Disclaimer: This was written for the soul purpose of my entertainment.
I lay no claim on Walker Texas Ranger or any of it's characters.
Chapter 2
Everything was laid out the same as it had been before with the other three girls. Gage stood there looking at the body almost trying to will the answers to come to his mind. Syd went over to stand beside him.
"Did you happen to notice anything about these girls Syd?"
"You mean other then the obvious, no not really," she told him wondering what he was getting at.
Gage was still staring at the latest victim, "All of them have long black hair and none of them are very big. Those are two things that you have in common with them Syd."
Sydney shivered when she realized what he said was true.
"Where's the note," asked Morrison as he and Walker came walking up behind Gage.
"Right here," answered Syd who had it packaged in plastic.
"What's it say Gage?"
"The same as before," he answered taking the note from Sydney and reading it out loud.
Francis,
You were too late for this one. What's taking you so long? This isn't necessary these girls don't need to die or do they? I dare you to find me Francis. The clock is still ticking for number five. Tic toc, tick toc.
Gage handed the note to Morrison and walked off to stare at the victim again.
"Has a comparison ever been done on the victims?" asked Syd
"No why?"
"Well Gage was noticing that they all had the same general description, long black hair and small. It could be a piece to the puzzle."
"Trivette you want to get on that."
"I'll get started right away,'" said Trivette walking over to talk to Gage for a minute.
"Gage got any more ideas before I start on this profile?"
"Figure in grades, athletic ability, personality and Trivette add Syd to the list."
"You don't think?"
"I don't know and if this is going to come down to me and him over my wife I want to make sure I have the upper hand. Go back as far as her high school records if you have to. I just feel this guy is some how connected to both our pasts. Oh and Jimmy can you keep the part about Syd quiet unless something pans out."
"I'll make sure you see things first."
"Thanks."
"Gage you and Syd want to take off for the night." It was more an order Walker was giving then a question.
"We still have a lot of ground to cover, Walker."
"We can do that from home Gage."
After a little more persuasion on Syd and Walkers part, the Gages left for home.
**********
Once home and inside the door, Sydney put her arms around Gage's neck. He wrapped his arms around her and gratefully stood there holding her.
"It has been a long one Honey. I'm going to change my clothes and fix us something to eat before we start at it again."
"I'm not that hungry Syd."
"You went without lunch you have to have something. It isn't going to be fancy I'm only warming up leftovers."
He pulled her close to him again as he finally agreed with her.
"Okay you go sit down and veg in front of the television while I get things going."
Syd slipped out of her arms and headed down the hall towards their bedroom to change. Gage stood and watched her go being surer then ever that some how this was over Syd. As he turned to go into the living room, she screamed out his name.
Gage was by her side holding her in his arms. Someone had broken in and laid a red silk nightgown that had been slashed to ribbons out on their bed.
"I'm all right Gage it just startled me when I walked in and saw it."
The same manila envelope lay with the nightgown with Francis Gage neatly printed across the front.
"Call Walker," Gage told her as he picked up the envelope and began to open it.
**********
The envelope did not contain any pictures this time only a note.
Francis,
She was never yours to have. Not now or ever. How many must die before you learn your lesson. Time is up for number five.
Gage dropped the note as he dropped to the edge of the bed, his head in his hands. Syd went and stood in front of him pulling him close to her. He put his arms around her waist and held her tight.
"It's someone we both know isn't it."
"It looks that way," he said pulling her down to sit beside him on the bed.
Syd bent over to pick up the envelope that was still on the floor and heard something rattle inside. She turned the envelope over so that the contents could fall into her hand. It was a small gold locket on a chain; she sat there staring at it in disbelief.
"Robin Dellaquay," she whispered half to herself half to Gage. He turned and looked at her when she spoke.
She held the locket out for Gage to see. He picked it up from her hand and looked at it knowing without a doubt it was the locket. Dellaquay was dead they both knew that. But still here was the locket staring them both in the face.
Gage had given that locket to Sydney. He had given it to her out of friendship the first Christmas they were together as partners and she had lost it.
**********
Robin Dellaquay was someone they had met in connection with the case they were working on. He had asked Sydney out constantly, but she had refused him every time. He was very persistent and from that point on he had virtually stocked her. He constantly was sending flowers and gifts to her. It had become a bit of a joke, Syd's admirer, up until the time Gage had given her the locket. They were undercover and were going to be unable to see any family at Christmas. Gage had not wanted Sydney to go without a present at Christmas. That's when things changed; Dellaquay had become cruel and more obsessed then ever.
He had sent notes to Syd threatening Gage's life if she continued to see him, which of course was part of the cover they were using for the case they were working on. One day a package was left outside her door, when she opened it there was a bloody quivering heart in it. It turned out to be a cow's heart but Gage had slept on her couch for a week any way.
Then came the fateful night, Syd was just coming home, as she got out of her car Dellaquay got the drop on her forcing her at gunpoint to get into his car. Gage was coming over to join Syd for dinner; he got there just in time to see the car fleeing with Syd inside. He had followed as they headed out of the city. Syd was suddenly struggling with Dellaquay as the car spun out of control. Syd's door had flown open and she was flung out of the car seconds before it crashed over the embankment and burst into flames.
There was never a trace of Dellaquay found he was presumed dead in the fiery crash. It was during the struggle that Sydney had lost the locket.
Two weeks later, the case had ended, and Gage had gotten the offer from Walker to come to Dallas and become part of company B. He had told Walker only if he could bring his partner with him. Walker had agreed and they had never looked back. That is until now.
**********
Their thoughts were interrupted by the knock on the door. Syd had automatically got up to answer it, Gage stopped her.
"I want you to be on your guard until this is over. Rely on me and the rest of us to protect you."
Syd was to shaken to argue the point with her husband. She let him answer the door and let the team in, while she went to the computer to pull up all the old reports on Dellaquay and on the accident.
While everyone filed into the bedroom to look at the crime scene, Trivette pulled Gage aside, "I did that profile, Syd could have been a role model for all these girls."
"We think we may have some ideas on who could be behind this. Syd is just pulling up some information."
As Gage spoke Sydney joined them, Trivette couldn't help noticing that she looked more drained then her husband over this. She handed Jimmy a copy of the files she had just put together.
"Why don't you two go sit in the living room while I get the rest of them," suggested Trivette.
Gage put his arm around his wife and they went and sat down. Once everyone had taken a seat Gage began.
"I think we are chasing a ghost."
He went on to explain about Dellaquay, the locket and the case, ending up by saying that there was no concrete evidence to prove he was dead.
Sydney took up the story, "The picture I pulled up is what he looked like the last time I saw him. When I first met him, I thought him to be rather meek and mild, no big threat. That is how he comes off to people. In the end it proved to be a gross misjudgement on my part."
"Mine as well," added Gage.
Trivette took up the conversation from there, "I have the profiles done, Gage asked me to include Sydney in this which is what I did. It seems that each of these girls were chosen for having the same characteristics as Syd. Right down from looks to top marks in their class. All excel in athletics, all are well liked by teachers, classmates and peers."
"So the next step is to get this picture circulated and see if anyone recognizes Dellaquay. Timins and I will head back to Houston with it and check out if there are family ties still there as well. You people do the same here."
***********
It was Gage who ended up making supper for them. Once everyone was gone, he had sent Sydney to soak in the tub will he made a salad and warmed up the leftovers. She joined him in the kitchen just as the microwave began dinging. Gage pulled the chair out for her and she sat down staring at the food.
"I know I'm not the best in the kitchen but I don't think it will kill you," Gage smiled at her.
"I'm sorry Gage," she replied picking up her fork and taking a bite.
Gage put his hand over hers and held it.
"We'll find him Syd, it won't be like last time we know what we are up against."
"I just can't believe what he has done to those girls to get back at us."
Syd got up from the table, tears in her eyes as she ran from the room. Gage caught up to her in the bedroom staring out the window. He went up behind her and in circling her in his arms kissed her softly on the top of her head. She leaned back against him crying until she could cry no more.
"I never thought I'd ever see that locket again Gage."
He pulled her a little closer, "I know Syd," he whispered to her.
"Lets go finish dinner and go to bed Gage," she said as she took his hand and walked back to the kitchen with him.
They sat back down and picked away at the food, finally Gage asked if she was finished. When she nodded, her head yes he picked up the plates and took them to the sink.
Sydney moved up behind, "I'll clean this up you go hit the shower I'll be there by the time you finish."
"Are you sure Syd?"
"Positive get moving."
Gage gave her a kiss and walked out of the room.
End of Chapter 2