Deke acknowledged him with a nod and moved toward one of the plush sofas in the lobby, its fabric a deep, inviting blue. He settled in to wait for Agents Killian Doyle and Rawley Bowman, who arrived a few minutes later, their duffle bags slung casually over their shoulders. Deke stood, greeting them with a firm handshake and handing over two of the keycards.
“We’re all on the same floor and close together. I have to get my things out of my room and turn the keycard in, then I’ll meet you upstairs,” Deke informed them.
“Okay.” Killian nodded, accepting the keycards and passing one to Rawley.
Together, the men approached the elevator, the button lighting up under their touch. The doors slid open with a soft chime, and they stepped inside. Deke pressed the buttons for the second and third floors, feeling the gentle lurch as the elevator began its ascent.
When the doors opened on the second floor, Deke stepped out into the quiet hallway, turning to face his colleagues. “I won’t be long. I’ll see you in a little while.”
Both men nodded as the doors closed, and Deke headed down the hallway to his room. He opened the door and quickly packed his belongings. With everything in order, he made his way back to the elevator and pushed the button for the first floor.
After handing in his keycard at the front desk and paying the bill, he strode back to the elevator, the polished floor tiles reflecting the dim light of the lobby. Once inside the elevator, he pressed the button for the third floor, and the doors closed with a soft whoosh. He rode up silently, the hum of the elevator filling the small space. Upon reaching the third floor, he stepped out into the hushed corridor, the carpet muffling his footsteps as he made his way to one of the other rooms. He knocked firmly on the door, and it swung open to reveal Killian, who greeted him a nod. Deke entered the room.
“I’ll email you the details I have, and we can get started tomorrow morning,” Deke said.
“Alright. I’m tired from that drive,” Killian replied, rubbing the back of his neck as if to shake off the fatigue.
“Is Celine alright with this?” Deke inquired.
Killian grinned. “Yeah, she’s fine with it. She knows the job.”
“Good. Some women don’t like it when traveling is involved, but what can you do?” Deke remarked, shrugging his shoulders.
“We don’t travel that much anyway. Besides, we’ll make up for it when I get home,” Killian addedwith a chuckle.
Deke shook his head, a smirk playing on his lips. “Too much information, Killian.”
A sudden knock echoed through the room, drawing Killian’s attention to the door. Peering through the peephole, he nodded and opened the door to let in Rawley.
“I guess we’ll get started in the morning,” Rawley said, stretching slightly as he entered.
“Yeah, I need to talk to the local sheriff to see about getting a warrant. Old man Winchester told me I’d better have one when I asked to see the tires.” Deke shrugged; his expression thoughtful. “We’ll go by the sheriff’s office in the morning, then we’ll take it from there. I know that Winchester’s sons had something to do with it.”
“Trust your gut,” Rawley advised with a yawn, rubbing his eyes. “Man, I am dead on my feet.”
“How about we meet in the restaurant at seven tomorrow morning for breakfast, then get to work?” Deke suggested.
“Sounds good, Deke. I’ll see you both in the morning,” Rawley nodded, as he opened the door and slipped out into the quiet hallway.
“I’ll see you then, Killian.” Deke opened the door, the cool air of the corridor brushing against him as he stepped out and headed back to his room.
The following morning, after a hearty breakfast, the men departed the hotel. Deke took the wheel, navigating the roads to the sheriff’s department under the brightening sky.
Inside the lobby, the harsh fluorescent lights cast a stark glow over the hard plastic chairs that lined the walls. After informing the receptionistthey needed to speak with the sheriff, the men settled into them to wait. Deke crossed his arms tightly, eyes fixed on the scuffed linoleum floor, lost in thought. Killian, meanwhile, flipped through a dog-eared magazine, its pages crinkling softly. Rawley leaned his head back against the wall, eyes closed, seeking a moment of rest.
“Didn’t you get any sleep, Rawley?” Deke teased with a playful grin.
Rawley cracked one eye open. “I hate sleeping anywhere but my own bed.”
Killian scoffed, a smirk tugging at his lips. “Like you’ve never spent a night in a different bed.”
“Only on the job,” Rawley replied.
“Not a woman’s bed?” Deke chuckled, raising an eyebrow.
“I said I hatesleepinganywhere but my own bed. I don’tsleepin a woman’s bed, and I don’t spend the night,” Rawley retorted, prompting laughter from the other two.
Just then, an older man with a weathered face and a commanding presence entered the lobby. All three men rose to their feet.
