Read Online Supernatural 10 - Rite of Passage by John Passarella - Free Book Online

pieces together. “Because he took his wife on a hunt?”
    Bobby nodded. “Her choice. Standing by her man.”
    “Guess the mother-in-law saw it differently.”
    “The hell knows what he told the mother,” Bobby said. “After he lost the arm, he got out of the life. But losing Sally killed something inside him. For years I worried he’d eat a bullet. Kept in touch, pestered him damn near every week. Pissed him off most likely. Took a while, but I finally got it. His son kept the light on. Roy wasn’t about to check out with Lucas around. Damn proud of that boy.”
    “And with Lucas gone?” Sam asked.
    Bobby shrugged his shoulders. “Got through four years somehow.”
    “Did you start calling him again?” Dean asked.
    “Didn’t hear about it till three months later,” Bobby said. “He called me, late one night. Talked for hours, about family, getting old, hunting. Said he never missed it, not once. Too much killing, too much dying.” Bobby exhaled forcefully. “Had a bad vibe about that talk. Finality written all over it. Next thing, it’s dawn. He thanked me. Said the damnedest thing.”
    “What?” Sam asked.
    “Said he never wanted to hear my voice again.”
    “Off his meds?” Dean suggested.
    “Forget losing the arm,” Bobby said. “That call? That’s when he quit. And meant it.”
    “You were a part of that life,” Sam said, understanding.
    “Up till then,” Bobby said. “Didn’t believe him. Thought it was a matter of time. Peek behind the curtain once, damn hard to forget what’s pulling the levers.”
    Dean took a gulp of beer. “Well, good for him,” he said irritably. “He got the gold watch and a ticket out of crazy town. What about us? This job? Planning the plan?”
    They settled down at the table in the breakfast nook area, as far from the master bedroom as the downstairs floor plan allowed. After some debate, they decided that Bobby would contact the police in his Fed guise, while Sam and Dean—to keep a low profile—would pose as insurance claim adjustersto talk to witnesses.
    “Bobby, you’ll need an angle,” Sam said. “Terrorism?”
    “Homeland security?” Dean suggested with a shrug.
    “Something small scale,” Bobby decided. “An interstate burglary ring. Gives it federal jurisdiction.”
    “An interstate burglary ring causing traffic accidents?” Dean asked
    “No, ya idjit,” Bobby said. “Distractions. Violent distractions.”
    “To keep the police occupied,” Sam said, “before pulling off their heists.”
    “O-kay.” Dean looked unconvinced.
    “I’ll make it work,” Bobby said, frowning. “Somehow.”
    “I’ll put in a good word,” Roy said. He had managed to move silently into the middle of the great room with a packed suitcase. “Know the police chief. Shook my hand at Lucas’s funeral.”
    Sam wanted to say, “I thought you were out?” But the offer seemed like returning a favor, and Sam thought of the long call Bobby had described.
    “Roy, no need to—”
    “It’s a phone call,” Roy said. “No big deal, right?”
    “Sure,” Bobby said. “But you’re leaving.”
    “Time for a call,” Roy said. “Make myself something to eat.” He took a steak out of the refrigerator and set it on a plate on the counter to come to room temperature. “Sorry. Didn’t shop for four.”
    “No problem,” Sam said. “We already ate.”
    “A couple hours ago,” Dean muttered and sipped his beer.
    “Well, if you’ll excuse me,” Bobby said. “Got an identity to assume.” With that, he left to swap his trucker hat, vest, flannel shirt, and jeans for his Fed suit and necktie.
    Sam opened his laptop. “D’you mind if I hop on your Wi-Fi connection?” he asked Roy.
    “Not at all,” Roy said evenly. “If I had one.”
    “What? No computer?”
    “Oh, I got a PC,” Roy said. “Seven years old, eight, maybe. Ain’t good for much. Got dial-up internet when I need it, which is rare.”
    “Dial-up,” Sam repeated,