I'm in some trouble. Reading over Raylan's text message had Jo wondering if this particular Marshal was placed in her life by the good lord to instill in her a sense of patience and humility.

Her patience was undoubtedly starting to run thin, though. Why did everyone neglect to remember she had an actual job to do? She wasn't technically on Marshal retainer, obligated to drop all manner of things when they came calling. Regardless, Jo prepared to ride to his rescue, and see precisely what type of trouble Raylan had gotten himself into this time.

"I don't have a lot of time," Raylan announced, meeting her at the courthouse loading dock. Their chosen meeting place gave her pause. What was waiting for him in the Marshal's office that had driven them outdoors?

"What's going on?" Jo asked worriedly. Raylan let out an exasperated sigh before admitting, "I'm being framed for Gary's murder, and the FBI is investigating me for corruption." Shit, he'd really dug himself into a hole this time. "Lexington PD is waiting in the cafeteria, and Art is stalling the FBI and AUSA in the conference room."

"And we're out here, why?" Jo questioned, not following his intentions. Raylan pinched the bridge of his nose in agitation at her lack of psychic abilities. "Winona found the murder weapon, and I've got to go collect it. Think you can distract the detectives and lawyers while I'm gone?" There it was, the request for saving she'd been waiting for.

"You know, you're like a damsel in distress, Raylan. Why I always gotta be your white knight?" He ignored her observation altogether. "Thank you, Jo," he muttered with a sardonic smile before hurrying off towards his vehicle.

Jo figured she'd start with Lexington PD and the business with Gary Hawkins. Mostly because the cafeteria was closer, and partly because the Feebs were always a real bitch to deal with. Tim had the distinct privilege of babysitting the local detective, and their stiff body language made it clear that neither were particularly pleased with the circumstance. "Deputy Gutterson," Jo offered in formal greeting when she strode up to the pair. "Ms. Taylor. This here is Detective Garrity with LPD. He's looking into the shooting of Gary Hawkins." He gestured to the aforementioned officer while making introductions. Tim was smart, she had to grant him that. Even though he was reasonably sure Raylan had clued her in on the day's events, he was still subtly dropping her a line just in case.

"That's why I'm here," Jo informed the men standing before her. "I'm Deputy Givens' legal counsel, and I've got a few questions about Detective Garrity's investigation." The man in question's head drew back in surprise. "You're Givens' attorney?" He scoffed in disbelief.

"That's what I said," Jo confirmed shortly. "I'm sure by now, you've run ballistics on his firearm and found they weren't a match. So, I'm wondering if you've managed to locate the actual murder weapon, Detective?" She knew good and well LDP hadn't found the gun used to kill Gary Hawkins. Hopefully, Raylan had thrown it off some bridge by now.

"Not yet, ma'am," he said the title with an air of condescension, "but be rest assured that we'll keep looking." A smirk crept across Jo's features despite herself. Detective Garrity really thought he knew something, but he had no clue. "Great," she said while clapping her hands together. "Then it's about time I head upstairs. Deputy Gutterson, would you care to join me? I think you're done here." Jo didn't spare another glance at the bumbling detective as she and Tim exited the cafeteria.

Once the doors to the elevator closed behind them, Jo asked, "you know what's really going on here?" Tim chuckled lightly at her vague question. "Oh, about the planted gun Raylan's tracking down? Yeah, I know about all that." She nodded her head at his observation, honestly surprised that Raylan had revealed the truth to his fellow Marshal.

The elevator dinged, indicating they had arrived at their intended floor, but before the doors opened, Tim added one final comment. "It's kinda hot, watching you take charge."

"Honey, you ain't seen nothin' yet," Jo shot him a wink before stepping out the sliding doors. "And, by the way, I'm a real fan of that outfit," she called over her shoulder. Tim couldn't help the grin that graced his lips while following after her.

Jo's introduction to Special Agent in Charge Barkley went along the same lines Detective Garrity's had. However, the FBI agent didn't even attempt to hide his disdain at Jo's intrusion into his foolhardy investigation. "Agent Barkley here believes that Raylan's been working with and paid by Boyd Crowder," Art explained while they sat around the conference table. "That's none of her business," Barkley proceeded to scold the Chief Deputy for oversharing. Jo sat back in her chair and appraised the balding agent. "As Deputy Givens' attorney, it's precisely my business, Agent Barkley."

Vasquez tittered at her assertion, and mumbled under his breath, "she's his sister." Jo tried to murder the AUSA with her glare, but to no avail. "Regardless," she pressed forward. "If you intend to pursue a case, then you'll need to provide proof of money exchanging hands or favors being furnished. Now, I know AUSA Vasquez has a whole file full of unfortunate shootings. That fact isn't in dispute, but the burden falls on you, Agent Barkley, to link each and every one of them to corrupt intent." The men in the room fell deathly silent at her implied challenge. The air between the four was tense and still until Art broke the spell. "And, you still haven't told us what gave you the idea to look into Raylan and Boyd Crowder in the first place." Agent Barkley audibly gulped, but no confession escaped his lips. Looks like his little inquiry had lost all its steam.

Jo was reclined in Raylan's office chair, feet propped up on his desk, just fiddling with her phone. He still hadn't returned, and LPD and the FBI were getting quite disgruntled from having to wait. Tim was talking to an unfamiliar Marshal, and she'd been mostly ignoring his conversation until he announced, "I mean, she's older for a Victoria's Secret girl, but that's how you know she knows what she's doing." She scowled at him from the next desk over.

The double doors were suddenly thrown open, and a furious FBI agent stormed in. "Hey! Hey!" Barkley shouted, pointing an accusing finger as he stalked towards Tim's desk. "Hey!" The blonde Marshal returned with a look of false innocence, casually munching on an orange slice. "Where is he?" Barkley inquired with his arms thrown to the side in outrage. "Where's who?" Tim questioned, taking another bite.

"Don't play dumb with me, deputy," the FBI agent insisted, standing before the Marshal's desk in a barely contained rage. "I'm not playing. I'm an idiot. You can ask anybody," Tim assured around the fruit contained in his mouth. He even made a show of gesturing around the office, daring the Feeb to test his statement.

Art strolled out of his office to investigate the interruption. "Can I help you?" Barkley pivoted between the two, waving his blameful finger at each. "Yeah. Your deputy was supposed to take Givens downstairs, bring him right back up. I just checked with the detective. He never saw him."

"Well, I took him down," Tim guaranteed. Art's face took on an exaggerated frown as he considered the predicament. Leaning over, he claimed an orange slice from his deputy's desk before concluding, "well, it's a big building, you know. He'll turn up. Could be taking a shit." Jo had to bite her fist to contain the laughter bubbling from Art's statement and Barkley's look of vexation. This office was a thrill a minute.

Once the two older men had wandered off, Jo leaned over the glass divider to whisper at Tim. "I'm gonna let the Victoria's Secret crack slide because I know you helped Raylan out today. Plus, you're a self-proclaimed idiot," her words were teasing, but the gratitude behind them was genuine. "I helped Raylan for you," he pronounced as though it were apparent, pinning her down with his blue eyes. Letting out a heavy sigh, she admitted, "I know, and you could have gotten in serious trouble for it. So, what I'm saying is I appreciate it, that's all." Jo hated this sort of emotional vulnerability. It made her feel icky.

Almost as if he could read her mind, Tim ribbed, "now, was that so hard?" Jo rolled her eyes and headed towards the exit. "Tell Raylan he's welcome," she shouted before the doors closed behind her.