Carlos grabbed the cell phone and punched it angrily. "WHAT?" he yelled.

"Carlos? It’s Walker. Everything okay?"

Carlos took a few deep breaths before answering. "Sorry, Walker. Yeah, everything is fine. What’s up?"

"Do you remember where Sarah’s mother lives,"

"Yeah," Carlos began looking at street names. He had been so angry, he had just started driving. "Why?"

"We have a search warrant. Can you meet me there in 10 minutes?"

"Yeah."

"And I take it Sarah won’t be helping us?"

Carlos sighed. Somehow Walker always knew. "I wouldn’t bet on it."

**

A petite sixtyish woman answered the door of the small single storied house. She took a step back as she recognized the man on her doorstep. "Carlos? What are you doing here?"

"Hi Mrs. Baker." Cecilia Baker had a striking resemblance to both her daughters, most notably the cool blue eyes. "We’re looking for Steve. Is he home?"

She shook her head, not really understanding what was happening. Her mind tried to register why there were two uniformed police officers behind Carlos along with another man in a cowboy hat. She remembered him from her daughter’s funeral. "No, what’s this all about?"

"We have a search warrant, Ma’am," the uniformed officer said. Cecilia opened the door further and allowed the men to enter. She looked questioningly at Carlos.

"Mrs. Baker, we think Steve might have shot Samantha’s husband," he told her.

Her eyes narrowed. "Samantha’s husband is here," she said icily. Just then, Samantha’s ex-husband, Roger Peterson came to the door. He was big, almost as big as Carlos was but definitely not as firm. And arrogant. Carlos remembered that Roger and Trent had almost come to blows that Christmas.

"What’s happening, Ma?" Roger asked. He noticed Carlos. "What the hell do you want?"

"They think Steve shot…" Cecilia hesitated. "Trent Malloy," she finally said through gritted teeth. For reasons Carlos never knew and Sarah could never explain, Cecilia and Samantha had almost never gotten along. Because of that, Trent was guilty by association. Samantha’s death had just exasperated her dislike of Trent. "Why Steve? What makes you so sure it wasn’t the men who murdered my daughter back to finish the job?" she asked.

"There were certain clues that led us to believe Steve was involved," Carlos told her.

"Is Malloy dead?" Roger asked.

"No. Last I heard he was in surgery."

"Too bad," Roger said with a smirk.

Carlos bit his tongue. Something about Roger had always gotten under his skin. It was intensified a hundred-fold now.

"I don’t know where Steve is," Cecilia lied.

"We just want to talk to him," Carlos lied back. As Cecilia walked back towards her kitchen, Roger stepped in front of Carlos.

"And don’t even think about going to see Sarah. She’s mine now."

The shock registered briefly on Carlos’ eyes before he could stop it. Sarah and Roger? He couldn’t believe after everything Sarah had said about him, she would be with him.

Roger continued. "Don’t go near her or you’ll be sorry."

"Is that a threat?" Carlos aid between clenched teeth.

"Consider it a promise. I told you she’s mine now."

Carlos looked him squarely in the eyes. "Are you sure?" he asked, before turning and walking down the hall. The moment of registration on Roger’s face gave him reason to smile.

**

"Mrs. Malloy?" Jess was sitting beside Kate Malloy in the waiting room.

"Yes, Jessie?"

"Do you believe in guardian angels?"

Kate smiled. "Of course. And I think Trent has more that his share." She put her arm around Jessie warmly. "He is going to be just fine," she said reassuringly.

"I know," Jessie said quietly. "Sam told me."

**

"He’s right, you know."

"About what?"

"You always did have a problem trusting him."

Sarah sighed heavily. "I know. When we started out it was just fun. Then things got serious but I was here and he was in Texas. I mean look at him. He could have nay women he wants."

"But he wants you, Sarah."

"Oh gosh, Sam…" Sarah sat bolt upright as she realized who she was talking to. "SAM?!…What?…How?…"

Sam smiled. "Calm down, Sarah. It’s okay. I’m here because Carlos needs your help."

"I just don’t know, Sam…" Sarah started.

"Sarah, he shot Trent and left him to die. My Trent, Sarah. You have to help Carlos get him."

"But Steve? Our brother?" Sarah was torn with indecision.

"It wasn’t Steve. He is being set up. I’ll tell you everything but you have to help Carlos clear Steve and catch who is framing him. Please Sarah."

Sarah heard the plea of Sam’s voice. "Of course, Sam. Of course."

Ten minutes later, Sarah awoke with a start, cold sweat running down her face. Someone was banging on her door.

**

"Walker, something doesn’t fit," Carlos mused, leaning on his rental car in the Baker driveway.

"What?" Walker asked. "Did Peterson leave?"

"Yeah. Said something about getting a lawyer for Steve."

"Okay. So what doesn’t fit?"

"Everything. I know we found the airline ticket in there but it just feels too easy." Carlos shook his head, continuing. "I’ve met Steve and although I’m sure he was upset, he and Sam were not particularly close. And he just seemed smarter than this."

"Smarter that what?"

"Leaving this trail. It just seems too easy."

"I know what you mean. You think he is being set up?"

"Yes."

"Any ideas about who?"

"Maybe," came the reply.

**

"SARAH! I KNOW YOU ARE IN THERE! LET ME IN!"

Inside, Sarah sat trembling. She knew it would only get worse if she didn’t open the door. Hesitantly, she turned the lock. As she did, the door flew open, pushing her back. Roger grabbed the door and slammed it closed behind him. He moved to Sarah, catching her, yelling in her face.

"I SAW HIM, SARAH. I KNOW HE WAS HERE!" Spittle flew from the corners of his mouth.

"Who?" Sarah asked, her eyes telling Roger she already knew whom he was talking about. She had never seen him so angry and she was terrified.

He looked at her intently. She was wearing an old Texas Ranger sweatshirt, her hair still damp and disheveled from her shower. He let go of her, throwing her towards the sofa. He stalked down the hallway to the bedroom.

Sarah eyed the front door, wondering if she had enough of a head start. As she debated, Roger walked back into the living room. He seemed almost calmer now, which frightened her even more.

In one quick movement, he slammed his hand down on her end table, cracking it. Sarah jumped. He grabbed her hair and pulled her head back.

"You are nothing but a slut, just like your sister." He threw her head forward, stomping off towards the kitchen. As he approached it, he slammed his fist into the wall, creating a huge hole. "He’s back here for what? Two hours and he gets you to screw him?" Roger shook his head. "You are unbelievable. You are worse than your slutty sister!!"

Sarah looked up, gathering her strength to fight back. "What are you going to do? Shoot me like you did Trent?"

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