Chapter 2
Stunned, she stared at the receiver, then looking up at the brothers, said, "It was him, Willowby." Rick took the phone from her fingers, and after hearing the dial tone, hung it up, then pressed the recorder next to the answering machine.
Hearing the voice again, she took a deep breath, as her husband came over and put an arm around her. "It's ok, I'm here", he comforted. She nodded, then managed a smile. "I'm all right, it was just a shock, that's all. A.J., do you think you can trace the call." "Already on it, hon,", he answered, his eyes dark with anger. He hit a button on the phone, then dialed the police.
"Sergeant, did you get that last call?" He waited, as Rick slid next to him and checked their caller id. "I didn't think so, but it was worth a try," he finally said, then thanked the policeman and hung up. He looked up at them, "Willowby didn't talk long enough, all they can tell me is he's within 100 miles of here."
A.J looked at his brother, who shook his head. "All the id says is "blocked".
Laurie looked at them, "Maybe I ought to go to San Diego, I could stay with Mom." "No, I'm not going to let that maniac chase you away from your home," Rick said firmly, trying to keep his temper under control. "We'll go back to the ranch and I'll call Rob, maybe we can arrange a little reception committee for Mr. Willowby."
With his brother staying behind to make some necessary calls, Rick and Laurie climbed into his truck and started for home. Along the way Rick made small talk, until Laurie finally said "Darling, I'm fine, you don't have to pretend." "I know," he grinned, drawing her close to him with one arm. She kissed him on the cheek, then settled her head on his shoulder and told him, "Did you know my great-grandmother had a run-in with Ma Barker?" "Whaat?, You're kidding, right?" She laughed at his reaction. "No, as a matter of fact, she met up with the gang twice, once when they tried to rob the bank and once, well, when she was pregnant with my grandfather."
Laurie started to tell the story of the 30s' criminals, and Rick was so caught up he almost passed the turnoff to Silver Rock.
"Sorry, darlin', ", he teased, making a sharp turn and heading in the right direction. "You're much too distracting to me!" About a mile from Silver Rock, he noticed a repair van going in the opposite direction. "Laurie, remind me to look that company up, maybe they can come out and fix the jeep." Suddenly a loud noise sounded from the front, and the truck started to careen out toward the shoulder of the road. "Hang on, Laurie, I think we've had a blow out!" Rick tried to go with the skid, then there was another loud pop, and the vehicle left the road. He gave the brakes one last try, and managed to slow the truck enough to where it spun in a circle, then stopped, a few feet from the side of some boulders. The sudden stop propelled Rick's head into the steering wheel, stunning him. He heard Laurie call his name, and blinking, found her leaning across him, trying to unbuckle his seat belt.
"Rick, don't move, I'm going to slide you over." He put a hand up to clear his eyes, and saw blood on his fingers. "Laurie, are you all right?" he tried to raise his head to get a look at her. "I'm fine, just bruised", he heard her answer, then he felt her dabbing his forehead with a cloth. She managed to raise him to a sitting position after checking his neck and back, then got out and looked at the front of the truck. "Rick, both tires are gone, we'll have to get some help. You don't happen to have your transmitter with you, do you?" He nodded, then bit back a curse at the pain rocketing through his head. Laurie climbed back into the truck and he managed to pull the emergency transmitter he and A.J. had used for cases out of the glove compartment.
She located the first aid kit at the same time and bandaged his forehead, while he turned on the transmitter and spoke into the speaker. "A.J., come in, A.J. it's Rick, come in." Hearing nothing but static, he started to set it down, then heard his brother's voice, faint but clear. "Rick, I hear you, where are you?"
Just then they heard a car coming, and Laurie got out of the truck, saying, "I'll flag them down, maybe they can get us a tow". "A.J., we've had an accident," Rick started to say, only to hear Laurie scream "Rick!" Looking up, he saw her running back toward the vehicle, pursued by two men in uniforms, "Laurie!", he dropped the transmitter in his pocket, then pulled himself out of the truck. As she reached him, he pulled her behind him then swung at the first attacker, knocking him to the ground. "Get in the truck and lock yourself in", he yelled, pushing her in, then lunging forward at the second man.
"Let go of me, No!" she yelled, and he realized a third man was pulling her out the passenger side. He threw the charging man over his shoulder, then tried to go around the truck and pull Laurie away from her assailant, only to be knocked down from behind. His last memory was hearing her scream his name, then nothing.
Darkness.
Rick came to slowly, feeling dizzy and sick. He felt strange, like he'd been sedated, or..
Drugged. He managed to open his eyes, and light hit him, blinding him. He closed them, then opened them slowly to see the ceiling above him spinning, then stop. He took a deep breath, feeling his head start to clear.
Then he remembered. Laurie, Where was his wife?
He tried to sit up and almost fainted, then realized his wrists were tied in back and he was lying on the floor in a windowless room, all concrete block and tile.
Inhaling carefully this time, he slowly managed to sit up, then bending his head down, tried to feel his pocket with his chin, to see if his transmitter was still there.
Yes, they were in luck, he could tell it was in his shirt. Now if he could just free his hands, he could try to send a signal.
Just then he heard footsteps, and in front of him a door appeared out of the wall and opened, revealing a man dressed like a businessman, except for the baretta in his hand.
"I'm glad to see you're awake, Mr. Simon. Mr. Willowby would like you to join him". The man came forward and Rick attempted to stand, only to nearly topple forward. Catching him by the arm, a flick of amusement crossed the face of his captor, then he felt himself propelled through the door and down a corridor. "Where's my wife," he asked, trying to get his bearings. "Patience, Mr. Simon, you'll see her in a moment.", came the sardonic answer, as the man led him from the dark corridor into a room blazing with light. Rick was surprised to see a palatial living room, filled with chandeliers, velvet drapes and a roaring fireplace. He glanced toward the center of the room, and saw with a burst of anger a raised dais, upon which sat Horace Willowby, his wife's kidnapper.
"Willowby!", he shouted, lunging forward only to be dragged back and forced into a chair.
"We meet again, Mr. Simon," the sarcastic voice issued from the little man on the throne. "I promised you I wouldn't forget your interference. Unfortunately, I've had to trade my vow to pay you back, for something I want to own more."
He turned, and called, "Come here, Ms. Scott, your husband is waiting for you."
Rick followed his gaze, and saw a figure dressed in a formal gown coming out from behind a curtain. Shocked, he realized it was Laurie, looking dazed, being led toward Willowby by one of their attackers.
As she came forward, she looked toward her husband, and he saw tears in her eyes. "Laurie," he called, and this time he went toward her without interference. As he advanced, her escort led her to stand next to Willowby, so Rick walked in his direction.
"What have you done to her, you creep, honey, are you all right?", he said, seeing her swaying, as if ready to faint.
"Only a mild sedative, just so she'll remain calm, Mr. Simon. I wouldn't hurt my treasure for the world, which is why you're still alive. Your Laurie has something to tell you, don't you my dear?", the little man replied, turning possessively toward her.
She stepped forward then, and haltingly said, "Richard, honey, I've decided to stay with Horace. It's about time I started writing again, and now that the children are older, I know they'll be in good hands with you. Horace can give me the time and surroundings to encourage my, my muse." Rick shook his head, what the hell was she talking about, her muse? Then he looked at her wrist, she kept pointing at her watch. Immediately, he suppressed a grin. She had given him more then one indication not to believe a word she had said, but calling attention to her watch meant she had turned on the transmitter.
Putting a pained expression on his face, he interrupted her, saying "No, honey, you can't mean your stories are more important then the kids and I, I won't let you stay with this maniac!"
He saw a gleam of recognition in her eyes, and unsteadily, she came forward, pulling something off her hand. "If I give you this, will you believe me? Rick advanced and seeing her wedding band in her hand, cursed under his breath, knowing what it cost for her to take it off.
She turned toward Willowby, "I want to say goodbye to him, is that alright, Horace?" He nodded magnanously , "Of course, my dear, then I will keep my word. He will be set free near where we found you, unharmed. If he ever tries to find you, I will not be responsible for his health, understand, Mr. Simon?"
She put her arms around him, and in one swift motion leaned forward and slipped her ring in his pocket, whispering, "Come back for me soon, darling, I don't know how long I can do this." Under his breath, Rick said, "I love you, sweetheart, I'll be back as soon as I can. I promise."
Pulling back from her, he yelled, "How can you do this to us, I don't understand?" She walked away from him, and went to stand next to Willowby, as Rick turned and said, "Ok, fine, stay with him until he gets tired of you." Looking at the millionaire, he added, "I'm ready to go back to our children now, just make sure you take care of her."
"Of course, Mr. Simon, Samson, please blindfold our guest and drop him on the highway where they crashed, unhurt. I will leave a p.o. box number on you, you may send a message to her to verify your safe return."
The last sight Rick had was the expression on the maniacs face of pure complacency, and Laurie, her lip quivering as she gazed at him.
For the next hour he couldn't get that picture out of his mind, as he was bounced around In the back of some kind of truck. Rick had given up trying to guess what direction they were going in, as they seemed to be going in circles. Whatever Willowby had done to persuade Laurie to stay, it must have been pretty frightening. He knew he wasn't going to be set free, that was for certain. Rick had seen a look exchanged between the maniac and his driver. His only chance was the transmitter he had in his pocket. Maybe it had recorded the location of Willowby's hideout.
Abruptly the van slammed to a stop, with Rick crashing into the metal side of the truck. He heard a door slide open, and then he was unceremoniously hauled out and dropped to the ground. A voice said, "Remember, Mr. Simon, leave your wife alone, or you'll both pay." He heard crunching steps fade, then the rev of an engine and silence.
He tried to sit up, and attempted to loosen the ropes on his wrists, when he heard a car approaching, then voices. "Rick, Rick!", A.J. was calling, and he turned toward the sound. "A.J.?, " he yelled. He heard running then felt hands on his wrists, tearing the ropes off him. Someone loosened the blindfold, and as it came loose, he blinked at a bright sunrise. "Rick, are you all right?, he recognized the sheriff's voice, and as their faces came into focus, he took a deep breath and said, "How long have we been gone?" "Since yesterday afternoon, we've been looking everywhere for you two," His brother answered, "What happened?" "Willowby's got Laurie, he drugged her and made her promise to stay with him if he let me go." A.J. got him by the arm and helped him stand, then looked at him and said, "What's that beeping?" Rick looked down at his pocket, then pulled out what he thought was his transmitter, only to realize it was an electronic device he hadn't seen before. Acting on instinct, he yelled, "Duck!" then pitched it into the desert as they flung themselves on the ground.
Less then a moment later there was an explosion that flung dirt and sand over the three men. Raising himself up, Rick looked at his brother and Rob, then spat angrily, "I can't believe I left my wife with that monster! I should have grabbed her and made a run for it!" A.J. lifted his brother up by his arm, then shook him. "Don't you blame yourself, you hear me! Willowby probably threatened to kill you or the kids unless she stayed with him. Laurie would do anything to protect you, you know that!" Suddenly drained, Rick gazed as his brother, knowing he was right. "A.J, we've got to find her,", he replied, his voice breaking. "She asked me to come get her as soon as possible, 'cause she, she didn't know how long she could take being there." His brother put his arm around him as
Rob told him "We'll find Light, we won't rest until we bring her home, I promise you that I've already started searching land records, trying to find out where you might have been taken." Rick nodded, trying to maintain his composure. He put his hand into his pocket for a handkerchief, and pulled out Laurie's wedding band. For a moment, his brother feared he might breakdown, but instead Rick put her ring on his little finger, then drawing a sharp breath, said simply, "Let's go figure out where she is."
Stunned, she stared at the receiver, then looking up at the brothers, said, "It was him, Willowby." Rick took the phone from her fingers, and after hearing the dial tone, hung it up, then pressed the recorder next to the answering machine.
Hearing the voice again, she took a deep breath, as her husband came over and put an arm around her. "It's ok, I'm here", he comforted. She nodded, then managed a smile. "I'm all right, it was just a shock, that's all. A.J., do you think you can trace the call." "Already on it, hon,", he answered, his eyes dark with anger. He hit a button on the phone, then dialed the police.
"Sergeant, did you get that last call?" He waited, as Rick slid next to him and checked their caller id. "I didn't think so, but it was worth a try," he finally said, then thanked the policeman and hung up. He looked up at them, "Willowby didn't talk long enough, all they can tell me is he's within 100 miles of here."
A.J looked at his brother, who shook his head. "All the id says is "blocked".
Laurie looked at them, "Maybe I ought to go to San Diego, I could stay with Mom." "No, I'm not going to let that maniac chase you away from your home," Rick said firmly, trying to keep his temper under control. "We'll go back to the ranch and I'll call Rob, maybe we can arrange a little reception committee for Mr. Willowby."
With his brother staying behind to make some necessary calls, Rick and Laurie climbed into his truck and started for home. Along the way Rick made small talk, until Laurie finally said "Darling, I'm fine, you don't have to pretend." "I know," he grinned, drawing her close to him with one arm. She kissed him on the cheek, then settled her head on his shoulder and told him, "Did you know my great-grandmother had a run-in with Ma Barker?" "Whaat?, You're kidding, right?" She laughed at his reaction. "No, as a matter of fact, she met up with the gang twice, once when they tried to rob the bank and once, well, when she was pregnant with my grandfather."
Laurie started to tell the story of the 30s' criminals, and Rick was so caught up he almost passed the turnoff to Silver Rock.
"Sorry, darlin', ", he teased, making a sharp turn and heading in the right direction. "You're much too distracting to me!" About a mile from Silver Rock, he noticed a repair van going in the opposite direction. "Laurie, remind me to look that company up, maybe they can come out and fix the jeep." Suddenly a loud noise sounded from the front, and the truck started to careen out toward the shoulder of the road. "Hang on, Laurie, I think we've had a blow out!" Rick tried to go with the skid, then there was another loud pop, and the vehicle left the road. He gave the brakes one last try, and managed to slow the truck enough to where it spun in a circle, then stopped, a few feet from the side of some boulders. The sudden stop propelled Rick's head into the steering wheel, stunning him. He heard Laurie call his name, and blinking, found her leaning across him, trying to unbuckle his seat belt.
"Rick, don't move, I'm going to slide you over." He put a hand up to clear his eyes, and saw blood on his fingers. "Laurie, are you all right?" he tried to raise his head to get a look at her. "I'm fine, just bruised", he heard her answer, then he felt her dabbing his forehead with a cloth. She managed to raise him to a sitting position after checking his neck and back, then got out and looked at the front of the truck. "Rick, both tires are gone, we'll have to get some help. You don't happen to have your transmitter with you, do you?" He nodded, then bit back a curse at the pain rocketing through his head. Laurie climbed back into the truck and he managed to pull the emergency transmitter he and A.J. had used for cases out of the glove compartment.
She located the first aid kit at the same time and bandaged his forehead, while he turned on the transmitter and spoke into the speaker. "A.J., come in, A.J. it's Rick, come in." Hearing nothing but static, he started to set it down, then heard his brother's voice, faint but clear. "Rick, I hear you, where are you?"
Just then they heard a car coming, and Laurie got out of the truck, saying, "I'll flag them down, maybe they can get us a tow". "A.J., we've had an accident," Rick started to say, only to hear Laurie scream "Rick!" Looking up, he saw her running back toward the vehicle, pursued by two men in uniforms, "Laurie!", he dropped the transmitter in his pocket, then pulled himself out of the truck. As she reached him, he pulled her behind him then swung at the first attacker, knocking him to the ground. "Get in the truck and lock yourself in", he yelled, pushing her in, then lunging forward at the second man.
"Let go of me, No!" she yelled, and he realized a third man was pulling her out the passenger side. He threw the charging man over his shoulder, then tried to go around the truck and pull Laurie away from her assailant, only to be knocked down from behind. His last memory was hearing her scream his name, then nothing.
Darkness.
Rick came to slowly, feeling dizzy and sick. He felt strange, like he'd been sedated, or..
Drugged. He managed to open his eyes, and light hit him, blinding him. He closed them, then opened them slowly to see the ceiling above him spinning, then stop. He took a deep breath, feeling his head start to clear.
Then he remembered. Laurie, Where was his wife?
He tried to sit up and almost fainted, then realized his wrists were tied in back and he was lying on the floor in a windowless room, all concrete block and tile.
Inhaling carefully this time, he slowly managed to sit up, then bending his head down, tried to feel his pocket with his chin, to see if his transmitter was still there.
Yes, they were in luck, he could tell it was in his shirt. Now if he could just free his hands, he could try to send a signal.
Just then he heard footsteps, and in front of him a door appeared out of the wall and opened, revealing a man dressed like a businessman, except for the baretta in his hand.
"I'm glad to see you're awake, Mr. Simon. Mr. Willowby would like you to join him". The man came forward and Rick attempted to stand, only to nearly topple forward. Catching him by the arm, a flick of amusement crossed the face of his captor, then he felt himself propelled through the door and down a corridor. "Where's my wife," he asked, trying to get his bearings. "Patience, Mr. Simon, you'll see her in a moment.", came the sardonic answer, as the man led him from the dark corridor into a room blazing with light. Rick was surprised to see a palatial living room, filled with chandeliers, velvet drapes and a roaring fireplace. He glanced toward the center of the room, and saw with a burst of anger a raised dais, upon which sat Horace Willowby, his wife's kidnapper.
"Willowby!", he shouted, lunging forward only to be dragged back and forced into a chair.
"We meet again, Mr. Simon," the sarcastic voice issued from the little man on the throne. "I promised you I wouldn't forget your interference. Unfortunately, I've had to trade my vow to pay you back, for something I want to own more."
He turned, and called, "Come here, Ms. Scott, your husband is waiting for you."
Rick followed his gaze, and saw a figure dressed in a formal gown coming out from behind a curtain. Shocked, he realized it was Laurie, looking dazed, being led toward Willowby by one of their attackers.
As she came forward, she looked toward her husband, and he saw tears in her eyes. "Laurie," he called, and this time he went toward her without interference. As he advanced, her escort led her to stand next to Willowby, so Rick walked in his direction.
"What have you done to her, you creep, honey, are you all right?", he said, seeing her swaying, as if ready to faint.
"Only a mild sedative, just so she'll remain calm, Mr. Simon. I wouldn't hurt my treasure for the world, which is why you're still alive. Your Laurie has something to tell you, don't you my dear?", the little man replied, turning possessively toward her.
She stepped forward then, and haltingly said, "Richard, honey, I've decided to stay with Horace. It's about time I started writing again, and now that the children are older, I know they'll be in good hands with you. Horace can give me the time and surroundings to encourage my, my muse." Rick shook his head, what the hell was she talking about, her muse? Then he looked at her wrist, she kept pointing at her watch. Immediately, he suppressed a grin. She had given him more then one indication not to believe a word she had said, but calling attention to her watch meant she had turned on the transmitter.
Putting a pained expression on his face, he interrupted her, saying "No, honey, you can't mean your stories are more important then the kids and I, I won't let you stay with this maniac!"
He saw a gleam of recognition in her eyes, and unsteadily, she came forward, pulling something off her hand. "If I give you this, will you believe me? Rick advanced and seeing her wedding band in her hand, cursed under his breath, knowing what it cost for her to take it off.
She turned toward Willowby, "I want to say goodbye to him, is that alright, Horace?" He nodded magnanously , "Of course, my dear, then I will keep my word. He will be set free near where we found you, unharmed. If he ever tries to find you, I will not be responsible for his health, understand, Mr. Simon?"
She put her arms around him, and in one swift motion leaned forward and slipped her ring in his pocket, whispering, "Come back for me soon, darling, I don't know how long I can do this." Under his breath, Rick said, "I love you, sweetheart, I'll be back as soon as I can. I promise."
Pulling back from her, he yelled, "How can you do this to us, I don't understand?" She walked away from him, and went to stand next to Willowby, as Rick turned and said, "Ok, fine, stay with him until he gets tired of you." Looking at the millionaire, he added, "I'm ready to go back to our children now, just make sure you take care of her."
"Of course, Mr. Simon, Samson, please blindfold our guest and drop him on the highway where they crashed, unhurt. I will leave a p.o. box number on you, you may send a message to her to verify your safe return."
The last sight Rick had was the expression on the maniacs face of pure complacency, and Laurie, her lip quivering as she gazed at him.
For the next hour he couldn't get that picture out of his mind, as he was bounced around In the back of some kind of truck. Rick had given up trying to guess what direction they were going in, as they seemed to be going in circles. Whatever Willowby had done to persuade Laurie to stay, it must have been pretty frightening. He knew he wasn't going to be set free, that was for certain. Rick had seen a look exchanged between the maniac and his driver. His only chance was the transmitter he had in his pocket. Maybe it had recorded the location of Willowby's hideout.
Abruptly the van slammed to a stop, with Rick crashing into the metal side of the truck. He heard a door slide open, and then he was unceremoniously hauled out and dropped to the ground. A voice said, "Remember, Mr. Simon, leave your wife alone, or you'll both pay." He heard crunching steps fade, then the rev of an engine and silence.
He tried to sit up, and attempted to loosen the ropes on his wrists, when he heard a car approaching, then voices. "Rick, Rick!", A.J. was calling, and he turned toward the sound. "A.J.?, " he yelled. He heard running then felt hands on his wrists, tearing the ropes off him. Someone loosened the blindfold, and as it came loose, he blinked at a bright sunrise. "Rick, are you all right?, he recognized the sheriff's voice, and as their faces came into focus, he took a deep breath and said, "How long have we been gone?" "Since yesterday afternoon, we've been looking everywhere for you two," His brother answered, "What happened?" "Willowby's got Laurie, he drugged her and made her promise to stay with him if he let me go." A.J. got him by the arm and helped him stand, then looked at him and said, "What's that beeping?" Rick looked down at his pocket, then pulled out what he thought was his transmitter, only to realize it was an electronic device he hadn't seen before. Acting on instinct, he yelled, "Duck!" then pitched it into the desert as they flung themselves on the ground.
Less then a moment later there was an explosion that flung dirt and sand over the three men. Raising himself up, Rick looked at his brother and Rob, then spat angrily, "I can't believe I left my wife with that monster! I should have grabbed her and made a run for it!" A.J. lifted his brother up by his arm, then shook him. "Don't you blame yourself, you hear me! Willowby probably threatened to kill you or the kids unless she stayed with him. Laurie would do anything to protect you, you know that!" Suddenly drained, Rick gazed as his brother, knowing he was right. "A.J, we've got to find her,", he replied, his voice breaking. "She asked me to come get her as soon as possible, 'cause she, she didn't know how long she could take being there." His brother put his arm around him as
Rob told him "We'll find Light, we won't rest until we bring her home, I promise you that I've already started searching land records, trying to find out where you might have been taken." Rick nodded, trying to maintain his composure. He put his hand into his pocket for a handkerchief, and pulled out Laurie's wedding band. For a moment, his brother feared he might breakdown, but instead Rick put her ring on his little finger, then drawing a sharp breath, said simply, "Let's go figure out where she is."