Ch. 13: Hunting
The phone stopped ringing before he answered it. He was honestly in no hurry to talk to Jim Wilkins. One positive aspect of his retirement was that he no longer had to deal with interagency politics with men like Wilkins. He wondered when Wilkins would decide to let go of his badge, but doubted it would be any time soon. The man liked the power and the prestige that came with being Sheriff.
Wilkins didn't leave a message. Walt released a sigh as he redialed the number to what he knew was Wilkins' cell phone. Wilkins answered before the first ring even finished and he knew who was calling.
"Walt Longmire."
Wilkins' voice boomed to him over the line.
"Jim, you called me."
"I did. I need to talk to you."
"Okay."
There was a pause as Walt waited.
"I would rather not get into it over the phone. Can you come to my office?"
He really wasn't in the mood to drive to Cumberland County and have a face to face with Jim Wilkins.
"What's going on, Jim?"
"It's police business, Walt."
That was odd. Walt had no idea why police business a county over would involve him. He considered telling Wilkins no, but his curiosity was getting the better of him.
"When?"
"As soon as you can get here."
The call ended and Walt pulled his coat back on as well as his hat. He got in the Bronco and headed for the county line that would take him into Cumberland. He and Jim Wilkins had gotten along decently once upon a time. No one would ever accuse them of being friends, but they'd been able to work together for a good bit of their collective tenures when the need arose. That changed as Walt's respect for Wilkins and the job he did as Sheriff eroded over time.
The Cumberland County Sheriff's office was bigger than the one in Absaroka County. It appeared to have had some renovations since the last time Walt was here and looked much more modern than Walt would've been comfortable with. As he entered, he was told by a woman manning the front desk that Wilkins was waiting for him.
Much like the rest of the department, Wilkins office looked different. There had definitely been some recent work done. Wilkins sat behind a large metal desk and rose as Walt came in. He didn't bother offering Walt his hand to shake and that was fine.
"Walt, thanks for coming."
Wilkins gestured at a chair.
"What's this about?"
"Have a seat."
Walt sat and held his hat in his lap. Wilkins settled behind his own desk and leaned back in a chair that squeaked in protest.
"Do you know a Lily Bader?"
Walt's brow furrowed.
"Yes."
"How?"
Walt shifted in his chair.
"What's going on, Jim?"
He repeated his earlier question.
"How do you know her?"
Wilkins was persistent, but so was Walt.
"If you called me down here to question me, I want to know why. We both know I don't have to answer your questions."
Wilkins gave him a long look before he stood up and walked around his desk. He circled the office to close the door and return to his seat. When he sat again, his posture was less relaxed.
"She's missing."
Walt leaned forward.
"Missing."
"Yes. Her car was found on the side of the road and when we checked it her purse and her phone were both in the car. We obtained permission to check her phone and the last call that she made was to you this morning. So, I'll ask again…how do you know her?"
"I went to school with her brother. We were old acquaintances. She's been back in town for a few days."
"Why did she call you this morning?"
"I don't know. I didn't answer the phone. It rang a few times and I assume she hung up."
"But you've spoken with her before today?"
"Yes, a few times."
Wilkins was quiet again, obviously thinking.
"Does your girlfriend know that?"
Walt caught the emphasis on 'girlfriend' and didn't like the tone that Wilkins used.
"Vic knew."
"How does she feel about it?"
"I don't like what you're insinuating."
"I'm not insinuating anything. It's just a question."
"You're implying that something was going on. Do you think I have something to do with this?"
"I didn't say that. I am investigating a lead. That lead being a phone call to you just a few hours before her car was found with no sign of Ms. Bader."
Walt considered his options. He could end this at any time. He knew that. He knew the advice from an attorney would be to not answer any further questions. In his mind, though, there was nothing to hide. There was also a genuine concern that she was missing in a situation that didn't sound quite right.
"I left the cabin not long after she called me and returned just before you called. I bought horse food and groceries. That can be verified."
Wilkins sighed.
"I'm not accusing you of anything, Walt."
"Just a minute ago it sounded like you were accusing me of some involvement with Lily. There is none other than visiting with someone that I knew a long time ago."
"You visited with her?"
Walt's hand moved from his lap to the arms of the chair as he pushed up.
"We're done."
Wilkins stood as well.
"Walt…"
Walt put his hat on and straightened his posture.
"I've told you all there is. If you don't like the answers…I can't help you."
Wilkins face reddened slightly. He knew that Walt was right.
"If you've seen her…it's relevant."
"I haven't seen her today. So, it's not relevant to this situation. Have you spoken with her brother?"
"Of course. I know you, Walt. You can't just walk away from an investigation like this. A woman is missing."
Walt considered Wilkins before he spoke again.
"I can't tell you anything helpful. She called me this morning. I didn't answer the phone. There was no message. I can't tell you more because there is nothing to tell. I understand following leads, but if you get hung up on me, you'll be wasting your time. And hers."
Wilkins squared his shoulders.
"I assume Vic will confirm that she knew about this."
Again with that barb. Walt shrugged.
"Call her if you want. Good luck with that."
xxx
"You should go home."
Vic tilted her head at Cady with a confused look on her face. The search had gone on all night and was continuing now that it was morning. Unfortunately it hadn't been fruitful. Cady must have seen the objection on Vic's face before it was voiced.
"Don't give me that look. I'm not suggesting you go home to stay. You just look drained."
"We're all drained, Cady."
Cady opened her mouth to reply when the office door opened and Jim Wilkins walked in. He paused inside the door and scanned the office with his eyes. Cady stepped forward.
"Sheriff Wilkins."
He nodded to her and his eyes drifted to Vic briefly before returning to Cady.
"Sheriff. How's the search going?"
"Not as quickly as we hoped. Is that why you're here?"
Wilkins shook his head and his gaze returned to Vic.
"No."
The next statement was directed at Vic.
"I need to talk to you."
Vic resisted the urge to sigh. She was tired. She was still chilled from being outside. And she was hungry. Dealing with Wilkins was the last thing that she wanted to do in that moment. Or any moment really.
"About what?"
He must have heard the impatience in her voice. Something flickered across his face. Something that lacked the professionalism with which he addressed Cady. He ignored the question and looked around again.
"Is there somewhere we can talk?"
"Here."
They were interrupted by Cady.
"Sheriff, what's going on?"
He glanced at his fellow Sheriff.
"It's…not related to your case."
She took it as the brush off that it was. Cady turned her blue eyes to Vic.
"You can use my office…if you want."
Vic recognized the last part for what it was. An out. Vic waited longer than Wilkins liked. She would have been lying to say it wasn't intentional. Finally she nodded and gestured at Cady's office. She followed Wilkins in and closed the door behind them.
Vic turned to face him and folded her arms across her chest.
"What do you want?"
Wilkins hitched his fingers in his belt and shifted his weight from one foot to the other.
"What do you know about Lily Bader?"
Vic narrowed her eyes slightly.
"She's…someone Walt knows."
"You've met her?"
"Briefly."
"So, you knew he was talking to her? Seeing her?"
She didn't care for the way the last part was worded and knew he said it with clear purpose. It was intended to spark a reaction.
"Why are you asking me about this?"
"She's missing."
Vic's brow went up.
"Missing?"
"Yes."
"Really missing?"
"Missing as in her car was found with her phone and purse inside."
"Shit."
Vic breathed out the word.
"So…any information…"
Vic gave her head a slight shake.
"I don't know anything about it. Why would I?"
"She called Walt this morning. He says he didn't answer the phone and that she didn't leave a message."
"Okay."
Wilkins waited and Vic's head tilted slightly as everything came into focus.
"You know…the last time you tried to pin something on him…it didn't go so well."
"That's not what I'm doing. I'm curious as to why she called him."
"Did you ask him?"
"He says he doesn't know."
"Why would he if he didn't actually talk to her?"
Wilkins studied her for several quiet seconds.
"It didn't bother you that he was talking to some woman from his past?"
Vic huffed out a laugh.
"Wow, way to try and put an inaccurate spin on that. I know what you're doing and I'm not taking the bait. I…"
She motioned at the closed door.
"…am in the middle of searching for a potential murderer. So…unless you actually have questions with some basis in reality…"
She let the rest of the comment speak for itself.
"You weren't any more helpful than Walt. That surprises me considering someone he was supposedly friends with is missing."
"Well…maybe if you weren't wasting your time trying to create a narrative that doesn't exist, you would have better luck. You come in here making it sound like something was going on that isn't and you expect me to be receptive to that. I don't know anything about this. I can't help you find her. If Walt says he can't…then he can't. So…maybe do your job."
It hit home just like she thought it would.
"You can let Walt know that we're not done talking about this. He was the last person she called and that makes him relevant whether the two of you like it or not."
"Yeah…I'll be sure and do that. Maybe next time…you can direct your questions to an attorney."
Wilkins didn't respond. He walked by her and through the door. He tossed Cady a look as he headed for the exterior door.
"Sheriff."
The door closed behind him and Cady gave Vic a look full of questions.
Vic simply shook her head.
"Don't ask. So…the search…"
Cady's eyes lingered before she blinked and seemed to recalibrate her focus.
"Right. I want you to go home and take break."
Vic sighed.
"Cady…"
"I'm not asking you to go home and stay there. But…everyone needs a break. Just not all at once. Go home and get a shower. Something to eat. Maybe a nap. Then come back. We have plenty of help with this search. HP is still doing roadblocks. They're even sending over some fresh guys this morning to help with the more local search. I don't need you all hitting a wall on this. Once you get back, I'll send Ferg or Zach home."
Vic bit her lip and gave Cady a long look.
"Fine."
xxx
"Any luck with your search?"
Walt hadn't expected to see Vic pull in. She parked and came into the cabin with a stride that told him she wasn't all that happy.
"No. Walt, what's going on?"
"What do you mean?"
Vic hung up her coat and stood there with her hands on her hips. It was a posture that he knew well.
"I mean…why in the hell did Jim Wilkins come and see me about your friend missing?"
"He came to see you?"
"Yes, he did. What do you know about this?"
"Only what he told me."
"Which was that she called you this morning."
"I didn't answer."
"She didn't leave a message?"
Walt shook his head.
"No. She hung up before the machine even picked up."
Vic bit her bottom lip.
"He thinks you were involved with her. Or…that's what he was trying to make me think."
"Yeah…I got that implication when I went to see him."
Her chin lifted slightly.
"You went to see him?"
"Yes."
Vic shook her head.
"You shouldn't be talking to him at all. Neither of us should. If he calls you again…you should direct him to a lawyer."
"I don't have a lawyer."
"Then get one. He's a short-sighed ass and he's a little too obsessed with you when it comes to shit like this."
Vic dropped her hands and ran one over the length of her ponytail. She released a breath.
"Cady sent me home to shower and change. Get something to eat."
That surprised him.
"And you agreed?"
"Yeah."
"You never were when that was me."
"Yeah…well…it's all in the delivery. So…I'm gonna take a shower. We got anything to eat?"
"Yep. Want me to make you some breakfast?"
"Don't go to any trouble."
"It's no trouble."
She accepted that and went into the bedroom. Walt heard the bathroom door close and the shower turn on. He busied himself with pulling together an impromptu meal of scrambled eggs, toast, and sausage. Walt also started coffee. He didn't like that Wilkins had actually gone to see Vic in person. And at work. Her assessment didn't seem far off. He wasn't worried about being somehow implicated in Lily's disappearance since he didn't have anything to do with it. He was more concerned with Wilkins in general. And Vic being pulled in.
He was concerned that a woman was missing and Wilkins wasn't casting much of an investigative net.
"You know…eggs would have been enough."
Walt turned to see Vic watching him. Her hair was damp and down. It fell below her shoulders and onto her back. She'd changed into different jeans and a thermal shirt underneath her open duty shirt. He gave her a slight smile.
"You have no idea if or when you'll eat lunch."
She returned the smile. Walt tipped his head to the side.
"There's coffee."
"Thank you. I need it."
Walt started to put the food on a plate while Vic poured herself coffee and added sugar. He set the plate on the table and took a seat opposite her. Vic gave him a questioning look as she sat down.
"You're not eating?"
"No, I ate breakfast earlier."
Vic picked up her fork and started to eat. She seemed less on edge now than she had when she came in earlier.
"How's the search going?"
"Slow. We're getting more help this morning. That's something I guess."
She forked a bite of sausage into her mouth and tore a piece off her toast.
"Did you find out how he escaped?"
Vic lifted her eyes to his and swallowed.
"Yeah. Ferg took him outside for a cigarette and he bolted."
"He wasn't cuffed?"
Vic shook her head and returned her eyes to her food.
"No. I guess that's an issue for a more appropriate time."
Vic took a sip of her coffee and cleared her throat.
"So…what's going on with this disappearance?"
"I don't know. I only know what Wilkins told me. You don't believe me?"
He'd already told her that. Vic's eyes snapped to his.
"I believe you. I also believe that Wilkins has it out for you. You shouldn't talk to him again without a lawyer. I mean that. I know your first instinct is to help, but if you don't know anything…then you can't help. There's no need to invite trouble."
The last bit was somewhat amusing since they both had the habit of doing just that.
Vic started to slip the tines of her fork through some eggs, but stilled. Walt leaned forward.
"What?"
"Do you think there's a connection between her going missing and this man escaping?"
It had crossed his mind along with numerous other possibilities.
"I don't know. It's possible. Wilkins didn't seem to think so."
Vic made a face.
"He's an idiot."
Walt didn't disagree with her.
"I…hope not. I hate to think of…"
His voice faded. Vic pressed her lips together and looked across the table at him.
"Sorry. I know she's your friend."
He noticed that she used present tense.
"Hopefully that's not true. And…you'll find him and prove that."
Vic nodded and ate the last bit of food on her plate. She drained the remaining coffee and stood up. Walt rose.
"I'll get the dishes. You do what you need to do."
She gave him a grateful look and left him in the kitchen. He suspected Cady had instructed her to rest, though it was clear she had no intention of that. Not that he blamed her. He operated the same way under those circumstances. Walt didn't bother washing the dishes. He simply placed them in the sink and left them for later.
He found her in the bathroom braiding her hair. That was a change from the ponytail she normally wore to work. Walt leaned on the doorframe and watched her. Vic finished the task and faced him.
"What?"
Walt didn't respond immediately. His eyes stayed on her. To her credit, Vic held the eye contact without wavering. He took a step towards her.
"I want you to be careful."
"You already told me that this morning."
"I know. But…this man…"
"I will be as careful as I can, Walt."
He dipped his chin. She sounded sincere. He wanted to believe that she wouldn't take a risk if it wasn't absolutely necessary. Vic had changed. They both changed. He usually wasn't one to obsess over how dangerous her job could be. He already knew that dwelling on it wasn't constructive.
Walt backed up out of the bathroom giving her a clear path. Vic grabbed her boots and sat on the bed to pull them on. She tugged them on and looked up at him.
"No idea what time I'll be done with all this."
"I know."
Vic stood up and peered up into his face.
"You remember what I said. About Wilkins."
"Yep."
She didn't seem quite satisfied.
"I meant it."
He gave her a half smile.
"Believe me. I know."
Vic gave him an eye roll that he expected and started to walk by him. As she did her hand landed on his stomach and trailed along to his side before falling away. In the living room she pulled on her jacket and zipped it up.
"I guess I'll see you when I see you."
"Alright."
He resisted the temptation to tell her to be careful again.
xxx
"That didn't take very long."
Vic tossed Cady a look as she shrugged out of her jacket and draped it over her chair.
"You didn't really expect me to go home and go to bed, did you?"
Cady's expression was telling enough.
"No. Did you at least get something to eat?"
"I took a shower, changed into clothes that don't look like I slept in them, and ate."
"Was dad home?"
"Yeah."
"Did you talk to him about Wilkins?"
Vic paused briefly before responding by changing the subject.
"Did anything happen while I was gone?"
"No, quiet so far this morning."
As though aware of Cady's comment, Cady's cell phone chimed from her desk. She covered the distance with long strides and answered it before it stopped.
"Sheriff Longmire."
Vic had followed her at a measured pace. She stood in the doorway watching to see if this was related to their search. Based on Cady's face, Vic figured it must be.
"Where?"
There was a pause and Cady made eye contact.
"We'll get over there."
Vic was already in motion before Cady ended the call. She pulled her recently discarded jacket from its spot on her chair and tugged it on as Cady emerged from her office with her own jacket in hand.
"We've got a sighting."
Vic fished her keys from her pocket as they both headed out the door and down the stairs.
"Where?"
"Clear Creek Trailhead. Do you think dad can meet us? I don't want to go in there blind."
Vic pushed the key into the ignition. She stated the truck and tapped Walt's name on her phone, setting it to speaker.
"Let's see."
He answered on the second ring.
"Hello."
"How fast can you get to the Clear Creek Trailhead?"
"Depends on what's going on."
"Our suspect has been spotted and the Sheriff…"
She glanced at Cady as she drove.
"…requested your presence."
She could almost picture the smile.
"Wouldn't want to let the Sheriff down."
Cady smiled and shook her head as she looked out the window.
"We're on the way now."
Vic's voice took on a businesslike tone.
"I'll meet you there."
She could tell by the way the background sounded that he was already moving.
"Okay. Thanks."
Vic ended the call and readjusted her grip on the steering wheel.
"What about Ferg and Zach?"
Cady held up her phone.
"I texted them. Zach is on the way. Ferg is on a call and will let me know when he's done."
Vic focused her attention on the road in front of her. This was all new for Cady as a recently elected Sheriff. She seemed to be holding up well, projecting confidence as much as possible.
"What are you thinking?"
Cady turned her eyes to Vic.
"Trying to come up with a plan. Do you have any ideas?"
"Plenty. But…we should probably get there and see what we're dealing with. If it's really him Walt should be able to track him."
"Right. You think it's right to call him?"
Vic was aware at the internal struggle for Cady. She was trying to build her own reputation, distinguish herself as the new Sheriff and not Walt Longmire part two. Her own father's position on the Philadelphia police gave her a good idea at how Cady felt. Back in Philly, she was a Moretti. She was Victor Moretti's daughter. She understood the preconceived notions that went along with a well known and respected father.
It wasn't always easy.
"Yes."
Vic answered definitively.
"He knows these trails better than anyone and if there's someone to be found, he'll get it done."
She had complete faith in Walt's ability. She didn't want to admit it to Cady, but there was some level of comfort in knowing that Walt would be there with them doing this.
Cady looked out the window again. She was tense. Vic was as well and knew that it was to be expected. Their destination grew closer as Vic pressed harder on the gas pedal.
xxx
Walt moved with purpose as he prepared to leave the cabin. This was just the type of specific need he was called for these days. The call only came once before and was not a matter that was this serious. He retrieved and checked his Colt and slipped it into the holster. He slipped the holster onto his belt. There was a familiarity there that struck him. He also grabbed his rifle. Walt put on his coat and hat as he left the cabin.
He knew where Vic was talking about and it wouldn't take him long to get there. He drove over the speed limit in an attempt to make up some time. He didn't want anyone waiting on him with Vic and Cady already on the way.
The first thing he saw when he pulled up to the gravel lot was Vic's truck. She and Cady were standing beside it. Parked alongside the white truck was the Charger that Zach was driving. Walt parked and got out to join them.
"That was quick."
Walt gave Cady a sheepish look.
"It seemed important."
"Guess you figured none of us would pull you over."
"That too. What's the plan?"
"We were waiting for you to lay that out. Our suspect was spotted about a half mile down the trail. He's on foot as far as we know."
"You sure it's him?"
"Not one hundred percent, but the description was pretty spot on. Also…the guy took off when he realized he'd been spotted."
"He armed?"
"We don't know."
"Then we assume he is."
It felt natural. He had done this for so long.
Cady nodded.
"Right. We assume that he's armed and he's certainly considered dangerous."
Walt glanced around.
"Anyone else coming?"
"Not right now."
He nodded and thought over the information.
"Which way did he run? Towards the creek?"
"Yes."
Walt started towards the main trail. A ways in it forked off into other trails that expanded it out into the wilderness. If this guy knew what he was doing, this could be the same as looking for a proverbial needle. If he was panicking, there was a greater chance that he would be easier to track. With the weather being what it was, there weren't many people out hiking. Walt figured the person who spotted Lassiter must have been hearty.
"Let's go to where he was spotted and start from there."
The four of them started walking. Snow crunched under their boots as they trekked along. Cady led the way and Vic fell into step beside him. She cast him a look no doubt taking in the rifle he carried and the Colt he wore.
"You certainly came armed."
Walt shrugged.
"Seems like the best way to come for a manhunt."
She smiled slightly.
"Always."
There was a lone figure standing just off the trail. A young woman dressed in layers of workout clothes with her hands tucked into her pockets. She offered Cady a tentative smile as she approached.
"Sheriff Longmire?"
It felt odd to hear someone other than himself addressed that way.
"Ms. Dennison?"
The young woman nodded.
"Kate Dennison."
"Can you tell me exactly where you saw the suspect."
The woman gestured.
"Right over there. I…he's the guy I saw on the news this morning."
"You're sure."
"Pretty sure. When he saw me looking at him, he ran down the trail."
She motioned with her hands.
Cady gave the woman a warm smile.
"Thank you for waiting for us."
"So…I can go?"
"Yes."
She nodded and pulled her gloved hands from her pockets. She started walking away.
"Good luck."
Walt approached the spot the woman had indicated. He could see the impressions of footprints in the snow well enough. The guy was definitely running. Walt looked over at Cady. Their eyes met briefly and he moved forward. She took up a position right at his shoulder with Vic and Zach. She was letting him take the lead. It was necessary if she wanted him to find this man.
They walked in silence for a few minutes. Walt carried his rifle and kept his eyes moving between the tracks in the snow and his surroundings. All he could hear was the wind creaking through the bare treetops and their steps through the snow. It was no surprise at all when Vic spoke up.
"What are you thinking?"
She had maneuvered beside him. When she asked the question, she kept her voice low. He knew that was purposeful.
"Curious if he knows this area."
"I know making assumptions isn't a great strategy, but he probably came here for a reason."
She was right.
"You think this guy is smart at all?"
"He didn't come off as super intelligent. But…he gave us the slip. There are different types of smart, you know."
"Yep."
Walt didn't figure Lassiter would stay on the trail for long. That theory was proved correct when the prints suddenly veered into the surrounding woods. Walt stopped and followed the new path with his eyes. This was where it got real. And dangerous.
"This way."
Cady stepped up to his left shoulder and peered out.
"Something wrong?"
Walt shook his head.
"No."
After another moment, he started walking into the surrounding woods with Cady, Vic, and Zach on his heels.
xxx
Being winter was actually an advantage in this situation as much as she hated to admit it. Had it been spring or summer, these trails and the area would have been buzzing with hikers and people out for walks. It was cold and uncomfortable which cut down on the number of people other than themselves. Kate Dennison was the only person Vic had even seen so far. That did make the search easier as there weren't numerous footprints or curious onlookers to get in the way.
But there was always some level of trepidation when conducting a search like this one. They really didn't have any idea if Lassiter had somehow gotten a weapon during the night. This was the dangerous part of the job. Vic would be lying to say she wasn't grateful on some level that Cady had called in Walt to help with the search. She knew that Cady didn't want to be overly dependent on Walt and had avoided that so far. Calling him at the right time was important.
She was alternating between watching Walt and her surroundings. She'd always liked watching him work. There was no one better in her mind. His focus, determination, and deductive skills were stronger than anyone else she ever worked with.
She could tell that he was alert even though the brim of his hat and the angle she was at kept her from seeing all of his face. It was in his body language as much as anything. He held his rifle in an easy, yet effective grip. He was tense but there was still a looseness to his movements that she admired.
He paused and studied the ground. Vic came up beside him as the object of his attention came into view. The solitary line of footprints stopped and now there were footprints all over the place. They led off in all directions and some event went sideways in what she assumed was an attempt to throw them off.
"That took some effort."
Vic muttered more to herself than anything. Walt heard her, though.
"Took time."
It was certainly a risk on Lassiter's part. They weren't that far behind him and their progress had been steady. Walt stepped carefully through the myriad of prints. He kept his eyes on the ground trying to solve the puzzle that was laid out before him. Vic saw Cady in her peripheral and looked her way. Cady gave her a look.
"He knows."
"Yeah."
Walt had wandered away from them and was still studying the prints. Twice he raised his head and looked into the distance. It was quiet. Quiet and cold. He turned his eyes towards them and lifted his hand to point.
"This way."
Cady nodded and they started his way.
"How well do you know these trails?"
Cady directed the question at Walt.
"Better than most. What's on your mind?"
Cady bit her bottom lip.
"Do you think we should split up and try to surround him. I mean…I know he's got a head start, but is there a quicker way through here?"
"We don't know where he's going, Cady. He's off the trail now."
She nodded.
"I know, but…"
Cady paused.
"Is there anywhere in this area he might be holing up?"
"There are a lot of places that fit that description."
Cady sighed at Walt's reply. If she was looking for an answer, it was obvious that he didn't have one. With that confirmed, the four of them started walking again. It only took them a few minutes to realize that Walt was right and they were back to following the single set of footprints.
Vic looked around as they trudged on. In the bareness of winter, everything looked eerie even in the light of day. She wondered if Lassiter was staying somewhere out here and if someone was helping him. They'd searched all night and into today with little luck. He had to know and he has to be feeling the pressure.
Vic lost track of how far or how long they walked. She truthfully hadn't been paying that close attention anyway. They were keeping a steady pace, but it wasn't a fast one.
"Wait."
Walt stopped and drew her attention back to him. He was peering off into the distance. Vic tried to follow his line of sight with not much luck.
"What?"
Vic pushed out the question as she stood beside him.
"Do you hear that?"
Vic cocked her head and listened. She could just barely hear a buzz. Not really a buzz, but…something that sounded vaguely familiar.
"Yeah. What…"
Zach spoke up.
"A snow mobile?"
Walt nodded.
"Think so?"
Cady looked between the two men.
"Do you think that's Lassiter?"
Cady directed the question at Walt. His shoulders shifted. The sound was slightly louder now. Whoever it was, they were not moving away.
"Could just be any random person."
Walt glanced at Vic.
"There's not supposed to be snow mobiles out here."
"When has that stopped anyone?"
One side of his mouth ticked up slightly before he turned his attention back to the path in front of them. There were still prints leading away from them. Walt seemed hesitant, though. Vic wasn't sure what he was thinking. It was clear that this scenario wasn't sitting quite right with him. There was a time he would have charged ahead with no regard for his own safety. He was a different man now. She knew that. With his retirement, he seemed more aware of his own mortality. Not that he dwelled on it and it was probably more for his sake than her own. Vic was still grateful for the shift. She knew that wasn't all. He wasn't alone. He was leading them. Walt would never lead the blindly into a potentially dangerous situation.
"Walt…"
She started to speak, but Walt lifted his hand in a gesture she knew was meant to silence him. His instincts were telling him that something was wrong. That was good enough for her. She trusted his instincts implicitly. Hell, maybe even more than she trusted her own.
Walt started to walk again, then stopped. The snowmobile sounded even closer. It was definitely coming their direction.
"Let's move…"
Walt never finished the thought. His words broke off when they all heard a loud crack. She knew that sound.
It was the sound of a rifle firing.