Saints or Sinners | {BOOK 3}

44| Benny Didn't Do It

"You called me Ellie," I said quietly as we walked into Guidry's Cajun Café.

"What?" Dean asked, looking over at me.

"When you mentioned we both had history with Benny. You called me Ellie. You haven't done that in over a year."

"Yeah, well..." Dean trailed off, taking a seat at the counter.

I didn't press the issue further, taking a seat beside him as a waitress came over and put menus in front of us.

"Actually, I already know what I want," Dean smiled at her.

"Let me guess- gumbo?" she asked.

Dean chuckled and I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.

"Was going to be gumbo until I saw..." he pointed over at a display case and clicked his tongue, "...pie."

"Well, the special's pecan."

"'Course it is. Let's do that. And a slice for Ellie, here, too."

I hid my smirk by reaching up to scratch the side of my nose as the waitress looked over at me then back at Dean and nodded before walking away. I nudged Dean's shoulder and when he looked over at me, I nodded to some pictures behind the counter, including one of Benny. The waitress returned empty handed a few moments later.

"Bad news," she sighed.

"You're out of pecan," Dean guessed. "Story of my life. Uh, that's alright. Maybe you can make it up to me. We're actually looking for an old friend of ours. We heard he's kicking around these parts. His name's Roy."

"Well, Roy works the night shift here. I mean, if we're talking about the same Roy."

"Uh, yeah, he, uh, putts around in a- a beat up camper. Thing looks like a rolling death trap."

"Yeah, I thought I was the only one who gave him trouble over that piece of junk," she laughed.

Dean laughed along with her.

"You wouldn't happen to know where he's parking that thing these days, would you?"

"Well, he, uh, was parking it out back, but just called to tell me he's gone up the road to Mill Creek for a few days."

"Okay. Uh, did he say why?"

"Oh... fishing, I think. He really deserves a break. He's been working doubles for the past two weeks straight."

"Listen, I, uh, I tell you what," Dean started, writing something on a piece of paper. "If he pops up before we can find him, you do me a favor and just have him give me a buzz. Or..."

He slid the paper across the counter to her.

"... could just drop a dime yourself?"

He smiled at her and she glanced over at me before focusing on him again.

"Sure thing..." she picked up the paper, "...Dean."

"And, uh, you are...?" Dean said, standing up.

"Elizabeth," she replied as I also stood from the counter.

"Elizabeth," he repeated. "Alright. Take a rain check on that pie."

"Definitely."

Dean rapped his knuckles on the counter before heading out the door, but before I could follow, Elizabeth stopped me.

"Hey, are you two...?"

"That's, uh, complicated," I replied, looking over my shoulder at the door. "Thanks for the help."

"Of course."

I smiled, heading out the door. Dean was standing by the Impala waiting for me on his phone.

"Benny. I got a body here in Carencro with two holes in it, and I just found out you went fishing. Do I need to tell you what this looks like?"

He hung up, glancing over at me.

⁘

When Dean and I finally tracked Benny down, it was to see him burying a body. We didn't approach him until he was washing the blood off his hands at a well.

"It's not me, Dean," he said, not turning to face us.

"Now, which 'me' are we talking about- Benny, or Roy?"

Benny turned around to face us then. Dean and I were both hiding machetes behind our backs.

"I'm just trying to blend in."

"Blend in? Who'd you plant, Benny?"

"Victim number two. If you're concerned about the missed calls, I didn't want you to get involved. Now... Wanna safety those things..." he put a hand on his own machete, "... talk a little bit or what?"

Dean and I both took the machetes out from behind our backs.

"We're all ears," Dean replied.

"Rogue vamp. Came into the café a couple nights ago. Youngster goes by the name Desmond. He, uh, remembers me from the good old days."

"The good old days?" I repeated.

"I know it's hard to believe, Eleanor, but I haven't always been this cuddly. He's chasing a memory, guys. That's all. He's crewing up a new nest. He's hoping I can give him some cred. I told him no."

"Alright. So far, so good," Dean nodded. "Let's get to the part about the blood."

"Didn't want to take no for an answer," Benny shrugged. "He's trying to roust me out, leaving dead bodies in my wake till I sign up. Two bodies in two days. No amateur is going to kick me out of my hometown, Dean. Not this time."

"Hometown? You grew up here?"

"Born and bred," the vamp nodded. "With Andrea gone and you hunting again, seemed like the right time for a homecoming- you two being the only ones who keep all my ducks in a row. Went back to my old job at the café. I even found someone to hold myself accountable to. Best kind of someone, Dean. Family."

"Elizabeth."

Dean took a few steps past Benny, sheathing his machete. I also put away my weapon, but stayed where I was.

"My great-granddaughter," Benny informed us.

"Really?" Dean asked.

Even without seeing his face, I knew he was cringing at the thought that he'd flirted with his best friend's great-granddaughter. Benny must have picked up on it either from my face or Dean's tone, but he looked appalled for a second.

"Now, hold it, now. You didn't-"

"Uh, no," Dean cut him off, turning back around. "No. Does she know?"

"No," Benny shook his head. "No, as far as she's concerned, I was just another drifter. I'd like to keep it that way. It's been tough walking the line here after all those years in Purgatory not having to deal with the hunger. But Elizabeth... she keeps me honest. I finally feel like I got a handle on this thing."

"Handle on things?" I repeated and they both looked at me. "Benny, you've got two stiffs on your hands and two hunters on your ass."

"Oh, please," Benny scoffed. "That half-wit who found me at the café? I'll take my chances with him."

"That half-wit was sent by my brother, and trust me- my brother's not someone you want to mess with," Dean informed him.

"I don't have to worry about them, guys. I didn't think Desmond had an ounce of steel in his spine, but I was wrong about that. So now I'm gonna do what I should have done two days ago, which is put him back where he belongs."

"You know there's only one way to do that, right?" Dean pointed out. "And that is for you to sit on the sideline while we convince Sam and Martin to go after Desmond. They see you out there, they don't care if you're gonna be collecting for the March of Dimes. They are gonna slice first and ask questions later. You know that."

"You really think they'll go for that?"

Dean and I exchanged a look, and Dean sighed.