Disclaimer: This was written for the soul purpose of my entertainment.
I lay no claim on Walker Texas Ranger or of any of its characters.
Chapter 4
Lou Mitchell was waiting for them when they got to Police Headquarters. His partner Detective Dillon Hunter was with him.
"According to the Medical Examiner both victims were probably killed in their sleep, neither had put up a struggle. Both victims had their throats slit, then Sylvanna was stabbed thirty-four times, while the other victim, who had been positively identified as Vince Hanson, had been stabbed forty-three times. It also seems that they had a large quantity of alcohol and sleeping pills in their systems, making it impossible to fight off any kind of an attack," Mitchell explained.
Hunter took up the briefing from there, "The murder weapon was found less then thirty feet from the trailer, both victim's blood is on the knife. There are a couple of different sets of prints on it but no match yet."
Syd's phone suddenly rang; she had been listening to the detectives so intently that she had jumped when it rang. Pulling it from her jacket pocket she took a few steps away from everyone to answer it.
Walking back over to the group Syd addressed Gage, "That was Andrew she's gone again she gave them the slip."
"And with not knowing how this happened with her Mother, maybe she saw something, the killer or killers maybe looking for her," added Gage.
"We'll put an all points out on her," Mitchell assured the Rangers picking up the phone as he spoke.
"I told Andrew we would be over shortly," Syd continued, "We'll be back in touch as soon as we speak to the family."
Hanson nodded in reply.
**********
Gage dreaded this part of the job even when he didn't know who the people were, he could only imagine how rough this was going to be for Syd. She hadn't said too much on the ride over, she was going over in her own mind what she was going to say to Andrew.
Gage pulled the car into the driveway and Andrew appeared waiting for any news they may have.
"Sydney anything?" he questioned her.
"Let's go inside Andrew."
"It's bad isn't Sydney? Andrew asked as his wife joined him, Syd and Gage in the living room.
"It's as bad as it gets," Syd agreed taking his hands she told him, "Gage and I found Syl and her boyfriend Vince murdered at her trailer."
"Do you know how or why? Who could have hated her that much? Was it because of Vince?" Andrew had begun firing questions that Syd was at a loss to answer.
Gage filled in the details of what they knew so far, which really wasn't much. He ended by saying that their priority right now was to find Elaine in case the same people were looking for her to do her harm.
They spoke a few minutes more before the partners took there leave.
"Andrew, we'll get to the bottom of this," Syd promised.
**********
Gage was talking on the phone to detective Mitchell when Syd got in the car, "We'll stop by for the pictures then hit the streets too," he said hanging up.
"They found out that Elaine has a best friend called Janet Roberts she was suppose to spend the night with Elaine three nights ago. The girls ended up coming back to the Robert's home for the night. Janet went to school and Elaine came to Dallas, Janet didn't make it to school today and now they are both missing."
They searched for the rest of the day and into the night but it was as if the city had swallowed up the two girls and they were gone. Along about nine Gage pulled the car back into the hotel parking lot, intending to call it a night and starting fresh in the morning.
He knew Syd was tired but she wasn't giving an inch, she was more determined then ever to find Elaine and who ever had done this to her friend.
They had spoken to Mitchell and Hanson about an hour ago, still no identification on the prints. A third blood type was found on the knife meaning that the killer had probably cut their hand during the assault and murder.
"Why don't you go in and relax in a nice warm bath while I go get us something to eat," Gage coaxed Syd.
Agreeing she leaned over kissing him before taking the key from him and getting out of the car. She watched him drive out of the parking lot before opening the door to their room and flicking on the light. Her hand went immediately to her gun, drawing it before going any further into the room. Things had been torn up and destroyed as violently as they had been in Syl's trailer. Scrawled on one wall was a message that said, "You are no better then her."
Satisfying herself that no one was there, Syd called Gage, "Forget about dinner and get back here Gage, You won't believe it until you see it."
A few minutes later Gage was pulling back into the parking lot with Hunter and Mitchell right behind him. Syd was standing outside the room waiting for them; she pushed open the door as they approached her. They all walked into the room and stood starring in disbelief. Mitchell pulled his phone and began dialling for the forensic team.
"Think this is the work of who ever killed your friend Sylvanna Talbot?" Hunter asked.
"Could possibly be. I do know for sure who did this though," Syd stated motioning Gage to follow her into the bathroom. On the back of the bathroom door was written, "You picked him over me."
"Elaine," Gage agreed.
"The daughter?" Hunter questioned them.
"We had an argument this morning when we took her to Andrew's she told me I was picking Gage over her. It wasn't a matter of choosing this morning we were working," Syd replied trying to convince herself more then anyone else.
**********
Gage went to the front desk and got them a second room, and then together they went to a twenty-four drugstore to pick up some necessities.
Sitting together they discussed the days events over dinner. Syd had called Walker and asked if he could find out if there was any part of Elaine's juvenile record that was sealed or sent up red flags. He told her he'd have Alex look into it and call them back in the morning.
Syd sat looking out the restaurant window her thoughts a million miles away. A tear glistened in her eye, her memories flooding her mind.
"Okay Ranger Cooke you've left me sitting here by myself for long enough, are you going to let me in?" Gage gently asked her.
"Gage I'm sorry, can we get out of here?"
"Sure Honey, just let me get the check," said Gage flagging down the waiter.
Outside the restaurant Gage took Syd's hand and they slowly began walking towards the hotel. They walked along silently for about a block until Syd finally spoke.
"I was remembering all the things Syl and I did in High school, I spent as much time at her house as she did at ours. We shared almost everything. Then she got pregnant and I went on to college. That's when I guess I started to realize how much she had depended on me. I'd do the homework and she'd copy it, she'd get us in trouble and I'd be left holding the bag. It didn't matter, I just loved her, I loved her and I didn't get a chance to tell her," cried Syd as the tears flowed down her face.
Gage had his arms around Syd letting her cry against him. He knew how it felt to have someone taken from you without being able to tell them you love them. He fought back his own tears by pulling her closer, whispering that he loved her.
The minutes passed as they slowly walked to the hotel Gage's arm around Syd. Neither seemed aware of the eyes that were on them. Stopping outside the door of their room, Gage tenderly cupped Syd's chin lifting her face to his so their lips could meet in a kiss.
Without warning a lone figure came running at them knife raised above their head screaming, "I knew you lied."
Gage reacted immediately catching the glimmer of the knife he raised his arm to prevent it from being driven into Syd. She in turn went into action and easily disarmed the assailant and taking them to the ground. Putting the cuffs on her Syd's heart sank further knowing that it was Elaine who had attacked them. In all likelihood she had killed her Mother and Vince Hanson too.
**********
Syd sat quietly in the waiting room while Gage had his arm stitched up. Elaine had confessed to the murders of Sylvanna Talbot and Vince Hanson. Syd could still hear her voice, "She chose them over me, she told me she loved me, but she lied, she loved them more then she ever loved me."
They found Janet Roberts in Vince Hanson's car. Elaine had slit her throat claiming Janet was like the others and had turned against her.
"Ranger Cooke, Ranger Cooke," the nurse broke into her thoughts, "Ranger Gage is almost ready to go if you could come this way."
Syd followed the nurse to where they had just finished bandaging up Gage's arm. He had just finished signing a few release forms and was ready to go.
"I guess it's my turn to look after you," Syd smiled putting her arm around him.
"This is something I could get used to," Gage smiled leaning against her.
***********
The Rangers stayed in Houston two days more to wrap things up and attend Sylvanna's funeral.
Sydney gave the eulogy at the small funeral of family and friends.
While everyone began walking to the cars Syd walked over to the coffin resting her hand on it. Gage stood quietly behind her as she said a final farewell to her friend telling her she loved her.
Placing his hand on Syd's shoulder, Gage brought his lips to her ear he whispered, "Let's go home."
The End
