"Sally in the Alley"

Author: carmen_085

Disclaimer: I don't own any Rookie Characters. All original characters belong to me

Summary: They stared at each other in the darkness; the endless Wyoming sky above them. It was another dead end and she knew he was at the breaking point. They were risking it all to find a killer, hundreds of miles from home and no back up. But they wouldn't go back, not until they found justice for her. (Takes place after 2x11)

Author's Note: Some of my inspiration for this story came from the movie "Wind River". Along with that there are several interesting online articles detailing the reality of life on a reservation and the violence that is endured, especially by women.

Chapter 9

Her head bounced roughly up and down over the uneven ground. She heard the throttle accelerate as she hurtled toward a destination unknown. The tarp on top of her flapped in the cold wind as two male voices argued. The engine revved as the sled she was strapped to flew down a hillside and through a rut jerking her roughly side to side. If not for the fact that her hands were bound she would be holding on for dear life. She wanted to scream, to yell for help..someone, anyone, but she couldn't. Opening her mouth nothing came out.

The forward motion began to slow as she sensed her fate had already come to pass. Wherever this was….this was it. The ATV stopped and she heard someone flick open a lighter. Footsteps came closer as the tarp was suddenly ripped away. She wanted to blink against the bright light but her eyes were frozen in an eternal terrified stare. Another man came to stand over her as they stared at her partially naked body; their eyes settling on the blood between her legs. They had been sloppy; high on meth and booze, protection was an afterthought. It was all right there, all the evidence anyone would need, they would just have to know where to look. Taking a long drag on the smoke the shorter man jabbed his finger toward the tree line. Nobody would find her; at least not before the bears and coyotes would pick her apart.

They pulled her off the sled, dragging her across the rough ground by her ankles. Her head smashed off a rock but it didn't hurt…it couldn't hurt. All the hurt in the world had been laid upon her the night before. Roughly they sat her limp body up against an old pine tree; the wind gently blowing the highest branches side to side. It was quiet and for a moment she almost felt at peace. They would leave her here alone with the sky and the forest as her only companions. She had come from the earth and to the earth should would return.

She wanted them to leave. To stop torturing her. To let her finally rest. The shorter man turned to return to the ATV as the other one bent down over her. She hadn't seen his face…he was always in the shadows. Against the crystal clear blue sky he came into focus; his lips spreading into a sick smile and a laugh echoing off the lonely hills.

"I told you this was going to be fun, Officer Chen." Caleb…it was Caleb.

Gasping Lucy sat bolt upright in bed. Her face was covered with a sheen of sweat as she sharply sucked a breath in. Blinking a few times she looked around the darkened hotel room as she felt her stomach churn. The back of her throat was tight but it had nothing to do with nausea she felt; no matter where she went or what she did she would never be rid of him. Caleb…dead and gone but would always be there. He would always be dogging her in both her conscious and unconscious thoughts.

Exhaling she swung her legs over the bed feeling the need to bolt. Where she didn't now but she knew she wanted to get out of there.

"Hey…" His voice stopped her as she was ready to push herself up. At Lucy's sides her balled fists flexed and relaxed for a moment. Licking the sweat from her upper lip she collected herself with a shaky breath.

"I'm fine…" Tim hummed in reply as she heard the bed creak. Reaching over with his left hand he lightly touched her back. Again the darkness making him braver and more bold than the bright scrutiny of daylight. Lucy felt his fingertips and was surprised that his touch, even so light, had an immediate calming effect on her. She would have thought anyone touching her right now would only make the sickening sensation of Caleb, still lingering in her mind, all the more vivid. Breathing in and out she slouched over resting her elbows on her knees and her face in her hands. The anxiety, the fear, the hyper vigilance faded away as she was filled with an unmistakable sadness. "I will never escape him…he will always be there…one way or another."

The words left her mouth before she could think about it as she inwardly cringed. She sounded so desperate and so weak. Shifting himself in the bed, Tim grabbed onto her, pulling her back to lay down. Strangely enough the action didn't feel awkward as she settled back on the mattress next to him. There was no space between them as she felt herself exhale. Behind her back was Tim's left arm with his hand laying still on the bed. In the darkness her eyes wandered over to him although she couldn't see anything. Licking her lips Lucy knew that he was letting her move this forward on her own terms and in her own time. Not rushing or crowding or trying to move in and take it all away; just letting her feel what she was feeling in that moment, but still remaining steadfast at her side in support.

Turning toward him, her forehead came to rest against his cheek as she felt his arm wrap around her pulling her into him. Tentatively she rested a hand on his chest as she felt him exhale a shaky breath. When he spoke his voice was barely above a whisper. "I am so sorry for what happened to you…."

Shaking her head Lucy opened her mouth to speak, "….I don't blame you though". Tim adjusted slightly under her as he reflexively pulled her in tighter against him. Warmth flooded her body as the rigid anxiety of her nightmare faded away.

When he spoke again his voice was stronger, more resolute. "Nothing like that will ever happen to you, again…I promise." Lucy began to reply before she shut her mouth. What could she say to that? No one had ever had a such a strong desire to keep her safe and while she knew that was what being partners meant, she also knew that this was something more.

They lay there quietly in the darkness for a while, both enjoying the sensation of being this close to one another. In each other's arm they found a mutual safety and acceptance that existed no where else. Lucy's soft voice broke the moment, "Tim…"

Humming in reply she felt the ripple of vibration through his chest. "What's happening between us ?" In the darkness Tim smirked; typical Lucy…always had to know where to file the emotions she was feeling.

"I don't know…but I know that I like the way it makes me feel." Lucy thought about that for a moment laying there in the darkness; the emotions on her face unseen. Life was complicated and messy, beautiful and tragic…it needed to be felt not filed. Her chest deflated as she felt herself start to release the control she held onto so desperately.

"Me too."

The diner was crowded as Tim and Lucy sat down waiting for Wallace to show up. Instead of meeting on the reservations he said he would drive down to the diner across from their motel. Something about business in Lander, Tim didn't ask too many questions. While he found Wallace to be a credible guy who had, no doubt, been through the ringer, he couldn't shake the feeling that there was something else…That photo of Wallace and his combat unit stirred a memory inside of Tim that he just couldn't place but he knew that it wasn't good. He knew there was something tragic and unseen behind that photo. He just didn't know what.

The waitress appeared with coffee while they nodded their thanks. The bell over the door jingled as Wallace appeared hesitant as he scanned the restaurant. Lucy stared out the window as Tim quietly stirred his coffee watching the man in front of him. He seemed out of place and nervous as a few men hunched over the counter turned to stare at him. Averting his eyes he met Tim's as they stared at one another for a moment, both men knowing there as something else…something more they were both holding back from each other. Nodding slightly, Wallace quickly made his way down the crowded aisle, dodging a waitress with a full tray as he slid into the booth across from Tim and Lucy.

Lucy greeted him with a smile as Tim forced himself to set suspicion aside, at least for the time being. He was quiet as the waitress appeared pouring him a cup of coffee before leaving. Tim noticed a certain tension around him here that wasn't there last night. He wasn't sure if it was because of Wallace himself or because the white people in Lander held resentment toward the Indians. While both he and Lucy has been surprised by the warm welcome they received there, they also knew that most people thought it as nothing but a place of drugs, crime, and general savagery.

Wallace took a drink of coffee before looking out the window and then back at them. "I was thinking last night after you left….I think I know how we can get Ferguson and Porter alone…"

Tim was silent. The longer he was here and the more he saw; the more he was coming to the realization that this wasn't going to be a by the book affair. He had always been a cop of integrity, coming close to the line but never crossing it. The line, however, didn't mean shit to him here. The only thing he cared about was getting them both out of here alive. He would protect Lucy no matter what he had to do.

"Well tonight is Friday….the whole crew usually heads into town every Friday to go to the Casino. That's how Christina got mixed up in this shit….." He was silent for a moment looking down into the coffee before speaking again lowering his voice. "They go there because they like young, pretty Indian girls…girls who, they think, no one will miss." Lucy swallowed hard. How fucking hard was it to be woman in this place. God…she would never complain again. Shaking her head….she suddenly knew where this was going.

"I'll do it…"

Tim turned his head abruptly toward her ready to immediately shoot the idea down as the mere thought of those animals around her made him sick. Before he could open his mouth she looked at him seriously. "There's no other way to get who we want alone….and you know that.." Swallowing hard he did know that.

Wallace looked between them before continuing. "My sister, Emily, will be working there tonight…she can show you what to do." Tim looked at him before looking down at his hands. He didn't like any part of this but it was a good plan and a good idea if they could get it to work. "Most of the time they get drunk and sleep it off in town….unless…unless they find a girl…"He trailed off. "They like to take her back to the trailers….do what they want there." Lucy felt her heat begin to pound as she stared at Wallace. A brief flash of Caleb made her squeeze her eyes shut and shake her head. He couldn't own her…not unless she let him.

Next to her she heard Tim exhale loudly. While he was no Isabel, he had done his own share of plainclothes work over the years. He knew how to set up an op, surveillance, and how to lean on the public to get where you wanted. His mind began to spin. Flashing the badge should be enough to get her in, if Wallace's sister could facilitate the situation it could look natural and real, and she would never leave his sight. That was it…if that condition couldn't be met, they weren't doing this.

When Tim spoke he sounded measured and logical and Lucy felt hope that this was going to happen. "Ok, we do this…she stays in my sight at all times. Anything goes sideways or they make any wrong moves it's over."

Wallace nodded, wanted those bastards to pay but he also understood the need to protect your own. "I understand."

Lucy was a mixture of excitement and apprehension. Looking at Wallace, "Will you also be there ? Just in case." It wasn't a bad idea although Tim knew he would never willfully leave her safety up to Wallace.

He laughed as he shook his head. "Oh I wish…" Looking at the window before meeting their gaze. "I'm banned from that place. After I found out that old prick was hanging around my sixteen year old sister I went in there and beat the shit out of him…". He trailed off shaking his head. "If I go back, I get arrested…Emily loses her job."

They were all quiet for a moment; contemplating what they were about to do. Lucy spoke first, her voice firm and confident. "I can do this…we can do this." Tim's eyes wandered to his partner's face. Staring at her, a million thoughts went through this mind. Like how she was risking it all for him, how excited and confident she looked in this moment, how beautiful she was…and how she felt laying next to him in the dark. Jesus…he couldn't look away. Blinking he brought himself back to reality as the bell over the door clanged loudly. Gaze briefly flickering over Wallace's shoulder he made eye contact with a familiar looking man at the door. Bennett stood at the register pulling out a twenty as he nodded toward Tim. His eyes briefly wandered to the back of Wallace's head as a cloud of something passed over his face. Taking the paper bag they handed over, he turned and walked back out the door, the bell jingling. Watching the man walk across the parking lot Tim felt something turn in his stomach.

Tim sat on then edge of the bed with his hands folded. He hoped that the jeans, sneakers and black hoodie would make him non descript enough to blend in with the crowd at the casino which he suspected would be a mix of locals and tourists. As Wallace pointed out, it was the only place a white person would want to go on the Res. He still wasn't crazy about the idea of Lucy so close to those pricks alone but he wouldn't let her out of his sight.

The bathroom door opened as she appeared doing a twirl in front of him. Her normally brown hair was colored jet black and straightened silky smooth. Without thinking he reached out and touched it as she turned. Fuck….he couldn't even stop himself. When had this happened ? He didn't know. And maybe that's because it had been happening all along. Still…a date and time would have made him feel better right now, would have made this all easier to understand. Turning she met his eyes as he inhaled sharply. He felt himself falling forward into what he didn't know.

"What do you think ?" She smiled at him, a real Lucy smile. Despite himself and his general trepidation over this whole thing, he smiled back at her. She looked beautiful like always but he had to admit that her Asian features were strikingly similar to a Native American woman. The black hair had been her idea and only enhanced the look. Those dumb, drunk bastards would never known the difference.

"Perfect…" She paused meeting his eyes. They stayed that way for a moment before she laughed a little.

"We should probably get going so that you can talk the manager into this whole scheme." Pushing himself off the bed, Tim was the one to laugh now.

"When you're in the LAPD, boot. You let the badge do all the talking." Rolling her eyes Lucy flicked off the lights as they left the motel.

An hour later Tim sat at the bar staring down into a Bud Light trying to appear occupied by a video poker machine. The Wind River Casino was nothing spectacular although it was definitely one of the most modern places he had seen since they arrived. It was also most definitely one of the few places to be on a Friday night as the crowds began to build. Lucy had disappeared into a back room a few minutes ago to get changed into the casino "uniform" if one could call it that. A plunging black v-neck with fake native style beading and a pair of black leggings with heels. Tim watched as young Indian girls, some looking to be barely eighteen, wandered about serving drinks and smiling at customers. He could see how Wallace's sister had fallen in with the wrong kind of men here.

Lucy stared at herself in the yellowing mirror. The bathroom was cramped as she pulled the tank top over her head, shaking her hair out. While she knew that she could pass for an Indian woman she also worried that would be what they would take her as. An Indian WOMAN. A quick survey of the place had revealed mostly teenage girls that could barely pass as legal. While she was still young she was not THAT young. Exhaling she felt a wave of anxiety come over here. What If she couldn't do it…what if she looked too old…what if they just weren't interested. What if she blew this whole thing. And the biggest 'What If' yet…what if in the middle of it all she had a panic attack; not able to see or think or hear anything but Caleb Wright with a 'W'. Exhaling a shaky breath Lucy met her own gaze in the mirror. Even if they didn't say it, they were all counting on her right now. She couldn't let them down…she wouldn't let them down.

Swinging the door open she was met with the sight of a young Indian girl clutching a serving tray to her chest. She looked at Lucy before looking back down at her feet. Lucy opened her mouth and then shut it again when she saw the bandages on the girl's forearm.

"Emily ?" When they found her at the river she was covered in blood, black hair matted to her tear stained face. She looked similar but not at all. The girl at the river was hopeless, vacant, broken; this girl looked shy, innocent, and afraid. Hesitantly she brought her eyes to meet Lucy's. Slowly she nodded.

"My brother told me you were coming…I remember you from the river…." She trailed off, her eyes returning to the floor. She added almost in a whisper, "He said you are helping him find the men who hurt Chrissy…."

Lucy wanted desperately to touch the girl, to reassure her that everything would be ok and that yes, they were going to find the animals that hurt her sister. But she didn't…she couldn't. No matter how much she knew about this girl's life and the life of her family, she was still a stranger. Offering her a sympathetic smile she nodded. "We are going to find the men who hurt your sister, Emily. And we are going to make them pay for what they did."

The young girl looked at her before nodding slowly. She was either unsure if she should believe her or unsure that she should hope for so much. Native American women went missing all the time and no one gave a shit. No one even counted them….so really they had no idea how many were actually gone. Maybe this time would be different; maybe the world would start caring what happened to Indian girls. Maybe her sister would be the first.

"Come on…I'll show you were to pick up the drinks and how to keep a tab." The moment between them had evaporated and now it was time to show she meant what she had said. Nodding, Lucy followed her back out onto the casino floor. A cloud of cigarette smoke enveloped her as she walked past a row of slot machines briefly looking toward the bar and making eye contact with Tim. Looking up he acknowledged her with a slight nod before directing his eyes away. Compared to her Tim was a practiced undercover; she, on the other hand, felt like she was seconds away from blowing the whole thing.

Emily showed her where to get the drinks and how to ring out a tab. For the first hour or so she followed her around watching as grown men, old enough to be her father, licked their lips staring at her chest. Resisting the urge to punch them in their fat, ugly faces she instead smiled and distributed the drinks Emily balanced effortlessly on her tray. Every so often she would pass by Tim making brief eye contact before resuming her rounds around the casino floor.

Glancing at the clock it was nearly midnight as she felt her heart sink a bit. Where were these assholes ? Leaning over the bar she picked up a tray loaded with drinks as she turned to distribute them. Careful not to drop anything, her attention was momentarily diverted to door as a rowdy pack of rough looking white men pushed their way inside. Immediately she spotted Ferguson, knowing him from both his mugshot and their stake out at the trailers. Turning abruptly and before they could see the look of recognition on her face she inadvertently tipped the tray too far right and before she could stop it the drinks were crashing to the ground. It was no exaggeration to say that everyone in the casino turned to look at her as her face turned a bright shade of crimson. It took everything inside of her to not look right at Tim in that moment as she forced the most innocent, ditzy smile she could mange. Hearing the clatter Ferguson and his cronies turned to look and she didn't miss the opportunity to return his stare; a cute smile, shrug, and plenty of cleavage to behold as she bent over to begin cleaning up her mess.

Tim watched the whole thing unfold in what was almost slow motion. From the pack of dogs coming in the door to the drinks clattering on the ground. He wanted to cringe, to hide under the bar for her but then something happened. The distraction brought all eyes in the casino to her, Ferguson included. And to Lucy's credit she didn't let the moment pass her by. Singling him out she tried to appear cute…ditzy even. He never thought he would use that word to describe his partner. But it worked and Ferguson was intrigued. That was what undercover was all about; seizing the moment.

"Oh my God…are you ok ?" In a few seconds time Emily was crouching down next to her helping her clean up the broken glass.

"Yeah…" Ferguson and his buddies had disappeared to the other side of the casino as Lucy threw a glance toward her partner at the bar. Holding her gaze for a split second he gave a nod before casually averting his eyes once again. He saw them too. It was on now. All up to her.

Emily leaned in toward her ear whispering. "Those are the guys."

Lucy kept her eyes to the floor as she nodded, "I know."

Taking the tray of broken glass, Emily looked at her seriously before standing up. "Be careful, Lucy." Holding the younger girl's gaze for a moment she nodded. By the time they had cleaned everything up most people had turned their attention to something else. Retuning to the bar, Lucy grabbed another tray putting a few beers on it, hazarding a guess as to what low life pig rapists might enjoy, and headed toward Ferguson and his crew. This was it. Now or never.

The men were rowdy and rough, punching the slot machines as if the added force would bring some luck their way. As she approached, Ferguson looked up from what he was doing. His face spread into a disgusting smile as she forced one of her own. Coming right toward him she began distributing the beers among his friends. "Fellas…how about some beers to get things started tonight ?"

Ferguson took his beer while looking down her shirt in the process. "We didn't order any beers yet, honey." She smiled and shrugged.

"These are on the house…manager says I owe everyone in this whole place a drink after the mess I just made." She shook her head looking away and feigning embarrassment. Was she doing this right? Was he believing her right now?

Ferguson laughed as he held the beer up in a mock cheers. "I haven't seen you around here before…" He apprised her appearance and she wasn't sure if he was just looking or trying to figure something out.

Forcing a girlish laugh sound to emit from her mouth, Lucy swished her newly dyed black hair side to side. "I just moved back from Cheyenne….family stuff you know….nothing all that interesting." He looked at her nodding as she averted her eyes trying to appear disappointed. "This is the last place I wanted to be…believe me. The Res blows…nothing to do…ever." Huffing a little, she pouted making herself seem much less mature.

Ferguson rolled the bottle of beer against his chest as he eyed her hungrily. He was already drunk; Lucy could see it in his eyes. Maybe this wouldn't be so hard after all. "I know where there's something to do….if you're interested."

Lucy looked back toward the bar pretending to seem busy before then turning back toward Ferguson inching closer to him. "What's that ?" Turning on the stool he placed his knee between her legs as Lucy had to fight the reflex to vomit.

"I got a place not far from here…plenty of things we could do there if you know what I mean…" Biting her bottom lip she forced herself to flirt with this pig.

"Oh yeah ?…What kind of things…" Ferguson sat back in the chair forcing his knee further between her legs. In the dim light Lucy looked him over for a moment. His face was hollow and sunken around the cheeks as his brown hair was unkept and sticking up in the back and his face hadn't been shaven in days. Yes Wyoming life led one to abandon some pretenses but he was a far cry from Tim and what Isabel saw in this mess she could never know. Well actually….she did know….drugs. Her next high.

Laughing sadistically Ferguson rocked back and forth slightly. "Oh I'm sure we could figure something out." This was good; he was biting much harder and faster than she had thought he would. He was on the hook.

Backing up, she nodded to the bar. "I'll be back soon." Ferguson laughed.

"I'll be here waiting, baby."

Passing behind Tim she let her arm brush against his back needing the physical connection with him to bring herself back to reality. The feeling of Ferguson jamming his knee between her legs made her stomach churn and her hands shake. Putting the tray down on the bar she let her eyes wander toward her partner needing some kind of encouragement right now. Looking up Tim offered her a small smile; he was here, he wouldn't let anyone hurt her…not now… not ever again. They broke eye contact quickly not wanting anyone to catch on. Readying herself to make another pass through the casino floor she concentrated on nothing else but handing the sweaty glasses to waiting hands. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Ferguson staring at her, next to him was Chris Porter…the man Wallace and Bennett believed killed Christina. A cigarette hung loosely from his lips as he mindlessly jammed money into the slots. The rest of their group had dispersed throughout the casino as Lucy knew this was her chance to seal the deal.

Two beers remained on her tray as she walked over to the pair; Ferguson watching her in anticipation. Placing the cold beer into his hand she cast a glance toward the bar catching Emily watching her with unmistakable hope in her eyes. Leaning on the back of Ferguson's chair she whispered close to his ear hoping the feeling of her hot breath on his face would drive him insane. "I'm ready to have some fun….but I like it with two not just one…" Ferguson laughed splashing some of the beer onto his pants as Porter's eyes wandered to her face and then her chest.

"Me and my cousin can handle that….right Chris ?" Fuck this was too easy…maybe she hadn't done it right. Porter nodded slowly clearly intrigued although not as eager as Ferguson. Casting a glance at Porter she saw that he was average in stature and similar to Ferguson but paler, rounder, and more disheveled. What a sixteen year old girl would want with a mess like him was beyond her. She must have been even more desperate to get away than Wallace thought. Biting her lip she tried to appear hopeful as her gaze bounced between the two of them.

"We can handle that…" Ferguson laughed as Lucy forced a smile for them both. Looking back toward the bar she nodded hoping that Tim would catch her gesture.

"I don't get off for a few hours yet…I can meet you back at your place…." Before they left the motel Tim told her under no circumstances was she to get into a car with these two. With the Res being as desolate as it was it would be difficult to follow without being made. On top of that if they got suspicious and took a detour he would never be able to find her and unlike in LA there was nobody to call. She hoped prolonging it would make them tired and unwilling to hang around.

Porter looked at her for a moment before shrugging, the cigarette bouncing up and down in his mouth. "Ain't gonna wait around all night…" Lucy swallowed hard. Ferguson looked between his cousin and her, not wanting the chance to get laid to slip through his fingers.

"We'll be alright…just be ready to party when you get there.." Lucy giggled trying to seem enchanted when really she just wanted to throw up.

"I'll be ready…"Glancing at the clock it was after one in the morning.

"Give me your number, I'll text you the directions…". Lucy reached for her phone but stopped short. She had a LA area code, Ferguson would know that. Carefully sliding her hand in the back of her jeans she pretended to scratch her back hoping that neither caught on.

"Oh shit…you know I left my phone at home…I get terrible reception anyway." That was no lie. Since she had been here she noticed that practically the entire Res had no cell service. Porter eyed her briefly before looking back at the slot machine. Ferguson on the other hand was so drunk he had no clue what was going on. "You know I grew up here…know this place like the back of my hand. I'm sure I could find the place without much trouble.."

Ferguson went on to describe how to get to the trailers emphasizing the big Department of Energy Signs and the fact that local police could go fuck themselves before setting foot on "his land". Lucy almost snorted at that; if this land belonged to anyone it was Arapaho girls like Christina and Emily. Girls whose hopelessness they took advantage of before tossing them out with the trash. Despite herself and the complete disgust that permeated every inch of her being she smiled, laughed and nodded.

Turning to leave she heard Ferguson call after her, "I'll be waiting baby…".

Tim watched as Lucy thew a coy smile over her shoulder toward Ferguson. He didn't hear a word of their exchange but judging by the smiles and laughing he felt his boot…his partner… had done a good job. Pushing his beer away he got up to use the bathroom hoping that Lucy would see him moving toward the rear of the building and follow. Tim kept his head down not wanting anyone to give him a second glance.

"Tim….?" He heard his name but didn't register that someone was talking to him. "Tim.." Stopping he turned his head locking eyes with Bennett. Oh Christ….this wasn't good. Casting a glance over his shoulder he didn't see Ferguson, Porter, or Lucy anywhere in sight as he eyed the Chief anxiously.

"Chief…" Nodding he moved behind a row of slots. Trying to look casual Tim nodded toward the other side of the casino.. "I'm kind of in the middle of something right now…" The pink and green lights cast the Chief's tan face in dim glow as a look of knowing past over his features.

"Eh….No surprise those pricks are here tonight…." He looked down before meeting Tim's eyes. "Saw you and Lucy this morning at the diner with Charlie Wallace…" Tim's mind flashed back a few hours. Blinking he wondered what this was about.

"Yeah…."

Bennett appeared to be choosing his words carefully, "Be careful with him….He's a bit of a loose canon…does things HIS way." Tim nodded, the knot of suspicion in his gut twisting.

"Uh huh…" Bennett shrugged his shoulders as he turned to go.

"Just be careful…"

Chris Porter zig zagged through the casino headed for the bathroom. He wasn't sure why Joey was so jacked about this Indian girl but if she was willing to put out, who was he to say no. She had just better not get out of line like the last one. Looking up he saw Sam Bennett, the Wind River Chief of Police standing against the slot machines talking to a white man. Stopping he slid his ass into a stool keeping his eyes averted. He knew Bennett…the boys called him Wagon Burner Bennett and a few other derogatory names. Had kicked them out of various places around town once or twice but could never arrest them and they made sure to taunt him with that fact on the regular. Turning the Chief walked toward the door as Porter leaned forward getting a look at the guy he was talking to.

A white guy; very clean cut…looked kind of like a cop. Turning he walked toward the bathroom. Leaning back, Porter chewed this over for a moment. This guy wasn't a cop on the Res; he knew all them native pigs. A moment later, he re-emerged looking around. Pulling his hood up, Porter leaned back; his face hid in the shadows of the dim lighting. Suddenly a woman came out of nowhere taking the guys hand and leading him away. They lingered in the shadows for a moment before she looked over her shoulder.

It was the bitch who practically put her pussy on a platter for Joey. He knew something was up with this shit. None of these Native bitches, no matter how desperate they were, made it that easy. He watched as the two of them parted ways each going in a different direction. Whatever she was up to…she would regret it. Because in this place there would be no one coming to help.

Gripping the wheel tighter, Lucy guided the rental over the dark and lonely highway. In the backseat behind her Tim leaned his head against the worn fabric exhaling loudly. "Keep them both in front of you at all times…I won't be far behind but you need to make sure neither of them have access to a weapon before we do this….I'll be there if something goes bad but if we do this right they both go in and everybody goes home."

Lucy nodded although she knew he wasn't watching her. "Did you call Wallace ?" Tim squeezed his eyes shut at that question. No he didn't call Wallace. He didn't know what it was but something about that guy just didn't fit. That, coupled with Bennett's ominous warning, and he had made a snap decision to keep Wallace on the bench this time. Right or wrong, Tim had always trusted his gut. He knew, however, that Lucy liked the man and trusted him albeit a bit blindly.

"Yeah…" He needed her focused right now…he would apologize for lying afterwards.

Making the turn off of the main highway she guided the rental along the river toward the trailers. Except for the glow of her headlights absolute blackness enveloped them. In the backseat Tim crouched down behind her. The plan wasn't sophisticated but it was the best they could do with what they had. Lucy would gain access to the trailer and open a window somewhere out of sight…Tim would crawl in and they would take the two pricks down before they knew what hit them. God…so many things could go wrong. Swallowing hard he shook his head.

"Stop here….I'll get out…pull up about twenty feet and I'll meet you there." Doing as she was told Lucy pulled the rental over and Tim got out silently shutting the back door. Fading into the darkness he drew his weapon. Stopping the vehicle slightly ahead Lucy cut the lights and got out. The lights in the trailer where on as she silently closed her own door. Drawing her service piece, Tim came up on her flank and he nudged her forward.

"Ok…move quietly." Carefully they moved together in the darkness. Lucy dared not breath as she felt it could set the whole tenuous affair off balance. Behind her she heard a twig snap as a sick laugh echoed through the lonely forest.

"Well….well looks like I was right again." Feeling the barrel of something jam into her back she froze. "Put the guns down slowly and turn around."

Lucy felt her heart squeeze in her chest. Oh my fucking God….they know…they know. Before her brain could even catch up to the situation at hand, Tim was already in motion. Stuffing his own weapon back into his hands he turned quickly grabbing blindly in the dark. Hands landing on the barrel of the AR pressed into her back she felt him roughly jerk the weapon away sending Porter off balance. Lucy turned pointing her gun toward the sounds of struggle as she heard a whooshing from behind. Without a second to react she was tumbling forward gun out as someone jumped onto her back pushing her onto the ground. The back end of her Glock jammed into her chest as she heard the crack of glass.

Struggling to breath she felt a heavy weight on top of her before scuffling footsteps and Tim yelling. "Get off of her…" The weight shifted as she realized that her right hands was still clamped around the butt end of the Glock. Two bodies fell beside her as she heard grunting and fists smacking flesh. But still she could see nothing….and the absolute blackness was so disorienting. Sounds echoed off the desolate forest as she felt paralyzed and unsure how to react. Tim had once told her the most valuable thing she had were her 'cop eyes' but what do you do when you can't see ?

Pushing herself to her feet she saw another figure moving toward the scuffle on the ground. There was moaning and struggling, swearing and heavy breathing. Taking a breath she brought her firearm level to where she thought they were. Moving her index finger forward she switched the gun mount flash light on but nothing happened. The cracking sound she heard when she fell forward was the flashlight shattering on a rock. Panic began to rise up inside of her as she realized the gun was no useless. No matter how good of a shot she was she would never risk Tim's life firing a round into the pitch dark.

Stuffing her gun back into the waistband of her jeans she heard Tim's strangled voice pierce the cold night air. "Lucy….GO ! RUN ! GET HELP!"

She heard a man laughing as someone pushing away from the struggle on the ground and began moving toward her. All she could make out was a silhouette of blackness and the sickening smell of alcohol and cheap cologne.

"You know what I think ?" It was Porter coming toward her… "I think we beat the shit out of him and then make him watch us fuck the shit out of her…" Her throat went dry as she backed up. "Yeah…do her just like we did that little Native bitch…then we leave them both for the wolves…" In the blackness she felt her feet get tangled in the root of a tree as she fell backwards. A yelp escape her lips and the black silhouette lunged toward her grabbing onto her legs. Kicking she cried out as she scooted herself backwards on her ass toward where she thought the car was. Porter's sick laughter filled the empty forest as she felt his dirty fingernails through her pants clawing at her. Her thoughts briefly flashed to Caleb standing over her laughing; the desolate desert stretched out behind him.

"LUCY ! GET OUT OF HERE !" It was Tim. Snapping back to reality she began to kick wildly making contact with his face. She heard him howl in pain as she pushed herself to her feet and began to run. Behind her she heard the sounds of a fading struggle and her partner's voice yelling after her. "RUN !…".

TBC….well there's a cliffhanger. Next chapter obviously the climax of our story and then maybe another after that to wrap and an epilogue. I've had tons of fun writing this and thank you to my faithful readers for hanging in there as my inspiration has waxed and waned. Promise this wrap up will not be long and it will be worth it ! Thanks again and please review.