It was difficult for Jim to rid his mind of not only the exhaustion that filled his every thought and action, but also the irrepressible sound of the prosecutor's voice informing him of Caleb's arrest. The implications behind it, was heartbreaking for him and the rest of his family.
For those who knew what an outstanding person Caleb was, the charges were unfathomable. He would be the last person to hurt a fly, much less another human being. The murder charge that had the potential of putting him away for life, was the one charge Jim found himself hoping would never come to fruition.
With a shifter at fault, he knew how tricky the charges would be to beat. Shape-shifters were notorious for causing death and mayhem wherever they went. Not only did they kill their victim, but later blamed it on the innocent party. The smoking gun for any prosecutor, would be the plentiful supply of forensic evidence to link Caleb to the crime.
Even though he initially thought about not taking Sam and Dean with him to Medina to be there for Caleb when his arraignment took place, he decided to let them come when he saw the devastation in their eyes. They may not have been able to see Caleb during his arraignment, but Jim felt secure enough in letting them ride with him and Bobby to the town.
That was the day before.
Now he had to think about subjecting himself to the impossible notion of seeing his friend in chains. This was an arraignment, and so there would be no need for Caleb to make a positive impression on a jury. Imagining his friend in such a horrible situation was hard on most days, but on the morning of his day in court, it was inconceivable.
Swiping a hand across his sore eyes after a night of little sleep, his eyes landed on the two boys who were sleeping across from him. In the absence of space in the single hotel room Jim splurged on, the boys took the bed next to his. Bobby was splayed out over the sofa that he manipulated to resemble an actual bed.
Wondering how he was going to (gently) break it to Sam and Dean that they would not be attending the arraignment, he distracted himself from answering that question by dragging himself up from bed. Stretching out his muscles, he slowly went through the motions of making himself some coffee. The space was tiny, but workable.
Inhaling the lukewarm liquid that slithered down his throat, he was amazed that Sam and Dean were still sleeping after the noise he made. The night had been hard on both of them, and it had been difficult to find the peace of mind to sleep.
His heart swelled with sympathy for them. Crossing the room to their bed, he gazed down at them. Carefully untangling the superhero figure from Sam's fingers, he covered the child with his share of the blanket.
Turning to Dean, he could feel his heart splinter in his chest when he saw Dean's hand was threaded through Sam's. When Jim directed his eyes to Dean's face, he saw the dried tears on his cheeks from a night spent mourning his guardian.
There was nothing the pastor longed for more than to somehow ease the agony going through both boys. Caleb was essential for them and not having him, was proving to be a hard thing to bear. If there was one thing Jim wished he could make the prosecutor understand, it would be for him to realize how kind and loving Caleb was. Such a person would clearly not be capable of a vicious murder.
From what little he got from Dawn when she called to give him an update, the arraignment would be quick. Bail would be denied, and a preliminary hearing would be set for the future. It was bad enough that Caleb was locked up, but to know a judge would deny him the chance to get out, was even harder.
Jumping a little when he heard something on the outside, he relaxed again when he saw a stray cat knocking the lid off a trashcan. Shaking his head, he took another gulp of his coffee and turned to look back at the room he was in. Dean was starting to stir, and he was already dreading it. The child did not deserve to live with this cruel knowledge. It was yet another reminder why he made the decision not to involve the boys in the hearing.
If Dean was already reacting to what was happening and was tormented at the truth of Caleb being incarcerated, how would he react to seeing him in court? Jim knew the answer, and it was not good.
The twelve-year-old blinked one eye open, seeming to remember that he cried during the night, and swiped the remaining few tears away. Giving him a warm smile when Dean met his gaze, he motioned to the pot of coffee.
They rarely allowed the boys to have coffee, but Jim was willing to make an exception that morning. Dean was slower to move. It was easy to understand why. Watching him carefully maneuver around Sam to get up, he saw Sam begin to move a little.
Silently passing Dean a cup of the coffee, he raised his eyebrows when he saw the child immediately grab the creamer and several sugar packets. Shaking his head with amusement, he took another sip of his coffee and winced when it tasted much too harsh in comparison to Dean's.
"You want some sugar, Jim?" Dean teased. "I won't tell."
"You caught me, I'm afraid. I'll have two," Jim confessed, sighing in defeat.
"I knew you'd crack eventually. Not having any sugar or cream in your coffee? It's like...a crime against humanity."
Jim supposed he could not debate it that morning. Accepting some of the cream and sugar he rarely used, he was pleasantly surprised to find a soothing taste that contradicted his earlier opposition.
"Don't let this get to your head," Jim warned. "But I think the coffee is much better this way."
Dean nodded seriously, as though he was claiming victory over a very important matter. Glancing over at Sam, he was amused to see him trying (and failing) to get his brain to follow what his body wanted.
"It's time you start accepting the truth: I'm always right." Dean smiled; his eyes glowing. "Ever since Caleb introduced-"
And then it was gone. That one moment where Jim caught Dean in a mood that was far-removed from the previous night. Watching his face crack and transform to the quiet, reserved one was a very difficult thing to witness.
Sam chose that time to rise from his bed. Wondering how Sam would react to the sudden tension in the room, he was pleased to watch Sam wrap his arms around his brother. Dean stiffened when Sam hugged him, but eventually seemed to calm down.
"Dean," Sam whispered, pulling back from him. "Are you okay?"
Dean nodded, bravely plastering a smile on his face. "I'm good, Sam."
Jim knew it was not completely true. He could still catch a glimpse of the tears that dotted Dean's eyes. The problem was Dean's unwillingness to share his pain. It was a hang-up Jim tried to break before without much luck.
Sam, much like his guardian, did not seem to believe Dean was really "good" when all of them knew each other so well. It was one powerful advantage of being close to one another.
"Are you upset about Caleb?" Sam wondered, his expressive eyes full of understanding.
All of them had been impacted by the news of Caleb's arrest. Dean, without a doubt, took it the hardest. Being afforded the chance to have such a powerful connection to his guardian, was good on the best days. However, when something happened, that was when the bond took on a more painful turn.
Not to Jim's surprise, Dean shook his head when Sam voiced that question. It was written all over his face that he was upset about Caleb, but he was not about to give voice to those emotions.
"No, Sam. It's okay. The stupid hearing will clear everything up."
If only it would and Jim would have assurance that their nightmare would be over before it started. With Dawn's troubling statement swimming through his mind, he knew it would not be possible for Caleb to return home that morning.
Dean's face looked completely self-assured of this fact. There was no doubt in his mind that he would be released at his arraignment. Breaking that optimistic train of thought, was the last thing Jim felt like doing.
"Dean," Jim said, taking notice of Bobby waking up. "Caleb won't be...he won't be released today."
Just as quickly as Dean adopted the mindset that he undoubtedly clung to with all that he had, his face fell for the second time that morning. Hating to be the host of such bad news, he looked at Bobby and saw his face was composed into one of concern for Sam and Dean.
Dean was beyond words after processing Jim's startling statement, but Jim could see the anger start to gather behind his green eyes. The hunter could not blame him when he knew how untrue the charges were. To Dean, it would look like he would never see Caleb again when Jim knew he would.
"Why won't he be released?" Sam asked, his voice breaking. Sam was not as self-conscious about crying like Dean was.
"Because," Bobby explained, sitting down in the chair and then pulled Sam into his lap. "The cops have evidence that ties Caleb to this crime."
Sam struggled to understand what Bobby was talking about. To a small child, it had to be incredibly confusing to think about a complicated court case. The evidence the police had was fabricated by the shifter, but they had no way to see it.
"What about the arraignment?" Dean asked. "We're going, right?"
"Not this time, Dean."
Entering the courtroom before the start of the proceedings, Jim knew he made the right call in choosing to keep Sam and Dean back at the hotel. Staring at the packed courtroom with countless reporters and the victim's family, it made the entire situation that much more desperate. Choosing a place near the front where Caleb would hopefully be able to see him, he looked back toward the door he just came through when he saw Dawn.
Dawn was Caleb's lawyer, but she was also his friend. That was never made clearer to him than when he was able to pick up on the subtle smiles and whispered conversations they had when they were around other people. This would be the first time Jim would get the chance to see them interact when the atmosphere was anything but the informal one they were more used to.
When Dawn noticed him sitting among the people that had come to ogle at what was happening, he switched sides so they would get the chance at having as much of a private conversation as they could. Jim was not holding his breath when he noticed the reporters inching over to him. Everyone knew who he was to the community of Blue Earth and Steele County where he now lived with his family. And everyone also knew that he formed a family with the defendant and their two boys.
Wishing they would go away and leave him alone while he tried to sort through his thoughts coherently enough to pick Dawn's mind about what was happening, he saw her face was much paler than what he was used to. Wondering if something happened that he was unaware of, he was almost afraid to ask that question.
In the back of his mind, he was curious to know how he would react to seeing Caleb escorted into the courtroom under tight security. It was nothing to watch the process being played out on crime shows and the fictionalized setting of a criminal case that only bore a slight resemblance to reality. Having it happen to his family, was another thing altogether.
"Dawn," Jim said. "What's the plan for today?"
"The plan is to enter a 'not guilty' plea. Then we're going to set a date for the preliminary hearing."
"When will that be?"
The defense had the option of requesting additional time to gather evidence. With Dawn, he knew she liked to operate under speed for her client's sake. No one liked to be locked up for a crime they did not commit, and Dawn was one of the few lawyers who worked under that knowledge. It was one of the very first things that drew Caleb to her, and why Jim held the respect for her that he did.
"In a few weeks. It won't be any longer than a month."
"How is he-?"
The question was answered for him when a door was opened that led from the jail part of the courthouse. Holding his breath while he watched the guards walk in, he was able to get his first view of his friend in several days. Studying Caleb while he walked over to the defense table where Dawn had gone to seat herself, he could see how pale he was.
The guards did not leave until he was seated. Once they retreated to a corner of the room where they would be seen but not heard, Caleb turned in his seat and gave Jim a small smile. Feeling glad that he could bring some amount of comfort to Caleb when he needed it most, he stood with the rest of the courtroom when the judge entered. When they sat back down, Jim tried not to notice the restraints that hindered Caleb's ability to walk and sit down normally.
It was degrading and out of place on someone like him. The more he saw of what was happening, the more he became convinced he made the right choice in not having the boys there. The hearing started shortly after, with the judge giving a basic timeline of what allegedly took place.
Not to his surprise, the prosecutor wasted no time in presenting his best case for why Caleb should not be released on bail. There was no chance for him to see Caleb's face, but he could see him bow his head as though he was fighting tears.
Dawn countered his assertion with one of the best arguments she had. When she mentioned the existence of a witness who was able to provide an alibi for Caleb, his hopes were dashed as quickly as they came when it made no difference to the judge. The momentary flash of anger that went through him when he thought about Dawn's plea being shot down so quickly, was tempered with the realization that the forensic evidence was the sticking point for this man.
Shifting uncomfortably in his seat when the prosecutor began to prepare to launch into what the investigative team managed to dig up, he could feel his heart restrict in his chest. Forensic evidence was one of the most sophisticated forms of finding and collecting evidence from a crime scene. Without it, too many people went free who should have been imprisoned. The same could also be said for those who had been wrongfully convicted without that vital aid.
With what the case centered around, Jim knew to expect forensic findings that would sway in the favor of the prosecutor. Thinking back to the boys, he wondered how they were. Dean was disappointed that he would not be allowed to go with him to the courthouse, but his anger was somewhat dissolved when Bobby promised to take him and Sam for ice cream.
When the prosecutor gathered up his papers to begin the next portion of his speech, he could see Caleb tense in his chair. Years of knowing someone as intimately as he knew Caleb, had gifted him with the ability to understand some of what he was feeling. With the heart Caleb had, Jim could not fathom how he must have felt being accused of something so heinous.
Jim tried not to listen to the man, but his voice carried.
"Your Honor, we have the report from the Medina county crime scene lab. These people, as you well know, have been in business for over thirty years. They have continued to provide top-notch services to those in this area. Most especially concerning the more recent invention of DNA evidence, they have quickly risen to be one of the best crime processing labs in the country.
Their findings were sealed in evidence. What they collected at the crime scene were hair samples from the victim, Alexia Branch. One of the hairs was discovered to be the defendant's. Those samples, along with blood splatters found in the living room and kitchen portion of the home, were collected as well. When the defendant was taken into custody on the night in question, a DNA sample was taken from him."
The prosecutor then surrendered a file concealing the all-too-important DNA findings to a bailiff to hand to the judge. Watching the bailiff pass the files over to the judge, he could feel his heart hammer in his chest. This was not a preliminary hearing and so there was no need to get into detail concerning the DNA evidence, but he understood what the prosecutor was trying to say.
The thought of it was sickening to him. This was something that never should have happened. How many times had Caleb gone on a shifter hunt and emerged as the victor? How many times had he completed solo hunts and been completely fine? Too many times to count. It was only when he heard a sob from the back part of the room, did he realize that the victim's family was sitting in the back.
The pastor's heart expanded with sympathy for them-they were the ones who lost someone. Jim supposed he could be grateful he was not the one being forced to sit in a courtroom while the man who supposedly killed his loved one, was in the spotlight. Turning around in his seat to glance at them, he could see them doubled over with the force of their sobs.
Once the judge handed the files back to the prosecutor, the man continued his speech to him. The technical part of the proceedings that concerned the intricate process of collecting the samples and cordoning off the crime scene, was what fascinated him. Modern advances in matters like this, always served to bring his attention.
"On the night in question," the prosecutor continued. "When the police caught Caleb Rivers trying to flee from the crime scene, they found several articles of clothing that were later determined to be a positive match for his blood and the blood of the victim. The accuracy of that report, as you saw, was 99.999 percent. A virtually perfect match.
The reasons for why he should not be released on bail? I believe I just outlined that for you. He was trying to run. He has forensic evidence against him that is indisputable at this juncture. The risk to public safety, would be considerable. I need you to make the right decision and not release this man."
The prosecutor was good, and managed to hit the right spots to impress the judge.
The judge, however, chose not to render his verdict until the arraignment was over. To that end, the moment they were all waiting for, finally came. Watching Caleb stand to enter his plea, he forced himself to keep his eyes on him. Caleb was visibly struggling to hold his composure until the hearing was over, and Jim marveled at his ability to do so under such intense scrutiny.
"As to the charge of murder in the first degree in the death of Alexia Branch on the night of February 19th, how do you wish to plead?"
"Not g-guilty." Caleb's voice caught on the last word of his plea, and it broke Jim's heart.
"Let the record reflect that the defendant has entered a plea of 'not guilty.' As to the charge of attempting to destroy evidence, how do you wish to plead?"
"Not guilty."
Caleb's voice was much stronger this time when he entered his not guilty plea. Watching him sit back down once the judge formally submitted his plea for the record, he could see Caleb lean toward Dawn to whisper something to her. There was no way he could hear what was said, but he could understand it was something fairly serious from the nod Dawn gave him.
After that, the judge did exactly what Dawn warned him he would do. With the inclusion of evidence that made it probable he was there at the crime scene when Lexa died, he denied Caleb bail. Even though Jim was well-prepared to hear those words come from the judge, it still did nothing to heal the ache in his heart when he saw Caleb wipe tears from his eyes.
The only possible way for him to be released in a timely manner would be for there to be a quick trial. From his limited amount of experience in counseling those whose family were on trial, the trial sometimes took years to get together. Jim hoped that would not be the case for Caleb. He hoped Dawn would be able to get the ball rolling if his preliminary hearing did not go as planned.
The hearing ended with the judge setting a date for the preliminary hearing-three weeks from then. It was not the months Jim thought he would be preparing the boys for, but it was not much better. Standing up when court was adjourned, he saw Caleb look over at him before his attention was gained from the guards.
Leaving him to be taken back to a cell, was heartbreaking for him. However, he had no choice but to let the law do what the law would do. In the back of his mind, Jim knew they would have to come up with a plan if his prelim hearing ended in a bad way. There was no part of him that desired to make a life on the run, but he would do it if he had to. With that stabilizing thought in mind, he walked out of the room with a slight spring in his step.
One way or another, he would get his friend out.
Locating the patience to wait for Jim to return from the arraignment, was difficult for Dean when he longed to be able to see his guardian. It had been days since he last laid eyes on Caleb before he left with his friend for their hunting was too long in his mind. The thought of someone thinking the absolute worst about Caleb, was unimaginable for him when Dean knew his heart and how amazing he was to him and his brother.
Sam was enduring much of what his brother was. The child was grappling with the scary understanding that Caleb was in jail for something he did not do. The idea of him having enough malice in his heart to murder someone, was impossible for Dean to think about. Even though he tried to distance himself from that painful truth, it was much easier said than accomplished.
He wanted to attend the hearing that would result in a date set for the preliminary hearing, but both Jim and Bobby vetoed that idea. Dean could understand where their concerns came from, but it did nothing to ease the frustration he had that he was not allowed to support Caleb. Pacing the hotel room became his coping method of choice, while he waited for Jim to come back and tell them everything that happened.
That was before Bobby took it upon himself to spring the boys from the hotel room for a bit and get some treats. The ice cream was a welcome relief to him and his overjoyed tastebuds. Reveling in the delicious taste of the treat that melted in his throat, he looked at Sam and saw that he was enjoying it just as much as he was. This was nice; the chance to get out and enjoy something again.
Bobby would never admit this to anyone, but Dean could see he was relieved the boys were able to have fun. The concern was one Dean appreciated from him. Walking back into the spacious hotel room they had, he almost regretted coming back to it when he knew the hell that would await him there. When he strode through the room, he was surprised to find Jim was already back.
Dreading hearing the information that would cement the grief in his mind that he would not be able to see Caleb for the foreseeable future, he caught a note of grief in Jim's face before he regained control of his composure. Silent while he worked through the pain in his mind that tempted him to release the pent-up emotions he could feel, he walked over to where the pastor was and took a seat across from him.
In response to what Jim must have seen on his face, he reached out and stroked Dean's arm. Dean was someone who usually rejected physical touch unless himself (or Caleb and Sam) initiated it. However, he did not have the mental strength to resist it when he needed it. Running his fingers through his eyes, he prepared himself to hear what he knew would be a very difficult recount of what happened in court.
None of it should have ever happened, and that was the hardest thing to accept.
"How is he?" Bobby asked, his voice tight as Sam climbed into his lap.
"He's...he's alright," Jim answered, repressing a sigh. "I didn't get the chance to talk to him, but he seems to be doing okay."
Dean knew that was the best he could hope for given the circumstances. As for him, he could not imagine what it would feel like to be accused of something he did not do. The amount of rage he felt at what his family was going through, was overpowering. Slowly shaking his head, he focused his eyes back on his guardian.
Jim was the pillar of courage and strength they all needed at a time like this, but Dean could see the evident cracks start to form in his usually unshakable pastor. It was disheartening to realize that Jim had not yet been granted the right to see Caleb.
"What did the judge say?" Sam demanded. "Did he let him go?"
Jim shook his head, reaching out a hand to rub Sam's shoulder. "No, Sam. Not for a little while longer."
"But why?" Sam pressed, his tone taking on a whining edge.
"Because," Bobby filled-in. "There has to be a process that's completed first. The next step in this whole thing is the preliminary hearing."
From the confused look on his brother's face, Dean knew he had no clue what that all meant. In a way, Dean wished he could have Sam's uncertainty. That was something that would have most likely removed some of the pain and heartache from his soul. The next shot they had at getting Caleb released from jail, was the one hearing that would determine if he was going to trial.
"What's that?" Sam asked, his voice subdued.
"It's where they present evidence to understand if there's enough to send that person to trial," Dean explained. "It's complicated, but if there's enough reasonable doubt to exclude him from the crime, than the judge will let him go."
Not that Dean actually thought their luck would allow for such a miracle, but he was cautiously optimistic in Dawn's ability to work her magic in the courtroom. Dean had never seen her at work before, but hearing Caleb and Jim talk about her was enough for him to know she was more than prepared to handle it.
Sam was still bewildered about everything that was being explained to him, but Dean could also see the understanding in his smart eyes. Losing Caleb was more than just about him: It was about Sam losing the only parental figure he had ever known apart from Jim and Bobby.
Consumed with the sudden, rushing thought of what would happen to them if Caleb went to trial and was convicted on a first degree murder charge, he lowered his head and let the tears fall. There was nothing he could do to stop them when they came, and that was all because of the intrusive fear he had at never seeing his coach and confidante again.
Before that time, he allowed himself to meditate on the hope of something miraculous happening that would free Caleb from the position he was in. Processing the wealth of evidence against him and how it would be used to prosecute him, was terrifying to Dean. Trying to stop the influx of tears to the best of his ability, he felt Jim's soothing hand on his shoulder as he squeezed it comfortingly.
Leaning into Jim's side while he tried his best to stop the tears from falling, he could see Sam through his blurred vision while he hugged Bobby. All of them were crying, and it was that release they all needed when the stresses of life got to be too much. Crying until he absolutely could not anymore, he inhaled a long sip of his water and attempted to fight back control over his own self.
Clenching Bobby's hand when the hunter reached across the space that divided them, he could feel an insurmountable amount of hope and peace go through him. Whether it was because he finally allowed himself the opportunity to break down, or because of the realization that he would be okay, he did not know.
Jim smiled softly at him, his face quickly recovering into the one of charge and attitude Dean was used to. If there was one thing he knew to be grateful for, it was the fact that he still had Jim and Bobby, and not to mention his little brother. The pain at being separated from one of his closest confidantes was only tripling in size with each day that passed, but he was feeling the tiniest bit hopeful it would not stay that way forever.
"Dean," Jim said. "I need you to know something."
"What?" Dean asked, his voice still shaken from his crying session.
Jim hesitated, and Dean could tell this was causing him great hassle to say it aloud. It either had to be something very good, or something very bad. With how Jim was responding to what he was going to announce to him, he had a feeling it could be either one.
"I talked it over with Bobby while you were sleeping. If you want to, Dean, you can go to Carthage to take care of the problem there."
"Seriously?" Dean said, hardly daring to believe he would be entrusted to help with a hunt like that.
That was the one thing he had been pushing for ever since discovering the case by chance. Carthage would do more than just give him a chance to hunt. It would also do wonders in distancing him from what was happening to him personally.
"Seriously," Jim confirmed. "Only if you think you can handle this."
"Oh, believe me, I can."
So that is why Dean is allowed to go on the hunt in Carthage. A way for him to separate himself from his upset over Caleb, and to also give him the opportunity to put all of his practice into good use.
