More than a Memory

Chapter 3: Finding Answers

The sheriff watched him. Her expression softened at the end as he leaned against the truck. She looked down for a second and then back up at him, "The owner died five years ago."

Ben felt all the blood leave his face and his knees go weak. He leaned more on his truck to keep himself upright. Does that mean his father really was dead? Was he too late to meet the man? Ben looked down at the dirt on his boots and asked, "Did you know the owner?"

The sheriff nodded and smiled a sad sort of smile, "I knew Bobby quite well."

Ben's head shot up and he almost smiled. He ran a hand over his sweaty face as he tried to hide his misplaced excitement. He coughed and looked around, "Did he uh-ever have anyone workin' for 'em?"

Her brows wrinkled as she shifted from one foot to the other, "No, um, not really? I take it you were here looking for someone?"

Ben could tell with the pause she was hiding something. He tried to push her harder by saying, "Yeah, I am. Dean Winchester."

The relaxed position the sheriff had suddenly disappears. Her back becomes rigid as she stands up straight. The soft expression leaves and is replaced by one of concern and almost fear. She puts her hand back on her hip, right over her holster. Her eyes narrow as she asks, "Why?"

Ben feels himself tense. He watches her closely and feels his heart rate speed up again, the water being splashed in his face finally making sense. He had read that demons existed and that was what fueled part of his new tattoo. Before he said anything, he pulled the shirt slowly away from the fresh ink and watched the sheriff relax once again, her arms falling to her sides.

"If you're a hunter and you're lookin' for Dean, either he's in trouble or somethin' worse," she sighed.

"He's alive?" Ben rushed out, slowly putting his shirt back into place.

Her head shot up again with a confused look, "As far I knew he was." Ben leaned back against his truck and smiled, feeling hope flood his chest. "Why wouldn't he be and why wouldn't ya know this?"

Ben sighed, deciding to speak the truth aloud for the first time. "I think Dean Winchester is my father," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

"What?" the sheriff squeaked out and then began to pace. She quickly looked around as though someone was listening and then stepped closer to him. "I think ya better follow me to a safer place where we can talk about this. Follow behind me?"

Ben found himself nodding as she walked over to her police car. He walked around to get into his truck. He felt a sudden rush of excitement, but it was followed by apprehension and nervousness. As he left the yard, he couldn't help but wonder what was in that room.

He followed behind the sheriff for about a half hour to a cabin hidden in the woods. She directed him to park his truck beside her cruiser and the two of them got out. He looked over the simple home and then back at her, feeling more confused by the minute. Before she walked inside, she extended her hand and introduced herself as Jody. As they walked inside, he noticed a devil's trap hiding under a welcome mat. He bent to readjust the mat so it was hidden and then walked inside. Sitting at the window seat was Claire, her head buried in a book that looked to be quite old. She didn't even bother to look up from the book.

"Can I get ya somethin' to drink?" Jody asked as Ben continued to watch Claire.

He turned his attention to Jody after he realized she had said something. "What? Oh, I'd ask for a beer but drinkin' underage in front a cop is frowned upon." He chuckled at the end as he watched her disappear from the room.

"Well, hello there stranger," Claire said from behind him.

He turned around and smiled, looking her over again. She was still wearing the same clothes, but she looked more relaxed now. "Well, I guess I know where to pick ya up for our date," he joked as he walked over to lean against the wall to look down at her.