Ch. 7: Shrouded
"You should be asleep."
"You should, too."
Walt paused in the bedroom door when he realized she was still up. His hat and coat were hung up in the living room, his boots discarded at the door. He walked the rest of the way quietly, not wanting to disturb her, thinking she might be asleep. What met him was Vic sitting up in the bed with her laptop propped up on her legs, her back resting on the headboard.
Walt started to undo his belt.
"Working at this hour?"
Vic closed the lid of her computer with a gentle click and set it on the table beside her, shifting her phone out of the way. She remained sitting up, her eyes watching him as he slowly shed his clothes.
"So…how was your first night?"
Walt pushed his jeans down and off.
"You were there for some of it."
Vic rolled her eyes at his non-answer as he unsnapped his shirt and tossed it aside. He didn't say anything else as he walked into the bathroom and she could hear the tap running as he brushed his teeth.
Vic scooted forward and let her pillow lie flat. Laying back, she waited until he emerged from the bathroom and flipped off the light.
"Throw anyone out?"
Walt shook his head as he slid under the covers and lay down, shifting around trying to get comfortable.
"Nope."
Vic rolled onto her side and propped her head in her hand so that she could look his way.
"Boring."
Walt smiled up at her and his expression changed, edging from amusement into worry.
"Why aren't you asleep? Don't you have work tomorrow?"
Vic blew out a breath.
"Yeah. Couldn't sleep."
He studied her.
"Why?"
The shoulder that she wasn't lying on shrugged.
"Don't know."
"You're not still upset, are you?"
She gave him a wry smile at the question.
"I wasn't upset."
Walt gave her a skeptical look.
"What would you call it?"
"Practical."
Her answer made him laugh.
"Practical?"
"Yep. Think about this. Say you walk into…the bar and see me talking to a man who is asking me to have dinner with him. Say the same man…reaches out and puts his hand on my arm real soft like…"
Her words trailed off. Her free hand extended and landed on his upper arm.
"…this. Now, look me in the eye and tell me that you don't say a word about it."
She held his gaze and waited for his response.
"I trust you."
She smiled at him softly, despite the intentional evasiveness.
"That's not what I asked you. Would it bother you if another man put his hands on me? Especially one that was…throwing himself at me."
He didn't reply. Vic pressed her chin into her palm.
"That's what I thought. I do trust you, Walt. You know that. Or, you should. But, sometimes with women, you don't see things for what they are. Anyway, I don't want to talk about that."
Her hand still rested on his arm, the tips of her fingers lightly tracing a pattern that sent shivers through him.
"You should go to sleep."
Vic frowned.
"I'm not tired. I had…a hell of a day."
Walt tilted his head a little in her direction.
"What happened?"
"We went to the…camp…whatever the hell it is that this kid Nate was staying at. They weren't helpful. They threatened to lawyer up."
Walt grimaced a little.
"That's not surprising. What are you gonna do?"
Vic inhaled deeply.
"I don't know. I need to look around and I need to try and find someone who will talk to me."
"What's stopping you?"
Vic bit her lip.
"You know how these groups are. They'll close ranks and we won't get anything."
Walt tipped his chin down.
"Yeah."
"But…there's gotta be a weak link. There's got to be someone who knows something and it's weighing on 'em. You know? The few I saw were young. Not much more than kids."
"That's a common age to get wrapped up with the wrong kind of people. Especially someone who's saying what they want to hear."
"Yeah, I know."
Vic turned onto her back and stretched her arms up over her head.
"He said if we bring him in, he won't talk. But…what if we bring them all in for questioning? Or…threaten to?"
"How many are there?"
"I'm not sure. I would be willing to bet it changes."
Vic sighed and shifted around on the bed.
"That why you can't sleep?"
Vic rolled her head towards him.
"Ferg took Meg to the hospital today."
Walt frowned.
"Why?"
"When Zach and I got back to the office, Ruby said there was some kind of complication. She didn't say what. But, they've got Meg on bedrest for the rest of the pregnancy. That means Ferg will need more time off. And, still a few weeks before Cady comes back."
His eyes ran over her face.
"Is there anything I can do?"
She gave him a look.
"Not unless you plan to come out of retirement."
Walt pushed himself up and reached over, running his hand along her hairline softly.
"Try and get some sleep. You don't have to solve this tonight."
Vic smiled.
"Right."
He moved closer to her and waited as Vic scooted into him, her head resting partially on his arm and her hand lying on his stomach. He slid his arm around her and pressed a kiss to the top of her head.
"You'll get through it. You always do."
He felt her head tip into him and her lips grazed his skin.
"Thank you."
xxx
Tobias Cameron wasn't happy to see them again. That much was obvious from his expression. The pseudo-polite front he put on the day before was absent. Vic wondered to herself if he really expected them to be put off that easily with a murder investigation the reason for their visit. If he did, he was incredibly naïve.
"Deputies, I thought I made my position clear yesterday."
Vic nodded.
"You did. Now, let me make my position clear. We are investigating a murder. As far as we know, this is the last place that Nate Bradley was, which makes everyone here a person of interest until we can clear up some things."
She paused to let him absorb her words and her tone before continuing.
"Now…we can just walk around and ask a few questions…here…so that we can get out of your way. Or…we can take everyone to the Sheriff's Department and question you all there."
He shifted on his feet. Vic could read the uncertainty in his eyes when faced with pressure.
"I told you yesterday that I would exercise my right to remain silent."
Vic gave him a long look.
"You're not under arrest. But…if you interfere with my investigation…you might be."
She could see the threat settle over him. With a deep sigh, his head dropped and he mumbled.
"Fine. Since we have nothing to hide here…ask your questions."
Vic nodded, satisfied that he wasn't as confident as he would have them believe. Vic cast Zach a look and started to walk around the camp. She could hear the soft tread of Cam's flip flops as he trailed along behind them. Vic didn't glance at him, instead letting her eyes roam the space around them. She didn't see the young woman who visited them at the Sheriff's office and supplied Nate's name. Not that she would call the girl out and risk her safety.
Zach split off from her and Vic could hear him exchanging words with someone. She looked his way to see him talking with two teenage boys. Vic shifted her attention back to her immediate surroundings. She knew that Cam was still just behind her.
"These kid's parents don't give you any trouble?"
She heard him clear this throat.
"Once in a while. If they do, there's not much I can do about it. But, you might be surprised how many parents just want their kids out of their hair when they hit a certain age."
It didn't surprise her.
"Who is the youngest?"
Cam picked up his pace and fell into step beside her.
"No one here is under sixteen, Deputy. That's tricky territory. Most are about seventeen or eighteen."
Vic bit her lip.
"Nate was sixteen."
"He was."
Vic stopped walking and turned to face him.
"So…what is the point of this place?"
He gave her a puzzled look.
"The point?"
Vic nodded.
"Yeah, what do you get out of all these kids living here? Who supports it all?"
He glanced around.
"We have a garden that gives us fruits and vegetables. On occasion, we buy food in town. But…we don't need much."
"Right."
He smiled a little.
"You seem skeptical."
Vic held his blue eyes.
"You still didn't tell me why?"
Cam's gaze didn't falter.
"Most of the young people who pass through here aren't wanted by their families. Or, they're not understood. This place offers a reprieve for them."
Vic's jaw flexed.
"Does that make them owe you?"
He narrowed his eyes.
"Are you suggesting something?"
Vic shrugged.
"Just asking. I looked into our reports, and this part of the county has a lot of thefts. Wonder why that is."
He smiled at her.
"Beats me."
Vic left him standing where he was and walked off, her eyes roaming around and searching. She knew she was looking for Grace. But, she still didn't see the young woman. That made her stomach coil tightly. She mentioned that she might be in trouble for coming to them with the information about Nate. That didn't inspire positive thoughts in Vic.
She turned to look for Zach and paused. Off to her left stood a young man. Vic had trouble gauging his age thanks to the scruff on his face. He was watching her in a different way than the rest. There was an air of suspicion about him. Vic started in his direction, wondering what he would do.
He stood his ground. On some level, that impressed her. The young man watched her approach with a mixture of curiosity and a certain guarded look. He wasn't very big. Under six feet and lean. But, not skinny. No, this was a body that was accustomed to work. She could see that in the set of his body and the way that he carried himself. His hair was cut short on top, almost military short. What Vic could see of it was dark. His eyes were also dark. The closer she got, the darker the brown seemed, nearly obscuring his pupils. His skin was tanned and his features stern looking.
"Did you know Nate Bradley?"
He considered her before he answered. It struck Vic that, no matter how old he was, he seemed to possess a maturity that would greatly surpass his age.
"I know a Nate. Don't know his last name."
Vic studied the young man.
"When's the last time you saw him?"
Another moment of consideration. Either he was thinking about his answers to ensure he was answering accurately, or he was lying. Either was possible.
"Last week."
"What day?"
His narrow shoulders shrugged.
"Can't say. Don't have a calendar."
Vic tilted her head.
"What's your name?"
He regarded her with a look she couldn't quite unravel.
"Am I in trouble?"
"No. I just asked your name."
His dark eyes moved over her face.
"Finn."
"Finn…"
He gave his head the slightest shake.
"I don't use a last name."
"But you have one?"
He smiled at her. But, it was the oddest smile she'd ever seen.
"Everyone does. At some point in their lives."
Vic didn't return the smile.
"Got a license? ID?"
"No."
Vic could sense that his defenses wouldn't be easily breached. He wasn't intimidated or nervous about her presence.
"Nate have any issues with anyone here?"
He shrugged again.
"There's fights now and then."
With all the hormones teenagers brought to the table, Vic didn't doubt that.
"Did Nate fight with anyone?"
"Twice."
He seemed secure in his answer.
"Do you know why?"
He shifted on his weight. Vic noticed the work boots on his feet. Most of the people she saw around were wearing flips flops or sneakers. His was the first pair of boots. For some reason, that struck her as interesting.
"Not really. We weren't friends."
"Any idea why he might've fought with someone?"
A half smile appeared on Finn's face.
"Why do boys normally fight, Deputy?"
His usage of the word boys made her wonder if he was older than he looked.
"In my experience? Girls."
His smile widened a bit.
"Could be."
Vic tilted her head.
"How long have you lived here?"
"Here? Bout six months. Of course…that's as long as it's been here."
"Did you know Cam before then?"
His chin tipped down.
"I did."
"How?"
"Mutual friends."
He didn't seem shy about answering her questions, but his responses were short. That left her little room to get any real information. Vic's eyes flicked to his arm where a bandage was wrapped securely on the area just below his elbow.
"What happened to your arm?"
He glanced at it, breaking eye contact for the first time.
"I hurt it."
"How?"
"Working. Scratched it."
Vic looked away and towards Zach. He was watching her interaction with Finn. Turning back to Finn, she took a step towards him.
"Do you know a Grace?"
It was a measured risk, bringing the name into it. But, she was curious. He lacked the phoniness she saw in Cam. The rehearsed pleasantness that no one would believe. When the name landed on his ears, something in his dark eyes shifted. Just as quickly, it was gone.
"I've known a few."
Vic studied him and she could see Zach starting her way.
"Where is she?"
Her question brought about the first noticeable pause in his confidence. His dark eyes settled on Vic's and then dropped away as Zach walked up, looking between the two of them.
"Everything okay?"
His voice broke into Vic's thoughts. She nodded.
"Yeah. Good. Find anything?"
He looked from her to Finn with uncertainty. Finn took a step back. Vic spoke up.
"I may have some more questions."
He tossed her a smile.
"You know where to find me."
He ambled off. Zach stepped in closer to Vic.
"Most are pretty tight lipped. But I did get one girl to tell me that someone else is missing."
"Missing as in?"
"As in…a few people are worried."
Vic dipped her face.
"It's her, isn't it?"
He nodded subtly.
"Yeah. It is."
xxx
Vic tapped her highlighter on the folder in front of her. Whatever work she intended to do was getting lost in the constant shuffle of her thoughts. The office around her was quiet. Ferg still wasn't back after Meg's scare. Zach was gone to get some dinner, leaving Vic as the sole occupant of the office. She needed to leave soon in order to be home before Walt left for the bar.
Zach relieved her of a little stress when he volunteered to have any incoming calls forwarded to his phone. That would, hopefully, allow her to get some rest and start fresh in the morning. The whereabouts of Grace weighed on her mind like an anchor, pulling her down. There was no proof that any harm met with the girl. But, Vic knew she took a calculated risk when she came to the department to tell them Nate's name.
Vic wondered if there was more she could've done to protect the girl.
The office door opened and Vic looked up. She was more than a little surprised to see Julia Corbitt standing just inside the doorway. Vic stood up.
"What do you want?"
Julia was clearly taken aback by the bluntness of her question. She bristled at Vic's obvious attitude towards her.
"I'm here in a professional capacity, Deputy."
Vic folded her arms over her chest.
"Okay. So, what you do you want?"
Julia tilted her head at Vic.
"Does the…actual Sheriff know that you have no…manners?"
Vic rolled her eyes at the question, not bothering to resist the urge.
"You know what? It's late and I'm about to walk out the door. So…why are you here?"
Julia sighed.
"The Mayor was hopeful that you will brief him on this case."
Vic made a face
"Brief him?"
Julia nodded.
"Yes, he would like to schedule a meeting in the morning."
Vic's posture remained tense.
"Since when does the Sheriff's department brief the Mayor on cases that we haven't even solved?"
Julia huffed with impatience.
"Deputy, Mayor Buckley has a keen interest in the crime rate in Durant. And…a murder certainly deserves his attention."
Vic reached up and rubbed the bridge of her nose.
"This is bullshit."
The comment came out low, but Julia heard it.
"Look, all I can do is ask. But, your lack of cooperation doesn't help anything. And…if it continues, I'm sure the Mayor will want to speak to Sheriff Longmire about it when she's back on duty."
Vic dropped her hand.
"Are you threatening me?"
Julia shrugged
"Of course not. Just pointing out the only obvious eventuality. Your boss left you in charge. Whether you like it or not, that includes all aspects of her job, including speaking with the Mayor when the need arises."
Vic just shook her head.
"I'm done with this. I'm going home."
Julia eyed her with apparent dislike.
"To see your husband or will he be at the bar again tonight?"
Vic gave her a sharp look.
"What?"
Julia smiled.
"From one woman to another…here's a tip. If you were home more, you wouldn't need to worry so much about your husband being out and the potential that he might find someone else who pays him more attention."
Vic took a step closer to Julia.
"You don't know anything about me. Or Walt. So…why don't you mind your own damn business?"
Julia's smile faded a bit.
"I know what happens when you work too much and your husband gets bored with waiting for you at home. Trust me."
With that, she turned and left the office, slamming the door solidly behind her.
xxx
The Bronco was still front of the cabin when she parked. When Vic opened the door and stepped inside, she was met with a familiar smell. Vic shrugged out of her jacket and hung it up. She could hear the sounds of Walt in the kitchen. She paused in the doorway and sniffed the air.
"You making pancakes?"
He gave her a quick look over his shoulder.
"Yeah. Thought we could have a quick dinner before I leave."
Vic crossed the floor to where he stood over the stove, watching the circle of batter brown and bubble. Walt slid the flat ended spatula underneath and flipped it over with a precision Vic expected from him.
"Hmm. Smells good."
She leaned into his arm and pressed her mouth to the soft material of his denim shirt. Walt slid the last pancake from the pan and onto a waiting plate. Turning to Vic, he smiled.
"Hungry?"
Vic slid her arms around his waist and pushed her face into his chest. Walt tilted his chin into her hair and his hands landed on her arms, running up and down the long sleeves of her shirt.
"Mmm-hmm."
Resting her chin on his chest, she smiled up into his face.
"You smell good, too."
His hands paused their motion on her arms.
"I showered."
She shook her head a little as she pushed up on her toes and buried her face in the hollow of his neck.
"Mmm…it's not that. It's you."
Vic pressed a kiss to the skin along his jaw, her hands slipping back around to the front of his shirt. Walt's hands tightened on her upper arms at the contact. She continued to kiss along his neck and down into the top of his shirt. Lifting her hands, she started to pull at the top few snaps of his shirt. The first two gave before he managed to pull her back a little.
"What're you doing?"
She frowned up at him.
"You want me to explain it to you now?"
Walt relaxed his grip and Vic began to work on the snaps of his shirt again. Walt's face dipped down by her ear.
"We should eat."
"We can eat in a few minutes."
"A few minutes?"
She could feel a rumble in his chest when he talked.
"Yeah."
Her intentions were clear and they had nothing to do with eating. She had his shirt halfway undone before her hands moved to his belt. Walt's hands closed over hers, halting the motion.
"Vic…"
She could hear in his tone that he was trying to get her to stop. Vic leaned back and looked up at him.
"What?"
She pushed the word out wrapped in frustration.
"We…we don't have time."
Vic bit her lip, a frown settling over her.
"Seriously?"
His blue eyes studied her. Vic tilted her head and he felt her hand move underneath his. Ignoring the weight of his hand, she resumed the action of unbuckling his belt while she held his eyes. After a few seconds, his hand fell away and Vic freed him of his belt. Reaching up, she finished opening up his shirt and started to push it off his shoulders. He made no further moves to stop her as she steered him towards the couch, working on the buttons of her own shirt as he walked backwards, his eyes on her.
The back of his legs bumped the couch and Walt sat down. Vic stepped in between his legs and discarded her uniform shirt on the floor. She paused and offered him a smile before she pulled her thermal shirt over her head.
xxx
"Everything okay?"
Vic chewed a bite of pancake and nodded.
"Yeah, why?"
Walt shrugged and sipped the glass of water in front of him.
"You just seem a little off is all?"
Vic made a face.
"Because I wanted to have sex with you?"
Walt's eyes dropped to the empty plate in front of him.
"Is that all it was?"
Vic stopped chewing and swallowed.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
Walt traced his finger around the rim of his glass.
"It doesn't mean anything."
He glanced at his watch.
"I should get going."
Standing up, he carried his plate and glass to the sink. Vic watched him, leaning back in her chair. Walt ran water over his plate and then turned to face her, his back coming to rest on the counter.
"I'm not sure what time I'll be home. You work tomorrow?"
A shadow crossed her face noticeably.
"Yeah."
Walt shifted on his feet.
"It's been weeks since you had a real day off."
Vic looked up at him from her seat.
"What do you want me to do about it, Walt?"
Vic stood up and carried her own plate over to the sink. Walt moved out of her way, giving her space to set it on top of his.
"Demand that Ferg come in and leave his pregnant wife at home alone to have complications by herself? Tell Cady to suck it up and work with one good arm? Risk damaging the one that's almost healed?"
He sighed.
"Have you considered asking a neighboring county for a loan?"
Vic shook her head.
"No. I haven't had much time to think about it."
"That's because you're always working."
She stared at him as a minute or so ticked by with quiet settled over them. Finally, she dropped her eyes.
"You should go. I'll get the dishes."
Walt didn't move. Vic placed one hand on her hip and gave him a questioning look.
"What?"
He looked like he might say something, but then his expression shifted.
"You should get some sleep tonight. I'll try not to wake you when I come in."
Her chin dipped a little and her eyes shifted away from his.
"Right."
Walt stepped in closer to her and reached out tentatively. His hand landed on her shoulder and he gave it a light tug, his fingers pressing in.
"Think about what I said. There's no shame in asking for help. I understand where you're coming from. I know Ferg has other obligations and that it's just you and Zach most of the time. But…the two of you can't run that office for any length of time. You seem to have a good, open line with the Cumberland Sheriff. Call him and ask if you can borrow a deputy. Just until Cady comes back."
His voice was low, but rough around the edges. Vic nodded slowly.
"Okay. I'll think about it."
Walt leaned in and kissed her lightly.
"I'll see you."
Vic nodded as he released his hold on her shoulder and started away from her.
"Okay."
Vic stood and listened as he crossed the floor and grabbed his hat from its peg on the wall. She heard the rustle of his coat as he pulled it on, more footsteps, and then the door. The final sound she heard was his Bronco coming to life and pulling out.
Vic made quick work of the dishes. There was only a handful of them from the simple meal. Once, she was done with the task, Vic wandered into the living room. It was quiet without Walt. Quiet this time of the evening. They didn't have a TV. Walt had asked if she wanted one some time ago, but she hadn't watched much TV when she did have one. Besides, she did have her laptop and her phone if she needed entertainment.
Vic sat down on the couch and pulled her feet up. She glanced at her phone and then set it on the coffee table. She knew that Walt had a valid point. He wasn't one to complain about her hours. That wasn't an issue for him. She knew his push for her to get help was rooted in concern more than anything.
Vic inhaled and took a deep breath. Her nerves felt frayed and her body felt tense. She sat in the quiet for several more minutes before she decided to take Walt's advice and try to get some sleep. Pushing herself up from the couch, she headed for the bedroom with her mind on a shower and bed.
xxx
Walt walked slowly around the bar, his eyes roaming over the space and the individuals in it. He was good at watching people. He certainly had plenty of experience. Tonight, the crowd was loud and raucous, but nothing was escalating to a point where there might be an issue. There were a few groups that grabbed his attention, mostly younger people. His eyes were also drawn to a group of young women who seemed determined to party tonight.
His eyes skimmed over them and his mind drifted to Cady when she was about that age. Kids had no idea how hard it was for their parents to turn them loose in the world and hope that they taught them enough. He understood the need for young people to get out and stretch their wings. Everyone went through it to differing degrees. He could remember his own mother fretting when he made the decision to move out and strike out on his own.
There was an innate desire for children to prove to their parents that they could make it on their own. That was what drove Cady to pick a college away from home. Durant was a small town and small town kids were different. The lacked some of the street smarts that kids from larger cities possessed. There was a naivete that kids from places like Durant couldn't deny no matter how hard they tried.
He listened to enough stories from Vic to know that her upbringing was a far cry from what Cady had here in Wyoming. So, when the time came, that only deepened his and Martha's concerns for her safety. Still, Cady had a good head on her shoulders and never gave them any reason to think she couldn't make her own decisions.
He heard one of the young women laugh and his gaze was pulled back to them. They looked college age. He didn't recognize them, but that didn't mean anything. He wasn't exactly familiar with the younger crowd. A vague thought crossed his mind wandering if they had a designated driver or safe way home. Walt shook his head and turned his attention back to the bar area.
He was getting soft in his old age.
"Hey, Walt, checking out the scenery."
Walt turned to see Omar standing behind him with a grin on his face.
"Omar, thought you were out on a hunt."
Omar nodded as the two men walked up to the bar. Omar sat and ordered a beer.
"I was. Got back a couple of hours ago. Why are you ogling women when you got a fine one at home?"
Walt shook his head.
"I wasn't ogling them. They're kids."
Omar shrugged.
"They're of age. That's all that matters."
Walt just sighed.
"Is that all you think about? Women?"
Omar took a swig of his beer.
"Is there anything else. Besides, you ruined my chances with Vic so…"
"You didn't have a chance with Vic."
Omar smiled at Walt's response.
"So…where is your better, much more attractive half?"
Walt tapped his fingers on the bar.
"At home."
Omar frowned.
"Why are you out without her?"
"I'm not. Henry asked me to work some low profile security."
Omar gave him a knowing nod.
"All the fights?"
"Yep."
"Can't say I blame him. So…how is your beautiful Italian wife?"
Walt smiled.
"Busy with work."
"Cady still out?"
"Yep. Hoping to be back in a few weeks."
"That's good."
Omar drained the last of his beer and stood up.
"Well, if you'll excuse me, there's a woman around here who doesn't know that I'm what she's looking for."
He clapped Walt on the shoulder.
"See you later."
xxx
The road to hell was paved with good intentions.
Was that the saying? She was pretty sure that was it. Vic rolled onto her side and looked across the bed at the clock. She went to bed with every intention to get some sleep. God knows, she was tired as hell mentally and physically. But, sleep hadn't been eager to come to her. She did sleep some. She knew she dozed off a couple of times, only to wake back up not too long later.
The last time she woke up, she thought something startled her out of her sleep. The fast-paced beating of her heart along with the way that she jolted awake gave her a wary feeling. There's no way it could have been a dream. She hadn't even been asleep that damn long.
Vic reached up and rubbed her hands over her face. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. Settling in, she reminded herself to take deep relaxing breaths. She did her best to clear her mind and it was starting to work.
Until she heard the bang.
Vic nearly fell off the bed. Regaining her wits, she sat up and planted her feet on the floor. Whatever it was, it sure as hell wasn't a dream. It sounded like it was coming from the porch. It wasn't Walt. She felt sure about that. He wasn't that noisy and she never heard the familiar rumble of the Bronco.
Vic pulled her Flyers hoodie over her tank top and pulled her Glock from its holster. Holding the gun down by her side, she walked through the cabin quietly. Another bang skittered her nerves like a box of nails thrown across a floor. She was right. It was coming from the porch. Someone was banging on the front door.
Vic placed her hand on the knob.
"Who is it?"
So far, whoever was outside hadn't said anything.
"Deputy Moretti?"
There was uneasiness in the voice. Uncertainty. It didn't sound like anyone she knew. She turned the lock on the door and pulled it open slowly and carefully. There under the yellowish glow of the porch light stood a man she didn't recognize.
Vic raised her 9mm and aimed it at the man, who immediately put his hands up. Vic eyed the stranger. He was dressed in a khaki pants and a blue button-down shirt. His hair was dark blond and neatly combed, his eyes a light shade of blue. He looked to be in his thirties. He didn't look like someone who would be here banging around in the dark.
"What the hell?"
Vic didn't even realize she had said anything. The man eyed her nervously.
"Could you lower the gun, please?"
Vic gave him an incredulous look.
"Who the fuck are you?"
He used his raised right hand to gesture at his pants.
"My ID."
Vic nodded.
"Slowly."
The man eased his hand to his back pocket and withdrew a bifold wallet. He opened it up and held it up for her to see. Vic kept her gun on him.
"You're a Marshal?"
He nodded, hearing the skepticism in her voice.
"Yeah, so…could you lower your gun. Please. My name is Mitchell Colter."
Vic tilted her head at him.
"Why in the hell are you banging on my door this time of the night?"
He nodded at her gun.
"Please, Deputy. I need to speak with you regarding your investigation of Tobias Cameron."
Vic lowered the gun slowly, still gripping it tightly.
"What about it?"
He glanced around.
"Could I come in?"
Vic shook her head.
"No. You can tell me why you're here."
He let his hands fall to his side, his wallet still in one.
"You would rather do this out here on the porch with you holding me at gunpoint?"
Vic rolled her eyes.
"I'm not pointing the gun at you, anymore. So…it's your agency's protocol to show up in the middle of the night and knock on people's doors. You know…most just come in to the office during normal hours. So…forgive me if I don't invite you in and offer you coffee."
He started to respond when headlights appeared in the distance. Vic's eyes flicked to them and back to the man standing in front of her. He looked over his shoulder.
"Are you expecting someone?"
"Yeah, my husband."
Colter shifted on his feet and watched as the Bronco pulled in and parked. The door swung open and Walt stepped out. In the shadows of the night and the brim of his hat, Vic couldn't see his face. But, she knew he was wondering what was going on. She could see the way he moved quickly and the tense set of his shoulders.
"Vic?"
He crossed the yard with long strides. Colter stepped to the side and out of Walt's way.
"What is…?"
He looked between the two of them. Vic allowed herself to relax some in Walt's presence, her gun still in her hand and dangling at her side.
"He was knocking on the door. He's with the Marshals."
Walt eyed the man.
"You have ID?"
Colter offered up his ID to Walt, who took it from him and studied it. He looked up from the wallet at the man's face.
"Why are you here this time of the night? Not exactly protocol."
He passed Colter the wallet back. Colter shook his head.
"No, it's not and I understand your alarm. But…I need to speak to…your wife…"
He glanced at Vic.
"…about this case that she's working on. If you would let me explain, I'll tell you why the secrecy."
Vic looked to Walt and back to Colter. Colter reached into his shirt pocket and pulled out a card. He offered it to Vic.
"Call and verify if you want. If you don't believe my ID is real."
She took the card and stepped back, allowing him room to come closer.
"Fine. But, if you aren't who you say you are, it's a tossup between me shooting you or putting you in jail."
The three of them walked inside, Vic flipping on lights as she went. She walked into the bedroom to get her phone and to dress in something other than pajama pants. When she emerged, she had changed into jeans. She set her phone on the coffee table and looked to Walt.
"He's legit."
She motioned at the couch.
"Sit."
Colter moved slowly and sat down. Walt sat down on the couch beside him, a calculated move and Vic took the chair, facing him.
"Okay, what you want?"
He smiled a little at the bluntness of her question.
"I want to talk to you about Tobias Cameron. I understand you're investigating a murder. Of a young man."
Vic tilted her head.
"Yeah…so…"
He shifted in his seat.
"I have been after Cameron for a while now. Before he moved to Wyoming…here…he was in Montana. Before that South Dakota."
"What's your interest in him?"
Colter cleared his throat.
"Because he's running drugs. His peaceful looking group of kids is a front. He uses them…some of them…to transport cocaine, heroin, sometimes meth."
Vic narrowed her eyes.
"Seriously?"
Colter nodded.
"He's also under investigation for statutory rape."
Vic frowned.
"When I ran his name, all I came up with were a few minor arrests. Petty theft."
"He's never been arrested for the things we suspect him of. He's good. He's managed to stay ahead of us so far. By the time local law enforcement gets on to him, he slips town and sets up camp somewhere else. Takes a few of these kids with him and starts over somewhere else."
"If he's so good, where do you get your information?"
Colter smiled a little.
"We have a man on the inside. You spoke to him today."
Vic ran back through her time at the camp earlier. One individual stuck out in her mind almost immediately.
"Finn."
Colter nodded.
"Yes. Finn."
Vic gave him a long look.
"He's a Marshal, also?"
"He is. He's been undercover with Cameron for a while now. He called me and let me know that you were there with your colleague. And…I got to thinking that this might be the time we can finally nail him. I know you, Deputy Moretti. Or, about you. I looked you up."
He cast his eyes towards Walt.
"Your husband, as well. I know about your involvement with the Chance Gilbert case."
He turned his attention back to Vic.
'And, I know about your career in Philadelphia. About how you were instrumental in bringing down some bad cops. That makes you trustworthy in my book. And, trust is a hard trait to come by these days. Even in my agency."
Vic studied him.
"Why do you say that?"
He leaned forward, resting his arms on his knees.
"Because I suspect that someone in the know is tipping Cameron off."
Vic bit her lip.
"Your undercover guy?"
Colter nodded.
"Yeah. I am afraid he might have lost sight of why he is there. But, I'm also concerned that someone in my circle is also involved. That means, I can't necessarily trust my own people. I'm hoping that I can trust you. Both of you."
Vic leaned back and gave Walt a quick look.
"And, if you can?"
Colter smiled.
"Then, we just might be able to solve my case…and your murder."