The Bodyguard (is the Omega)

22.

Dean was in a terrible mood by the time they got into the car. Castiel had not allowed him to fly in the private jet. Well, he did put Crowley and Ketch on it and put the flight expenditure on Dean's account. Dean flew economy on an overbooked flight with Castiel and the elite bodyguards Castiel had sourced from Naomi. Dean had only gotten through the flight with the aid of cheap champagne and grabbing Castiel's hand. It had been awkward running through the case in their little section of the tail end of the plane, right by the toilets, with Cain politely not staying anything about Dean clawing into Castiel's thigh while Castiel read through faxes.

Dean seemed relieved to see Charlie standing in the private backroom the airport officials directed them through. She clasped Dean and Castiel into a warm hug somehow managing to wrap her petite frame around both of them. She had a holster on beneath her tailored suit jacket and cuffs in her pockets, the hilt of her knives jabbing into Castiel's ribs. For someone who didn't really enjoy using guns, Charlie was armed to the teeth. Castiel always knew she had a keen sense for danger just like he did. She looked like she was in good fighting spirits around Dean but Castiel could smell her hyper alert state when they hugged. Whatever happened back at the mansion had Charlie spooked. So he spent a little extra time going through the route home with her and commended her on the arrangements she had made. Charlie seemed comforted by his reassurances and her demeanour became more warm as they got into the car. Charlie steered them smoothly onto the high way. They were travelling in a subtle convoy of vehicles. Cain on his motorcycle was just ahead of them, while Benny in the limo drove behind. The unassuming sedan Charlie was driving had dark tinted bulletproof windows and a modified motor that could out perform most police cars. He had asked her for subterfuge and speed and she delivered on both. Castiel was being excessively careful even by his own standards but the way in which Micky D has popped back up into the picture had set alarm bells ringing.

An ambulance was just leaving the grounds when they entered the private road, its sirens blaring. Castiel glanced at it, his eyes following the vehicle as it disappeared around the bend. There were still police cars parked in the front driveway, one of the ornate front gates was lying on the side of the road, crime scene tape thrown over it. Castiel introduced himself to the local police attending, they were on their way out. The lead detective Victor Henriksen gave Castiel his card and promised to rush all the forensics. Of course he deferred to the authority of the FBI who were also investigating but Castiel was happy to see how quickly Henriksen worked at wrapping up the on scene investigation given that the ambulance had just taken away the body.

"He died while the paramedic was working on him, surprised he lasted as long as he did," Henriksen had said. "We couldn't take him off the antlers because he would have bled out instantly. He was on there for 10 hours."

Even Castiel grimaced, nodding grimly as he invited Henriksen inside for the briefing with Donna.

Donna was in the library waiting for them. She was looking on at a game of snakes and ladders Sam was playing with Jack and Samandriel. Hannah sat in an armchair, composed and clearly on duty. Dean grabbed Jack and Sam into a tight embrace, looking them both over as if to check for himself that they were fine. Sam and Castiel hugged then it was time for Dean to steer Jack back to the game and for Donna to show them some photos. Donna filled them in on what happened.

"Jack was the one who found him. He came out early in the morning to run his boat in the pool. He had just finished it last night and was eager to sail it at first light. He saw the shadow on the gate and walked over to look but he didn't go all the way up to it. He scented the blood from a long distance away."

Castiel was grateful for Jack's sensitive nose and the processing disorder that made him see the world in smells more vividly than his vision. It made him different to a lot of other people but in this case it spared him the trauma of another violent encounter.