Tristan managed to sneak out of the hospital and get back to the hotel room he had without being caught. They hadn't expected that much protection at the hospital; he'd only seen the two guards on the outside of the room. He dreaded his next task and worried about the outcome. Grabbing his cell phone he dialed the number and waited for the other line to pick up.
"Is it done?" Vance asked as he answered the phone.
"No, we tried to get him tonight and they had more marshals there than we had anticipated. Jacob is dead; he didn't make it out of the hospital." Tristan warned.
"What!" Vance's voice boomed through the phone. "You told me that you could get the job done. They'll make the connection shortly from Jacob to me. Move from your location, change your appearance and find another hotel. I'll be coming with reinforcements to take care of this." His voice hissed with pent up rage. "We'll be there soon as they'll be moving him after this attempt and we're going to have to figure out how to get the information. The hospital will be crawling with marshals." Slamming the phone down he called to get some more men and charter the plane to Cheyenne.
The woman walked in and saw the angry expression. "They messed up again?"
"Yes, now some of the boys and I are going to fix it." Vance glared at her.
"I'm coming with; I want to see him die; suffer for all the pain he's caused this family." She turned and headed out.
Stan walked into Marshall's room to see Mary sleeping fitfully on the bed they had brought in for her; seeing that she was okay for now he went to find Kurt Levins for an update on the dead man while seeing how the surgery was going on Marshall.
Catching Kurt's attention Stan spoke up. "Take a walk with me and fill me on what you've got so far." Stan ordered.
Kurt nodded and began to explain. "The prints came back on the dead shooter, his name is Jacob Andrews and he has a long history of working with a Tristan Lockhart and working for Vance Smith. We've got local law enforcement with photos and aliases of the deceased and his partner and they are checking out the local hotels looking for them. We were going to give the photo's to the local television station and have a number to call in if anyone has seen them. No mention will be made about Ryder or Marshall. The file on Marta Smith will be in tomorrow also. The safe house is ready and we'll use a fake move and sneak Ryder and Elizabeth out of here after it looks like they'd already been moved."
Stan nodded. "They still don't know Marshall is here and I want to keep it that way." Kurt rose and eyebrow. "If they had known he was here they would've gone after him directly. Do me a favor run Ryder's cases with anything or anyone associated to the Smith family? I can see attacking him to get Marshall to arrive but going after him again doesn't make sense if Marshall isn't here unless their intent is to kill him and have Marshall show up for the funeral. There is something off about all of this and I want to know what it is."
They arrived at the nurse station and Kurt turned and headed back to go to the office and start digging through what Stan had asked. Stan turned toward the nurse.
"Is there any word on Marshall Livingston yet?" Stan asked.
Amy recognized Stan right away; she'd been extra careful about the people asking since she heard about the shooting. "They're just finishing up now; the doctor should be out shortly to talk with you." She saw the weariness worry in his face. "From what I've heard it went well but I don't have the specifics." Amy felt bad for these people; they'd had a lot going on and she knew the pressure must be intense on them; everyone working in ICU and the surgical wing was tense with worrying what could happen next while they were here."
"Thank you." Stan stated sincerely he knew technically she wasn't suppose to say anything. He headed for a chair in the waiting room hoping the doctor would come out shortly.
The doctor came out a half hour later and Stan stood up and moved to meet him. "How's Marshall?"
"He did well; we released the air build up and double checked the chest tube. Everything looks to be good for now. We'll continue to monitor his condition and do more x-rays to track the lung and hopefully prevent any more episodes like the previous one. I must say your two inspectors amaze me; this one is a fighter and your other inspector's quick actions helped save his life." The doctor was impressed with the two of them and had no problem informing of such.
"They are quite the pair alright but as soon as Marshall is healed you'll be less impressed and looking forward to his release." Stan smirked. "When will he be moved to his room?"
"They were getting ready to move him so it should be only a few more minutes." The doctor accepted Stan's hand in thanks and headed down the hallway.
Stan waited and the security detail walked out with the nurse moving Marshall and Stan joined them. When they entered the room the two men noticed the only person in the room was Mary and gave the clear to move Marshall in. Stan sat by Marshall but where he could also keep an eye on Mary and couldn't believe it had only been one long agonizing night.
Eleanor came in extremely early the following morning; she was hoping the information on Marta Smith would be in and she could give Stan an update and find out how Marshall was. Walking over to the fax machine she found what she wanted. She began to read over the information out loud since it was too quiet without the others around.
"Marta Smith married Blaze Smith when Vance was three. She was formerly married to Colby Halverson who was killed while serving a vehicular manslaughter charge while intoxicated at the time Vance was one." That stopped her in her tracks. "Blaze wasn't Vance's father. He must have adopted the boy somewhere along the way or they had an affair and Vance was being raised as Colby's son." Eleanor sat down at the computer and ran down the criminal background of Colby Halverson. Her mouth fell open and she swiftly reached for the phone to call Stan.
"McQueen." Stan hadn't even looked at the caller id just assumed it was someone confirming the moving arrangements for Ryder and Elizabeth and moved to the corridor to not disturb Mary or Marshall.
"Stan, I just got the file on Marta Smith a.k.a Marta Halverson the widow of one Colby Halverson who was sent to prison for the vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated of one Emily Mann; Marshall's older sister. Colby is Vance's biological father and was up for parole when Ryder spoke up in front of the parole board and he was denied parole because of it. Colby Halverson got caught in the middle of a prison riot and was killed. Marta had blamed Ryder for the death of her husband. They may not know Marshall is there at all." Eleanor told him worriedly.
"So either the son is out for revenge on Marshall for killing his son or he's doing his mother's dirty work and killing Ryder. Either way it would help Vance get Marshall to a location where he can extract revenge for the death of his son." Stan rubbed his hand over his head. "This just got really complicated. Thanks Eleanor and see if you can pinpoint the location of Marta Smith for me?"
"Will do but is it possible she's the one doing this and Vance isn't involved?" Eleanor knew it was plausible.
"I don't think so it gives Vance a chance at the revenge he wants and kills two birds with one stone." Stan answered.
"I'll call you back as soon as I have anything." Eleanor answered.
Stan headed back into the room to find Mary pointing her gun at him. "Good morning sleepyhead." He ignored the gun as he knew she was just trying to protect Marshall.
Mary lowered the gun and noticed Marshall was back in the room. "How long has he been back and why the hell didn't you wake me? What did the doctor say?" She demanded.
"Marshall is fine they removed the air and will be checking with more x-rays; you did well also by the way. He's been here a couple of hours."
"What aren't you telling me?" Mary could see something was bothering Stan.
"Did you know Marshall had a sister by the name of Emily?" Stan questioned.
"Yes I did we stopped by her gravesite. He told me about her when his mom was shot. How did you find out and what does that have to do with the current situation?" Mary knew she wasn't going to like the answer.
"Eleanor just got the report on Marta Smith; Vance may not know Marshall is here and tried to kill his dad as an act of revenge for his mother." Stan stated firmly.
Mary shook her head she knew she was a little out of it from sleep but not that much. "Not seeing the connection here Stan."
"Marta Smith was married to the man who killed Emily Mann and is also Vance's biological father. He was killed in prison during a riot and she blamed Ryder." Stan explained the rest of the details to Mary that Eleanor had given him.
Mary was pissed off at Marta and Vance. "What they haven't done enough damage to his family? It's not like they aren't responsible for all this crap in the first place." Mary couldn't get the pain of Marshall's face as he told her about his feelings of failure towards his sister; the look of love and longing in Elizabeth's face as she proudly showed her the pictures of Emily and Marshall; and the confession by Ryder of taking more away jobs as he couldn't bare to see his son withdraw from the world.
"I'm going to go talk to Ryder and Elizabeth; they need to know the latest developments. I'm moving up the timeline of their leaving the hospital. Marshall is going to have to stay there's no way around it but as soon as he can be moved than will take him to a safe house."
"Why don't you fly them to Albuquerque they'd be safer there?" Mary asked knowing if anything happened to his parents it would destroy Marshall.
"They won't leave Marshall; they're already having a hard time with just going to a safe house anything else and they'll argue and I can't say that I blame them. Marshall can't fly for at least two weeks from his recovery. When he can fly will get them all out of here for awhile."
"We better have them found before then; I don't like the idea of having a family that bent on revenge after Marshall and his family and being restricted on how to protect them." Mary shrugged.
Stan nodded in agreement and headed out to go to Ryder's room leaving Mary to watch Marshall. As soon as Stan left the room Mary pulled up a chair and reached out for his hand.
"Don't you ever scare me like that again Marshall Mann!" Mary couldn't keep the threatening tone out of her voice for that warning. Gently running her hand through his hair to soothe the both of them she began to speak again. "Your Mom and I had a long talk about you and I. Now isn't the best time to tell you this and I know when you're awake we'll have to have this conversation again but I think I need a dry run at this. Somewhere over the years; you snuck your way into my heart and I didn't even notice it. You're the person that makes me feel safe, happy and cared for; I know that it hasn't been easy for you and that I've made so many mistakes along the way but when I thought you were going to die it all made sense. Somewhere along the way I'd fallen in love with you; I thought I loved Raph but he was a safety net, a chance at normal that when he left it wouldn't matter; I could pick up the pieces and start again but if you're not here I can't. Everything in my life has come to be a steady part of two. You're the half I can't and don't want to live without. I love you Marshall Mann and you better wake up soon because I can't do this alone and neither can you." She placed a sweet kiss on his lips and then rested her head by his hand before whispering gently. "Don't leave me Doofus."
Stan knocked before entering Ryder's room to see Elizabeth sleeping against Ryder's shoulder.
"Sorry to interrupt; but I have some new information and we're going to be moving the two of you out sooner than originally expected." Stan told Ryder.
"What information?" Ryder asked cautiously knowing something wasn't right.
"We believe that you are also the target and not just to lure Marshall here." Stan stated.
"I don't even know Vance Smith why would he want to get me besides Marshall?" Ryder asked confused.
"It wouldn't be for him. His mother Marta Smith formerly Marta Halverson blames you for her husband not getting out on parole and ultimately for his death in prison." Stan knew once Ryder recognized the name and put it all together.
"You're telling me the man who wants to kill my son is the son of the man who killed my daughter?" Flabbergasted Ryder couldn't believe all of this.
"Yes; we'll be moving you out shortly and I thought you might want to see Marshall before you leave. He's not awake from the anesthesia but he's back in his room." Stan stated as Elizabeth woke up and heard the moving part and that Marshall was out of surgery.
"How's my son?" Elizabeth asked anxiously while reaching for Ryder's hand.
"The doctor said it went well. They're keeping a close eye on him to make sure there is no more air leaking." Stan told her. "If you want he's in his room and I'll take you there. You can have an hour but that's it; we need to get you out of here."
"Why the rush?" Elizabeth demanded.
"They don't know Marshall is here and if we're gone that gives Marshall some added safety. It's the best way to protect him." Ryder hated it but knew it was best for their son.
"I missed something." Elizabeth stated as she looked between Ryder and Stan.
"They're out to kill both me and Marshall for two different reasons. I'll explain when we get to the safe house but let's not waste what time we have with Marshall." Ryder gently kissed his wife's forehead before heading to their son's room.
Vance was boarding the plane and found the woman sitting there waiting for them. "It's about time you got here!" She snapped at him.
"Well it's a crying shame I'm not here to fit your schedule." Vance hissed back often wondering why he hadn't disposed of her when he'd gotten rid of his stepfather.
"After all I've done for you; how dare you speak to me that way." Marta admonished.
"Oh please stop playing the martyr mother. What you did was cause my father to become an alcoholic and kill an innocent child; marry a man that beat the snot out of you and had me arrange his death in order to take over the business. Maybe that part I should be grateful for. The rest is all on your shoulders; personally I have no beef with Ryder Mann as he had a right to speak up against my father. No parent should have to bury their child." It was the one sympathy he had for Ryder Mann but it wouldn't stop him from killing his other child that was a sentence that needed to be filled for Rudy's sake.
"You're sympathizing with the man who killed your father. Where did I go wrong with you?" She yelled at him and moved to the furthest seat away from him while muttering under her breath about her need for justice.
Ryder was pushed into Marshall's room in a wheelchair much to his dismay and Mary smirked when she could hear him coming towards the door. Marshall would have done the same thing and she gently stroked his cheek before the door finished opening.
"You have visitors partner." Mary stood up to move out of the way.
"Sit down Mary there's plenty of room for all of us and I don't apparently need a chair since they're trying to treat me like an invalid." Ryder grumbled.
"Weren't you the one that told Elizabeth that she needed to heal and that following the doctor's orders were important?" Mary asked and waggled her eyebrows at him teasingly.
Elizabeth and Stan both bit back the chuckle they wanted to release at Mary's statement. Ryder huffed.
"Marshall's right the two of you get along too well. How's my boy?" His voice turned serious.
"He'll be fine; he wouldn't break his promise to me. He knows I'd find a way to haunt him." Mary stated firmly while Elizabeth winked at her before moving closer to the bed and kissing Marshall's forehead.
"Dad and I are both here with Stan and Mary my sweet baby boy. We love you." She whispered and swiped at the tear that streaked down her face.
Ryder reached out to squeeze her hand in support. "He looks so pale; he shouldn't have pushed me out of the way. It would've kept him safe."
Mary puffed at him and made Ryder look at her. "It would've killed him to know that he hadn't tried to protect you. Marshall carries enough guilt on his shoulders adding to his burden wouldn't help. You told him that Elizabeth wouldn't die and leave the two of you and I'm telling you Marshall won't leave us. He's one of the strongest people I know and that says a lot. Don't you dare give up on him." Her voice was firm and unyielding.
Stan had stepped out of the room after Neil Riley knocked on the door and signaled for him to come out. Ryder looked at Mary and could tell she'd been through hell with Marshall today and figured out what was in her heart.
"Finally figured it out did you?" Ryder smirked all knowingly.
Mary glared at him. "Fine you were right. Happy now?"
"Depends on your intentions towards my son and if you told him yet." Ryder challenged her back while Elizabeth rolled her eyes at the two.
"Yes I told him while he was sleeping as a practice run and I don't think you really want to hear what I intend to do to your son; I'm sure I could even make you blush." Mary smiled sweetly.
Elizabeth burst out laughing when she saw the shocked look on her husband's face. "Honestly Ryder you should've known better."
"I didn't think she'd say it with her boss outside. No wonder we all like you; you're an unexpected surprise and heaven knows there won't be a dull moment with you around." Ryder smiled.
Mary felt warmth around her heart at the compliment. "Spontaneity is always a good thing and you better get used to me because that there cowboy isn't getting away from me ever again."
"Doesn't said cowboy have anything to say about it?" Marshall croaked out trying to figure out what the rest of the conversation had been about.
"No and why are you awake? Are you in pain? Do you need a nurse? What the hell were you thinking moving around with your injuries? Do you have any idea what you put me through?" Mary shifted between concern and anger.
"You cuffed me to the bed." Marshall reminded her.
"You wouldn't behave." Mary shot back.
"Children, that's enough." Elizabeth chided and they both looked abashed.
"He started it." Mary muttered and Marshall stuck his tongue out at her.
"Dad?" Marshall asked.
"I'm fine son; you're the one that took the worst of it. Don't ever do that again." Ryder lectured.
"My fault you two got dragged into this." Marshall struggled to get out.
"Alright enough talking for you buster and it's not your fault and don't make me spend the rest of the night explaining that to you either." Mary yelled and hit the call button for the nurse. "They need to check you over now that you're semi awake." Mary noticed his eyes fluttering.
"Marshall your Mom and I are going to be in a safe house under guard and leaving tonight so we won't be able to see you until you can be moved. You do exactly what the doctors; Stan and Mary tell you to do. Do I make myself clear and only give me a brief nod in response." Marshall did as he was told and Sharon came in to check his vitals.
"Mr. Livingston, it's good to see you're awake. I'm going to check his vitals and then let the doctor know you woke up." She jotted the information down and left.
Mary saw the questioning look on his face. "We changed your names to make it harder to locate you. Go to sleep Doofus, you'll still be stuck with me when you wake up."
Ryder squeezed his hand and nodded while Elizabeth planted a kiss on his cheek. "Rest my sweet boy."
Stan had gone back to the Cheyenne office and the security detail had been changed over to keep everyone rested. Mary fell asleep with her head on Marshall's bed and her hand entwined with his.
Marshall began to stir and noted Mary sleeping by his side and felt her hand. He gently moved his finger in a soft caress over her fingers trying to ignore the urge to cough especially knowing it would cause him pain. He hated having injured ribs for that reason alone.
Mary was in the middle of one good dream staring her favorite cowboy when she felt a warm sensation flow through her body as her finger was being gently stroked. It pulled her from her dream and she turned groggy eyes towards her partner and smiled. If it had been anyone else interrupting that dream she would've shot them.
"Hey cowboy." She whispered softly. When he smiled a little she knew he was in pain. "Let me call the nurse to see if she can give you something for the pain." Leaning over him slightly she grabbed the call button and pushed it. "Sharon should be here soon."
Marshall arched an eyebrow that she knew the nurses name.
"We have to know who's coming in and out of here as a safety precaution. Amy was your E.R nurse; Sharon is your night shift nurse and Wendy is the day shift nurse. Evan Roberts and Patrick Owens are your usual guard detail but Stan wanted them rested after the shooting this afternoon. Cameron Wright and Lee Brady are currently outside." Mary informed him knowing he'd want to know. "The only thing you need to concentrate is healing and not scaring the crap out of me again."
Sharon entered before Mary could continue. "Good to see you awake." She smiled at the two of them.
"He's in pain; is there anything you can do for him?" Mary asked
"I'll see what the doctor says and in the mean time coughing and deep breathing helps your lungs from getting infected. I'll be right back." Sharon stated and went to see the doctor.
Marshall did as Sharon mentioned and Mary could tell it hurt, she squeezed his hand in sign of support and watched him carefully.
Marshall noticed how she kept an eye on him and smiled. "I'm okay; just really sore. You can't get rid of me that easy."
"I don't want to get rid of you cowboy; so don't put up a brave front for me. I happen to like having you around and intend to keep it that way for a very long time." Mary spoke honestly while placing a kiss to his cheek. "You're stuck with me Doofus."
Sharon reentered and put the injection into his IV that the doctor told her to. "This should help with the pain."
"Thanks Sharon." Mary said in earnest while Marshall looked at her dumbfounded.
"What?" She asked her partner.
"Who are you and what did you do with the real Mary Shannon?" Marshall teased lightly.
"I can be nice." Mary defended.
"Yeah but you usually want something than." Marshall stated honestly.
Mary cringed a little inwardly knowing there was more truth to that statement than she'd like to be true. "Well let's just say this episode has made me realize a few things and one of them is that I don't like to see you hurting; so if I have to be nice or kick the staff into doing what I want to help you then so be it."
"Where's Vance and what is going on with the case?" Marshall demanded more than asked.
"You do realize if I tell you now that I'll just have to repeat it when the drugs wear off." Mary cautioned.
"Mare please; I need to know. I can't be the reason something happens to my parents. I can't go through that again." Marshall felt his eyes water as a brief image of his Mom lying on the living room floor flashed in his mind.
"Fine but it wouldn't be your fault; things with Vance are more complicated than any of us knew." She saw Marshall's puzzlement and told him about Marta being the wife of the man that killed his sister.
"How can she blame my Dad for what happened to her husband; it doesn't make sense? He's the one that killed Emily; I killed her grandson at least that I could understand." Marshall stated while a tear slipped down his face.
"They're criminals Marshall it doesn't make sense. The difference is your Dad testified at the parole hearing to let them know what that man had taken from your family and when you shot Vance's son it was done to protect your partner and to put away a felon. It's commonly known as justice; what they're doing is about revenge. The difference which you fully know is that justice is used legally to try and right the wrong caused by others and revenge is about deliberately going after someone to extract a perceived wrong. Sometimes they seem closer than they are but the difference is your Dad and you fight to protect those that can't protect themselves or the innocent however you choose to look at it although we don't always protect the innocent. Vance and his mother prey on those that they deem to be unable to protect themselves or weaker than they are. They seek to hurt while you seek to help." She swiped the tear that streaked down his cheek.
Marshall nodded showing he understood but struggled with what he wanted to say. "It's just they…"
Mary gently grabbed his hand and finished his statement. "They hurt you and your parents in a way that can never be changed. I know it still hurts you Marshall and if I could figure out how to take that pain away I would. You realize you've turned me into a sap?"
Marshall chuckled a little at that and began to cough and his eyes squinted in pain.
"Easy cowboy; don't go causing yourself more damage; I'm trying to keep on your parents good side. Mom still owes me ribs." Mary teased lightly.
"You're easily bribed; dangle some good ole fashioned ribs and you cave." Marshall gave her a half smile. "You've always been a pocket sap you just try to cover it up with an angry exterior." His eyes began to flutter closed.
"Sleep Marshall we can talk later." She kissed his cheek and was rewarded with a small smile before he drifted to sleep. "I love you Doofus." Mary was still working up the courage to tell him while he was awake but she'd get there. She knew that she wanted to tell him but didn't want to do it while he was higher than a kite either; plus if she were honest with herself she was still a little scared that Marshall would realize that he could do better and she'd ruin the part of him that she had.
Vance's plane landed at the Laramie Regional Airport; he didn't want to land in Cheyenne as he had a feeling they'd be looking for them. It would be a long drive with his mother still fuming at him but he really could care less about her. She had become a bitterly angry woman after Colby died and Blaze beat her. In some sense he understood but she had driven his father to become an alcoholic with her insistent nagging and complaining about wanting a better life and when she met Blaze he spoiled and pampered her until her selfish ways irritated him and then beat her to silence. When he had learned all he could about the business from Blaze he did both him and his mother the favor of disposing Blaze. It made him in charge of the operation and kept the others scared of him; they had never known he was the stepson. When Maggie came to his door step with Rudy he took his son in and made the stripper disappear into the night after guaranteeing her he'd take care of him properly; she had no family and no one would care if she never returned. He had adored his son and began to teach him the organization when he was a teenager; it allowed the boy to learn the ropes and limitations or so he'd thought. It had taken him awhile to find out the real name of the marshal that had killed his son but the bribes and torture had been worth it; the problem is they are very good at hiding their own and Marshall Mann had managed to disappear with no trace behind. He would find him this time and nothing would stop him from killing him.
The plane stopped and they headed out and into the trucks they had rented. Dividing into several groups he laid out his orders.
"Alright you three are in charge of checking out the hospital for any information on Ryder Mann and who worked on him. Bring one of them to me." He turned to the next group of three. "See if you can find who's on the case for the bombing or who's guarding Ryder and see if you can't get one of them to cooperate. You three are responsible for scoping out the family home and seeing what you can find there. The rest of you divide the town and surrounding areas and see if you can find them. I want them found do I make myself clear?" The teams nodded and headed off.
"Let's go." He stated to the two men remaining and Marta.
"Where are we going?" Marta demanded. "We should be out looking to find them."
"They'll be found and until then we're headed to a house we'll be using until we're ready to leave." Vance stated firmly.