25. Walker
Chapter twenty-five
Walker
When Vivian mentioned she was debating canceling Eloise’s upcoming therapy appointment in Nashville, I knew I could help ensure Eloise still got to play while keeping both her and Vivian safe. I would like to think I would offer to help anyone in that situation, but I refuse to think too much about it.
I pull into the parking spot and my sidekick pants in excitement, adding a little slobber to my truck’s interior. I’ve been working insane hours lately and feel bad I’ve barely seen Ghost. The other week, I felt so guilty about it that Christine connected me with a dog nanny friend of hers who takes care of dogs during the day, like a doggy daycare but in their homes. When I suggested helping secure the park for Vivian and Eloise, it presented the added perk of getting Ghost out of the house. A friendly dog also adds to my cover that I’m just a guy at the park with some friends and my dog, not an FBI Agent watching for threats or stalkers.
We planned on meeting at 2:30 p.m. and checking the time, I see I have five minutes to spare. I take a quick drink of my iced tea as my Bluetooth announces an incoming text.
Vivian
Sorry, Eloise’s session went a little long. She is just finishing up, but the offices are right across the street from the park. We will be there in five minutes!
Me
Perfect, see you then. I’ll be in the lot next to a big black truck, can’t miss me, right by the playground structure that looks like a giant pirate ship.
It’s been a little over a week since I last saw Vivian, despite wishing I had a good reason to drive back to Forrest Falls. I don’t dwell on about why I want to see her and stay focused on the case. We are making some progress on the cases, but we still haven’t found the big break I know we need to really crack this thing wide open.
One of the task members, Kelly, discovered that four months after Diego Garcia was killed in Miami, an investment group out of New York City purchased land that Mr. Garcia had owned. Without children, most of Mr. Garcia’s estate went to a niece that is a second-grade schoolteacher in Miami. Kelly learned Mr. Garcia’s niece sold multiple pieces of land that Mr. Garcia owned but he said this particular sale went for twenty percent over the listing price. When we looked further into the investment group, we confirmed the group is managed by associates of the New York City-based Bianchi crime family, which has started to expand into Miami in the last eighteen months. The connection doesn’t prove anything, but it is another link between one of our sniper’s victims and a crime organization.
Compiling information like this helps us expand on the theory the sniper is somehow connected to multiple criminal organizations. Independently these facts don’t tell us that much but when they are all put together, we can start to see a pattern and hopefully identify a mistake that allows us to blow everything wide open .
The task force has been busy chasing every possible lead. Harlow believes the sniper could be some kind of intermediary hitman because so far, the sniper’s victims have not been in direct conflict with whatever criminal organization their death may be connected to but have connections to someone that does have a direct affiliation with a criminal organization.
Mason uncovered evidence that it’s reasonable to conclude Miss Nguyen’s relationship with Van Tran was ongoing and they were very much together at the time of her death, despite Miss Nguyen’s daughter’s claims. Tran’s rap sheet screams mafia affiliate so Mason is now investigating his networks, while also having our bureau contacts in Cleveland explore any other of Tran’s local connections that may help our theory of these deaths being connected to criminal organizations.
Tara and Mason further investigated Jim O’Malley’s connections, specifically those of his nephew, Carter O’Malley. We know that whatever Carter does for the McCarthy family, his skills are valuable enough that Carter personally is worth protecting. However, that protection does not extend to his family members. Some of Carter’s digital footprint appears too clean to Mason, and he’s pursuing why that may be with a technology specialist out of Quantico. He is operating heavily on his gut but believes Carter may be providing some kind of technology services for the McCarthy family. Depending on the skill and level of involvement, it could justify his value to the criminal organization, but if that is true, then what happened that led to his uncle’s murder? Mr. O’Malley’s death may have been because of something else and his nephew’s connections are coincidental, but I don’t believe in coincidence. These are more questions we do not have the answers to yet, but we will answer them one way or another.
Vivian reacts with a thumbs up to my text message as I grab a water for myself from the small refrigerator under my backseat. It’s a ridiculous custom add-on but when my brother and his wife had babies at home, it became a standard add-on to our trucks. I have honestly never considered the needs of a breastfeeding mother but apparently having access to refrigerators is helpful when traveling with babies. I didn’t ask questions when it became standard, I just now appreciate that I always have cold water in my truck. Closing the backdoor, I slide my black Texas Tycoons hat on backwards as Vivian pulls into the parking spot behind my truck. I can’t help the genuine smile that stretches across my face as she gets out of her car. She has her hair tied up in a messy ponytail, a white V-neck T-shirt, snug jeans that fit her perfectly, and classic canvas tennis shoes. She looks like my very own all American wet dream incarnate.
“Hi! I’m so sorry we’re a few minutes late,” she throws over her shoulder, walking to open the backdoor of her SUV.
I wave away her apology. “Hey, don’t even mention it. My dad always said that part of being a gentleman is knowing it’s always worth waiting for a lady,” I tell her as I walk up with Ghost on his leash. Vivian leans into the car and steps back holding her daughter’s hand as Eloise hops out. This is the first time I’m meeting Eloise and she is an adorable miniature version of her mama. Eloise has the same bright green eyes and blonde hair, which is currently in two fancy braids that I’m sure have a name, but I wouldn’t have the slightest idea. I drop down to one knee and tell Ghost to sit as they approach.
“Hey there Miss Eloise, my name is Walker and this big guy is my best friend, Ghost,” I tell her as I try to make myself as least frightening as possible. I can use my height to intimidate the scariest criminals but when talking to a little girl, I don’t want to frighten her. She looks up at her mama who nods, before Eloise extends her hand to me .
“Hello, Mr. Walker, my name is Eloise Stone. It is nice to meet you, sir,” she says in the voice of a little angel, forcing my heart to expand by two bubblegum pink sneaker-clad feet.
“Thank you for using such sweet manners, baby girl,” Vivian tells her daughter proudly. “And hello Ghost, it’s nice to meet you. I hear you are the friendliest of all the ghosts.”
“Oooo, like Casper, Mama!” Eloise’s face lights up. “But he’s softer than a cartoon ghost, I don’t think you could pet a ghost ‘cause wouldn’t your hand just go, poof, right through him?” She scrunches up her face in wonder.
“Hm. That’s a great question and I can’t say I’ve ever thought about petting a ghost, but this Ghost loves when he gets attention. Do you want to pet him?” I ask Eloise and she nods. Eloise offers her hand for Ghost to sniff, like Vivian instructed, before Eloise pets him.
“Oh my gosh, Mama he is so soft! Can we get one?” She looks up with such hopeful eyes that I kind of want to give her a puppy myself. Why do I already want to give this little girl anything and everything? Previously, only my nieces had the ability to wield that kind of control over me.
“That took less than a minute I think,” Vivian says through a laugh. “We will see but for now, how about we go check out this sweet pirate ship, aye matey?”
“Mama, when you say we will see that’s always a no. And also, you’re too pretty to be a pirate. But maybe you can be a mermaid,” Eloise says with a very serious expression on her face. “Walker is a boy so he can be a pirate though.”
“Did your daughter just insinuate I wasn’t pretty?” I press a hand to my chest in mock outrage with a raised eyebrow.
Vivian shrugs and looks at me. “She’s a smart kid, who am I to argue with her logic?” Her eyes twinkle as she jokes. “Come on baby, let’s get those wiggles out.” Eloise runs ahead as we follow closely behind.
“Is this safe? I don’t know where to look when there are people around like this, but I don’t want her to know I’m nervous to be out and about,” Vivian quietly admits.
“I didn’t see anyone suspicious, but I’ll keep my eyes out. I am a professional and know how to watch and survey without anyone else realizing that’s what I’m doing.”
And I’m not the only one with eyes on the park right now.
When Vivian mentioned her concerns about the park, I thought they were valid even though I didn’t express my concerns to her. She has enough to worry about and I know if I said I agreed with her concerns, they would already be on their way back to Forrest Falls if they even came in the first place. I mentioned the situation to a few members of my team and they wanted to help out. My concern was if something did happen and I needed to protect Vivian or Eloise, it could potentially leave the other one exposed and that wasn’t a risk I was willing to take. My team was quick to offer their assistance. None of us had met Eloise yet, but we were already wrapped around her finger.
Mason and Kelly look like two buddies tossing a football back and forth after a workout on the greenspace next to the playground. As we make our way around the playground, we will eventually be able to see Harlow and Tara having coffee on a park bench on the far side of the park. Vivian will probably recognize Harlow if we get to that side of the playground, but it could have potentially added to Vivian’s nerves to know I thought five FBI agents were necessary at a park for her daughter to play, so I decided to only point them out if necessary.
“And while I doubt it will come to it, I am armed, although discreetly,” I tell her, turning to indicate a gun on my backside. We sit on a bench as Eloise runs up the play pirate ship with a little girl around the same age. “She is a sweet girl, Vivian, and is beautiful just like her mama,” I tell her.
“Thank you. There is no question she’s mine, that’s for sure. I looked just like my mama when I was her age too, so I think the genes are strong on that side of my family. Eloise is the best thing in my entire life, and while I knew she changed me when she was born, this last year she has brought new meaning and depth to that. Some days I think she may be the only thing that saved me this last year.” Vivian watches her daughter play. “And this handsome guy is so sweet as well.” She leans over to pet Ghost, who now apparently thinks he found his new best friend as his tail wags joyfully. “What a beautiful pup you are, Ghost,” she tells him and he leans into her a little more. “Yes, you are such a handsome good boy, but you know that, don’t you?”
“Well, now if Eloise tries to dog nap him, I don’t think he will fight it at all,” I tell her.
She grins, lighting up her whole face. “I promise we won’t steal your dog, Walker,” she says as she nudges me with her elbow. Vivian may not steal my dog but her beautiful grin just stole my breath. Her bestowing my dog genuine affection only adds to my attraction. My ex hated animals and couldn’t understand why I would ever want a dog.
I clear my throat before asking, “How did today’s appointments go?”
Vivian sighs and sits back with one hand still softly petting Ghost. “They were good in the sense that we’re making progress I guess, but it’s all so heavy, it’s not like they are fun. Eloise is still having nightmares. I had hoped that getting into consistent in-person therapy instead of virtual appointments would help them diminish or go away all together, but that hasn’t happened yet.”
“What does her therapist say about that? ”
“That everything with grief at any age is a process and we take everything one step at a time, at whatever pace her emotional and psychological needs require for wherever she is today. Basically, we keep doing what we’ve been doing, and hope that time helps ease all of it.” Vivian shrugs with a defeated sigh.
“That sounds like good advice, but it has to be frustrating to not have just a solution that will fix it right away.” I watch Eloise go down a twisty slide and run back to do it again, the simple joy bringing a small smile to my face.
“Beyond frustrating. Motherhood is hard enough on a typical day, but adding in everything from our last year or so? It’s a lot, Walker. It’s just … a lot.” Her voice started to slightly quiver, pausing to take a deep breath.
“For what it’s worth, I think you are doing a great job. I can tell she’s a good kid, and that only happens when a kid has good people putting in the work to make sure their child is kind and respectful, while providing an environment where they can feel safe and secure.” I’m being completely sincere. From what she’s told me, I think Vivian was a single mother long before her husband’s murder, and while I admire her strength, I also want to do what I can to make anything and everything easier for her. They aren’t mine, but … something says they could be one day.
“I’m trying. I haven’t told her anything about the poems and I don’t intend to because she already can’t sleep at night,” Vivian admits.
“No, I wouldn’t have expected you to tell her anything, that feels like way too much for a little girl like her to worry about,” I tell her as I subtly scan the park again for any apparent threats. I briefly catch Kelly’s eyes but we don’t acknowledge each other. I know they aren’t seeing any concerning threats currently because if any of my team members saw anything suspicious, they would have sent me a text or moved in closer to where we are sitting .
“Maybe Eloise would sleep better at night if she had a guard dog like Ghost keeping watch over her, maybe you both would,” I smile thinking of Eloise getting the puppy she so clearly wants.
“I would love to get a dog, especially one as sweet as you, Ghost. But I think I need to figure out where we are going to settle before we add that to our plate.” She continues to pet Ghost, who gives me a look and I know he will pick her over me now. Vivian won my dog over in less than five minutes. “He looks like he would be a good protector though. How old is he? Have you had him since he was a puppy?”
“He’s been mine since he was born, although he didn’t live with me right away. My brother Charlie’s dogs have litters every few years. Ghost is two and a half but he’s still part puppy,” I reply.
“Where was he before he was with you?”
“After he was weaned from his mother, he stayed in Texas with my brother’s family,” I tell her.
“Was that because of your job?” she asks.
“Actually, it was because of my ex-girlfriend. I wanted Ghost to come to Atlanta as soon as possible, but she convinced me we weren’t at home enough to take care of him the way he deserved. So he was in Texas for about a year, but within two weeks of my ex and I breaking up, I had Ghost home with me. In hindsight, I think she just didn’t want dog hair in the condo,” I admit.
“Who couldn’t love this sweet boy, though? He seems like a great dog.” She leans over and hugs Ghost. “It sounds like it was her loss to me.”
“Yeah, it was … in more ways than one,” I admit without expanding further. My relationship with Gretchen can stay in my past.
“Mama! Look what I can do!” Eloise squeals as she flips over a stationary pull-up bar, spinning before stopping upside down .
“And that is why I always make sure she wears shorts under her dresses.” Vivian laughs before calling out, “Good job, baby! But please don’t fall on your head!”
“Yes, ma’am!” Eloise replies before doing the flip move again.
“Thank you again for making this possible, Walker. I really appreciate it. I know Eloise is going to feel better after getting some physical play time,” Vivian says as she slightly turns her upper body toward me on the bench. “I am so glad I didn’t have to cancel today, and I know you’re super busy but I appreciate you taking the time to come here for us.”
“I’m happy I could be here for you and that I got to see you for a bit as well,” I admit the last part before thinking about what I was saying. I don’t regret telling her though, I wish I could see her every day, but my team has been so busy chasing down leads. “It’s been a little crazy at work, but we’re chasing every lead we can.”
“You will get the bad guys, it’s what the good guys do,” Vivian tells me as she watches Eloise traipse across a clatter bridge on the pirate ship playground. The edges of Vivian’s lips tilt up in a small, sweet smile as she looks at me out of the corner of her eye and quietly says, “And I think you might just be one of the really, really good guys out there.”