Ch. 17: Searching
"There's something I've been curious about. Maybe you can help me out."
Vic waited. There wasn't much else she could do. Wilkins studied her.
"What do you see in a man like Walt Longmire?"
Vic narrowed her eyes.
"I am not talking about this with you."
He gave her a long look and shrugged.
She meant what she said. Wilkins was going to do what he was going to do. She wasn't stupid enough to believe she could really change his mind either way. She wasn't sure she believed him when he said he didn't know what he was going to do with her. She was inclined not to believe that comment since she had seen his face and knew that it was him.
Those odds did not put much in her favor unless his plan was to run and not pretend to be innocent in all of this. Who the hell knew anymore.
"There's something I'm curious about."
Wilkins raised his brows.
"What's that?"
"This…was all you?"
He knew what she meant.
"Mostly."
"Mostly?"
Vic echoed him in the form of a question.
"I didn't work alone if that's what you're wondering. But…it was my plan."
Vic tipped her chin down.
"Figures. I won't bother asking why."
"I already told you why."
Vic shook her head.
"All this because you lost your job?"
She couldn't keep her voice from sounding incredulous. Wilkins gave her a look that told her she should know better.
"You really think I would go to all this trouble for a job. No, it's not about a job. I would have retired eventually. It's about my livelihood. My reputation being destroyed."
"All that money you lost."
He frowned.
"Your thought process is simplistic."
"Forgive me if I have a hard time believing you're willing to kill people over your reputation."
"You don't know me. Don't assume that you do."
"You want to know what I think?"
"Not really. Something tells me that doesn't matter."
"I think you're jealous."
He huffed as though that were something that was not possible.
"Of what? Walt?"
"And Cooper."
"Why in the hell would I be jealous of them?"
"Because they have everything that you don't. Starting with respect."
Wilkins shook his head, dismissing the idea. That didn't change her mind. He would never admit it to her. He might not even be able to admit it to himself. Some truths were like that.
Vic inhaled and looked around.
"Where did Zeke fit into all of this?"
He scowled at the mention of the name and pushed out a breath of frustration.
"Zeke was weaker than I would have thought. I can admit when I've made a mistake and I made one with him."
His words were cryptic and did little to answer the questions her mind had conjured during all of this.
"Tell me one thing. Did he hire me because of you…or… did this come together after?"
She could see Wilkins considering whether or not to answer her question.
"You know…the more you know, the less inclined I am to let you walk away from this."
Vic felt a chill run through her, but kept the sensation at bay. She wouldn't give him the satisfaction of knowing that she was scared.
"Well…if you're going to kill me, at least tell me the truth."
He was quiet for a stretch.
"He hired you because I paid him to keep tabs on you. I hate to break it to you, but he was never your friend."
Vic felt a familiar roll in her stomach and wondered how she could have so completely misjudged Zeke. She didn't have any way of knowing what was going on in his mind, but she considered him a friend. She trusted him.
She guessed the joke was on her.
She must have gotten quiet. Wilkins spoke up.
"If it makes you feel any better, he bailed on me in all of this. That's why he's dead."
It was one more statement that lacked any clarity or context. She could sort of put the pieces together. Just not entirely. Did Zeke have second thoughts? Had he not known the extent of Wilkins' plan?
Wilkins straightened up and gestured.
"Get up."
"Why?"
The question was out before she even processed the reaction. Wilkins crossed the floor to her.
"Because I have to go. A smart man knows when the gig is up."
"I never considered you all that smart."
She shouldn't have said it and she knew that. But, fear was coursing through her all over again and it was making her jittery and nervous. Those feelings tended to make her mouth run more than was wise.
Walt could attest to that.
Walt. The thought of him was jarring. She had managed to focus on the moment for a while now and kept all the other thoughts out of her head. Now, they were pushing in. The darkness that she fought so hard for so long was taking over and there was no way she could fight it. Not in this moment.
Wilkins reached out and placed his hand around her chin, his fingers squeezing in tightly and holding her face where it was.
"That mouth of yours…"
Vic tried not to flinch, but his grip was tight. She tried to pull her head away to no avail.
Wilkins reached into his pocket and pulled out a gun. Her eyes took in the weapon as he raised it and then looked her way. Slowly, he moved the gun so that the barrel was against her temple. Vic inhaled, unable to stop the shaking that was taking over her body.
"What? No smartass comments now? Guess that's the cure."
He pressed harder and Vic's eyes closed involuntarily. It felt as though an eternity eked by even though she knew it was not even a full minute. Wilkins withdrew the gun and released her. He took her arm and jerked her up onto her feet. Vic stumbled at the force with which he yanked on her and collided with him.
Wilkins pushed her towards the door.
"C'mon."
"Where?"
Wilkins pushed her again and Vic felt a familiar dread wind through her. Clearly, the time for conversation had passed. This shove sent her back down onto her hand and knees. With her hands bound, it was impossible to catch herself. While she was trying to push back up, Wilkins took hold of her jacket and hauled her up.
His grip on her was tight as he led her through the door, the gun still in his other hand. Vic felt bile push up into her throat at the idea of what was about to happen here. She wasn't stupid enough not to see the writing that was on the wall.
This was it.
xxx
With the location firmly in his mind, the place wasn't hard to find.
He couldn't deny there was some guilt in taking Cooper's truck. It was something that he would have to deal with later. Cooper wouldn't be pleased about it. Neither would Cady once she found out about it. She probably already knew.
Right now, there were more pressing concerns. He was prepared to do whatever it took to get Vic back. He couldn't say the same for Cooper and that was understandable. Walt was aware that he made Cooper nervous when it came to situations just like this one. That wasn't unusual. Both Vic and Cady would also warn him against this exact behavior.
He didn't care.
Whoever this was had gone to great pains to set Vic up for a murder she was innocent of. They were clearly capable of murder and were likely the ones who really killed Garrett Perry. Not to mention Zeke.
Zeke.
There would be fallout from that revelation as well.
Zeke was someone they trusted. Someone they thought was on their side. He didn't have the whole story. There was a possibility that he never would with Zeke dead. Somehow, Zeke was involved in this and had taken Vic. Was it to take her to whoever he was working with? Was there another reason?
Walt pushed the thoughts out of his head as he coasted down the road with his headlights off. He pulled off on the side of the road and pulled his Colt from the holster. He checked the weapon in a move that was familiar even after all this time.
Walt momentarily considered the gun in his hand.
In the hollows of his mind, he could picture Vic sitting beside him and hear her voice in his head.
"I feel like I am always having to say goodbye to you…just in case."
"Goodbye is always implied in this line of work. I guess I just usually put it out of my mind. Maybe I shouldn't do that anymore."
His own words mixed into the memory.
The same seemed to hold true for them now in moments just like this one.
He shouldn't do that.
It was odd how such a small comment changed the course of his life. It was a breakthrough that he never saw coming. He obviously hadn't planned on kissing her then. What if he hadn't? What if carried on in the same stoic manner he always had. Would he ever gotten up the nerve? Would it have been too late?
Too late.
Those words had an eerie meaning just now.
He couldn't be too late.
Walt put the memories aside. Now was the time to focus on the present. He didn't know what he was walking into. He willed her to be okay.
Walt slipped from the truck, leaving the keys in the sun visor and his hat on the seat. Vic would roll her eyes at the move, but he thought it through. In case they had to make a quick exit, he didn't want to have to look for keys. He certainly didn't want to drop them by accident and not have a way out of this.
Walt kept to the shadows.
It was a cabin. Not a bad looking one. There was a car parked outside and there were lights on inside. Walt took care as he circled the cabin. It was quiet inside. Anyone passing by wouldn't think anything was amiss here. Not that much of anyone would be way out here. He hoped this was the right place and that he and Cooper's hunch was correct.
On his trip around the cabin, he carefully looked in windows where it was possible. In most of the rooms it was dark. The light was coming from the kitchen. There was only one window that was accessible to him. Walt tipped his head and peered in.
The first thing that he saw was Vic.
A tremendous pressure lifted from his chest with the knowledge that she was alive. She was sitting in a chair and didn't seem hurt. Not from here, at least. He could see a figure off to one side. A man based on the size. He was unable to see who it was.
Walt pulled his Colt from the holster and considered his options. Right now, he had the element of surprise on his side. That was his advantage and he needed to hold onto it as long as possible. The less threatened this person felt, the safer that Vic would be.
He wished there was some way to let Vic know that he was here. That was a risk he didn't want to take. He didn't have a shot at hitting the man from here. The angle was all wrong and all that would do was send them both into a frenzy.
He also couldn't be entirely sure it was only one person.
Not wanting to waste anymore time, Walt left the window and skirted back around the house. The back door was locked when he carefully tried to knob. He was headed for the front door when he heard the scuffle of feet over the floor inside. It sounded sort of like a commotion. Walt readied himself and took cover around the corner of the cabin as the front door opened suddenly, making him grateful he hadn't been in front of it.
"C'mon."
Walt felt the hair on the back of his neck stand on edge when he heard the man speak. He knew that voice. He peered around the side and saw the man gripping the back of Vic's jacket. Walt waited as the man turned towards the far side of the cabin. The move put his back to Walt and it seemed like the opportunity Walt was waiting for.
"Where you headed?"
Walt tossed out the question as he came around the side of the cabin in a move that fully revealed himself. He knew he was taking a chance if there was a second person inside, but he couldn't wait any longer.
Jim Wilkins jerked at the unexpected sound of Walt's voice. Vic's head whipped around and she took advantage of Wilkins' momentary surprise, jerking herself free from his grasp with a move that sent her to the side and stumbling off balance.
Wilkins didn't pay her any attention as he turned, gun in hand, and took aim at Walt. Walt fired one shot that hit Wilkins in the right shoulder. The arm jerked and the gun left his hand, hitting the ground with a thud.
Walt lowered his Colt and took purposeful strides to Wilkins. Keeping the gun in his right hand, his left one balled into a fist that Walt brought around without warning, connecting to Wilkins' face with a sickening thump. Wilkins tipped backwards, but managed to keep his feet under him. Until Vic lashed out with her booted foot, anyway, and caught him in the back of his knee.
The combined force dropped Wilkins onto his knees. Walt holstered his gun as Vic pushed up onto her feet, loose hair falling across her face. Walt drew his right hand back and brought it into the side of Wilkins' head with a force that sent him sprawling onto the ground.
Walt ignored the burst of pain that coursed through his hand.
Vic moved around Wilkins. Walt could see that her hands were bound in front of her. He pulled out his pocket knife and cut the zip tie, freeing her. She breathed out what he could only assume was relief, rubbing a raw band of skin that now circled her wrists.
"You okay?"
She nodded.
"Yeah."
His hand landed on her shoulder.
"You're sure."
Vic nodded and pushed her hair out of her face.
"Yeah."
Walt ran his eyes over her in an attempt to assure himself that she was telling him the truth. She seemed banged up, but mostly okay. Walt pulled his Colt and handed it to Vic.
"Take this. He does anything stupid, shoot him."
She took it and looked down at Wilkins, who was trying to sit up. Now, he didn't seem like all that much of a threat.
Walt pulled out his handkerchief and picked up Wilkins' gun from the ground. He eyed it and then looked to Vic.
"Did he shoot Zeke with this?"
She shook her head.
"No. He used a rifle."
Walt sighed and tucked the cloth wrapped gun into the pocket of his jacket. Without evidence bags, it would have to do.
Wilkins managed to get on his knees and he looked up at Walt, his breathing heavy.
"You…you…shot me in the arm."
"Yep."
Walt pulled out his cell phone as Wilkins continued to suck in breaths through gritted teeth. He was clearly in pain.
"You didn't…kill me."
The words came out on a shallow breath.
Walt shook his head.
"Nope. I would have if it was necessary. Turned out, you're not as smart as you think you are."
He knew he wouldn't have hesitated to kill Wilkins if needed. In some odd way, he was thankful that turned out not to be the case. He didn't like taking lives, even when people seemed to deserve it.
"Why, Walt?"
Walt regarded the man carefully.
"Because I'm not you, Jim."
xxx
As it turned out, calling in the cavalry wasn't necessary since they were already on their way.
Cady and Whitlock were the first ones to pull up in Cady's Jeep. Cady slid from the car and all but ran over to them.
"Everyone okay?"
Walt offered his daughter something that resembled a smile and nodded.
"Yeah, we're good."
Cady turned her attention to Vic.
"Vic?"
"I'm okay."
Physically, that was true. Well, her wrists hurt from the zip tie and she had one hell of a headache. Other than that, she was still in one piece and not bleeding. That was more than she could say for Wilkins.
She eyed Whitlock warily as he approached them. His eyes moved between them as he considered the scene before him.
"Looks like there's a story here."
"Are you interested in hearing that?"
Vic's question clearly caught him off guard.
"Of course."
Her eyes stayed on him.
"Good to know because you haven't been overly interested in anything I've had to say that doesn't fit your narrative."
"Vic."
It was Cady. Vic's eyes flicked over to find Cady watching her with sharp blue eyes.
"Not now."
Vic turned away from Whitlock as Cady moved to secure Wilkins. Whitlock surveyed the scene as the distant sound of sirens met their ears.
"Looks like it's going to be a long night. I'll need statements from both of you. We can do that in Durant if you prefer. Or, the department here."
Walt stepped in and motioned at Vic.
"She needs to go to the hospital and get checked out first."
Vic's first instinct was to protest that. She didn't really need a doctor. She was okay. She expected Whitlock to argue with Walt.
"Fair enough."
He looked at Vic, then back to Walt.
"I'll have someone drive you. I understand…"
He looked around.
"…that you borrowed your son-in-law's vehicle."
Vic noted the tone in his voice and cast Walt a look. He gave his head a slight shake telling her they would talk about it later. Along with a lot of other things.
"Cady can drive us."
"I think the Sheriff is busy right now. I'll have someone take you."
There wasn't much give in Whitlock's voice.
"Fine."
It was Vic who answered before Walt did. He didn't argue and Whitlock gave an approving nod.
Whitlock tasked a young officer with driving them to the hospital in Durant. After that, he had strict instructions to drop them off at the Sheriff's Department. The ride was quiet. Vic kept her head leaned back against the seat headrest. Her head still ached and she was tired as hell. It took all she had to keep her eyes open. She knew that Walt was watching her. That was nothing new. She could feel his eyes on her and she could see the quick glances he gave her out of the corner of her eye.
The way things were going, it was going to be daylight before they got home.
Once they arrived at the hospital, the officer planted himself in a plastic waiting room chair while Dr. Weston led them back to an exam room. Walt hung back near the door, but she could still feel the intensity of his eyes.
Weston let out a sigh that she knew all too well.
"What happened?"
Vic figured nothing would surprise the doctor at this point.
"It's…a long story. I…"
Walt stepped forward.
"She was taken at gunpoint. Says she's fine."
Weston looked at Vic.
"Does she? Where did you get your medical degree?"
Vic rolled her eyes and cut them at Walt as Weston pulled his stethoscope from around his neck and started the exam.
"I assume you haven't been shot or stabbed since I don't see any blood."
"No, I haven't. I was…hit."
She lifted her hand and indicated the spot. She saw Walt's chin lift slightly. That would be the first he heard of that. He stayed quiet and his jaw set tightly.
"With?"
"A hand?"
"Deep breaths."
Vic inhaled and exhaled for Weston twice. He put the stethoscope back around his neck and placed his gloved hands on her chin, angling her face so that he could see the side of her head.
"Do you have a headache?"
"Yes."
"Any dizziness or nausea?"
"No."
He leaned back on his heels and studied her.
"You know the signs of a concussion."
It wasn't a question. They were all well versed in this.
"Yes."
"Okay, if you have any symptoms, I expect you back here."
Vic nodded.
"Okay."
Weston removed his gloves and tossed them into a trash can.
"You're quiet. You sure you feel okay?"
"Yeah. Just tired."
He looked at Walt.
"I trust you're on top of this."
"Yep."
Weston looked back at Vic.
"Take some pain reliever and get some rest. That's my prescription."
With that, he pushed through the door and left them alone.
Vic stood up slowly.
"Wilkins hit you?"
There was a softness to Walt's voice, but also an edge. Vic turned to face him.
"No…"
Her voice dropped off a little bit. Vic took a breath and let it out much the same way she did when Weston was examining her.
"…Zeke did."
Something in his expression changed. His jaw clenched. Vic reached out and placed her hand on his upper arm.
"C'mon. Let's go. I…am so tired. And we still have to give our statements."
Were it just Cady, the statements could wait. She knew there wasn't going to be that kind of give in Whitlock. He dipped his chin in acceptance of her request.
"Okay."
Before she could move away from him, Walt reached up and softly touched her face near the spot were Zeke had hit her. In spite of the size of his hands, his touch was light. What she really wanted to do in that moment was lean into him and breathe him in.
She knew if she made that move right now, she would never stop.
xxx
"How is she doing?"
The question came from Cady as they sat in the Sheriff's office waiting. This entire night felt like nothing but waiting. It wasn't even night anymore. Some time ago, the clock had stretched into the early morning hour beyond midnight.
He looked over at Cady's closed office door where Vic sat with Whitlock giving her statement. It was taking forever. Too long. He had wanted to go in with her, but Whitlock wouldn't allow it. He wanted both of their statements individually. In his mind, Walt knew this was standard procedure and what he would do if he was in charge.
But, he was tired. He knew that Vic was beyond exhausted. It was etched into her face when they arrived here earlier.
"The doc said she looked fine. Headache. Tired."
Cady gave him a look that told him that wasn't what she meant.
"How is she?"
He sighed and rubbed one hand over his eyes. Leaning back in his chair, he stretched out his legs.
"I don't know. There hasn't been time. There are still so many unanswered questions."
It was a source of frustration and he knew it would continue to be as the investigation crawled on. There would be no quick resolution. That was obvious. They had a basic understanding of what was going on, but there was so much they still didn't know. There was a chance the entire mystery would never be solved.
Right now, he didn't want to worry about that. He just wanted to go home. To take Vic home and rest.
The fear of her going to jail was dissipating. The case against Vic was collapsing as details emerged from the shadows. Even Whitlock was different once they returned to the office, politer and less accusatory.
The door to Cady's office opened and Vic emerged. Walt rose as soon as he heard the door. He took her in. There were dark circles under her eyes and the obvious signs of stress. Her shoulders drooped and a good bit of her hair had pulled loose from her ponytail. Her hands were in the pockets of the jacket she never removed.
Whitlock appeared behind her. He looked less put together than usual. His suit jacket was discarded and his tie was loosened.
"Are you done?"
Vic nodded and came to a stop beside him.
"Yeah, we're done."
Her voice sounded strained. After everything that happened, that was to be expected. He knew that. It didn't make it any easier, though. Whitlock hovered nearby, his attention still on Vic.
"Thank you for your cooperation. I'll be in town for a few more days. At least. Lots to go through. But…"
He paused and directed his eyes to Cady.
"We'll be handing the case over to Sheriff Longmire."
Walt knew what that meant. Vic was no longer a suspect.
Whitlock looked down at the floor and shuffled his feet. He reminded Walt of a scolded child when he raised his eyes.
"I…owe you an apology."
He was talking to Vic again. She looked his way and Walt wondered if she was about to have a strong reaction to the Agent. He still harbored the urge to throttle the man if he were being honest.
Vic looked at Whitlock for a long moment before she turned away from him, not saying anything. Her jaw was set firmly. The the lack of a reaction surprised Walt. He figured it might be for the best.
Whitlock cleared his throat and turned back to Cady.
"I'm going to my hotel. I'll be back in the morning to start going over what we have."
The three of them waited until the man collected his belongings and left the office. Once the door closed behind him, Vic blinked and looked around.
"Where's Cooper?"
Cady stretched her arms up over her head.
"He's at home. After…everything…he went and picked up Anna and Julian and took them to our house. He called while you were in with Whitlock and said they were both sleeping. We'll keep them and let you guys get some rest."
Vic dipped her chin.
"Thanks."
Vic looked away from Cady and her eyes settled on him.
"So…you stole Cooper's truck?"
Walt glanced at Cady who offered him no help.
"Borrowed."
Vic's brows went up.
"You took it without permission. That's theft."
"I apologized."
"He could have charged you."
Walt knew he wouldn't. Cooper hadn't exactly been thrilled with the move, but Walt knew the man understood on some level.
"He didn't."
She gave him a sigh of exasperation and shook her head. He knew it wasn't taking Cooper's truck that bothered her. It was the fact that he had help and left it behind, choosing to do things on his own yet again.
There would, no doubt, be a conversation about this later.
Walt looked to Cady.
"I am sorry."
Cady merely nodded, accepting that for the time being.
"Sure. We should all…"
She glanced at the time.
"…go home and get some sleep."
It was the best idea Walt had heard all night.
"Yeah, we should."
The goodbyes were quick and he and Vic were in the quietness of the Bronco. Her SUV was still in Sheridan and would need to be retrieved. In the darkness of the vehicle Vic was nothing but a silhouette against the window. She was quiet. It was to be expected he knew. That did nothing to quell the worry he felt for her.
Halfway home, he tried.
"Vic?"
She didn't move. He thought she might have dozed off, but her body wasn't relaxed enough for that. After a minute, her head turned so that she was looking his way. She still didn't answer. She just seemed to be…waiting.
He wasn't sure what to say. Asking her if she was okay seemed like a stupid question at this point. She wasn't, of course. None of them were really. The night had been long and trying with blow after blow. Too many revelations that would need to be considered later when the dust settled.
So, he didn't say anything. After a minute or so, Vic turned her head back towards the window. As he drove, he noticed her shift into a more comfortable position. Her head tipped so that it rested against the window and she slouched down into the seat.
By the time they pulled up in front of the cabin, she was sleeping.
xxx
Vic startled awake.
Walt jerked his hand away from her and held them both up so that she could see them.
"Sorry."
Vic looked around. Her mind was fogged with confusion. She was still in the Bronco and they were sitting in front of the cabin. Vic reached up and scrubbed at her eyes.
"We're home."
It wasn't a question, but Walt responded anyway.
"Yeah. You fell asleep."
Vic inhaled a deep breath of the cold air and released it slowly. She shifted her legs around and slid out of the seat. Walt closed the door behind her.
It was cold and dark inside. Walt flipped on the lights and tossed his keys on the desk.
"Why don't you get a shower and I'll get a fire going."
Vic nodded and walked into the bedroom.
It was somewhat of a relief to be out from under his watchfulness. She knew that he meant well. He always did. It was just that…there was only so much of it that she could take under any given circumstances.
Vic turned on the shower and waited for the water to warm up while she undressed. She left the clothes in a pile on the floor, deciding that she would worry about them later. Hell, maybe she would burn them.
The water was about as hot as she could stand when she stepped under the spray. She didn't care. There was a chill in her that she couldn't shake. She wasn't sure a fire or even hot water could get rid of it. She was damn sure going to try.
For a few minutes she simply stood there and let the water run over her. It felt good on her sore muscles. She could have lingered longer if she wasn't so tired. Her body was begging to lay down and be done with all of this. She wasn't even worried about the unceasing thoughts rattling around in her head keeping her up. She was familiar with this level of exhaustion and knew that her body would have to give in. At least, for a while.
She washed and rinsed her body and hair. The air in the bathroom was pleasantly warm and humid now from the heat of the water. She dressed in sweat pants, a thermal shirt, and socks. She didn't normally dress so completely for bed. She had a feeling for tonight that she would need it. That chill was still there.
Walt was in the bedroom with the door open to allow the warmth from the fire to warm the space. He was sitting on the side of the bed when she emerged from the bathroom. She felt somewhat more normal having combed her hair and brushed her teeth. As normal as she could all things considered.
What in the hell was normal anymore?
For a handful of seconds, they simply looked at each other.
"Shower help?"
It was obvious he wasn't entirely sure what to say. Truthfully and uncharacteristically, Vic was okay with that for now.
"Some."
Walt stood and stopped directly in front of her.
"Do you need anything?"
Vic shook her head.
"Just sleep. You should…get a shower and some sleep, too. Been a long night."
"Yeah."
Walt lifted his hands and placed them on her shoulders. Without saying anything, he pulled her into him. Vic went without any resistance. He was solid and he was warm. He was something that she could lean into and know that she would be supported.
Walt would never let her fall.
Walt held her there for a bit. His breathing was rhythmic and comforting in an inexplicable way. Vic didn't return the embrace. She simply pressed into him, letting him take some of her weight for a few minutes. It was one of the things that he did best without event trying. She felt him take one deep breath and he released her.
Stepping back, Walt offered her a soft look.
"You should go to bed."
Vic smiled ruefully.
"Yeah, no shit."
He laughed softly.
"I'm gonna get a shower."
She nodded as he moved around her. The bathroom door closed as Vic slipped into bed. It was quite possibly the best feeling imaginable to finally be lying down in her own bed with no threats hanging over head.
Her mind tried.
It was still churning out questions. Sitting with Whitlock hadn't helped. He pressed her for answers that she didn't have. He asked the same questions over and over, maybe hoping that her answer would change. It didn't.
She hated saying "I don't know" as frequently as she did. But, what else was there to say. It wasn't like he possessed any more answers that she did in the moment. None of them did. It was frustrating for them all. There wasn't anything she could do about that.
It wouldn't be their last conversation.
There was still so much to go through and attempt to sort out.
From the bed, Vic could hear the shower turn on and the pattern of the water change as Walt stepped under it and moved around. The sounds were comfortable, the smells of the cabin and their room familiar.
For the first time she felt herself relaxing into the bed. Her eyes grew heavy and she didn't bother fighting to keep them open. There would be time for everything tomorrow. Later. It would not be resolved quickly or easily. There was time for all that later.
Vic could still hear the shower running. It reminded her of a distant rain.
Before Walt emerged from the bathroom, she was asleep.