STOAAT11

John felt like he'd taken a stiff kick in the groin. He opened his mouth to speak but said nothing. Sitting in Cap's chair, he could barely hold the phone in his hand as Tim's words again replayed in his head.

Sarah Elizabeth Mooring, age 19, formerly of Biloxi, Mississippi and a student at the University of Southern California EXPIRED on January 15, 1974.

"Tim," John almost didn't recognize his own raspy voice, "How can that be? Roy and I just dropped her off at her apartment earlier today."

"John, you guys dropped someone off but it wasn't Sarah Mooring."

Johnny couldn't believe what he was hearing. He'd checked her driver's license and her student ID. The photos seemed to match. She'd responded to the sound of her name even when she was drugged. How could she not be Sarah Mooring?

"Johnny, I was as shocked as you are when I found out but it's true. So, I can't fill out paper work listing Sarah Mooring as Jessup's victim for crimes committed 5 months after her death."

Gage's mind was reeling…."Uh, no..no, Tim I guess you can't. That WOULD get thrown out in court….so, uh why don't we just go on over to her apartment and find out who she is?"

Well, that sounded simple enough to Gage but obviously Tim had already thought about that approach.

"I don't think a confrontation is the way to go, Gage."

"Yea, Tim I know….I'm just floored that's all." Johnny had regained some of his composure but still couldn't believe this turn of events.

"I'm trying to think of a way to identify her but I'll be honest; I'm coming up blank right now," said Tim.

"So, is there anything you can hold Jessup on?" asked John.

"Drug charges – that's about all; and he won't spend a lot of time in jail for that" explained Tim.

"Damn" was the only comment John could make.

"Thanks for all your help, John; and if you have any ideas don't keep them to yourself ok?"

"Sure thing..keep in touch," and with that Johnny hung up the phone. He had to tell Roy what was going on. And hoped that maybe Roy had some idea of what to do.

She had lain awake all night trying to convince herself that this whole nightmare wasn't true. Jess hadn't really sold her and he hadn't broken her wrist and punched her either…but the awful truth echoed loudly inside her quiet apartment. She was alone now. No friends and probably not even a job to support herself. Her rent was due in a couple of weeks and in spite of what she'd told the paramedics, she really didn't have any money stashed away. There was no way she'd make it. And then if Jess came back around what would she do?

How did my life get so messed up? What did I do so wrong to deserve this?

For the first time in months, tears threatened to fall.

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The morning klaxons sounded waking the dozing firefighters of Station 51. When the other guys were out of hearing range, John told Roy that he needed to talk to him as soon as they were relieved by B shift. "Roy, you were asleep when I got off the phone with Tim last night but I've got to explain everything to you ok?" Johnny asked. Roy invited him to come over to the DeSoto house for breakfast and they could talk then.

After a heavy breakfast of Joanne's pancakes, bacon and milk, the duo poured themselves a couple of cups of coffee and headed into the den to discuss the latest news from Tim Johnson. Joanne had gotten the kids ready for school and whisked them out the door amid cries of "bye Dad; bye Uncle Johnny," leaving the house very quiet. Johnny then began to relay to Roy the fact that Sarah Elizabeth Mooring wasn't who they thought she was. Roy didn't interrupt Johnny's train of thought but when the story was told he just sat there; mouth agape. "I can't believe it, Johnny" was all he could manage to say.

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She felt a little more comfortable now that daylight had appeared but she had no more ideas about how to proceed than she did the night before. Maybe it was just time to give up. She thought briefly about buying a bus ticket back to the Gulf Coast but there was nothing more for her there than there was for her in Los Angeles. Should she try to find Jess and see if he'd take her back as a 'worker'? If she did everything he asked her to do then surely he wouldn't hurt her again. But she knew that she wouldn't live long with that kind of lifestyle; if that could be called living at all. She thought about her sister, her parents and her grandmother – all gone; dead; never coming back. Slowly, she realized that life held nothing for her at all anymore. No matter where she went, she would always be alone. She missed her family so badly that it felt like a true physical pain…a pain she wanted desperately to go away….and she only knew of one way to make it happen…she needed to join them.

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Tim trudged up the flight of stairs leading to his office. He felt like an utter failure. Karl Jessup had been within arm's reach but once again he was about to slip away. He'd already been given notice that Jessup would likely make bail late this afternoon. He stepped into his office and sat down behind the familiar desk. He had gone over his plan several times last night until he'd made his decision. Karl Jessup might make bail but he'd pay for what he'd done. If the courts weren't able to make him pay, then Tim would do it himself.

I know you wouldn't want me to do it this way, Mollie so all I can say is that I'm sorry. I won't let him hurt anyone else. He has to be stopped and I don't know another way to make it happen. I love you, Mollie.

All he had to do now was watch the clock and wait for the call saying Jessup was walking out the door.

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She pulled herself out of bed and got dressed. She pulled on a pair of jeans and an old t-shirt. She knew she looked a mess but it really didn't matter to anyone; she certainly didn't care. She brushed her teeth and pulled her hair back in a ponytail then headed for her kitchen. She had to write down what her plans were and make her wishes known. She didn't know if anyone would care but she felt the need to at least try. She searched around the tiny apartment but couldn't find a single piece of paper. "Figures" she groaned. Seeing her purse on the bar she thought perhaps there was a receipt or something in it she could write on. What she saw beside her purse brought a lump to her throat. Two business cards left by the men she knew only as John and Roy. She picked up the cards and found twenty dollars neatly folded underneath. Tears welled up in her eyes and for the first time in months she didn't try to force them to retreat. She read the names on the cards. John Gage and Roy DeSoto. The business cards were real and they had left them for her along with some money; given to her with no expectations. She could hardly believe it. She recalled John saying something last night about calling him anytime if she needed anything even just to talk. He and Roy had done so much for her. She couldn't leave without thanking them; and she certainly couldn't leave without explaining to them the reasons why.

Picking up her phone, she dialed the number listed as Station 51's. When a male voice answered she asked to speak to John Gage or Roy DeSoto.

"I'm sorry miss," came the reply "but they left here over an hour ago when their shift ended."

She quickly thanked him and declined to leave a message. She turned the card over and found Gage's home phone number. She dialed it but got no answer. Finally, she dialed the home phone number for Roy DeSoto and held tightly to the phone as she heard the first ring.

"Roy, I need to run. I'm really sorry I got you all mixed up in this mess in the first place" John said apologetically.

Roy opened his mouth to answer but the ringing of the phone interrupted him. "Hang on a minute, Johnny" he said reaching for the receiver.

"DeSoto residence" he answered but there was only silence on the other end. "Hello?" he repeated growing irritated. He was about to hang up when he heard a female voice on the other end with a hint of a southern drawl.

"Mr. DeSoto" she began…..