"I can't believe we're actually doing this".
Dean has been complaining the whole time since they left the McDonald's, where Sam came up with his newest idea. The two neat gentlemen, dressed in suites, approach Arkansas Methodist Medical Center, as they just left the Impala on the parking lot of the hospital.
"We are, so get use to it", Sam sighs annoyed, getting tired of the constant wining of his brother. "You have the ID's?"
Dean takes out two leather wallets and flips them open, showing Sam the two fake federal agent ID's.
"FBI? Are you nuts, Dean?", Sam stares at the cards.
"Dad and I do it all the time, no sweat", Dean doesn't seem to be worried about getting caught one bit.
"What if they look up our numbers? This is suicide!", Sam tries to keep his voice down as they pass people who walk in and out of the hospital.
"You know what's suicide? Meddling with Zoë's case, that's suicide", Dean returns smartly.
"Oh come on, how bad can it be?", Sam has a better opinion about the girl they met a little while ago than Dean has.
"You should have seen here the other day when she found out about that phone call we made with that Cliffer dude and that act wasn't even on purpose, now we actually choose to get involved", Dean argues.
He gives his brother his new identification, which Sam studies carefully as he mumbles his fake name. Dean watches his brother closely, curious if he will detect the little gimmick in their names, them being Angus and Young. But Sam doesn't know enough about rock music to notice that the two names combined is actually the full name of one of Dean's favorite rock band's leadsinger; Angus Young, the face of AC/DC. Sam concentrates on his older brother again and the moment passes.
"All what we are doing is helping her", Sam states, while entering the lobby of the hospital.
"Exactly! We are helping her while she's bitching on us all day long. I'm dressed like a penguin while I know she won't ever thank us, even if we have this major breakthrough", Dean complains as he loosens his tie a bit.
"Look man, we can sit on our ass and waist this day or…"
"I prefer that actually", the eldest intervenes.
"OR…", Sam continues. "We can do something useful".
With those last words Sam walks through the revolving door of the governmental facility and is followed by Dean who keeps his mouth shut. Now that they are surrounded by people they get into character and head straight for the main desk in front of them. Confident Dean flashes his FBI identification to the woman behind the counter.
"Agent Young, this is my partner agent Angus. We're here to see a dead body", Dean clarifies.
"You came to the right place", she comments bored, apparently not impressed by their badges.
Then she calls for an older man in a long white coat who just passed by.
"Dr. Judigtsteyn? Could you escort these two agents to the morgue?", she asks him.
"Of course, I'm heading over there anyway", he agrees as Dean and Sam walk with him.
"Who are you here for?", the doctor asks as they walk through the long typical hospital like hallways.
"Mr. Robert Shire", Sam informs as they stop at the elevator.
A bit shocked Dr. Judigtsteyn looks up, but quickly recovers. Both Dean and Sam notices the reaction and give each other a look.
"I'm sorry, it's just that… Robert wasn't just a colleague of mine, he was my friend", the doctor tells them.
As Sam remembers the newspaper article he read the other night in Zoë's motel room, Dean improvises. He has no background information on Robert Shire, Sam hopes he doesn't make any dumb mistakes, but he doesn't.
"Our condolences", Dean says, as Judigtsteyn pushes the button which calls the elevator down.
"Unbelievable, isn't it? We see death every day and yet when it strikes close by, you never see it coming", the man speaks wisely.
"Do you have an idea what happened to Mr. Shire?", Sam asks.
"More or less, I did the autopsy myself, I was stunned", Judigtsteyn tells as they enter the elevator.
Again the doctor presses a key and the doors close. As the elevator slowly moves down, Dean tries to find out if Dr. Judigtsteyn knows more about the case then he's willing to let go at this point.
"We think his death might have something to do with the murder that took place in the Van Dyke residence", he fills in.
"I heard about that on the news, CSU is still on that though", Dr. Judigtsteyn says as the doors open.
They enter the lab in the basement of the hospital. It's cool in this section and an unpleasant smell fills the area, a mixture of chemicals and death. The doctor walks over to the furthest wall of metal drawers. He pulls open one of the many trays and puts on a pair of latex gloves before he zips open the body bag. An almost unbearable smell rises up from the corpse, but all three men are use to the smell.
"What's so stunning about this case?", Sam asks.
"See for yourself", the doctor answers.
He unzips the bag and both boys raise their eyebrows.
"Ouch", Dean comments.
The body of Laura's father is badly bruised and battered, as if he got beaten up by a streetgang in a dark alley. His jaw is demolished, his neck broken; this is some serious abuse.
"That's not all", Dr. Judigtsteyn adds up as he takes out the file. "I searched every inch of his body on the in and outside, but there is not a print, not one single hair on him".
Dean gives Sam a look without the doctor seeing it. Judigtsteyn might have never seen this before, they have. Ghost never leave any trace on their victims, unless they want to.
"One other thing caught my attention", the doctor points out the bruises. "See how they run out upwards? That indicates that these injuries were caused from a lower angle. Or the killer was on his knees, which would be most unlikely, or we are dealing with a midget here".
The doctor chuckles over his own joke and Dean lets out a little laugh, obviously just to be polite.
"Have you considered a child?", Sam questions carefully.
"I have for a brief moment, but it's theoretically impossible for a child to throw punches like this, even when it used objects to hit the victim with. We're basically on a dead end", the doctor explains.
They might be stuck, but Sam and Dean still have enough leads to go on. Sam nods to the door, giving Dean the signal that they've gathered the information they were looking for.
"Thank you for your time, doctor", Dean pretends to have seen enough.
"You're welcome, I hope you'll get this one", the old man mentions while he cleans up.
"We will", Sam ensures as they step into the elevator.
As soon as the doors close, the youngest of the two turns to the other.
"Laura, definitely", he states.
"You sure?", Dean questions, as a 'ding' sounds trough the small cabin and the doors open.
"It must be, the lower angle indicates a child ghost, so unless this town is haunted by two frustrated mini spirits, it's Laura", Sam sums up as he takes out his phone.
"Who are you gonna call?", Dean asks curious.
"Ghostbuster Zoë", Sam answers with a smirk as he looks up her number and presses the green button as soon as they set foot outside the hospital.
"Shouldn't we get to the bomb shelter first?", the eldest suggests cynical.
"This information could be useful", Sam bounces back as the exit the hospital.
Before Dean can respond to that, Zoë answers her phone.
"Sullivan".
"Hey Zo, it's Sam. Listen, I've got some info on Robert Shire for you", Sam steps to the case.
"Wow, what?", Zoë recalls confused.
"We went to the Medical Center to see Shire's body".
Complete silence, but Sam can almost hear Zoë boil on the other side of the line. Dean pulls his sleeve and gives him a mad look.
"What are you including me for?", he whispers, making sure Zoë can't hear him.
"You did what?", her voice trembles of anger, but she tries to keep calm.
"I figured I could spare you some time by going myself…"
"You figured?", she cries out loud enough for Dean to hear it.
"Take cover!", Dean tells his brother dramatically.
Annoyed Sam pushes him away and gets back to Zoë.
"We didn't mess anything up if that's what you're worried about", he states defensive.
"I don't give a rat's ass if you solved the freakin' case! You didn't listen!", she shouts at him.
"You're not my boss!", Sam makes clear.
He stops in his tracks and Dean turns to him, trying to figure out what Zoë's saying, quite amused by the situation actually.
"No, I'm not, but this is not a shop we're running, Sam! You can't go do my job without telling me, you almost got me killed last time!"
"It was an innocent morgue visit!", Sam cries out while making a wild gesture. "And honestly, would you have said 'yes' if I asked you first?"
"No of course not! But I swear Winchester", she warns. "If you and your brother cross my path again…"
"What? You'll kill us?", Sam huffs. "Listen to me, Zoë. Robert Shire was attacked by Laura, without doubt. He was a mess, his jaw was wrecked and his neck was broken. That's all the info I've got for you, you do with it whatever the hell you want".
Before Zoë can return an answer, Sam pushes the red button. It's only now that he notices Dean opposite of him, his arms crossed in front of him. He nods appreciating.
"No more Mr. Nice Guy, I like it", he comments and then turns around.
Without responding to his notification, Sam follows and catches up with him, still frustrated though. Together they walk over to the Chevrolet Impala. Dean can't help but to smile as he opens his door. Sam notices the grin and sighs.
"Just say it", he says before he sits down in the passenger seat.
"Say what?", Dean pulls an innocent face.
"You know what", Sam pushes.
Dean looks at him and shrugs, still deciding if he should say the words who are longing to be said.
"Hate to say I told you so", he blurs out on a whiney tone.
"No you don't", Sam sits down and closes the door.
Dean does the same and turns the key, as the Impala starts and lets out a enthusiastic spur. People Are Strange by The Doors is playing on the radio while Sam just stares through the windshield, annoyed and pissed off.
"Why doesn't she just drop the act?", Sam wonders.
"I'm not sure if it's an act, Sammy", Dean checks his back mirror before steers his precious car onto the road.
"It has to be. You said it yourself; she was different when you first met her", he recalls.
"So? People change", Dean simply declares.
"Maybe, but this is just stupid. We're in town, bored out of our skull while she is working her ass off to finish up on time. It can't be that hard to except our help", Sam just doesn't get it.
"Apparently she's just socially disturbed, Sam. Let it go already so that we can go hunt some wolf", Dean suggests.
The youngest of the two brothers considers it for a moment as they drive by Linwood Cemetery. As soon as he spots the place, he glances across the road, but Zoë's Harley isn't parked on the Sunset Motel parking lot. As they pass through, he decides he wants to stay.
"No, we agreed to stay in town till tonight. I don't want to leave Laura to die", Sam recalls.
"Sam, she's already dead!", Dean sighs.
"Poor choice of words, sorry. But her victims aren't", Sam brings to mind. "Zoë will leave tonight, case closed or not. It's almost midday, so what difference will it make if we leave now or tonight?"
"Half a day", Dean answers smartly.
"Denise?"
It's Sam who mentions the beautiful blonde Dean spent the night with; he knows his brother's weak spot. Dean doesn't like to admit it, but that is a very big plus to stay in town just a little while longer. A silence follows after Sam's mention while Dean thinks through his options.
"Point taken", he gives in. "But I'll tell you one thing. Zoë is not gonna come around".
"She will, believe me. She's not as bad as she pretends she is", Sam states, sure of his words.
"I know her better than you do", Dean weights up.
"I don't believe so", Sam returns.
"Wanna bet?", Dean looks aside as this argument is starting to turn into a did not, did too fight.
A moment later Sam phone rings. Surprised he checks the screen for the number, then he raises his eyebrows and smiles. Victoriously he shows the screen to Dean; it's Zoë. Disbelieving the eldest watches how his brother presses the answering button, but Sam doesn't give up the mad attitude just yet.
"What", he sighs, still mad at her.
"What are you up to?"
The youngest of the Winchesters isn't sure if she's asking him if he's still intending to mess with her case or that she's asking if he has some spare time.
"That depends", he answers shortly.
"You said Shire broke his neck, so did Van Dyke", she informs.
"So?"
"Might be something", she realizes.
Sam keeps his mouth shut and an unpleasant silence follows between the two of them. Obviously it irritates Zoë.
"Knock it off!"
"No Zoë! We're helping you out and this is what we get?", Sam returns.
"It's not that I don't appreciate it! It's just…"
Sam can hear her sigh on the other side, apparently she has difficulty getting out the words.
"I don't want to abandon this case and let you do the work, okay? I can't tell you why, but I have my reasons", she tries to explain.
"Okay, but wouldn't it be better if we just work together now and make sure that you'll make you're deadline?", Sam suggests, calmer than a moment before.
"Covering more ground you mean?"
"Yeah, exactly", the youngest Winchester confirms.
Again a sigh while Zoë thinks through her options. Not that she has many, this is the best shot she has.
"Maybe you're right…", she mumbles with difficulty. "But whatever happens, I'll be gone tonight. We have to take care of this today, alright?"
"We will", Sam assures.
"So, do we meet up or what?", Zoë sort of suggests.
"Yeah sure", Same agrees.
"Where are you at?"
Before Sam answers he checks the name of the highway they are on.
", going west. We're staying at the Ramada Inn", Sam tells.
"Crappy motel", Zoë comments.
"Tell me 'bout it", he huffs.
"Shut up, they have a wet T-shirt contest on Friday", Dean intervenes, who apparently overhears them.
"It's Saturday, moron", Zoë returns.
Sam laughs and puts his phone on speaker now that Dean tuned in to their conversation.
"I know, today there's a pole dancing contest", the eldest of the three smirks.
"I've heard enough, Dean's heaven on earth", Zoë concludes. "Is your one night stand attending or is that where you picked her up?"
"Did I just hear jealousy?", Dean nags, not even a bit insulted.
"It's called a bad mood, Winchester", she returns. "So what's it gonna be? McDonald's or Taco Bell?"
"There's a Taco Bell in this town?", Dean asks stunned.
"Are you blind or somethin'? Less then a mile up the road from your paradise".
Dean looks ahead as he exits the highway. She's right, a little further up the highway a road sign invites them in for a good taco bite.
"I was a little busy last night to notice that", he recalls.
"Too much information, dude", Sam comments, shaking his head.
"Taco Bell it is then. I'm fed up with McDonald's", Zoë decides.
"Already?", Dean asks, unable to imagine how she could probably be fed up with that delicious junkfood after 30 hours.
"I had five Big Macs in less two days", she clarifies.
"Five?", both the boys eyes widen, it's Dean who recovers fastest.
"Have you tasted that Mc Bacon? It's epic, I tell ya", he can almost taste the burger again.
"I know! Amazing isn't it?"
Stunned Sam stares from the phone to Dean. Did the unthinkable just happened? Did Zoë and Dean actually agree on something a moment ago? Remarkable, but true, here is the one subject they can't fight about; food.
"Zo?", he interrupts.
"Yeah?"
"See you at Taco Bell", he finishes and hangs up.
Dean stops the car in front of the Ramada Inn and turns off the ignition. Before he gets out of the car, he detects Sam glaring at him with a satisfied grin on his face.
"What?", Dean questions.
"Hate to say I told you so", Sam rubs in and gets out.
With a confused look upon his face Dean gets out of his car himself and locks it. He glares at his brother over the top of his car, who's waiting for him to get it. Then Dean realizes Sam is right; Zoë came around.
"No you don't", he huffs and walks around the car.
Sam 's smile widens as they walk to their room. Dean is already unbuttoning the black undercover jacket, time to get into something a bit less warm. It's 12 O' clock and the sun is burning. Mexican taco's sure fit in with these temperatures and probably both of them would rather lay down on a bench somewhere and enjoy the weather. But no, they have to help a fellow hunter who turns out to be a bit of a pain in the ass at certain times, just to kill some time. Dean smiles as he strolls into the room Sam just opened and throws his jacket down on the chair; maybe they can all be considered workaholics.