Hi guys! Sorry it took so long to get this up, things have been more than slightly hectic here and I just didn't have a chance... once again sorry :( I hope the chapter makes up for the long wait. Read, enjoy and review! Thanks! :)
Frank was driving around the town of Castle, Kansas, about twenty minutes away from Lawrence. Originally he was planning on staying in Lawrence, out of plain view and was just going to wait for the right time when he'd decided that the little shit wasn't worth going to jail for and drove off. He'd come back after things cooled down and retrieve what rightfully belonged to him.
"Alright, let's try this one." Mike said as he helped Sam with a math problem.
"Three x minus two equals four." Sam read as he jotted it down in his notebook.
"What do you do first?" Mike asked.
"Um…" Sam chewed on the end of his pencil for a minute. "You subtract the two?"
"Close but not quite." Mike replied. "You were right as far as doing something with the two, but if there's a subtraction sign in front of it then what do you do to it?"
"God, I'm such an idiot." Sam sighed as he added the two to both sides.
"No you're not." Mike corrected. "Sam, listen to me, you've got to allow yourself some leeway here. Nobody gets it right one hundred percent of the time, its okay to make mistakes."
Sam nodded.
"Kay, what's next?" Mike asked.
"You divide by three." Sam answered.
"And what do you get?" He asked smiling, this problem had been the quickest one yet. Sam was making progress.
"Two!" Sam exclaimed with a smile.
"Good job." Mike congratulated. "Alright now, I don't know about you but I'm about to die of starvation so let's see if the cook in this house will be nice and feed us." He shouted with a grin.
Dean stepped out of the kitchen and shook his head. "You've got your own house, go raid your own fridge!"
"And here, I thought you loved me." Mike feigned hurt.
"What the hell ever gave you that idea?" Dean grinned.
Sam laughed a little, enjoying watching Dean and Mike banter with each other.
Their banter was interrupted by the sound of the phone ringing. Dean walked over to the counter and picked it up. "Hello?" He asked.
"Dean, its Officer Sharpe." The man on the other end of the line said.
"Oh hi, what's up?" He asked walking down the hall.
"It's Frank." Officer Sharpe replied.
Sam watched Dean disappear down the hall and swallowed nervously. Dean only left if it was something about Frank and he was anxious to hear what Dean was being told. "C'mon, let's see if you guys have got anything decent." Mike replied, trying to distract Sam.
"What about Frank?" Dean asked. "Did you catch him?"
"No, we didn't. It's the opposite actually. We think he may have skipped town and we need help." Officer Sharpe explained.
"What?" Dean asked confused. "You guys already talked to Sam, what more could he know?"
"We don't need Sam's help. We'd like to release a statement to the media, get the public in on this." He answered.
"No, I can't do that to him." Dean replied protectively.
"Dean, I promise you that we'll keep Sam's name confidential. Nobody will know it's him." He said hoping to convince Dean that it would be in Sam's best interest and that he could be trusted.
"You promise?" Dean asked.
"Cross my heart." Officer Sharpe replied.
Dean was reluctant, he didn't want anyone else to be able to hurt the kid but he knew that as long as Frank was still free, Sam wasn't safe. He was about to say yes when he remembered what he'd found out. "Um, I…. I found something out." Dean said after a few minutes.
"Dean, what?" Officer Sharpe asked, hoping it would be a lead to Frank's whereabouts though he knew that if Dean knew where the bastard was hiding, the man would have died a long time ago and all he would have to do would be to scrape the remains off the floor.
"Frank sold Sam, he'd let other people use Sam if they paid him." Dean said sadly.
Officer Sharpe clenched his fist. "Dean, I promise you this guy is going down. We'll get him."
"I want a piece of him too." Dean replied. "When were you planning on releasing it?"
"Tomorrow evening." Officer Sharpe answered. "So, yes or no?"
Dean nodded. "Fine, do it."
"I promise I won't let you down." He replied.
"You better not." Dean responded somewhat angrily, he had no idea how he was going to explain Frank's face on the TV and the public's newfound knowledge to Sam. So far, he'd gotten lucky and Sam hadn't spotted any other posters. "You guys better have left me something." Dean mumbled walking back into the kitchen.
"Yeah, we made these." Sam said holding up his plate full of quesadillas.
"Any left?" Dean asked.
"You're plates over there." Sam pointed to the counter and took another bite of his own.
"Thanks." Dean said picking up the tin foil covered plate and sitting heavily at the kitchen table.
"Everything alright?" Mike asked concerned. He could see the worry lines on Dean's face.
Dean shook his head no and pushed his plate away, not at all hungry. "Sammy, I want you to listen to me okay."
Sam put his half-eaten quesadilla down and nodded.
"That was Officer Sharpe on the phone. The police are going to release a statement tomorrow about Frank." Dean explained. "So that way people can be on the look out and maybe they can catch him sooner."
"Am I going to be…?" Sam asked fearfully.
"No, you're not. They're not going to give any details out about you okay." Dean answered.
Sam was quiet and Dean looked over at Mike.
"He did a real good job today." Mike encouraged.
"Never had any doubts." Dean knew Sam was a smart kid; he just needed to be given half a chance.
Sam ignored both of their attempts to make him feel better. He feared that his well-kept secret was about to become widespread common knowledge.
"Alright, well I guess I better get going. Sam, you know what you're homework is and don't stress too much about the essay, just do what you can." Mike explained grabbing jacket.
Sam nodded.
"I'll see you guys later." Mike said walking out the front door.
The next day after work Dean was standing in the living room with the news on. It was about the time when Officer Sharpe said they were going to release a statement and he wanted to see it to make sure that the man kept his promise and Sam's secret stayed exactly that.
"… our next story is a bit disturbing so we urge you to remove young children from the room." The news anchor started. "Police say this man, Frank Towers, sexually and physically abused a young boy for several years before he managed to escape a few weeks ago. Frank has been on the run ever since and the police believe he may be in the area or surrounding cities. If you know or see him, the police urge you to call their tip line at (201) 458-9763, it is anonymous and there is a reward for this man's capture. Frank is believed to be armed and dangerous and police strongly caution against approaching him."
On the TV screen was the sketch of Frank that Jake had done and Dean thought that it looked very realistic. He hoped for Sam's sake that they caught the bastard soon thinking that maybe if Sam knew Frank was no longer a free man, he might sleep and generally feel better. Dean had recently spoken with administrators at the local high school and they'd decided that if at all possible, they might try to get Sam ready to start school at the beginning of the second semester but Dean knew that would not be happening if Frank was still a threat.
Dean turned around to see Sam standing behind the couch and offered him a supportive smile. "We'll catch him Sam, don't you worry." He reassured.
Sam nodded before walking to his room. He wanted to believe Dean but if Frank could get away with it for four years then surely he could evade the cops now.
The phone rang and Dean walked over to the counter to pick it up. "Hello?" He asked.
"Dean, its Linda. I saw the report, how's Sam doing?" She asked.
"He has his moments. The adjusting is hard but he's getting used to it, we both are. He's going to therapy like we talked about. I don't know what he thinks about it. He won't tell me which I guess is fine." Dean explained. "Everything in his own time right?"
"That's exactly right. We have to let him set the pace of things." She nodded. "The therapy has the potential to being very beneficial and as long as he's willing to try, it's a good sign." She replied. "How's the tutoring coming, I heard he might start school in a few months. Do you think he's ready or will be ready?"
"Right now that's more of a 'let's see what happens' kind of thing so no, I don't know how or if that will actually happen." Dean answered.
"Alright, well I just wanted to check in and see how the two of you were doing. You know if either of you need anything, you can call me, day or night." She said.
Dean nodded. "Yeah, you've been a big help, thanks a lot." He said sincerely.
"It's no problem. Take care, bye." She hung up.
Dean hung up as well.
Frank parked the car by the curb and got out, grabbing the dog leash from the backseat of his Cadillac. Trying to put on a worried and yet friendly face, he approached the ten year old sitting in the grass. "Hi there." He said with a smile.
The boy looked up but ignored Frank continuing to read his book.
Okay, kid's a non-responsive brat Frank thought. "I was wondering if you saw my puppy. She's a little border collie, real friendly. Her name's Bella."
The boy shook his head. "The only dog I saw was on a leash and it was a poodle."
Frank smiled. "Didn't your parents teach you not to talk to strangers?" Frank asked as he made a move to grab the boys arm.
"Daddy! Daddy!" The boy yelled as he kicked Frank in the jewels. "Help!"
Officer Sharpe turned around when he heard his son, Kyle, yell for him. He saw Kyle running toward him and a man lying on the ground, moaning. "You okay Kyle, what happened?" He asked his obviously frightened son.
"He… he grabbed me." Kyle said shaking.
"Okay I want you to go over to mommy." Officer Sharpe ordered before making his way to the man. "Stay on the ground and don't move." He drew his gun. He was having a picnic with his wife and kids after getting off work just a few minutes ago. He hadn't had time to go home and change out of his uniform, now grateful for that fact.
Frank was trying to reign in the pain from the kids kick. If he could just flip onto his back, take this guy down, he could still get away.
Making sure the man's hands were secure, Officer Sharpe flipped him onto his stomach, relieved and also horrified when he saw who it was. Holy shit! He thought. "I've been looking for you for a while." He ground out through clenched teeth.
"Too bad I didn't get your kid, he looks like he would have been a fun one." Frank smirked.
Officer Sharpe could feel his anger rising. No one threatened his family and got away with it. "You know where you're going they don't like people like you. I suggest you watch your back." He pulled out the extra set of handcuffs and cuffed Frank's feet together as well before leading him to his car. Locking him in the SUV, he quickly told his wife where he was going and what had happened and then drove to the police station.
Once he'd handed Frank off to another officer, he went to his desk and picked up the phone.
Sean and Dean had been working on fixing the bent rear axle of a crashed Explorer when the phone rang. Sean wiped his hands on a grease rag. "I'll get it." He made his way to the front office, smiling at Sam as he passed him in Dean's office and picked up the phone. "Winchester's Repair Shop?" He said.
"Is Dean there, this is Officer Sharpe. I need to talk to him." Officer Sharpe explained.
"One sec, Dean phone!" Sean yelled.
"Coming." Dean put his wrench down and walked out to the front office. "This is Dean."
"Dean, it's Officer Sharpe. I have some news for you." He said, still horrified at the thought of what could have happened to his boy.
"What?" He asked nervously.
"We caught Frank or at least we're pretty sure we did but we need you and Sam to come down and identify him." He clarified.
"You did?" Dean asked unbelievably.
"We think so. When can you guys come in? The sooner you can, the sooner we can put this creep behind bars." He answered.
"We'll be there soon." Dean hung up and then found Sean. "Um, that was the police department, they think they caught the bastard and they want us to go down to the station…" Sean put his hand up.
"Go, do what you need to. I'll take care of things here." He replied.
"Thanks." Dean then went into his office and closed the door. "Sammy, there's something I have to tell you." He said wondering how Sam was going to take this latest development.
Sam put his pencil down and turned to face Dean. "What is it?" He asked.
"I just got a call from Officer Sharpe and… apparently they caught Frank or at least they think they did." Dean explained. "And they want us to go down to the station."
Sam nodded. "What do they want me to do?" He asked.
"I'm not sure, we'll find out when we get there but I don't want you to worry. I'll be right there with you all the way." Dean replied putting a hand on Sam's shoulder.
Sam turned around and packed up his stuff.
The car ride to the police station was tense as neither knew what to expect and Sam was nervous at having to see Frank again, even if Dean was with him.
"Dean, Sam, this way." Officer Sharpe stood from his desk and walked over to where the two of them were standing.
"What happens now?" Dean asked.
"We'll do a line up and see if you guys spot him." He explained. "Who wants to go first?"
"What?" Sam asked. "Can I please stay with Dean?" He wrapped a fist around a section of Dean's jacket.
"I'm sorry Sam but there's too much of a chance that he could influence your choice, at least that's what the defense will say." Officer Sharpe apologized.
Dean turned to Sam. "You'll be fine okay Sam. I'll wait right outside and Officer Sharpe will be with you." Dean looked over at the man for confirmation.
"That's right Sam. I'll be in the room with you. And Frank can't see you, its one way glass." He reassured.
Sam nodded reluctantly.
"Okay guys, follow me." He said heading off toward the back of the prison.
Sam stayed very close to Dean as they followed Officer Sharpe through the grey building. Sam felt a chill go down his spine as he looked at the different people that were there crowding the place, this was certainly not in his top ten favorite places. He picked up his pace so that he was almost on Dean's heels.
"Sam, Dean, this is Chelsea Raves, our district attorney. She'll be the one prosecuting Frank." Dean shook hands with her but Sam remained pressed against Dean's side staring at the cement floor.
Officer Sharpe explained how it would work, he, Sam and Chelsea would go into the little room and Sam would try to pick Frank out of the line up. Sam was trembling and Dean wanted nothing more than for Frank to pay his dues.
"Sammy, look at me okay." Dean was kneeling down in front of Sam. "Remember, you're safe okay. I'm right out here and Officer Sharpe and Chelsea will be with you. Frank can't see you, he doesn't know you're here."
Sam sniffed and wiped his hand across his eyes.
Officer Sharpe, Chelsea and Sam all made their way into the observation room while Dean took a seat on a close-by wooden bench. "Take your time Sam and don't worry, we're here with you." Officer Sharpe said patiently.
Sam nodded but didn't look at the five men standing in the line up.
Officer Sharpe waited a moment before speaking again. "I know you're scared but remember what Dean told you, he can't see you."
Sam nodded again and this time looked up through the glass. He had his breath stolen away from him when he spotted Frank holding the number five sign.
"Do you see him?" Officer Sharpe asked.
Sam nodded.
"Which one is he?" Officer Sharpe asked.
"He's… he's number… number five." Sam answered before turning around and bolting out of the room, past Dean and towards the bathroom.
"Sam?" Dean stood from the bench and was surprised when instead of having Sam come hurtling toward him, he took off in the opposite direction. He glanced briefly at Officer Sharpe who nodded and then took off following Sam. "Sam! Sammy?" He shouted chasing the now familiar brown mop.
Sam ran blindly, shoving past people until he came to a dead end in the men's bathroom. Needing someplace to hide before Frank could find him, he quickly walked into one of the stalls and began to cry.
Not wanting to frighten Sam anymore than he already was, Dean slowed his approach despite his desperate want to make sure the kid was okay. He walked into the bathroom where he was sure Sam had run into and stood there for a moment. The room was empty and he was about to leave when he heard what sounded like someone crying. Going over to where the sound was coming from, he knocked on the stall door. "Sammy? You in there bud?"
Startled, Sam slipped and fell to the linoleum floor.
"Sam, it's me. It's Dean, open the d…" He said pushing on it, surprised but relieved when it opened.
Sam was sitting on the dirty bathroom floor with his knees pulled to his chest in the very cramped stall. Dean squatted down so he was on eye level with Sam. "Hey, what ya doing down here?" He asked.
"I… I saw him." Sam answered brokenly.
"He can't get you Sam, here, come here." Dean opened his arms and Sam crawled forward resting his head against Dean's chest.
Officer Sharpe stood in the doorway, glad Dean had found Sam before he had had the chance to do something harmful, either to himself or others.
"You're safe, nobody's going to hurt you." Dean reassured repeatedly until he felt Sam's trembling stop. "You wanna go home?" Dean asked still keeping his arms around Sam.
He nodded.
"Okay, let's go." Dean helped Sam off the floor still keeping an arm around him.
"Wait Dean, I know you want to take him home but we still need you to identify him." Officer Sharpe interrupted.
Dean sighed.
"It won't take long." He reassured.
"Fine." Dean grumbled.
Officer Sharpe got Sam a cup of hot chocolate and another cop, Angela Brown, sat with Sam while Dean picked Frank out of the line up.
"You're sure that's him?" Chelsea asked.
"Yeah, that's the bastard." Dean confirmed before walking back out into the hall and over to Sam.
Still holding his cup of hot chocolate Sam stood up and leaned against Dean. Dean put his arm around Sam, gently rubbing his shoulder. "What happens now?" He asked.
"Well, we'll press charges against Frank, then we'll take it to the grand jury and then it'll go to a public trial." Chelsea explained. She knew it was a bit more complicated then that but didn't think the middle of the prison was the place to discuss it.
Dean nodded and thanked Chelsea and both officers before leading Sam out to the car. Looking over at Sam in the passenger seat, he knew this was going to be a very, very long night.
So I hope you guys liked it, let me know :) Thanks!