Ch. 17
Impressions
Set Pre-Series
On the list of things he wanted to do today, conducting a job interview was at the bottom of the list. Or not even on it. It was Ruby who prodded him into the office. He had completely forgotten that she scheduled an interview today to fill their vacant deputy position. After a handful of interviews, he came to the conclusion that no one in Durant was qualified.
But apparently, the candidate today wasn't from Durant. Or even Wyoming.
He sat at his desk looking though the job application and references. The first thing that jumped out at him was that she was, indeed, a she. Thus far in his career as Sheriff, Walt hadn't had a female deputy. Unlike a good number of his counterparts, he didn't care about that aspect. He was more interested in the type of person he hired.
Usually.
Right now, his head hurt. He drank too much last night.
Again.
Ruby had chastised him well for it once he finally showed up today. She wasn't impressed with his outward appearance. Six months out from the death of his wife, he didn't care what anyone thought of him. He was hard pressed to even care about his job. He was here now because if he hired someone, he wouldn't have to be here as much as he currently did.
Ruby tapped on his door.
"Walter, your appointment is here."
Her eyes raked over him and he could read the disapproval on his face. He nodded.
"Send her in."
He remained seat, or slouched, behind his desk.
Less than a minute later, Victoria Moretti appeared in his doorway. Walt forced himself to stand up. With year of experience, he took her in quickly and began to form opinions from the outset. She was average height. Looked to be in good shape. The word attractive crossed his mind and he dismissed it. Her blond hair was pulled back in a braid. She offered him a smile that didn't seem overly friendly. There was something about her he couldn't quite put his finger own. It was in the way she carried herself. She was dressed appropriately in black slacks and a simple sweater.
She extended her hand and he took it. Her grip was strong but not over bearing.
"Miss Moretti. I'm Sheriff Longmire."
"Vic, please."
He nodded.
"Vic."
It seemed to fit her. He motioned to the chair in front of his desk.
"Sit, please."
She sat and crossed her legs, placing her hands in her lap. He picked up the resume and application she had filled out and perused it.
"You're from Philadelphia. What brings you to Wyoming?"
"My husband got a job transfer. He works for the gas company."
"Newett?"
She nodded.
"Yes."
He started to say something but then derailed himself. He leaned back in his chair.
"You do realize that you're overqualified for this job."
"Yeah, but you're also the only department around here that's hiring, so here we are."
He smiled a little. She was sharp. He liked that.
"Let me cut to the chase. This job won't be like anything you've done back east. We're a small department. That basically means that we're never really off duty. The pay isn't great and the hours are long."
She tilted her head and smiled at him in a manner that made him think she was more than a little amused. Her eyes held his attention. They were like nothing he had seen before. He would call the color hazel. But, in the light that filtered in through is blinds, they looked almost golden. There was a fierceness in them. He was reminded of a wild animal, maybe a big cat stalking prey on the savanna.
"Is that your sales pitch? Because it kind of sucks."
He was taken aback by the bluntness of her statement. But he liked it.
"I need someone who can do their job without me holding their hand. You clearly have the experience. More than anyone on my staff. But…I also need someone who isn't going to jump ship in a couple of months if something better comes along."
There was that smile again. He found his size alone intimidated a lot of people. His gruff manner as well. But she wasn't the least bit phased. He had no doubt she could take whatever anyone threw at her. She seemed to know that as well.
"Okaaay."
She drew out the syllable.
"Still want the job?"
She looked around his office and then back at him.
"Since I'm stuck here in this God forsaken place, I might as well have something to do."
She pulled a smile out of him with her honesty. Walt leaned forward.
"When you can you start?"
xxx
The lady at the desk was nice enough. She seemed like the grandmotherly type. She led Vic to the door of an office and ushered her in. Vic's eyes scanned the room and took in the man in front of her. She wasn't sure what she'd been expecting.
But, he wasn't it.
He stood up as she came in. Her first thought was that he was tall. She hadn't expected that. Or for him to be…what he was. She had thought he would be older. Gray haired with a mustache maybe.
But this man, Walt Longmire, wasn't that at all. He looked like he was in his late forties. Early fifties as most. He wore a faded blue denim shirt and blue jeans. His hair was a little unruly and needed a trim. Also, he could use a shave. He was sort of attractive in an odd scruffy, cowboy kind of way. Not so much her type but not bad to look at.
It had to be the strangest job interview ever. He explained the job in the worst possible way almost like he was trying to talk her out of it. There was something about him that struck her. She couldn't quite put her finger on it.
Sadness.
Maybe.
Whatever it was, it didn't particularly matter. She couldn't spend another damn day sitting around the house while Sean was out of town. It was bad enough she was in this hell hole. She needed something that was her own. She needed some semblance of a normal life.
After everything that happened in Philly.
She needed something.
The interview seemed to go well enough despite his best intentions. She did manage to get a smile out of him.
That was something.