Ch. 2
8:35 PM
Nothing had changed. He wasn't exactly a hostage negotiator. Being a small town sheriff didn't necessarily prepare one for every scenario.
"It's not too late. It's not too late until you pull that trigger. So let's not do that. Just lower the gun."
"Why, so you can jump me."
"You've seen too many movies. Do you really think I'd risk that."
He could see Vic's fingers flexing down at her side. It was an uncomfortable position she was being held in. The man had her in front of him mostly. He wasn't terribly tall but his whole forearm was under her neck, holding her firmly to him. His free hand pressed the gun against her temple. Every time he moved, he dragged her around with him. At the very least, she was going to have some bruises. Walt hoped that was all she would have.
Her eyes were on him again. They weren't their normal gold tone. In the dark bar, they looked dark brown. That was the first thing he had noticed about her. The ever changing tone of her eyes.
Vic willed herself to remain calm. She kept telling herself that, at least, Walt was here. Her faith in him was unshaken. He wouldn't do anything to put her at risk. She could feel the man's chest bumping against her with rapid breath. Sweat from the front of his shirt was dampening the back of hers. His breath was hot on her neck and he smelled like beer and cigarettes. Her arm was hurting from being pulled around. She flexed her fingers a little, trying to relieve some of the discomfort. His tenseness was alarming. It made him more likely to make a mistake. It made him more likely to react.
12:13 PM
"I'm going over to the Busy Bee to pick up some lunch. Want something?"
Vic glanced up at Ferg, trying to process what he was saying. She had been engrossed in her computer and her mind felt muddled by his intrusion.
"Uh...sure. Just bring me a salad. Thanks."
He smiled and disappeared out the door. He was more the old Ferg these days. His making up with Meg had done wonders for his attitude. They were engaged. Sometimes she had to smile at their young love and then the thought made her feel depressingly old. She knew she had never been that way with Sean. Her world had been jaded even then and choices had been made for the wrong reasons. She hadn't possessed that kind of naivete when they had been together early on. Before things had gone so bad for them.
Her cell phone buzzed on the desk next to her elbow.
"Hey, how's it going?"
"Okay."
"Just okay?"
"It's interesting."
Vic smiled inwardly. He would never learn to carry a conversation.
"I'll be leaving soon so we're still good for 6:30."
Vic nodded to herself.
"Okay. I'll meet you at the cabin when I leave here. Need to change anyway."
"K, see you then."
Vic hung up and looked down at the darkened screen on her phone. He still preferred a real conversation to any kind of texting. Some things never changed.
5:16 PM
"So how did it go?"
She heard him grunt from inside the shower. Vic stood at the bathroom mirror braiding her hair.
"Sounds fascinating."
The water turned off and the curtain pulled to the side in a swift motion. Walt pulled a towel off the rack and ran it over his face.
"It's different."
Vic smirked at him.
"Well, so are you."
She watched as he dried himself off and ran the towel over his hair. He brushed by her into the bedroom and began to dress. Vic finished up and trailed behind him.
"I think I've just been doing the same thing so long, it's hard. You know."
Vic's expression was soft.
"Yeah, I know. You don't have to do it, Walt."
He pulled on a clean shirt and began to work at the buttons.
"Aren't you the one who is always telling me I should try new things?"
"Yes, but only if they make you happy."
He smiled a little and cocked his head to one side.
"Like you?"
A wide grin crossed her face.
"Well, I wasn't gonna say it but..."
His smiled widened and he pulled her to him. Softly he kissed her, his hands sliding down her back. Vic returned the kiss and then wriggled away.
"Uh-uh. Keep it in your pants until later."
Red crept up his neck.
"Later. Right."
8:36 PM
"I'm not armed."
Walt slowly extended his arms showing his entire torso.
"At least lower the gun and let her go."
The man's hand quivered.
"You probably got people waiting to take a shot."
Walt shook his head.
"This is Durant, Wyoming. We don't have a SWAT team or anything like that. There's four law enforcement officers and that's it. Everyone wants this to end peacefully. Trust me on that."
"I don't even know you, man."
"You're going to have to trust someone at some point. Just lower the gun. I'm not asking you to give it up. No one else in here is armed. There's no need to take a chance on it going off before you're sure you want to take that step."
The man's dark eyes settled on Walt. Vic could feel his arm relax slightly. He lowered the gun away from her head. Relief washed over her and she could tell by the look on Walt's face, he felt the same. He gave her a push towards one of the small tables.
"Go sit over there."
Vic complied, rubbing her neck. Walt could see red extending across her skin where the man's arm had been holding her.
"You okay?"
Walt thought his own voice sounded odd.
"Fine."
Vic's was sharp, concise. Walt could see the wheels turning in her mind. Walt glanced to the slumped over figure in the corner.
"I need you to let me get him out of here."
The man shook his head.
"No way. I did what you wanted. I'm not holding a gun on anyone. No more favors."
Walt frowned.
"So far no one has died and I'd like to keep it that way."
The man made a face.
"It's an arm shot, man. He's not gonna die."
It was a valid argument and one Walt didn't want to push. Walt turned his eyes to Vic.
"Can you go check on him?"
She nodded and rose slowly, her gaze on the man who had just been holding a gun to her head. He gave her a cursory glance and nodded.
"Go ahead. Nothing stupid."
"Right."
She moved slowly to the corner and knelt down. The man groaned a little as she checked the wound. He had covered it with a piece of his shirt, which was no soaked through with blood. Vic chewed her bottom lip and stood up.
"I'm going to get something clean to put over it."
The man nodded.
"Fine. Hurry. I don't like you moving around."
She moved quickly behind the bar and came up with a clean pile of rags and towels. Moving back to his side, she tossed aside the old makeshift bandage and wrapped it cleanly. His head tilted slightly towards hers and she ran a quick hand over his black hair.
"Hang on, Henry. It's gonna be okay."
