"Who the hell is knocking on the door at this hour?" Sam mumbled as she got out of bed. Trent was still asleep. She answered the door to find Detective Ryan.

"Ryan, it's 6:00 am. What do you want?"

"Sandoval. Where is he?"

"How should I know? He's not here." Sam started to close the door but was stopped by Ryan.

"I have a search warrant." He motioned to the officers. "Gentlemen." They pushed aside a stunned Sam as they started searching the apartment.

*****

"Hello?"

"Sarah, it's me, Carlos."

"Carlos, do you know what time it is?" Sarah looked at the clock that said '5:48'

"Yes. Listen, I need your help and I need it now. You have to meet me at that place you took me last week."

"Carlos…" Sarah started to protest but was cut off.

"Sarah, just do as I say." The tension in Carlos voice began to frighten her and she told him so. "Well, that makes two of us," Carlos replied. "Look, I'm at a pay phone and I don't want to talk over the phone. Just come to meet me and I'll explain as best I can. And don't take a direct route."

Sarah hesitated. "Should I call Trent and Sam?" she finally asked.

"Not just yet." There was silence on the line then Carlos spoke. "I know I'm asking a lot Sarah but I really am in trouble."

"Okay, Carlos. I'll be there as soon as I can. Be careful."

"I was just about to say the same to you. Bye." There was a dial tone in Sarah's ear. She desperately wanted to call her sister but she had to trust Carlos. She dressed quickly and headed out, all the time wondering what had scared Carlos so much.

*****

"Murder? Carlos? You're insane, Ryan." The sound of officers stomping through the house had gotten Trent up in a hurry.

"Look, we just have to talk to him," Ryan told them.

"Why Carlos?" Trent asked.

"I don't want to get into it but we found some evidence at the scene that links to him."

"No way," Trent said in disbelief.

"Then where is he? We've searched his apartment, here, your office. A witness identified him at the scene. Do either of you know where he would be?"

Sam looked at Trent who returned her look. Ryan noticed it. "Where is he?"

"I don't know," Sam said, a little too quickly.

"If I find out that either of you know where he is and don't tell me I'll have you arrested for obstruction and have both of your licenses revoked. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes," they said in unison.

"Honestly, Ryan, we don't know where he is," Trent told him. Ryan was still suspicious.

"If you hear from him you call me, understand. He is only making it worse for himself."

"Is there a warrant out for his arrest?" Trent asked quietly.

"There is now." Ryan turned and waved the officers out and followed silently. As the door closed Sam and Trent looked at each other, not knowing what to say. Sam reached for the phone.

*****

Sarah saw Carlos pacing as she drove up to the old horse farm. She had brought Carlos there last week to tell him about her boss' plan to create an injured animal sanctuary. For now, it was deserted. Carlos came over as she got out of her car.

"Hi," he said, kissing her. "Thanks for coming."

"No problem but will you please tell me what this is all about? " She also noticed the scratches. "What happened to your face?"

"It's a long story," Carlos told her, ushering her towards the house. Sarah could see that he had broken the lock off the door. Carlos turned to her once they were inside. "No matter what you hear you have to believe me."

"What, Carlos?" Sarah was beginning to tremble.

"They are going to arrest me for murder." He turned away, not able to look her in the eye.

"WHAT? Carlos…I…" Sarah was speechless.

"I met a woman in Uppercuts last night after you left. We just had a drink. I swear Sarah I was just going to finish my beer." For a brief moment Sarah was jealous but she realized there was worse to come. "I don't even remember leaving. She must have slipped me something. The next thing I remember I woke up in a hotel room with her dead beside me." Carlos left out the fact that the woman had also been naked.

"My God, Carlos!" Sarah gasped.

"She was shot with my gun and I have these scratches on my face. I'd even place odds that the hotel room was in my name. At least they brought my Durango. I swear I didn't knowingly sleep with her, Sarah." Sarah grasped the table for support and stared wide-eyed at Carlos, trying to understand. "Someone has set me up. You do believe me, don't you?" Carlos eyes were pleading with her.

"Of course, I believe you Carlos. But you have to turn yourself in. Walker and Trent can help straighten this out."

"Not yet. You can't tell anyone where I am, not even Trent. I've got to talk to a few people first."

"I won't tell anyone unless you want me to."

"Well, I just have to find a place to stay."

"Stay here, Carlos. No one will be around for at least two weeks and I'm sure you won't be here that long." I hope, Sarah added silently. "If anyone finds out I met you, I'll tell them it was someplace else. I'll just play dumb."

For a brief moment, Carlos smiled, "Never," he said.

"Here, take my cell phone. You can use it at least for awhile."

"Okay, thanks. I need you to get some info to Trent and get him to find out a few things. And thanks for believing in me."

Sarah smiled. "I know you are no murderer Carlos."

*****

"She's not home. He must have called her first," Sam said as she put the phone down.

"Well you know he wouldn't call here, because this is the first place they would and did come to."

"What can they do to her for helping him," Sam asked quietly. "Can they take her license?"

"I don't know."

"But murder, T? What the hell is going on?"

"I don't know. I think I better call Walker."

*****

"I'll take the Durango. You can take my car."

"Sarah, they'll be looking for the Durango."

"I know, but this will give you some more time. They won't know what you are driving until after they catch me and figure out what kind of car I have." Sarah gathered up the information Carlos had given her. "I'll get this to Trent and please be careful, Carlos. If they catch you please go peacefully, okay?"

"Don't worry. I'm not planning to go out in a blaze of glory." Carlos bent to kiss Sarah. "Now you better go." Sarah looked at him, terrified like she had never been before.

"I love you, Carlos."

"I love you too, Sarah. Just be careful."

"I will." She quickly turned so Carlos couldn't see the tears in her eyes. She climbed into the Durango, waved and was gone. Carlos took the keys to Sarah's car and hopped in. There was someone he had to see.

*****

Sarah was on her way to Sam and Trent's apartment after stopping at home and showering. She had stopped at a red light and had not noticed the police car behind her. As the light changed, she accelerated through the intersection and continued down the street for a few blocks. Suddenly, there were police cars in front of her, blocking her path. She slammed on her brakes and soon found herself surrounded by police with their guns drawn.

"GET OUT OF THE CAR! HANDS WHERE WE CAN SEE THEM!" Sarah's heart was pounding as she opened the door and stepped out. She was roughly grabbed and pinned to the hood of the Durango as officers searched the truck.

"It's clear," an officer yelled. Sarah was handcuffed and placed in the back of a Dallas police cruiser.

"What’s going on? What's happening?" Sarah asked, but no one would answer.

"Take her to the station. Call Ryan," she heard someone say.

*****

Carlos pulled up along the curb in a rough part of town. After waiting a few moments he finally saw the person he was waiting for. As Carlos got out of the car, the man saw him and began to run. Carlos gave chase and quickly caught the man in a nearby alley.

"Hi Henry," Carlos said to the beady-eyed little man who had been one of his police informants. "Surprised to see me?" Carlos held him by the throat.

"C.. c.. c.. c..Carlos. How are you man?" the frightened little man managed to say.

"Fine, considering I've been set up for murder." Carlos pushed harder on his neck. "Tell me what you know, Henry."

"N..n..n..n..n..nuthin' man."

"Henry," Carlos voice was calm…too calm. "I know you knew this was going down. Tell me what you know or I'll break you. What’s another murder charge?" Carlos' eyes showed Henry the rage that was barely being controlled.

"There was this guy asking around awhile back. Asking things like where you hung out, that sort of thing. But…"

"But what Henry?" Carlos grip hadn't loosened any.

"Something was fishy. Like it was a set up. Cops maybe. Then word came you were going down."

"Cops?" Finally, Carlos' grip loosened. "You sure?"

"C..c..c…c…c..Carlos. I can't be seen with you."

"You know who did, it don't you?"

"No man, I just know I don't want to know."

"You find out Henry. Trent will be around to see you, okay?"

"C..c..c…c..c…Carlos…"

"I mean it Henry. Or deal with Trent after I go to jail."

"Don't let them take you, man. You won't make it." With that, Henry slipped out of Carlos' grip and took off down the alley. Carlos stood there, thinking about what he had just been told. He knew the price on his head had just gone up considerably.