Ch. 26: control

"Fuck."

Vic muttered the word louder than she intended. They were standing in the office surrounded by shards of glass. The glass was sprayed all across the top of her desk and Ferg's. It also littered the floor. There was a marker on the floor showing where Zach found the rock when he came in.

She insisted on coming with him. Wouldn't hear of anything else. He didn't put up any argument otherwise, though. She wasn't dressed for work. She hadn't bothered with taking that much time. She wore an ordinary t-shirt with her jeans and boots, no her customary uniform one. She did pull on her work jacket with its identifiable patch.

Her eyes were trained on the wrinkled, creased sheet of paper in her hands. She wore gloves just in case they were able to lift prints or DNA from the paper. She raised her eyes to find Walt watching her closely. He was tense.

For a second, their eyes connected. Vic dropped her eyes back to the paper and the single word scrawled across it in all capital letters in what looked to be red marker.

BITCH

The letters were crude and uneven. Probably on purpose. The paper has been wrapped around the rock that was tossed up and through the window, secured with three rubber bands to ensure that it stayed.

This seemed like the kind of shit that only happened in movies.

She wished.

Zach came in.

"No witnesses."

"Of course."

She responded with a flat tone. Walt inhaled and exhaled. He looked to Zach and gestured.

"Let's run that paper. See if we can find anything."

Zach nodded.

Vic slipped her glove off and offered the entire thing to Zach. He took it carefully and left to retrieve and evidence bag. Vic pulled off the other glove and tossed it in the trash.

"It's them."

She half expected him to say something in the neighborhood of not jumping to conclusions. He didn't. Instead, he nodded very slowly.

"Yep."

It was them and it was directed at her.

"You think it was Derek?"

Walt shrugged.

"Don't know. Could be."

Vic sighed and walked around, glass crunching under her boots. She sidestepped and retrieved a worn looking broom from a closet. Wordlessly, she started cleaning up the mess. Walt joined in, carefully removing items from the desk tops and wiping them clean before replacing everything. The work wasn't quick. It was tedious. Zach joined them with another broom.

After about forty-five minutes, all of the glass appeared to be gone and the window was covered with a sheet of wood. Walt stood in the middle of the room with his hand on the back of his head.

"Not much else we can do tonight."

He looked at Zach.

"Go on home."

Zach looked unsure.

"You sure? I can stay if you want someone watching the place."

Walt shook his head.

"They made their point. They won't be back tonight."

Zach nodded. Walt tossed Vic a look.

"Let's go."

She hesitated as Zach waved and left the office. His footsteps echoed down the stairs, leaving them in silence.

"Vic."

He crossed the floor to her. Reaching out, he placed his hand on her shoulder.

"Let's go."

She pushed out a breath and met his eyes.

"This is a threat."

"I know."

His voice was calm and unusually low.

"But, there isn't anything we can do tonight. Tomorrow, we'll see what we have. Tonight, let's go home."

In that moment, she didn't feel like she had a home to go to. Her home was mobile, of course. It hadn't struck her until that moment how rootless she felt in all of this. How untethered. She bit her bottom lip and lowered her eyes from his.

She didn't respond, but she started for the door with her eyes downcast.

All she wanted was for this to be over. Nothing else.

"Vic."

He must have sensed something in her. Vic stopped and turned. Walt stepped up in front of her.

"It'll be okay."

Had she been less tired, she might have laughed at his attempted reassurance. She didn't. Instead, she shook her head.

"You don't know that."

His shoulder slumped slightly.

"You're right. I don't. But…I know that I'll keep you safe."

"For how long, Walt? We don't know where they are? We have nothing to go on. The address Derek gave us is bogus. We know that."

"I know it seems like that now. But, let's go and get some sleep. We'll start fresh on this tomorrow. Something…will turn up."

She gave him a sad smile.

"Optimism isn't really your thing."

He shook off the gloominess that seemed to be radiating from her.

"It's not optimism. It's what we do."

"Sure."

She wasn't any more convinced than he sounded. She knew what he was doing. She appreciated it. She didn't believe what he was saying, though. The harsh reality of this situation would be the same tomorrow morning as it was tonight.

Even if something turned up on the paper, there was little to nothing for them to go on. Unless they were able to find out where these people were holed up, that wasn't going to change. They wouldn't be any closer to answering that question within a few hours.

She pulled free from his grasp and started for the door again. Walt fell into step beside her and they were quiet on their way down to the Bronco. Vic slid into the passenger seat and looked out the window as Walt turned the key and started the engine. The Bronco rumbled to life. Still, Walt sat, not shifting into gear.

After a moment or so of sitting that way, she turned her eyes away from the window and looked across the front seat at him. Walt sat with his hands on the wheel as though he were driving, his eyes aimed out the windshield. He flexed his fingers almost like he was readjusting his grip. She thought he was going to say something else.

He didn't.

He finally put the Bronco in drive and pulled out.

xxx

"I might have something."

Vic leaned back in her seat and stretched her arms up over her head. She was tired and she looked it. They were both tired. Neither of them had gotten much in the way of sleep. Not that he really expected them to. She was restless. He wouldn't admit it outright to her, but that was part of what kept him awake. Her inability to be still. He didn't blame her at all. He was worried. More worried than he was willing to reveal to Vic.

This was a clear move forward. Whatever was going on, it was getting ramped up.

He finally gave up on the idea of real rest and slipped from the bed sometime after she finally lapsed into some semblance of sleep. It wasn't great sleep. He could tell. That was all the more reason for him to be quiet.

He pulled the bedroom door closed behind him and started coffee. He knew she would be up soon to get ready for work. He wanted to make that as easy as possible for her, allow her to sleep as long as time allowed. As long as her mind allowed. The thought was dashed when she emerged from the bedroom not fifteen minutes after he did already dressed for work.

By then, there was coffee at least. He had already poured them both a cup and added milk and sugar to hers. The way she liked it. She gave him a grateful smile when he offered her the cup wordlessly. This was highly likely to be a multi-cup day out of necessity.

He offered to make her breakfast, but she declined. He let it go in spite of his instincts to argue. He made a mental note to make sure she ate lunch later on. There hadn't been very much talk that morning. After she finished her coffee, she left in her truck. Walt wasn't too far behind her.

He was glad that he delayed his own drive in. Not too long after she left, he got the phone call that he was hoping for. He didn't need anyone to break the case for him, he simply needed some assistance getting started.

It was something the old Walt would have struggled with. Asking for help. Especially outside his own department.

By the time he walked into the office, she was sitting at her desk with another cup of coffee shuffling through papers she wasn't really seeing. The board that covered her window was blocking out any sun from hitting her directly.

The symbolism wasn't lost on him.

"Vic. I think I might have something."

He spoke to her in a low voice. When she looked his way, he tilted his head towards his office. Without any questions, Vic pushed up from her chair, picked up her Flyers mug, and walked into his office. Walt closed the door behind them and took a seat behind his desk. Vic lowered herself into his guest chair and waited with clear expectations that he didn't simply want to shoot the breeze.

Walt cleared his throat.

"So, I uh…I put in a call to Agent Vance."

Her forehead creased with a partial frown.

"About?"

"Seeing if the feds have anything on what's left of Gilbert's family."

Clarification washed over her features.

"You said the Marshals didn't."

"Yep. Figured I would try the FBI."

Vic sipped her coffee.

"That's…unlike you."

He shrugged.

"Well…I've learned lately that you can't always do things on your own."

"I bet there's a lot of people who wish you learned that lesson a little earlier in your career."

In spite of everything, he smiled.

"Probably."

Vic dipped her chin.

"So…are you just telling me this or were you going somewhere with this line of conversation?"

"He called me back this morning."

He paused and Vic leaned a bit forward, her coffee cup cradled in both hands.

"And?"

Now that she realized there was a point to all this, her impatience was in full bloom.

"Agent Vance called me just after you left and told me that he checked in with a buddy of his who keeps his pulse on separatists and the like. Groups similar to the one that Chance led. Only…bigger. The type who pose a threat."

"Domestic terrorism."

"Something like that. Anyway, he couldn't tell me anything about our group specifically. But, there are a few others in this area that are active. Communities of like minded individuals. A name popped up when he cross checked for a connection to Chance."

Walt drummed one finger on his desk.

"An…Aaron Massey."

"He connects to both groups?"

Walt nodded.

"He is Chance Gilbert's cousin."

Her head perked up slightly.

"Shit."

Walt watched as she connected the dots.

"When Chance died, there was no one to pick up the mantle. I saw those other guys. They were…not leadership material. And, the women tend to defer to the men. So…what? This Aaron led them to a different group?"

"They call it a community."

She made a face.

"I bet."

"Apparently, Massey left before I even killed Chance's brother. There's a good chance that after Chance died, he swooped in and picked up the pieces. New recruits I suppose."

"Okay. So…why are we sitting here?"

Walt took a breath. This was the part that she was going to hate.

"They're in Cumberland County."

The exact expression that he was expecting rolled across her face. Her eyes became stormy as the thought settled over her. That was Jim Wilkins' territory.

"Shit."

His sentiments exactly.

"That jackass will never agree to help us."

Walt rubbed his palms together.

"There's a history there."

Vic stood up and placed her now empty mug on his desk.

"Walt, he busted his ass trying to convict you of a murder that you didn't commit. How the hell he even still has a job is beyond me. He's not objective. He's a selfish prick who spews all this bullshit about looking for the truth, but he doesn't give a shit about the truth. He's got an agenda and that's all he cares about."

Walt huffed out a breath.

"Tell me how you really feel."

She rolled her eyes and sat back down.

"So…any bright ideas on how to handle this? I'm assuming the feds aren't gonna swoop in and do us any favors."

"No, they're not."

He checked his watch.

"I'm going to see him."

She gave him an incredulous look.

"You're serious."

"Yep. I have to try this on the up and up. After everything that's happened. If he refuses to help, we'll do it ourselves. I need his refusal on the record."

She considered him and shook her head.

"You know…I'm not sure how I feel about this new Walt who goes around asking for permission."

One corner of his mouth pulled up.

"Well, he'll be retiring soon and you won't have to worry about it."

xxx

She was agitated.

Walt refused to let her go with him. He was absolute on that and wouldn't budge no matter how much she complained. He simply shook his head and reiterated his decision.

"You're too close to this. He'll use that against us."

What he didn't say was that he didn't trust her to keep her temper reined in when dealing with Jim Wilkins. She would have said the same thing about him given the opportunity.

Vic had sighed and shook her head. She reminded him that someone to referee his conversation with Wilkins might not be a bad idea. She tried to argue with him, but it was obvious that his mind was set. He left not long after. She considered driving her own vehicle and following him. In the end, she opted against it.

So, she sat back down at her desk to look at paperwork that she didn't really care about. She hated being left out. Always had. She knew that Walt didn't see it that way. He saw it as attempting to keep her somewhat removed from the situation. As though that were actually possible. They were both so deep in this, it was ridiculous at this point.

She questioned his own ability to be objective and didn't like to think about what he might do if Wilkins pushed his buttons. He had assured her that wouldn't happen and there were more important things than responding to Wilkins and his attempts at creating trouble for Walt. Walt was going to him with a legitimate request. If Wilkins refused to cooperate, that would reflect badly on him if things went south down the road.

He wanted Wilkins on record. She knew that. He wanted to handle this the way most people thought he should have handled things in the past. By the book.

That was a line Walt straddled.

She gave up on the idea of working and left the office with no clear destination in mind. She put on her sunglasses against the glare of the sun and walked out, turning to face the building. She looked up at the window.

That was a hell of a toss. Doable, but not easily.

"Vic?"

Her head snapped around to find Henry approaching her.

"Hey."

He followed her eyes up to the window.

"What happened?"

"Someone threw a rock through the window last night."

He looked properly concerned by that information.

"Do you know who it was?"

"We've got a pretty good idea."

His dark eyes settled on her as he turned back to face her.

"Is Walt in?"

"Nope, he drove over to Cumberland County."

"Cumberland?"

"Yep, to talk to Wilkins about some suspects that live in his county."

"I doubt Jim Wilkins will be interested in helping Walt with anything."

"Me too. But…he said he had to try."

Henry looked surprised.

"That does not sound like Walt."

She shrugged.

"What does these days?"

She pushed out a breath.

"I think he doesn't want to leave a mess for Cady to clean up. So, he's been on his best behavior."

Henry gave her a knowing look.

"That is understandable."

She redirected.

"Was there something you needed?"

Henry looked around at nothing in particular before returning his eyes to her. She got the impression she still made him a little uncomfortable when Walt wasn't present to mediate.

"I was…going to invite the two of you to dinner."

"Okay. Um…when?"

"This evening if you're free. But…"

His eyes rose back to the boarded up window.

"… I see you might not be."

Vic shrugged again.

"Who knows anymore. Want me to have him call you?"

"Please."

Vic nodded.

"So…what's the occasion?"

In all the time she had known Henry Standing Bear, she had never seen him blush. But, in that moment, he seemed to do just that. At least a little. Vic tilted her head.

"You got a girl or something?"

The minute she posed the question, she knew she hit the nail on the head.

"Seriously?"

She smiled.

Henry ducked his head slightly.

"There is someone I would like Walt to meet. And you."

Vic gave him a knowing look.

"Wow, Henry. Who knew?"

"No one yet. We have been discreet."

"I got ya. Okay. Well, I'll have Walt call you when I see him."

He smiled at her.

"Thank you."

Henry raised his hand and walked off leaving her standing on the sidewalk.

xxx

"Walt, what brings you by?"

There was an obvious forced genialness to Jim Wilkins when Walt walked into the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office. He was ready for it. He knew how Wilkins was. He had been dealing with the man for years. They were polar opposites. Always had been. Wilkins' office was larger than his own in Absaroka County and more modern. The desks that littered the space were all equipped with computers and laptops. Jim Wilkins was self-serving. He was more concerned with being in the good graces of large business owners than he was in ensuring that the law was followed the way that it should be. He wasn't above looking away when the situation benefited him. It would explain why he lived a way Walt didn't think a Sheriff should. In his mind neither Sheriffs or preachers should be rich.

"You have a minute?"

Wilkins gave him a long look before he answered.

"Sure. Step in my office."

Walt nodded and followed Wilkins into his spacious office. Walt removed his hat and waited for Wilkins to close the door and walk around so that he was in front of Walt. He sat down behind an expansive desk and leaned back in his chair.

"What can I do for you, Walt?"

Behind the barrier of his office door, Wilkins tone changed and it was not one of welcome. That was to be expected considering the bad blood that existed between them.

Walt took a seat opposite Wilkins' desk and leaned forward, his hat dangling in between his legs.

"Do you remember the situation with Chance Gilbert?"

Wilkins was quiet for a moment, his fingers steepled.

"Do you mean the part where you engaged in a standoff with a dangerous man without calling for federal back up like you should have done. Or…the part where you and your deputy again went after someone on your own without following the proper channels. That's the problem with you, Walt. You're not a team player. You never were."

Walt resisted the urge to sigh and was glad that he insisted Vic not come. Between the two of them going back and forth, his point would be entirely lost. Wilkins was baiting and she would have readily engaged.

"Listen, Jim. After Chance died, his…group disappeared. It seems that they have resurfaced and they've been targeting Vic."

Wilkins tapped his fingers together and tossed Walt a knowing look.

"So, this is about Vic? Why does that not surprise me?"

"It's not about Vic, Jim. It's about these people harassing a law enforcement officer."

"Harassing?"

"Yes, they've been breaking into her home. A rock was thrown through our window last night and it seems to be directed at Vic."

"All of which happened in your county. Correct? So, what do you need me for?"

"We think they might be operating out of your county."

"You have proof?"

"Not hard proof."

"Can't help you then."

Walt inhaled.

"We have good reason to believe they might have taken up with another separatist group in Cumberland County. It would be helpful if we could verify that."

Wilkins gave him a long look.

"So, you want me to go and check out other law abiding citizens to find out if someone you think might be harassing your deputy is living there? Walt, do you hear yourself? Does this sound at all objective to you? Hasn't that caused you enough trouble? This tendency for you to just grind your own personal axes using your office? Do you know what I hear? Someone made your girlfriend mad and you want to cross over into my county and scare them."

Walt stood up.

"Forget it."

Wilkins stood up almost simultaneously.

"Don't you go poking around my county either. I've had it with your freelancing. You might be retiring, but I still have a career to think about. And a county to run. If they break a law in my county, I'll be happy to investigate. Otherwise, it's not our departmental policy to bother citizens just because we disagree with the way they live."

Walt felt his face go hot. What he really wanted to do was knock the smirk off Wilkins face, but nothing would be served by that. It would only be fuel for Wilkins to use against him. There had been enough of that.

Walt took two steps towards the door and stopped, placing his hat back on his head.

"You just remember that I tried this interoffice cooperation that you're always talking about."

"I mean it, Walt. I don't want to see you in my county."

Walt huffed as he pulled open the door.

"The last time I checked, there wasn't any law against me being in Cumberland County. So, I guess there's nothing for me to worry about from you."

Not giving Wilkins time to respond, he left the office and walked with solid strides until he was outside and away from Jim Wilkins. He slipped into the Bronco and placed his hands on the steering wheel, gripping tightly. He took a breath, trying to rein in the anger that was surging through him.

Turning the key, he started up the engine and glanced out the window at the front door of the office. No one came out. Not that he expected it. He knew that Wilkins wouldn't be willing to help him. Vic had known it as well. She voiced it when he told her where he was going. Still, at least he could say he tried.

Loosening his grip on the steering wheel, he tapped his fingers and let his mind reel beyond Jim Wilkins and this grudge that he would never let go. He didn't envy the position that Cady would be in following the election. But, she was more personable than him. And, she knew the law better than anyone. Including Wilkins. Maybe his sympathy should like with Wilkins.

He pushed out a breath and looked out towards the road. It was still early. He could get back to his own office before lunch and they could try and come up with a Plan B. He didn't want to admit that a different plan was already formed in his mind and had been since he crossed the line from Absaroka into Cumberland County.

He knew where to look for these people. Vance gave him the information while they were on the phone. Vic wouldn't be happy if he went off on his own. But, he wanted to keep Vic as far away from these people as possible for a multitude of reasons. He also knew Wilkins would blow a fuse if he didn't the opposite of what the Sheriff told him. Wilkins didn't like his power questioned. He was a man that was motivated by power and that was wrong in Walt's eyes.

Walt shifted and backed out. Pulling out onto the road, he pressed the gas harder than necessary and the engine revved.

In that moment, he didn't really give a damn about Jim Wilkins or his threats.