Chapter 10

Angela decided to get an early start and the best thing to do would be to start with the girls who had been attacked. Though they had some idea what was going on, she wanted to be thorough. Besides it didn't help that she had a nagging feeling at the back of her head. It told her that there was something more to this. It was the same feeling she had in Massachusetts and it made her uneasy.

Years of experience taught her to trust her instincts and it worked out pretty good for her in the beginning and in the long run. Yet when Dean and Sam questioned her when she said the case was far from over when the hexing broad turned up dead, it made her wonder a few things. Maybe she didn't make a few things clear when she made her assertions. There was also the ugly little thought that they didn't trust her and she immediately pushed that aside. They trusted her with their lives and knew that she would ask their opinions and they would do the same. It was just a difficult and trying time especially with Crowley trying to make her break.

Ruby coming to her rescue was unexpected and while maybe welcome at the time, it was considered an annoyance. Ruby knew the score with their history and they didn't trust each other with a ten foot pole. It was really counterproductive but considering that she let the hell bitch within three feet of her boys… that was a moot point. She didn't like Ruby and didn't have a reason to trust her but she let her in because if there was one thing that she relied on it was the old adage of keeping your friends close but your enemies closer. So she watched Ruby and would work with her but she didn't trust the sincerity. She could only hope that the boys would see that even if she wasn't big on showing things.

So now she was paying a visit to the Valle family. It was hard going with the disguise but it was necessary since she did look too much like Elena except she was darker and she had a few more scars in places that were not easily seen but were like a bad memory. Yet she was a master at it and there was a lot people missed when you added a few things like a pair of eye glasses and changed your accent a little. Plus there was the fact that in the light of tragedy and scary events, the people you talk to didn't pay much attention to the face.

Sitting in the sitting room, she crossed her legs out of habit and because it produced a decent stabilizing surface to put her notebook on. She was surprised that the Valle family allowed her to talk to them and especially Ana in the first place considering that the circumstances were most unusual. She looked at Ana and asked, "So you were in the middle of dancing when the lights started to flicker?" God I sound like an investigative reporter. Too many years on the job.

Ana looked at the woman seated across from her and came to the conclusion that she may know something but wanted to hear her say it. It was like that thing in the journalism club at school and how to ask questions and take notes. Then again maybe cops learned the same thing. She replied, "Well no one noticed at first until the wind began to pick up. Then the lights started flickering."

"Was it a power thing? Did the power go out?"

"No. Papa is always meticulous with things around the house. He makes sure that nothing is broken or anything like that."

Angela made note of it. She figured a ghost presence did that and the girl had no reason to lie. "What happened next?"

"Well the lights flickered and the wind picked up. There was some crashing as things fell over and at one point a girl in a white dress appeared. There was blood on it but she looked dirty and grey. She said mi amor and disappeared. Then something swooped towards me."

Angela perked up. This was new. The ghost disappeared but that was hardly unusual. They sometimes did that when they were going to attack. More questions had to be asked. "Was it the girl in the dress?"

Ana looked at the woman and with a curious frown. She seemed really interested in knowing what happened. Ana had gotten a good look at the thing that attacked Papa and he still had scarring from that. The doctors said he had been lucky that he didn't suffer too much blood loss otherwise he would have died. She was grateful for that. Still it seemed that this 'detective' knew a few things. Was she following a serial killer or something like that? Here in Milagro? That seemed about as farfetched as it got. Still there didn't seem to be any harm in talking about it. The worst that could happen was public ridicule. She replied, "No. It was a man and dressed in black. He looked like he was crazy or something."

"So someone else crashed the party?"

"Yeah."

Angela studied the girl. She knew that with the glasses on she looked more of a nerd than a cop but it was working. The girl kept looking at her but more for reassurances that she believed her so her cover was safe for the moment. Right now it seemed that Ana saw both spirits but she was going to ask the questions anyway. "Can you describe him?"

"Aside from looking crazy, he had this wild look in his eyes. Like he was a predator or something. They were focused on me and they seemed to be ringed with red."

Angela had been making notes of the description. At the last part, her attention was caught up and she repeated, "Ringed with red?"

Ana looked and saw the serious expression on the woman's face. She must believe her or something and maybe what she said sounded familiar to her. She replied, "Yeah. The eyes were ringed with red. The teeth though were unusually sharp and pointy."

"All of them?"

"Yeah."

Angela thought about it for a moment. Something didn't seem quite right here and she needed a moment to think it out. However she needed the girl to finish her story so that things were made clear. She asked, "And that was when your father jumped in front of you?"

"He pushed me out of the way and they collided. There was a lot of blood everywhere. Papa was really lucky."

Angela scribbled in her notebook. She had her suspicions now and it seemed that she was in the middle of a mystery or sorts. There was little time left until tonight for the family dinner that they were invited to and then there was the actual quinceañera that would be held the next night on the fifteenth of the month. That seemed ominous in of itself and that was delving too deeply into numerology and other things.

Right now she had something that wasn't a ghost that was behind the attacks and the appearance of the spirit cast a thought that had her wondering if she was meant to sniff out the feats of injustice that existed… or hunt down crazies that got away with things. She said, "He probably was."

It was a flub on that since she hadn't seen any medical reports and the like. She wanted to see it but it was a matter of bringing it up without causing uproar. She asked, "Will he permit me to look at it or…?"

"Maybe he might," Ana replied. She slid off the couch to look for her father. That was a first since the doctors took a picture of the… whatever it was.

Angela didn't have long to wait since it seemed that the man of the house had been waiting for that particular question. He came out following his daughter and asked, "So you want to see what the bastard tried to do to my Ana?"

Angela stood up to greet the man and replied, "Interesting how you say that it was meant for Ana."

"He was heading towards her. Crazy bastard. Un diablo." Ricardo spoke firmly still angry that someone tried to hurt his Ana and it looked like he might have done the same to Rosita and Lupe. That though had to be answered at a different time.

Angela took in the response and agreed, "Understandable. It was an interesting choice of words Señor. I was curious if I could be permitted to see what the guy tried to do to Ana. It might help." She gave a slight smile that was designed to convey reassurance. Whether or not he bought it was another story but it had worked before so…

Ricardo looked at the woman who had come to his house. She had introduced herself as a federal agent. At first he had no idea why the federales were interested in what happened but then again they were after people that worked in a pattern or profile. Yet there was something about her that was reassuring; that she understood and knew things that couldn't really be explained. He replied, "Alright. If it will help your investigation."

"It will."

Ricardo nodded and motioned for Angela to follow him into a side room. There was no need for Ana to see this even if she was considered old enough. He motioned for his daughter to stay put. Once they were in the room, he undid the top buttons of his shirt to reveal the huge gash. He looked away while the federale did her inspection.

Angela knew that it was a modesty thing. She understood that completely. Taking advantage that Ricardo Valle's head was turned, she examined the gouge. She could make out the familiar distinct marks. She made a slight face and shook her head. She had some idea now what they were up against but she just couldn't figure out why now and the connection between the girl Maria Antonia showing up unless… She had to check in on the other girls. What happened to them would confirm her suspicions and that would mean a fairly good hunt but it could spell trouble. The rabid kind were much more dangerous than the normal kind.

Looking up at Ricardo, she pulled his shirt into place and said, "Thank you Señor. That will be all." She turned away to give the man a means of privacy as he adjusted his shirt. Her thoughts went on to what she had collected in information and tried to piece things together. At that moment though her stomach gurgled indicating that she needed to feed herself and she gave a slight face. Luckily no one could hear that.

She went to where Ana was waiting and said out loud, "Señor Valle, I thank you for your hospitality and your cooperation. Your information will help my investigation greatly."

"I hope it helps," Ana said as she escorted Angela to the door.

"It will," Angela replied. Once they were out at the door she turned to whisper, "Is there anything else? Something that would have triggered the guy to act that way? Trouble on a… personal level?"

Ana was surprised at the extra questions. She didn't even know how that was relevant to the investigation. Still she couldn't help but reply, "Nothing. I mean my boyfriend was trying to pressure me into… you know what and I almost gave in. It's a sin to do that."

Angela frowned slightly in thought. There was something to go on there. She looked at the girl Ana and nodded, "Thank you. That helps." She turned and started walking towards the truck she borrowed from the de la Vera family.

Ana frowned as she watched the woman walk towards her vehicle. That was the most unusual conversation that she had ever been a part of. What did her having boy troubles have to do with anything? She lingered at the door until her father came and asked, "Are you trying to let in the desert heat querida?"

Ana smiled, "No Papa."

Ricardo looked out the door at the truck driving away. "That one was a strange one but she knew what to ask and how to ask. The federales seem to have recruited exceptional agents."

Ana closed the door as they walked in. The woman was strange but Ana found that she rather liked her. She didn't understand her but she rather liked her. She replied, "I think they have Papa. I think she will figure out what happened and catch the man who did that to you. She did seem familiar though, like her face was familiar."

"I was under that impression too," Ricardo replied. "It doesn't matter though. I hope you are up to going to the dinner and see your godfather's family again?"

Ana smiled at the prospect of meeting the out of town family of the de la Vera family. She loved her godfather and she was best friends with Elena. However she was under the impression that Elena was hiding something but loved her all the same. Dinners were always fun. She replied, "Yes Papa. Thank you for calling the school to let me stay out."

Ricardo smiled at his daughter and gave her a hug. There were still chores to do at the ranch. However he too was glad to speak to his compadre again. The day was now a happy one and hopefully into a happy evening.

The diner was the best place to get a meal and beggars couldn't be choosers even if there was a substantial bankroll won by a six hundred dollar bet on three to one odds. Living on the road taught one to be frugal. Besides with the selection the menu offered… Angela was just glad to get something into her stomach. She couldn't even remember the last time she consciously ate something. It looked like Sam would be pestering her about her health again.

She took a sip of her coffee and studied her notes. With what Ana and Ricardo Valle supplied her, she had a pretty good idea what they were up against. However she wanted to talk to the other girls. It was going to be tricky since they were minors and they were still in the hospital. She called and they staff said that they would be released that evening. She could drop in after lunch and have a chat or ask the nursing staff. She chuckled at the prospect.

Dean said that nurses were the meanest thing to ever exist. He insisted that they were some sort of supernatural creatures. Of course that theory was bogus since he had a penchant for flirting with the pretty nurses. Angela had a private laugh since at one point he flirted with her and she was in a nurse's uniform at the time. It was one of those times before she officially and formally met the boys. She had a lot of stories that weren't in the journal that Sam had read. Those were in a separate journal; a spur of the moment thing she decided that the boys needed their own journal during their growing up years until they were introduced.

She still had it and at this point it was full. The scrapes those boys got into. If only Dean knew and he would have insisted that she get a medal for it. She had started writing in the one Sam had read again which had entries beginning from their first case all the way up till now. It was probably an erratic thing but the boys' growing up years were like a secret she aimed to hold onto. She did write her adventures with John in her current one and mentioned the boys. Story of her life; all from different views and for different reasons.

Angela smiled a bit as she finished the last bite and took a sip of the coffee. The coffee wasn't that bad. She shoved her plate aside and continued to study her notes even though they hadn't changed within the last twenty or so minutes. It was force of habit or something but she could do that for days and forget about eating if she really got into a case.

She heard the diner door open and then a familiar voice call out, "So you're actually taking a break for once Angie? I better tell Sam."

Angela turned to see Dean standing over her and smiling big. She teased, "You can tell my silly watchdog that. What are you doing here my little bull dog?"

Dean tried to pout but it was marred by the grin that showed. He knew Sam had become a watchdog with her lately. Not that he blamed the kid since she did nearly drown not too long ago but then again that started way back in Darby after he rescued her. He sat across from Angela and asked for a cup of coffee and replied, "You gonna keep calling me that?"

"Well you are a bull dog Dean. Bite something and you never let go," Angela replied. "Seriously though, I thought you and Sam were doing more research."

"Elena girl asked me to breakfast. Funny thing is she thinks Sam doesn't like her."

"Dean," Angela interrupted. If she had let him go off on the tangent they would never have gotten to the real answer. She figured Sam was uncomfortable being around the girl and maybe he said a few things meant for her ears and regretted it. That was something she would have to talk about eventually.

"Right," Dean paused and got back on track, "Anyway she asked me to breakfast and began telling me a few things about her friends. Apparently they all had some kind of trouble. Ana had boy trouble, Lupe was um… knocked up and Rosita was the dead girl's sister."

Angela listened to Dean's report. That was interesting. Of course she knew about Ana since she had been at the Valle place. Now she more curious than ever to verify a few things about their case. She replied, "I figured on Ana since I was just there but the other two were most interesting. Rosita I can't see a connection except through blood but the two girls were attacked from what seems to be a violation of the rules of morality for young ladies."

"Doesn't make much sense to me but then again you know more about this than I do," Dean replied.

"Well remember when I said that quinceañeras mark the rite of passage? Well with that come with certain rules as to how young ladies are supposed to act. One of the big things is something you wouldn't give a rat's ass about and that is sex before marriage," Angela explained. "Unfortunately it is part of the old way and that is full of bloody double standards."

"So you're saying things like having sex and getting knocked up are bad at least for girls who believe in this?"

"More or less," Angela replied. She glanced down at her notes and tapped the pad with her pen while her head rested her on her hand.

"So the spirit could be a warning, like a death omen."

Angela didn't reply at first. She was listening to Dean's assertion and her mind began turning the wheels. That would make much more sense with everything. If that were the case then the spirit knew who her attacker was and was trying to seek justice. "Maybe that's right."

"What's right?"

"I think the spirit may be a death omen."

"Okay so then the dead boyfriend is doing the attacks," Dean replied trying to narrow the suspects.

"Not exactly," Angela replied. She could see confusion forming on Dean's face and made to explain, "I think you are right in that the spirit may be a death omen… sort of like Mad Eye Garrison at Ellis, though I think that was more of an echo. Anyway I don't think we are looking for a spirit at all."

"What else is there?"

"A vampire."

Dean liked it when things were laid out straight in front of him and he could see the connections. How Angela came to the conclusion that it was a vampire was beyond him unless she got something from the Valle family. He asked, "Are you serious?"

Angela glanced to make sure that no one was eavesdropping. She leaned forward and replied, "Sure of it. Valle's neck had bite marks and the girl described the teeth accurately. The second set protruding from the gums."

"So one of those kind. Dammit but why?"

"That's what I'm trying to figure out. The girl described him as looking crazy but the eyes got me Dean. She said that they were red rimmed. I've never seen anything like it before but I have heard stories…"

"One of those things that you would eventually teach me and Sam about? Like you?" Dean studied Angela as she stared off into space to think. It was like she was wracking her brains for a memory or some sort of piece of information she may have tucked away. She was like a walking encyclopedia when it came to the supernatural though she would admit if she didn't know something about anything. He figured though she would at least know just about everything there was to know about vamps since she was half one herself.

"Something like that but I don't know. Do you think you can look that up? It might be worth something though if it is a vamp the usual methods would kill it."

Dean downed the last of his coffee and stood up to go, "But you want to make sure it is what it is. Gotcha Angie. I'll make Sam do it."

"I asked you Dean," Angela looked up with the look that she knew Dean would cave in to. "Do I have to play the little sister card?"

Dean couldn't help but laugh at that. Even if she was new to how she felt about him and Sam, she adapted well. He took the time to figure out that the running away had nothing to do with the fact that she thought that she failed him. Hell no, it had to do with the fact that she was afraid of hurting Sam. He was certain she was getting closer to figuring that out and it looked like he was going to win that bet with Bobby. He replied, "I see you slipped into the little sister role nicely Angie."

"Well a little bulldog kept playing the big brother card," Angela replied as she gave Dean a slight hug. "Just find out. I asked because I know you did some research on your own time about me and my kind and you probably came across this. Consider it one less thing for Sam to worry about since he is still obsessing over my double."

"You can't protect him forever you know," Dean replied, aware that he was repeating the same thing Sam said to him.

"Not trying to. I know he's confused about the double that probably reminds him of when we all were kid sized. I did mention the whole council thing to him but…" Angela studied the look on Dean's face unaware that he was marveling at her powers of perception and thinking that he was unsure if she was telling the truth or not. God knew that she gave a part of the truth to them at times and old habits were hard to break. "I'll talk to him about it."

"Do what you have to do Angie. I'll investigate this vamp thing," Dean replied. "You doing anything else?"

"Just checking up on the girls. If I am right then we are dealing with someone who probably has been protected by the de la Vera influence. Once that's done… I'll see you back at the ranch. Don't forget to feed Setna."

Dean muttered something about the fur ball as he left the diner. She seemed to be better about the whole deal thing but he got the sneaking suspicion that she was up to something. Maybe it wasn't clear in her mind yet but it was there.

Angela turned back to her coffee and notes. She didn't notice a new person that had entered when Dean had left. She didn't notice much and to be honest her guard was down so her 'super sniffer' (Dean's term mind you) wasn't on the alert. She only looked up when she heard a gentle voice say, "You seem new in town."

Her first response was, "I am."

A/N: Angie follows through with her investigation and comes to some interesting conclusions. A Dean and Angie moment and more to come on Mask of Milagro...