Disclaimer: This was written for the soul purpose of my entertainment.
I lay no claim on Walker Texas Ranger or any of its characters
Chapter 3
"Cassandra Chapman is Cara?" Gage asked hardly believing what he was hearing, "Then why don't we call her Cassie or Cassandra?"
"Cause according to Anthony, when she was a kid she always wanted to be called Cara, Anthony always called her Cara and so did the rest of us. Why are you looking for Cassandra Chapman?"
"She was supposed to have witnessed Michael Costa murdering Vic Lawson only she disappeared," Trivette simple stated.
"She what? That's nuts she couldn't possibly be involved with this."
"Why not?" asked Gage as he moved over beside her.
"This is Cara the most exciting thing she does in a day is buy groceries. She never goes any where without Anthony."
"Sydney, when were Cara and Anthony married?" Trivette asked.
"October of ninety-six, why?"
"It was October of ninety-six, that Michael Costa was supposed to have shot Vic Lawson," replied Trivette.
Syd stood there unable to move as what Jimmy was saying began to register.
"Gage take Sydney and get some lunch, when you get back Trivette and I should know a little more about things."
"Walker you don't have to candy coat this. I want this put right no matter what."
"I know that you do, but I don't want you put in an impossible situation either. Go spend sometime with your partner. We'll see you after lunch."
Syd knew that she had no choice in the matter so she nodded her head and together with Gage they left.
Once Syd and Gage had left Walker turned to Alex and Trivette, "I want you two to dig up everything possible on Anthony and Cara Cooke."
**********
The facts of the case were going around in Syd's mind as she sat staring at her lunch. She had hardly said two words since the two of them had left the office.
"This has sure been a quiet lunch, sure you wouldn't like a little hot sauce on that tuna on brown?"
"What ever Gage."
"Syd, look at me please," Gage put his finger under her chin as he spoke lifting her face to actually look at him. "What is going on in that mind of yours?"
"Gage, Walker doesn't trust me?" she blurted out. "I thought we had it squared away this morning but obviously we didn't."
"It's not that he doesn't trust you."
"Then what is it? He just sent me out of the room with a baby sitter."
"Honey, this is your family and we can't always be as objective about our family as others can be."
"Oh please, you actually expect me to believe that?"
"Yes, because I got sent out of the room with you. I know I find it hard to be objective when it comes to you. Do you think it was easy for me to sit still this morning when Walker asked to have a word with you?"
This is your Mother, Father and brothers who are being scrutinized here. Syd I believe he trusts us both, he just doesn't want to make this harder on us then it has to be."
"I'll take your word on this, but I'm still reserving judgement for later."
"You always were a hard sell," Gage smiled and leaned over and kissed her.
**********
Trivette motioned the partners over to his desk when they came back into headquarters. They both stood behind him so they could peer over his shoulder at the computer screen.
"Syd what did you say your brother's wife's maiden name was?" he asked.
"Cassandra Chapman."
"So then why does their marriage license say Cara Lisbon?"
"Let me see that," exclaimed Syd wanting to see things for herself.
Trivette moved the screen so Sydney could get a better view. She read the document over in disbelief.
"This isn't right, the minister used her given name, Cassandra Anne Chapman. I know I'm right I have the wedding at home on video. I don't understand any of this?"
Gage put his hand on Syd's shoulder trying to imagine how hard this was for her. Their thoughts were interrupted as Alex and Walker came through the door. Walker asked them to all come into his office. Alex handed Gage a folder as Trivette closed the door.
"Those are Dillon's release papers they just need your signatures on it. The rest is up to you," explained Alex.
"We all ready have a couple of people on the street spreading the word about how efficient we are at making things go away for people who can pay. Dillon is going to be the one to clinch it with Costa," Syd was quick to explain.
"We have Miles Costa on an airtight bust. Trivette and I got him this morning as he was making a deal for a large shipment of cocaine. When we make that charge stick the rest will be gravy. You two go convince Brad Dillon."
"On our way Walker," Gage assured him.
**********
"Got any ideas how you want to play this Gage?"
"Yep just follow my lead," Gage winked as he opened the door of the interrogation room.
Brad Dillon had all ready been brought in and sat there waiting for the partners.
"What do you two want I told you everything that I'm going to tell you?"
"Now Brad is that any way to talk to the people who have your walking papers right here in our hands?"
"Maybe he likes it better in jail Gage."
"That could be Syd. I never thought of that. Clean bed, three square meals a day, what else does a man need?"
"What are you talking about?"
"Well," began Gage, "We have right here the power to either pass the facts of your case over to the ADA Alex Cahill Walker or we could forget about everything you have been up to."
"And what is the price I have to pay to get out of here?"
"Catches on quick doesn't Gage?"
Gage smiled, "Not too much Dillon, in fact this is kind of a freebie all we want is lets say five percent of your personal take for the next six months. That and for you to let Thomas Costa know that we can come to some sort of arrangement with him for Miles as well."
"Let me get this straight you want me to go to the old man with this story? He is going to think I've cut a deal with the Rangers to land Miles in jail and for me to get out."
"Suit yourself Dillon, we've all ready talked to Costa once and it will just be a matter of time before we cut a deal with him. Of course if we have to work for what we want it may not go easy for you. If you are all ready in jail you may have to take the blame for Miles' crimes."
"We're wasting our time Gage, he's too thick to see a good deal when it comes along."
"No wait I'll do it, when do I get out."
"Now that's the spirit Dillon, oh and by the way if you decide to go back on our deal you will be going down for Miles Costa's crimes, that is a personal guarantee from me."
The papers were signed and Brad Dillon was sent on his way.
**********
The two of them followed Dillon as he left headquarters. He went straight to Costa's offices. About forty minutes later he came back down, hailed a cab and went home. Syd and Gage kept up the watch until six o'clock when their replacements showed up.
"Let us know if anyone comes or goes, if he twitches and it doesn't seem right call."
"You've got it Ranger," the officer assured Gage.
Gage got back in the car and headed for home. Syd sat silently looking out the window still trying to make sense of all the facts. Gage had tried with out success to get her talking while they sat watching Dillon's apartment. This was the hardest part for Gage, Syd always had an opinion on everything, not this time she was keeping everything to herself.
As soon as the door was opened at home Syd went right to the stack of videotapes that sat neatly on the shelves. She pawed her way through them until she came to the one of Anthony and Cara's wedding. She turned on the television and popped the tape in the VCR.
Gage came into the living room and seeing what she was doing sat down beside her. When it came time for the vows everyone used Cara's real name Cassandra Chapman.
"See I told you," exclaimed Syd triumphantly.
"I didn't doubt you Syd."
"Well you were the only one who didn't."
"Syd."
"I just feel like I have to keep proving myself, maybe once all this is cleared up things will get back to normal."
"Not to me you don't, you have anything to prove to me," Gage told her as he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her to him. Syd laid her head up against Gage's chest as they continued to watch the wedding.
"She was a pretty bride," commented Syd as she dreamily thought about her own upcoming wedding.
"Not as pretty as my bride is going to be... Syd stop that and rewind it."
"What is it Gage?" Syd asked as she hit rewind.
"Right there pause it, look recognize him?"
"Oh my God," was all Sydney could get out. Right there was Michael Costa.
Sydney grabbed the phone and started dialling, "Anthony is so dead."
Gage took the phone from her hands before she could finish punching the numbers in, "Slow down. There must be an explanation and we have to find out what that is before we do anything to tip our hand."
"When I think of how he treated me last night, how he treated all of us."
"I know Honey," Gage pulled her close to him holding her tightly against him, "We will get to the bottom of this Syd."
They sat there a few minutes more staring at the television and Michael Costa, until Syd finally suggested that they should call Walker.
"Walker can wait until the morning," Gage whispered as he reached across her to turn off the light.
**********
Thomas Costa had just finished pouring a brandy for Paul Durgon, "I want you to get in touch with those two Rangers tomorrow and find out what they have to say. I want Miles out of there they are holding him without bail. I want this dealt with no matter what the cost."
"I've done a lot of checking on those two," said Durgon as he took a large swallow of the brandy, "seems that ever since they became partners they have been able to help out the more influential families who have had scrapes with the law.
Miles' business associate Brad Dillon, came to see me today," continued Durgon, "these two have dropped all the charges against him. Everything nice and legal signed the paperwork right in front of him. Dillon told me that these two can come to an arrangement with you as well to get Miles out of jail."
"Make it happen," ordered Thomas Costa.
I lay no claim on Walker Texas Ranger or any of its characters
Chapter 3
"Cassandra Chapman is Cara?" Gage asked hardly believing what he was hearing, "Then why don't we call her Cassie or Cassandra?"
"Cause according to Anthony, when she was a kid she always wanted to be called Cara, Anthony always called her Cara and so did the rest of us. Why are you looking for Cassandra Chapman?"
"She was supposed to have witnessed Michael Costa murdering Vic Lawson only she disappeared," Trivette simple stated.
"She what? That's nuts she couldn't possibly be involved with this."
"Why not?" asked Gage as he moved over beside her.
"This is Cara the most exciting thing she does in a day is buy groceries. She never goes any where without Anthony."
"Sydney, when were Cara and Anthony married?" Trivette asked.
"October of ninety-six, why?"
"It was October of ninety-six, that Michael Costa was supposed to have shot Vic Lawson," replied Trivette.
Syd stood there unable to move as what Jimmy was saying began to register.
"Gage take Sydney and get some lunch, when you get back Trivette and I should know a little more about things."
"Walker you don't have to candy coat this. I want this put right no matter what."
"I know that you do, but I don't want you put in an impossible situation either. Go spend sometime with your partner. We'll see you after lunch."
Syd knew that she had no choice in the matter so she nodded her head and together with Gage they left.
Once Syd and Gage had left Walker turned to Alex and Trivette, "I want you two to dig up everything possible on Anthony and Cara Cooke."
**********
The facts of the case were going around in Syd's mind as she sat staring at her lunch. She had hardly said two words since the two of them had left the office.
"This has sure been a quiet lunch, sure you wouldn't like a little hot sauce on that tuna on brown?"
"What ever Gage."
"Syd, look at me please," Gage put his finger under her chin as he spoke lifting her face to actually look at him. "What is going on in that mind of yours?"
"Gage, Walker doesn't trust me?" she blurted out. "I thought we had it squared away this morning but obviously we didn't."
"It's not that he doesn't trust you."
"Then what is it? He just sent me out of the room with a baby sitter."
"Honey, this is your family and we can't always be as objective about our family as others can be."
"Oh please, you actually expect me to believe that?"
"Yes, because I got sent out of the room with you. I know I find it hard to be objective when it comes to you. Do you think it was easy for me to sit still this morning when Walker asked to have a word with you?"
This is your Mother, Father and brothers who are being scrutinized here. Syd I believe he trusts us both, he just doesn't want to make this harder on us then it has to be."
"I'll take your word on this, but I'm still reserving judgement for later."
"You always were a hard sell," Gage smiled and leaned over and kissed her.
**********
Trivette motioned the partners over to his desk when they came back into headquarters. They both stood behind him so they could peer over his shoulder at the computer screen.
"Syd what did you say your brother's wife's maiden name was?" he asked.
"Cassandra Chapman."
"So then why does their marriage license say Cara Lisbon?"
"Let me see that," exclaimed Syd wanting to see things for herself.
Trivette moved the screen so Sydney could get a better view. She read the document over in disbelief.
"This isn't right, the minister used her given name, Cassandra Anne Chapman. I know I'm right I have the wedding at home on video. I don't understand any of this?"
Gage put his hand on Syd's shoulder trying to imagine how hard this was for her. Their thoughts were interrupted as Alex and Walker came through the door. Walker asked them to all come into his office. Alex handed Gage a folder as Trivette closed the door.
"Those are Dillon's release papers they just need your signatures on it. The rest is up to you," explained Alex.
"We all ready have a couple of people on the street spreading the word about how efficient we are at making things go away for people who can pay. Dillon is going to be the one to clinch it with Costa," Syd was quick to explain.
"We have Miles Costa on an airtight bust. Trivette and I got him this morning as he was making a deal for a large shipment of cocaine. When we make that charge stick the rest will be gravy. You two go convince Brad Dillon."
"On our way Walker," Gage assured him.
**********
"Got any ideas how you want to play this Gage?"
"Yep just follow my lead," Gage winked as he opened the door of the interrogation room.
Brad Dillon had all ready been brought in and sat there waiting for the partners.
"What do you two want I told you everything that I'm going to tell you?"
"Now Brad is that any way to talk to the people who have your walking papers right here in our hands?"
"Maybe he likes it better in jail Gage."
"That could be Syd. I never thought of that. Clean bed, three square meals a day, what else does a man need?"
"What are you talking about?"
"Well," began Gage, "We have right here the power to either pass the facts of your case over to the ADA Alex Cahill Walker or we could forget about everything you have been up to."
"And what is the price I have to pay to get out of here?"
"Catches on quick doesn't Gage?"
Gage smiled, "Not too much Dillon, in fact this is kind of a freebie all we want is lets say five percent of your personal take for the next six months. That and for you to let Thomas Costa know that we can come to some sort of arrangement with him for Miles as well."
"Let me get this straight you want me to go to the old man with this story? He is going to think I've cut a deal with the Rangers to land Miles in jail and for me to get out."
"Suit yourself Dillon, we've all ready talked to Costa once and it will just be a matter of time before we cut a deal with him. Of course if we have to work for what we want it may not go easy for you. If you are all ready in jail you may have to take the blame for Miles' crimes."
"We're wasting our time Gage, he's too thick to see a good deal when it comes along."
"No wait I'll do it, when do I get out."
"Now that's the spirit Dillon, oh and by the way if you decide to go back on our deal you will be going down for Miles Costa's crimes, that is a personal guarantee from me."
The papers were signed and Brad Dillon was sent on his way.
**********
The two of them followed Dillon as he left headquarters. He went straight to Costa's offices. About forty minutes later he came back down, hailed a cab and went home. Syd and Gage kept up the watch until six o'clock when their replacements showed up.
"Let us know if anyone comes or goes, if he twitches and it doesn't seem right call."
"You've got it Ranger," the officer assured Gage.
Gage got back in the car and headed for home. Syd sat silently looking out the window still trying to make sense of all the facts. Gage had tried with out success to get her talking while they sat watching Dillon's apartment. This was the hardest part for Gage, Syd always had an opinion on everything, not this time she was keeping everything to herself.
As soon as the door was opened at home Syd went right to the stack of videotapes that sat neatly on the shelves. She pawed her way through them until she came to the one of Anthony and Cara's wedding. She turned on the television and popped the tape in the VCR.
Gage came into the living room and seeing what she was doing sat down beside her. When it came time for the vows everyone used Cara's real name Cassandra Chapman.
"See I told you," exclaimed Syd triumphantly.
"I didn't doubt you Syd."
"Well you were the only one who didn't."
"Syd."
"I just feel like I have to keep proving myself, maybe once all this is cleared up things will get back to normal."
"Not to me you don't, you have anything to prove to me," Gage told her as he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her to him. Syd laid her head up against Gage's chest as they continued to watch the wedding.
"She was a pretty bride," commented Syd as she dreamily thought about her own upcoming wedding.
"Not as pretty as my bride is going to be... Syd stop that and rewind it."
"What is it Gage?" Syd asked as she hit rewind.
"Right there pause it, look recognize him?"
"Oh my God," was all Sydney could get out. Right there was Michael Costa.
Sydney grabbed the phone and started dialling, "Anthony is so dead."
Gage took the phone from her hands before she could finish punching the numbers in, "Slow down. There must be an explanation and we have to find out what that is before we do anything to tip our hand."
"When I think of how he treated me last night, how he treated all of us."
"I know Honey," Gage pulled her close to him holding her tightly against him, "We will get to the bottom of this Syd."
They sat there a few minutes more staring at the television and Michael Costa, until Syd finally suggested that they should call Walker.
"Walker can wait until the morning," Gage whispered as he reached across her to turn off the light.
**********
Thomas Costa had just finished pouring a brandy for Paul Durgon, "I want you to get in touch with those two Rangers tomorrow and find out what they have to say. I want Miles out of there they are holding him without bail. I want this dealt with no matter what the cost."
"I've done a lot of checking on those two," said Durgon as he took a large swallow of the brandy, "seems that ever since they became partners they have been able to help out the more influential families who have had scrapes with the law.
Miles' business associate Brad Dillon, came to see me today," continued Durgon, "these two have dropped all the charges against him. Everything nice and legal signed the paperwork right in front of him. Dillon told me that these two can come to an arrangement with you as well to get Miles out of jail."
"Make it happen," ordered Thomas Costa.