Standing Outside the Fire

46

"Martin, you sure you're running on a full charge?" Dean questioned.

Martin nodded. "Y-yeah. L-little s-shock therapy in the morning, and I-I'm," he snapped his fingers, "good to go."

"Tell us what happened last night," Francesca said.

"So, I followed him home, just like every night. They turned up a path. I hear a scream. I catch up. Then, boom -- there he is. The old coot that Roy was eyeballing at the joint -- vamped."

"Wait-" Dean frowned. "Did you actually see Benny kill the guy or not?"

"I saw enough."

Francesca tilted her head slightly. "Well, then, how can you be sure it was Benny if you didn't actually see him do it?"

"B-b-because I saw Benny turn up the path, and then two seconds later, I trip over a body with its throat ripped. Look, ma'am, you -- you ever hear of Occam's Razor? "Keep it simple, stupid"? It's not that complicated."

"There's a lot of holes, Martin," Dean noted.

"Holes? The only holes we should be looking at are in the vic's neck."

Dean turned to Sam. "This sound like the Benny you know?"

Sam met his eyes. "I don't know Benny."

Francesca shook her head. "Not to me."

Martin narrowed his eyes. "The Benny you know? Say what? Why am I getting the distinct impression that your brother and his wife, are vouching for a vampire?"

"Guys, let's not argue," Sam stated.

Dean glanced at him. "No one's arguing, but if this is Benny -- and that's a big "if"-"

"Oh, it's him," Martin interrupted.

"Frankie and I got history with the guy, all right? I'm not signing up for a witch hunt." He turned to Sam. "She and I owe him more than that."

"What in God's great creation could a Winchester and his wife possibly owe a vampire? Am I hearing this right?"

Dean pursed his lips. "Look, until we get the facts, we stow the bloodlust, and we work this case right, or we work separately."

"Doing it right would be separating his head from his shoulders."

"Frankie and I just need some time, Sammy."

"Oh, yeah. Let the fang take another life? I don't think so."

"How much time do you two need?" Sam questioned.

Martin turned to Sam. "You're not actually considering this?"

"Couple hours, tops," Dean said.

"And what if it does turn out to be Benny?" Sam wondered.

"Then it's Benny, and we'll deal with it!" Dean cried.

"Couple hours, Dean, Frankie. No more."

"We'll be in touch."

Dean and Francesca headed for the door and Martin followed him. "H-hey. Oh, look. Hey, uh-"

Dean walked out the door and closed it behind him.

Martin frowned. "You're joking, right? We're doing this as soon as he pulls away."

Sam shook his head. "No, we're not, Martin. We're gonna give him a little bit of time."

"Hey, it's your brother and sister-in-law. It's your call. How long are you gonna let him go on like this? It's like staring them right in the face."

Sam nodded and exhaled sharply. "Well, sometimes it's not easy to see things for what they are."