Chapter Text
Best Laid Plans: Chapter 1
Woodward and Bernstein had uncovered the Watergate scandal by following the money. Chloe felt that if she could just do that to with Luthorcorp, she would find Lex's latest version of 33.1. The paper trail of the latest Luthorcorp land deals led to Albuquerque. She was sure Lex was planning some new version of those illegal laboratories under the guise of land development in the southwest. Unfortunately it had turned out that the company’s latest acquisitions were legitimate, at least as far as she could tell. But then she’d been stonewalled at every turn.
Frustrated, she decided it was time for coffee and a major regrouping. Chloe was unwilling to return to Metropolis empty handed when she was sure there was something illegal going on. She just needed to find a way in.
Grabbing a local newspaper, she settled in with her coffee at the Starbucks around the corner form her hotel. It wasn’t until Chloe started in on the State section that she felt her reporter’s instinct twitching. There was an article about Alex Saunders and his legal woes in southern New Mexico. She read with growing interest about his land deal for the town of Four Corners.
An explosion at the site a few days before had been ruled accidental but it had refocused attention on the town and its bid for historical preservation. Chloe snickered as she read about the haunting but ultimately it was Alex Saunders who captured her attention. Gathering up her things, she headed back to her hotel room. The name Saunders had been mentioned in several of the documents she’d uncovered in connection with her recent investigation into Luthorcorp.
She was determined to find out everything she could about the Four Corners situation. Chloe smiled as she headed back to the hotel. This might be the break she’d been looking for.
************************
Travis Witt knocked on the door frame as he entered Mathew Tanner's office. “Got a minute?”
Mathew looked up from his desk at his law associate and nodded. “What’s up? Did you find anything?”
Travis shook his head and dropped a file in front of Mathew as he seated himself into one of the guest chairs. “ Saunders’s covered his tracks and everything about his purchase looks legitimate.” Travis sighed. "Unfortunately, I think we're at a dead end."
Frowning, Matt opened the file and stared at the documents that claimed the Tanner family was the rightful owner’s of Four Corners. “Did you get back the authenticity report?”
“Yes, and they are legitimate land deeds from when you ancestor bought the town. But it doesn’t matter, Travis reminded his friend. "Unless we can prove that Saunders’ current claim is falsified.”
Mathew frowned. It had all seemed to come together when Sam Winchester had found the deeds in the old Clarion Newspaper office. Travis had warned him that it wouldn’t be as easy as presenting the papers to the proper authorities and asking for the ownership to be transferred to the Tanner family.
“We have a week before we’re due to present our case for preservation. If I’m going to walk into court and accuse the man of stealing my family’s land, I’m going to need proof of his illegal activities.”
“I know!” Travis huffed his frustration. They’d been having this conversation for days ever since Matt showed up with his miracle papers and they weren’t any closer to a solution. “What we really need is some kind of forensic accountant or maybe just a really good hacker.”
“Hacker? I don’t want to gather information about Alex Saunders’ illegal activities by performing more illegal activities.”
“Boy Scout, this is a dirty fight. Time to play a little fast and loose with the rules.”
“Let me think about it?” Mathew had hoped to come out of this fight unsullied. Now, it seemed that wasn’t going to happen.
“Fine. Go commune with the town and get your answers,” Travis teased as he stood to leave. “I’ll compile a list of people who might be able to help us once you come to your senses.”
Mathew laughed. “I don’t exactly commune with the town.”
“Talk to your ancestors; have a séance. Don’t care. Just come back ready to give me the green light. We’re running out of time,” he said as he exited the office.
Mathew ran his hands through his hair in frustration. He chuckled as he realized he needed a hair cut. Focus, he scolded himself. Travis was right, he needed an outside perspective.
He gathered his things and walked to the receptionist desk. “Annie, I’m heading out to Four Corners. Anybody needs me they can find me there.”
“Off to consult with the great beyond.”
“You have been spending too much time with Travis,” he chided.
Annie smiled. “It is peaceful out there. I hope inspiration hits.”
“Thanks,” he said as he headed to the elevator. He wondered what Travis and Annie would say if he told them he was off to consult his moral compass, and oh, by the way, they’re ghosts.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mathew pulled his car up the path and parked in front of the graveyard. Four Corners was deserted. Once the explosion had been confirmed to be the result of faulty wiring the fervor over the town being haunted had died down. It seemed the gawkers as well as the media were no longer interested in the town and Mathew was grateful for their absence.
He was just exiting his car when his cell phone rang. He fished it out of his pocket and looked at the unfamiliar number.
“Hello.”
“Hey Mathew, Sam Winchester here.”
“Sam, didn’t expect I’d ever hear from you guys again.” Mathew smiled. He’d had lunch with the brothers the day after the ‘exorcism’ and found that he and Sam had a lot in common. They’d exchanged numbers and Mathew had joked that the younger Winchester should call him if he ever finished his law degree. He could use someone with his research skills.
“Kind of surprised myself, but I wanted to call and see how you were doing.” Mathew could hear the concern in Sam’s voice. “We know how much those guys meant to you and we just wanted to make sure that you were okay.”
Mathew had to stop himself from laughing as he looked up the hill to see the six waiting for him. “I’m doing better than I thought. Thanks for asking,” he said.
“Welcome.”
As the silence stretched on, Mathew realized that this was the epiphany he was looking for. “Sam, I was wondering,” he paused. This was crazy; the last thing he needed was the Winchesters back in town to find out they’d been punked by ghosts and their lawyer.
“You need something?”
What the hell thought Mathew. “I’d pay you of course and you wouldn’t have to come back just – you know- email what you find.”
“I don’t understand?”
“I need to find proof that Alex Saunders obtained his ownership of Four Corners illegally. Unfortunately, Saunders covered his tracks too well– ” he let the thought trail off hoping Sam would pick up on his request.
A burst of laughter came over the phone. “You want to pay me to hack Saunders’ company files and see what I can find.”
Mathew winced. “Yeah, I guess I do.”
“Dean wants to know how much?”
Now it was Mathew’s turn to laugh. “So does that mean we have a deal?”
“I’ll see what I can find out and call you back.”
“Thanks Sam,” he said as he hung up.
“Making deals with the devil?” Chris growled.
Mathew jumped and whirled to face the ghost. “Damn it Chris, I hate it when you sneak up on me like that.”
The others had moved closer and were laughing at Tanner’s expense. “Boy looks like he’s seen a ghost,” Buck chuckled.
“More like six,” Nathan laughed and elbowed Buck.
“Very funny guys.” Still he couldn’t help but smile even as Chris continued to glare his disapproval about the phone call.
“Thought you were gonna stay away for a while?” JD asked.
“I was, but we have a bit of a problem and it might require some illegalities on my part,” Mathew admitted.
“So you thought asking the Winchesters to do it was a good idea?” Chris fumed.
“That wasn’t my intention. Sam called me and the opportunity presented itself.”
“Now Chris, you know our boy here won’t do anything illegal on his own, too much Tanner in him,” Josiah said as he winked at Mathew.
“As we are no longer in any danger from the Winchesters, I see nothing wrong in using them to further our cause and protecting Mathew from any connection to those activities,” Ezra agreed.
“Fine, but what’s this all about,” Chris said as he waved the others into silence. Mathew held back a sigh of relief and proceeded to tell them all about the problems with the deeds.
************************
Chloe parked in front of the sawhorses that still barricaded the main street of Four Corners. She’d been informed by Annie that Mathew Tanner was gone for the day. When she’d pressed, the secretary had admitted he’d gone out to look at the old town.
Chloe figured she should see what all the fuss was about and decided to drive the fifteen miles to check out the supposed ghost town. The sun was just setting as she arrived casting a bright glow over the town that she found quite pretty.
She walked down the wooden sidewalks impressed by the state of the buildings. Someone had kept the town in pristine condition. As she reached the last building, Chloe noticed a graveyard that sat on a small rise, just outside of the town.
Seven men were gathered there, obviously in deep discussion, but what really caught her attention was their old style western dress. Chloe moved deeper into the long shadows cast by the setting sun as she realized what she was seeing. The seventh man had on jeans and a modern sports jacket: Mathew Tanner. She recognized him from the pictures she’d found during her research into Four Corners.
It seemed the local lawyer was perpetrating a haunting hoax and she had stumbled onto their latest meeting. With conserved motion she drew her camera out of her bag and hoped that there was enough light to capture the scene. This wasn’t the story she had been chasing, but it was definitely a story worth writing.
Chloe debated confronting Tanner here with his cohorts, but ultimately decided that the odds were not in her favor. She had no idea what men who would resort to this type of deception would do to a reporter with this kind of evidence. She needed to download the pictures to a safe place and then confront Tanner in the morning with the photos.
Best Laid Plans: Chapter 2
“How could you?”
Mathew didn’t recognize the voice. He forced his eyes open and found himself looking into blue ones identical to his own.
The man in front of him was shockingly familiar. “How could you?” He shouted again.
“Vin?” Mathew asked tentatively. Or was he looking at himself dressed in Vin's buckskin coat and wide brimmed hat.
The figure grabbed him by the front of his shirt. It was then Mathew realized he was wearing the t-shirt and boxers he’d gone to sleep in. “This is a dream,” he said as he tried to fight against the iron grip on his clothing.
“I trusted you,” Vin growled as he yanked Mathew around and gestured at their surroundings. “They trusted you.”
Mathew looked to where Vin was pointing, they were outside in the desert and he baulked when he realized where he was. Though he’d never been here, he knew instinctively that this was where the six had died.
As things came into focus he saw the bodies of his friends, Vin’s friends, lying in the dust. “I don’t understand!” Mathew wailed.
Vin threw him to the ground and pulled out his gun. “You betrayed me.”
“No I didn’t!’ Mathew shouted. “No I didn’t!”
“No I didn’t!” Mathew stopped as he found himself sitting bolt upright in bed. His T-shirt was soaked with sweat and his heart was pounding. Another nightmare.
Mathew threw off the covers and stumbled to the bathroom. Turning on the taps, he splashed cold water on his face. He’d had similar nightmares several days running; ever since the little display he’d put on for the Winchesters.
He stared at his reflection. The memory of Vin’s anger was like a hammer pounding in his skull. Josiah hadn’t been exaggerating when he said he looked like his ancestor. Or maybe he was really angry at himself and that’s why ‘Vin’ looked so familiar.
“Damn it,” he muttered reminding himself why he hated this psychoanalysis crap. Mathew straightened and scrubbed his hands through his hair. Sleep was a distant memory as he wandered back into the bedroom.
As he’d done on the previous nights, he opened the small wall safe and checked on the leather pouch. It was still there and he breathed a sigh of relief.
Mathew’s attention was drawn to the wooden box that had held the heirlooms which sat on his dresser. The nightmares had to be a result of the guilt he felt in allowing the Winchesters to burn the mementos of the six.
While he had told his older siblings of the fortuitous turn of events concerning the town’s deeds, he’d left out the part about the Winchesters and had yet to acknowledge the loss of the heirlooms. He was going to have to tell Jason and Rebecca the rest of the story. Luckily they lived out of town and he wouldn’t have to face them when he confessed. Then maybe the nightmares would stop.
***************************************
Mathew still had his sunglasses on as he tried to enter his office undetected. He looked like hell and felt hung over. Lack of sleep would do that.
“Rough night?” Travis chuckled from behind him, taking exceptional glee in catching his friend like this.
So much for stealth. “Not feeling well,” he mumbled and continued toward his door. He should have just stayed home but there was too much prep work that needed to be done. His head ached and the nightmare was making him feel unsettled.
Mathew looked toward his assistant. “Annie, anybody wants to see me send ‘em to Travis.”
She nodded her eyes full of concern
“Mathew, seriously. You okay? You don’t look so good.” Travis asked as he joined him at the door.
“Nothing a few more hours of sleep and the magical key to Saunders’ downfall wouldn’t cure.” He unlocked his office and stepped inside.
“So about that,” Travis paused waiting for Mathew to enlighten him as to his decision about the hacker.
“I’ve got someone working on that,” he replied. “Not your problem.”
“You found a hacker?”
“Travis, I won’t involve you. Trust me it’s handled. Now if you don’t mind,” Mathew said as he indicated he’d like to close the door.
Travis nodded and backed away.
Mathew settled into his chair, threw off his sunglasses and girded himself for the call to his older brother. Well confession was good for the soul and maybe Jason could help him understand why he was dreaming about Vin.
He had just picked up the receiver when his door burst open and a petite blond woman barged in with Annie hot on her heels.
The blond stopped in front of his desk and waited.
“I’m sorry, Mathew,” Annie said, exasperation clear on her face. “I told her you weren’t available - ”
“It’s alright Annie,” he said, replacing the receiver and motioning that Annie could leave. As the door snicked shut, Mathew stood and offered his hand. “Mathew Tanner,” he said as he waved her to a chair.
“Chloe Sullivan, The Daily Planet.” She shook his hand but did not sit.
“What can I do for you, Miss Sullivan?” Mathew asked congenially, clenching his teeth behind his fake smile as he too continued to stand. Inside his mind was railing against having to deal with the press. While he had a few supporters in the ranks of the media, most of the articles he’d read recently had painted him as an opponent of progress.
Alex Saunders had friends in all the right places and the mudslinging was in high gear. The woman’s combative stance and hard look convinced him that most likely his opponent had figured out a way to turn the national media against him too.
“I’d like your take on this,” she said as she thrust a manila folder at him.
Mathew took the proffered material and opened the file. The color drained from his face as he looked at the photograph. It was of him and the six standing in the graveyard.
He lowered himself into his chair as he flipped through the other pictures. It was clear that she had been at Four Corners yesterday evening. Crap. He looked up at the reporter and she had a knowing smile on her face.
“Before I printed the story about the faux haunting you are masterminding, I thought I’d at least hear your justification,” Chloe said as she finally sat down and pulled out her note pad.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about. These are obviously faked,” he protested but it sounded weak even to his ears.
Chloe snorted. “Is that the way you want to play this?”
Scrubbing a hand through his hair, he studied the blond. “What is it you think you saw?” he asked.
“You and your six cronies recreating the ghost heroes of Four Corners in an attempt to generate sympathy for the preservation of the town.”
That’s what he’d thought she was going to say. If he denied it she’d run the story and accuse him of duplicitous acts which would completely undermine his efforts to reclaim the town for the Tanners. Not to mention bring Sam and Dean back to town once they saw the photos and realized they’d been played.
“What do you want me to say? It’s not what you think.”
“I must admit I was surprised to find that you had stooped to these kinds of theatrics. Everything I’ve read about you indicated that you were supposedly an honest lawyer trying to stand up against Alex Saunders.”
“And what do you think of the illustrious Alex Saunders,” Mathew asked. “Are you one of his paid publicists?”
“First this is not about me,” Chloe said indignantly. “And second I resent the idea that I write for anyone. I tell the truth Mr. Tanner. That’s all I do. Alex Saunders is small potatoes compared to the Luthors and if they don’t scare me – well,” She quirked a smile at him leaving him to fill in the blanks.
At the mention of the Luthors, Mathew paused. Travis had suggested that Saunders and the Luthors were connected. Now he remembered where he’d heard her name before. “Wait. Aren’t you the reporter who’s been writing that series of articles about the Luthors’ land holdings?”
“You’ve been reading my work?”
“This is New Mexico, not the moon,” he scoffed and went on to explain. “We’ve been trying to show that Saunders obtained his claim on the Four Corners land illegally, but so far my people have been unable to gather the proof we need. In our research, my associate, Travis Witt, came across your exposé on the Luthors. Truthfully, we weren’t sure how it all related but it still didn’t give us what we were looking for.”
“How do you know that Saunders obtained his rights illegally if you don’t have any proof?” Chloe asked. Mathew smiled as he studied the blond; her excitement was showing.
He’d been impressed by her articles. She’d gone up against the Luthors and was still here to talk about it.
“You interested in Saunders?” he asked trying to gage his ability to trust her.
“Absolutely. He’s why I came down here in the first place,” she admitted. “I thought maybe your situation was somehow connected to my investigation."
“You really believe Saunders is connected to the Luthors?” Now Mathew’s excitement was showing. If she was already investigating Saunders, maybe he could turn that tenacious ability for uncovering the truth to their little dilemma.
She smiled as she realized they were working toward the same goal. “I think that if you tell me the truth about what you were doing last night, we might be able to help one another.”
“I may be out of my mind but I think I can trust you,” he said as he reached for the folder on Four Corners.
Mathew handed her the file that contained everything he had on the land deals surrounding Four Corners including the original Tanner deeds. He leaned back in his chair waiting for her to peruse the rather thick folder anxious to see what she would make of it.
Chloe studied the documents, paging through them. She bit her lip in concentration. A gesture that Mathew found entirely too endearing in someone who ten minutes ago was accusing him of fraud.
Chloe’s eyes went wide as she worked her way to the end of the file. “So what this is telling me is that your family still owns the land. Saunders claim has to be falsified but you can’t prove that your family didn’t sell it all off at sometime.”
“You’re quick. I’m impressed.”
“I know shady land deals when I see them.”
Mathew leaned forward. “You know how to prove what happened?”
“Oh, I think I can help you.” She sent a blinding smile his way as she pulled a document from her bag. Chloe stood and spread the blueprint across his desk. Mathew walked around to view the document from her side.
“I’ve seen this before,” he said. “These are the plans for the housing community that Saunders wants to build. How can this help me?”
“Look again.” She smirked.
Chloe pointed to the area that was identified as future development on every version of the plans he’d seen but on these there was the outline of a large factory.
“I don’t understand. This is supposed to be a housing community.”
“It won’t be. It may have started out that way but there’s something bigger going on. Eventually they will change direction and by the time anyone figures out that the housing development has become an industrial park it will be too late.”
“Where did you get these?”
“Trade secret,” Chloe quipped. “And speaking of trading secrets. You owe me one before I go any further.”
He looked at her confusion on his face. “But I don’t know anything about these alternate plans.”
Chloe rolled her eyes at him. “Your little ghost town. If you want my help, I’m going to need to know everything that’s going on.”
Mathew sighed. Chris was going to be furious but he could see no other way. She had the answers he needed and while he’d enlisted Sam’s aid there was no guarantee that the hunter would ever even call him back. “Let’s take a little drive, Miss Sullivan there are some people you need to meet.”
Best Laid Plans: Chapter 3
Chloe had assumed they were headed to some clandestine meeting place in Cornerstone so that Mathew could introduce her to the actors playing the ghosts. She was little surprised when he turned his car toward Four Corners.
“This is the way to your ‘ghost’ town,” She said stating the obvious.
“I know. This is where they live.”
“You have them camped out in the town?” Chloe thought about this. “Makes sense, then they’re available for last minute performances.”
“Not exactly,” he said cryptically.
“So who are these guys? Out of work actors?” Chloe asked. Mathew was awfully closed lipped about the situation which was putting her reporter’s instinct into overdrive.
“You’re not very patient are you,” he said smiling. “And I’m guessing silence won’t work either.”
“Didn’t get to be at the top of my game by sitting quietly on the sidelines.”
“Fair enough but I have to admit I’d rather have your unbiased assessment of the situation.”
“Little late for that.”
“Patience and you will see that I am that honest lawyer you thought I was.”
“Oh really?” Chloe couldn’t wait to see the rabbit he was going to pull out of his hat to turn this into a positive situation. Still, she wasn’t above using a few underhanded techniques in dealing with the Luthors and she hadn’t become a top notch hacker because she always did things above board. If she were being honest, the idea of winning against Saunders using a bit of movie magic didn’t seem so bad compared to the stunts she knew these billionaires were not above pulling. “I‘m envisioning a bit of a Scooby Doo-type haunting.”
Mathew laughed. “I promise no rubber masks or projections of pirate ships.”
He made the final turn and the town came into view. Mathew debated taking her to the graveyard for the big reveal but it seemed a bit over the top. Instead he pulled up to the cordoned off main street and parked the car.
As he looked down the deserted street, Mathew realized that he’d never arrived unwelcomed; one of the six, usually Chris, was always there to greet him. At least they were behaving themselves and staying out of sight. He hoped they would come when he called or Chloe was going to be one pissed off reporter.
“Come on,” he said as he maneuvered around the sawhorses and headed for the saloon. The sun was still high in the sky so the building would be fairly well lit.
“How do you keep this place so well preserved?” Chloe asked as she followed him down the main street.
“Not me. The caretakers you’re about to meet. They take the preservation of this town very seriously.”
“Caretakers? Is that what you’re calling them?”
Mathew paused to hold open the bat-wing doors and ushered Chloe inside the saloon. It was empty. Chloe turned to glare at him, silently demanding an explanation.
Mathew held up a finger and prepared himself for the confrontation to come. “Chris,” he called out. “It’s Matt,” he chuckled as he called out his own name. He was very insistent to the point of obsession that everyone called him Mathew. Only the six ever called him Matt and in some quirky way he felt it made him part of the group.
“Seriously, Chris. I know I told you guys to stay out of sight but if you don’t want the Winchesters back here after this lovely lady publishes some very damning photos, one of you needs to make an appearance right now.
“Why would they hide from you? Don’t they work for you?”
“Actually it’s more the other way round, ma’am,” came a deep voice from behind them.
The two spun around to see a tall mustachioed man standing in the door way. “Buck,” Matt said. He wasn’t surprised that the infamous ladies man would be the one to make ‘first contact’ with Chloe.
“Chris is as mad as a hornet and wants to know ‘what the hell y'ur thinking, boy?’. I figured it was best I came instead,” Buck said before turning his attention and his megawatt smile on Chloe. “Lovely lady, who might you be and what brings you to our humble little town?”
Mathew got the distinct impression that if he could have, Buck would have grabbed Chloe’s hand and kissed it. He knew that touching people required a lot more concentration than handling inanimate objects and usually they didn’t have the finesse to do that delicately. Mathew had found himself on the ground more than once when Buck had tried to clap him on the back.
“Impressive costume and the likeness to the photo I saw of Buck Wilmington is remarkable,” she said as she studied the ghost.
“So you know me,” he said seductively. “I wonder what I might call this vision of loveliness standing before me.” Buck returned her scrutiny until Chloe found herself blushing under his naked approval.
Mathew had to stop himself from snickering because Buck was completely aware of the effect he was having on Chloe.
Chloe cleared her throat and stuck out her hand. “Chloe Sullivan. I’m a reporter for The Daily Planet.”
Buck looked down at her hand and then at Mathew who shrugged. “Go for it,” he encouraged the ghost.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, ma’am,” he drawled and successfully focused enough to bring Chloe’s hand to his lips without hurting her.
Much to her chagrin, Chloe giggled and pulled her hand away.
“I’m impressed. Buck. The last time you tried to shake my hand I ended up with a sprained wrist.”
“You ain’t worth the effort to be gentle,” Buck chuckled.
“Buck, Chris says to stop flirting and get to the point or he’s coming out himself. Not sure how much longer Josiah can keep him under wraps. He’s - ,”
“Yeah, I know JD, he’s mad,” Buck huffed. “When ain’t Chris mad these days? I’m working on it.”
Chloe looked to her left at the new arrival. “How’d you get in here?”
“You ain’t told her?” JD asked.
“I was kind of hoping she’d figure it out,” Mathew admitted, “but you guys keep popping up out of her line of sight. Can you just get everyone here, please? Chloe needs to know the truth.”
“And what truth would that be, Mr. Tanner?” Ezra asked as he appeared right in front of Chloe.
She took a startled step back. “How did you do that?” Without waiting for an answer, Chloe stepped forward again and reached out to touch Ezra but her hand passed right through his shoulder. He flickered before becoming solid again. Not understanding exactly what had happened, she pushed her hand through him and waved it around, finally causing Ezra to blink out in disgust and come back on her other side.
“Now was that entirely necessary, Miss Sullivan?” he said as he tugged on his coat as if to straighten imaginary wrinkles. “I believe that my instantaneous arrival should have put to rest any thoughts about my current state.”
Chloe whirled on Mathew. “I thought you said no Scooby Doo projections.”
Mathew threw his hands up in surrender. “I swear Chloe. They’re the real deal. Ghosts of the town's heroes.”
“You’re saying that that is Ezra Standish and that is the real JD Dunne,” she said pointing to the men behind her. While it wasn’t beyond her personal experience, having been possessed once herself, she hadn’t ever expected to find this type of supernatural occurrence outside of Smallville.
“Well, I have been accused of being many other people in the past but I assure you that I am and have always been Ezra Standish.”
Chloe threw him a look that said he needed to be quiet now.
Buck laughed. “She’s a feisty one,” and shut up when she shifted her glare to him. Turning back to address Mathew, she was startled by a stocky, gray haired man that appeared between them.
“And I am Josiah Sanchez, lovely lady.”
Chloe stepped back. “I don’t – “
“Nathan Jackson, ma’am” said the African American man who appeared next to him
“Josiah, you were supposed to watching our fearless leader. I do not believe his presence would be prudent at this time,” Ezra chided.
“Enough,” Chloe shouted thrusting her hands out as if defending the space in front of her “All right you’ve had your fun. I get it. They’re ghosts. But if one more of you tries to startle me, I swear I’m going to pull out my gun and start shooting.”
“Ooh, I like her,” Buck cooed.
“Shut up, Buck,” Nathan snapped.
Mathew ignored the ghosts. “I’m sorry Chloe. I had told them to stay out of sight - “
The arrival of the last ghost was not aimed at Chloe. Chris Larabee appeared right in Mathew’s face, backing him up against the bar. “What were you thinking? We finally get rid of those ghost hunting Winchester brothers and you bring her here,” he shouted as he pointed at Chloe.
“Now Chris, calm down and let me explain,” Mathew begged.
“That’s enough, Chris,” Josiah said as he pulled their leader away from Mathew. “That boy’s never let us down. If she’s here, he has a good reason.”
Chris jerked away from the preacher. “Stay out of this Josiah.”
“No, I won’t. You’re out of control. So just take a deep breath and listen to him.”
Chris stared at the older man who gave equal to what he got. Most times Chris won these battles of wills but not today. He broke contact with Josiah and turned to look at Mathew, the anger having receded only slightly.
“Explain yourself, Matt,” he demanded.
Chloe studied the latest arrival. Unlike the others he looked a bit deranged, almost manic. This was more like how she expected a ghost to behave. She found Chris Larabee to be a bit on the scary side.
Silence filled the room as the ghosts waited for Mathew to enlighten them. Into that void came the ringing of cell phone. Horrified, Mathew dug into his pocket and groaned when he saw the caller ID.
“Sam Winchester,” he announced as he held up the phone. “I should take this he might have information about Saunders.”
Chris threw up his hands in disgust. “Take it,” he said as he stormed out of the saloon.
Buck moved as if to follow when Josiah stepped in front of him. “I got this,” he said. Buck nodded as the preacher followed the man in black out of the building.
Mathew sent an apologetic look to the remaining group and moved off to the side so that he could answer the call in relative privacy.
Chloe turned her attention to the four who remained. She was still trying to wrap her head around the fact that they were ghosts and that Mathew appeared to be friends with them.
Ezra had seated himself at one of the tables and had produced a deck of cards. “Well, gentlemen it appears we have a respite in the festivities. Shall we play?”
“Hell Erza, ain’t no fun ta play with you when we always lose,” Buck groused but sat down across from the gambler anyway.
JD grabbed the seat to Buck’s right. “Sure was fun watching Dean beat him though,” he said.
“I allowed Mr. Winchester to win. I do not understand why I must keep explaining the sound logic in that decision to ya’ll.”
“Not from where I was sitting. He had your number but good,” Nathan laughed as he took the seat to Ezra’s left.
Ignoring the teasing from his companions, Ezra looked up at Chloe. “Care to join us Miss Sullivan?”
Chloe was studying the men as she approached the table. They seemed so normal. “So, ghosts?” she asked.
“Yep darlin’ but that don’t mean we can’t be sociable.” Buck smiled and patted the empty chair next to him.
Chloe returned his smile and took a seat. “I was so convinced that you had to be some kind of projection. The ghost thing kind of took me by surprise.”
“Projection?” JD asked.
“You know like a movie,”
“Saw one of them once.” Buck said. “Remember when Matt brought that silver box and showed us – what was it - a DVP.”
“A ‘DVD’,” Ezra corrected.
“Oh yeah. ‘Magnificent Seven’. That was funny,” JD said as he and the others laughed at the shared memory.
“Ridiculous tripe,” Ezra said dismissively. “I do believe the only thing it got right was Mr. Larabee’s penchant for wearing black.”
Chloe raised an eyebrow at the gambler. “Are you saying that movie was based on you guys?”
The four nodded. “At least that’s what Matt told us,” Nathan explained.
Chloe couldn’t believe it she was sitting here with real live – well not live - heroes from the old west. The stories they could tell would be amazing. She definitely needed to find time to come back and interview them about their experiences. “This is just so unbelievable,” she said and as if to prove that they really were ghosts she poked at Ezra’s shoulder, again.
When he finished flickering, he slammed the cards down on the table. “Miss Sullivan could you please refrain from doing that? If you find it necessary to continue to test the nature of our existence, may I suggest you poke Mr. Wilmington. I assure you he will not mind the attention.”
Chloe turned to face the ladies man, who favored her with a wide grin. “Poke away, darlin’.”
Unable to resist his offer and because the idea of sitting around a card table chatting with ghosts made her giggle, she reached out her hand toward the big man and it passed right through.
“That is so weird,” she laughed.
“Glad you find us so amusing,” Ezra quipped.
“Ezra, don’t be snippy. She’s trying to get used to the idea,” Buck said and smiled at Chloe. “If it makes you happy, you can do it again”
“No, I think I’m good now.”
“It’s obvious that you’re not a ghost hunter like the Winchesters, so why’d Matt think he needed to share the truth with you?” Nathan asked.
“Ghost hunter? I don’t understand. Who are the Winchesters?”
The four took turns sharing the story of the brothers’ recent visit and their failed attempt to send them to the great beyond.
“Guess they aren’t very good ones, if you all are still here,” Chloe laughed.
“Oh, they think we’re gone,” JD explained. “Performed some funny bonfire thing and burned our stuff.”
“It was a masterful moment. A better con could not have been played if I’d planned it myself,” Ezra acknowledged.
“You didn’t answer Nathan’s question. Why have you been let in on our little secret?” Buck asked.
Chloe quickly explained what she’d seen the night before and how she was going to be helping Mathew.
“She’s a reporter. Like Mary,” JD said smiling.
Chloe mentally sorted through the information she’d collected on Four Corners. Mary Travis had been the owner and operator of the Clarion Newspaper. She smiled. “Yes, exactly like Mary Travis. She’s was quite the newspaper woman from what I’ve read.”
The four nodded their agreement and seemed impressed by her knowledge of their long departed friend. Chloe knew at that moment she’d won their trust.
“Then we are much appreciative of your help.” Ezra spoke for the group. “But the important question is, do you play poker?”
Best Laid Plans: Chapter 4
Arizona
“You sure about this, Sam? You think Matt’s in danger?” Dean asked his brother as he watched him hang up the phone with the lawyer.
“I can’t be sure. It’s not like my visions are in high definition but I definitely saw someone who looks a lot like him being shot in the head.” Sam shrugged. “For all I know it could have been Vin Tanner, they look enough alike. And the guy was dressed in Western gear but a vision of Vin doesn’t make as much sense.”
“At least, Matt gave us a good reason to be back in town.” Dean smiled. “We get to save his ass and get paid for delivering the info he needs. That never happens.” He stood and began collecting their things.
“I just don’t understand why I didn’t get any visions while we were there working the hunt.”
“I’ll call the vision fairy and ask,” Dean snickered.
“Seriously, maybe we did the wrong thing banishing those ghosts.”
“Dude, you did not just say that," Dean snapped.
Sam looked sideways at his brother, surprised at the emotion of his response. “I got the first vision right after we left town and the ghosts were in this last one. That can’t be a coincidence.”
“I wasn’t thrilled about moving them on and now you’re saying you agree. Tell the vision fairy her timing sucks.”
“Maybe we upset some sorta balance when we got rid of the six.”
Dean considered this. “Then we still have work to do,” he said as he slung his packed duffel over his shoulder and headed out the door.
***************************************
Four Corners, New Mexico
Mathew rejoined the group at the table, slumping into the empty chair between JD and Nathan.
“Who kicked your dog?” Buck asked noticing the pained expression on Tanner’s face.
“The Winchesters are coming back,” Mathew said. “I couldn’t really talk them out of it without it sounding suspicious.”
Chloe watched as the same pained expressions ran across each of the ghost’s faces. “What’s the big deal? Just don’t let them see you if they come to town. I sure won’t say anything about the switcheroo you pulled.”
“I suppose so.” Matt sighed and then sat up straighter as the rest of her words penetrated. “I’m guessing the boys filled you in. Does that mean you’re going to help?”
“Absolutely. The guys explained everything and I’m pretty sure I have some documents that will support your claims” She said and grinned at the ghosts. “Plus you guys are worth helping.”
“I knew I liked her from the moment I saw her,” Buck said.
“You like all women form the moment you see them,” Nathan teased.
Buck just shrugged and smiled at Chloe. “I just have a way with the ladies.”
Chloe returned his smile. “I bet you do.”
“Guess we better be getting back.”
“Come on Matt, stay. Chloe said she’d play poker with us,” JD pushed.
“Next time, JD,” Mathew said. “To be honest I’d like get going before Chris gets back.”
“Me too,” Chloe said. “He’s a bit scary. What’s his problem?”
“Chris ain’t been himself lately,” Nathan admitted. “He’s just been getting angrier all the time.”
“And he was pretty angry to begin with,” JD added.
“Now Chris ain’t no different than he’s always been,” Buck insisted and glared at the others for not defending their friend. “He ain’t that scary once you get to know him, Chloe, I swear. He’s just - well he’s under a lot of pressure.” Buck said sounding as much like he was trying to convince himself as Chloe.
She just nodded at Buck but silently wondered what kind of pressure would be enough to trouble a ghost that much.
“Do not worry yourself, Mathew; we will inform Mr. Larabee of the reason for Miss Sullivan’s visit.” Ezra assured him. “But I agree. It is best you both vacate the premises before he escapes Josiah’s care.”
“Well, it was very nice to meet you all. I hope to get back here very soon. I really want to hear all about your experiences as the law in this town,” Chloe said.
As she rose to leave, the four ghosts stood. “It was a pleasure to meet you too darlin’ and we look forward to your return,” Buck said with a tip of his hat.
The others echoed Bucks sentiments and copied his gesture of farewell
“Such gentlemen,” Chloe said as she nodded her head in response and followed Mathew out of the saloon.
“Now that was one classy lady,” Nathan said.
“Very pretty, too. I’d sure like to get to know her better,” Buck said as he watched her through the saloon window, his meaning clear to the others
“Ain’t gonna happen, Buck,” JD said and laughed when the big man glared at him. “Since you like Chloe so much I say you get to tell Chris about her.”
“Not me. I think you just volunteered, JD. Right guys?” Nathan and Ezra nodded in agreement.
“Now wait a minute.”
“He’ll be here soon, JD. I suggest you prepare your presentation,” Ezra said as he and the others blinked out.
“That’s not fair guys,” he shouted at the ceiling.
“JD, what the hell is going on and where's Matt?” Chris growled as he reappeared in the saloon, glare fixed on the youngest of the six.
JD did the only prudent thing he could think of and disappeared.
****************************************
Chloe spent the entire drive back peppering Mathew with questions about the ghosts and the town while sharing some of her more unusual experiences having grown up in Smallville, Kansas.
Mathew shared all he knew about the events that he believed led to the creation of the ghosts. “Of course, the guys themselves might know more, but they don’t talk much about it.”
Chloe nodded. “I’m sure it would be a painful memory. That is if they remember the actual event itself. I wonder why Vin never went ghost.”
Mathew shook his head. “I really don’t know that much about him, but don’t bother asking them. I guarantee they won’t talk about Vin. You think Chris is scary now, just try and ask him about my ancestor.”
“Bite my head off?”
“More likely glare you to death,” Mathew laughed.
“He does have one heck of a stare. Might even get me to shut-up,” she said returning his laugh.
“The woman who stood toe-to-toe with Lex Luthor cowed by one of Chris Larabee’s glares? Now that I’d like to see.”
“Don’t hold your breath. I may be reckless sometimes but I’m not stupid.”
“Now, about the Winchesters?” he pushed.
“No worries. My lips are sealed. I understand you don’t know me very well, but I promise I’m very good at keeping secrets.”
Mathew took his eyes off the road momentarily to glance at Chloe. It was hard to believe he’d known her less than twenty-four hours and yet he felt a connection to her; trusted her. Maybe because she was the first person who shared his secret about the ghosts and seemed just as invested as he was in keeping them out of the public eye. “Of that, I have no doubt. I want to make sure you understand the danger they represent to the six.”
“I do,” she promised. “Though I’d like to know more about what the Winchesters do. Cross country ghost hunters. Sounds like an odd way to make a living.”
“I don’t think they get paid.”
“So – what? They do it for the adrenaline rush?”
Mathew shrugged. “You’d have to ask them. They’ll be here in the morning.”
He maneuvered the car into the circular driveway of the hotel. “See you in the morning,” he said as Chloe opened the door and retrieved her bag.
She leaned back into the open window, “I’ll collect everything I have and be at your office by 9:00AM.”
“It’s a date,” he said. She stepped back and they exchanged a polite wave as he drove off.
*********************************************
At 3:00AM, Mathew found himself once again staring at his reflection in the bathroom mirror; awoken by the nightmares that would not let him rest.
He stepped back into the bedroom. “Damn it Vin. What are you trying to tell me?” He shouted at the empty room. Collapsing onto the bed he stared at the ceiling.
Silence answered his inquiry. He’d called his siblings earlier and there had been no recriminations. Jason had even offered to come help run interference with the Winchesters but Mathew had insisted he could handle it. If it wasn’t guilt, then what was the reason for his nightmares?
With a resigned sigh, he rose and pulled his jeans from the pile on the floor. He needed answers and the only people who could help him were the ones who wouldn’t talk about Vin. This time he wasn’t backing down. A few more nights like this and it wouldn’t matter. Hell, they’d be carting him off to the loony bin soon, he thought. Lack of sleep was making him crazy.
He snatched his car keys off the dresser and headed out to Four Corners.