Chapter 4

"Well after careful examination, I can tell you that this is highly unusual," the coroner began as he looked at the pair that came to see him. He had briefly met them both when he went to assess the body at the scene.

"What can you tell us Doc?" Dean asked the question since he didn't trust Sam with the questions at the moment.

"Well the body was ripped by a very strong individual. The upper body strength had to be really strong in order to do this amount of damage."

"Like a gorilla's strength?"

Dean looked at Sam. At least his brother was keeping his mind on the job. He ignored the look that Sam gave him while he turned his attention to the coroner.

The coroner looked up at the pair. Georgia said that these guys were consultants in the area and she was asking them for their opinion. In his mind they didn't look like they were in law enforcement. There was too much emotion going on in between them but then again he had seen tension between law enforcement partners before.

The assessment that the taller partner made was a rather nice one. The coroner replied, "Something akin to that fact. What I found really interesting are the bite marks. Take a look at the bones on the ulna."

Dean made a slight twitching in his lips as he leaned forward with Sam. He could see the markings. They were fairly deep gouges and they were pretty big. "I'm guessing these are too big for bear teeth?"

"I'm not saying that but it is inconsistent with bear attacks. Even moose don't do this much damage."

"So are we looking at some new creature?" Dean had to venture the question. Sometimes what people suspected helped in their line of work. This was critical since they were in a town that was close to what was, according to Angela, one of the largest wilderness areas in this region.

"Aren't you supposed to be the experts?"

"Your town, Doc," Dean replied giving a friendly grin. "You guys know the area better than we do."

"Was there anything else unusual about the body that says that it wasn't like a bear attack?" Sam entered, cutting to the chase.

The coroner looked at Sam and then at Dean. He said, "Your partner needs to loosen up."

Dean gave a short chuckle and gave a side kick to Sam to keep him from doing anything stupid. He replied, "That's why we came out here. Just trying to find something not related to police work. So really Doc, was there anything else?"

The coroner looked at Dean before reaching for a bag. "I found some hairs on the remains. I can tell you for certain they aren't human and they don't belong to Jennings. The hair coloring is too light and it is completely white."

Dean took the bag and took a look. They looked like the hairs that Angela had found. He noticed though that on this batch there were skin tags on the hairs. That meant that the hairs were ripped out. It could mean that Jennings fought with his attacker. He said, "Looks like you got skin tags."

The coroner came over to take a look. "Well by Jove you're right. Looks like Jennings may have fought with it and defended himself. Looks like we might have enough to run to a DNA check. We might be able to find out if it was a bear."

"Good luck with that," Dean said, "Look can we get a copy of the report? My partner and I can go over it and maybe we'll find something."

"Certainly. See the receptionist about it on your way out."

Dean took that as his and Sam's cue to leave. He made a motion and they both left the autopsy room. He made the inquiry for the report stating that they would wait for it. It was a perfect opportunity to finish the conversation that they started while waiting for the receptionist. He turned so that his back was facing the desk and asked, "So what the hell did you mean by that comment earlier?"

"Nothing."

"Don't make me take extreme measures Sam," Dean issued the warning. He had no idea what he was going to do except maybe the usual.

"Or what? You'll do something to my laptop? You do that anyway Dean," Sam replied as he crossed his arms over his chest. He tried ignoring his brother but even without looking, he could see that Dean wasn't about to let this go so easily. He had to try though. "It was nothing."

Dean had to think fast. Sam meant something by that comment and the more he thought about it, it was like he was calling her a slut. He was sure Sam didn't mean that and he just said it in a fit of anger but even that was uncharacteristic of Sam. Sure he said some things when that ghost doc messed with his mind but sometimes people said things they didn't mean when they were angry. "It wasn't 'nothing' if you felt the need to say it."

"It's nothing Dean. Drop it."

"No I'm not since it's obvious that you're not and what is it about her talking to Nick that has you thinking you have to make her life miserable?"

Sam shook his head. Dean probably would understand or maybe not. Maybe it was because he didn't take it seriously. How could he explain that he had been watching how people, guys especially ogled her? That he noticed how people gravitated towards her and were quick to follow her lead? Did they both think that it was over with the threats on her life? She herself said that it wasn't the first time someone wanted her dead. Plus maybe he did feel jealous that she was not into sharing anything anymore. Sam didn't know how to voice it except through anger and he didn't want to start an argument with Dean over it. So he kept silent.

"Well Sam?"

Of course Dean wasn't going to quit. That was the thing about the Winchesters. They never quit. Sam sighed, "I just don't like the guy."

"Dude you don't like any guy that says hi to her and they are being polite." Dean knew he was getting to the crux of the issue. Sam still didn't have a clue that he was attracted to her but it was plain that he was assuming the big brother stance he was guilty of when it came to Sam and her.

"Just be lucky that it doesn't extend to you when you're on a coffee break."

It then occurred to Dean that Sam may have witnessed the entire conversation that he and Angela had the night before. If Sam saw Dean touch her in that way… It made sense now to the comment Sam made. The touch was pretty intimate and they both knew that she had a thing about people touching her in certain areas. Dean realized he was going to have to set the record straight. He saw her more like family… a sister than anything. He made the mistake though of giving a relieved chuckle and said, "Sam…"

Before he could finish, Sam walked off saying, "You know what, never mind."

Dean sighed and was about to follow when he was approached by the receptionist with a copy of the reports. This was going to be difficult since Sam was clamming up and Angela wasn't around to calm people down in that way of hers even when she was annoyed and pissed. He took the report and thanked the receptionist. He had it in his mind to flirt with her but now he just didn't have the heart to. He followed the path his brother took trying to figure out how to fix this.

The morning felt like a bust but the afternoon could prove profitable even with the shadow hanging over things. Angela took a sip of the cheap cup of coffee she had bought and made a slight face. She had gotten the dregs of the batch. Oh well. She shrugged her shoulders and downed the cup. She was annoyed and hurt and the crap she drank fit with her mood.

The phone call from Nick she had been expecting but it was earlier than she anticipated given the fact that she knew how council meetings went. She knew that would put selecting a hearing date further down the list. Criminal cases went first since they generally involved the beings who accepted the law and all that good crap.

Nick had been called to present to the council why he had summoned intervention when he did. Since he was directly involved in Seraph and Horus' capturing of the Venator, he had to go. He had contacted her to ask her about procedures regarding standing in front of the higher powers. That took several phone calls over the past few weeks since he left and they were detailed ones taking up to an hour or so at a time.

The last one was to tell her whether or not she was to come forth and give her piece since she was the one who fought the guy. Nick had previously told her that he wanted to keep her out of it simply because he wasn't sure that the council wouldn't understand the complications that arose from the regression spell that had been used on her and the boys. She was smart enough to recognize that he didn't want to put her through the embarrassment of an interrogation when she was to do that eventually.

She found it sweet of Nick and told him so. She suspected that he was attracted to her and not in the friendship type of way. Angela hated that aspect of herself. She already had Austin 'under her spell' and she knew that it would never be more than a friendship. He knew that too and had moved on but he admitted that he would always have a place for her in his heart. She could admit that she was attracted to Nick but more along the lines that they shared similar experiences of helping and living on the run.

Nick told her that she didn't have to give her statement. He said that the council deemed that there was plenty of evidence since a certain demon found the Venator's partner and the machine they had been using to track down Halflings. Nick never mentioned the demon's name but Angela knew who it was that found Payne. She had told Ruby that if she didn't want this to happen again, then she should bring Payne in. Well she implied that when she told Ruby to find Payne and his machine. Anyway, Nick told her that Payne and the Venator were to be imprisoned for life. The Venator was to be sent to Carpathia, the maximum security prison. There was no way that he was getting out… ever.

Angela was keeping the whole thing on the low ground since she knew that sometimes criminal trials didn't always go well. Nick did say though that there was plenty of evidence when they examined the machine and the location where it was being kept. She was planning on telling the boys since she said that Nick had requested intervention which was why they were able to leave without too much worry.

When she came back, Sam asked her if it was her boyfriend and not in a friendly manner. She had responded saying that it was Nick and that he was asking her something as well as giving some news. That led to Sam asking if he was asking her out.

"I don't think that's any of your business, Sam," Angela had replied.

"Fine. Just make sure that you don't string anyone along like Dean."

"What are you talking about?"

"Look if you want to go out with that warlock just don't do it behind Dean's back."

Angela had been completely flabbergasted by the implications. She had no idea where Sam was getting his crazy ideas. She replied, "His name is Nick and if I wish to go out with him is my business… not yours."

"If you want to be one of those girls then fine."

The moment Sam said that, Angela became very aware that she was very hurt by that. Her first impulse was to slap Sam and he would have deserved it. She balled her hands into a fist and said, "Since you want to be that way, I don't think I can talk to you. When you are ready to not be an ass, then maybe I will talk to you." She then walked out and went to continue on the case.

Angela knew she was not being fair to Dean by ignoring the phone calls and only sending text messages but she was still too angry and hurt. She didn't want to risk hurting Dean when the real target of her ire was Sam. Did he really think her to be like that? Maybe she did crave a relationship but she denied it to herself because her duty came first. All her life it did; that and she harbored the belief that she was a bad luck charm when it came to personal relationships.

Her relationship with the boys was one that she sought to preserve and probably one of the few things she sought for herself. She could admit that she liked them both and it could be called love but more of that brotherly love. She just didn't want to say anything out of the fear that something bad would happen. It did when she lost her father and of course there was Mary as well as the close friendships she made over the centuries, the ones that didn't end because of old age.

This was going to have to be fixed but right now she had a job to do. People needed saving from this beast and she knew that it wasn't a bear. Georgia had given her the address of the one survivor and she decided that she should talk to him. Georgia mentioned that he was in a bit of a catatonic state from his ordeal. That was no problem. She also had the message that the coroner was ready. She sent that info to Dean.

Now she was outside the house of Mr. John Scout looking up the porch and at the door. At least she looked like the part. She could only hope that his daughter would be willing to let her talk to him. She fished in her pocket and pulled out the fake badge, well the badge was real but the ID wasn't, and checked it. Taking a breath, she jogged up the stairs and knocked on the door.

The door was opened to a sunny-faced young woman. Angela got the feeling that she would have been smiling if it hadn't been for the fact that her father had been attacked. She gave her best sympathetic smile and introduced herself, "Ms. Scout? I'm Detective Cortez. Ranger Georgia Wilkes asked me to consult on the case regarding the missing hikers. She said that your father managed to come back."

"I don't understand. I thought it was ruled as a bear attack?" The young woman looked at Angela with a puzzled expression.

Angela had to cover and make a plausible story. She replied, "It was but the circumstances were suspicious and we did find another body. I was hoping that by questioning your father, we could make things clear and catch the thing that did this."

The woman continued to look a little puzzled as if she were debating on the validity of Angela's request. Finally she said, "Alright. I still don't see why they need an outside opinion on a bear attack but then again my father keeps insisting that it wasn't a bear." She opened the door to let Angela in.

Angela followed the woman through a very spacious house. It was tastefully decorated to give an almost rustic and civilized appeal. Angela recalled the last time she was in a place like that and it seemed so long ago. She commented, "Very nice. It seems to bring a bit of the wilderness in."

"My parents love the wilderness. My mother especially. When she died, Dad kept everything as it was. I just make sure to keep it up with the flowers," Ms. Scout replied. She led the way to a sunny room that made it look like a study. There were two chairs in front of the fire place. One was occupied by someone. "I must tell you Dad has been doing good but he does shut down if he thinks someone doesn't believe him." She then smiled and said, "Dad, this is Detective Cortez. She is interested in what happened in the woods."

Angela took the seat she had been offered. When the daughter asked if she wanted coffee, she readily accepted. She suspected that the old man didn't want to talk about it with his daughter there. Once she was gone, she smiled and said, "Mr. Scout…"

"I know why you are here. You want to know if it was a bear that attacked me on the trail towards Lake Como," Mr. Scout interrupted. He had a long scar on the right side of his face that was still healing since it was pink. He had other scars on his left arm that looked like claw marks.

Angela knew that he was a sharp tack. The usual tricks wouldn't work. She replied, "Yes I am. I also know that it wasn't a bear attack like everyone is saying. I want to know what you think it was. Maybe you could describe it to me."

Mr. Scout surveyed the young detective. He suspected the name was fake, but the sincerity in finding out what happened out there was in her eyes. He could trust her. He nodded, "I can tell you one thing. It was huge… bigger than any bear I had ever seen and I had seen quite a few. It's out for blood since it chased me until I left the area."

Angela leaned forward in interest. "Tell me everything."

Well I think are several possibilities but only one stands out to me.

"So you do have an idea what the thing is Bobby?" Angela wiped the towel through her hair as she talked on the phone.

It had been late when she finished her interview with the old man. He insisted on giving her all the details. She found that to be most helpful as she compiled her lists for the modus operandi of the types of creatures that had the same size as what the old man described and the type of behavior that it engaged in. She hadn't been in the mood to meet up with the boys and took the roundabout way to her room after grabbing a bite to eat.

She made her lists and poured through her databases but she was stuck. The old man was good but he described the thing as being super-fast and that he hadn't gotten a good look at it. That was the problem when it came to these creatures. They moved too fast and there were quite a few that did that. So after taking a shower, she called up Bobby and gave details.

Yeah and he don't exist.

"You're kidding me? Your assessment is Bigfoot?" Angela looked at nothing in particular as she listened to Bobby's response.

Hey you gave me what you got. Why aren't you going over this with the boys?

"I don't want to talk about that," Angela replied quickly.

Don't give me that tone young lady. You may be the eldest of all of us but you still have the disposition of those two idjits you travel with.

"It's… it's just that things are a little tense." Angela made a slight roll of her eyes as her tone took that cautious telltale one.

Sounds like the understatement of the year to me.

"Tell me about it."

I will.

Angela couldn't help but chuckle over that. She replied, "I know. I need to fix it. You don't need another lost, kicked puppy showing up on your doorstep. I'll try to work it out but someone needs to stop being an ass."

Dean?

"No."

Sam?

"I'll talk to you later Bobby. Maybe a good night's sleep would help me figure it out. Good-night," Angela replied changing the subject. She hung up before Bobby could reply. She put the phone on the nightstand and sighed while running a hand through her wet locks. A knock at the door caught her attention and she walked to the door and leaned her head on it. Closing her eyes, she took a sniff. Finding out who it was, she opened the door and said, "Knocking on doors seems a little low tech for you."

Crowley glanced around to make sure that there was no salt around. Seeing none, he stepped in the room taking in the rustic setting. He advanced towards Angela who was standing near the bed but was suddenly stopped. He looked around and found no sign of a devil's trap.

"Crowley."

Crowley looked at Angela who pointed up with a UV penlight. Looking up at the ceiling, he saw part of a trap glow under the UV light. There was a reason why he liked her and part of it was her ability to be creative when dealing with his kind. He gave a chuckle and a smile, "Very clever love."

"I have my moments… like the ability to sniff out patterns of your appearances Crowley," Angela replied as she crossed her arms. She was aware that she was dressed in a manner that suggested that she was relaxed; her flannel pants and her usual top for bed. However she was still diligent when it came to her own safety and the safety of others. She made a click with her tongue and a wry grin. It was always the same with her and Crowley but she couldn't help it and she asked, "So what have you come to offer me this time?"

"Same deal as always. You do a few things for me and I can get my hands on Dean's contract and make it go all away," Crowley replied as he stood rooted to his spot. He couldn't believe that she wasn't going to let him go so easily.

"Isn't it always peculiar that you show up the moment something is not going right in my life?" Angela looked at Crowley in an inquisitive manner while speaking in a sarcastic tone.

"What can I say love? When you're at your worst I get the feeling that I might get lucky."

"You just love exploiting people when they are down on their luck don't you?"

"You caught me love," Crowley replied holding his hands up in mock surrender. "Like right now. Seems to me I can sense things are not going well between you and your bodyguards."

"The Winchesters are not my bodyguards. We are partners," Angela replied in annoyed tones as she picked up one of her pens. It was how she was able to mark rooms without leaving a trace. The next occupants were protected when she left.

"So you say. Now I know they are tense about Dean's contract and I am sure that you know by now your precious council won't rule to reverse it so why not play with the devil you know… as the saying goes."

"No go, Crowley," Angela replied as she pulled a chair up and stood to wipe away part of the seal. "No deals between you and me and I would appreciate it if you leave me alone."

"Grown a spine I see. I always did like it when you showed your tougher side." Crowley took a step forward, relieved that the seal was broken. He reached out to touch Angela's face and was amused when she jerked it away. "Alright love. I won't bother you anymore but do remember that should you need a deal, you're going to have to do a summoning the old fashioned way."

"Highly unlikely with you."

"But with Ruby…" Crowley left that hanging as he turned towards the door. "By the way I heard about the Venator. Your warlock friend came through for you. I hope you have it in you to show your appreciation love."

Angela resisted the urge to throw the pen at Crowley. Instead she let him go. She plunked herself on her bed and crossed her legs in an attempt to meditate. It was going to be a long night.

A/N: Sammy what have you done? Now Angela is pissed and Dean needs to figure out a way to fix this. Of course Crowley has to drop in and stir things up. Oh boy. Still open for guesses as to what the mysterious creature is. Stay tuned for next time on Bitterroot Resolutions...