Vic gets her phone out of her pocket.
"Who are you calling?"
"Wilkins, I don't think Walt needs ready access to our prisoner just yet. I'm concerned what he might do when he hears about all this for the first time. Wilkins owes me a favor and I think housing Barlow over in Cumberland County might be just the thing to prevent a firestorm from erupting."
Before she can look up the number and make the call her phone buzzes.
"Oh shit, here we go."
She takes a deep breath and pushed the button to answer the call.
"Hello?"
"Vic, what the hell's going on?" The deep timbre and tension in Walt's voice reaches through the phone and causes her stomach to twist.
"Oh hi, I thought it was Henry calling."
She walks down the hall to put some distance between her and Branch and to make sure she is out of earshot of both he and Barlow.
"Walt, give me a chance to explain."
"I'm listening."
"Not now, not over the phone."
"Vic, you lied to me. You sent me out to the Red Pony to my daughter and Henry who were supposedly in trouble. When I arrived Henry ushered me into his office while Cady went out to my truck and took my keys. I am a patient man Vic, but I'm not that patient. Tell me what's going on."
"Do you trust me Walt?"
"This has nothing to do with trust."
"Bullshit, it has everything to do with trust and I need to know, do you trust me or not?"
There is a long pause and she can hear him trying to steady his breathing. Vic softens her tone, "Walt, please. Know that I would never do anything to you that was not in your best interest. You are the only real friend that I have in this God forsaken wasteland and I do not intend to screw that up. I promise I will explain everything to you when I see you. I had to make sure that you wouldn't fly off cold cocked and do something stupid that would cause all of us to lose you forever...Is Henry there with you?"
"Yes."
"Look at him. If you don't trust me right now do you at least trust him?"
He sighs, "Yes I do."
"Then please, stay put. I will be there as soon as I can and I will explain everything to you. Then you can decide whether you trust me or not."
"Vic, you're not in any danger are you?"
"No Walt, I'm safe and I plan on staying that way until I can get to you. I just needed to make sure you were safe too. I know that feels backwards to you. You're usually the one doing the protecting but this time it was my turn. I will see you soon."
She hangs up the call and dials Sheriff Wilkins as she walks back toward Branch, "Hey, it's Victoria Moretti. I need a favor."
Walt hangs up the phone and regards Henry.
"Are you sure you don't think I need to know what this is all about Henry?"
"Actually I do think you need to know but it is not my place to tell you. I do not have all the information that Vic does. What did she say to you?"
"That she'll explain everything to me when she gets here...and to trust her."
"Do you?"
"You're the only person I trust more."
"Good, then trust us both and wait until she arrives."
"I'm just worried that whatever it is she's in over her head."
"Vic can take care of herself Walt. She appears to be thinking more clearly about things than I have ever known her to. She will be fine."
"Okay then."