The following story is based on the characters of the TV Series "Walker, Texas Ranger". The characters belong to CBS Productions, Top Kick Productions, etc., but the story is mine. ALL DISCLAIMERS APPLY. (No copyright infringement is intended.)


"Kidnapped"
By: Lorrie

"Yes, Captain, I understand. We'll get started right away. I'm sorry for your loss, sir." Walker hung up the phone and sat behind his desk with his hands cupped together under his chin, thinking.

Trivette entered Walker's office. "Walker, I found that information you asked for about the Miles' case last year."

"Good, let me see it." Walker began looking though the information Trivette presented him.

"There are two other cases from last year with the same MO and so far one this year."

Walker nodded, "The Barrington case."

"Right. Walker why all of the sudden interest?"

"Capt. Brisco called earlier, the Barrington girl was his goddaughter. This is personal for him and he wants these guys apprehended."

"How are we going to go about it. We can't exactly choose their next victim." Trivette replied.

"We might not be able to choose the next target, but we can make one that's impossible for them to pass up. Get Gage and Sydney in here."

*********

"OK, here's what we're up against. Someone is targeting very wealthy families with a child in their late 20's or early 30's who isn't married." Walker explained.

"There were three kidnappings last year and so far one this year. All wealthy families, all of the victims in their late 20's, early 30's." Trivette pulled out pictures of the victims and laid them on the table.

"These are the three from last year." Trivette explained.

Cynthia Miles - 29
Michael Addison - 33
James Carrington, III - 30

"All three were abducted at night, leaving a night club or a restaurant. Ransom on each was requested in the amount of $10 million. Michael Addison's family worked with the FBI and they weren't able to get him back alive. The other two were found beaten, but alive."

"Lyndsey Barrington - 31, was the first for this year. Capt. Brisco was brought into the case. Lyndsey was his goddaughter. The kidnappers got wind of it and killed her."

"They're getting bolder though. They video taped the murder and left it with Lyndsey's body on her family's doorstep." Walker stressed.

Sydney and Gage sat silently, looking at the pictures of the victims. Gage spoke first. "What do you have in mind Walker?"

"Well, I want you to be their next target."

Gage looked a little uneasy. "How are we going to make me the next target?"

"Well, son, your name is Jonathan Edward Michaelson and I'll be your father, Matthew Edward Michaelson, a wealthy oil baron new to the Dallas area. We'll publicize our presence in the right circles and attend a couple of parties. Brisco is going to set all of that up."

"Well gee, dad, is it just you and me?" Gage smiled.

"No, I have a very young and beautiful wife, your stepmother, Sydney Michaelson."

Sydney looked a little surprised. "How do we know they'll go after your son and not your young wife?' She asked.

"We don't, but I'll keep an eye on you. I had really rather Gage be the one kidnapped this time." Walker smiled.

Capt. Brisco put the word out about the Michaelson's and had them invited to several cocktail parties and dinners. Gage was thoroughly enjoying his cover, meeting beautiful women, driving a nice little sports car and partying every night.

Sydney was a little nervous about being seen in public on Walker's arm. He was old enough to be her father, even if he didn't look it. She was playing the little trophy wife and Gage was her stepson.

The Michaelsons moved into a beautiful three-story mansion in one of Dallas' finer neighborhoods. They had already discussed the fact that because they had no idea who they were dealing with that from this point on they were in character everywhere.

"Syd, Sydney" Gage quickly corrected himself. "Have you seen my father?"

"He's in his study." Sydney replied.

"Thanks."

Gage entered the study, Walker held up one finger and motioned to the lamp. He had located a bug. "What is it John?"

"I'm going out, I want to scout the town. I need the security code for the gate."

Walker wrote a few numbers down on a slip of paper and mouthed, "Good luck." "Have a good time and be careful son." Walker said with sincerity.

Trivette started tailing Gage as soon as he left the house. He followed him to two different clubs. They hit pay dirt at the second.

Gage was seated at the bar when an attractive young woman approached him. "I was wondering if you'd like to dance?" She asked.

"Well, I'm not much on dancing, but could I buy you a drink?"

"Sure."

Gage bought her a drink and they talked for a while then she suggested that they go to her hotel room. Gage escorted her out, thinking he could gracefully bow out when they reached the hotel if nothing happened. As they approached his car, Gage was suddenly hit in the head with something hard, he immediately slumped to the ground.

"Oh my gosh." Trivette thought, "What did they hit him with?" He prepared to follow the van that the two men had placed Gage in.

The van took several side roads and eventually Trivette lost sight of it when a semi crossed in front of him. "Oh shoot!" He slammed his hand against the steering wheel.

**********

Gage was beginning to come to. The girl he'd met at the bar was washing the blood from the back of his head. They were in a very small room with one bed. It reminded Gage of a jail cell.

"What happened?" He tried to sit up but was overcome with nausea.

"Just be still. You probably have a concussion."

"Tammy, right?" she nodded. "What happened?"

"You've been kidnapped."

"Why?"

"Because your father is a very wealthy man and we're betting that he'll pay whatever we ask to get you back in one piece."

"Who's we?"

"Me and my brothers, Tommy and David."

"Oh man. Of all the beautiful women in that bar, I get stuck with a kidnapper."

Tammy got up to leave. "You probably shouldn't sleep for awhile."

Tommy finished composing the ransom note and read it to Tammy:

"We have your son. He's OK for now with the exception of a headache and the need of a few stitches. Our demands are simply as follows: Deliver $10 million in small, untraceable bills to the parking lot of Dallas Stadium tomorrow at 6:00 p.m. sharp. No tricks and no cops if you want to see John alive again."

"Sounds good, how are you going to delivery it?" Tammy asked.

"Put it in his car and have the car towed to his father's house."

Tommy went back to the bar where Tammy had picked up Gage hours earlier and placed the note in Gage's care then called for the car to be towed.

The security button rang from the gate. "Yes?" Sydney answered.

"Main Street Towing. I have a red Ferrari registered to a Jonathan E. Michaelson." Sydney entered the code to open the gate.

Trivette met the tow truck as it pulled up the drive. "Where do you want it?"

"Here will be fine." Trivette paid the driver after he let the car off of the rollback. "Who called in for the tow?"

"I don't know, I guess the owner."

After the driver left, Trivette went through the car and found the ransom note. He quickly entered the house. "Mr. Michaelson, John has been kidnapped." The color drained from Sydney's face as Walker read the ransom note out loud.

**********

Tommy and David were listening to the conversation in the Michaelson's house. "Good, they found the note."

"I'm calling the police." Walker said.

"You can't!" Sydney shouted. "The note said they would kill him if the police were involved."

"What would you have me do, pay the ransom?"

"Yes."

"What do you think Chris?" Walker directed towards Trivette.

"I'm just your bodyguard, I'm not your financial advisor."

"Yes, you are supposed to be our bodyguard, why weren't you guarding John more carefully?"

"I was, until he gave me the slip."

**********

End Part 1