"I don’t understand, Boss. Why do you want him working for you if you hate him?"

"Something my father taught me. It was an old saying. ‘Keep you friends close, but keep your enemies closer.’ I want Mr. Malloy very close."

"Why don’t you just kill him?" the thug asked.

"Oh, I will. But I’m going to continue to make his life a living hell, first." Marshall Foley was standing behind his bar. An evil smile spread across his face. "I want you to find someone for me and bring him here," he told his henchman. "This will be the next step after killing his wife."

**

"You owe Mr. Foley money, Jerry and he wants it now." Trent had the weasily little man by the throat.

"I…I…I can get it by tomorrow. I… I p…p….promise." The man was obviously terrified.

"You better. I’ll be back here at 4. You better be here. If you aren’t I will find you and it won’t be pretty." Trent dropped the man to his feet and headed back to his car. As he started it up and pulled away from the curb, he heard a voice in his head. ‘Do you really think this is what Sam would have wanted?’ Out loud he said, "Shut up, Carlos."

**

"Mr. Sandoval……Mr. Sandoval." The sound of a voice brought Carlos around. The last thing he remembered was being jumped as he left Uppercuts. He had thought there were at least three of them but unconsciousness had taken him before he could be sure. Now, as consciousness returned, he was aware he was tied to a chair and most of his body ached. His head slowly cleared as he took in his surroundings.

"Marshall Foley. What a delight to see you," he mumbled, sarcastically.

"The pleasure is all mine, Mr. Sandoval." Foley was standing in front of Carlos, a drink in his hand. "Glad you could join us."

"Like I had a choice." Carlos tried to move his arms but found the ropes just dug in deeper. "What do you want?"

"Oh, I just need you for a little retaliation against a friend of yours."

"He’s no friend of mine," Carlos said angrily, knowing immediately who Foley was referring to.

"Oh come now, Carlos. Do you mind if I call you Carlos?" Without waiting for an answer, Foley continued. "I know that you two have been friends since you were children. That’s why it is going to be especially hard for him to watch you die."

"You mean like he did with his wife?" Things were started to become clear to Carlos.

Foley smiled. "That was especially good work, wasn’t it? What you may not know is that we helped her death along by replacing the antibiotics." Slowly walking around the room, Foley continued his story. "You see, Carlos, Trent has brought all of this on himself. If he had of had the good sense not to testify against my father…"

"Or die when you tried to kill him…." Carlos threw in.

"Or that, then I wouldn’t have had to exact my revenge."

"You’re twisted, Foley."

Foley laughed. "That may be, Carlos but I will have my way. Gentlemen," Foley said turning to the other men in the room. "Lock him up and find Trent. I want him here as soon as possible."

**

"Malloy," Trent said as he picked up the cell phone.

"Hi Trent."

"Hi Kim." Trent was surprised. "What can I do for you?"

"Just checking to see if you are okay." Her voice was hesitant. She hadn’t really spoken to Trent since they had talked with Detective Ryan.

"I’m fine. What about you?"

"I’m okay." Again there was hesitation.

"What’s wrong Kim?"

"It’s Carlos." Trent took a deep breath but Kim continued before he could say anything. "I think he is missing, Trent. He left Uppercuts last night but no one has seen him since and his Durango is still in the parking lot."

"Kim," Trent said in exasperation. "Carlos is a big boy. I’m sure he’s fine."

"I’m serious, Trent. Look, I know you two aren’t on the best terms right now…"

"So you thought that if you called I would come running. Sorry Kim. I’m not going to do it."

"Trent, this is for real and I’m worried. Can’t you put your stupid little ego away for just a minute? He’s your friend and he’s missing." Kim was almost yelling into the phone.

Trent took a deep breath. He was almost positive that Kim was just trying to get them together, something Trent wasn’t ready for. Finally, he spoke. "Look. Try calling Sarah."

"Sarah? But Trent, she hasn’t spoken to Carlos since….." her voice trailed off.

"Since Sam died. You can say it, Kim." Again Trent took a deep breath. "Maybe they reconciled. Just try it. If she doesn’t know where he is and he doesn’t show up by tomorrow morning call me back." Without waiting for an answer, Trent hung up the phone. Almost immediately it rang again. "What?!" Trent yelled, as he answered it.

"Mr. Foley wants to see you immediately," the voice told him.

"Alright," Trent said with a sigh. "Tell him I’ll be there shortly."

**

"Hello, Dallas Animal Sanctuary, Dr. Baker speaking."

"Hi Sarah."

"Kim! What a surprise! How are you?" Sarah’s voice sounded tired, strained.

"Just fine, Sarah. How are you?"

"I’m okay. Things are improving slowly. Is there something I can do for you?"

"I’m sorry to bother you but…umm.. have you seen Carlos lately?"

There was silence. "No. Why?" Sarah voice took on an edge. "Is he missing?"

Kim didn’t want to worry Sarah any more than was necessary. "I’m sure it’s nothing, Sarah. He just hasn’t called this morning."

"What about Trent?"

"Trent isn’t working here anymore, Sarah. He and Carlos had a falling out, just after……" Kim stopped, knowing she had said too much. "I’m sorry to bother you, Sarah."

"It’s okay, Kim. It was nice to hear from you." Sarah’s voice was very quiet now, almost inaudible.

"Sarah? Are you okay?"

"Yes." Kim could tell Sarah was crying now. "Bye, Kim," Sarah said and hung up before Kim could say anything more.

Left holding the phone, Kim’s sense of frustration grew. One single event had shattered so many lives.

**

Carlos way lying on the cot in the small, dark room. The thugs had worked him over after bringing him here and it hurt to breathe. He wondered silently if his ribs were broken. He tried to listen for any signs of life nearby but was greeted only by silence.

**

"Hi Bob. Where is he?"

"He’s in the study, Mr. Malloy. He’s waiting for you."

"Thanks." As Trent started down the hall, something told him to approach quietly and stop at the door before entering. He heard voices.

"How is Mr. Sandoval?"

"He’s locked up in the spare room. We worked him over pretty good and his face ain’t so pretty anymore!"

"Just keep him alive until I get Trent here. This is going be enjoyable."

Trent leaned silently against the wall. ‘Damn,’ he thought. ‘Kim was right.’ Now he had to figure out how to get Carlos out. Unfortunately, Bob had seen him come in and it was only a matter of time until Foley knew. He had to find Carlos and get him out fast.

**

Carlos jumped when he heard the door. He tried to sit up to ready himself but he couldn’t. Now, he was sure his ribs were broken.

"Carlos? You okay?" The voice was Trent’s.

"Yeah. Just thought I would drop in for a visit," he said, painfully. "Nice place you got here."

"Can you get up? It’s only a matter of time before Foley knows I’m here."

Again Carlos tried to sit up and finally managed with help from Trent. Trent got a good look at him for the first time and was enraged.

"How many were there?"

"Four. I tried a few of your moves but I guess you didn’t teach me the right ones," Carlos said as he gritted his teeth.

"Yeah, or maybe you just didn’t pay attention," Trent said, as he helped Carlos to his feet.

"You know, the funny thing is, I promised Sam I would look after you. Guess it should have been the other way around." Carlos said as they shuffled to the door.

"No, I think she got it right. She just figured I’d have the good sense to listen to you."

Carlos stopped. "You know he killed her, don’t you?"

"Yeah." Trent said, hanging his head. "I’ve known for awhile. I just have to prove it." Holding Carlos steady, he opened the door and peered out. "Okay, Carlos we have to move fast. Foley knows I’m here but hasn’t seen me yet. Lean on me and we’ll go out and head to the right."

Carlos put his arm around Trent’s shoulder and moved painfully out in to the hall. He let Trent guide him and tried to hurry as best he could. Trent could hear his ragged breathing. Slowly they moved down the hall, stopping at the first corner.

"Okay, Carlos. This hall goes to the left and then there is a staircase at the end. It isn’t used very much so we should have clear sailing. Can you make it?" Trent knew that Carlos' broken ribs were impinging his breathing and there was a possibility of puncturing a lung. However, if they were to survive at all, they would have to get out of Foley’s house.

"Yeah. Let’s do it," Carlos said through gritted teeth. As quickly as they could, they moved down the hallway to the staircase. They had reached the top when a shot range out. Trent felt Carlos fall to his knees, almost dragging Trent to the floor with him. Trent pulled Carlos to shelter, around the top of the staircase.

"Glad to see you could make it, Trent," Foley’s voice rang out.

Trent leaned back against the wall. He looked down at Carlos, alarmed at the spreading bloodstain on the front of his shirt. Quickly, he tore off a piece of Carlos’ shirt and tried to stop the bleeding with pressure. "Stay with me, Carlos," he whispered. Leaning back against the wall he called out. "What do you want, Foley?"

"You, Trent. How is your friend doing?"

"He’s just fine," Trent lied. Looking down, he saw the colour draining from Carlos face and the bloodstain growing. He heard Foley laughing from around the corner.

"I know I hit him. And I’m guessing that with the shape he was in, he isn’t doing very well." Foley’s voice dripped with confidence.

"Why are you doing this?" Trent demanded. "Why him? Why Sam? Why not just come after me?" Trent knelt down and felt for Carlos’ pulse. It was there but it was weak.

"Isn’t it obvious? I have to watch my father die a slow painful death on death row. I wanted you to know what it is like to watch someone close to you die." Venom oozed from Foley’s voice.

"Is that why you killed Sam?"

"Yes. I wanted you to suffer. Suffer like I have been. Now you are watching someone else close to you die. Then it will be your turn."

Rage filled Trent as he stood up and stepped out from around the corner. "You want me? Kill me now," he said, angrily, walking down the hall towards Foley. "You’ve taken everything that is important to me so you may as well kill me now."

"All in due time. Now stop there."

"Why? Are you going to shoot me? You are going to do it anyway, so what’s stopping you?" Trent’s advance had taken Foley by surprise. Before he could react, Trent was within striking distance. Quickly he spun and kicked the gun from Foley’s hand. "Not so tough now are you, Foley? Want to go one on one?" Trent lunged for Foley. Within seconds he had him in a death grip. "You know, I could snap your neck right now," Trent whispered menacingly as his face was inches from Foley’s. "Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t kill you right now."

Foley tried to reply but his breath was cut off as Trent tightened his grip. Foley’s eyes started to glaze over when Trent heard a hushed voice.

"Don’t Trent. He’s not worth it." Carlos was standing, supporting himself on the wall.

"He killed her, Carlos. You heard him say it." Anger, rage and desperation tinged Trent’s voice.

"I know, manno, but he still isn’t worth it. You’ll regret it if you do."

"I should do it for Sam."

"She wouldn’t want you to. You know that, buddy." Carlos was beginning to feel himself slip. His strength was draining. "C’mon buddy. Don’t do it."

Trent was suddenly aware that there were another person coming up behind Carlos. He heard the voice before he saw the figure. "It’s okay, Trent. He’ll pay for what he did. We know he had Sam killed, killed Jimbo Burnett and that he tried to shoot Carlos here. He’ll be on death row with his father. That is more punishment than killing him."

"Is it, Walker? He’ll be there but Sam is still dead. Why shouldn’t he be too?"

"Because it isn’t for you to decide. Do you want to lower yourself to that level? To become a murderer yourself? You know you don’t, Trent. Let him go. We’ve got everyone else rounded up. Let him go and we can all go home."

The words finally sank in to Trent as he thought about Sam. As Walker approached, Trent let him take the semi-conscious Foley out of his grasp. He turned his attention to Carlos. As Carlos sank to the floor, Trent went to him. Wordlessly, he helped him up and led him down the stairs to the waiting ambulance.

EPILOGUE

There was a warm summer breeze blowing as the lone figure approached the glimmering headstone. The only sound to be heard was the chirping of the birds in the nearby trees. Reaching down he placed the bouquet of lilacs in front of the headstone reading ‘Samantha Baker Malloy, Beloved Wife and Friend’.

"Hi Sam," Trent whispered. "I brought your favourite, lilacs. I just wanted to stop by and talk to you for awhile." Trent sat down beside the stone, and gazed out into the clear bright blue sky. "Carlos is doing fine. He’s trying to pick up all the nurses at the hospital so you know he’s no worse for wear," Trent said with a smile. "I guess you know he and Sarah are done for good. Sarah left for Canada this morning. She felt a clean break was best. She wrote you this letter." Trent pulled out a small pink envelope from his back pocket and placed it under the bouquet. "She told Carlos she was sorry for everything she said to him and I know she loves him. She just can’t deal with the danger and what could happen to him. As for what she said to me, well, I still feel partly to blame for what happened to you, Sam. I should have been able to protect you." Tears began to well up in Trent’s eyes. "Foley is going away for a long time, but you know, in that moment I could have killed him, Sam. I wanted to kill him. But Carlos reminded me of you. He knew you wouldn’t have wanted me to do it. Thanks for asking him to look out for me. I guess, somehow, you knew. Still, I’d give anything to have you back. I just miss you so much." Trent let the tears flow silently down his cheeks. Quietly, he whispered, "I love you, Sam."

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