Author's Note:

Thank you for your support and encouraging reviews. Today was a slow day at work so you get an extra chapter. I will not be updating the story over the weekend. I may not get a chapter out tomorrow either. It depends on how busy we are.

Keep on Reading!

WolfTexas

"Unit two this is Ferg do you copy?"

It was the first thing we heard since Vic had started the engine of the truck and started back down the dirt drive from my cabin. I reached for the mic about the same time she did and for a second our hands touch. We both jumped back.

"I'm sorry, your truck your mic, you get it." I said.

She pauses for a moment. "It's ok, you get it."

"Ferg, what have you got?"

"Hey boss, so I'm here at the hospital and looking at the security footage and you're not going to believe this! Sheriff Jim Wilkins walked in here and walked out with Walker. And Walt, he didn't even have him cuffed!" Ferg says a little confused.

"Are you sure it's Jim?" I ask.

"Oh yeah boss, he even showed his badge to Ashley here at the hospital. She just moved here so she didn't know he wasn't from our county. The cameras outside show them getting in an unmarked car and get this he lets Walker drive" Ferg says.

Static

I didn't really know what to say. Archer Loftus sure thought there was something going on and even Eamonn had hinted at Jim being corrupt but we had been friends for a long time and I just didn't want to see it that way. What would cause someone to go bad. I know Jim was getting ready to retire and public service work doesn't pay real well but that's no excuse.

"Walt?" Freg questions the silence.

"Sorry Ferg, unless there is something on those tapes you think we need to see tonight I think we are going to head up to the station. Lucian, Cady and Henry are up there and my truck showed up there not long ago. We need to call Cumberland County tomorrow and see if Jim shows up. I don't want to call tonight. I'd rather call Eamonn directly. I feel like we can trust him. We will need to get started as soon as we can in the morning. I will be staying up there with Cady and Vic so even though you are on call if you want to go home and come in when you get up in the morning we could use the extra help." I say all this before I really have time to process what I've done.

"Yes, sir. See you tomorrow Boss." Ferg says before static invades the cab of the truck again.

I risk looking at Vic to see if she's processed what is about to happen yet. She looks at me disgusted so I assume she realizes we are all about to spend a lot of time together. I crack a small smile at her before saying, "At least it should be safe at the jail, that seems to be the only place there aren't any bad guys."

She sighs and I imagine she is rolling her eyes.

We were getting closer to town and coming up on the Red Pony when she put on her blinker and pulled into the empty parking lot. It was well after 2 so everyone had gone home. Henry was at the station so there was no one there at all. I feel my throat get tight and I swallow from reflex.

She puts the truck in park and turns the lights off but leaves it running. I'm hopeful this means she doesn't plan on drilling me with questions for a long period of time.

I stare out the front glass watching the pony sign flicker. The silence is deafening but I'm afraid to look at her for fear it will make her angry or it will make me say things I shouldn't. I've always enjoyed her company. Well, at least up until these last few months. She hurt my feelings when she accused me of shooting at Nighthorse. She was certain I wanted Nighthorse so bad that I would frame him. I can't believe she thought that about me. I figured she knew me better than anyone, even my own daughter. Henry was busy with his own problems and I got used to depending on Vic's company while Henry was in prison.

I can't hold out any longer so I chance a glance at her and she is crying.

"Vic," I start to say something.

"Walt, I can't do this anymore." She takes her collar and wipes at the corner of one of her eyes. "I don't want us to hate one another but I don't know what to do anymore. I don't know who you are anymore. I don't think it really hit me until I saw you do it to Donna."

"What?" I respond confused.

"What if he hurts her? I mean he never hurt me but he sure scared me and he is crazy! I can't believe you would just let him take her like this! You should at least put out an APB on her or missing persons or something, anything!" She's upset but not why I originally thought "I'll admit I don't like her, and yeah I'm jealous of her, but she's still a person Walt, a living breathing person. Fuck."

I feel bad but I don't know how to explain. I don't know where to begin. Nothing I say is going to change how Vic feels right this very moment. It's just like the situation with Nighthorse. She's not ready for this. I always find myself protecting her even if it's from me. I don't want to lash out at her. I know I shouldn't let my feelings get in the way of my job.

"I'm calling it in…" she states as she grabs for the mic.

Instinct kicks in and I grab for her hand. I wrap my hand around hers that is holding the mic. We stay just like that for a what seems like forever. Two hurt people trapped in a bubble.

"When did you stop trusting me?" There it's out and I said it.

She looks at me but I don't turn loose of her hand. I'm not sure what she's going to say. I'm afraid it won't be anything I want to hear.

She drops the mic and tries to bring both hands up to her face but I refuse to let go of her right hand. This might be my only chance to bring her back. To get her back. To have her trust me again.

"You took me to the hospital to have my ankle looked at. I asked you if you were seeing anyone. You lied!" She's more angry now but I still don't let go of her hand.

I could tell her the facts. I could tell her that I never even took Donna on a date. I could tell her we had dinner plans but both found reasons to cancel. I could tell her why I wanted to cancel. I could tell her it was her idea for Donna to stay at my cabin. I could tell her that I only return her phone calls once a week but where would that get me?

"I'm sorry." I don't have anything better to say so I just say it. Really, I am sorry that we aren't friends anymore. It was easier to be her friend when she was married. I didn't have to have an excuse to not act on my impulses. Sean was my excuse. She was married and I needed to ignore the attraction. I needed to ignore the attraction she had to me.

"Oh my God" Vic declares.

I'm not sure how to respond to that. I'm trying to apologize. I'm trying to open an opportunity to at least touch on why things got so bad between us and she responds with that.

Vic yanks her hand free of mine and opens the door to the truck and gets out like a fire alarm was going off. I start thinking I've messed up worse as I watch Vic hastily walk towards the front of the Red Pony and that's when I see it. There is a body propped next to the door at the Red Pony.