A/N: Alright, and we're back! Happy Monday everyone. Hope you guys had a good Thanksgiving break if you celebrate that kind of thing. And if not, hope you had a good weekend. Today, as promised, we get an Arya and Jon interaction as well as a Jon POV later in the chapter. Hope you all enjoy!

Chapter 19: Distrust

It was so strange for Arya to be amongst her family again, and it would have been a dream come true if not for the three years spent away, knocking around in the back of her mind.

She had spun a lie for Tywin to buy her time, and he had bought it for now, but in the process, she had become Arya Stark again. A girl who had a family. A girl who had a name. And that was not who she was supposed to be.

The deal was very clear. She would train with the Faceless Men. They would give her the skills she needed to take her vengeance; they would lead her to the one who killed her father. And in return, she would give up Arya Stark forever and become no one—just a cog in their machine.

She supposed she hadn't breached the deal. Her lie had kept her where she needed to be—a bodyguard for Myrcella Baratheon. And she said she wouldn't give up her name truly until after she had her vengeance. They hadn't forbid her from going back to her family until that point but… they wouldn't be happy about it.

And she would have to leave them, eventually. Coming back into their lives now and giving them this miracle felt oh so cruel. It wouldn't last. Arya knew it wouldn't last. The Faceless Men wouldn't let her slip away now after three years of investment, and she could not give up on finding her father's killer. That was what all of this pain was for. Avenge her father. Protect her mother and siblings.

She was furious at Tywin Lannister for making her go back home, but she was more furious at herself for how she had hurt her family and how she would hurt them a second time.

Still, she tried to enjoy the time while she could. She listened to Rickon play his guitar; she sat with Bran while he cataloged the newest gossip about their old classmates, which had popped up after Tyrion's party. She showed Sansa how she disguised her face and felt a small sense of pride when Sansa was impressed with her use of makeup. She sat outside in the yard with Jon, watching the dogs chase each other back and forth. There were only four of them in the yard. Four instead of six. She had noticed shortly after she returned, but bit back the questions at her tongue until she was alone with Jon.

"I was afraid to ask about Nymeria," she murmured. "But... I don't suppose you can tell me what happened?"

"She ran away," Jon said. "Just like you. We haven't seen her since."

A pang went through Arya's heart but she shoved it down. She had no right to be upset. She abandoned Nymeria first. It was her fault.

"And Lady," Arya said. "She's missing too."

"Yeah. We had to put her down last fall," Jon said. "Terrible fucking time for Sansa. Autumn in general... it's just the worst for us Starks."

"That's partially my fault," Arya said. "So four dogs left. They seem to be doing well. I can't believe Ghost is the biggest of the bunch."

"Me neither. He was so small when we found him," Jon said. "Do you remember your mother's face when your father brought them all home?"

"Yes," Arya grinned. "And I remember the arguments. 'Six, Ned. You brought home six'." She imitated her mother's exasperated voice and Jon laughed.

"That was Bran and I's fault," Jon said. "He wanted one so badly and then I pointed out that there were six. One of each of us. It was fate." He laughed. "Gods, I didn't think he'd actually go for it. But then Robb said it would be good to teach us 'responsibility' and he was lost."

"Father was always great at negotiating," Arya said. "Except with us."

"Yeah. Different person at work and at home," Jon said. Ghost brought him a ball, and he chucked it across the yard. All four off the dogs raced after each other, competing for the same toy.

"How's Robb dealing with the business?" Arya asked. "I know it must be hard on him."

"You should ask him yourself," Jon said.

"He's angry at me," Arya said. "For staying away."

"He's not angry at you," Jon said.

"Yes. He is. Even if he doesn't want to be," Arya said. "Anyway, if I asked him he would just say 'fine' because he's the big brother and he would never show weakness like that."

"Fair," Jon said. Greywind returned the ball to him, having won the battle with his siblings. Jon took it and tossed it away again. "He handles it well enough. Aunt Cat helps him and keeps the board off his ass. In the beginning, they tested him like crazy, trying to see if he could cut it. But he pulled through. He still puts up a valiant fight against Tywin Lannister. And the Tyrells and the Baratheons and all the rest."

"I thought the Baratheons were our partners," Arya said.

"Sort of," Jon said. "Stannis works with us, but it's not the same as when Robert was in charge. He's a different man. Hard to bargain with. And then there's a lot of turmoil in the Baratheon company thinking about the future. When Stannis retires, does Renly get the company or does it go to that little shit Joffrey? You can guess which option Robb prefers."

Arya nodded sagely. "Yes, he and Joffrey always seemed very close."

Jon grinned. "Anyway, if Joffrey gets the company, the Lannisters will absorb the Baratheon assets in a heartbeat. And then everyone who doesn't kiss the Lannisters' ass is fucked. That's what Robb says, anyway. I'm not an expert at this kind of thing."

It did seem like trouble, though Arya knew she wouldn't be around to witness it. Not as Arya Stark anyway.

"I hear you're a cop now," Arya said. "That job fits you. You'll be one of the good ones. Father would be proud."

"I hope so," Jon said. "Not everyone at the station is so sure. Allistair Thorne has it out for me. Says they don't have time for rich boys playing hero. But I'm not playing at anything."

"He'll see that," Arya said. "You just have to prove it to him."

She watched Shaggy Dog tackle Ghost to the ground, and they rolled down the hill. The ball had been forgotten. She felt an ache in her chest as she thought of Nymeria again but she pushed that down. The sun would set soon and she would have to go back to Beth Rivers. Back to work.

"It's so strange," Jon said. "Having you here to talk to. I... I used to talk to you sometimes these past three years. Not like a crazy person just... occasionally." He glanced at her. "And now you're talking back. That's nice."

Arya let out a long sigh, leaning against his shoulder. "Yeah. It is."

"I missed you," he said. "More than you can imagine. Uncle Ned dying was hard but...when I heard they found you under that bridge…" His voice cracked and he trailed off. Guilt spiked through Arya all over again.

"I'm sorry," Arya murmured. "I really am. I wish...I wish I could have come back, but…" she trailed off, not knowing how to finish that statement.

But I got involved with dangerous people.

But I gave up my name to protect you. All of you.

"You don't have to explain," Jon said. "You're here now. That's all that matters."

The door behind them opened and Robb's voice called out from inside. "Hey. Dinner's ready."

Dinner. Her first dinner with her family in such a long time. She was used to scarfing down tasteless food in the House of Black and White. She was used to going with no food at all as part of her endurance training.

Sharing a meal was a small thing, but it truly made her happy. Even though she knew it was temporary. Just a temporary bit of heaven before she gave away her name.

After dinner, the knock at the door signaled the end of Arya's time at home. She had already restored her red curls and her contacts and the rest of her makeup that turned her into Beth Rivers, and she exhaled, letting herself slip back into her skin. Just in case someone saw her on the drive between manors.

"That's weird how you can do that," Rickon commented. "You almost don't look like yourself."

When Robb opened the door, Arya was surprised to see Sandor Clegane standing there, looking just a shade annoyed.

"And who are you?" Robb asked.

"Clegane. Head of Lannister security." He nodded in Arya's direction. "I hired her. Course I thought her name was Beth Rivers then."

"My apologies, sir," Arya responded in the tone of Beth.

"Mr. Lannister didn't say that he was telling you," her mother said suspiciously.

"Well, I have to be in the know about most security breaches, ma'am. You understand," Clegane said. "Don't worry. Wouldn't dream of spreading the news. I like my job with the Lannisters. It pays well. I won't jeopardize that."

Her mother seemed to accept that. They all hesitated in the foyer, including Arya, who was reluctant to leave.

Clegane sighed. "All right, I'm waiting in the car. Come out when you're done with your goodbyes."

Arya gave him a grateful smile before he closed the door. He was a rough man, but at least not a complete asshole.

"Well..." Catelyn turned to look at her. "You know how to contact us. If you need anything at all-"

"I'll let you know," Arya nodded once.

"Good," she said. "Don't be too reckless. There's something dangerous happen here, and I don't want to get hurt."

"I won't," Arya said.

"If Tywin Lannister tries anything," Robb said. "You'll tell me."

Arya gave him a little smile. Her brother was angry at her, perhaps, but still protective, and she appreciated that from him. "I promise. I can handle him, don't worry."

"Well, you're tougher than most," Robb said. "You have a chance at it, I suppose."

Arya nodded once, feeling a lump form in her throat. Then her older brother sighed and held open his arms. She moved forward, embracing him tightly. Her other siblings followed soon after, and her mother, embracing her one after the other, and Arya tried to relish the feeling of it. It was temporary. Temporary. All of it was temporary.

And then, at last, when she knew she could keep Clegane waiting no longer, she said her last goodbye and stepped out onto the porch. She moved quickly toward the car, keeping her head low to reduce her chance of being seen. Then she slipped into the passenger side seat.

"Finally," Clegane said. "Took you long enough."

"I haven't seen them in three years," Arya said.

"Kinda sounds like that's on you, Rivers," he gave her a look as he pulled out of the driveway. "Or am I calling you Stark now?"

"Call me what you like," Arya said. "Except in public. Everyone needs to keep thinking I'm Beth Rivers. That's what your boss wants, anyway."

"Aye. He does," Clegane said. "I am curious. Where did you train?"

Arya's heart gave a nervous jump in her chest. "What do you mean?"

"Beth said she trained with her uncle, but now I know that's not the truth," Clegane said. "You must have trained somewhere to get skills like that. No one gets that good as a natural. So where'd you train?"

"I had a few teachers," Arya said. "Here and there. Different places. Does it matter?"

"Not really," Clegane said. "It's just that you couldn't have been training around here, could you?"

"What makes you say that?" Arya asked.

"Cause your face was plastered on every fucking newspaper for months," Clegane said. "If you tried to find a teacher, they would pick you out in a second and turn you in. The reward money would be too good to pass up. You must have gone somewhere they weren't flashing your face around. So where?"

Arya shrugged. "I don't think I owe you an explanation."

"Uh huh," Clegane said. "Beth Rivers was more polite."

She glanced at him, a smirk creeping across her face. "Sir."

He laughed once, shaking his head. "Ah, you're something. But you know, Lannister is gonna figure you out, eventually. That's why he's keeping you on his payroll. It's not just an interest in who killed your old man. He wants to know how the hell you got to this point."

"I've already told him," Arya said simply.

"Sure you did," Clegane said. "You know much about Tywin Lannister during the wars, girl? The ones overseas. You learned about them in school, didn't you?"

"Yes, we learned about them," Arya said. "Broadly. He wasn't mentioned."

"No, he wouldn't be," Clegane said. "But if you knew, I don't think you would be so confident in your ability to keep a secret."

Arya shifted in her seat. Keeping secrets was what the Faceless Men had taught her. It was a major part of her training. But Tywin was no fool, and his time in the war and in the business world made him observant. She would have to keep on guard with him. Otherwise, he might find out about the Faceless Men, and she knew that Jaqen would not tolerate that.

And she would not face his wrath again.

Arya heard voices coming from Tywin's office when she approached. Someone else was meeting with him and she thought she recognized the voice. Yes. She met him the previous night. Jaime Lannister. Tywin's eldest son and one of her other suspects. She exhaled and knocked on the door.

"Come in," Tywin's voice commanded and she obeyed, slipping inside. "Ah. Miss Stark. You're back."

Arya nodded once, aware of Jaime studying her carefully. "Yes, sir."

"Pleasure to meet you again, Miss Stark," Jaime said. "I suppose we only half met last night, didn't we? You didn't give me your real name."

"I wouldn't take it personally," Arya said. "I wasn't giving anyone my real name."

"Yes, so I've heard," Jaime said. "Very funny to find you alive though. At the station we worked day and night to find you for a year and then you turned up dead. I sort of thought we would never meet at all."

"And yet here she is," Tywin said. "And Jaime has a piece of news you might find interesting, Miss Stark. It concerns your case file."

"What about it?" Arya asked.

"It's missing," Jaime said. "I don't work for the police anymore but I have a... friend there. I had her check for the file and it's not there. The only thing I have of it is this." He held up the file. "Some copies I made of the missing person report a few years ago."

"What does that mean?" Arya asked.

"It could mean one of two things," Tywin said. "Either some idiotic officer misplaced the files for one of the most major cases in the past decade... or someone intentionally removed the file to make sure no one could read too deeply into the case, or study the body for too long and find out it didn't belong to you."

"So... the latter then," Arya said. Her mind jumped immediately to the Faceless Men. It would not have been difficult for one of them to slip in, take her file and leave. But then taking the file wouldbe too obvious. The Faceless Men hid truths in plain sight. Often they did not even cover up a crime. They just endeavored to make it all seem perfectly normal. Accidental. A missing file was suspicious and they wouldn't cause that kind of suspicion. "Do you think it's connected to whoever killed my father?"

"I'm assuming that for now," Tywin said.

"So we've decided that Ned Stark was killed then?" Jaime asked. "Really? Forgive me if this seems paranoid, Father."

The very fact that you protest the possibility makes you a more likely suspect, Arya thought. Not to mention he used to bea policeman. He could have removed the file himself. But then, he had brought a copy of the missing person's report. Arya hadn't gotten a read on him yet.

"I'd rather be paranoid than ignore a potentially dangerous situation," Tywin said. "If I'm wrong, then I'm wrong and Miss Stark can return to her family in peace knowing that it was a terrible accident. If not... then we can prevent any further casualties."

"There's an easy way to see if they're connected," Arya said.

Jaime glanced at her. "And what's that?"

"Look for my father's file," Arya said. "If they're connected, the culprit might have pulled that one too."

"She's right," Tywin said, looking to Jaime. "Can this friend of yours check for that file as well?"

"I'm not sure," Jaime said. "Selmy doesn't want me interfering and it could jeopardize her place there if she keeps feeding me information."

"She doesn't need to," Arya said. "My cousin Jon. He's a cop. He can check the file."

"That's right," Jaime said. "Jon Stark. He could check." He snapped his fingers. "And he could ask around to see who was on the case. It wouldn't be suspicious. You were like a sister to him. Who could blame the poor boy for wanting to know more about your death?"

"True enough," Tywin glanced at Arya. "Is your cousin a good liar?"

"Not... really," Arya said. "But it wouldn't be much of a lie, right? He is curious about what happened to me."

Tywin considered it for a minute. Then he nodded. "Get in contact with your cousin. Tell him to search for your father's file. If it's missing, I want him to figure out who wrote the reports. If it's the same person or two different people. Regardless, it's entirely likely that there are a few corrupt cops in the KLPD."

"I could have told you that," Jaime said. "There are always corrupt cops taking a cut off drug deals. Not sure how many of them would cover up murder though."

"Make a list of ones that might," Tywin said. "Just in case Jon Snow isn't able to turn up anything."

"I will," Jaime said.

"You're one of the few people who know that Arya Stark is not dead," Tywin continued. "Keep it that way. Tell no one unless you have my permission. Not even Cersei."

"Why?" Jaime asked. "Seems better if she knows who's really guarding her daughter."

"Yes, but once she knows she might not want me guarding her daughter," Arya pointed out.

"Why?"

"Do you remember your nephew coming home from school with a broken nose once a few years ago?"

"Ah. That was you." Jaime rubbed a hand over his stump. "All right, point taken. You can make the call on that, Father." He stood from his seat. "Frankly, I'm surprised that you even brought me in on this."

"Why?" Tywin asked. "You said last night your talents don't lay in business. But this, if I understand correctly, uses your talents just fine."

Jaime nodded once, almost nervously. Arya could not tell yet if that was a symptom of guilt or just because he was not used to being given any credit by his father. Tywin did not seem like a particularly warm man with his children—or with anyone for that matter.

Jaime looked to Arya. "Ah... when you get in contact with your brother, tell him if he needs backup that he should go to Brienne Tarth. She's one cop I can say for sure isn't involved in this, and since your brother is a rookie, he might need help."

"Tarth," Tywin repeated. "Why do I know that name?"

"I might have mentioned it in passing," Jaime said. "She was the officer with me when I lost my hand. Kept me from bleeding out before the ambulance got there. Good woman. Honest. A little too honest really. But at least that means she's trustworthy."

Arya wasn't sure whether or not to give Jon that advice. If Jaime was involved at all, he could be giving the name of a contact on the inside that could disrupt Jon in his search. But his recommendation seemed sincere. She nodded once. "All right. I'll tell him." She glanced down at the file in Jaime's hands. "May I see that?"

"Be my guest." Jaime held it out to her, and she paced over, snatching it from his hand. A sudden wave of nerves had washed over her the moment she thought of reading the report and yet she knew that she should.

Arya Stark

Race: Northern Westerosi

Height: 153 cm

Weight: 115 lbs

Hair: Dark Brown

Eyes: Grey

Last seen Thursday, October 1st 2015 at Lannister Corporation Headquarters by Tywin Lannister.

Arya glanced up briefly at the man in question who was studying her from across his desk. She was almost surprised that he had reported their last encounter at all. But then, she was just as surprised that he had been the one to discover her.

She turned her eyes back to the report. There were a few pictures of her in here, a few of which her mother must have given to the station. She had a hard time recognizing her own face. Her cheeks were fuller then, and her eyes seemed lighter. She looked much younger in those photos. There were a few snapshots of her on the day she left, caught by security cameras. What a stupid little girl she was then.

She snapped the folder shut and returned it to Jaime without looking at him. "Thank you."

"Anything notable?" Tywin asked.

"No," Arya said fighting to steady her voice. "I'm sure... I'm sure the death report will be more enlightening. I can't help but wonder what poor girl they killed in my place."

"Her body was brutalized if I remember the stories," Jaime said. "Face smashed in and unrecognizable. And then she was already half decomposed."

Arya shivered. I condemned that girl to die. Whoever she was, she died for me.

"We won't speculate until we have the report," Tywin said. "Or the person who wrote it." He gave Arya a meaningful look. "Miss Stark. Your cousin?"

Arya nodded quickly, pulling out her phone to tap out a message to her brother giving him instructions. The moment she sent it, another message popped through and she swallowed hard as she read it.

You haven't been back to your apartment.

She was faced with a choice here. Did she tell the truth of what had happened or try to lie? If Jaqen had visited her in person, it would be no question. He could always pick out a lie. But over the phone, it was easier.

They kept me here overnight because of my injury. Wanted me close until they have more information on who tried to kill my client.

She sent the message then quickly slipped her phone into her pocket, hoping that Tywin had not seen that she had sent two messages. Thankfully, he was looking over something at his desk.

Within a day, Arya was suddenly being asked to play many lying games. And she was not sure which would fall through first.

Jon had the night shift again, which was not at all surprising. As a rookie, he had been warned that he would often end up with the worst hours. It was a seniority thing. But he didn't really mind. He had always been a night owl, and after all that had happened today, he knew he would not be sleeping easily.

He couldn't stop thinking about Arya. Her sudden reappearance had been a miracle to him. How often had he sat by his window at night after she disappeared, looking out into the darkness, waiting for her to come home? Even after they found her dead and buried her in the ground, sometimes he still tortured himself with the hope. That maybe... just maybe... it was a mistake.

How amazing that it had been a mistake, and for the first time in three years, he had his little sister back.

He never told Arya, but she was the reason why he became a cop. When she went missing, Jon wanted to help look for her. When she died, Jon wanted to help catch her killer. So he had thrown himself toward the goal of becoming a detective. Then if another girl went missing somewhere down the line, maybe he could find her.

Turned out, Arya had found them, but he still didn't know where she had been all of this time. She had kept her mouth shut. But he knew it couldn't have been her own choice to stay away. Arya was a rebel, but she was loyal to family above all else. She wouldn't just abandon her family. Not unless someone else forced her. So who? Who could have...?

"Stark," a voice barked from the driver's seat. Jon blinked and looked at his partner, Qhorin. He was a veteran with the force and they called him Half Hand because he had lost two of his fingers and a chunk of the palm from his left hand during the war. He still had enough fingers to handle a gun and operate a car though. "The purpose of patrols is to actually pay attention."

"Yes, sir. Sorry," Jon said. "I have a lot on my mind."

"We all have a lot on our minds, son," the man muttered, scanning the street. "But we leave it behind when we go to work. Especially on the night shift. If you've got a lot on your mind when you break up a drug deal, you get killed."

"Point taken, sir, I understand," Jon said.

Qhorin sighed as they turned the corner. "You know, Thorne thinks you're just some rich kid looking to play the hero for a while before he goes to join up with the family business."

Jon swallowed hard. "He's said."

"And are you?" Qhorin asked.

Jon focused outside the window. "What do you think, sir?"

Qhorin let out a bark of a laugh. "I think you've got a lot of your uncles in you. Not just Ned Stark but Benjen too. You know we served together overseas. Benjen and I, that is."

"He told me that once," Jon said. "So... if I have my uncles in me is that a good thing."

"Aye. They never did anything that they didn't believe in," Qhorin said. "I think you're here for sincere reasons. And forgive me for saying it, but you don't seem the business type."

"I'm not," Jon admitted. "Not even close."

The radio crackled, and a report came through. "Suspicious activity on North and Steel Street. Possible drug deal. Four wildlings. Need backup. Over."

Qhorin picked up the radio. "Officer Stark and Officer Halfhand in pursuit. Over."

Jon gave him a look. "You call yourself that over the radio."

"Sure," Qhorin said. "I'm the only one on the force with half a hand." He made a quick turn. "All right, Stark, have you dealt with one of these before?"

"No sir," Jon said.

"We'll take them all into custody and search for drugs," Qhorin said. "If we find 'em, we book 'em. A drug offense is enough to get them sent back to the far north. Wouldn't be surprised if they're here illegally, anyway. Most are. You can keep your distance, and if one tries to run, you follow. I'm guessing you're the fastest of us."

"Yes, sir," Jon said, steeling himself. Drug busts around the city could get violent, so he would prepare for the worst. But he had no desire to use his gun today. He hadn't thought yet what would happen if he actually killed someone.

They pulled up slowly next to another cop car and climbed out, moving to where the other two officers stood, peering around the corner. Sure enough, around the corner, there was a group of wildlings huddled around a trashcan fire. Jon didn't see any drugs changing hands. Really, they just looked like they were trying to keep warm on a cold night. Two of them had cigarettes, but no drugs.

"The two of us will go in," one of the other officers said. Slynt. Jon hadn't had many interactions with the man, but he knew that he was friendly with Thorne, so Jon automatically didn't like him. "You two stay back to arrest the runners."

Jon nodded once, standing just behind Qhorin as the other two slipped out from behind the corner.

"Police! Freeze!"

The wildlings did not freeze. They didn't even try to make conversation. They just scattered in all directions. One came around the corner and the Halfhand knocked him back with a stiff arm. A second slipped around him, quick as a shadow, faster than Jon could react.

"Get that one, Stark!" Qhorin called out.

Jon obeyed, taking off after the wildling at top speed.

He was small but fast for his size. Still Jon could see that he was gaining ground. He followed him down an alley and around a tight corner. Then he caught the back of his hood and pulled. The wildling slipped and fell on the ground, wincing as he did. And only as their hood fell back did Jon realize it was actually a woman. And not just any woman. The same one he had met in the bar earlier that day. Ygritte.

There was hate in her eyes, but she recognized him too. "Well, if it isn't the pretty face," she sneered. "You gonna take me in, Officer Jon?"

She remembered his name. Jon tried not to feel flattered by that. "If you have drugs, then yes. That is illegal."

"We don't have drugs," Ygritte said.

"Then why did one of my colleagues see a handoff? He said you had Long Night. Are you calling him a liar?"

"Aye, I am," she spat. "We don't play with 'Long Night'. We know better than that. It's a poison. You can check my pockets if you like. But if they find any Long Night on us, its cause they planted it."

"Why would they do that?" Jon asked.

Her lip curled in a defiant sneer. "You really know nothing, Jon."

Her knee jammed suddenly into his stomach and sent him toppling off. She was on her feet in a second, backing away from him.

"You wonder why I don't like cops?" she asked. "It's cause they don't like us. They plant drugs on wildlings so they have an excuse to send us back north. Even those of us with papers. They can't stand the likes of us bein' around. So they have to make up crimes for us."

"So I should trust your word over his?" Jon asked.

"Why not?" Ygritte said. "Didn't your friend say you were a rookie? You've only known him for a few more days than you've known me." A smirk twisted at her lips. "And I'm much prettier."

Jon slowly pushed himself to his feet. He knew that in close quarters, he could probably subdue her. He had the cuffs hanging on his belt. But there was a bit of doubt in the back of his mind. What if she was telling the truth? What if this was all just a setup?

"Turn out your pockets," he said.

Ygritte rolled her eyes and did so. She took off her jacket and shook it out a bit. She pulled out her small jeans pockets. She turned around to show him she had no other place to hide anything.

"See? I'm clean. So what grounds do you have to arrest me? For being a wildling? I've got papers."

Jon swallowed hard and raised his radio to his lips. "Qhorin. Did they find drugs? Over."

He waited for a long moment. Then the radio sounded back. "Yeah. Small amount on one guy. Two others got away. Over."

The words themselves were not suspicious. But in the background, Jon heard the wildling making a scene.

"-not mine! I didn't have anything!"

"That's Benny," Ygritte said. "Won't even touch alcohol, Benny. He wouldn't have had no Long Night in his pocket."

Jon fiddled with his radio, trying to decide what to do. What did he do in this situation? She seemed like she was telling the truth and she didn't have the drug on her. Because they couldn't have planted it on her. She got away.

Qhorin's voice echoed through the receiver again. "Did you catch your wildling? Over."

Jon made a snap decision in that moment. One that he wasn't sure if he would regret or not.

"No. They got away. I'm sorry boss."

Ygritte looked at him, wide eyed, as he waited for a response.

"That's fine, kid. We lost ours too. Come on back to the car."

"Yes, sir." Jon stowed his radio back at his belt. Ygritte was still watching him carefully.

"Why?"

"You don't have any drugs," Jon said. "Can't take you in without a crime."

She raised an eyebrow. "And what if I'm hiding them very well, somewhere tucked in on my person?"

"Suppose I won't know then." Jon took a step back. "Go on. If you're right about the planting... then I'm sorry for your friend."

Ygritte nodded once. Then she scampered off into the night. Jon watched her go, hoping with all of his heart that he had made the proper judgement call. And he really hoped that he hadn't let her go just because he found her pretty.

No, he told himself. She was making sense. I just...

He shook his head and hurried back to the car. It was too late to change his mind now. She was already gone. He would just have to live with his choice.

Jon and Qhorin returned from patrol at 6:30 AM as the sun was rising. And it was only then that Jon checked his phone and saw the message from Arya.

My case file at the station is missing. Check for father's file. If it's missing, text me immediately. Then find out who wrote the files and give me their names. Be discreet. Don't make them suspicious. There could be dirty cops in the KLPD.

And then, a second message, almost like an afterthought.

According to Jaime Lannister, Brienne Tarth is trustworthy. Your call if you need help.

Jon blinked, turning the phone in his hand. Then he glanced at Qhorin. "Hey, where are the old case files stored? I'm still new, so I'm not sure where everything is."

"Down the hall over there," Qhorin gestured. "Second door on your right."

"Thanks," Jon said, hurrying in that direction. They sorted the files by date and by the crime. He looked for manslaughter and flipped quickly through to three years ago, trying to find the folder on his uncle. It would have been a major case. A CEO dying was a big deal and there had apparently been a thorough investigation, though it had turned up nothing.

But he couldn't find it. He flipped back and forth through the 'manslaughter' files and found nothing. And when he checked in the other categories just to be sure no one misplaced it.

But it wasn't. Arya's hunch was right. His uncle's case file was missing.

And suddenly, Jon did not feel so guilty for distrusting his coworkers.

A/N: Obviously some more Jon/Ygritte goodness and some advancing of the mystery which Jon is now in on. This was one of my longest chapters in this particular story yet so I hope you all enjoyed. Review, subscribe and I'll see you next time!