Ok, kids this is my final chapter until the finale and my best theory on who is behind Martha's murder. Have fun picking it apart and we will all know in just 4 short days. In the meantime, I can start thinking about more Walt/'Vic shipping...lol...I look forward to reading what you have to say. Enjoy.

I break the silence, "This is it, punk. This is what I do. Nothing fantastic. Just me and Wyoming." I pause, "and now you and it makes it just a bit better, Cady."

Cady smiles at me and takes my hand. "Thanks, Dad. I really do love you, you know." I look over and smile at my beautiful daughter.

"Vic and I have put some pieces together and I'm worried that some of it may…well…Cady…it may..um…hurt you and I don't want to do that."

"What are you talking about? You have to tell me."

"I don't want you talking to anyone about this. No one." I look over to make sure she understands.

"ok, you are scaring me."

"I mean too because it is the sort of information that can get you killed. Don't discuss it ."

"ok."

"I think Barlow is involved in your mom's murder somehow."

I recount to Cady the theory that Vic and I have developed and Cady sits in silence and listens.

"Dad, do you think Branch knows?"

"Yes."

"That would explain a lot of things."

"Like Branch giving you a 100 thousand dollar check?"

Cady looks over to me her eyes moistening.

"I'm sorry, Cady. I really am."

"Well, you didn't raise a stupid daughter. I didn't have a choice I had to get Henry out of jail but Dad, Branch gives me a 100 thousand dollar check and he never proposed to me. So really, how much does he love me, if in fact he does, or how much is guilt? He never did anything to me that would warrant that much guilt." She chuckles a bit in nervousness and embarrassment as the reality of the situation hits her.

"I think Ridges did capture his soul if you will but I also think that Branch is not just fighting to kill Ridges for his singular revenge."

"What are you saying, Dad?"

"I think Ridges killed Miller Beck and that Branch knows."

"How would he?"

"I don't know Cady. I don't know but I can see Branch trying to do the right thing in all of this and not hurt you in the process." Silence fills the cab of the truck once again.

"Dad, I know Barlow isn't exactly your best friend but would he really hurt mom?"

"It's logical."

"Dad, have you abandoned your thought that it was someone trying to get back at you and not necessarily mom's involvement with the casino?"

"I don't think I have excluded anything but all roads lead me to him."

"Ok, who else is as powerful as Barlow with a motive to hurt you or mom?"

I pause, "Jacob Nighthorse."

"I thought he was a front for the Cheyenne.? He's not Cheyenne."

"You think he is a puppet on a string, huh?"

"Yeah, I do."

"Well, the obvious question is who is pulling the strings?"

Again, silence.

"Dad, I have to tell you something. Henry told me that Malachi knew that his trial date had been pushed up. How would he know that? He has to be connected, Dad. He has to be."

I ponder Henry's conversation under the fireman's rain cloud of water as the Red Pony was being extinguished about Malachi and I start thinking about the money. Lucian, always taught me to follow the money. Money more than women bring down the powerful. That was Lucian's motto.

"Barlow, is about money. Malachi is about money."

"Dad, do you think they know each other?"

"Dunno. I wouldn't really know, punk and if they were it would be about the casino I would think. Malachi will never forgive me for arresting him and ruining his empire on the Rez. Maybe, I never knew how big that empire was?"

"Well, he offered to pay Henry cash for the Red Pony and he bought all the artifacts. Who has that kind of money after being in jail?"

"Hmmmm" I rub my gnarled knuckles over my unshaven face and throat. Cady has given me a lot to think about and I know that all of this dangerous. It goes against my grain to discuss this with Vic much less my daughter but Vic is a cop and Martha is Cady's mom. Two facts that are irrevocable. I just have to be sure I can protect them both.

"The other thing I've been thinking is that Miller Beck's murder has nothing to do with your mom but nothing leads me to believe that is true."

"I've thought of that too, Dad ever since our conversation last summer after I saw Fales. I've also thought that whomever killed Beck probably didn't know about you and Henry being in Denver. That Henry was icing on the cake."

"Maybe, Branch found out all of this because of his connection with Nighthorse and it made him just a bit more crazy a bit more driven. Dad, he's not himself and something like this would drive him crazy?"

"It could be, Cady. I just don't know but my bigger question right now is whether Nighthorse or Barlow would be willing to kill your mom or have her killed? It's not an honorable thing to do and while they may not be good men are they dishonorable men?"

There is silence between us as we think and soak in the quietness of the desolate Wyoming highway.

"Which would explain, Malachi. I don't think he is to honorable after what Henry experienced in Tri-County Jail. I saw what they did to him."

"Henry was with me when I arrested him. "

"Well, there you go but why didn't Denver P.D. investigate Mom's murder the right way? Her file is nearly barren. They didn't try to find Miller Beck. It seems like Fales was only interested in getting you and Henry. Do you think Fales could be a dirty cop?"

"Nothing and I mean nothing would surprise me at this point. I'm taking you back to the Red Pony. Keep your eyes and ears open and your mouth shut. The only person you can talk to about this is me. I don't want Henry to be more exposed than he needs to be and sometimes knowing nothing is better. If I never called him to help me in Denver he wouldn't be wearing an ankle bracelet now. I have to carry the weight of this. I can't share it with him or anybody really. I don't want you doing anything, Cady. This is how it has to be."

"But you're not in this alone. I mean you talked to Vic."

"It's a bit different with Vic but she was rather insistent if you know what I mean."

Cady, sort of paused, "Yeah, I know what you mean. She is good to have on your side. That much I do know."

"Listen, if Malachi is involved and if Fales is dirty and mixed up in this we can't chance anything. I won't chance someone else that I love being hurt."

I looked over at her, more serious and firm than I have ever been, and her face lowered, "I understand. It doesn't mean I'm not scared for you but I trust you more than anyone in this world. I don't expect to be an orphan so please just promise me you will be careful."

"I promise."

I pause for a moment as I think to myself, afraid to say it out loud to my daughter that if this is all true, it means that Martha's murder is 100% my fault. If I hadn't done the Feds job for them she wouldn't have been killed. My gold star was paid for with her blood. How can I ever be forgiven for that? I silently make another promise to Martha that I won't rest until justice is administered. I won't rest until those responsible are held to answer.

I swear.