Chapter 2
Gage called Walker while Sydney had gone to talk to her Mother. He told Walker that they would be home tomorrow and that he and Syd needed to talk to him, Alex and Trivette outside of work. It was decided they would meet at the ranch at eight the following morning.
After talking to Walker, Gage called the airport and booked their flight for eleven thirty-five. He then went to join Sydney and her Mother.
The whole thing had been very hard for Kathy Cooke to comprehend. It was almost as if her whole family knew the secret that had been kept away from her until now.
"It's like I didn't even know your Father at all Sydney. I can't understand how he could have done this for all those years. And now you are paying for the sins of the father."
Her Mother was close to tears as Sydney put her arms around her. Gage put his hand on Syd's shoulder to make sure she knew he was there for her and her Mother.
"Syd, maybe you should give your brothers a call and see if they can come over and stay with your Mom. It might be a good idea if we spoke to them too and see if they knew anything about what was going on."
Syd gave her Mom's hand a squeeze and went to make the calls.
"Gage I'm so sorry. If either her Father or I had known they had approached her," Kathy's voice trailed off as she choked back more tears.
Gage took her hand as he spoke, "That's in the past, we have to look ahead and see how we can rectify things now."
He spoke with more confidence then he actually had. What Syd had done was serious no matter what her reasons. He knew though it was exactly those reasons that made him love her so much.
"Anthony and Rick are both on their way over and I've put some coffee on," Syd announced as she rejoined Gage and her Mother.
A few minutes later, a car was pulling into the driveway and Syd's brother Rick was climbing the steps of the front porch. Rick and Anthony were both tall like their Father had been, while Syd had taken her looks and stature from her Mother.
Syd opened the door to her brother, who scooped her up in his arms, spun her around, hugging her at the same time.
"Sydney, Gage what are you doing here, we're going to be seeing you in a few weeks aren't we?"
"We've had a family problem come up Rick," their Mother volunteered, "Sydney needs our help."
Rick looked questioningly from his Mother to Sydney to Gage, "What kind of problem?" he asked.
"Let's wait until Anthony gets here. Got coffee on, can I get you one?"
Rick knew he wouldn't find out anything until Anthony got there so he told Sydney he'd love a coffee. She came in with Rick's coffee just as her mother was opening the door for her oldest son and his wife.
Anthony gave Sydney a quick hug, then asked what was so important that it couldn't have waited for the wedding.
Syd sat down with Gage and he took her hand. She told the story to her brothers and sister-in-law, asking them if they knew anything about their Father's dealings. Anthony was the first to speak up.
"I don't know what Dad did or didn't do, but for God sake Sydney do what they ask before the rest of us are in as deep as you are."
"We aren't in the business of letting the criminals away with something like this Anthony," Gage answered for Syd.
"Ya well she did once and everything was fine."
"Everything wasn't fine, that's why we are sitting here now that's why I'm facing this again, they think they have me on the hook and any time they wiggle the line I'm suppose to come running. Everything won't be fine this time if I give into them again."
"Do what ever you think is best Sydney, with Mom's blessing I'm sure. That's the way it's always been around here, why would it change now. Just try to think of the rest of us when you make that final decision."
After saying that Anthony got up and stormed out of the house. His wife Cara, turned to Syd, told her she was sorry and followed Anthony out. Gage was going to go after him, but Syd stopped him.
"He'll cool off Gage, he always does," Rick stated.
Gage saw the hurt look on Syd's face, Anthony may cool off but that still wasn't an excuse to act the way he had.
***********
Syd slept most of way on the plane back to Dallas. Gage had put his arm around her and she had almost instantly fallen asleep from pure exhaustion.
Anthony's little tantrum kept going through Gage's mind, he knew that he was Sydney's brother but he still couldn't help feeling there was something more going on then was on the surface. He decided he would have to do a little checking into Anthony, something just wasn't right.
The message light was blinking on the phone when they came in. Syd went to it immediately to take off the messages.
"Let it wait until morning," Gage had protested. The messages had all ready started to play. One from the florist, one from the seamstress and one from Paul Durgon.
"Ranger Cooke," his voice said, "We need to meet with you, we need to finalize the plan. I'll be in touch, one way or the other."
**********
Gage and Sydney were at Alex and Walkers by seven forty-five. Syd went into the kitchen with Alex and Angela while Gage sat with Walker in the living room with a coffee.
"You two don't look like you've had much sleep," commented Walker.
"We haven't Walker, things are not good. Did Syd tell you why she wanted a leave of absence? "
"Not really only that it had to do with her family."
Gage was about to reply when Trivette pulled up front. Erika had come with him to keep an eye on Angela so that the grownups could talk undisturbed. After saying hi to everyone, she picked up Angela and the two of them headed for the nursery.
Sydney went and sat beside her partner and began to tell her story again making sure that she left out none of the details. When she had finished everyone sat silently. Walker picked up the bag with the two shell casings and stared at them for a moment before speaking.
"I think that it is time we put the Costa Family out of business. Sydney I need to have a word with you."
Walker stood up and the two of them went out to the front veranda. Gage found it difficult to stay put he had promised her he would be there and help her through this no matter what the out come. Now all ready he felt like he was leaving her to face the music by herself.
Trivette could see the uneasiness on Gage's face, "He's the boss Gage, he'd be talking to either of us if we had done what Syd has done. No different," Trivette tried to assure him.
"I know, I know, it still doesn't make it any easier. Alex any idea what will happen with Syd over the Michael Costa case?"
"I'll go over the case and see how bad things are. It will depend a lot on what is going to happen with the Miles Costa case."
**********
"All right Sydney anything else you haven't told me?"
"That's it Walker I've told you everything."
"Nothing else is going to jump out of your past and cause a situation or put any of the rest of us in jeopardy?"
"Nothing, absolutely nothing. I wouldn't have done it then except I couldn't face my Father with it. If I'd been on the force a little longer I know it wouldn't have happened."
"And this time?"
"I just needed to find the courage to face everyone especially Gage with what I had done. It stops here Walker no matter what it means to me."
"That's what I needed to hear from you Sydney. You are one of my best; we are all going to stand by you on this. I can't promise you anything because it won't be entirely in my hands, but for now lets get to work on getting everything we can on the Costa Family."
Walker put his arm around Syd and they walked back in the house. Rejoining the others Walker began laying out his plan.
"Gage, Sydney since they want everyone to think that you are dirty lets accommodate them. Let them know that any money going into your accounts is staying there and if they want Miles looked after it is going to cost them more then threats. Trivette you and I will go and pick up Miles Costa."
**********
Gage pulled into the parking garage of the office building where the Costas fronted their family business. He and Syd headed right for the elevator and to the fifteenth floor where Thomas Costa's office was.
"Ready for this Syd?" he asked his partner on the ride up.
"More then ready," she answered as the elevator doors opened and they stepped out.
They went right to Costa's office. His secretary sat outside the office busy at her desk. She hardly looked up when the partners entered.
They walked over to the desk and Gage politely asked if Mr. Costa would be in.
"He is busy with meetings all day, if you would like to make an appointment."
"This badge is all I need for an appointment," Gage said cutting her off and heading for the door, Sydney right behind him.
"Hey you can't go in there," called the secretary as she followed them in to Costa's office.
"Look here Syd, this will save time Mr. Durgon is here too. Now which one has been threatening you?"
"Mr. Durgon was doing the actual threatening but I think it was on Mr. Costa's behalf," she smiled sweetly as she sat on Costa's desk leaning across it, "Isn't that so Mr. Costa?"
"Mr. Costa do you want me to call security?" asked Costa's secretary.
"No it's all right we will handle this, could you close the door."
Once the door was tightly, shut Thomas Costa looked at Syd and Gage asking, "Now just exactly what is it we can do for you Rangers?"
"It's not what you can do for us it's what we can do for you, but our services aren't free. My partner and I don't take kindly to threats we deal in cash. It may interest you to know that Miles is being taken into custody as we speak. Now I'm sure you would truly like to make all this go away and we are the people that can help make that happen."
The phone rang interrupting their conversation. It was Miles calling his father to get his lawyer and bail him out of jail.
Gage smiled at Sydney as he addressed Costa, "We'll be in touch."
Syd slid off his desk and preceded Gage out the door.
**********
Thomas Costa looked at Paul Durgon after the door closed behind Sydney and Gage.
"She is suppose to be your sure fire get out of jail free card for Miles and what about the second Ranger her partner?" Costa questioned Durgon.
"She is the one that got Michael sprung a few years back. The charges were dropped before he even went to trial. She was new to the job then, hadn't become a Ranger yet. She must of hooked up with this guy later, looks like the two of them may either be helpful or a nuisance."
"You've got until tomorrow to check them out in the mean time I'd better see about bailing Miles out. Let me know what you find out and Durgon get the job done right."
Costa dismissed Paul Durgon with the wave of a hand as he set about calling lawyers and arranging bail for his youngest son.
Durgon went to his office and began making a few phone calls. This Sydney Cooke wasn't as timid as the one he had dealt with when Michael was up for murder. He needed to know everything there was to know about Sydney Cooke and her partner Francis Gage.
**********
Syd and Gage walked into Ranger headquarters, where Walker and Trivette were waiting for them.
"Sydney, Alex needs you in her office, Gage can go over what happened at Costa's office with us."
"All right I'll see you shortly," she said as she turned to go see Alex.
Once she was gone Walker asked Gage how she was holding up.
"It's tough but she's determined to get through this, she'll be fine," Gage assured them.
Trivette spoke up next; "I've been doing some digging on the Michael Costa case and some of the racketeering that was going on in the area at the time. I've also done a back ground check on Anthony Cooke."
Gage shifted uneasily when Anthony's name was mentioned, he really didn't like sneaking around behind Syd's back about her brother.
"Anthony by the looks of it has had a few dealings with the Costa family. Some gambling debts, it looks like he may have been in quite deep at one time, right around the time Michael Costa was in trouble.
It seems Michael was out with his pals for the evening when he got in a fight with this Vic Lawson. Lawson wouldn't fight with him, just turned his back on him and started to walk towards his car. Costa lost it, pulled out a gun and shot him. Of course, his pals never saw a thing and other couple of witnesses had a memory loss. One witness that was supposed to have been there that was never questioned by the police was a Cassandra Chapman. She disappeared after that night and has never been heard of since."
"I know where you can find Cassandra Chapman."
The three of them turned to see Syd standing behind them.
"Cassandra Chapman is Cara Cooke, my brother Anthony's wife."
Gage called Walker while Sydney had gone to talk to her Mother. He told Walker that they would be home tomorrow and that he and Syd needed to talk to him, Alex and Trivette outside of work. It was decided they would meet at the ranch at eight the following morning.
After talking to Walker, Gage called the airport and booked their flight for eleven thirty-five. He then went to join Sydney and her Mother.
The whole thing had been very hard for Kathy Cooke to comprehend. It was almost as if her whole family knew the secret that had been kept away from her until now.
"It's like I didn't even know your Father at all Sydney. I can't understand how he could have done this for all those years. And now you are paying for the sins of the father."
Her Mother was close to tears as Sydney put her arms around her. Gage put his hand on Syd's shoulder to make sure she knew he was there for her and her Mother.
"Syd, maybe you should give your brothers a call and see if they can come over and stay with your Mom. It might be a good idea if we spoke to them too and see if they knew anything about what was going on."
Syd gave her Mom's hand a squeeze and went to make the calls.
"Gage I'm so sorry. If either her Father or I had known they had approached her," Kathy's voice trailed off as she choked back more tears.
Gage took her hand as he spoke, "That's in the past, we have to look ahead and see how we can rectify things now."
He spoke with more confidence then he actually had. What Syd had done was serious no matter what her reasons. He knew though it was exactly those reasons that made him love her so much.
"Anthony and Rick are both on their way over and I've put some coffee on," Syd announced as she rejoined Gage and her Mother.
A few minutes later, a car was pulling into the driveway and Syd's brother Rick was climbing the steps of the front porch. Rick and Anthony were both tall like their Father had been, while Syd had taken her looks and stature from her Mother.
Syd opened the door to her brother, who scooped her up in his arms, spun her around, hugging her at the same time.
"Sydney, Gage what are you doing here, we're going to be seeing you in a few weeks aren't we?"
"We've had a family problem come up Rick," their Mother volunteered, "Sydney needs our help."
Rick looked questioningly from his Mother to Sydney to Gage, "What kind of problem?" he asked.
"Let's wait until Anthony gets here. Got coffee on, can I get you one?"
Rick knew he wouldn't find out anything until Anthony got there so he told Sydney he'd love a coffee. She came in with Rick's coffee just as her mother was opening the door for her oldest son and his wife.
Anthony gave Sydney a quick hug, then asked what was so important that it couldn't have waited for the wedding.
Syd sat down with Gage and he took her hand. She told the story to her brothers and sister-in-law, asking them if they knew anything about their Father's dealings. Anthony was the first to speak up.
"I don't know what Dad did or didn't do, but for God sake Sydney do what they ask before the rest of us are in as deep as you are."
"We aren't in the business of letting the criminals away with something like this Anthony," Gage answered for Syd.
"Ya well she did once and everything was fine."
"Everything wasn't fine, that's why we are sitting here now that's why I'm facing this again, they think they have me on the hook and any time they wiggle the line I'm suppose to come running. Everything won't be fine this time if I give into them again."
"Do what ever you think is best Sydney, with Mom's blessing I'm sure. That's the way it's always been around here, why would it change now. Just try to think of the rest of us when you make that final decision."
After saying that Anthony got up and stormed out of the house. His wife Cara, turned to Syd, told her she was sorry and followed Anthony out. Gage was going to go after him, but Syd stopped him.
"He'll cool off Gage, he always does," Rick stated.
Gage saw the hurt look on Syd's face, Anthony may cool off but that still wasn't an excuse to act the way he had.
***********
Syd slept most of way on the plane back to Dallas. Gage had put his arm around her and she had almost instantly fallen asleep from pure exhaustion.
Anthony's little tantrum kept going through Gage's mind, he knew that he was Sydney's brother but he still couldn't help feeling there was something more going on then was on the surface. He decided he would have to do a little checking into Anthony, something just wasn't right.
The message light was blinking on the phone when they came in. Syd went to it immediately to take off the messages.
"Let it wait until morning," Gage had protested. The messages had all ready started to play. One from the florist, one from the seamstress and one from Paul Durgon.
"Ranger Cooke," his voice said, "We need to meet with you, we need to finalize the plan. I'll be in touch, one way or the other."
**********
Gage and Sydney were at Alex and Walkers by seven forty-five. Syd went into the kitchen with Alex and Angela while Gage sat with Walker in the living room with a coffee.
"You two don't look like you've had much sleep," commented Walker.
"We haven't Walker, things are not good. Did Syd tell you why she wanted a leave of absence? "
"Not really only that it had to do with her family."
Gage was about to reply when Trivette pulled up front. Erika had come with him to keep an eye on Angela so that the grownups could talk undisturbed. After saying hi to everyone, she picked up Angela and the two of them headed for the nursery.
Sydney went and sat beside her partner and began to tell her story again making sure that she left out none of the details. When she had finished everyone sat silently. Walker picked up the bag with the two shell casings and stared at them for a moment before speaking.
"I think that it is time we put the Costa Family out of business. Sydney I need to have a word with you."
Walker stood up and the two of them went out to the front veranda. Gage found it difficult to stay put he had promised her he would be there and help her through this no matter what the out come. Now all ready he felt like he was leaving her to face the music by herself.
Trivette could see the uneasiness on Gage's face, "He's the boss Gage, he'd be talking to either of us if we had done what Syd has done. No different," Trivette tried to assure him.
"I know, I know, it still doesn't make it any easier. Alex any idea what will happen with Syd over the Michael Costa case?"
"I'll go over the case and see how bad things are. It will depend a lot on what is going to happen with the Miles Costa case."
**********
"All right Sydney anything else you haven't told me?"
"That's it Walker I've told you everything."
"Nothing else is going to jump out of your past and cause a situation or put any of the rest of us in jeopardy?"
"Nothing, absolutely nothing. I wouldn't have done it then except I couldn't face my Father with it. If I'd been on the force a little longer I know it wouldn't have happened."
"And this time?"
"I just needed to find the courage to face everyone especially Gage with what I had done. It stops here Walker no matter what it means to me."
"That's what I needed to hear from you Sydney. You are one of my best; we are all going to stand by you on this. I can't promise you anything because it won't be entirely in my hands, but for now lets get to work on getting everything we can on the Costa Family."
Walker put his arm around Syd and they walked back in the house. Rejoining the others Walker began laying out his plan.
"Gage, Sydney since they want everyone to think that you are dirty lets accommodate them. Let them know that any money going into your accounts is staying there and if they want Miles looked after it is going to cost them more then threats. Trivette you and I will go and pick up Miles Costa."
**********
Gage pulled into the parking garage of the office building where the Costas fronted their family business. He and Syd headed right for the elevator and to the fifteenth floor where Thomas Costa's office was.
"Ready for this Syd?" he asked his partner on the ride up.
"More then ready," she answered as the elevator doors opened and they stepped out.
They went right to Costa's office. His secretary sat outside the office busy at her desk. She hardly looked up when the partners entered.
They walked over to the desk and Gage politely asked if Mr. Costa would be in.
"He is busy with meetings all day, if you would like to make an appointment."
"This badge is all I need for an appointment," Gage said cutting her off and heading for the door, Sydney right behind him.
"Hey you can't go in there," called the secretary as she followed them in to Costa's office.
"Look here Syd, this will save time Mr. Durgon is here too. Now which one has been threatening you?"
"Mr. Durgon was doing the actual threatening but I think it was on Mr. Costa's behalf," she smiled sweetly as she sat on Costa's desk leaning across it, "Isn't that so Mr. Costa?"
"Mr. Costa do you want me to call security?" asked Costa's secretary.
"No it's all right we will handle this, could you close the door."
Once the door was tightly, shut Thomas Costa looked at Syd and Gage asking, "Now just exactly what is it we can do for you Rangers?"
"It's not what you can do for us it's what we can do for you, but our services aren't free. My partner and I don't take kindly to threats we deal in cash. It may interest you to know that Miles is being taken into custody as we speak. Now I'm sure you would truly like to make all this go away and we are the people that can help make that happen."
The phone rang interrupting their conversation. It was Miles calling his father to get his lawyer and bail him out of jail.
Gage smiled at Sydney as he addressed Costa, "We'll be in touch."
Syd slid off his desk and preceded Gage out the door.
**********
Thomas Costa looked at Paul Durgon after the door closed behind Sydney and Gage.
"She is suppose to be your sure fire get out of jail free card for Miles and what about the second Ranger her partner?" Costa questioned Durgon.
"She is the one that got Michael sprung a few years back. The charges were dropped before he even went to trial. She was new to the job then, hadn't become a Ranger yet. She must of hooked up with this guy later, looks like the two of them may either be helpful or a nuisance."
"You've got until tomorrow to check them out in the mean time I'd better see about bailing Miles out. Let me know what you find out and Durgon get the job done right."
Costa dismissed Paul Durgon with the wave of a hand as he set about calling lawyers and arranging bail for his youngest son.
Durgon went to his office and began making a few phone calls. This Sydney Cooke wasn't as timid as the one he had dealt with when Michael was up for murder. He needed to know everything there was to know about Sydney Cooke and her partner Francis Gage.
**********
Syd and Gage walked into Ranger headquarters, where Walker and Trivette were waiting for them.
"Sydney, Alex needs you in her office, Gage can go over what happened at Costa's office with us."
"All right I'll see you shortly," she said as she turned to go see Alex.
Once she was gone Walker asked Gage how she was holding up.
"It's tough but she's determined to get through this, she'll be fine," Gage assured them.
Trivette spoke up next; "I've been doing some digging on the Michael Costa case and some of the racketeering that was going on in the area at the time. I've also done a back ground check on Anthony Cooke."
Gage shifted uneasily when Anthony's name was mentioned, he really didn't like sneaking around behind Syd's back about her brother.
"Anthony by the looks of it has had a few dealings with the Costa family. Some gambling debts, it looks like he may have been in quite deep at one time, right around the time Michael Costa was in trouble.
It seems Michael was out with his pals for the evening when he got in a fight with this Vic Lawson. Lawson wouldn't fight with him, just turned his back on him and started to walk towards his car. Costa lost it, pulled out a gun and shot him. Of course, his pals never saw a thing and other couple of witnesses had a memory loss. One witness that was supposed to have been there that was never questioned by the police was a Cassandra Chapman. She disappeared after that night and has never been heard of since."
"I know where you can find Cassandra Chapman."
The three of them turned to see Syd standing behind them.
"Cassandra Chapman is Cara Cooke, my brother Anthony's wife."