The short, stocky detective slammed the car door and headed over to the uniformed officer standing in front of the opulent house. To say he was not in a good mood was a classic understatement. He had been just about to leave the office when the call came, meaning he wouldn’t be home until who knew when.

"What’ve you got?" he sneered.

"A thirty-year old Caucasian woman found bludgeoned on her kitchen floor," the cop said dispassionately.

The detective looked up at the house. It was probably worth more money than he would see in his lifetime. "Probably burglary. You gotta name?"

"Margaret Lopez Henderson. It’s her house. Well, actually her husband’s. Jason Henderson."

"The Cowboy?" the detective asked, wide-eyed. The officer nodded. "Oh shit." Sighing, he asked almost as an after thought, "Who found her?"

"Those two," the uniformed officer pointed.

"Oh shit," the detective said again.

**

"We have to find her, Trent." Carlos paced angrily. "If she saw what happened in there…" His voice trailed off.

Leaning on the Corvette, Trent sighed. "We’ll find her, buddy." Despite his outwardly calm appearance, he too was worried. Worried whether Heather saw anything, whether she was alive or dead. As he noticed the detective approaching, his heart sank. "Heads up, Carlos."

Turning, Carlos saw the man approaching. "Dammit! Is Ryan the only detective in Dallas?" The three men had a history and it wasn’t good.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Ryan vented. "You knocking boots with her, Sandoval?"

Before Carlos could react, Trent was between them. "Knock it off, Ryan. We’ve both known her since high school."

"She was Richie Lopez’ wife," Carlos aid through clenched teeth.

Realization registered on Ryan’s face, but it wasn’t in him to apologize. "I suppose you stomped all over my crime scene."

"I tried to find a pulse, to see if CPR would help," Trent said quietly. For the first time, Ryan noticed the blood on his hands. "Carlos went looking for Heather."

"Who’s Heather?" Ryan asked taking out his notebook.

"Her 11 year-old daughter."

"No other bodies?"

"No, but her school books are here. She either saw it or found her." Carlos tried hard to contain his anxiety over Heather.

"Do you think she could have done it?"

"No." Both Trent and Carlos answered emphatically. "Look, Ryan, we told the uniforms about her. Have they put out an APB? She may be a witness and in danger."

"Or she may be dead."

"Let’s hope to hell not," Trent muttered.

"Tell me exactly what happened. You first," he demanded, pointing at Carlos.

As his friend talked, Trent looked at the blood on his hands. In his mind, he was back on the other side of town, in front of the shattered remains of their dream house. There wasn’t as much blood then, but CPR had worked…for awhile. Too much damage, too much infection. Trent tried to fight the despair that was threatening to overwhelm him. It was hard to believe that it had been almost a year since.

The squealing of brakes brought him back to the here and now. A huge mountain of a man got out of a late model Jaguar. Trent immediately sprinted to intercept him before the front door.

"Jason, stop," he implored, putting a hand on his chest.

"Get outta my way, Trent," he demanded.

"You don’t want to go in there."

"The hell I don’t. She’s my wife."

"Not like this, Jason. You don’t want to see her like that. She’s gone."

"What the hell do you know about it?!" he yelled.

Trent took a step back. "I know a little about losing a wife, Jason," he said quietly.

Jason seemed to look at him for the first time, seeing the concern, the hurt and finally, the blood. His resolve broke. He put his face in his hands and began to sob. Trent grabbed him as he started to sink to the ground, keeping him up only with the help of Carlos who had appeared at his side. Together they guided their friend to the front porch. As Ryan approached Carlos held him back with an icy stare and two simple words, "Not now."

When Jason appeared to be gaining a little control Trent knelt in front of him. "Jason," he said gently, "the press will be here soon. Is there someplace we can take you? Dave’s maybe?" Dave was Jason’s brother, and business manager. Slowly, Jason nodded.

"I’ll get the car," Carlos said, holding out his hands for the keys. As he walked away, he saw Ryan approaching.

"I’ll need to talk to him, Sandoval."

Without turning around, Carlos yelled, "Tomorrow."

**

TWO DAYS LATER

"Police have few leads in the murder of Cowboy Jason Henderson’s wife. The search is continuing for her daughter, 11 year old Heather, who is believed to be a witness to the brutal crime. However, as time passes with few clues, there is little hope of finding the youngster alive…"

Carlos angrily stabbed at the converter. "We have to find her, Trent."

"I know, buddy," Trent sighed.

"I just can’t believe if she was alright she wouldn’t come to me or you. Maybe she is…" Carlos’ voice trailed off.

"She’s alive Carlos. If he had wanted her dead he would have killed her there at the house with Margaret."

"She’s probably traumatized, Carlos," Jessie said gently, trying to put her hand on his arm. His icy stare made her stop her hand in midair. It was obvious that Carlos still held a grudge towards her. Sighing she said, "Look, you guys do what you have to do. I’ll see you later, okay?"

Trent smiled, glad that Jess was as understanding as she was. "Why don’t we go get some sleep, Carlos and we’ll start fresh tomorrow, okay?"

Jess had been rummaging around behind the bar looking for her purse, when she realized she had left it in the office upstairs. Borrowing Trent’s keys, she headed up the back stairs.

As she turned on the light and headed to the desk, Jess though she saw movement out of the corner of her eye. The hair on the back of her neck stood on end, and she paused, wondering what to do. Should she go get Trent? No, she thought. I’ll just take a peek.

Slowly climbing the stairs to the loft, Jess stared into the dimly lit space. Staring back at her were the eyes of a terrified 11-year-old. "Heather!" she exclaimed, taking a step towards her. As she did, the child tried to shrink even further into the corner. Jess stopped. "Heather we have to get you home. Everyone is so worried." The mention of home brought new terror to her eyes and Heather shook her head vigorously. Jess took a step backwards. "Okay, we don’t have to go home. How about if I get Uncle Carlos? He is just downstairs with Trent." There was a slight stiffening at the mention of Trent but it was clear Carlos was the one Heather wanted. "Okay, Heather, I’ll get Carlos. Just Carlos. Please don’t run anymore. I’ll be right back with Uncle Carlos."

Jess hurried down the stairs, stopping abruptly when she saw him…Detective Ryan had just entered the bar. Quickly she went to Trent.

"Trent, you have to do me a favour. I need to talk to Carlos…alone. Can you stall Ryan?" she said breathlessly.

"Jess, I’m not sure this is the time…" he told her.

"Please." Her voice was pleading. Slowly, he nodded. "I’ll call you later,’ she said, planting a kiss on his cheek and hurrying over to Carlos, who had taken up a pool cue.

"Carlos," she said tentatively. "I need to talk to you."

"No, you don’t," he mumbled, not even looking up from the pool table.

"Yes. I do. It’s important."

Sighing Carlos lined up the cue ball and fired, sinking his target. "Jess, whatever is going on between you and me isn’t exactly my priority right now." He moved around the table, lining up his next shot. "In case you haven’t noticed, I’ve got other things on my mind and frankly I don’t care if your feelings are hurt. Now, I think you should…"

"SHUT UP CARLOS!" Jess had had enough. She stepped in front of him and stood her ground. "This isn’t about you and me," she hissed, "and if you would shut up long enough I’ll tell you what it is about!"

Carlos stared down at her and Jess could tell he was debating his next move. She acted quickly before she lost him.

"You are going to follow me up those back stairs to the office without making a fuss. Trent is holding off Ryan because Heather is upstairs right now." Carlos’ look of obstinence quickly turned to shock and he started to say something before Jess quickly cut him off. "She’s terrified Carlos, so she doesn’t need us bursting in like a swat team. But she wants you. Follow me." Jess turned and headed up the stairs, an angry look on her face. She was hoping that anyone watching would just think she and Carlos were arguing and leave them alone. Her success depended on secrecy.