Thank you so much for your feedback on this split approach to the story! I love that both story lines have fans. Work is caught up and I am glad to get back to reading and writing more this week.

Barlow is unusually quiet in the back seat of Vic's truck as they drive to Cumberland County. The tension between he and Branch is so thick in the air it's almost too difficult to breathe. She can't resist the urge to speak any longer and though it may not be appropriate for this situation, she always defaults to smart-ass, especially when she is uncomfortable.

"So, you tried to shoot your son, huh?" Branch looks at her from the corner of his eye. Barlow continues to say nothing.

"You know you probably aren't going to win the nomination for father of the year now."

Silence. "Okay, why don't you give us the number for that attorney of yours and we can go ahead and give him a call so he can get a head start on his drive to come see you."

Barlow finally speaks. "I don't see why I can't be held in Durant."

"Let's just call it a conflict of interest."

"Probably for the best anyway so I don't have to see that asshole's smug expression."

"Who? Deputy Ferguson?"

"You know who I'm talking about."

"I've never seen Ruby look smug. Do you think he's talking about the Sheriff Branch?"

Neither man says anything in response.

"Must be the Sheriff. Well, you don't have to worry about seeing the Sheriff right now but you do have bigger things to think about like the murder charge that's going to be filed on you first thing in the morning, along with whatever else we think we can make stick."

"I'll be out of jail by this time tomorrow."

"Well, your lawyer might be able to get a bail hearing scheduled that quickly but I wouldn't be so sure bail will be granted. A man with your resources, well, let's just say you could disappear pretty easily and the judge might want to make sure you stay put until your trial. It's not like you have any strong family ties that might keep you here."

"We'll see about that. I was Judge Ellis' number one campaign contributor the last time he was elected."

Branch breaks out of his self-imposed cone of silence, "All your money isn't going to get you out of this one Dad. Contrary to the way you live your life, there are more important things than money like honesty, loyalty and love, not that you know anything about any of those."

Barlow has nothing to say at his son's words. Vic decides she should allow Branch's words to stand and keeps any other thoughts she has to herself for the rest of the drive.

Sheriff Wilkins meets them at the door of his station with a clipboard. He had heard enough from Vic when she called to decide they didn't need to drag anything out tonight, just sign the prisoner over and let them get on their way. He and Vic had made arrangements for her to fax the rest of the required paperwork over in the morning. Back in the truck Vic quickly gets down to business, "Branch, I want you to go over everything again on our way back to Absaroka. I want to make sure I understand exactly what happened before I go talk to Walt."

"Can I come with you and tell him myself? After the way I've acted and everything I've put him through I think I owe him that at least. Especially since it was my father who is responsible for his wife's death."

Vic glances over at him and sees the strong resolve on his face, "Okay, but I'm going to be there when you tell him."

Vic and Branch walk into the Red Pony where Henry's party is still in full swing. The see Cady over by the bar and make their way to her through the crowd, "Where's Walt?"

"He's with Henry in the office. He's pretty mad. What's going on anyway? Henry wouldn't tell me anything, just that we had to keep Dad here until you got a chance to talk to him. Is everything okay?"

"It will be. We'll fill you when we can, I promise." She picks up two bottles of Ranier from the bar, reinforcements she calls them, and moves to the office door. She and Branch look at each other and Vic turns the door knob.

Vic looks uncomfortable as she enters Henry's office. She holds the door open and I see Branch slip in behind her and quickly move to stand over by the wall as she closes the door. I'm curious why he is here with her but that will have to wait. In spite of my anger with Vic over her recent actions I am comforted that she is here. Ever since the incident at Chances' I feel relief every time I see her. It can be distracting. Sometimes too distracting. I try to ignore the immediate effect being in the same room with her has on me and stand up from the couch. She hands me an opened beer which I take on reflex and sets a second on Henry's desk. She holds her hand up, "Walt, I think you should sit down."

I ignore her request and step toward her, "Oh, you do?" I set the beer in my hand next to the other one, "Well you also thought it would be a good idea to lie to me so I'm not sure how clear your thinking is right now. I'm done sitting doing nothing, I'm ready to get moving. So, you need to tell me why you did what you did so I can get out of this office." I have my hands in their usual resting spots on my belt. It's comfortable. A stance I use when I'm focused on the task at hand and I am trying really hard to be focused right now. Vic glances toward my right hand and moves in close enough to touch me. She gently places her hand on mine and it feels like it's supposed to be there. She needs to move away soon, "Walt, please. This is not as simple or easy as you may think." She reaches under my hand and places it on my Colt as she is speaking to me. I grasp her hand to stop her, "What exactly do you think you're doing?"

Vic remains steadfast, keeping a firm hold on the gun, "Trying to make sure no one gets hurt."

I stare into her eyes trying to read her. We stand there a moment regarding one another. "Henry?"

"Yes?" Henry stands up from behind his desk. Never looking away from Vic I take the Colt from it's holster, "Keep this until you think it's time for me to have it again." Henry comes around the desk and takes the Colt from my hand. A brief flash of pain crosses Vic's face and she backs away.

"Now someone needs to tell me what's going on."

Vic looks at Branch and nods. She retreats behind Henry's desk and stands looking at the floor. The physical distance she has put between us mirrors the emotional distance I have just imposed. I don't like that I've hurt her but I can't think about that. Right now I welcome the space she has put between us. I sit back down on the leather couch.

Branch pulls a chair adjacent to where I'm sitting. He glances at Henry who also nods at him as Vic has done. He looks back at me and sits. Branch speaks without interruption for a long time. The longer he speaks, the more I feel my muscles tense and my jaw clench. My heart starts to race as adrenaline floods my system. When Branch has finished the room is silent. Vic is still not looking at me, but Henry's gaze is steady. I know he is awaiting my reaction to the news I've just heard.

"Where is he?"

No one answers me.

I look around the room from face to face. No one is talking. I stand and hold my hand out, "I need my gun back."

Henry rises to move in front of me, "Walt, you cannot do this."

"I don't see how you're going to stop me."

"Walt, I will do everything in my power to stop you. I would not let you kill the man who killed your wife and I will not let you kill the man behind it."

"Vic, where's Barlow?"

"He's locked up."

'I need to to know where Vic."

"Not in Durant."

"Henry, you need to move or I'm going to move you.

Henry isn't ready to give up, "Walt, I need you to think. Think about Denver. Think about the consequences that were suffered as a result of our actions there, the people who paid the price. You said it yourself, you cannot do what we did in Denver without there being consequences. The consequences from this thing you want to do now will be more widespread and far worse. It is time for all of this to be over. That is what Martha would want."

"I don't care."

"Yes you do Walt, you care very deeply."

Henry had drawn my attention so well that I hadn't noticed Vic making her way over to me. I'm standing toe to toe with Henry, neither of us being willing to back down when I feel her hands on my shoulders. It disarms me.

"Henry, Branch, could Walt and I have a minute?"