Ch. 14: if you're going through hell, keep on moving
"We got a lucky break."
Vic leaned back in her chair, her head tilting so that she could see Walt as he crossed the floor to her desk.
"No such thing."
Her comeback caught him off guard and he hesitated before continuing.
"Okay, then we've found something. Or…Henry has."
She continued to look up at him.
"He coming here or we going there?"
"I told him we would come by."
Vic pushed herself up from her chair.
It had been a slow morning. She was grateful to have something to focus on. Having a murder hanging over them was not ideal. Vic fell in step beside Walt as he headed out of the office and they took the stairs down to the street.
Outside he pulled out his keys and they climbed in the Bronco. Vic pulled her seatbelt across as Walt pulled out.
"Did Henry say what he has?"
"Nope."
She put on her sunglasses and looked across the front seat at him.
"Did you ask?"
"Nope."
Vic sighed and looked at the town as it rolled by.
"Some investigator."
He heard her and she knew it. His head turned ever so slightly in her direction. He didn't reply. Vic shifted around in her seat and drew his attention again.
"Something wrong?"
"No. Seat's uncomfortable."
"It's the same seat you always sit it."
"Well…today it's uncomfortable. You ever consider upgrading?"
"Upgrading?"
"Yeah, getting something nicer than this."
She waved her hand indicating the interior of the Bronco. Walt kept his eyes on the road.
"No."
"You should."
"There's nothing wrong with it."
Vic smirked at him.
"It's old, Walt."
"So…I should just toss it."
He sounded almost indignant. Vic gave him a full on look.
"Don't get all bent out of shape. It's just a suggestion. You find this treasure you're talking about and you can pay cash for something nicer. And keep this."
"I don't need two vehicles."
Vic sighed and looked back out the window.
"Do you ever just want something that you don't need?"
He adjusted his grip on the steering wheel and kept his eyes on the road.
"I don't think about it, I guess."
"You should. There's nothing wrong with wanting something, Walt."
The statement was heavy with more meaning that what they were talking about. He looked at her then. His eyes on her for only a second before he returned his gaze to the road.
"I know that."
"Do you? So…tell me something that you want."
He took a breath and a frown crossed his face. She could see him thinking.
"What about you?"
She cut her eyes at him and shook her head.
"I asked you first."
"I can't…really think of anything right now."
"Hmm. Maybe that should tell you something."
He tried again.
"What about you?"
Vic was quiet for a minute before she spoke.
"I wouldn't mind a fucking vacation."
"Vacation?"
He said the word slowly.
"Yeah, you know. You take a trip that's not work related. Hang out. Eat too much. That kind of stuff."
"I know what a vacation is."
She smiled at the insistence she heard in his tone.
"When is the last time you took one?"
More silence.
"Figured."
"So…where would you go? To Philadelphia?"
Vic made a face.
"God no! That is not a vacation. You know…like the beach…or the mountains. Just someplace different. Where you can be away from everything."
He looked at her out of the corner of his eye.
"Is that what you want? To be away from everything?"
She smiled slightly.
"Well…maybe not everything."
Walt pulled in to the casino and parked. Vic slid out and waited for him at the hood. Once inside, they traversed the gaming floor and found the back hallway where Henry's office was. The door was open and he seemed to be expecting them. Looking up as soon as he heard them, he removed his reading glasses and smiled.
"That was quick."
Vic returned the smile.
"You call, we come. What's up?"
"I have a name for you?"
Walt lifted his chin.
"A name?"
Henry nodded.
"Yes, I was able to locate a credit card on one of these young men that you are looking for."
He dug through a stack of papers on his desk and came out with a slip of paper. He passed it to Walt.
"Jack McCoy. You're sure this is one of them?"
Henry nodded and waved for them to follow him.
"Yes. Come with me."
He led them back to the same room they were in before with the same security man. He nodded to the man who handed him a remote control. Henry glanced down at and pressed a button. The monitor directly in front of him came to life. It was footage of the entrance to the casino. A second or two passed and he tapped the screen.
"This one."
He indicated the man in the front of the trio. The security footage wasn't the greatest image. But, it was clear enough that they could see the man's face.
"That's…this guy?"
Walt held up the receipt.
"Yes, that is him. He paid with a credit card. He ran up quite a bill."
"Maybe he paid for the other two."
"It is possible."
Walt glanced down at the name again.
"Name sounds familiar."
Henry smiled at him.
"Maybe you are thinking of John McCoy."
Walt looked up.
"Yeah…we…"
"…went to school with him."
Vic looked between them.
"That this guy's dad or something?"
"It could be. Possibly his grandfather."
Walt made an audible noise.
"Grandfather? We're not that old."
"I only said it was possible. When you talk to him, ask him."
Walt tossed Henry a look and held up the paper.
"Thanks, Henry."
"It is no problem."
Leaving the casino, Walt passed the paper to Vic.
"You wanna send this to Ferg and have him bring in this Jack McCoy?"
She nodded and pulled out her phone.
"Sure."
He paused and looked at the Bronco as they walked up to it.
"It still gets the job done."
She looked down and smiled before raising her eyes and looking at him, pulling her door open.
"So do you."
xxx
Jack McCoy looked much as he did in the casino footage when Ferg brought him in. He was younger than Walt expected to begin with. Younger than the victim and his friend. The young man came in with a nervous look on his face that he was trying very hard to mask behind false bravado. Walt knew that immediately. He had dealt with enough people like this in his career.
He offered McCoy a nod and gestured towards his office.
"Thank you for coming in."
McCoy eyed him.
"Did I have a choice?"
Walt let the question go as they walked into his office and Vic pushed the door closed behind them.
"Take a seat."
McCoy looked at the offered chair with a healthy level of skepticism.
"Can I ask what this is about?"
Walt nodded.
"Sit. Please."
That time he did as asked and lowered himself into the chair. The young man pushed his longish dark hair out of his face and held himself in a tight posture.
"Night before last, you went to the casino in town?"
"Yeah. Yes, sir."
"Who were you there with?"
"Some buddies."
"Can you tell me about it?"
Walt was leaning on his desk.
"Um…the whole night?"
"Yep. Walk me through it."
"Um…me and my friends decided we wanted to go and have some fun. We got there…around six o'clock and left just after ten. I think."
"What did you do?"
"We…played the slot machines. Some of the tables. I don't remember every single move we made."
"Do you remember following a couple of guys around and getting into a fight?"
Had he planned to lie, his face would have given him away.
"Um…do…I need a lawyer?"
Walt kept his eyes on McCoy.
"Did you do something that would cause you to need one?"
"I don't know. I…"
Walt held up his hands.
"You're not under arrest. We need to know what happened, Jack."
McCoy sat there clearly thinking. He cleared his throat.
"It wasn't me."
"We have you on video."
"No, I mean…it was my friend. I was with him. But…it wasn't me. I didn't have a problem with that guy."
"Mason Barrett. His name was Mason Barrett."
McCoy stared at him.
"Was?"
Walt pushed up off his desk.
"He was found dead that same night, Jack. So, we need the truth."
McCoy stared at him.
"He's dead? I swear to God I don't know anything about that, Sheriff. I haven't…fought or killed anyone."
"So…tell me what happened. Not the short version."
McCoy sighed.
"We were just looking to have some fun. You know…cut loose."
"We understand you ran up quite a bill."
"I paid. With my credit card."
"For everything?"
"Yes, sir."
"So your friends…do they have names?"
"Yes, sir. Brody Taylor and Jason Addison."
Walt turned and scribbled the names before turning back to McCoy.
"So…how did you and your friends run into Mason Barrett and his friend."
"We were playing the slots and Brody got up and went to the bathroom. While he was gone, this guy sits at his machine. He puts in his coin and wins a shit ton of money."
He paused and his eyes flicked to Vic.
"Sorry."
She didn't reply. He swallowed.
"When Brody came back, he was pissed. He and the guy had words and the guy walked off. He said he didn't need this…shit."
He looked at Vic again. Her face was neutral as she listened.
"He followed the guy. Me and Jason just followed him."
"Followed him. All night?"
He shrugged.
"For a while. They had words again and Brody told him to meet him outside."
"They fought?"
It was Vic who posed the question and it seemed to catch McCoy off guard.
"Uh…yeah…they fought in the parking lot. We pulled them apart and we left. That's…that's it."
Walt nodded slowly, mulling over the information.
"Thank you, Jack."
"Can I go?"
"For now. Make sure you leave your contact information with Ruby at the front desk."
McCoy stood up slowly.
"Sure. You want Brody's number. And Jason's?"
"I do. We'll be talking to them."
He nodded, ducked his head down and left the office.
Vic came over and took the seat he vacated. Walt sat down behind his desk.
"What do you think?"
She leaned back and stretched out her legs.
"He's scared out of his mind. I think he's telling the truth. He looked pretty damn surprised when you told him the guy was dead."
"Yeah. He seemed genuine."
Vic looked at him for a minute.
"You realize he's calling his friends right now and warning them?"
"I'm sure he is."
"We'll lose the element of surprise."
Walt nodded.
"Yep."
She smiled.
"You already have Ruby running them, don't you?"
"As soon as he gave her the information."
Her smile grew slightly as she stood up from her chair and stretched her arms up over her head. Walt stood and waited. Once her focus was back on him, he grabbed his hat from the hook and they started for the door. Outside, Jack McCoy was gone and Ruby looked up as soon as she heard the sound of his boots.
"You have those addresses?"
Ruby held up a folded sheet of paper.
"I do."
Walt took the paper from her and glanced at it.
"Thank you, Ruby."
"You're welcome, Walter."
For the second time that day, they started out of the office. Vic's arm bumped his as he pulled the door open and waited for her to go through it.
"So…I assume we're going to Brody Taylor first?"
He nodded as he adjusted his hat on his head and closed the door behind them.
"Yep."
xxx
Vic took an immediate dislike to Brody Taylor. He was the epitome of a wannabe cowboy who was all swagger and no substance. He reminded her of the crowds who gathered when the rodeo came through town and everyone wanted to act like they were authentically from the wild west. It was annoying.
Posers.
It didn't take them long to track him to his job at a construction site. He was expecting them. That much was clear from the lack of any surprise on his face when badges were pulled out and flashed for him to see. He offered them a confident smile and Vic really wanted to see it wiped from his face.
Sometimes, you really needed to work to solve a mystery. Piecing together obscure clues in an attempt to form some type of cohesive picture. The work could be long and frustrating. Other times, you simply knew what happened and the challenge was to prove it. She would have been shocked if this case took an unexpected turn. It all seemed to fall into place.
The struggle was making sure the evidence backed them up.
She didn't think Brody Taylor would be all that challenging.
In order to save time, Ferg and Zach had been sent to question the other suspect. His involvement was expected to be minimal, but they needed to get his version of the story to ensure they were getting all sides of the story.
Brody Taylor wore jeans that were too tight and a t-shirt that showed off the muscles in his arms. On his head, he wore a dirty ballcap. As soon as he saw them coming, he pulled off the work gloves he was wearing and tucked them into his back pocket. He sauntered over, meeting them halfway. That was, no doubt, an attempt at appearing unrattled by their appearance. Vic didn't buy it. Let him be overconfident. That always worked in their favor.
Brody pushed up the brim of his ballcap slightly and smiled, revealing a row of white teeth that were mostly straight.
"Sheriff."
His gaze bounced off Walt's badge. His dark eyes shifted to Vic.
"Afternoon."
She tossed him a smile that was obviously not genuine as the three of them converged.
"Brody Taylor?"
He nodded to Walt.
"That's me."
Walt glanced around.
"Is there somewhere we can talk?"
Brody didn't bother looking. His eyes stayed on Walt's.
"We can talk right here. I'll go ahead and tell you I know why you're here. All I did was get in a little fight, Sheriff. I haven't killed no one."
Vic scuffed one boot over the dirt.
"So…we can talk where?"
The smile faded from his face and he gestured.
"My truck is over here."
He led them over and dropped the tailgate before hoisting himself onto it. Walt took a stance on one side, Vic on the other.
"So, you admit to fighting Mason Barrett?"
"I didn't know his name. But…sure."
"Over a slot machine?"
He looked at Vic.
"My friends told him I was using that one. The jackass sat down anyway and won money that would have been mine. I asked him nicely to split it and he called me an asshole and walked off. What was I supposed to do?"
Vic gave him a look.
"I can think of several that were better than fighting."
He shook his head and turned his attention back to Walt.
"It proprietary. You know?"
"No…I don't know. This doesn't look good for you, Brody. You were the last person to see him and you admitted fighting with him. I'm going to need you to come with us."
"For what?"
He looked indignant at the suggestion that he go with them.
"We need to question you, we need a full statement. We also need to make sure you don't go anywhere. Now…"
Walt lifted his right hand and placed it on his cuffs.
"You can come willingly. Or, I can arrest you."
Brody shook his head.
"You can't arrest me when you don't have any proof."
Walt wasn't put off by his insistence. His hand stayed where it was.
"You just admitted to both of us that you were in a fight with our victim. That's assault. We're also waiting on a warrant to search your home and your vehicle."
Brody eyed him, his confidence seeping out of him.
"You're serious."
Vic smiled.
"Very. So…your choice."
Brody Taylor looked between them and pushed off the tailgate.
"I need to go and tell my boss. He'll fire me if I just walk off the job."
That seemed to be the least of his worries considering he was looking at a potential murder charge. Walt nodded in acceptance of that.
"I'll walk over with you."
Brody looked morose.
"Why?"
"Make sure you don't wander off."
The young man's shoulders drooped as he and Walt walked towards a trailer at the far end of the site. Vic watched them go, Walt a few inches taller than the young man walking beside him. They disappeared into the trailer and her eyes roamed the rest of the workers.
Her phone buzzed and she answered it, recognizing the office number and knowing it was Ruby.
"This is Vic."
"Vic, the judge signed the warrant."
Vic let out a sigh and looked up at the sky. It was turning into another day that didn't seem to have an end in sight. With a little luck, the warrant would turn up something concrete and they would be able to put this case to rest.
"Okay, Ruby. Thanks."
The call ended and Vic slipped her phone back into her pocket as the trailer door opened and Walt reemerged with Brody Taylor.
Vic looked up at the sky again.
xxx
In the end, the case was anticlimactic.
Brody Taylor denied any involvement right up until he was confronted with the murder weapon that was found hidden in his house. Even then, he attempted to make excuses for what happened, trying to absolve himself of culpability. The carefree persona he worked so hard to cultivate crumbled like sand under the pressure of questioning and he finally relayed his version of events.
They matched up with what they already pulled together more or less.
In the end, Brody Taylor was arrested and booked into the jail to wait for his arraignment. Walt didn't expect him to make bail and knew he would be transferred to Tri County where he would sit until his trial date was set and commenced.
"What's up?"
Walt snapped out of his thoughts to find Vic standing in his doorway watching him with those sharp eyes she possessed.
"Just thinking."
Vic walked the rest of the way into his office and took a seat across from him.
"About?"
She probably already knew. He was so prone to these moments.
"I just don't understand."
Vic leaned back in her chair.
"What? How a fight over something as stupid as casino slot machine winnings could lead to murder?"
Walt rubbed his palms together.
"Less than a hundred dollars. He shot this kid over it."
Vic let him sit in his thoughts for a minute or two.
"It's not the worst we've ever seen, Walt."
He raised his eyes to meet hers.
"I know. It's just…for some reason it feels harder this time."
"You can see the light at the end of the tunnel."
"I won't miss this part of the job. I won't miss having to tell mothers that their kids are dead. Or wives that their husbands aren't coming home. I knew that casino would lead to this eventually."
Vic bit her lip.
"Walt, if he was willing to pull out a rifle over something this minor and shoot someone, it was more than likely going to happen at some point. All he needed was the right trigger. You can't…necessarily put all the blame on the casino."
His eyes stayed on hers. She knew how he felt about the casino. His opinion had softened some with Henry at the helm as opposed to Jacob Nighthorse and his illegal activities. He would just never fully accept the casino's existence in his county.
He fought against it for too long.
It led them to a truce of sorts. An uneasy one.
"I know. It's just…"
He pushed out a breath and shook his head. He really didn't want to talk about this anymore. It wouldn't change anything. The case was solved. Changing his focus, he slapped one hand on his thigh lightly.
"Did you need something?"
"Not really. I was just gonna let you know I'm done for the day. I'm going home."
He knew what that meant.
"Home?"
He hadn't meant the word to come out like it did.
"Yeah."
With that, she stood up and turned her neck from side to side. Walt looked up at her. She looked as tired as he felt. Maybe more. He knew she wasn't sleeping well and hadn't eaten very much all day. Not that he had. Murder had a way of killing one's appetite.
"You want to grab some dinner?"
Vic shook her head.
"No thanks. Just going home. Need some quiet."
"You sure?"
Again, his voice sounded odd.
"Yes. So…I'll see you tomorrow."
She lifted her hand in a partial wave and smiled tiredly at him. Walt returned it, his own smile not much more than hers.
"Night."
She left his office and gathered up what she needed. She gave him one more smile through his open door before she disappeared from his view and he heard the door open and close behind her. The sound of her boots faded and was gone.
Walt reached up and rubbed his eyes. He might as well go home, too. There was nothing more to be done here. Zach was watching the now sleeping prisoner for the night and taking the calls that might come in. Barring an emergency, he might be able to string together a full night of sleep.
Alone.
That was the caveat. Despite plenty of time spent sleeping alone on his couch and in his bed, it hadn't taken him long to grow accustomed to the feel of Vic beside him in the bed. Even when there was nothing physical happening between them. He just liked for her to be there. It gave him a warm feeling and it was easier for him to relax when she was with him.
It sounded almost like the kind of thing that Vic would roll her eyes at.
Walt shook his head and stood up from his seat. Walking over to the window, he looked out. They were getting deeper into this and he wasn't sure what lay head on the road. He wanted to talk to her about it. But, Vic didn't seem all that willing to get into deep discussions about the future. He couldn't really blame her. He knew the present was overwhelming her.
He didn't want to push her. He tried not to push her. Reconciling what she wanted with what he wanted could prove to be quite a challenge. His experience in marriage told him there was a middle ground to be found. The struggle was Vic getting to a place where she was willing to meet him part way. Right now, he wasn't sure she was in that frame of mind.
One day, she would be right there with him, encouraging and happy. The next day, she would be quiet and withdrawn. She seemed to be having a moment like that last night. She told him then they would talk about it tonight. Now, that clearly wasn't going to happen. They hadn't even broached the topic today, except for early this morning at his cabin.
Walt pulled his eyes away from the window and grabbed his hat and his keys. Switching off the light in his office, he walked slowly out. His eyes roamed the space. It still felt odd that he would be leaving this behind. He spent so much of his adult life working in these offices in one capacity or another.
It was one more change he was yet to fully process. Walt cast a smile at Zach, who was working quietly at his desk, and left the office.
xxx
Vic turned the latch on her trailer door and toed off her boots. Her laptop bag lay where she set it just inside the door. She flopped down on the couch and let her head fall back against the cushion. Her eyes closed momentarily and she thought, for a moment, that she might fall asleep sitting there.
She didn't.
Her eyes opened slowly and looked around the quiet RV. It was messy. Not that she planned to clean it right now. She was way the hell too tired for that. She debated either taking a shower or just laying down in her bed and trying to sleep without bothering. She could always take a shower in the morning.
Vic raised her hands and rubbed them over her face. She had pretty much decided on just going to bed when there was a knock on her door. Vic let out a heavy sigh. For a long moment she just sat there and looked at the door. Maybe they would go away.
Another knock sounded.
It wasn't likely. Her truck was parked out front and her lights were on. Whoever it was would know that she was here. Vic pulled her bottom lip between her teeth. It was probably Travis. He seemed to show up every damn time she was here lately.
With a huff of breath, Vic forced herself to stand up. Her uniform shirt was untucked and halfway unbuttoned. Not that it mattered. She wore a tank top underneath it. Vic unlocked the door and pulled it open. By some instinct, her free hand dropped close to the gun that was still holstered on her belt.
It was Travis.
She nearly closed the door.
"Hey, Vic."
Vic didn't bother to hide the annoyance she felt.
"Jesus. What do you want?"
He frowned.
"What's wrong with you?"
Vic shifted her weight from one foot to the other.
"I'm tired, Travis. I just got home and all I want to do is go to bed. So…what do you want?"
"Can I come in?"
He sounded pathetically hopeful.
"No, you can't. Did you hear a word I just said?"
He ignored the question.
"Vic, why are you being like this?"
"Because I am tired. I've been working a murder case the last two days and I haven't gotten much sleep."
"Walt keeping you up?"
She gave him a sharp look.
"What did you say?"
"Is it Walt? You're seeing him, aren't you?"
"I…forget it."
She started to close the door. His hand came up and slapped against it. Vic gave him a warning look.
"Get your hand off the door."
"Not until you talk to me."
"Take your damn hand off the door."
As usual, he gave in and his hand dropped away. Vic stepped down the metal steps out of the RV, forcing him to back up.
"Where in the hell do you get off showing up here and asking me a question like that?"
"It's the only time you've been home. I guess the rest of the time…you're with him."
Vic shook her head slightly.
"That's…do you have any idea how fucking creepy you sound right now? If you were anyone else, I would arrest you."
"For what?"
"I'm sure I could think of something. Just…go home. Or…wherever you're staying."
"Not until I say my piece."
"What piece?"
She knew as soon as it left her mouth that she shouldn't have said it. She should have just told him to leave and left it at that. Instead, she continued to stand there and stare at him.
"I know you're seeing Walt…"
"Will you stop with that? You don't know shit about my personal life."
He held up his hands.
"Okay. Fine. But…I know you're seeing someone, Vic. Now…I don't know how serious it is. But, I wouldn't be any kind of a man if I didn't tell you how I feel."
A sense of dread started to wrap through her stomach.
"Travis…"
"No. I'm gonna say this. After that, you can do whatever you want."
He paused and cleared his throat while she simply looked at him.
"I love you."
Vic's mouth dropped open.
"Wh…what?"
"I…"
"I heard you. Travis, what the fuck?"
"I just thought…you have the right to know."
Vic blinked several times. This felt like some warped reality where nothing made any sense.
"You don't, Travis."
"I do."
"No, you don't. "
He made a face.
"You don't get to tell me how I feel, Vic."
"Why are you telling me this?"
He scuffled one boot over the cement.
"I just wanted you to know. Before you get too serious with your new guy."
"I…"
Nothing would really come. Vic looked away.
"You should go."
Travis continued to stand there with wide eyes.
"That's it?"
He sounded surprised.
Vic looked at him incredulously.
"What did you think was gonna happen?"
"I don't know. I just…something."
"Yeah…well…it's not. Go."
"Vic."
He tried again.
"Go. Travis. I mean it."
He took a step back and gave her a wounded look. He turned and started away and it sounded like he muttered something under his breath. She couldn't be sure and she didn't care.
Vic went back into her RV and slammed the door.
xxx
Walt sat in his office shuffling through paperwork he didn't really want to do. From his seat, he had a view of Vic's empty desk. He wasn't entirely sure where she was. Ruby would know. He didn't want to ask her. She was here when he came in this morning, her head bent over something he couldn't really see. He gave her a quick greeting and she looked up, returning the greeting with a barely there smile.
So far, the morning was quiet. Sitting in his office with the door open, he could hear the rest of the staff talking, moving around, answering the phone. With the murder case behind them, it was just like any other day.
Except there was something on Vic's face that bothered him. He couldn't give it a name. She didn't look like she had gotten much sleep despite professing to be tired. He believed her, of course. They worked a long day. He was tired, too. There was a reason she wasn't sleeping. Had to be. He wanted to talk to her, but not at the office.
At some point, she stood up and he heard the jingle of her keys. Adjusting her holster as she went, she walked across the room, said something undiscernible to Ruby, and left the office. She didn't tell him where she was going. Not that she usually did without reason. Were she leaving for the day, she would have told him. He was certain of that.
He could always call her.
Maybe not.
Walt was still sitting at his desk, drumming his fingers when he heard the door open. His first thought was that Vic was back. That idea dissipated quickly when he heard a voice that was distinctly male.
"I'm looking for Vic Moretti."
Walt's ears perked up. He stood up and came around his desk, walking through his doorway, and peering out. The man was standing at Ruby's desk as she looked up at him with the same friendly smile she always wore.
He was average height and build. His dark hair was combed back away from his face, but Walt could tell there was some length to it. He wore dark colored jeans and a Philadelphia Flyers t-shirt. The man was from Philly. It occurred to Walt immediately. He certainly didn't look like he belonged here.
"She's not in right now."
Ruby's tone was as polite as ever. The man lifted his head and looked around. He looked thirtyish from where Walt stood and there was something familiar in the features.
"Could I wait?"
Walt chose that moment to step out.
"Could I help you with something?"
The man looked at him with curiosity.
"You the Sheriff?"
Walt nodded.
"I am. And you are…"
The man smiled at him and left Ruby's desk, approaching Walt with confident strides. He was nearly to him when the door opened.
"I don't know who taught these assholes how to drives but…"
Vic walked in, closed the door, and surveyed the room. Her eyes fell on him and the man in front of him and her voice faltered. She stood there for a long moment simply looking at him as though he had materialized right in front of her eyes.
The man forgot about him and turned to face her, his smile widening.
"Vic."
He covered the distance between them quickly and without any hesitation pulled Vic into a hug. Vic's hands hovered momentarily in the air, surprise still evident on her face, before they landed on his back and she returned the hug.
Walt watched the scene with his hands on his hips. After a few seconds, the man released her and stepped back, his hands holding onto her shoulders before finally leaving her altogether.
"Look at you. Out here keeping the west safe from…outlaws?"
There was a joking tone to his voice. The comment earned him an eye roll and she smacked him on the arm good naturedly.
"What in the hell are you doing here?"
He shrugged. Vic seemed to finally notice that Walt was standing there and she snapped into the present. She took the man by the arm and pulled on him. He came along and flashed Walt a smile.
"We haven't officially met."
Vic gestured at the man. Now that they were standing side by side, it was evident who he was. At least, Walt had some idea. The family resemblance was obvious.
"Walt, this is my brother…Michael."
Michael offered Walt his hand.
"Good to meet you. Finally."
The finally drew his attention.
"Same. Walt Longmire."
He shook Michael's hand before the younger man stepped back and looked around the room.
"Interesting office you got here."
Walt took in his own surroundings.
"Used to be a library."
"Cool."
Vic turned her attention to her youngest brother.
"What are you doing here?"
"Um…I can't visit my sister?"
Her keen eyes took him in.
"Michael, in all the time I've lived here, you've never been. Did you just suddenly need to come?"
He stuffed his hands into his pockets and shrugged, not giving her an answer.
"Dad was just here and now you. This feels like it was planned, but no one bothered to tell me about it."
"It was…spur of the moment."
"Was it your idea or someone else's?"
Her younger brother was clearly not thrown by the questioning. That didn't surprise Walt at all. He guessed from what she told him about her siblings that she was the closest to Michael. He gave her a sheepish smile.
"I did want to come see you. It's been forever."
"But?"
He let out a huff.
"But…I was voted least likely to get punched. So…here I am."
"So…you didn't just come to visit."
"Oh…I'm here to visit."
"Representing?"
"Myself."
"And?"
"You're paranoid, Vic."
"Right. You do know that dad came out here with the full intention of taking me back to Philly whether I wanted to go or not."
"He told me."
"Well…thanks for the warning."
Michael smiled.
"Don't get excited. He didn't tell me until he got back. I didn't know he was coming. Hell, I might've come with him. I don't remember the last time I saw you, Vic."
She sighed.
"I'm at work."
He looked around.
"Looks exciting."
She rolled her eyes again.
"Can you take off?"
Vic started to respond when Walt spoke up, breaking in.
"Sure. She can."
Vic's eyes moved to his and stayed there as several seconds ticked by. He thought that she might actually argue. She seemed to think better of it and something in her demeanor changed. Michael offered him a friendly smile. Walt was struck by the difference between Michael Moretti and his father. Maybe the benefit of being the youngest in a large family.
"Thanks, Sheriff."
"No problem. Vic…go."
She looked at him again and bit her lip before she nodded and her eyes dropped from his.
"Okay. Sure."
She looked at Michael and started to straighten up her desk.
"Let's…get out of here."