“Your brother f**ked you,” he guessed accurately, knowing the entirety of Walker’s plan, knowing his first move was Dewey, having heard all about Dewey.
“Just found out tonight,” Walker confirmed.
“Not unexpected,” Julius muttered, turning his head to the view.
“Still f**kin’ frustrating,” Walker replied, also looking at the view but shifting his body to it, bending and resting on his crossed forearms on the railing.
“You know, got no contacts in Colorado,” Julius stated, also shifting and assuming Walker’s position at the railing. “That don’t mean I didn’t ask around when I got out.”
“You connect?” Walker asked quietly.
“Fuck yeah.”
“You mobilize?”
“Why you think I’m here?” Julius asked back. “Had no idea the pretty face who’d keep me company and sure as f**k didn’t haul my ass across three states to see your face.”
That was bullshit, so much of it, Walker had to fight back a smile.
Then he nodded.
Then he asked, “How long you stayin’?”
“Long enough to network and get my ass back before my parole officer knows I’m in Colorado.”
Walker nodded again and whispered, “Grateful, man. Dewey f**kin’ me, need a new avenue.”
“Well you got it.”
Walker drew in breath and held it. Then he let it go. He didn’t say anything and Julius didn’t expect him to say anything. Julius wasn’t doing anything that Walker would not do for Julius if he needed it. It was just that Walker needed it.
Still, that didn’t mean he wasn’t grateful. He just didn’t have to say it.
Julius knew.
Time passed as they studied the landscape.
Then Walker remarked, “Had an interesting development tonight.”
“Yeah?”
He straightened and turned, hip to the railing, eyes sliding into the house. Lexie was heading out to the back deck carrying plates on top of which was cutlery. They were close to dinner.
So he talked, low and swift as Julius listened, eyes to the view, forearms to the railing, telling his friend about Detective Angel Peña.
When he was done, he looked back into the house to see Lexie filling serving plates. Family style. As big of an event as she could make it without time to prepare. None of that business of the men filling their plates from pots and skillets. They were going to sit down and spend awhile, telling Julius, as best she could, he was welcome company, his visit an event to celebrate.
Pure Lexie.
Walker looked down at his leaning friend noting the silence had lingered.
Then Julius ended it.
“That is an interesting development.”
“Yep.”
“You trust this guy?” Julius asked.