Disclaimer: This was written for the soul purpose of our entertainment. I lay no claim on Walker Texas Ranger or any of its characters.
"Inheritance" A Sequel to Westfield Isle
Part One
The Attack
Janis Boisclairjboisclair@rogers.com
DFW Airport 3:15 AM.
Pedro Sanchez got off the plane at gate four-nineteen he paused looking around the airport. He had never seen the likes of it, in fact Pedro was experiencing lots of new and different things that he had never experienced before having never been far from his home in that small fishing village.
The airport was quite crowded even for the early hour of the morning. Pedro grabbed his duffle bag from the baggage carousel and headed for the closest door. The night was cold and clear you could see your breath in the air. The young man shivered unaccustomed to anything but tropical weather. There were a dozen cabs or better waiting for fares Pedro headed for the one right in front of him.
"Where to?" the cabbie asked gazing back at the man who had entered his cab.
"Ranger Headquarters," Pedro answered.
Sydney and Gage's 5:45 AM.
Gage was all ready awake he lay quietly waiting for the alarm to go off. Sydney turned restlessly against him mumbling in her sleep. Her hair was tangled around her face and Gage turned on his side towards her brushing the strands aside. A pained look suddenly came across her face and a strangled, "nooo," passed her lips, Gage pulled her closer and gently kissed her forehead.
"It's okay Baby I'm here," he softly told her.
"Gage," she whispered, "Is it time to get up?"
"In a couple of minutes," he got out just before the alarm went off. Reaching across her he turned the noise off, then took her in his arms. "Hey Syd I got an idea let's call in tired and stay here all day."
Pushing him on his back she slid her body across his to lie on top of him leaning her chin on his chest. "Don't tempt me Francis," she told him an odd shiver passing through her.
"Cold?" he asked pulling the covers over her shoulders.
"No not at all just that feeling I sometimes get when something is going to happen."
"I'll show you what's going to happen," he teased rolling them over and kissing her trying to make light of what she had just said.
"Umm," came a soft purr from deep in her throat, "You are explaining to Walker why we are late aren't you?"
"Don't I always?" he asked smothering her answer with another deep kiss.
Ranger Headquarters 8:56 AM."Hey guys you're late," Trivette greeted them as they stepped off the elevator.
"Not according to my watch," Gage replied making an exaggerated gesture to look at his watch. "We have three minutes and forty-eight seconds to spare."
"Well I beg to differ with you since there has been a gentleman waiting for you since four-thirty this morning just to talk to you Gage."
"To me?" Gage asked making a slight face. "Who is it?"
"He wouldn't say the only thing we got out of him was he needs to see Ranger Gage. That would be you wouldn't it?" Trivette teased.
"When I got up this morning," Gage replied walking towards the office wondering who was waiting for him.
The man sat with his back to the door and Gage didn't recognize him as he came into the office. He announced his presence with, "Good morning you were looking for me?"
Standing up and turning around the man cried out, "Gage you are finally here."
"Pedro what on earth are you doing here?" Gage exclaimed lightly embracing the man.
"Gage I had to come see you…" Pedro began.
"I want you to meet Sydney," Gage was saying taking hold of her hand to present her to him. "Sydney this is Pedro Sanchez you know he and his brother saved my life."
"Pleased to meet you," Syd smiled offering her hand. "We'll never be able to repay you for what you did for us."
Taking Sydney's hand Pedro smiled and turning to Gage told him, "No wonder you could never stop talking about her she is a very beautiful woman."
Turning to Syd he began, "He woke up with your name on his lips and you never left his heart."
By now Gage had put his arm around Sydney's shoulder and both partners were blushing.
"Is there some place we could talk Gage?"
Looking up at his boss Walker nodded his head, "The man has been waiting since four-thirty this morning Gage the least you can do is buy him breakfast."
"Thanks Walker," he smiled back as he and Sydney escorted Pedro out the door.
"So where did you leave Lorenzo?" Gage asked his friend as they walked out the front of the building on their way across the street to a small diner.
"We only had enough money for one of us to make the trip but we all agreed this is something that you should know. Lorenzo volunteered to stay with Momma and I came here to talk to you," Pedro simply answered.
As they sat down in the first available booth the waitress came to pour coffee for them. Watching her walk away Gage turned his full attention on his friend asking, "What do you have to tell me that brought you all the way to Dallas?"
"You made quite a name for yourself my friend as well as new enemies going to Westfield Isle and putting an end to both Westfield and his brother," Pedro began.
Gage could feel Sydney tense beside him at the mention of Westfield and his island. He laced his hand in hers letting her fingers tighten around his.
"Gage something is going on at Westfield isle. The local's think it is haunted they are afraid to go near it. There are all sorts of strange goings on, sightings of a ghost pirate ship, strange lights, noises. It is rumoured that Anton walks the island at night, some say he still lives," Pedro continued on.
"Pedro, Pedro, slow down Anton Westfield is dead there is no mistake. I took his life myself and buried him on his own island," Gage simple stated his mind drifting back to the horrors of that night, to Sydney's pitiful cries, to the fury that over took him that compelled him to take a life.
"Gage, Gage I can't do this right now." Sydney's plain little cry brought him back to the present. His arm went protectively around her and he drew her close his lips pressing against her head as his eyes momentarily closed.
"I'm sorry Honey," he whispered to her.
Pedro watched his friend comfort his wife. He knew the treachery that Westfield and Martez had been capable of meting out, the pure evil they had represented; he had lived it like they had. Yet he had not been strong enough to stop it like Gage and his wife had been. Now that desperate evil was back and he knew it would threaten them all again.
"I'm sorry Sydney," Pedro offered. "It was insensitive of me not to consider your feelings."
"Pedro I'm the one who is sorry," Syd quickly answered. "Some days it just hits harder then others."
"That I can understand," Pedro replied thinking back to how his father had been tortured and murdered by the notorious pair.
"There's more isn't there Pedro?" Gage asked still holding tight to Sydney.
"Yes my friend," he grimly stated looking to Sydney before he continued. She had leaned into her husband nodding slightly that she was all right she needed to hear too.
"There was a woman on board the 'Martillo De Blarney', a dark skinned woman of French descent. She was living in Nassau up until the 'Precious Jules' went down. She was quite a beautiful woman, Captain Martez's prize. She was on his ship the day you blew it up. Her body and that of Martez were never recovered."
"Martez is dead," Sydney cried out. "We both saw him dead."
"You are sure?" Pedro asked.
"Yes," Gage quietly replied. "He was going to kill Sydney and I until my sister shot him repeatedly until he was dead."
"There have been sightings and attacks, Gage I've seen the ship…"
Pedro," Gage cut in.
"Listen to me Gage, a few days after I saw the ship our fishing boat and dock were set a blaze and this was left for us." He reached in his pocket and pulled a tatter note out that he gave to the ranger. "It was stuck in our door with a pearl handled knife," he finished handing the note to Gage. It was written on some sort of heavy parchment in an calligraphic script. Carefully unfolding the paper Gage began to read.
'You will pay for saving Francis Gage from his watery grave. Soon all will be as it should be. He will be dead, his sister will be dead and Sydney will be with Anton where she belongs."
"Oh God Gage," Syd, cried out her body visibly shaking.
"Sydney, Anton is dead and I'm not letting anyone else take you from me. I'll never let those things happen to you again, never again," his voice had become a whisper as he pulled his wife to him holding her so tight she could hardly breath, tears clouding both their eyes. "I won't let them hurt you…"
Back at Ranger Headquarters 10:19 AM.
The trio had taken a few more minutes to pull themselves together before heading back into headquarters.
Trivette was there to greet Gage with an accusing question, "Are you trying to make the rest of us look bad Gage?"
"What are you talking about Trivette?" Gage asked not in the mood for Trivette's teasing.
"The flowers Gage," Trivette replied pointing a finger at the bouquet of twenty-four red roses that sat on his wife's desk.
"I didn't send any flowers," Gage mumbled walking with Syd to her desk.
There was a card with the flowers with Sydney very boldly written across it. Her hand trembling Syd picked up the envelope and slipped the card out. On it in bold print was written: 'Red, The colour becomes you I must remember that when I shop for you. Your Lover Anton.'
"Nooo," Sydney shrieked out striking the vase sending it and the roses crashing from her desk to the floor into a shattered mess.
As the vase fell shattering to pieces Sydney once again felt her life doing the same. She fell helplessly to the floor crying, "No Anton, no please no more… no more."
Gage was beside her taking hold of her flailing arms pulling her against him. "Syd Honey it's me."
"Gage," she cried, "He's not my lover." Sobs racked her body and he picked her up carrying her into Walker's office to sit with her on the couch that stood against the far wall. Gently he stroked her hair letting her softly weep against his chest until she felt secure in his closeness once more.
"I'm sorry Gage," she finally whispered to him.
"It's all right Baby," he whispered to her as she turned her tear stained face up to him.
"No it's not I thought I'd put this behind me and just one little…"
"Syd it is behind us but we can't help our memories. It's still here for me too when I see what it does to you I want to kill him over and over again…" he told her his eyes blinking the hurt to the back of his mind. They sat silently for a few minutes more Gage eventually asking if she wanted to go home.
Shaking her head no she again looked into his face. "I want to find out…" she sat in thought for a moment.
"What is it Syd?"
"The note how could someone know that?"
"Know what Honey?"
"We were alone when Westfield said it," her mind again trying to come to terms with things.
"Said what?" Gage asked still not understanding.
"The first night I was on the island Westfield had picked out a red dress for me to wear for dinner. When he came to escort me downstairs he complemented me on the dress. He said exactly what that note said 'the colour red becomes you I must remember that when I shop for you.' She explained.
"There has to be someone else that knows that he said that. We both know that Westfield didn't send the flowers. We both know he is dead," Gage emphasized again.
There was a light rap on the office door and both Rangers pulled themselves together as Walker stuck his head inside. "Mind if I join you?" he asked.
"Walker I'm sorry about what happened," Syd immediately began apologizing.
"Sydney I read the note what happened is quit understandable," Walker was quick to say.
"But not acceptable Walker it's been a year…"
"Sydney don't be so hard on yourself you have over come a lot this past year both of you have," Walker emphasized. "What do you say we get to work and find out who is doing this."
Both nodded their heads yes as Walker opened the door to invite Trivette and Pedro inside. Reaching into his shirt pocket Gage retrieved the parchment that Pedro had brought with him. "We were bringing this back to have it analysed," Gage explained telling Walker and Trivette Pedro's story ending by handing the note to his boss.
After looking at what was written Walker looked up at Gage asking, "When was the last time you spoke with Julie?"
"It has to be a week ago," he replied trying to think back to his last conversation with his sister.
"It's more like two weeks Gage," Syd piped up thinking back to that call as well.
"Get her on the phone it might be a good idea if her and Lin came to Dallas until we get to the bottom of this."
Miami Florida Two Days Prior
The night was dark but it went unnoticed as the sounds and the lights of the Miami night clubs brought the city alive. Julie Gage had taken her time walking down the stripe sure that someone was watching and following her before she had gone into the 'Blue Paradise' club. She was working on a lead for a story and thought maybe she had hit on a nerve of the wrong people.
Pushing her way to the bar she had ordered a drink then turned to scrutinize the patrons in the club. The music was loud, the lights flashing and the room crowded. The patrons were dancing and drinking enjoying themselves to the fullest. It wasn't long before Julie was being asked to dance and offers to buy her drinks were coming her way. After about an hour of being unable to see her contact she finally took up one of the men on their offer to dance hoping maybe she would be able to see the man she was suppose to meet from the dance floor.
Her eyes moved around the room again as she danced still unable to see her contact. Finally leaning forward she thanked her dance partner, headed back to the bar and collecting her things headed for the door. Back on the crowded street she started back to her car the feeling of being watched stronger still. As her car came in sight she sighed a small sigh of relief being glad to be going home and into a nice long soak in the tub. She pulled out her keys pressing the button on the keychain to unlock her door. Reaching for the door handle she was suddenly rushed by three large men. She struggled but in vain feeling a sharp jab in her shoulder which was the last thing she remembered before blacking out.
Key West Present Day
The sun was hot as Julie Gage blinked open her eyes. She tried to sit up but the throbbing in her head was preventing that. She lay for a moment more and tried again this time succeeding. She could hear the seagulls screaming as her eyes came into focus on the surf in front of her.
Slowly she began to get her bearings realizing she was on the beach not far from the hotel in Key West. She forced herself to her feet trying desperately to remember what had happened and how she had came to be where she was. Taking a few steps forward she fell to her knees a feeling of nausea coming over her. Leaning forward she stayed that way until it passed and she was able to sit back this time noticing a piece of parchment like paper pinned to the front of her. She tried hard to focus closing her eyes for a moment more, the effects of the drugs she had been given still having a hold over her.
Her head finally began to clear and she looked to the front of her again to see the pin that held the note to the front of her causing her to gasp. The pin was very old an ivory and gold design that matched Sydney's barrette exactly. Unclasping the pin she stared at it for several minutes with tears in her eyes before looking at the message. It was written in a calligraphic script and the words cut to the quick.
You thought I forgot what you and your brother did to me. You will pay and pay dearly just as Michael DuBois did and Sydney will be back with me where she belongs. Anton Westfield.
Julie read it again unable to imagine where this could have come from. The only thing she knew for sure was she had to get to Sydney and Francis they were all in danger.
Ranger Headquarters
Gage set the phone down just as it began to ring again. He had called Julie's condo getting neither his sister nor Lin he was just about to put a call into the magazine that Julie owned when his phone had rang.
"Gage," he had answered like always.
"Ranger Francis Gage?" a voice from the other end of the phone had asked. Sydney had instinctively looked up and walked over behind her husband when the phone had rang.
"Yes Ranger Francis Gage," he repeated into the phone.
"This is Detective Brian Gray of Miami PD." Gage could feel his heart pounding in his chest waiting for the detective to go on. "Would your sister happen to be Julie Gage?"
"Yes Julie Gage is my sister," Sydney could hear him say as she let her hands rest on his shoulders in support.
"We've found her car abandon. It looks as if she was heading out highway one towards the Keys when she took the ditch. We haven't been able to locate her," Detective Gray's voice informed him.
Gage sat unmoving, unspeaking just sitting Sydney pried the phone from his hand and put it to her ear. She quickly identified herself and Detective Gray repeated what he had told her husband to her.
"She could have been going out to Key West she owns the DuBois Hotel have you checked there. All right Detective my husband and I will talk keep us informed on everything no matter how small and if we think of anything we'll be in touch." Syd thanked the detective and hung up to face her husband.
"Did you talk to Lin Gage?" Sydney asked.
"They are making good on the threat Syd. Don't leave my sight for anything." His hands grasped tightly to her as he spoke.
"Gage there maybe a very good explanation for what happened. She is missing and that's all we know for now," Syd tried to reinforce.
"Julie?" Walker asked Trivette and Pedro standing silently behind him.
"She's missing," Gage simply said leaving Sydney to fill in the details.
"Gage you and Sydney know these people better then anyone do you think this Francine Boisvert could have survived?" Trivette questioned.
"You were there Trivette could anyone survive that blast? Even so how would they get off the island we were there for thirty-three days without even a glimpse of a boat in the distance. All the radio and communication equipment went up the night Westfield died… If she lived she was cut off from the rest of the world," Gage reasoned.
"Gage we both know that Westfield and Martez are dead," Syd stated as Pedro nervously shifted his weight.
"Pedro they are they aren't ghosts," Gage stated looking at his friend
"I know Gage," the young man replied, "It is just so strange and there are so many people on the islands that are going to believe they are ghosts. It is a good way to keep people from Westfield Isle.
"The question is who else could have been associated close enough to take over and rebuild? Who did we miss?" Syd asked looking at Gage
"It has to be someone who was close, someone who was there to know the little things…" Gage answered his voice trailing off.
"Trivette get that note downstairs to the lab and see what we can find out about it," Walker began barking out orders. "Gage you and Sydney see if you can find out who may have been close enough to Westfield or Martez to take over the operation."
"Walker I think maybe I should go to Florida…" Gage started to say.
"Not yet Gage," Walker firmly told him. "I want you to work this end first who ever this is has been here the roses earlier are proof of it."
Gage nodded his head getting up to stand behind Syd who had all ready flipped on her computer. Looking up Gage noticed his friend standing there much like a duck out of water. "Pedro why not come over here and see if any of the names or faces that Syd pulls up looks familiar in anyway," he invited.
"Gage I'm really sorry to have brought this down on you," Pedro began apologizing.
"You didn't bring anything down on us this was on its way whether you came here or not," Gage told his friend.
Syd nodded her agreement.
Before anything more could be said the phone rang startling all three of them. Syd quickly grabbed it answering "Cooke."
"Sydney Gage called?" came the young girl's voice over the phone.
"Lin where are you?" Syd asked Gage looking up from the computer screen saying, "Syd let me talk to her."
"Lin Gage wants to talk to you," Syd told her handing the phone to her husband.
"Lin you all right?" Gage asked putting the phone to his ear.
"Yeah Gage you?" she replied.
"Fine Lin, do you have any idea where Julie is? he hopefully asked
"Not really I've been down to Daytona for a couple of days with friends from school I just got in. Did you want me to have her call you when she came in?" Lin asked.
"Actually do you know if she was working on anything in particular?" Gage questioned hoping to get a lead.
"I know she was working on a story she had a contact she was going to meet a couple of nights ago but that's about all I know… Gage what's wrong?"
Gage hesitated a minute trying to find the right words to tell Lin not to upset her too much. "Lin the Miami police just called me they found Julie's car abandoned on it's way towards the Keys…"
"Julie's all right isn't she?" Lin cried a panic setting in.
"Lin we don't know for sure they haven't been able to locate her. Sydney and I want you to come to Dallas for a few days…"
"Why? So something can happen to you and Sydney too," the distraught girl cut him off.
"What are you talking about?" Gage questioned.
"Everyone in my life eventually dies, my Dad, my Mom, my grandfather, now Julie… you and Sydney want to be next?"
"Julie is missing not dead," Gage all but shouted into the phone. "Nothing will happen to Sydney and I if you come to Dallas we are tough like you," he insisted. Letting his voice soften he again spoke, "Lin we think you may be in danger Syd and I have received some threats in connection with Westfield and the island."
"Gage no, no they're all dead, I saw them they're dead."
"Lin, Lin listen to me, someone who knows what went on there is alive and until we find out who that someone is and stop them… We just need you to come to Dallas so we can keep you safe."
"Julie is that what happened to Julie?" she cried.
"Honey I honestly don't know but I'm going to find out. In the meantime I want you to pack to come here, we are going to arrange for an airline ticket and for a ride to the airport. Syd or I will call back in about thirty minutes all right?" Gage finished.
"Okay Gage I do it," Lin agreed breaking back into her broken English before hanging up the phone.
Syd was all ready putting the call through to Detective Gray as Gage hung up the phone. As she began explaining to the detective Gage's phone began to ring again. "Gage," he answered bring the phone to his ear.
"Francis," his sister's voice was on the other end of the line.
"Jules, Jules where are you? Are you hurt?" Gage was firing questions at her.
"Francis you're in danger, you and Sydney both," she cut in over top of him.
"I know Julie you have to come home to Dallas right now.
"I have to get to Lin…"
"Sydney and I all ready have we are just arranging her flight to Dallas right now. I want you here too Jules. Until we find out what is going on we are all in danger," Gage told her trying to emphasize the urgency to her.
"I know Francis," she cried softly into the phone.
"Honey where are you? What happened?" Gage asked her again deeply concerned for his only sister.
"I don't really know I woke up on the beach in front of the hotel." Slowly the story began to come out as her brother listened to her. From being kidnapped to finding the note and the pin to calling him, Julie relayed everything she could remember.
"Okay Jules we need to get you here. I need to have you here I need to see you and give you a big hug."
"Believe me I need to see you too, I'm bringing the hotel yacht to Galveston Bay and I'll fly in from Houston. I was planning to take her to Miami for Lin but since she is all ready looked after this might be better," she told him thinking aloud.
"I think you're right," Gage agreed. "The last shuttle leaves for Dallas around ten forty-five tonight."
"I'll be on it Francis," she firmly told him.
"We'll be waiting for you, the sooner you are here the better I'm going to like it," he truthfully told her.
Hanging up the phone Gage sank into his chair. "She's all right," he murmured to Syd, silently thanking God at the same time.
"And you are you all right?" Syd ask.
"Almost fine as soon as I have Lin and Julie in plain sight so I can give this my full concentration," he replied letting a smile tweak his lips for a moment before getting up to tell Walker Julie was found and on her way here.
"I'll let Gray know," Syd smiled back knowing this whole thing had them both on edge. She watched him walk into their boss' office as she picked up the phone to dial. She thought back over the last year she wouldn't have survived without him by her side. She also knew the toll it had taken on him it hadn't been easy for him to watch her recover. He carried a lot of guilt on his shoulders for what had happened to her even though she didn't blame him he certainly blamed himself. She knew he lived that private hell every day. The sooner they got to the bottom of this the better.
The phone suddenly connected and she had Detective Gray on the line. She quickly let him know what had happened to Julie and he promised they would continue looking into it at their end. Gray also confirmed that they would have a marshal accompany Lin to Dallas.
"Thanks detective we appreciate what you are doing," Syd told him before hanging up.
"Sydney what are you and Gage doing here?"
Syd turned in her chair to see Alex standing there hands or her hips just as Gage and Walker came out of his office.
"We work here Alex," Syd replied to her friend .
"But don't you have a doctor's appointment in about thirty minutes? Alex questioned on.
"Oh shoot Syd I'm sorry," Gage cut in, "With all this going on I forgot all about it. Come on we can still make it."
"Maybe I'll just reschedule Gage," Syd returned the appointment slipping her mind too.
"Syd it took us six weeks to get this one and only because of a cancellation," Gage looked pleadingly at her. He wished he had her alone for a minute to know what was going on in her mind instead of with everyone in the office looking at them.
"Sydney go ahead we can look after things for a couple of hours. I'll put Trivette and Pedro on finding any connections with the Westfield family.
Without much choice Syd stood up saying, "All right Walker we won't be long."
Neither Ranger spoke as they walked to the elevator once the doors opened and they stepped in Gage took Syd's hand. She clutched tight but still said nothing so Gage did. "What's up Cooke? You still want this don't you?"
"With this going on Gage I can't even think about it," she cried out as the doors opened up to the parking garage and she darted out.
"Syd wait," Gage cried running after her catching her in his arms.
"Gage I'm sorry I know that you want kids…" her voice was cut off with her sobs.
With his arm around her they walked to the car and Gage opened the door for her to slide in. Then going around to his side he got in too. He once again reached out and took her hand before he began, "Syd this is just a consultation lets hear what the doctor has to say and we'll go from there. Honey I don't want you to do anything you aren't comfortable with."
His heart was heavy as he spoke the words and Syd knew it. Their life had been on hold for a year now and she really thought that she was ready to try to take this step again… That was until Westfield came rushing back into their lives. She nodded her head yes watching as Gage put the key into the ignition to start the car.
"Gage I want to know what the doctor has to say, I want kids too… I want a normal life again. I'm just so afraid…" her voice faltered and she looked away from him.
Pulling to the side of the street her husband once again took her hand. "Haven't they taken enough from us? Syd I don't want them to have this too. I'll be with you every step of the way you know that. Who ever this is they are not going to win."
Gage's resolve was so strong his mind so set that Syd couldn't help herself. Releasing her seat belt she scooted across the seat and into his arms.
"Just remind me of this conversation when things get rough," she whispered as her lips found their way to his sealing the pact they were silently making.
Later Headquarters…
Doctor Amanda Mosher had told them both that after going over their medical records there was no reason that they shouldn't go ahead with their plans for having children. She spoke briefly with them over what had happened with Sydney letting them know that physically there was nothing that would impede their decision. "Just go home and relax," she advised, "and it will happen."
Both partners had lighter hearts as they left her office letting Westfield slide from their minds for the next little while. The smiles soon faded as they joined the rest at headquarters.
"No connections or red flags have gone up for anyone who might be related or knew Westfield and Martez," Trivette reported.
"What about Deke McCall does he have any pull outside of prison?" Gage asked as Trivette's phone rang. Syd had come to stand close to Gage memories of Anton's right hand man coming vividly back to her.
"It's possible but I think improbable," Walker replied. "He has more of an axe to grind with Trivette and I then you and Sydney. If he wanted to extract revenge he wouldn't orchestra anything as elaborate as this he would just hire it done quick."
Gage shrugged agreeing with his boss as Walker continued, "But he may know something about Westfield that we are missing. I think it is worth a trip to Florida for Trivette. We have a special rapport with Deke. "
"That was the lab," Trivette announced setting down the phone. "The parchment is some sort of homemade rice paper."
"Kim's paper," Syd stated. "I never looked at it that closely but Lin will know for sure if it is some that her grandfather made."
"Lin's grandfather made paper?" Trivette skeptically asked.
"Yeah out of rice he showed me the one day when he was making it," Syd replied thinking fondly of the old man.
"Speaking of Lin when does her plane get in?" Walker asked.
"Six forty tonight," Syd answered.
"Why don't you two take Pedro home and get him settled. I'll put a car out front to make sure he's looked after while you go to the airport."
Nodding his head in agreement Gage tapped his friend who was falling asleep in his chair on the shoulder. "Come on friend," he addressed Pedro, "I think you are in need of some sleep."
"I'm all right," Pedro protested trying to hide a yawn at the same time.
"What was it you used to tell me?" Gage asked then answered his own question. "Oh yeah something to the effect what good will you be to anyone if you don't rest and get your strength back. Come on lets go."
"All right you win," Pedro returned forcing himself to his feet to follow Gage and Sydney out.
Sydney and Gage's
It didn't take Pedro long to get settled in Sydney and Gage's den, the man had been up for over twenty-four hours and was exhausted.
Sydney had curled up on the couch and Gage flopped down beside her about to try to entice her in to their bedroom when the phone rang. He reached across her pinning her beneath him brushing his lips across her cheek grabbing the receiver at the same time.
"Hello," he said into the phone her arms going around him.
"I underestimated you and your whore wife once before it won't happen again. This time you and your bitch sister will die and your wife will become the prize of one of the island bordellos."
"Who is this?" Gage was sitting up and shouting into the phone but the line had gone dead.
"Gage what is it? What's the matter?" Syd was questioning him watching his face the colour draining from it the muscles tightening. He was all ready dialling the phone again.
"Walker I just got a call," he relayed to his boss. "It was death threats against Julie and I and an abduction of Syd." He paused a moment before continuing, "the voice had a slight Spanish accent the voice was Philippe Martez's voice"
Syd had pulled away from Gage and gone to stand at the window upon hearing him utter Martez's name. She could see the captain's face as he had spoken to her, threatening her to bend her to his will, the cruel smile on his face as he told her Gage and the rest had become food for the sharks. She clasped her arms around herself hugging tight as she listened to her husband.
"I know he's dead Walker but I tell you it was his voice someone has gone to a lot of trouble to try and make us think Martez is alive and threatening us.
She heard him tell Walker goodbye then the phone drop into it's resting place and she turned to face him. He sat where she had left him his face in his hands his body shaking in a mix of emotions hate, fear, pain…
Syd went to him pulling him against her holding tightly as he softly admitted to her, "I'm just so tired Syd I can't take this any more. Why are we being forced to live this way?"
"I don't know Gage," she told him fighting to be strong. "All I know is that we have to find these people and put a stop to them. We are fighting for our lives here and we can't let them win.
Standing she bent slightly taking his hand in hers to gently tug on it helping to pull him to his feet so she could lead him to the sanctity of their bedroom. With the door closed behind them she began to unbutton his shirt so she could push it from his shoulders.
His hand went to her face and he held her looking into her eyes before bending to melt his lips with hers. Again he felt her hand in his as she pulled them towards the bed.
"Syd Honey I need you so much," his voice caught in his throat as her lips pressed against his again and her hands went to the buckle of his belt.
"Syd…"
"Shh… let me Gage."
He didn't argue instead he let his hands play up her back as hers undid his pants moving inside. He moaned as she found his manhood one hand clasping around it while the other hand fought to push his jeans and shorts down.
"Syd…" his voice rasped out as suddenly she went to her knees in front of him enveloping him with her mouth. His hands played through her hair as she drew hard on him time and time again letting his mind empty of all thoughts but her. When he thought he could hold on no longer he reached down lifting her from her task holding her tight against him so they could both fall to the bed.
In as instant Gage was undressing her. He pulled her bra up so her breasts were exposed to him his mouth instantly going to a nipple to suck and tease it. She softly moaned feeling her back arching towards him as they both worked at undoing her pants and getting them off her.
She could feel his hand between her legs, rubbing over her, exploring her, teasing her womanhood as she immediately arched against him crying out, "Gage I need you, please I need you."
Lowering himself on her he pushed his way inside of her. She cried out her arms going around his neck, her legs around his back, her body crashing into rhythm with his until they were both lifted into a wild climax of passion and love.
Falling to her Gage buried his head against her shoulder still holding her tight knowing it was their love that was going to get them through this.
DFW Airport 6:33 PM.
Both Rangers stood looking at the arrival board as the flight times from Miami changed to a half hour delay. Taking Syd's hand Gage walked to the desk quickly identifying them and asking the reason for the delay.
"Ranger," the girl at the counter began, "They were delayed twenty minutes coming out of Miami and now they will have to wait for clearance into DFW. Some reason today we seem to have a back log coming into the airport," she smiled at them.
"Okay thanks," Syd replied dragging Gage away from the counter. Turning to her husband she stood firmly in front of him. "Please try and relax you know that this isn't unusual this is just standard airport procedure."
Expelling a deep breath of exasperation Gage shook his head in agreement. "I'm sorry Syd this whole thing just has me so on edge," he told her his eyes scanning the people around them.
"You don't have to tell me Honey. If we only had some idea who was behind things, who we were up against." Syd's phone rang before she could say any more and retrieving it from her pocket brought it to her ear.
"Cooke," she answered. "We have a half hour delay… all right we'll meet you at home."
"Walker?" Gage questioned as she hung up the line.
Nodding her head yes she told him that he and Trivette think they may have come across something and were meeting them back at their place after they picked up Lin.
"Did he say what?" Gage anxiously asked.
"You know as much as I do now," she replied watching the tension move across his face. She moved her hand into his leading him over to a bank of chairs where they both slumped down to wait for the Miami flight to land.
"What are we missing Syd?" he questioned forcing his mind back to Westfield Isle. Everything that they had tried to forget and put behind them they were painfully dredging up once more.
"There had to be someone working in the background that we never met. Someone well hidden that was privy to everything that happened not just in the operation but in both Westfield and Martez's lives," Syd speculated.
"Yeah the question is who," Gage murmured trying hard to try to recall anything he may have missed.
Getting up from his seat Gage walked over to gaze out the windows at the jets taxing to and from the airport and sighed heavily Syd joining him. They stayed that way until the announcement was heard, "Flight three-ten from Miami is arriving at gate twelve."
Both rangers turned to walk to the gate unaware of a young woman holding the hand of a small child had her eyes trained on them watching their every move. She picked up the child and cuddled him to her as her eyes stayed focused on the Gages. A moment later Lin Hu appeared and was hugging both of them. Ranger Gage spoke with the man accompanying her while she and Ranger Cooke arm in arm collected her bag. The young woman stooped to pull a cell phone from the diaper bag that was part of her luggage she quickly hit one of the keyed in numbers.
"Lin Hu has just arrived and Rangers Cooke and Gage have taken her into custody." She listened a minute more before replying, "Yes sir. Thank you sir."
Tossing the phone in the bag once again she picked up the child and the bag to walk in the other direction.
~~~~~
"Is Julie here yet?" Lin asked as Gage took her bag from her and they headed for the car.
"She is flying in tonight," Gage told her standing with her and Syd. "She should be here in a couple more hours."
"And you're sure she is all right?" Lin asked with as much worry as a mother has over a child as she looked first to Sydney and then Gage.
"I talked to her myself Lin she promised me she was fine," Gage assured the girl.
"She better be," Lin snapped, she and Julie had become like sisters and the thought of loosing her was as devastating to Lin as it was to Gage. "For sure she will be here."
"She is going to try her hardest if there is a problem she'll let us know," Gage again spoke.
"Come on guys," Syd urged. "What are we doing standing here let's get home."
Gage opened the door for Lin and she slide inside Syd piling in the front. Walking around to his side of the car Gage remembered Syd's shiver from this morning as it spilled over to him. He let his eyes search the brightly lighted parking garage finding nothing. Getting in he started the car and headed for home.
Sydney and Gage's
Walker's truck was just pulling up as Gage drove in the driveway. "Ranger Walker, Ranger Trivette," Lin greeted the two men with a hug.
"How are you Lin?" Trivette asked as they headed towards the Gages' apartment.
"Not too bad, I'm working hard in school I'm learning the computer it is for my police sciences course," she was explaining to Trivette.
"Thinking about police work? Cause if you are then I'd love to be able to show you what good use you can put your computer to," Trivette was eagerly telling her.
"I was thinking more along the lines of what Sydney and Gage do," she confessed to Trivette.
"Hey well I can do that too," Trivette proclaimed as a chorus of, "Yeah right Trivette," went up.
"Hey I can hold my own," he again mumbled as they went inside.
Pedro had awoken and was waiting anxiously for them to come in. All had been quiet no more threatening calls to report.
"You've got something for us?" Gage asked wanting to get on with things to put their lives back in order.
Trivette was all ready pulling out the parchment note that the Pedro had brought for them earlier. "Lin," he began, "Syd tells me your grandfather made rice paper."
"Yes so he could teach me to read and write," she explained. "Mr Westfield would never allow us paper and pencils so grandfather would make it. Later he made it for a lady friend of Captain Martez's."
"Would you know a piece of your grandfather's paper?"
"Yes his mark would be on it," she replied.
"Could you look at this and tell me if this is a piece of his paper?" Trivette asked handing the parchment that was in a plastic bag to her.
Taking it over to the light Lin poured over the paper until she found what she was looking for, two distinct characters embedded in the sheet. "See," she said pointing to the marks, "Grandfather's paper the characters mean island prisoner."
"Lin do you have any idea who Captain Martez's friend was?" Syd questioned. "Could it have been someone named Francine Boisvert?"
Lin shook her head answering immediately, "The name was Lynn I remember because it was said like mine only spelled differently."
"How can you be so sure?" Gage asked.
"After she received some of the paper she wrote Grandfather a thank you note on some of it. It was written just like this note is written," the girl observed. "It was signed Lynn spelled L-Y-N-N.
"So who is this Lynn?" Pedro asked the question the rest were trying to figure out as well.
"That is a good question," Trivette stated. "I've been working on a family tree of the Westfield family but the name Lynn hasn't come up. Jimmy was all ready opening a folder to explain what he had been researching.
"The men in the Westfield family have always thought themselves quite the ladies men. They have always had enough power and money to take what they want if not by charm then by force," Trivette was explaining.
"Up until they met you two," Walker added looking at the two partners. Gage could once again feel Syd clutching tightly to him as the mention of her ordeal was brought to light.
"I went back as far as Arthur Westfield," Trivette continued. "He's Anton's grandfather." Everyone's eyes focused on the sheets of paper that had been laid out on the dining room table. Trivette pointed to the senior Westfield's name that was on the top of the page.
"Arthur was married to Collin Truscott who was Lionel Westfield's mother and actual heir to the Westfield fortune. But Arthur was not always true to his wife he had numerous affairs with at least four more children coming from these liaisons. None were ever supported or acknowledged by Westfield but that is not to say they didn't know who their father was.
Lionel was married to Maggie Reddening who was Anton's mother. Like his father before him Anton became for the most part the heir to the Westfield fortune. Lionel in true Westfield tradition was a philanderer with a parade of women in his life.
Like his father he had an unquenchable thirst for the ladies that he would pass down to his son. He especially liked the ones who should have been off limits to him. That is what eventually got him killed a similar situation as yours Gage except the wife was in love with him and turned states evidence on the husband who went to jail for murder.
These goings on may have been what eventually ended his wife Maggie locked away in a mental institution. It's not exactly clear if Maggie actually had a mental illness or if Lionel just had her locked up there. With Maggie not in the house Lionel was able to bring his women and their children home whenever he chose to do so. He also kept the not so willing locked up there until he was done with them.
That is how Anton got to know his half brother Philippe Martez so well. They were born just three days apart and grew up together in Key West. Martez got his knowledge of sailing and the sea from good old Uncle Sam. Once he was out of the navy he and his brother went into business. The business of piracy and smuggling.
There were other children another sister that we are aware of a Kimberly Williams. Her mother died during childbirth and she went to live with her grandparents in Long Island. Except for the child support that was paid for her there was never any contact between her and the Westfields.
There was also a long-standing relationship between a Carol York and Lionel. Carol had three children but it was never established if any of those children were Westfields or not.
Philippe Martez was never married and there is no record of any children. Anton Westfield was never married but had two children a boy and a girl. The little girl had quite a few birth defects probably from the steady flow of drugs her mother given when the child was conceived. She didn't live long."
Again Syd's mind was forced back to the hell Anton Westfield had put her through. At least she had been lucky enough that Gage had found her and she hadn't conceived his child to have it die like that.
"The boy Brandon Wilson lives in Seattle with his mother Donna but he did have an on going relationship with his father until his demise. The bulk of the Westfield money lies in trust for Brandon until his twenty-first birthday which is a month from today."
Everyone stood looking at the sheets of paper until Gage finally spoke up. "Do you think that any of these people are behind this? They weren't brought up by the Westfields."
"That we know of Gage," Walker spoke.
Gage nodded his head in agreement knowing that Walker was right. His eyes caught the clock and he realized it was time to go back to the airport to pick up Julie.
"Coming Shorty?" he asked not wanting to be to far from her with what was happening.
With Walker and Trivette agreeing to stay at the Gages until their return Syd and Gage once more left for the airport.
DFW Airport 10:58 PM.
The first thing Gage did was to check the arrivals at the desk. He was informed that the shuttle from Houston was right on time and should be landing in the next ten to fifteen minutes. Once more the partners took up their place at the window to watch the planes come in and go out.
"Man I'm going to be glad to see Julie," Gage said putting his arms around Syd as she stood in front of her.
"I just wish it was under better circumstances," Syd replied unable to forget for even a moment the events of the day.
Their thoughts were interrupted by a voice announcing over the loudspeaker. "If there is a Ranger Francis Gage here could he please come to the airline desk for an urgent phone call? Ranger Francis Gage."
"Now what?" Syd was asking as they both headed for the desk.
Gage identified himself and was asked if he had a sister Julie Gage coming in on the flight from Houston.
"Yes."
"She has taken ill on the flight and collapsed there is an ambulance standing by to take her to hospital. She'll be taken off the plane first on the runway if you could go with security."
With out having time to think Gage was off following the man the lady at the desk had indicated Sydney by his side. They could see the ambulance pulling up as they were escorted across the tarmac. The small plane was taxing over towards them as they made it to the medical unit.
Both Rangers had their eyes fixed on the plane their thoughts on Julie. The plane came to a stop when suddenly a hand was clamped over Syd's mouth and her captor shouted now.
"What the…" Gage yelled having turned to see one of the security people grabbing his partner. Before he could do anything about it two more were attacking him. He got off one punch just as he felt a sharp sting in his shoulder making him unable to move as the world around him began to spin. "Syd," he cried out barely above a whisper as the two security people dragged him towards the back of the open ambulance and inside.
Syd struggled for all she was worth her heel coming down hard on the foot of the man restraining her. He yowled out in pain but didn't let go; instead he spun Syd to face him then brought his fist into her face knocking her to the ground. He then pulled open the door of the ambulance and sped off with the rest Gage in the back, leaving her there trying to struggle to her feet.
TBC.