Chapter Text
Dean wasn’t used to having anyone ride shotgun with him on his way to and from crime scenes and various suspects/witnesses’ houses. So when “Ramblin’ Man” by The Allman Brothers came on the radio Dean sang right along. It was only when a slight snicker came from his new partner, Castiel Novak, did he remember that he was no longer alone.
“He‘s now the cutest detective on the east coast, sorry Winchester.” Sergeant said, teasing Castiel.
“Don’t worry about him,” Dean had said as they walked out of Walker’s office, “he’s just too used to seeing my ugly mug around all the time.” Dean pointed to his rugged face that was a day over a five o’clock shadow.
The new guy, Novak, was from a precinct in California and had transferred to Dean’s precinct in New York. He had only very recently been bumped up to homicide. Walker had placed Castiel with Dean because Dean was a well-seasoned detective and he believed Dean could handle the new kid.
“Tom’s sure softened up since I started here.” Dean said as the two were on their way to a crime scene.
“What makes you say that?” Castiel said, moving his gaze from the window of Dean’s Impala to Dean himself.
Dean laughed a bit awkwardly, “Oh, I don‘t know. I just find it a little out of his character to let a newbie jump right on into homicide like that.”
“Well,” Castiel exhaled, “maybe he sees something in me that you don’t. And I was a homicide detective back in California.”
“Whoa there, Novak,” Dean’s brow furrowed, “no need to get sassy on me.”
Castiel turned his head back towards the window for the remainder of the ride. When they arrived at the scene the place was already crawling with reporters. Some police officers were lined up along the no crossing line to keep the reporters from trying to sneak in. Dean showed one of the officers his credentials and he and Castiel walked up to the body.
Dean walked up to the coroner and the first responding officer, “Detective Winchester and this is --”
“Detective Novak! I have heard a lot about you, young blood.” The first responding officer said and clapped Castiel on the shoulder. The officer was actually a captain from the local precinct just outside of NYC. He had a very thick accent and was built like an ox. He was one of those guys who always greeted you with a friendly slap on the back and it was always a notch too hard, and you always had to try not to wince.
“You have, sir?” Castiel said, beaming. Dean rolled his eyes.
“Oh yeah, everyone in New York City and beyond is talking about you. Well, everyone in the police force that is.” Captain Sullivan’s voice boomed.
“I hope it was good things, sir.” Castiel blushed a bit.
“Heard you were one of the best detectives in Los Angeles if that’s good enough for you.”
Castiel was about to speak again when Dean butted in, “Sir, the body?”
“Ah, yeah, the vic.” Captain Sullivan beckoned them to move closer.
The coroner stepped in, “I think most of you know Miss Anna Benson. The actress that was in a few of those cheesy romantic comedies?”
“Yeah, I’ve heard of her. Damn shame, she was a looker.” Dean said as he began to take notes on the pocket notebook he kept in the pocket on the inside of his jacket.
“Do we have an approximate time of death?” Castiel asked as he knelt by the body.
“I’d know for sure once I get the vic back to the lab but I’d say last night around ten to one in the morning. Like I said, I’ll give you a better time once I do some more inspections.” The coroner said.
After a long silence that was only filled with the sound of photos being taken and mumbles from the reporters, Dean broke it by saying what everyone was thinking, “What does this remind you of?”
“I was thinking the same thing. The Hollywood Killer.” Captain Sullivan said as he nodded.
The Hollywood Killer was just as it sounded. He was a thirty-three year-old man from California who had killed two well-known actresses and four aspiring actresses before being locked away. The detective who put him away was Castiel Novak.
Everyone looked up at Castiel who was studying the body with his eyes. He started shaking his head slowly, “No, it can’t be. That was Bill Walsh. We got him locked him up. All the evidence pointed to him and besides, why would he come all the way out here?”
“Well,” Dean said as he write furiously in his notepad, “where else are there actresses? If it wasn’t Walsh then the guy is still out there and maybe he doesn’t want to hang out and get caught in California.”
“He’s got Broadway, too. I mean, if that fits his MO.” Captain Sullivan added.
Castiel shook his head again, “No, it’s not the same as Walsh’s victims.”
“Novak, it fits. It’s the same. Look at the way the body is placed, for Pete’s sake! Arms folded over the chest, face turned to the left, and she even has the stab wound moving up the stomach.”
Castiel refused to believe that the killer was still out there, “It could easily be a copy-cat. Why be so quick to assume that it’s the same killer?”
“Novak’s right, Winchester. For all we know some nut job out there wanted us to think it was the same guy. This is the only body that’s shown up and we gotta deal with it like it’s a separate case.”
“Because it is a separate case.” Castiel said and he turned on his heels and headed towards the direction of the Impala.
Dean finished his investigation by taking down the information of the person who first found the body. The guy had to get to work and Dean respect that so he said he’d be contacting him later that evening. For now, Dean was headed back to the station to review the case.
“What the hell was that?” Dean said as he got back in the car. Castiel was rubbing his temples with his thumb and forefinger.
“I overreacted.”
“Ya think? Jesus, Cas, be a little more professional, huh?” Dean said as he started the car.
“I’m sorry, Dean. That was just a tough case for me. It’s the reason why I requested a transfer to a different state. I needed to get out of the spotlight of it all.” Castiel said, his voice pleading for Dean to understand.
“Suck it up, Cas. No one cares that you’re broken! We have a case to work on!” Dean yelled in Castiel’s face and began to drive off towards the station.