My head cannon on episode 5, "Duke." Some dialogue is straight from the show but I added my own spin to it. Don't own the show or the rights.
Cordell Walker steadied his hand and stared in disbelief at the phone he'd found in his son's room. Twyla's name on the screen had caused his heart to skip a beat. Walker was processing the fact that August had texted Twyla, pretending to be his undercover alter ego, Duke. What is the kid thinking?! Walker thought to himself. He realized he needed to end this, now. Something he should have done a long time ago. Duke needed to be done, once and for all.
"Dad? You're just leaving?" Stella asked as Walker entered the kitchen.
"Uh, yeah. James called. Prison break over in Kyle. So we are on a manhunt. Hoping to catch this guy local," Walker lied. He didn't relish being dishonest with his kids but this was for their safety. He did not want them anywhere near the situation he was about to enter. Though Augie had already put himself in it, Walker was not about to tell his son where he was really going.
"So, you're leaving town?" August asked.
"Trying to avoid it," Walker explained. He noted that August was refusing to make eye contact, and the kid's body language was radiating an attitude.
"That would be a no for today then," Stella said. Damn, thought Walker. Stella's soccer game.
"Noon kickoff? I'll be there," Walker was telling himself he could get back in time for the game. Stella did not look convinced but didn't say anything.
"Unless he leaves town," August muttered. Walker leveled a glare at him.
"Hey, Stell, do me a favor," Walker began, not taking his eyes off his son. "August is grounded. So I need you to come back after the game and watch him."
August looked up with an incredulous expression. "Watch me?!" What am I , eight years old, he thought. "And no I can't be grounded. Ruby and I are on assignment at the game. She's picking me up soon." Walker reached into his back pocket and retrieved the old phone.
He held it and said, "You really want to push me, after this? It was boxed up for a reason."
August rolled his eyes and let out an annoyed sigh.
"Do you have something to say, son? Because I'd love to hear the explanation."
"What difference does it make? You're just leaving again anyway."
"It makes a difference because you have no idea what you are messing around with. You know my job can be dangerous. You had absolutely no right to go through my stuff."
Stella looked from her father to her brother, mouthing silently, "What did you do?!" Getting no response from August, she asked, "What's going on?"
"Why don't you ask him…" August mumbled. Walker pinched the bridge of his nose in an attempt to calm himself down. Augie's flippant attitude was just about on his last nerve.
"Nothing," Walker said, though she could clearly see that wasn't true. "August is just not to leave, okay?"
Stella knew the serious look on her father's face. Normally it was her he looked at that way, especially following recent events.
"Sure, Dad," Stella replied quickly, "I got it." August shot his sister a scowl then returned his attention to the fishing rod he was trying to attach to his camera. Traitor, he thought. Stella did way worse than this and had even been arrested! Where does she get off siding with Dad?
"This is so not fair," he groaned under his breath, still not making eye contact with Walker.
Walker leaned across the table, putting his hands on either side of his son.
"Fair? What's not fair is you making the very poor choice to invade my privacy and my work. I'm disappointed, Augie. Honestly thought you knew better."
August had the sense to hang his head a bit lower at that. He hated feeling like his dad was disappointed in him. Augie had always been the rule follower, more mature than Stella despite her being older. He was just so mad at discovering his dad had been keeping secrets, and scared he would leave again.
Walker pocketed the phone and gathered his hat and keys. "I've got to get to work. We will be talking more about this later. And I'm serious that you're grounded, understood?"
"Whatever," August mumbled.
Walker took a deep breath and mentally counted to five. How did my daddy ever get through the teenage years with Liam and me, he thought. I owe that man a beer. No, a case of beer. Then again, what would my daddy have done if I'd answered him with "Whatever?" He shuddered to think. Nobody talked back to Bonham Walker. At least not more than once.
Walker shook his head and lowered his eyes to meet his son's. "Not acceptable. This is your last chance before you make things worse for yourself. I said, you're grounded. Understood?"
"Yes, sir," August reluctantly answered with as much attitude as he dared. He may have given his dad the answer he wanted to hear, but it didn't mean he had any intention of actually staying home all day.