Twilight: Bay City Paranormal Investigations, Book 3

a way Sam recognized as a not-so-subtle method of covering impending laughter. Sam bit the insides of his cheeks. Seeing the hulking, menacing Ramirez singsong endearments to a horse was beyond amusing.
Within a few minutes, the woman had two horses saddled, bridled and ready to go. Clutching the saddle horn with his good hand, Sam managed to swing himself onto the horse’s back. Dean handed Sam’s pack up to him, and he settled it onto the saddle in front of him.
He felt unsafe and distinctly out of place as the animal shifted restlessly underneath him. He’d ridden a little as a child, but it had been a good twenty years since he’d last been on a horse. Attempting to guide one down a steep, treacherous mountain trail with his one working hand did not seem like a good idea.
It didn’t help his mood any to notice that Bo had mounted his horse with ease—carrying his backpack, yet—and was holding the reins as if he actually knew what to do with them.
Dean surveyed them both with pursed lips and hands on his hips. “Hmm. Bo, can you handle your horse?”
“I think so, yes. It’s been a while, but I used to ride all the time. I’ll get by.”
“Okay, great. Because Sam’s gonna need all the help he can get.” Dean walked over and stood grinning up at Sam. “I’ll lead her for you, Sam. Give me the reins.”
“Gladly.” Sam tossed the loop of leather over his mount’s head, and Dean caught it. “You better not use this against me, Dean.”
“Huh? What do you mean?” Dean blinked at him, the picture of innocence.
Sam knew better. “I mean, you better not go around telling everybody you meet that I can’t ride.”
Beside him, Bo groaned and hung his head, and Sam instantly wished he hadn’t used those particular words.
Sure enough, Dean grinned, eyes sparkling with mischief. “Oh, I wouldn’t say you can’t ride, Sam.”
Shaking his head, Sam leaned down and dropped his voice low. “You are an evil, evil man, Dean.”
“Guilty.” Patting Sam’s knee, Dean looped the reins around one wrist and picked up the equipment bag in his free hand. “Detective Ramirez, we’re ready.”
Shooting the three of them a look suggesting he thought they were all out of their minds, Ramirez gestured to Chambers. “All right, Chambers, you’re in front. I’ll bring up the rear. Let’s head out.”
Dean gave the horse’s reins a tug. The broad back swayed underneath Sam as the animal began to walk. As they exited the barn and started down the trail, Sam turned to look behind him. He could just make out the roof of the Lodge office building over the tops of the trees.
Bo slowed his mount until he was riding beside Sam. “What are you thinking about, Sam?”
“Just wondering if we’ll ever know whose body that was we found.” Sam faced forward again with a sigh. “It really bugs me that Anne might know what happened, but we can’t talk to her.”
“Not that she’d tell us anyway,” Dean chimed in. He glanced back at Sam and Bo. “Maybe Lex and Carl can tell us something when we talk to them.”
Bo looked over at Sam, brown eyes solemn. “I hope so.”
“Me too,” Sam agreed. The horse shook her head, and Sam had to grab at his pack to keep it from falling off. He winced as the instinctive movement sent a piercing pain through his injured hand. “You know what? Sunset Lodge is a beautiful place, but I’ll be really glad to get back to civilization.”
Dean nodded. “Amen, brother.”
Sam and Bo both laughed at the heartfelt tone in Dean’s voice. The three of them settled into a comfortable silence, and Sam let the sounds of creaking saddles and chattering birds lull him into a half-trance.
By the time they reached the small gravel parking lot at the trailhead, Sam thought he knew why the portal had opened, and what part Harry Norton had played in the events of that day. He kept his thoughts to himself as Dean helped him down from his mount and the three of them were whisked off to a waiting police SUV. He had a lot of research to do before he could give credence to his own conclusions, and he didn’t want to say anything until he was sure.
In the SUV, Sam shut his eyes and rested his head against the back of the seat while Bo pulled out his cell to call Andre. If he was right in his theory, there might be a way to suppress his own ability to open the interdimensional portals. The question was, did he really want to suppress it, or would it be better for all concerned if he continued to