Michael slams his hand down on the desk. "I had one rule!"

"I know, but —"

"I'm not done," Michael snaps.

Castiel looks at Hannah helplessly. He's glad there isn't a big crowd, and if there's one person he'd want for moral support, it would be her. Unfortunately, she's too nervous to even talk in Michael's presence, so she really won't help lessen the blow.

"I let you keep this case on one condition, and it was that you tell me everything," Michael says. "The fact that I had to learn that this guy said your name twice through the grapevine instead of from you is unacceptable."

"With all due respect," Castiel says, but Michael cuts him off.

"Stop it. Sucking up to me is not going to make me change my mind."

"Change your mind on what?" Castiel asks, hoping his guess is wrong.

"I'm making you drop this case."

"You can't do that —"

"I can do whatever I want," Michael interrupts. "You disobeyed orders —"

"And what would you have done if I told you?" Castiel challenges. "You can pretend you're just mad that I never told you, but you and I both know you would've pulled me the second he said my name."

"So you decided to lie —"

"Yes, I decided to lie!" Castiel snaps. "This is my case, Michael. I'm not letting you take it from me over something so fucking stupid. There's no reason you should be able to take it from me over something so stupid."

"Maybe I shouldn't be able to, but I can, and I am."

Castiel scoffs. "This is the very definition of abuse of power."

"If abusing my power is going to keep you safe, I don't care."

"I can keep myself safe," Castiel reminds him. "I've been doing it a long time."

"I don't care," Michael says. "I've made my decision. Castiel, you're officially off the case. I'll find you something else to do tomorrow. Hannah, you can either stay with your partner or your case."

That's the first time anyone's acknowledged her, and she seems to be at a loss for words. Whether it's the situation or just Michael's presence, Castiel isn't sure, but he knows what he has to do.

"Keep her on the case," Castiel says. "She's the only one who knows anywhere near as much about it. You get rid of her, you're basically starting fresh."

Michael nods. "Then it's settled. Castiel, you're to stay as far away from the Bloody Valentine case as possible."