Murder Mayhem

Chapter 17

The process of moving into Dean's house is a slow one. This is mostly due to the snow that keeps falling for the next couple of weeks. Some of his furniture gets put in storage, since they can't fit in Dean's place. They'll have a yard sale come springtime.

It's the Wednesday of the third week of January that Cas' apartment is completely cleared of his belongings. The snow has started to melt and things are great. Two days later, they are relaxed together on the couch, the news on, but neither are paying a bit of attention, their focus being on each other.

"Breaking News! Yet another victim claimed by the infamous Cain!" Dean's attention jerks to the t.v. at the sound of his alias.

"Twelve year olds Ben Braedon and Lilith Freemont had been playing at the park when they discovered a body. The identity of the body has not been released. But we will know very shortly." the news anchor is standing outdoors and a familiar park is in the background. Dean recognizes Sam's team working.

"Agent Winchester, what's your statement on this murder?" the reporter shoves his microphone into Sam's face as he passes by.

"No comment. There will be a press conference in the square when we wrap up here." Sam looks exhausted. As he walks away, he pulls out his phone. Seconds later Dean's own phone rings.

Dean answers, putting it on speaker for Cas to hear too.

"Dean," Sam's voice sounds strained and tired.

"I know, Sammy, I saw the news. Want me to come down?" Dean asks.

"Yeah, and bring Cas, I need to talk with him." Sam sighs.

"Okay Sam, I'll see you after the conference." Dean hangs up.

"Why does he need to talk to me?" Cas looks confused. Shit, Dean didn't think about that. Cas has not so good history with Meg. Not to mention all the texts she's sent him. Of course they're gonna want to talk to him, how stupid.

They get to Sam's office in time to watch the conference. Cas seems utterly shocked as he watches.

"The most recent victim is Meg Masters. She has been missing for about a month now. She is yet another victim of Cain. We are trying out best to find Cain, we will not rest until his reign of terror is put to an end."

"Meg?" Cas stares at the TV blankly. "Meg got killed?" Cas frowns.

"Are you upset about that?" Dean asks.

"I don't know. I mean she was a terrible person, but I don't think she deserved to die." Cas frowns.

It's a little while before Sam meets them in his office. Charlie follows in after him, though she avoids looking at either Dean or Cas.

Dean pulls Sam aside.

"Cas did not kill her, he couldn't hurt anyone. He smacked a bee once and he felt bad for hours." Dean murmurs.

"Sometimes it's the person we least suspect." Sam sighs.

Don't I know it, Dean thinks to himself. Then he fixes Sam with a disbelieving glare.

"I know Dean, but I have no choice. I have to question him. I barely got permission to do it here. Be lucky it's not in an interrogation room." Sam pushes his hair back. Dean shakes his head and sits in the seat beside Cas.

"What is it that you wanted to talk to me about?" Cas asks Sam.

"Where were you on Christmas Eve of the past December?" Sam questions.

"Sam you know he was at my house." Dean growls.

"Dean, he has to answer," Sam sighs.

"I was at Dean's house. I was there all day and I even spent the night." Cas responds.

"And you didn't leave the house at all during the night?" Sam crosses his arms.

"Am I a suspect, Sam?" Cas asks softly.

"We just have to look into every possibility, that's all." Sam shakes his head.

"Well, I slept through the night except once, when I hope you and Dean was-" Cas hesitated for a split second, but Dean catches it. "sleeping. I got up to either gets drink or use the restroom. To be honest I'm not sure which, it was a while ago."

"You were receiving messages from Meg, correct?" Sam asks.

"Yes, after Dean and I broke up, she started messaging me. I declined her advances, but she remained persistent, even after Dean and I got back together." Cas clenches his jaw.

"Did you see her while she was in town during the month of December?" Sam seems like he would rather be doing something more productive than questioning an innocent man.

"Only twice. Both times she didn't see me, and I didn't contact her."

"That's all I need to ask, thank you, Cas." Sam stands. "I have to go, I can't just sit around doing nothing." Sam stalks out of the office.

"He gets like this everytime we find a new one. I don't know how much longer he can handle this case. It's really getting to his head." Charlie says softly. She looks tired too, but she smiles at Dean anyways, she's always trying to stay happy, for the boys.

"I'll see you later, Charlie." Dean hugs her. Cas stays silent as they walk out to the car.

"They think she was killed on Christmas Eve, that's why they were asking me." Cas states finally after ten minutes of Dean driving quietly.

"Yeah, that's probably when she last contacted anyone. But we know you didn't do it, so you don't have to worry." Dean pats his knee.

"I have nothing to worry about, you do." Dean freezes at Cas' words.

"What?" he keeps his eyes on the road, not even glancing his way. Dean's heart starts to hammer in his chest.

"You're the one who has most to worry about between the two of us. It's your brother who is stressing out so much about this case. When Sam stresses out, so do you. With Cain making another kill and Sam so focused on the case, you not only have to take care of yourself, but also make sure Sam is taking care of himself." Cas says this simply.

"You're right, i do worry about him a bit too much, but someone has to." Dean tries to relax, but his heart refuses to calm.

Little does he know, Cas knew what he was doing when he said that. He said it specifically to see Dean's reaction. For him more and more things are falling into place and becoming more clear to him. He needs evidence now. He hopes beyond anything that he's wrong about his speculation.