Thank you Gurl for the review! The only review lol. It's ok though I love the character of Vincent too much to abandon this story, even if you are the only person reading it. I just want to hug him, that man needed a hug. Actually so do the majority of Norman's characters…Warning I am skipping ahead in the timeline to three months after Vincent met Casey the night of her families murder to help move the plot along. Please review!
Three months later…
Vincent rubbed his thumb across his lips as he sat waiting. Sophie, the little blonde waitress that worked at Jackson Hole Diner and his friend came over to refill his coffee cup.
"You know I'm not sure how much I'm going to have for you this week." she smiled at him apologetically before setting the coffee mug down and reaching for a remote. For the last few years she would replay the security tapes for Vincent, helping him to look for someone, anyone who may have resembled the killer. It had been a long shot and usually he would be in the Diner for hours that was until Casey started helping him.
"Actually could we wait, at least until Casey gets here? She should be just a little longer."He watched as Sophie put the remote down with a sigh before picking up a bar rag and moving down the counter.
"Yeah, just let me know when you're ready hun."
He watched her move away when the chimes on the door jingled as it opened.
"Sorry I'm late…"
"When are you ever on time?" Vincent asked with a small smirk while Casey paused next to him with a small frown.
"Ha Ha. That's so funny. Here." She set down a brown paper bag in front of him on the counter. "It's just a few things for Vicky from the office. Some heart worm pills and dental chew bones." She explained when Vincent peered into the bag.
"Thanks. He really liked those treats you gave him last week." He nodded reaching out to pull out her seat while she shrugged out of her large coat. He raised a brow when he saw her still in her work scrubs. "Long day?"
"You could say that. I hope you don't mind, I didn't really have any time to change."
"No I don't mind."
He received a small tight lipped smile for his answer while Casey slid into her seat brushing her hair back from her face. She had been smiling more often in the last few weeks, mostly sad smiles like the one she had just given him, but it was something. He liked to think that doing this was helping her deal with what had happened. At least that's what he told himself to help it feel less like he was using her.
"So should we get started?" Casey asked reaching across the counter for the remote and hitting play while Sophie made her way back over.
"Hey Casey, you like your coffee black right?" Sophie asked with a smile to the brunette woman, who merely nodded her hand on the fast forward button as she watched the screen. Vincent looked between Casey and the small security monitor while she scanned the faces and Sophie filled her cup before reaching a hand across the counter to cover his. "Can I get you anything else Vincent?"
"No Sophie, I'm fine thanks." He returned the small smile that was given before Casey shook her head next to him.
"She likes you. You know that don't you?"
"What?" He asked turning a look to his friend who merely sighed softly.
"The waitress, she flirts with you like crazy every time we come here." Vincent had to shake his head as he wrapped his hands around his cup.
"Sophie is just friendly…" he was cut off when Casey pressed for the video feed to pause turning in her seat to look at him.
"Ok first friendly waitresses don't exist outside of television and movies, and even if they did they don't hold their customers hands or rub their backs." She turned back to the monitor with a huff while Vincent merely raised a brow.
"You must have had a really bad day…"
"Yeah and honestly I don't feel like getting glared at all night by your diner crush."
Vincent glanced to the monitor while Casey jabbed at the remote buttons her gaze narrowed at the screen.
"You don't have to do this tonight if you're not up for it…" he began only for Casey to shake her head.
"No it's fine. I shouldn't have snapped at you. I'm sorry."
"It's ok." Vincent said reaching a hand out to rub her back as they continued to watch the rest of the videos.
It only took Casey three hours to run through the feed for the week most of it on fast forward. She only stopped if she saw someone suspicious and she had barely paused it that night.
"I'm sorry, I didn't seem him."
Vincent paused in opening the passenger door to Casey's car. Turning he saw her little hands gripping the steering wheel as she stared at the dash.
"I've told you before you don't have to apologize. I've spent three years looking for this guy; the diner has always been a long shot. "He watched her nod slowly at his words. "Have you heard anymore from the police?"
"Not really. They say even with all the evidence if he never had a record before it would be hard to track him. Do you think he is just going to disappear again for three years like he did after your wife?"
"No." Vincent answered roughly, the door handle he was gripping creaked under his tightened hold. "No, we're not going to let him. He won't get away with this again."
Casey turned at his promise, fighting back tears. She was so sick of crying. So sick of being sad and angry but at least she wasn't alone.
Licking her lips she let out a small pained laugh while reaching up to wipe a stray tear away.
"Have I ever said thank you to you? For putting up with me, the mood swings, and helping keep me sane?"
"All the time. You help me too you know? You do."
Casey batted his hand away when he reached forward to tug on a piece of her hair before she leaned over to hug him. They held each other for just a minute, his nose brushing her hair while her cheek rubbed against his sweater before they pulled apart.
Vincent was out of the car when he turned back to lean down into the open door.
"What are you doing tomorrow? It's your day off isn't it?" He grinned at her slow nod. "You know Vicky has a race tomorrow, you should come with us. Take a break from everything and do something fun."
"A dog race is something fun? You probably just want me there in case Vicky sprains a paw."She shook her head as he leveled her with a glare. "Ok I'll go. Do you want me to pick you and Vicky up?"
"Would you mind? Around ten?" he closed the door at her nod and waved turning toward his building as Casey pulled away while a curtain closed just a few stories above them.
