Someone texted me. Heaving a big sigh, I looked down at the sleeping sheriff longingly.

" Shit you're right. Sean never understood, but I know We cops are on call 24/7 and I hope for your sake that Martha was more understanding with you than Sean ever was with me. See ya later, Boss Man" I told the sleeping Walt.

I exited the recovery area and pulled my phone from my pocket. Ferg.

WE R HERE. STATUS ON WALT?

RESTING. On O2. DID U GET THE SLUGS?

YUP. DOING PAPERWORK NOW. BUT LOOKS LIKE TWO FROM A PISTOL LIKE WALTS SIDEARM. WILL NO MORE AFTER CSI DOES THEIR THING.

Cady stood in the waiting area, I rushed up to her and enfolded her into a big hug.

"How ya doin'?"

"Better, now that Dad is out of surgery. Vic, who would have wanted to kill my Dad?" I saw the dried tear stains on her face.

"I promise, that is what Ferg and I are gonna figure out. Hey, why don't we go over to the Red Pony and I'll buy you lunch?"

Cady smiled.

"Just let me make one phone call on our way over there"

Walt's daughter and I walked out into the Wyoming sunshine. We got into my truck and I extracted my blu-tooth from the glove compartment. Activating the voice command, I called the number that the firefighter had given me. I needed to find out what was said on the 911 call.

"Hello"

" Um, this Is deputy Moretti. I need the call records from the 911 call made to Walter Longmire's house . Can you fax that information to the Sheriff's Office ASAP?"

" Certainly, Deputy"

" Thanks, " I ended the call and turned to Cady.

" How's one of Henry's special hamburgers, a beer , and some onion rings sound for lunch. I'm on duty , but you're not. "

"Sounds great, Thanks, Vic."

We pulled into a parking spot at the Red Pony and , linking arms, waked in together. I saw that my favorite table, the one Walt and I often frequented during our off-hours " work dates" was open and I put my purse there to claim it.

Henry Standing Bear saw us and came over menus in hand.

" Hello, ladies. I am glad to see you. How is the sheriff?"

" Hi Henry, he's stable. Doctors got the slugs from his gut, but he's torn up pretty badly internally. "

"Cady, please call me if you need anything. " Henry said.

She nodded.

Henry wrote down our drink and food orders and said, " Vic, can you please come talk with me at the will not be long at all? "

I looked at Cady and she nodded.

I followed Henry to the bar and sat on one of the stoos at the far end of the bar. Henry got me my diet Coke , as he sat it in front of me he said quietly

" How are you doing, Vic? Do not lie to me. Walt has not been himself lately and I see how his behavior affects you."

I swirled the straw around in my drink, after a minute I looked at Henry, pretending to not understand his question.

" What do you mean? I'm fine. Walt's behavior is, well, you know, Walt. He's been under a lot of pressure lately. "

"Walt loves you. I do not think Dr Donna is good for him. I have known him since we were children, and he cannot fool me Why he is spending time with Donna I do not know. But I do know that he loves you as much as you love him"

"Did he SAY that, Henry?"

He picked up a bottle opener and walked towards the table where Cady sat.

"He does not need to say anything. I know him, and his body language when he is around you tells me the truth. Please do not give up on him. He needs you. Now more than he has ever needed you in the me that you will find out and bring to justice the person who shot my best friend. I cannot help you in your investigation but I know that Walt has faith in your skills as a cop"

We reached my table Henry nodded and went back to the bar. A waitress brought our lunch and we both ate ravenously in silence.

After lunch Cady asked me to drop her off at her house, which I did

" I have no clue when I'll be home, but text me if you need anything, ok? " I said as she got out of the truck.

"I will"

I turned the truck around and drove back to the office. As I drove I wondered why Henry had waited until NOW to share his observations of Walt's alleged feelings for me?

Henry Standing Bear has been like Walt's brother for years, and there was NOTHING Walt could hide from the Cheyenne man, even if he'd wanted to.

Walt's best friend genuinely wants to help hurting people, a quality that has him on probation with the tribal police after his latest stint of helping a Cheyenne girl confront and kill her rapist.

I shook my head and fought back tears as I thought of the man I love lying helpless in a bed at the county hospital.

Henry isn't the only vigilante in Abroraska County. I will discover who tried to murder Walt and bring him to justice.

Him or her

Unlike Henry, I'll use the full extent of the law to get justice for Walt. But I won't fully rest until the shooter is found and punished