The Gloaming

Chapter 9: More Bad News

Two days later... 46 days to the Fade

Jensen paused at the new window to look out at the car in his driveway as he hurried to answer the knock at his front door. He didn't recognize the car, but he was confident the big, burly security guard Jared's father had provided wouldn't have let anyone get to the door if they were of any threat to him or his mother.

Continuing to the door, Jensen paused to activate the 5-inch monitor in the new steel-core door that was connected to the small, nearly invisible camera, installed by the security company, into the lintel above the front door outside. Releasing the locks, Jensen pulled the heavy, yet exquisitely balanced door, open with ease.

"Detective Beaver." He said, acknowledging the veteran detective standing on his front stoop.

"Good evening, Mr. Ackles. I've got some news about your case, may I come in?"

"Please, just call me Jensen."

"Okay, but only if you call me Jim." The gruff, older man smiled.

"I see your window's been repaired and is this a new door?"

"Yeah." Jensen said as he closed the door and the detective spotted the monitor.

"Nice." The older man said, nodding his head in approval.

"Jared's father insisted he provide us some security. Talked my mother into it."

"Well, that gorilla who checked me over before letting me approach the door should be a good preventative for anymore unwanted guests. I approve."

Donna rolled around the corner coming from the kitchen. "Detective!" she called out, warmly.

"Good evening, ma'am." Jim said, his eyes lighting up at seeing her.

Jensen smiled to himself as he eyed the detective and his mother. "Jim says he's got some news, Ma."

Her features instantly clouded. "Oh? I hope it's good news, Detective."

"Please, just call me Jim."

"Yes, he's Jim and she's Donna. And she's available."

"Jensen!" his mother protested, her blush now matching Jim's.

Jensen grinned in delight.

Jim dropped his gaze to the floor, clearing his throat nervously even as a small smile curved the corners of his mouth. He then looked back up and focused his attention on Jensen. "Is Mr. Padalecki with you, by chance?"

"No, he's not here. But I'm expecting him about an hour. We've um... got our first date tonight." Jensen said, barely able to contain his nervousness. He rubbed the back of his neck with one hand as he shifted from one foot to the other.

Jim smiled at the young man, touched by the younger man's barely contained excitement. "Well, good luck then. Nothing like first love, huh?"

Jensen frowned and looked down, his face inexplicably sad. Jim realized he'd said something wrong, and glanced at Donna and saw the tears brimming in her eyes as she stared at her son, he mentally kicked himself.

"I... I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you, son." Jim said softly, earnestly.

"No, it's alright. You didn't do anything wrong." Forcing a smile, he clapped Jim on the shoulder, trying to reassure the older man. "So what's the news you wanted to tell us?"

"Well, it's not very nice news." Jim looked at Donna nervously, but knew better than to ask her to leave the room again. "The three men we arrested and charged were found dead this morning in their cells."