The next two parts are necessarily a little violent. It's nothing crazy but it is there.
Ch. 12
Cady Longmire walked slowly around the empty cabin. Special Agent Ray trailed her, his eyes also scanning the room. They could both hear Ferg moving around outside, his boots echoing on the porch.
"I don't see how you're not more concerned."
Ray held up his hands.
"I am concerned, Sheriff, but I'm not convinced they're not involved in the kidnapping. Maybe he wasn't really kidnapped."
"He was at my house, Agent Ray."
"And they would know how to enter and leave the residence without making a sound. Also, the boy wouldn't put up a fight if it were his parents."
Cady shook her head.
"Why would they take their own child? We know who took hm. Micah Davis has admitted to it. Chance Gilbert's family has admitted their involvement."
"Your deputy is the one who claims he confessed. She's the only one who heard it. It's not unheard of for people to confess to crimes they didn't commit. It's also not unheard of for people who hate the government to try and impede investigations. We don't know that what any of these people is saying is true. I have to look at every angle."
"I think the angle we need to be looking at is the possibility that someone took them as well."
He studied her and looked around the bedroom, where they were now standing.
"Do you think it's possible that Miss Moretti had an affair with this Micah and it set off a chain of events?"
"What are you implying?"
"I'm not implying anything, Sheriff. I'm asking a simple question. Is it possible she had an affair and her husband found out? That could have…"
Cady shook her head, cutting him off.
"No, I do not believe she had an affair with anyone. She loves my dad. And circumstances don't exist in which my dad would hurt Vic, if that's what you're suggesting."
His phone buzzed and he glanced at it.
"I think I'm done here. Thanks for letting me in. I will be in touch with you tomorrow. For what it's worth, I hope you're right. Good day, Sheriff."
Cady watched him leave. Sighing heavily, she walked outside and motioned at Ferg.
"Stay here and see if anyone shows up. If you see anything that seems strange, give me a call."
He nodded.
"Will do."
Her next stop was the casino to see Henry. Henry frowned as he closed the door to his office and sat down.
"So this agent thinks Vic had an affair with this young deputy of yours who took Jude?"
"That's the theory he's pushing."
"And he feels that Walt found out and hurt Vic? Walt would never hurt Vic."
"That's what I keep telling him. Henry, something doesn't feel right about this."
Henry nodded his head.
"I agree. What do you need from me?"
"I want you to go to the cabin and look around. We know they went home. The Bronco is there. Whatever happened to them, it had to have happened there."
He stood up and placed his hand on her shoulder.
"I will go now. If I find anything, I will let you know immediately."
She nodded.
"Ferg is there watching the place. I wanted a set of eyes on it just in case."
Henry nodded and headed off.
xxx
Walt lay on his cot looking up at the ceiling. He had no idea what time it was. There were no windows to see out of and no clocks. He understood that was part of it. Disorientation. They were messing with his mind. He was not unfamiliar with such tactics and he understood the mentality behind them.
He slid his hand into his pocket and pulled out Vic's wedding ring along with the small scrap of paper she had slid into his pocket. He laid the ring on his chest and unfolded the paper. For some reason, just seeing her handwriting gave him a sense of nearness. Some part of him wished he had told her to take Jude and go. Not to worry about him. But, he knew that she would never abandon him any more than he would abandon her if their roles were reversed. It was simply not who she was. It was what had brought her back to Chance Gilbert's compound even after she had been driven to relative safety. After everything they had put her through, she had still refused to leave him to his fate.
He could still remember the haunted look in her eyes following the experience. He should have required her to talk to someone. He should have paid more attention to the signs. But, he had been wrapped up in his own problems at the time and had tried to tell himself that she was as fine as she insisted to him. He hoped that this did not set her back. He hoped this didn't set either of them back. They had both worked hard to overcome their demons and nightmares of the past and find a peaceful, happy existence waiting at the other end. Even more, he hoped that this would not have any lasting effects on Jude. He knew his son was young enough that he wouldn't remember the details. There was always a chance, however, that echoes of the experience would haunt his dreams and his subconscious.
Walt forced the thoughts from his mind. There would be time for them to worry about that later. What they needed to focus on right now was getting out of here safely. All three of them. Together.
He shoved the note back into his pocket and lifted her ring off of his chest. He had gone to Sheridan to pick it out. Durant was too small and people talked. He didn't want any rumors getting back to her. Sheridan was a bigger town with a better selection, anyway. He suspected he had begun to annoy the saleslady with his constant back and forth and asking to see ring after ring.
He turned the ring around in his fingers, studying it.
He had offered to have a real wedding. Vic had given him an eye roll and a shake of her head.
"I had a big wedding the first time and look how that turned out. And what do you mean real wedding? Any wedding is a real one as long as people get married."
"You know what I mean. I don't want you to feel like you need to do it a certain way because of me. I'm fine with whatever you want."
Now, on the actual day of their marriage, he was happy they had taken this route. Simple seemed to suit them both at this point in their lives. Walt had asked the justice of the peace to come out to the cabin. There, a little distance from the cabin, they had stood in one of the most breathtaking spots on the property and said simple vows. Henry and Cady had both come along with Ferg and Ruby.
He couldn't remember a time she had ever looked as stunning. Pregnancy agreed with her. She wasn't showing very much but there was a slight swell to her stomach. She had worn an off-white dress that stopped just above her knee. The material had a flowy texture that seemed to move with her.
When the vows were done, they had eaten a meal Henry had provided from the casino kitchen. He sat on the bench on his porch watching his friends, daughter, and the woman he had just married eat and laugh and dance goofily. He had not imagined in his life, he would find this level of happiness again.
It was well after dark when everyone had left. They were still on the porch. Vic was curled into his side, spreading warmth all the way through him. He felt movement as she pushed away from him and stood up. She held out a hand.
"Dance with me."
"There's no music."
She gave him an exasperated look and fiddled with her phone, producing a slow, melodic song he didn't know.
"Now…dance with me. A wedding dance. C'mon."
He relented and stood up, taking her hand.
"I'm not a good dancer."
"Liar. You just don't like to dance."
He pulled her into him and they began to move slowly to the music.
"I don't mind dancing but I don't like dancing in public."
"This isn't public."
He smiled a little. Her arms were looped around his neck. He lowered his face into her hair. His hands started on her upper back but slid down to her hips while they swayed and moved. The song ended and they stopped moving but remained in the same position.
"Happy?"
"Yes."
He could hear the smile in her words.
"Ready to go to bed?"
"You have no idea."
In one swift move, he slid his arms in just the right position and lifted her into his arms. Vic squealed in surprise.
"What are you doing?"
"Carrying you over the threshold."
He carefully deposited her on the bed and smiled down at her. Vic narrowed her eyes at him.
"What?"
"I'm happy. You…make me happy."
An odd look came over her face as he lowered himself closer to her. Her hands came to rest on either side of his face.
"No one has ever said that to me before."
He pressed a kiss to her lips and then pulled away slightly. His hand found her abdomen and covered it warmly.
"You both make me happy."
Walt let out a heavy sigh as he gave the ring in between his fingers one last look. He tucked it back into his front pocket. He rolled off the cot and began to pace the room. She must have some sort of plan starting to form. She wanted him to be ready. He knew they were both short on time in different ways. The thought of Micah putting his hands on her made Walt want to rip him apart. He stopped his pacing and took a deep breath.
It had been a long time since he had felt this kind of rage. He knew he couldn't let it get the better of him. He needed to channel it and use it to his advantage. He needed to make a move of his own. He couldn't put the full burden on her to save them. She had Jude to worry about. They had escaped iffy situations in the past but that was the two of them. They didn't have a child to be concerned about then.
He knew she was right. It was time.
xxx
The steak was good. She hated to admit it but it was the best thing she'd eaten in quite a while. She glanced across the room to where Jude lay in the bed. She had been listening to his breathing and cataloguing his movements. He had to be completely asleep before she did anything. If there was one thing she was certain of, he had to see as little of what she had to do as possible.
"Good?"
She nodded at Micah.
"Yeah, really good. Thank you for getting it."
He smiled at her.
"You're welcome."
"So…how long do we have to stay here?"
He shrugged slightly as he chewed up and swallowed another bite.
"Don't know really. It's not up to me. I think we'll be here for a while longer."
"I'm just getting cabin fever, you know."
He nodded his head in understanding.
"Yeah, I understand. Maybe we can go outside tomorrow."
"That would be nice. I know I could use the fresh air. I'm sure Jude could, too. Could we maybe go for a drive?"
She tried to sound nonchalant and genuine.
He lifted his eyes and paused.
"Where do you want to go?"
She shrugged.
"Nowhere in particular. Just out. It's so nice here. We should probably take advantage of it."
He was still studying her. Vic continued to eat, avoiding his gaze. Finally, he began to eat again.
"They have some cars but I'll have to see if I can use one."
She shrugged again.
"Doesn't hurt to ask."
She finished off her food and lay the fork and knife on the table, dropping her napkin over them. She leaned back in her chair and looked at him across the table.
"Thank you again. This was…nice."
"What else do you want to do?"
"What do you mean?"
He leaned his elbows on the table and leaned forward.
"I have a confession to make. I've never been on a real date."
Vic smiled at him.
"Really."
"So what would you normally do?"
She thought for a moment.
"Uh…maybe watch a movie. That's out. Have dinner. We did that. Sometimes people go dancing."
He frowned.
"I don't really know how to dance."
"I would teach you but we don't have any music so…"
A thoughtful look crossed his face.
"Maybe we do."
"Even if we did…it would wake up Jude."
He shook his head as he stood up. He held up his hand.
"Hang on and I'll be back."
Vic watched him disappear out the door in a hurry, wondering what he was doing. Moving quickly, she grabbed the knife that was under her napkin and slid it into the back pocket of her jeans. She would have to be careful not to sit and she would have to be cautious about turning her back to him. She checked herself in the bathroom mirror and made sure her shirt was long enough to conceal any signs of it. She let out a breath of relief when she couldn't make out the shape of the knife.
She had just reentered the bedroom from the bathroom when he came back in carrying a bag.
"What is that?"
"Music."
Her heart thumped hard when he produced her cell phone. Her phone.
"My phone?"
He nodded as he powered on the phone. She wondered how many missed calls were on it. He pulled up her music app and pulled a set of earbuds from his pocket.
"We can use these."
He seemed eager. She nodded at him. He handed her one earbud and started up the music, sliding the other one into his own ear. She waited while he searched through several songs until he found one he liked. A slow song. Vic vaguely recognized it.
"That good?"
"Yeah. Put your hands on my side."
He did as instructed and Vic placed her hands lightly on his shoulders.
"Just move to what you feel in the music."
He nodded and began to move slightly. As the song progressed and he became more comfortable, he shifted slightly closer to her. She reminded herself to breathe and sought the same mentality she used when she was trying to coax information from a suspect. The song ended and another one started. His eyes were focused on her now. Intently. She could see the slight dilation of his pupils.
She knew it was coming before he ever moved. He shifted his head and pressed a kiss to her lips. Vic returned the kiss slowly, not wanting to seem too eager, but responsive. He pulled back slightly and tilted his head to the side.
"Vic…I…"
He kissed her again, this time with more confidence. After several seconds, she placed her palms on his chest and pushed him away a little. His eyes were hazy now with the desire and lust. He looked at her with a confused expression.
"What?"
She nodded her head towards the bed where Jude was sleeping and took his arm, pulling him towards the bathroom.
"In here."
He went willingly. She knew he wasn't thinking straight anymore. Vic pulled him into the bathroom and closed the door. He didn't bother with the light. He pushed her into the wall, pinning her to it and kissed her again. Vic ran her hands up his back and let them rest there. He moved his mouth from hers and started to kiss her neck. Vic's mouth had gone completely dry with nerves and she could hear his breathing speeding up in her ear. She put her hands on the back of his head and pulled his face deeper into the space where her neck and shoulder met.
Keeping her left hand in place, she let her right fall away. Confident he wasn't paying her any attention, she slid the hand slowly around behind her and found the handle of the knife under her shirt. With as little movement as possible, she pulled it free of her pocket and dropped her hand by her side, gripping the handle tightly.
Vic dipped her face away from his at the same time she brought the knife up and buried it to the handle into the softness of his stomach. At first he was too stunned to do anything. She pushed back from him, pulling the knife along with her. He grunted as the serrated blade left him. Blood was spreading across the front of his shirt now. He looked up at her, his eyes wide.
"What the hell."
He reached for her but he was sluggish. Vic thrust again, and felt his flesh give way underneath the blade. His mouth was slightly open. She shoved him back and he stumbled onto the floor. His hand closed around the handle of the knife. Vic left the bathroom and retrieved the tray he had discarded earlier. She had noticed the heaviness of it when she had first seen it.
He was on his knees trying to get up when she came back in. The knife still protruded from his stomach. Blood had smeared on the tile floor where he had planted his bloody hands in an attempt to stand up. His eyes met hers.
"Bitch…"
"Did you really think that I would fuck you? And with my son in the same room?"
Her words faded as she glanced at the partially closed bathroom door.
She raised the tray and brought it down on his head with as much force as she could muster. The first hit knocked him all the way down. He squirmed trying to right himself. Lifting the tray again, she brought it down again, aiming for the same spot. With that blow, his head thumped to the floor. Carefully, Vic knelt down and checked him. He was still breathing but he was out.
Vic dropped the tray to the floor with a rattle. She pulled her phone from his back pocket where he had placed it. She patted his other pockets and came up with a pocket knife and a set of keys. Unsure what the keys went to, she took them. She was hopeful they would unlock the doors in the house. She looked him over. Her eyes fell on his belt. Rolling him over, Vic undid the belt and slid it from the loops. She wrapped it around her own waist and secured it.
Standing up, she glimpsed herself in the mirror. His blood was on her shirt and hands. She wiped her hands on her pants and left the bathroom. There wasn't time to waste.
Leaning over Jude, she shook him.
"Jude, wake up."
He mumbled sleepily.
"Mommy?"
"Yeah, baby, wake up."
He sat up, confused. Vic lifted him into her arms.
"Jude, I need you to wake up. Do you remember our game? Our spy game?"
He nodded, his face scrunched up.
"Yeah."
"It's time to save daddy."
