Fulcrum

Chapter eight

Liam told his brother about everything he had seen on the drive, Walker looked through it only to find that all the information on it had been erased.
"What how is that even possible?" Liam asked. He had seen enough evidence to put Avis behind bars, but now it was all just gone. Save for the file that he couldn't open."Cordell I swear it was."

"I believe you," Walker answered. He had to hand it to Avis, he was either an excellent hacker or knew one. Something was on this drive and clearly Avis didn't want him to see it. "Felicia told me that Avis was hiding something, and something tells me its under this encrypted file."
"I wasn't able to crack it but I can keep trying." Liam suggested.
"No Avis isn't going to let me see it," Walker answered. "He's covering his tracks so that I will think Felicia is lying and she'll be arrested." While Felicia hadn't gone into detail about what kind of history she had with Avis, it was definitely an ugly one.  The two were constantly trying to dig up dirt on the other.

"There is one man who might know," Liam said. "Avis was involved with the North side nation, and he had emails to Stan." Walker tensed up at the mere mention of the man. He didn't even want to see the man who had taken his beloved Emily away from him. The last thing he wanted was for Stan to somehow be a part of another mission to strip him of another person he held dear.
"No." Walker responded instantly.
"Cordell I don't like it either but if we don't figure out what Avis is up to, so many other people will go through what we did." Liam told him.

Walker gritted his teeth and thought about all the things he would rather do to Stan. But his brother was right, losing Emily had almost destroyed him and his family. He couldn't let that happen to anyone else.
"I despise that you have point stinker," Walker finally said. "You're right, I don't like it but he's the only lead we got," Right as he finished his sentence, Walker's phone went off and knowing it was mostly likely work. He checked it to see that he had about five messages from James about Avis being at ranger headquarters. "Speak of the devil, Avis is sticking his nose where it doesn't belong."
"Think he knows we're on to him?" Liam asked.

"Can't say yet but I'll find out, we need to find out what's on that file," Walker responded. "I'll deal with Avis and Stan, you go find someone who can hack into the file." Liam nodded despite not knowing who in the world he could ask. His older brother left after that and Liam spent a few hours trying to decrypt the file. But he still hadn't gotten anywhere, he sighed in frustration and ran his fingers through his hair.
"Hey Uncle Liam," Stella called out as she walked through the front door with her brother. "Wow you look like August writing an essay."
"Hey!" August responded. He knew his sister was just teasing but he still didn't appreciate the comment.

Liam couldn't help but smile at their actions, he wondered if this was what having children felt like. After things fell apart with Brett, he had last any hope of starting his own family. But at least he would always have his niece and nephew, the two brighten up his day. "Everything alright?" August asked.
"Wish I could say it is, but its not." Liam said.
"How can we help?" Stella asked.
"Come with me to sidestep and I'll explain everything." Liam answered. He didn't want to involve them in this, they were still just kids. But it seemed like the harder he and his brother attempted to keep them out of things, only succeeded in bringing it to them.

***

Walker desperately wanted to strangle the information out of Avis, when he arrived at HQ. The forty year old man made himself comfortable and greated Walker like he was an old friend.
"Cordell Walker," he said fixing up his suit. "Good to see you again."
"Just Walker, what can I do for you?" Walker asked. It took every fiber of his being to remain professional with this man, for all the knew Avis was involved with Emily's murder.
"Well I was here last night while you were out," Avis answered. "I know that you have history with Fulcrum, so I am hoping you will assist in catching her." Walker had a feeling that he knew what Avis wanted him to do.

"You want me to spy on her?" Walker asked. He felt physically sick inside at the thought of betraying her like that.
"Not exactly I want you to report on her daily advances," Avis answered. "She trusts you fully and its the only way, we'll be able to catch her," he continued. "I understand that this must be hard for you ranger, but sometimes people just aren't who they say they're." Walker didn't say anything since his ears were ringing and his heart was pounding.

"I'll talk to him about it," James said once he realized that his old partner was in no shape to answer. Avis nodded and bid them both a good day before leaving. "I don't trust him, and since all our evidence against him is gone, we will have to go along with it."
"I'm not spying on her and locking her up James," Walker responded finding the strength to speak again. "I just need time to figure this out."
"Cordell you know I would never ask you to betray a friend," James answered. "But we have to be prepared for both of them playing us, can you keep an eye on her?"

"Only to prove that she's innocent." Walker answered. With everything going on with this case, the Davidsons taking over the ranch and the unexpected reveal that Geri was the long lost child of Gale Davidson. So much was happening to him that all he wanted to do was scream.
"I can work with that, good luck Cordell." James said to him.

***

Felicia was worried after hearing from Geri that the Walkers had lost the ranch to the Davidsons. Walker had never mentioned but he didn't need to mention the family feud he had with them. Felicia had her bone to pick with them.
"You look upset," Geri said. "Everything alright?" She asked. Before she could answer the sound of high heels filled her ears and sure enough Denise Davidson was standing behind her.
"Thought I smelled a rat," Felicia said. She could see Geri tense up when the DA gave her a hug and called her little sister. "No one likes forced affection Davidson," Denise turned to look at her with 'love' in her eyes.
"Geri you take a break, I'll deal with this."

"Thank you Ashyla." Geri responded. She disappeared behind the counter much to her sister's disappointment.
"Ashyla..." Deenece began but Felicia cut her off.
"Its Fulcrum." Felicia answered.