disappoint the audience. He asked her what she thought.

Angela knew that she probably should burn in hell for the suggestion that she gave but she was undercover. She was supposed to be the young magician who was into it but didn't believe that there was such a thing as real magic. The truth was there was such a thing and it could kill you bloody as Dean was fond of saying.

"Angela, I don't know. I mean those two tricks I did… I mean I haven't been able to slip a pair of cuffs in thirty years."

Angela studied Jay and noted the confusion on his face. He wasn't sure whether or not to believe Sam and Dean were telling the truth. Yet she knew what the position he was in. She had seen it and experienced it herself. Sometimes life did throw you a break. In her experience it was one in a blue moon though Dean would say that it was most likely never and she didn't blame him. Still she was willing to hope that there was some silver lining out there… it was just in this case there wasn't but she really couldn't tell him that.

Still he was expecting an answer and she gave it, "There is always that one chance that you do it. Sometimes the things we want to do like kill ourselves doesn't happen because… well there is the survival instinct and sometimes things just work the opposite of what you want. I don't know if it is God or anything like that but…" She gave a slight shrug of her shoulders.

Jay looked at her, "Do you believe that there is such a thing as real magic?"

If only you knew, Angela thought to herself. She knew that eventually he was going to find out but she had to keep up the pretense a little while longer. "I believe that there is such a thing as miraculous things happening. Most of the time it is luck where preparation meets opportunity; you prepare and then somewhere along the way the opportunity comes and Bob's your uncle." She looked at Jay and studied his expression. She gave a slight pensive frown to indicate that she wasn't quite sure of what he wanted from her. It was bogus since she knew what he was asking but…, "Is that what you were expecting?"

"Not really. It's just those two guys were insistent about it being all real," Jay muttered to himself. "I don't know. I mean Charlie said that I shouldn't throw this away. This is the first time I've had a sold out show in years."

"I don't know what to say. I think that maybe you have hit a strong point in your life after a time of failures. It does happen," Angela offered. It wasn't complete bullshit since she was speaking from experience both good and bad.

… It is interesting how often the lie is transected with the truth. In undercover work, the best covers usually revolve around how close to the truth you can get without giving your true self away…

Angela looked at the elderly magician. She could clearly tell that he was looking for answers and she did have the power to give them. The thing was that she also had a job to do and track down the one that was killing the other douche bags who had been essentially mean to Jay the past couple of days.

She was in two choices. She could fess up and say that she did believe the stuff was real and then do an actual demonstration. That was an option that usually was a direct explanation and more often than not it sent people running to the hills. She couldn't blame them since she ended up revealing who she was exactly and that was a bona fide circus freak with the ability to kill people if she wanted. Yeah that would win some points there.

The other option was to continue to play the role that she had put herself into by being the young protégé of sorts. She was a young and aspiring magician eager to learn something from the ones that came before and lived within that realm of respecting the greats and preferring the classics over the new age crap. If she looked closely, Angela knew that she had brought that upon herself since she had been playing with her cards since they started on this job.

What reason did she have for playing around with simple parlor tricks that entertained little kids at birthday parties? Hell she didn't bother to dress for the part of an FBI agent. She looked more like one of those journalists that went where the story was or just like every other Joe that was wandering about that town. She left the usual work to Sam and Dean and they did well as always while she just sat back and had fun.

Maybe she was right in her earlier assertion that the town was fucking with her. She was well aware that she was doing things like she was on drugs or something. She was certain that the boys knew something was up. Hell the elephant in that room of a discussion was the fact that they had lost Hibah… well technically she went home but it felt like a loss all the same. The sad thing was that they all knew it was coming and yet…

Maybe this was a weird coping mechanism but Angela had her full attention on the job. That was the kicker. She could spend time doing that psychoanalysis crap that Dean said was a waste of time and money. She had the advice for free over the years. Maybe she just wanted to go to a place where it was once all innocent fun. Certainly turning pickpocketing into a spectacle was innocent and amusing as well as what she could do with cards and she could pull off a major escape if necessary. Maybe the question was whether or not she believed in the innocent form of magic.

Looking at Jay, Angela added, "Look there are crazies out there but I know that you're here. You are one of the greats. Let's show them what you're made of." She gave a smile of encouragement.

Jay smiled in return, "Alright. Can you be in my corner tonight?"

"Always," Angela replied as Jay directed her to stand backstage to watch.

… Sometimes the lie becomes intermingled with reality to the point that they are one and the same. Truth and fiction are held on the same plan the more the cover or the story is told in each successive telling coupled with actions. In the end, the boundaries fade and the lie becomes the truth…

Angela stood backstage with Charlie as Jay was announced. She glanced at the crowd for any sign of Liam. She couldn't really see since the stage lighting made it difficult at times but she could tell that it was a full house. She looked back at the stage and saw Jay announcing his trick Table of Death.

"You don't think he could do it can you?"

Angela looked at Charlie. She realized that she must have been giving a worried expression. "It's my worried look. I get it even when I help with Smith and Wesson in their act. And they are the escape artists."

"What do you think though?"

"I think that it is possible. One has to know what they are doing," Angela replied. "And not to forget to make a grand show of it." She looked at Charlie and asked, "Why do you ask? Did Jay say something?"

"Just that you seemed to hide," Charlie replied as if he weren't sure what to call it. "I know you're pretty good and you know the business but it's like… I can't quite put my finger on it."

Angela saw that she might be in a bit of hot water. She replied, "I get that a lot. Some of those new age people think I brim with positive energy or something like that. Sometimes I just look off especially when I am giving my full attention to something."

Charlie gave a slight nod as they both walked onto the stage. Angela waited while Charlie strapped Jay to the table and checked the bindings. They were on there pretty tight. She grew concerned about the ability to slip them. She knew she could and that was with a little bit of help with her mojo or plain skill. She had gotten out of worse places than that. This was pretty extreme.

"As you can see these are really. Very tight," Jay was saying.

"I can see that," Angela murmured as she finished.

"That you young lady, you may take your seat," Jay replied after giving a slight nod.

Angela walked to the side of the stage and stayed in the wings. She watched as Charlie closed the curtains and noticed Vernon watching the show. Charlie lit the firecracker that would start the countdown for the clock. She narrowed her eyes slightly when she noticed Charlie moving offstage but in a different direction. She couldn't follow as she was stuck watching the silhouette of Jay struggling to slip the bindings.

The fire burnt through the ropes and Angela watched the blades come down. At the same time, she muttered the incantation Sherlock advised her to use first. The theatre was pitch black and no one was paying attention otherwise they would have seen her eyes glow. Suddenly Jay pulls back the curtain looking fine.

It was as she feared and knew deep down. There was something going on that was making Jay able to do that feat. The source though… She looked at Vernon and he was still in his seat. Then there was a scream and she followed it along with Jay to the source. She didn't have to look at Jay to know that he had received the equivalent to a punch in the gut.

On the floor was Charlie. She could see blood and they were coming from stab wounds. She edged forward slightly to get a better look and her eyes scanned for anything related to the body. She couldn't really pad the body down since she wasn't a cop and that would just look bad anyway. She could detect the faintest hints of mojo that had been worked and silently gave another point to Sherlock since he said she had to make sure first before accusations. She taught him that one.

Looking at Jay, she could see the look of pain on his face at his best friend lying there dead. "Charlie," he murmured in a pained tone.

Angela glanced at Vernon who joined them. This was going to be difficult. She caught Liam lurking around and made a slight motion for him to stay away. She could tell though that he had something. She offered a hug to Jay and it was accepted whole heartedly.

Normally Angela didn't do the hugging unless she was familiar and comfortable with the person. Yet given that she had done this undercover stuff before and she had to actually lie about feelings… it wasn't too much of a big deal to return the affection. Besides she genuinely did like Jay and she could understand his pain. "I'm sorry," was all that she could say.

… Sometimes the lie becomes reality. Yet it always sucks when bad things happen anyway even if you learn to anticipate them. Then you have to lie with your reactions. So in the end it all feels like one big fat lie.

There is one thing that doesn't lie. That is how you feel. It is the only thing aside from figuring things out for yourself that is the only true freedom anyone has. I know I am one who believes in the power of choice and the lies I've had to use… my choice but it doesn't make it hurt any less…

"I need you to help me," Jay said after he released Angela.

Angela studied Jay and noted a change in his demeanor. This might be the chance to open up. "Anything."

"Can you…"

"Go on a little faith? I can do that. What do you have in mind?"

… It certainly is a bit of a circus considering now that I might have to keep playing the person that I adopted when we started this case. I know that it will be frustrating for the boys since they can't address me like they normally would. Playing the con aka the lie sucks big time. It does every time I have to play a cover other than my usual.

Jay dropped the charges on the boys. That was a good thing since I know that Dean is agitated just being behind bars and Sam… I am not sure what to think about that. Sam has always been a deep thinker when given the chance and I believe he has thought quite a bit about Ruby and what she said and maybe a few things about this case.

Bobby once said that we think alike. I personally find that ridiculous since there are things that we definitely don't agree on. I'm pragmatic… at least I think so but I am also a bleeding heart. Sam is just Sam. He is the one that is more caring than me. That I am sure of it. Sam is the gentle one and no doubt he does have a heart of a lion and yes I am using that old cliché but it fits.

Sam has always been the one to look at the emotional side of things and willing to share. Dean is the opposite. Yeah he will share things but only after it nearly consumes him or he knows that to share is his only option and he suffers through chick flick moments. I know this because I've seen it and I hope that he will be able to come to me and eventually learn to deal on his own but in a positive way.

At the moment though with the problem of this death transference thing… I feel like something ominous will be telling in the events that follow. Now that the boys know I was right in that it wasn't Jay and Charlie is dead… there is only Vernon. The thing is, I never got anything off of Vernon. No vibes, no nothing. Perhaps my ability to 'sniff out' the supernatural is failing me.

Sherlock, the old biddy, made it clear that I am out of practice. He usually makes it a point to point out my shortcomings. The geek knows more than I do and I'm older than he is. I digress though. Just the fact that I know something is there but I can't pinpoint means that I am either failing or I am not strong enough, or that is enough to rattle me considering that Ruby has hounded me about being strong enough to face the coming storm. The question that does plague me from time to time ever since I came home is if I am strong enough to do what is expected of me.

As of now… I don't know. I can't tell if it was Charlie or Vernon or even Charlie and Vernon together. I am at a loss and I hope I can gain some perspective on this. I don't know…

Standing there in the motel facing the boys, it almost felt like it was being interrogated. It sort of brought memories of the inquisition that she was a part of. It was an interesting time period since it was in the days of converting the native heathens to civilization in the 1600s. She was one that was actually being interrogated under the suspicion that she might be a demon. The very idea had made her want to laugh at the time.

It felt the same now there only this time she was being interrogated by the silent looks mostly shooting from Dean. Sam was more subdued in his query but she could see the hint of annoyance. It was obvious that Liam decided to goad him a little when he went to check on the bail and to fill them in. She should have known since Liam was a lot like Sacha in that he loved picking out the pressure points and then giving a little squeeze. It was in his nature to do so.

Sam though was pretty composed as he said, "Jay, thanks for dropping the charges."

"You mind telling us why you did?" Dean added his two cents while casting a look at Angela. He didn't get much since she was standing beside Jay and hence was still in her cover so to speak. Well this was going to be easy.

"We have to talk," Jay said.

The conversation found them at the bar and Jay went on to describe what happened in the show. It was supported by a confirmation from Angela and she didn't need to be psychic or use her mind thing to figure out that Liam filled them in with what he could. She played with the thin red straw that was in her ice water. As much as she would have liked to have a drink, she still had to appear normal and alcohol did slow her senses down a little. If there was a problem, she didn't need the aggravation of not being quick enough.

Jay took a sip of the drink he ordered as he was saying, "I was just a kid when we first met. All I knew was how to cheat at cards - Charlie got me out of more scrapes than I can count. Hell, I would've been dead by the age of twenty if it hadn't been for him. He was more than my friend, he was my brother." He then looked at Angela, "You on the other hand seem to know finer points aside from cheating at cards."

"I've worked the cards all my life," Angela supplied in a quiet voice.

Sam looked at her and then at Jay. He knew that she was there to help their case and in the role she… fell into and she was good at it. He had to admit that Dean was right in that she could make a lie sound like the truth if she had to. "I'm sorry Jay."

"Look, I should've listened to you guys when you told me that my show was killing people," Jay interrupted.

"Well it's not like you pulled the trigger," Dean offered.

"Well someone did," Jay replied. He looked at the three pairs of eyes looking at him. "I wanna find out who did this to Charlie. So I'll do whatever you guys say, just tell me what to do." He wanted to find out who did this. Charlie was his best friend after all and he had been there for him for a long time. Looking at Angela and then the boys, it was like they could relate.

He also picked up something that he missed the last time. It was more of a feeling and a few looks shot by the taller of the two boys towards Angela. He could tell that the taller one had a thing for her and either he was trying to hide it or he didn't know. He also had the feeling that they knew each other but it was just a feeling. She was focused on the situation at hand but he could see that she was aware of the taller one's gaze.

Angela was tempted to say something at the moment but she wasn't sure of what to say. She could understand the feeling. She knew that feeling of revenge very well. In the back recesses of her mind, deep down, she wanted revenge against the demons that tormented her boys and her. She was last on the list to garner revenge but the desire was there.

Sam noticed that the silence could become awkward since Jay seemed to be studying Angela. He had the feeling that Jay may have guessed the truth about her. He took the conversation back on track, "Jay, whoever's doing this, they like you. They're probably close to you. Did Charlie and Vernon get along?"

Jay thought about it for a moment after noticing that Angela was studying him and listening to every word. "No, no. It's not Vernon."

Angela studied Jay and thought about it. She wondered if it was Vernon but her gut was telling her that it wasn't. In fact it had been screaming at her that it was Charlie. Now that she ahd some time to think in the turmoil, it was still screaming at her that it was Charlie. She listened and thought about it while Sam said, "Charlie and Vernon were your family, Jay."

"He's the only one that makes sense. And now Charlie's gone," Dean added feeling a bit awkward about the whole thing.

"Maybe but maybe not," Angela finally said, taking the opening that was there. When the three men looked at her, she continued, "Here's the thing about family, the loyalty factor. It usually works when you have people who are really close knit; maybe they worked together most of their lives and developed close bonds." It was flakey but made a point… sort of.

"She's right," Jay answered. "They butted heads sometimes but they could never do that to each other."

"I know that Smith and Wesson, the company I roll with occasionally had an argument here and there but they never went at it to kill each other. They would do anything for each other." Angela looked at the three men as she made her point. She could tell that Sam was thoughtful about it and Dean was sort of considering her words. He was just more stubborn about admitting things.

Jay looked at Angela. It was like she understood his relationship with Charlie and Vernon. They had been together their whole lives and yeah they had their bickering moments but they were bound together. The way she said it, it was like she was a part of that group too but she didn't seem to consider herself a part of it. That was strange to him since he couldn't imagine anyone not liking someone like her. Heck the tall one, Sam looked at her like he wanted to kiss her and talk to her but couldn't decide which one to do. "She's right. Vernon could never do something like this."

Dean heard what Angela was saying. If he had to venture a guess, she was saying that Vernon wasn't the one that they were after. Yet the Charlie guy was dead and that narrowed the scope of suspects. "See the thing about real magic is that it's a whole lot like crack."

"People do surprising things once they get a taste of it," Sam finished. He couldn't even look at Angela when he said that. It wasn't that he thought she would go dark side. He believed she was a good person. It just… felt wrong to say it in front of her.

Angela saw the way Sam said that. She knew he wasn't thinking about her misusing her abilities. They had this discussion before but it was a sticking point in many things. She said, "But it does boil down to choice. People can touch the stuff but it does come down to how they use it."

"What are you talking that Spiderman thing about great power?" Dean shot a look at Angela. It was not really the time to be talking about those shades of grey that seemed to get them into trouble quite a bit.

"Just making a point," Angela replied calmly. She looked Dean in the eye, Dean, I am sure that it's not Vernon. It's Charlie. I can't explain it but… it's like your famous gut.

Dean heard Angela's voice in his head and the urge to freak out was great. He resisted though and listened to what she was saying. It was freaky but it didn't hurt like when Andy sent him those images. It was like listening to her talk but she wasn't moving her mouth. He had a brief and amusing thought go through.

Ah don't go there Dean. If Sam isn't speaking of it then neither am I.

You have to ruin the fun don't you. Out loud Dean said, "Well in this case, there is one suspect left and I'm sorry Jay."

Jay shook his head at the idea that Vernon may be behind this. It was inconceivable to think that he would be capable of it. He looked at Angela and then at the boys. "Well you better be damn sure about this. Vernon's all I got left."

"We just have to confront him and get him to stop," Angela replied as if it were a simple thing.

Sam and Dean looked at each other. It was tempting to counter that simple statement but they didn't. Dean did manage to say, "Okay let's come up with a plan."

A/N: Looks like Charlie is dead and Jay is considering that Sam and Dean are telling the truth and Angie is still on the case in her role. What is the plan? Stay tuned for more Do You Believe in Magic?...