Chapter 20

"Thank you so much for understanding Rebecca. I'm sorry we had to postpone." Dean says with a charming smile.

Flanders' ex-girlfriend, Rebecca, who now looks to be in her sixties, smiles wide at Dean. Her hair is dyed a deep red and is pulled back in a messy ponytail. Her eyelashes are heavily mascaraed and her lips sport dark rouge. She places a hand on Dean's shoulder and pulls him into the house.

"No problem at all honey. I'll gladly help you in any way I can," Rebecca says devilishly.

Sam tries to hold back a laugh as Dean's smile immediately vanishes. Dean looks back at Sam with fear, which further increases Sam's desire to laugh.

"This way dear," Rebecca coos as she leads Dean into a sitting room and then gently pushes him on a sofa. Her hand lingers on his arm for a moment, and her fingers dance gracefully down his arm. Sam cannot hold back the small laugh that escapes his lips, but he quickly conceals it with a cough. Dean's not fooled though and sends daggers at Sam with his eyes.

"I'm going to make some tea for you boys and then I'll be right back," Rebecca says. She smiles once more at Dean and then exits the sitting area. Dean sighs loudly and sinks into the couch.

"I guess I'm too handsome for my own good," Dean says wistfully to the ceiling.

"Well then use your "looks" to get us some information," Sam snorts while using air quotations around the word 'looks.'

Rebecca returns with three cups of tea and a tray of cookies. She places the snacks on a coffee table at their feet and sits in a chair across from them.

"Now what can I do for you?" Rebecca asks Dean, "You said you went to high school with Jeremy?"

"Yes, we both did actually," Sam answers.

Rebecca looks at Sam for the first time since they entered her house. Her eyes travel up and down Sam's body. She then locks eyes with him and speaks with authority.

"I find that a little hard to believe considering you both look to be in your twenties."

Sam's heart falls and he inhales through his nose. How could we be so stupid? Dean falters momentarily, but quickly recovers. He grabs one of Rebecca's cookies, takes a bite, and smiles widely.

"Wow, these cookies are delicious Rebecca," Dean mumbles as crumbs fall out of his mouth.

"Thank you dear. I put a lot of effort in buying them at the supermarket," Rebecca replies sweetly.

Dean swallows loudly and then continues talking.

"I'm sorry, my brother here is a bit confused. Our father is actually that one who went to high school with Jeremy."

"Mhm," Rebecca nods.

Sam can tell that she is still not convinced. He opens his mouth to support Dean, but she holds up her hand.

"Listen boys, I'm not stupid. I knew you were lying the minute you called me…" she pauses as if a sudden thought occurred to her and continues in a fast-paced tone, "You're with the police right? You're looking for Sally."

"Yes," Dean exclaims. Sam watches as his brother leans over to get another cookie and purposely knocks over a teacup. Dean instantly jumps up and retrieves the fallen cup.

"I'm so sorry," he apologizes.

"It's fine dear, let me get a towel," Rebecca says as she rushes to the kitchen. The minute she is out of eyesight Dean leans over and whispers quickly to Sam.

"Sally is Jeremy's younger sister"

"Jeremy had siblings? Why didn't you tell me? We should be interviewing her." Sam whispers angrily.

"I tried to tell you. Anyway, she disappeared after her father's death. I couldn't find any recent address or phone number. Also she didn't attend her father's funeral, which I thought was strange," Dean immediately falls silent as Rebecca reenters the room with a towel in her hand. He signals with his eyes for Sam to ready his fake badge.

"Why didn't you just tell me that you were cops in the first place? Don't you think going undercover is unnecessary?" Rebecca asks.

"We found that people tend to divulge more information if they feel a connection to us," Sam answers quickly.

Rebecca sighs loudly as she begins to mop up the mess.

"I felt so bad for them. Their father was such an awful man," Rebecca murmurs.

Sam's eyes widen and he turns to find his brother wearing the same shocked expression.

"How is Sally?" Rebecca asks still looking at the cloth in her hand, "Do you know where she is?"

"Sally was living in our community for a while. One day she just left, leaving most of her belongings behind. We looked into her past and found that she had a connection to you." Dean explains.

"We were hoping you could help us," Sam adds hating the way he has to lie to her. She looks so vulnerable.

Dean whips out a fake sheriff badge, and Sam follows his suit.

"She was reported as a missing person yesterday," Dean continues.

Rebecca deflates into her chair with a distant expression on her face.

"I dated Jeremy in my twenties. We were together for five years actually. I saw Sally a lot. I babysat her all the time when Jeremy had to work at Ocean Delicacies with his father. She was only ten when Jeremy and I started dating. I saw her grow up though, and I considered her my sister. Too many times she came to my home with bruises. She always shrugged them away, saying that she fell at school or something. Jeremy finally told me the truth though. Their father abused them," Rebecca pauses and wipes a tear from her eye.

"There was no police record of abuse," Dean replies in shock.

"They never turned him in. Jeremy was very loyal to his father despite the constant beatings. He looked up to his father. Sally on the other hand was different. As she got older she began turning to drugs to cope, and as you probably know she ran away at age sixteen after her father died. I haven't seen her since."

"What about Jeremy ma'am? How did he react after his father's death?" Sam asks gently.

"He was destroyed after his father died. I think he snapped. After all he was the one who found his father's body. He began painting symbols in a shed near the factory. He kept telling me he was trying to protect people from his father, specifically girls for some reason. He said his father was still alive and if he painted these symbols it would keep him away. He wanted to make sure no girl went near the factory. So he sold the land to be developed into an all boys school," Rebecca shakes her head before continuing.

"He was suffering from PTSD. He was traumatized from his father's abuse and from finding his father's body. I-I had to break up with him. He no longer cared about me anymore. All he cared about was protecting people from his father. Poor boy…"

SA–

Sam inhales sharply, but tries to remain composed.

"Are you okay, dear?" Rebecca asks.

Dean turns to Sam with the same question in his eyes.

"Yes, I'm okay. Sorry," Sam replies.

Rebecca looks past Sam with glazed eyes.

"I'll never forget the day Jeremy pulled his father's body from that lake," Rebecca whispers.

Dean chokes on the tea he was drinking, and falls into a coughing fit. With Dean incapacitated, Sam responds for him.

"The lake? I thought Jeremy's father drowned in the ocean," Sam asks trying to remain calm.

Rebecca shakes her head before replying.

"That's what Jeremy told the press. I think he knew he was going to have to sell the land eventually, and he didn't want it to be tainted by his father's death."

Sam bolts upright to his feet.

"Thank you for all your help miss. I think we've gather enough inf–," Sam's sentence is cut short again as Lina's voice fills his mind.

HELP

Her voice is louder this time. He staggers on his feet and nearly falls to his knees. He feels Dean's arms hold him up. Sam stands there breathing heavily for a moment before the feeling passes.

"You good?" Dean asks.

Sam nods his head slightly, making sure not to ignite the pain again.

"Do you need anything?" Rebecca asks with concern.

"No, he just needs to rest. Thank you for your time." Dean responds for Sam. Sam slowly walks toward the door, and Dean follows behind him.

Sam hears Dean stop and turns around to see Rebecca holding his arm.

"Please find Sally," she whispers with tears in her eyes.

"We'll do our best ma'am," Dean responds.

Sam heads out the front door with Dean hurrying behind him. When they reach the Impala both Sam and Dean collapse in their seats.

Dean is the first to speak.

"Well shit."