Blood

1a(1) : the fluid that circulates in the heart, arteries, capillaries, and veins of a vertebrate animal carrying nourishment and oxygen to and bringing away waste products from all parts of the body

2 : the shedding of blood also : the taking of life

3a : lifeblood broadly : life

b : human stock or lineage

Ch. 1

Walt Longmire made the same trek to his pasture that he made thousands of times over the years. His horse was barely visible across the green expanse. The animal was galloping over the grass. Walt smiled to himself. The horse was also feeling the renewal that spring seemed to bring every year. The grass was green and the sky was blue. One strong breath in brought fresh smells to the senses of blooming trees, flowers, and grass. It had always been one of his favorite times of the year. With the long and brutal winter they had just come through, this year was no exception.

"Horse, daddy."

Walt bounced the two year old boy that was perched on his shoulders.

"Yep, horse."

Grasping his son by his sides, he easily lifted him up and over his head. He lowered the laughing boy to the ground with a soft thump of small boots hitting hard packed dirt. He checked the horse's water trough.

"We ride?"

Walt shook his head.

"Not today, Jude. We'll ride tomorrow. Okay?"

The boy nodded enthusiastically and began to run around emulating a horse. Walt smiled to himself. He didn't remember Cady having that much energy. Maybe it was a difference between boys and girls. Cady had been more studious and serious, even at a young age. His son was his shadow since he had mastered the art of walking. Walt rarely made a step without hearing the patter of small feet behind him. He reckoned it was the advantage of being a stay at home parent. He did odd jobs here and there and still consulted with the department on old cases. But, for the most part, he spent his time with his son. He wouldn't have had it any other way.

He watched Jude now running around the yard still playing horse. A warm feeling came over him as it often did these days. He was tall for a two year old. He seemed destined to be a tall kid. He had an unruly mop of light brown hair on his head. Walt vaguely wondered if it would darken to the shade of Vic's natural hair color or stay about the shade of his own like it was now. His features were a decent mix of both his parents. Walt could see himself at times and Vic at others. His eyes and smile had been solidly inherited from his mother. In the sun now, they flashed almost golden.

He tended to be a steady child with a good temperament. He wasn't demanding and never had been. He had seemingly been born with the ability to entertain himself. Vic would no doubt say that was a Walt trait. Walt would only smile at her and remind her of how quickly their son's temper flared when he was pushed. It may have taken him a while to get upset but when he did, it was a sight. She would merely roll her eyes at him, knowing what he was insinuating.

Walt's thought process was interrupted by the sound of a vehicle. He heard Jude squeal.

"Mommy!"

Walt squinted in the bright afternoon sun. Sure enough, the familiar white truck was steadily coming up to the cabin. Walt lifted Jude into his arms and began a slow pace towards where he knew she would park. Once the truck had come to a stop, he set the boy down and watched him sprint with all the enthusiasm of a toddler towards his mother.

"Mommy."

He hurled himself at her. Walt continued his steady pace, watching the familiar scene unfold.

She easily swung her young son up onto her hip, his small arms grasping at her.

"Hey, baby!"

Vic removed her sunglasses and hung them on her shirt. Jude hugged his mother tightly before she set him back on the ground. He slid his small hand into hers and pulled her towards the cabin.

It was the same almost every day but it never got old. If he was his son's buddy, then Vic was his true love. For all his energy and bounciness, he loved curling up in her lap and resting his head on her chest, while his fingers twirled at her hair. Whenever he was sick or had a bad dream, it was his mommy he wanted to hold him. Walt remembered getting a similar feeling from his own mother when he was a boy.

She tugged a little at the eager hand and waited for Walt to catch up. He smiled at her as he approached. The wind had picked up and was whipping loose strands of her hair around her face. She swiped at them with her free hand as he leaned down and pressed a kiss to her lips.

"Hey."

His voice was soft and she smiled against him.

"Hey, what's up?"

He gave a light shrug as they walked up the steps of the cabin. Walt had added a room for Jude during Vic's pregnancy. It had been unexpected but he had managed to talk Henry into helping and they had the new addition ready before the baby had come.

"Not much. We were checking on the horse."

Dropping her backpack next to the door, Vic walked the length of the wooden porch and sat down to the wooden bench. As soon as she was seated, Jude was climbing into her lap and chattering only the way a two year old can. Only about half of what he said was comprehensible. Vic draped her arms around him loosely.

"How was work?"

"Same old stuff. That's not a complaint either. I don't mind the boring days. It beats people trying to kill you."

Walt smiled to himself. He had to admit he missed his old job at times. When he would listen to Vic rattle on about a case, his mind would immediately start to try and piece it together. Other times, he remembered all the uncertainty and stress. He didn't miss the constant worrying and the late hours. Once in a while, Cady would ask for his help on something. That was enough to keep his appetite for mysteries satisfied.

Her eyes lit up with a thought.

"Oh yeah, Ferg and Meg set a date!"

"Finally?"

She elbowed him in the side.

"There's nothing wrong with taking your time. They're young. Why rush?"

She was smiling and he knew she agreed with him.

"When?"

"June 22."

"Summer wedding, huh?"

"If they wait until fall, who knows what kind of bull…bad weather we'll have."

He smiled at her self-censoring.

"Yep."

"Daddy, we eat?"

His focus turned to his young son. Walt nodded.

"Yeah, bud, we're gonna eat."

He met Vic's eyes.

"Supper's warming on the stove."

She nodded and rose, letting Jude slide from her lap onto his own feet. He darted for the front door leaving his parents to follow.

xxx

The stranger lowered his binoculars. The trio had gone into the cabin leaving him completely alone. They had no idea they were being watched. It made him feel powerful. They were just like everyone else in the world today. They were totally oblivious to what was going on around them. The entire human race was self-absorbed. Once upon a time, survival had depended on knowing your surroundings. Complacency didn't lend itself to making it in that era. He liked that. He liked living his life that way. Modern people were soft. Even these so called law enforcement officers.

He sighed and stuffed the binoculars into his pack. It would be dark soon and he wouldn't be able to see anything. There was no point in risking exposure. He was anxious to get underway with it but he knew he needed to bide his time. Despite his disdain for them, he knew what they were capable of. He possessed a level of patience that was uncommon for his age. He knew his unique upbringing was to thank for that. Most of his peers were complete morons. He prided himself on his in intelligence and planning. He had been taught to think things through. Keeping low, he slid away from the cabin.

xxx

Walt lowered the paperback he had been half way reading as Vic came into the bedroom.

"Everything okay?"

Vic nodded as she lay back down next to him

"Yeah, he's just having a hard time settling down. His mind never stops."

She paused to study him before continuing.

"Thanks for that, by the way."

Walt smiled.

"Sorry."

He tone implied he was anything but. He set his book aside.

"How is the search going for a new deputy?"

Vic shrugged her shoulders.

"I know Cady has had some interviews but I'm not sure anyone has really impressed her. Pickings can be slim around here. Most people want jobs with the state police or highway patrol where the money is better."

Walt ran a hand over his chin.

"I hate Zach left. He had a lot of potential. He was steady, too."

"Yeah. Guess it's too hard for some people to date their boss."

Now, it was her turn to smile

"I guess so. They're doing good personally, at least."

He grunted. She knew he liked Zach. He was, however, still overprotective of his daughter and no man would ever really be good enough. Walt read her mind.

"Wait until Jude is old enough to date."

Vic shuddered.

"I don't even want to think about that."

He smiled and planted a kiss on her head.

"See?"

xxx

Vic sat at her desk scribbling away at reports. Down a deputy, once again, the load on her and Ferg had grown exponentially. She could hear the mundane sounds of the office around her. Through the closed door, she could faintly hear Cady talking on the phone. Across the room, she could hear Ruby typing away. The office door opened breaking the silence.

Everyone looked up at the interruption. The man who entered looked around and his eyes fell on Ruby who spoke up in the welcoming way she did.

"Can I help you?"

Vic returned her attention to her work. She had enough of her own to worry about for sure. She was vaguely aware of the man going into Cady's office and the murmur of their voices was audible.

She wasn't sure how much time had gone by before the door opened and again and she heard her name.

"Vic?"

Her head popped up.

"Yep?"

"Could you come in here?"

She rose with a sigh and entered Cady's office. The man smiled at her as she came in. Vic gave Cady a questioning glance.

"What's up?"

"Vic, this is John Bryant. He works for the mayor."

His smile widened.

"The new mayor. I understand your department had a tenuous relationship with our previous mayor."

Vic huffed.

"That's putting it mildly."

She looked at him now for the first real time. He was older than her but younger than Walt. Her best guess would put him in his mid-forties. His hair was fair but no really blond. A very light brown or a dirty blond. He looked at her with eyes that instantly made her think of chocolate. He extended his hand with a smile that revealed perfect teeth.

"Nice to meet you, Deputy."

"Vic."

He smiled again.

"Vic."

Cady came around her desk.

"Mr. Bryant has been telling me that the mayor wants to improve relations with our department. He would like to work with us on some community projects. I would like you to head that from our end."

Vic gave her a skeptical look.

"Me?"

"Yes, you."

"Isn't this something up Ferg's alley?"

Cady smiled.

"That's why I'm asking you."

Vic sighed and nodded her head.

"Alright, if that's what you want."

xxx

Walt entered the Red Pony and scanned the room He quickly located Vic at a table talking to Omar. Or Omar was actually doing all the talking. Vic had her chin propped up on her hand listening to what was probably an outlandish hunting story.

He chuckled to himself and wandered over the bar. He ordered a beer and took a long swallow. His attention was drawn to man he didn't recognize standing next to him, also drinking a beer. The man offered Walt a smile.

"Good evening."

Walt nodded.

"Evening."

"Come here a lot?"

"Yep."

The man extended his hand.

"I'm John."

Walt shook it.

"Walt. New in town?"

"I lived here when I was a kid but we moved. Recently back in town."

Walt nodded his head.

"Feel like I don't really know anyone anymore."

"It's a small town so it shouldn't take too long to get to know someone."

He noticed the man's attention had been drawn away. He turned slightly and followed John's line of sight. It was aimed right at Vic and Omar and he doubted this man had any interest in Omar.

"I met her today at the Sheriff's station."

Walt remained silent.

"Know her?"

"Yep."

"She's not with that guy is she?"

Walt shook his head.

"Nope."

"Think she would be offended if I sent over a drink."

Walt shrugged.

"I don't think she would be offended but…"

He was cut off.

"How well do you know her?"

Walt smiled inwardly.

"She's my wife. I would say I know her pretty well."

"Oh sh…damn, man, I'm sorry."

Walt offered the man a smile.

"No problem."

She was looking at him now and he could see the questions in her face. He excused himself from John and approached the table. Omar gave him a grin.

"Hey, Walt. If you were much later, I think I coulda talked her into running away with me."

"Fat chance."

The retort came across the table from Vic. She shifted her gaze to Walt.

"Get the munchkin off?"

He nodded.

"Cady had quite the movie night planned with him and her kitchen seemed stocked."

Omar drained his beer and stood up.

"Well, I'll leave you to it. Night, Walt. Vicky, you get tired of this one, give me a holler."

Vic rolled her eyes and smiled sarcastically.

"Thanks but I'd rather die alone."

Omar placed his hand over his chest.

"I love it when you sweet talk me."

With that he wove his way through the crowd and disappeared out the door. Walt took the vacated seat. Vic leaned forward.

"That guy you were talking to at the bar."

"John. Didn't get a last name."

He works for the new mayor. Walt raised his eyebrows.

"Really."

"Yeah, he was at the station today. The mayor is trying to improve relations with the department and your daughter put me in charge of that."

Walt stifled a smile.

"Interesting choice."

"Shut up."

He laughed a little.

"What were you talking about?"

"He just started talking to me. Guess he's back in town after being gone for a while."

"That it?"

He could tell she was prodding. She must have sensed he was holding back. Walt ran his hand over the label on his bottle.

"I think he was interested in you."

"Interested?"

"Yeah, he was gonna send a drink over to you."

"Wow."

"Should have seen the look on his face when I told him you were my wife. Almost felt bad for the guy."

Vic couldn't help but grin. She glanced at her phone.

"Ready to go to dinner?"

He nodded.

"Yeah, our reservations are for 7:30."

"Reservations? Fancy. You never told me where we were going."

"You'll see."

His comment earned him an eye roll as her arm slid through his and they navigated their way outside the bar.

xxx

The stranger watched the small, neat house from across the street. It was a quiet area of town. He had been sitting for a while and had barely seen any cars. His pickup wouldn't attract much attention anyway. It was the most nondescript vehicle he could find but no so shabby someone would think he was up to no good. It was the kind of think that an average person might have trouble recalling later. That was the point.

He had considered outright abduction but that didn't seem satisfying. Satisfaction would come from completely pulling the wool over their eyes and outsmarting them. Longmire had dropped the boy off here for what he assumed was a date night. He was glad he had decided to follow him. He liked having the complete picture. It would make the process easier and the final act so much more fulfilling.

They were never going to know what hit them. They would never see him coming. The first part of his plan had already been set in motion and he would be ready to make the move on Monday. He had been thinking about this for so long. To see the fruits of his own labor was truly something to behold. He was stupid or careless like so many of the criminals he knew they dealt with on a daily basis. They thought that they were so smart. They felt secure in their life. He was secure in the knowledge that his plan would work. This had been his sole focus for so long. This was the final phase of his initial surveillance. He knew enough now to enter the picture. The mere thought of what was to come made him smile. He was confident that no one would know who he was and no one would be able to connect him with anyone who was suspect. His background was clean as was his name. There would be nothing to tip them off about where he might come from and who he really might be. That is why he was the one chosen.

.