For Romero's dream, please read "Take Control" s/10433939/1/Take-Control
In the early hours of Friday morning, Romero's phone went off, disrupting a very pleasant dream. A dream about Norma Bates. "Yeah." He answered. "It's Deputy Lynn. We have a homicide." Romero sat up wearily. "Where?" Lynn gave him the address. "I'll be there soon." He hung up and got out of bed, dressing slowly while he remembered his dream. He glanced back at his bed, to make sure she wasn't there. It had been a vivid dream, and the sensation still lingered in certain parts of his body.
Twenty minutes later, Romero arrived on scene, at Christine Heldens home. "Her husband found her. Said he can't get a hold of her brother." Lynn met him at the door. "Do you want me to find the brother?" She asked, blocking his path into the house. "Ah, yeah. Go." He pushed past her, walking to the kitchen where Christine Heldens lay bloodied. Romero immediately noticed multiple stab wounds to her chest. He took in the surroundings for a few moments, then returned to the front of the house, where the husband, Peter, was being treated for shock. Romero asked a few questions. It was not long until he received another call – Deputy Lynn and Jeffcoat had found the lifeless body of George Heldens.
Norma was up early after a long, sleepless night. She immediately went to Norman's room to check on him, finding him as she expected, sound asleep. Norma smiled, watching him for a while. Whatever happened, she would always have him. As long as he didn't have any more blackouts. And as long as he was with her, he wouldn't. The problem with that was that summer was over. He was going back to school on Monday, where she couldn't protect him. Norma sighed, and headed downstairs to start breakfast. Norman would be up soon.
Norma wondered again as she cooked some eggs whether Sheriff Romero had talked to Norman yet. She'd noticed yesterday that he had left later than usual, but she'd been so distracted by the phone call that she'd forgotten all about it. Maybe she would call him later, or go in and see him. "Good morning, Mother." Norman said, giving her a hug from behind and startling her slightly. "Oh, Norman, good morning. Sit down, breakfast is almost ready." Norman sat down at the table, waiting patiently for a few more minutes in silence. Norma placed a plate of eggs and toast in front of him, as well as a glass of juice, then sat down at the opposite end of the table and lovingly watched him take his first few bites before starting to eat her own breakfast.
Later, when Norman was down in the motel, Norma called the sheriff's office. "Hi, Sheriff Romero please, this is Norma Bates calling." There was a pause on the other end of the line. "I'm sorry, he's not here right now. He won't be back for a few hours. Can I take a message?" The receptionist replied. "Ah, no. Just tell him I called, please." Norma hung up, sighed, and then went about her day. She'd wait in the motel office later for him to get back.
It wasn't until after eight that night when Romero got back to the motel. He tiredly turned the key in the lock to open the door, turning around when he heard Norma approaching. "You look like hell," were the first words out of her mouth. Romero rolled his eyes and stepped into his room, turning the light on. "Thanks. I didn't get much sleep last night." He replied, shrugging off his leather jacket as she caught up to him, standing in the doorway. "Why, what happened?" Norma asked curiously. Romero knew he had to tell her. Her boyfriend was dead, and his sister too. "Two murders." He turned to face her after throwing his jacket on the bed. "I'm sorry, Norma, George and Christine Heldens are dead."
Norma stared at him in shock. No words came out of her open mouth, which Romero felt an inappropriate urge to kiss. She seemed to sway, and grabbed the doorframe for support. Romero quickly took her arm and led her to the bed, shutting the door behind them. Norma sat down and after a few minutes, finally managed a few words. "Oh my God."
Norma wasn't thinking about George or Christine, but about Norman. Norman had acted strangely when Norma told him about the phone call. The same way he acted when he was about to have a black out. Was it possible? Did Norman..? She looked at Alex, who had sat down next to her and had his hand on her back. As usual, his face had the same neutral expression. But his eyes, they were full of concern.
After going around town all day, questioning many people, Romero had had slight suspicions of Norma. He knew she had lost her council seat, as a result of a falling out with George and Christine. And of course, Nick Ford was no longer threatening the mayor. She had admitted to stabbing Keith Summers to death, despite his body never being found. But the way she had reacted to the news of the Heldens' deaths, however, told him that she knew nothing about it. He sat with her for some time on the side of his bed, all the time fighting with himself over the desire to lay her down on it. Norma didn't cry, just sat there in shock. "Was there something you wanted to talk about, Norma?" Romero asked, to change the subject, seeing as she had come to him.
"I just wondered if you had talked to Norman yet." Norma replied quietly, looking him in the eye. "Yeah. I don't know if it will get him out of your basement, but he knows he can come to me if he needs to talk." Romero answered. Norma didn't reply, and stared at the door again. After a while, she stood up. "I better get back up to the house.. Norman will be wondering where I am." She said quietly. Romero nodded, and walked her to the bottom of her stairs. "Night, Norma." Back in his motel room, he knocked back a glass of bourbon and a couple sleeping pills, just to forget the day he'd had.
Norma walked up the stairs to her house but as soon as she was inside she ran to Norman's room. He was reading a book, the subject of which was taxidermy. Norma sat down at the foot of the bed, gazing at her son. It was well known he had killed a man by accident, but little did anyone in this town know, Norman had also killed his father not so long ago. It was for this reason that Norma knew Norman was capable of murder. She was fairly sure he had killed his teacher as well, even though the polygraph test proved otherwise. Had he blacked out and killed George and Christine?
Norman looked up at her. "Is everything alright, Mother?" He asked, sounding concerned. Norma sighed. "Norman, George and Christine are dead. They were murdered.." Norma told him, watching him for a reaction. He blinked, and then in one swift moment, threw his arms around her. "I'm so sorry, Mother." He said it the same way as Alex had, to sympathise her loss, but when he pulled away from her, she was sure she could see a hint of happiness in his expression.
