Disclaimer: The characters of, "Sons of Thunder" and "Walker Texas Ranger", are owned by Chuck Norris, Aaron Norris, CBS and whoever else was involved with the creation and production of these two shows. Any new characters and story lines that come into play are of my own creation. No copyright infringement is intended. This is a fanfiction intended for entertainment purposes only and no money is being made off of it.

Chapter 10: Devon

Thursday, August 15 at 7:13AM

A fist pounded on the door to Kendra's apartment. She awoke and sat up on the couch. She tossed the blanket off of her and stood up. As she headed to the door the pounding came again, but this time the visitor spoke.

"Open up! I'm taking Cassie back with me!" The man shouted as he continuously pounded on the door with two fists.

Kendra opened the door but did not remove the chain. The man tried to push the door open but the chain held.

"I'm sorry, who are you?" Kendra asked in innocence as she studied the man before her. He had reddish brown hair and angry hazel eyes. His face contorted as his anger become more prominent.

"You know who I am! Now, where is she?" The man yelled as he tried to push open the door.

"I suggest you leave or I will call the police. If you place your foot even half an inch inside the doorway, I will consider it trespassing." Kendra said her voice low and threatening. Her knuckles had become bone white as she grasped the trim around the doorway trying to keep one of her hands from unlocking the door so she could send her fist into the man's face.

"I know she's here. Remove the chain. Now!" The man said as he raised his voice as he continued with his ranting. "I want her to come to me."

"Sorry, but as I said before, she isn't here. If you do not leave now, I will call the police. Maybe, I'll call the Texas Rangers instead of DPD." Kendra said firmly as her eyes blazed with fire.

"Fine, but this isn't over." He said threateningly as slammed his fist on the door and then left, stomping his feet down the stairs.

Kendra shut the door and used the bolt lock. She turned around and headed back into the living room.

"I'm sorry about Devon." Cassie said as she stepped into the living room from the hallway that leads to the bathroom and the bedroom.

"You don't have to apologize for him. He's a jerk." Kendra looked over at Cassie whose face had lost all color. "Cassie, you all right?"

"Yeah." Cassie replied quietly.

Kendra frowned as she walked across the floor and grabbed Cassie by the shoulders and forced her to look into her eyes. "You can not be afraid of him. He feeds off of your fear. He will only win, if you allow him to." Kendra released Cassie. "I'm sorry, Cassie. I didn't mean to hurt or scare you. But you must understand that your fear gives him power."

"I…I don't know what to do." Cassie replied as she sat down on the couch.

"Talk to Alex. She can help you." Kendra said as she headed to the kitchen and began to make a pot of coffee. "We'll have breakfast and then I'll take you to the center."

They ate in silence. Cassie was worried about what she had brought onto her friend. Kendra was concerned about what Devon would do.

7:17 AM

That stupid witch! Who does she think she is trying to keep me from Cassie? He kicked a small stone that sent it flying across the street as he walked to his car.

Devon opened the door of his car and looked back at Kendra's apartment with a sneer.

I had better keep an eye on them. That witch may have put Cassie up to something. Devon got into his car but didn't turn the key. Instead, he watched the apartment from his rearview mirror.

He sat there for over an hour before Kendra and Cassie had left the apartment. He ducked as Kendra drove past. Once Kendra and Cassie were far enough ahead he started his car up and pulled out into the street. He followed them, being careful not to make it obvious that they were being followed.

He followed them to a house that had been converted into a community center and he knew that by the sign out front that read H.O.P.E. Center. He watched from half a block away as Cassie got out of the car and entered the building. Kendra drove away once Cassie had closed the door behind her.

Devon decided to stick around for a while as he leaned back in his seat and grabbed a bag of chips that was on the passenger seat.

9:03 AM

"Hey, Tony." Carlos said once he reached the detective's desk.

Tony looked up from his paperwork. "Hey, Carlos." He set his pen down and closed the folder. He stood up and held out his hand to the man who stood beside Carlos.

"Good morning, Detective Ortiz." Trent said as he shook the detective's hand.

"It's nice to meet you, Trent. Please, just call me Tony since you're a friend of Carlos'."

"No problem." Trent said.

"So, what news do you have?" Carlos asked as he leaned against Tony's desk.

"The van that almost hit your friend was found off of the highway in a patch of woods. They are still looking at it for any fibers or fingerprints. We are also trying to figure out who owns the van but it is proving to be difficult because a part of the license plate is missing."

"We did find a fingerprint on the…second object that you had received from the stalker." Tony said as he stuck his pen onto his ear and picked the file from a large pile of case folders on his desk. "Ah, here it is. Unfortunately, the fingerprint wasn't on file, so we couldn't find out your stalker's identity."

"Great." Carlos mumbled sarcastically.

"So, you think this stalker tried to harm a couple of your friends?" Tony asked.

"Yeah." Trent replied.

Tony gave a low whistle. "Hey, look. Stalkers tend to be a little crazy and you have no idea what they are thinking or what they are going to do next. I hope you are taking every precaution that you can."

"Thanks, Tony." Carlos said as clapped his friend on the shoulder. Trent thanked the detective and the two private detectives left DPD.

"Now all we have to do is find the owner of that fingerprint." Carlos said as he got into Trent's car.

"Right." Trent said as he got into the car, buckled up and started the car. He left the parking lot and drove heading back to Thunder Investigations.

11:45 AM

Kim and Carlos had decided to go to a restaurant for an early lunch about an hour before. Before they had left, they had asked Trent if he wanted to go, but he declined. They promised to bring him something from the restaurant.

Natalie arrived at Thunder Investigations and found Trent in the outer office retrieving a file from Kim's desk.

"Hi, Trent, I think we need to talk."

"Of course, Natalie. We can talk in my office." He said as Natalie followed him to the door. He held the door open as he motioned for her to enter the office first. She remained standing after he shut the door. "Ok. What do you want to talk about?" Trent asked after he set the file on his desk and stood facing Natalie.

"I wanted to apologize for I how acted and what I said to you. I know you had your reasons for not telling me about the stalker right off." Natalie said as she placed her hands in the back pockets of her jeans.

"It's all right, Natalie. Your reaction was pretty much what I had expected. I'm just sorry that you had to be brought into this situation."

Natalie bit her lip as she looked at Trent. "I've been thinking about a lot of things, Trent. Like the van that almost hit Stephanie and me might not have had anything to do with your stalker. Working in real estate, you can make some enemies. Or even Stephanie may have some enemies as well."

Trent nodded his head. "It is possible, but I really don't think it was a coincidence. Just as I believe Kendra and Hunter getting shot at is somehow connected to my stalker."

"Really? But that doesn't necessarily mean that what happened is connected to your stalker. Don't they have any enemies?"

"Yeah, they have each made a few but it just feels as though there is a connection. You are not the only one who has been trying to figure out the causes of these instances and wondering whether they deal with my stalker. Now, that I am focused, I realize the stalker may be after you and Kendra because you guys may be seen as a threat by the stalker." Trent said as he hung his head slightly with guilt. "I believe it is better for you if we don't see each other for a while. We shouldn't even go together to the reunion. Not until this crazy stalker has been caught." He said but Natalie could hear a hint of reluctance in his voice.

"Trent Malloy! How dare you try and retract the invitation."

"Natalie, I…" Trent began as he stepped closer to her.

"NO!" Natalie said as she removed her hands from the pockets of her and poked Trent in the chest several times as she continued. "You would be allowing this stalker to win and as someone who cares for you will not let that happen." Natalie then shot out her hands and gently grabbed his face forcing him to look into her eyes. "You are acting completely ridiculous. I care about you, Trent and I know you feel the same way. Do you really want to let this stalker ruin your life?"

"You're right, Natalie. I'm sorry." Trent said as he rubbed the back of his neck. "This stalker has been affecting everything and everyone in my life.

Natalie's expression softened as she hugged Trent and then gave him a kiss. "I know that you have been acting differently and that the cause is that you are worried about what this stalker is going to do. Not to you, but to your friends."

Before Trent could speak, she put her finger onto his lips. "I wasn't finished. I want you to know that I am here for you but I won't allow you to make any idiotic decisions because of this stalker."

Carlos entered the office as just as Natalie was about to leave. "Hey, Natalie."

"Hey, Carlos. I'll see you later, Trent." Natalie said as she gave him quick kiss and then turned to leave the office.

Once the door was closed, Carlos headed over to the coffee pot. "So, did you two have a nice chat?"

"Yes. I almost decided not to go to the reunion." Trent said.

"You tried to break of your date with Natalie because of your stalker?" Carlos asked as he poured some cream into his coffee.

"Yes." Trent shot Carlos a look. "I was trying to keep her safe."

Carlos returned the creamer to the little fridge and stirred his coffee with a spoon. "I can see that, Trent. But women tend to take some things the wrong way."

"It's a good thing you didn't say that in front of Kendra or Kim."

Carlos grinned but then his face became serious. "Look, you care about Natalie and you are worried about what this stalker may do. But you can't allow this stalker to interfere with your life."

"That is what Natalie said." Tent replied as he headed over to the coffee pot.

"She is one smart woman." Carlos said as he leaned against his desk.

Trent smiled. "I know." He poured himself a cup of coffee not bothering to put in any cream or sugar and headed back to work.

guardianM3: I know, I know. Not much action, but this story is only under mystery/general. Don't forget to hit the button below.