Disclaimer: Supernatural and all its characters belong to Kripke and the CW. I own nothing.
Previously on Supernatural-"Let's do it!" Jim exclaimed following Bobby into the fray.
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Laurel climbed back into his car slamming the door shut behind him. Letting out a frustrated sigh he crossed another name off his list of Amy's friends. So far none of the girls had been any help. They all said basically the same thing: that they thought Amy's mother was some kind of celebrity. Several of Amy's friends did mention that she didn't talk much about her mother. But that wasn't a very telling fact. Most teenagers didn't talk about their parents unless they were complaining about them. Glancing down at his watch Laurel realized that it was nearly suppertime. Knowing he only had one more name on his list he decided to interview the last friend before calling it a night. He'd have to get permission to speak with Amy's brother anyway, and he had a feeling that wasn't going to be easy. Laurel started up his car and slowly pulled out of the driveway. He hoped the next friend had the answers he so desperately needed. Time was quickly running out.
At the hospital
Dr. Chaplin stepped into Sammy's room and grinned as he watched the two younger Winchesters tossing a dinner roll back and forth like a football. Looking at the untouched food tray on the table the doctor cleared his throat and said, "Well, I was going to ask about dinner but I think the roll toss says it all." Walking over to the end of the bed Dr. Chaplin picked up Sammy's chart and quickly scanned it before moving to stand next to Sammy. "You know Sammy you really need to eat if you want to get better." The doctor instructed as he gently examined the dog bite.
"Don't worry about Sammy, doc" Dean broke in. "He's gonna eat just not that slop. Caleb went out to get some real food for all of us."
"Slop, huh? I'll have you know that all the meals are carefully planned out and provide a balanced diet without all the added fat and sugar." Dr. Chaplin informed them. "Which means they taste like crap." He added winking at Dean.
"See, Sammy. I told you your doctor was cool." Dean said ruffling his little brother's hair much to Sammy's displeasure. Dean then ducked out of the way of Sam's punch laughing at his brother's indignant huff. "Gotta be faster than that to get me, kiddo."
Laughing at Dean's antics Dr. Chaplin turned to John. "Sammy's doing much better, Mr. Winchester. He hasn't had a fever in several hours and the bite wound is showing no signs of the infection. I think he'll be able to go home tomorrow barring any setbacks."
"That's great." John replied shaking the doctor's hand. "Thanks doc."
"No thanks needed, John." The doctor said. "You guys have a good night. I'll see you bright and early in the morning."
"Wait a minute, doc." Dean piped up. "Sammy's got something he wants to ask you."
Dr. Chaplin turned and walked back to the bed. Staring down at his young patient he asked, "What is it, Sammy?" He watched as the little boy seemed to hunch into himself refusing to even look at him. "Its okay, Sammy." He soothed. "You can ask me anything."
When it became clear that Sammy wasn't going to look at let alone talk to the doctor, Dean spoke up. Placing an arm around his little brother's shoulders he whispered, "Do you want me to ask him?" Feeling more than seeing the nod of Sammy's head Dean gazed up at Dr. Chaplin and asked the question for his brother. "Sammy wanted to know if he could take a shower. He promised he'd be really careful of his arm. Can he, doc? Please?"
"Of course you can Sammy" Dr. Chaplin said directing his answer to Sammy. "I'll have one of the nurses bring a bandage to cover the bite until you finish your shower okay? Anything else?"
"No sir. That's it." Dean answered for his brother. "Thanks doc."
"Anytime Dean." Dr. Chaplin told the young man. "Good night gentlemen."
Sammy didn't raise his head until the doctor left the room. "Thanks, Dean." He softly whispered as he waited for the nurse to come fix the bite wound for him.
A few minutes later Nurse Pickford stepped into the room carrying a small package. Going over to the bed she quickly wrapped Sammy's arm before handing him clean hospital pajamas. "Thought you might need these." She explained. Standing up she walked to the door and stopped. "If you need anything else, just push the call button. I'm on duty all night." She offered before heading out of the room.
Taking the clean pajamas Sammy slid off the bed and hurried into the bathroom leaving the door cracked a little.
Back to Laurel
Laurel knocked on the door of the Kater home and stood back to wait. Pulling out his ID he flashed it at the young woman that opened the door. "Good evening ma'am. My name's Detective Laurel and I'm here to talk with a Bonnie Kater. Is she home?"
"Yes sir. Right this way." The housekeeper replied leading him into the spacious living room. "Please take a seat. I'll tell the Katers you're here."
Laurel walked around taking in the photographs of the family in various places. As he made his way around the room one picture in particular caught his attention. Stepping over to the mantle he carefully picked the photo up and examined it. Gazing at the picture of Amy and her friends smiling at the camera he was reminded of just what had been lost. Hearing a noise behind him he slowly set the framed photo back down and turned around.
At the hospital
Dean sat and listened as Sammy started the shower. Hearing his brother shuffling around in the bathroom, Dean could almost pretend that Sammy wasn't in the hospital and that everything was alright. At least tomorrow they'd be out of this place. Which reminded him. "Dad, we've got a problem." He said.
John looked up in surprise at Dean's words. He'd thought things were going well. "What's wrong, Dean?" he asked anxiously.
"Well, we uh, we're gonna have a hard time getting Sammy out of the room tomorrow without him freaking out, dad." Dean told him.
John smiled down at his son relief evident on his face. "Sammy will be fine Dean. I know he's still really quiet around strangers but we'll all be with him." He assured his son.
Dean frowned at his dad. "No dad that's not what I meant." He corrected. "I meant that we'll have a hard time because of that stupid mural on the wall."
"Mural? What mural, Dean?" John questioned scratching his head and glancing at his friends who seemed equally clueless.
Rolling his eyes at the men's reaction Dean stood and walked to the door opening it. "That huge a mural covering the whole wall! Go take a look, dad!" Dean challenged. Dean watched as a curious John stepped out of the room returning a moment later looking sick.
"What's wrong, Johnny?" Bobby asked taking in the sudden pallor of his friend's face. "What's Dean going on about?"
John sank into the closet available chair and ran a hand through his hair. Taking a deep breath he glanced up at Bobby and said, "We've got a problem alright. Remember about five years ago. You were keeping the boys for me and you took Sammy to see Josh after a prank you pulled on him."
Bobby thought for a moment attempting to recall which visit John was talking about. Bobby grimaced as a particular memory surfaced. "Oh shit! Not that!" he hissed.
Pastor Jim looked from one friend to another trying to figure out the big secret. Getting no information from the men he headed outside to get some answers. Stepping out in the hall he turned and gazed at the colorful mural not understanding what was wrong until his eyes lit on the circus performers who seemed to be surrounding Sammy's door. Shaking his head Jim hurried back inside the room already thinking of ways to shield Sammy from the hated clowns.
At the Kater home
"Good evening Mr. and Mrs. Kater" Laurel greeted extending his hand. "Sorry to bother you so late but I need to talk with your daughter about Amy."
Mr. Kater shook the officer's hand and motioned for the man to sit. "That's quite alright, officer." He assured as he sat down on the couch across from Laurel. "May I ask why you want to talk with Bonnie?"
"Certainly sir." Laurel replied. "I just need some information on Amy. Her relationship with her family, boyfriends, anyone who may have had a grudge against her, things of that nature."
"But why?" Mrs. Kater inquired. "I thought you already had the killer. Didn't that Winchester man do it?"
"No ma'am. He was cleared early in the investigation." Laurel told them mentally crossing his fingers. "Not meaning to be rude or anything but may I talk with your daughter, now? It's getting late."
"Of course officer." Mr. Kater stated. "We'll be in the kitchen if you need us." Mr. Kater led his wife out of the room and a moment later a young girl walked in and sat down at the piano.
Laurel stepped over to the visibly frightened young woman and smiled. "Hello, Bonnie. I'm Officer Laurel." He said sitting down in the chair nearby. "I'd like to ask you some questions about Amy and her mom if that's okay."
"Okay" Bonnie whispered. "But can I ask you something first?"
"What is it, Bonnie?" Laurel gently asked.
"Is it, is it okay to, uh, tell a se, secret if. . .if the other person's de, gone?" she quietly stuttered.