Ch. 23: reaching
She was restless.
The RV felt much smaller than normal, confining in a way that was unusual. She knew that Walt wasn't entirely on board with all of this. He was going along with it because he knew that she would do it anyway with or without his help. That was the one thing that he would not go for at this point.
He was parked just down the narrow road that wound through the trailer park, backed into an empty slip, the Bronco hidden in the shadows. No one would be able to see it unless they went looking. Walt was sitting in the Bronco on alert, watching her RV. That went a long way in alleviating the apprehension that was working its way through her system.
She wasn't afraid oddly enough. Whoever this young man was, she was telling Walt the truth. She wasn't afraid of him. She was agitated and getting more every time he showed up at her home. Entering someone's home this way was a violation that was hard to get over. He was coming into her space, going through her things, and she didn't even know why.
She still doubted his actual goal was to hurt her. His behavior wasn't indicative of that. If he wanted to hurt her, he would show up while she was home and break in then. He wouldn't be skulking around when there was no one here. No danger of running into her.
For her part, Vic was armed. Her 9mm was on the couch beside her within easy reach. It was loaded and she was ready for anything. That was how she felt anyway. The lights in the RV were off making it look like there wasn't anyone home. Her truck was parked back at the office where she left it when she and Walt left to set this plan in motion.
Her phone was propped up in her lap. She had the screen dimmed as much as possible to avoid tipping anyone off from the outside that she was in here. She resisted the temptation to pass the time by scrolling her phone, using it only to check the time.
So far, two hours had passed. She had been sitting here for two hours in the dark waiting to see if someone would break into her house. It seemed a little ludicrous when she thought about it in those terms. But, this was the best plan that she was able to come up with. At some point, they would call it for the night. There wasn't any set time for that to occur. She figured she would just know when no one was coming.
Vic tapped her fingers restlessly on her thigh as she waited. Inside the RV was quiet except for the hum of the refrigerator. Outside, she could hear the same noises that always found her when she was here at night. There were the distant sounds of people talking. Dogs barked every now and then. Doors opened and closed with thuds. On occasion, she could hear the rumble of a car or truck engine driving past.
The trailer park was never really quiet. It settled down at certain points, but there was almost always someone coming and going. In that way, it reminded her of the city. Of course, it was nowhere near the same as Philadelphia. That was simply impossible. But, there was a familiarity to the lack of all encompassing quiet. The sort of quiet that she experienced when she was at Walt. Not that the quiet was a bad thing. It was just different.
Different than anything that she was used to.
It created an entirely different mindset for her.
At first, she didn't like it. It created too much noise in her brain, too much time to think. Thinking, for her, wasn't always the best thing. Not with more recent events. At the time, at least. Over the past few weeks, she found it bothering her less and less. The more time she spent there, the more she realized it wasn't as quiet as she first thought.
There was silence to be found there. Just not in the way she thought. There were sounds. They just weren't as obvious. The buzz of insects humming as the sun set. The calls of birds looking for a place to settle in for the night. Frequently, she could hear the hoot of an owl or the distant call of a coyote.
Vic took a breath and looked down at her phone, tapping the screen with her index finger. Time was ticking by and no one had shown up yet. Maybe Walt was right. Maybe it was too soon after his last foray here. Hell, maybe he wasn't planning to come back. She didn't have any way to know that since she didn't know who he was or what his intentions were.
Still, she wasn't ready to give up just yet. She glanced at the dark form of her weapon lying on the seat beside her. After she was shot, holding her gun felt entirely different. The idea of shooting someone after being shot herself was an entirely different mindset.
She sat mired in her thoughts as the seconds ticked into minutes and time passed her by. Her patience was wearing thin. She was on the verge of flipping on the lights when she heard something outside.
She couldn't quite place the sound, but she went completely still. She didn't even realize she was holding her breath. Then, the door knob jiggled. Vic's hand closed around her gun and she stood up slowly, backing into the shadows so that she couldn't be seen when the door opened.
xxx
More sitting.
More waiting.
It struck him that it hadn't been all that long since he and Vic discussed this very scenario while sitting and waiting for Shane Muldoon. This felt different, though. She had been beside him then. He could see her, protect her.
This time, she was in her RV and he was parked away from it. That made him edgy. It worried him. He knew that Vic was more than competent. She could handle herself. But, there was always a chance that something could go wrong. Even with the most well thought out plans. Not that he considered this well thought out. It was more a case of lacking any other valid ideas.
He was torn. He wanted to find out who this was and why they were doing it. At the same time, he was uncomfortable with the idea of her being directly in danger and half hoped no one would show up tonight.
He was wondering if this was a wasted evening. So far, he hadn't seen anything that looked suspicious. A few cars had driven past, all with clear destinations in mind and none that seemed interested in the dark RV. He wondered what Vic was doing. Sitting he guessed. Just like he was. The inability to do something was probably getting to her.
Walt glanced up and down the narrow road. The place seemed to be settled for the most part. Some of the homes were dark. Others had lights that were on inside and exterior lights. Twice, a woman on the opposite side of him came out carrying some type of small dog. Both times, she set it on the ground, gave it time to do its business, then scooped it up to return indoors.
His gaze was averted when headlights flashed across his line of sight. Walt instinctively went still and pressed back slightly into his seat, his eyes on the new development. The headlights went out as the car cruised past Vic's RV at a slower than normal rate of speed. The pumping of his heart sped up quickly.
Would they really be this lucky?
In the dark, it was difficult to discern the color of the vehicle. It was dark. Black or maybe a dark blue or gray. It slowed more as it rolled by him, pulling off into an empty space that wasn't occupied. Walt's eyes searched the dark and landed on a slight figure getting out of the passenger seat.
The person was silhouetted by a distant porch light that made it impossible for Walt to see any details. The figure paused near the trunk of the car and seemed to look around. After that, the car rolled forward farther and out of Walt's line of sight. He waited until the figure was closer to Vic's RV before he opened his door and slipped out.
He checked his Colt as he peered out. The car was making its way down the road, lights still out. They were far enough away that he chanced crossing the road, taking care to make as little noise as possible.
He could see the figure circling the RV, maybe gauging the situation before making any moves. Walt pressed himself into a tree that allowed him to dissolve into the darkness. Vic's exterior light gave him a quick glance. It was a male. He could tell that much. Slight and not overly tall. That was all he could tell.
Walt slipped his Colt from the holster and waited as the man made his way back around to the front of the RV. He strained, trying to hear. But, he couldn't really make out much in the way of noise. He did hear a clatter that sounded like something falling. That was followed by a crunching sound.
The nest noise that his ears was a familiar one. The metal clang of Vic's steps as someone went up them. This was definitely what they were waiting for. Walt slowly started towards the RV. He wanted whoever this was to have time to breach the door, but not enough time to pose any real threat to Vic.
There was silence followed by the low creak of a door being opened. Walt stopped just as he reached the back side of the trailer. He felt the structure tip under the new weight as the man stepped inside.
Feet scuffled and the quiet ended abruptly.
xxx
"Don't move!"
She used her best cop voice when she finally announced her presence. Even without the benefit of light, she knew she had surprised him. The shadowy figure froze before it started to retreat towards the door. She could just make out both hand and the person didn't seem to be armed. That didn't mean they weren't carrying something she couldn't see, though.
"I said...don't move."
Vic crossed the space between them with three quick strides and grabbed the figure by the hood portion of the jacket he wore. At the same time, she brought her kneecap up into the back of his knee, successfully bending his knee as she came fully up behind him and shoved him on the ground.
There was no real struggle and he went down with only a grunt, his arms spread and his hands splayed. It was a textbook takedown that she had done so many times in her career. Vic came down on his back, planting one knee firmly.
"Put your hands behind your back."
Her voice was terse. He complied, putting his hands in a position so that she could cuff him. The door opened again and Vic looked up to see Walt bound up the stairs with his Colt in hand. She saw the breath that he released, probably in relief. With Walt's weapon now trained on the man, Vic holstered hers and handcuffed him.
She took a deep breath of her own trying to settle the adrenaline that was pumping through her system. Vic stood and pulled the man up by his arms, shoving him towards her couch.
"Sit."
Walt pulled the door closed and came up beside her, slipping his gun into the holster on his side. Walt turned on a light and they crowded in on the young man, who still wore a startled expression. Once Vic's eyes settled on him, something in her gut lurched her blood ran cold. She hadn't recognized him on the camera because the face wasn't clear enough. But, standing in front of him now, she knew why he looked familiar.
She had seen him before.
Up close, she recognized him almost immediately. He was older, not the young teen she remembered. He was a young man now, his features having sharpened and his hair a little darker. She knew who he was, but his name escaped her.
"You…what the fuck?"
The cuffed young man kept his eyes on Vic. He pressed his lips together tightly. Walt must have recognized him as well. He stepped in closer to her, his height making him appear to tower over the seated kid.
That was how she thought of him. As a kid.
"You're….what's your name?"
He flexed his jaw in what she assumed was an attempt at defiance. Walt took one step towards him and an angry fear replaced that. She saw his throat bob with a swallow.
"Derek."
He pushed out the word.
"Gilbert? You're Chance's…nephew."
He dropped his eyes.
So many things that were in the back of her mind flooded her thoughts. His mother was the crazy bitch who followed her after she left court. His father was Gilbert's brother, a man who was shot by Walt.
She hadn't known what to expect, but it sure as hell wasn't this.
"What are you doing here?"
No reply. Vic closed in on him.
"What the fuck are you doing here?"
He looked up.
"Surveillance."
The word sent a cold jolt through her.
"Surveillance for what? Your mother?"
He shrugged. Walt took a breath.
"Is that who dropped you off?"
Derek Gilbert didn't reply.
"I saw you get out of a car. Who was driving it?"
Derek shook his head.
"They won't be back. I got caught. That's on me."
Vic started to reply, but Walt shook his head.
"Arrest him. Let's take him to the jail."
She flexed her own jaw and nodded, reading him his rights as she pulled him to his feet and pushed him towards the door. Walt went out first, taking a long look around. He didn't see the car from earlier or anything else that looked out of place.
Crossing the street, Derek was loaded into the back of the Bronco and they climbed in. Walt fired up the engine and pulled out. She could see him watching her out of the corner of his eye, a thousand question probably on his mind. He didn't voice any of them. Vic didn't offer up anything. Her mind was too busy reeling with why in the hell this kid was breaking into her house over and over. Knowing who he was creeped her the hell out.
She knew it was a possibility. She just hadn't wanted to accept it.
What this meant was a lot to digest.
It was more than she could process on the ride into work.
Walt unloaded the kid and kept a hand on him with Vic on his other side. She noted he seemed to be making a conscious attempt to keep himself between them. He was playing the calm part well. It was all very Walt. But, she could see the tight set of his shoulders and the silence that covered them. He didn't like this any more than she did.
Or…where it could lead.
xxx
"Let me talk to him again."
Walt shook his head, his expression resolute.
"No."
She huffed out a breath of frustration and paced his office. Derek Gilbert was locked up and seated on the cot in the cell. He hadn't moved since Walt put him in and closed the door with a decisive bang. He continued to stare at the floor.
"Walt."
He wasn't going to give in on this. No matter how angry it made her.
"No. Vic."
"I've talked to him. You've talked to him. He's not budging. And you're…you're too close to this to be objective."
"He doesn't deserve objectivity."
Walt leaned on his desk.
"I'm inclined to agree with you. But…if we don't handle this legally, he'll walk out of here and that's not acceptable."
It was late now with a few failed tips to get Derek to talk behind them. All he would do was sit and stare at the floor in the same unresponsive manner. They had no more answers now than they did when they arrested him.
He could see that Vic was getting increasingly angry and frustrated. There was something else there as well. A feeling he knew she wouldn't admit to. Fear. It was very real and very palpable. He recognized it because he felt it, too.
This was exactly what he was afraid of.
"We're done for the night."
He could see that she wasn't at all happy with that declaration. She sighed. Loudly.
"Let me talk to him again."
"No."
She bit her lip. Walt pushed off his desk and stepped up in front of her.
"I've already called Ferg in to babysit him."
He paused and prepared for the next part of his statement.
"I want you to stay with me until this is resolved."
She opened her mouth to respond, but he pushed on.
"If you want to move the RV, we can do that tomorrow. Either way, I don't want you staying alone until we know what we're dealing with"
She looked at him for an extended, tense moment.
"I hate this."
He understood what she meant. It wasn't the idea of staying with him. It was the fact that she had yet another reason to not feel safe. She thought all of this was resolved with the death of Chance Gilbert. Now it felt as if some hellish reset button had been flipped and she was back in that place.
This threatened all of the progress that she had made. That they made together.
"I know. I need you to be safe, though. I won't…"
His voice hitched slightly.
"…I won't take chances with your safety, Vic. Not anymore."
She inhaled and closed her eyes.
"Okay."
Walt felt relief flood him. Some part of him expected more of a fight. Even if she saw the rationality of his plan, the irrepressible independent streak she possessed might still be problematic.
"Okay?"
"Yeah. I'll stay with you. I do want to move the RV. The idea of them…going in my home is…fucking creepy."
She would get no argument from him on that front.
"We'll take care of it tomorrow. Do you still have the key I gave you?"
"Yes."
He nodded.
"Good."
Vic dropped her eyes from his.
"If you want let me talk to the asshole, I'm gonna go."
He started to object, his intentions clear on his face. Vic held up her hand.
"I said I'll stay with you. But, you can't realistically expect to be with me all the time. You wait for Ferg and I'll go to the cabin. I'm armed and you won't be far behind me. I just…I need a shower and I need to clear my head. In the morning, I want to move the RV to your place."
He opted not to argue. There was no reason to push his luck.
"Be careful."
"I will. Promise."
He smiled slightly at the gentleness in her tone of voice. She was tired. He could see that. He was tired as well. He would be glad when Ferg showed up and he could follow her home. Walt reached out and touched her shoulder. With a little pressure, he guided her into his chest. She came willingly and pressed her face into the soft material of his denim shirt. His arm slipped around her briefly before he felt her back off.
She gave him a smile that he knew was forced.
"See you in a bit."
Walt nodded and watched her go.
"Okay."
She started for the main door and paused with her hand on the knob. Turning away from it, she gave him a silent look as she headed for his private door instead. The one that would deliver her into the hallway and bypass the jail cell.
Walt was glad. He knew that she was feeling quite the cocktail of feelings. Anger, fear, dread in some form. He was feeling many of the same things. Primarily, he felt anger. He wanted to make the young man talk. He wanted to shake him until he told them what they wanted to know. The vengeful part of him wanted this boy to experience the same terror that Vic must have felt when she wasn't sure if you would see the sunrise after Gilbert and his people took her hostage. And beat her.
The more he thought about it, the more his anger grew.
It was one of the reasons he called in Ferg. One was so that he could be with Vic. The other was that he honestly didn't trust himself to be alone with Derek Gilbert.
xxx
She didn't beat him to the cabin by all that much. She didn't need to stop by the RV for anything. A good portion of her clothes had already migrated to Walt's over time. Lately, it felt like she was living between two different places. Not that she was complaining.
Vic unlocked the door and went in, locking the door behind her. Sighing, she ambled into the bedroom and set her holster aside. She really wanted a shower. Something about this whole situation left her feeling dirty. She turned on the water and undressed, tossing her clothes aside. The water was warm and it felt good. In no real hurry, she stood under the spray letting the water run over her. Vic dipped her head and closed her eyes.
She was trying to clear her mind, but it wasn't working.
Hearing a sound, her head jerked up and her eyes opened. She cursed herself when her heart sped up. She absolutely hated this paranoia. It was a mental hell from which there was no real escape.
She reminded herself that it was just Walt.
She was right. A moment later, the bathroom door opened and he stepped in. On his way through the cabin, he had shed his hat and his boots. His shirt was pulled loose and halfway unbuttoned. Vic pulled the shower curtain slightly.
"That was quick. I'm almost done."
In truth, she was done. It's not like she was actually doing anything other than using up all of his hot water. Walt pulled the snaps of his shirt apart with a sharp tug.
"Stay."
It was a request. She didn't answer, only watching as he pushed his jeans down and off followed by his underwear. He stepped into the shower behind her and his hands were on her immediately. In spite of what she just told him about being done, she leaned back into his chest. Walt's hands slipped down her wet arms and encircled her. There was something about him that was just so damn reassuring. No matter how kick ass she wanted to be, it was impossible not to feel safer when she was with him.
Walt dipped his face and kissed her bare shoulders, first one and then the other. He trailed his mouth along her shoulder and up her neck to her ear.
"Jesus."
He murmured the word and felt him smile. Smugly, no doubt.
"Feeling better?"
"Mmm-hmm."
"Relaxing?"
His mouth was still traversing her skin.
"Yeah."
She was mumbling, her head tilting forward just a little.
"Good."
His mouth was by her ear now. She pushed more firmly into him.
"Walt…"
"Yeah."
It was some time before they got out of the shower. Walt's hand turned off the water just as it started to turn cold. Vic stepped out and tossed him a clean towel as she started to dry herself off. Walt toweled himself and disappeared into the bedroom. By the time Vic emerged dress and dry, he was in the bedroom with the rest of the lights off in the cabin. She started to say something until her eyes landed on the Colt that lay on his bedside table. When she removed her eyes from the object, he was watching her.
Their eyes connected, but no words passed between them on the subject. He cleared his throat and tried to act as though nothing was out of the ordinary even though they both knew better.
"I locked up."
Vic's brows went up.
"You didn't lock the door when you came in?"
"I did. I just…double checked."
Vic looked down and sat on the bed.
"Sorry, I just…"
"It's fine."
She lay down and slid her legs under the covers.
"I wonder what the percentage is of people who don't lock their doors in this state."
Walt moved beside her as he attempted to get situated.
"Probably high."
"I would think so based on my experience."
"It wasn't that long ago I didn't lock mine."
"Really? I mean…I'm not surprised. It's just, as Sheriff, I would think you would be more cautious."
"Never felt the need up until the last couple of years."
"That's just…crazy."
Walt smiled a little.
"Let's call it…cultural differences."
Vic laughed, glad to feel some release to the tension that seemed to wrack her.
"You can call it whatever you want, it's still crazy. You might as well just stick all your stuff outside for people to take and save them the walk."
He gave her a look.
"It's kinda sad really. Can't trust your neighbor anymore. I miss the way it used to be here."
She just shook her head.
"Well, I'm sorry that the real world has invaded your little utopia here in the back end of nowhere. But, we've been locking our doors for years back east. My entire life as matter of fact."
"That long?"
He faked surprise. Vic pushed at his arm and rolled her eyes for the full effect of just how annoying she found his attempt at a joke.
"You are a smart ass."
"You're the only person who says that."
"Doesn't make it less true."
"Fair enough."
His expression shifted and she honed in on the change.
"What?"
"I'm putting a dead bolt on tomorrow. I'll stop by the hardware store and pick one up."
She frowned.
"I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"For bringing all this…havoc into your life."
He huffed out a breath.
"None of this is your fault. Besides, I should have secured that door after it was kicked in so easily."
Vic made a face.
"It's his mother."
"What?"
"This kid. It's his mother. She hates me. I can almost guarantee you that she has something to do with this. You killed her husband. I killed Chance. I'm sure she would like nothing more than to make our lives hell."
"Yeah. We just…can't let her do that."
She turned her head and looked into his face. He looked so sincere in that moment. All of his good intentions were written all over his face. It made her feel better. Again. She wondered how he could do that with so little effort. She was a pessimist by nature. But, there was something in the steadiness he offered her that gave her a feeling that felt foreign to her.
Hope.
His willingness to do anything for her was gratifying. He loved her. She didn't doubt that at all. His feelings ran strong and deep. It was a part of that devotion she mentioned to him the morning after their first night together. It was incredibly daunting. It was just as rewarding. She knew he didn't feel the same way about her as he did his wife. She didn't expect him to. She meant it when she told him that.
It was enough, though.
For now and for her, it was enough.