Part 2
Gideon and Anthony Wesson's Camper
The camper suddenly lurched forward after several minutes of spinning it's wheels in the soft mud finally grabbing onto the gravel in the narrow roadway.
Erica craned herself around to see out the dirty window that hung over the cab of the truck. Her hands were bound behind her and like wise her legs with a nylon rope that was biting into her wrists and ankles. A huge piece of duct tape covered her mouth preventing her from uttering a sound.
She had been sitting on a huge rock that was back about ten feet from the river bank completely absorbed in her book when out of no where Gideon Wesson had appeared in front of her. He was a short stocky man, jet black hair and a couple days growth of beard on his face. He wore surplus army fatigues and black regulation army boots. A pair of dog tags hung round his neck.
"You're even more pretty up close," he had leered at her as she had slowly stood up to face the man.
"Can I help you with something?" Erica had asked standing up closing her book and edging her way towards the trail back to camp and her husband.
"You'll be helping me with something all right girlie," Gideon had started to laugh.
At this point Erica had turn to run coming face to face with Anthony Wesson running full force into his barrel like chest. He too was dressed in army fatigues a pair of dog tags around his neck as well. He sported a red beret on the side of his dirty blonde head. He too was in need of a shave.
"Going somewhere? My brother was talking to you," Anthony asked grabbing her by her arms in his meaty hands.
"My husband isn't too far away from here and he is expecting me back soon. He'll have everyone out looking for me." Neither man seemed to be moved by the revelation. "He's a Texas Ranger he has the resources they'll be out looking for me before nightfall."
"We'd better get a move on then Gid. We don't want no Texas Ranger catching us," Anthony joked. Erica struggled to get out of the man's grasp and he laughed at her until she caught hold of the metal tags hanging around his neck and yanked breaking the chain and sending them flying. "You little…" his hand came up catching the side of Erica's face and sending her to the ground. Gideon immediately pounced on her tying her hands tightly behind her back and then securing her ankles. Rolling her over to her back he ripped a chunk of the tape from the roll and smoothed it over her mouth with his dirty hand.
"She sure is pretty Anthony," he said again smoothing his hand over Erica's breast as she squirmed to get away from the man.
"Move out of the way Gideon," Anthony had commanded coming to stand in front of Erica. Bending and in one quick scoop he had lifted her over his shoulder and headed back along the trail they had come.
An hour later they were back at their run down camper. Gideon scampered in first removing the fake panel at the front of the camper that hid the narrow bed space. Anthony followed with Erica lifting her as if she was nothing and tucking her into the space. The heavy panel was then lifted into place and she was locked in.
~~~~~
Gage raced down the narrow, slippery trail as fast as humanly possible chiding himself for letting Sydney talk him into this trip. His mind raced as he thought about the circumstances that surrounded Chris' birth and then Piper's birth, he just wanted his wife to be safe in a hospital having this little one. He pushed himself a little harder the clearing coming into site.
"Syd," he came to a panting halt beside her. "Talk to me Honey," he gasped out to her taking her in his arms.
"I'm fine Gage, I had three sharp pains but they seemed to have stopped now that I'm relaxing," she tried to ease his worry and hers.
"Doesn't matter Sydney I'm getting you to a hospital. I…" he didn't finish he just held her close and she was glad of it.
"Gage I can keep Piper and Chris here with us if you like," Alex started to say.
"Thanks Alex but you'll have your hands full with Marcus and Torrie…" Again Gage's voice trailed off. "Let's get going here we have to alert the authorities and get Search and Rescue in here. I want you taken care of too Syd." he stressed as he began to lift her in his arms.
"Gage let me walk, I'm really okay for now and I might need you to help me later."
What she said made sense and he set her on her feet his arm around her making sure she was okay. He pulled her close a moment more gently kissing her keeping his arm around her before calling, "Chris, Piper we have to get going."
"Mommy are you okay," Piper anxiously asked running over to where her mother and father were.
"Yes Pipe I'm fine Daddy and I just want to get things checked out and want you guys to come with us," Sydney explained to their little girl.
"Is the baby going to get born?" she persisted as they began making their way up the trail.
"Not right this minute but probably very soon," Sydney tried to answer her questions.
"How soon?"
"Piper," Gage cut into the conversation, "the minute the baby is here we'll let you know. Babies just do things when they want to."
Finally making it to the car Gage helped Syd in before helping the kids into their seats. Quickly he started the engine and began backing out from where he was parked.
"Dad look out," Chris screamed out as a muddy beat-up old blue camper came charging around the bend in the road. Slamming on the breaks Gage brought the car to a screeching stop.
"Syd?"
"Fine Gage."
"Chris, Piper all right?" he asked as both he and Syd turned in their seats.
"Yep okay," Chris answered as Piper shook her head.
Once again Gage began to slowly back out and slowly proceeded down the road. They hadn't gone very far that they came up on the camper nose first in the ditch. "Everyone stay put," Gage told his family pulling to the side of the road and getting out.
Driver and passenger were both out of the car before Gage got to them. "Everyone all right here?" Gage asked.
"Yeah fine a deer ran across the road right in front of me," Anthony offered as Gage walked to the front of the camper.
Gage doubted the deer story knowing how fast they had been going but since no one was hurt and he needed to get going he let it pass telling them he would send back help. He got back in the car and headed out again towards the town.
From where she was being held prisoner Erica could see Gage she tried to get his attention but the walls had been insulated against any nose getting out. She watched as Gage spoke with her two captors then began walking away. She tried fruitlessly to call out to him as the tears flowed down her face knowing he couldn't hear her, he walked away not knowing she was there.
Once Gage's car disappeared down Gideon yanked opened the camper door and jumped inside. The way the camper had nosedived into the ditch everything tilted towards the front. He slide along the floor until coming to the end to reach up and pull the heavy panel out of the way. Anthony was right behind him to reach in, grab Erica's feet and yank her out. She kicked and fought as best she could to no avail she was still hauled out of the camper. Once outside Anthony Wesson catching the front of her jacket with one hand ploughed his fist into her face with the other knocking her cold. He then hoisted her once again over his shoulder and they started into the woods.
"I guess we walk tonight Gid," he commented.
"Yeah and just our luck it looks like more rain."
~~~~~
Walker had stopped Trivette long enough to make a quick survey of the area his eyes coming to rest on a silver chain. Walking over he squatted down to pick it up catching sight on the metal dog tag. Picking it up he read the name on it aloud to Trivette, "Wesson, Anthony P." before putting it in his shirt pocket.
Turning his attention to the trail that was left he made note that one of them was probably carrying Erica seeing the one set of boot prints was much deeper.
Trivette was barely listening to his partner as he let Walker take lead. He knew his partner wouldn't miss things that he probably would in his hurry to get to his wife. His mind drifted to her again, why had he been so stubborn that morning? Why hadn't he just gone over, said he was sorry and asked her to discuss things with him. That's all she had wanted to do last night.
As if reading his mind Walker spoke, "Trivette we'll find her and you two will resolve what is going on between the two of you. Concentrate on that and not what lead up to this."
"I know you're right Walker, man I just don't know how I let it happen. I just don't know…" Trivette fell silent pushing on behind his partner.
Walker knew exactly how his friend felt quickening their pace hoping to put a stop to this and get Erica home fast.
County General Hospital
Sydney lay back in the bed a monitor around her belly keeping track of the baby's vitals. She was trying to relax so her and Gage could get out of there to help search for Erica. Gage had just gone out to the waiting room to bring Piper and Chris into the room with them.
The door opened and Doctor Mark Young came in. He had an open file in his hands as he came to stand beside Syd's bed. "Mrs. Gage," he began looking over his glasses that were resting on the end of his nose. "I've been looking over your medical files that your doctor has faxed to me it says here that your previous deliveries were both early and were home deliveries."
"Early yes but not quite at home," Gage answered for her as he came in the door with the children.
Doctor Young turned to look over the top of his glasses at Gage asking, "and you would be…"
"He's our Dad and we came to visit our Mom," Piper chimed in before anyone else could say anything.
"Is that a fact young lady?" Doctor Young addressed Piper.
"Um hmm. Are you going to delivery my new sister? My Dad delivered me and Chris."
"I think your Dad did a pretty good job with you and your brother do you think we should let him deliver this one too?"
"Oh no, no," Gage was shaking his head, "I want Sydney in the best of care in a hospital to have this one."
"Well it isn't going to be right away so I'm going to let Mommy go home with you," the doctor once more addressed Piper.
"I can leave any time then?" Syd questioned already sitting up in bed.
"Excuse me Doctor Young could I maybe see you outside for a moment. Kids can you stay with Mom."
"Gage I feel fine," Syd cut in her eyes pleading with him.
"I know Syd I just have a couple of questions," he answered his concern for her still evident on his face as he followed the doctor into the hall. "I don't mean to tell you your job but what happened today with her is exactly what happened last time. She had a few sharp pains they stopped and a couple of hours later she was in labour. With both Chris and Piper she wasn't in labour very long…"
"I can understand your concern," Doctor Young volunteered, "but from how things stand right now it might be a couple more days or a couple more weeks. Either way there is no need for your wife to be in hospital. Just keep a close eye on her, keep her relaxed and this baby will be here before you know it."
Closing his eyes for a moment Gage finally shook his head in agreement with Doctor Young.
"All right then I'll go and get your wife's paperwork in order and you'll be able to leave once she is dressed." Again the doctor smiled extending his hand to shake to shake Gage's.
Taking the doctor's hand Gage thanked him before turning back to push open the door to Sydney's room.
"Well?" Sydney asked eyeing him suspiciously.
"Well it looks like we have to wait some more for this Gage to be born," he smiled at her. Sitting on the edge of the bed he took her hand in his and asked, "Are you really feeling all right?"
"I'm tired and hungry but I other then that I'm fine."
Gage leaned forward to kiss her only to be interrupted by Chris telling Piper, "So now they are going to smooch." Gage was going to be a little more passionate but instead kissed his wife's cheek.
"All right you two," he said turning to the kids, "if we get out of here for a minute Mom can get dressed and we can get something to eat." Turning back to Syd he let her know they'd just be down the hall in the waiting room.
The Campgrounds and Park
Once Gage had left with Sydney and the children Alex had herded the Trivette children and hers back up to the campsite. Looking around she saw that Walker had gotten one tent up at least while Gage hadn't got any of theirs put up. Things sat in piles waiting to be looked after. To make matters worse the wind was picking up and the clouds were rolling in.
The local sheriff's department wasn't long getting there, Search and Rescue wasn't far behind. Alex quickly explained everything she knew.
"Mrs. Walker in view of what is happening here I would suggest that you take the children to our motel that is on the edge of town for the night," Sheriff Cole was suggesting. "When we catch up with your husband and Ranger Trivette we can let them know where you are."
Alex nodded in agreement just as she heard a voice behind her, "Aunt Alex where are Mommy and Daddy?" Marcus stood behind her with Torrie in front of him his hand resting on her little shoulder.
Alex weighed her words before she spoke crouching down in front of the two children she took one of each of their hands in hers. "Your Mom got lost in the woods and your Dad and Uncle Walker are trying to find her. Now all these men are going to help find her too. So for now we are going to go into town and find a nice warm dry place for the night and when they find your Mom they'll come and get us."
"Okay Aunt Alex," Marcus agreed trying to be brave for Torrie.
Torrie wasn't quite as brave, "I want Mommy," she cried out tears running down her little face.
Alex put her arms around the child and lifted her up, "I know you do," she told Torrie. "And your Mommy wants to be with you guys too."
~~~~~
The trail that Walker and Trivette were following came to an abrupt stop when they came upon the parking area. "Great just great they could be anywhere by now," Jimmy
shouted out in frustration walking off to stand by himself for a moment to try and collect his thoughts, to get back on track.
Walker who had been taking a closer look at the tracks stood up as Trivette walked back over to him. "Let's assume that they had some sort of camper that they loaded Erica in. By how deep these ruts in the mud are I'd say it was one of those old heavy ones that loads on a pickup truck."
They had no more time for speculation the sheriff's car was pulling in. "Ranger Walker and Trivette," he called to them as he got out of the car and began walking towards them. Walker nodded yes and the Sheriff continued, "I'm Sheriff Cole and this is Deputy Stewart. Mrs. Walker loaded up the kids and went into town to the local motel for the night." he informed them. "Have you got anything?" he asked next.
Trivette stayed mute letting Walker explain what they knew so far ending with showing the dog tags to the sheriff.
"Wesson, Anthony P." Sheriff Cole read aloud. "Your other Ranger, Ranger Gage reported a camper in the ditch just inside the camp grounds said no one was hurt but they needed help to get it pulled out. We passed it on the way in two of my deputies stopped to investigate while the rest of us continued in. Let me get them on the radio."
The sheriff walked back over to his car, opening the door he picked up the radio and called in, "Andy what did you find out on that camper?"
The deputies voice crackled back over the airwaves, "There was no one here it looks like they may have wandered into the woods on foot. The plates say it's registered to a Gideon Wesson out on River Road."
"Andy treat the area as a crime scene we're on our way."
"All right Sheriff will do."
Getting into the sheriff's car they were soon at the spot where the camper still sat stuck in the ditch. A light drizzle had begun but the trail leading into the woods was still very evident. It took Walker only a moment to know that it was made by the same individuals that had made the previous trail they had been following. "It looks as if they are carrying Erica again," he commented to Trivette.
"What are we waiting for?" Trivette asked heading to go into the trees.
"First light Trivette," Walker retorted as his friend turned to stare at him.
"Walker I can't just go and sleep in a nice warm bed some where knowing she is out there.
"Ranger's," the sheriff was speaking again, "the direction they are heading is out to River Road, these boys are headed home."
"How far is home?" Trivette asked looking at the sheriff.
"About thirty miles by way of the highway, about twenty miles on foot from here. There's something that you should know about the Wesson clan," the sheriff began as both Walker and Trivette stood waiting for what ever revelation Sheriff Cole was going to tell them. "We haven't had any trouble from them in years, in fact I was just a deputy when we first ran them in. "The old man Everett had a real appetite for young girls, his wife must have thought it was all right or maybe she was just plain scared of him but what ever the case she helped him abduct and detain more then one of his victims. Everett's brother kept up the farm and their two boys while they were in prison. Everett died in prison but Donna May has been out for about five years she came back here but keeps to herself there are still a lot of hard feelings this is a small community. Both her boys still live with her Gideon and Anthony."
"And they have Erica," Jimmy cried out all most beside himself with worry and fear over his wife. Walker put his hand on his partner's shoulder to steady him. "I swear Walker if they've hurt her, if they've…"
"We'll get to them before they have a chance Trivette you have to believe that," Walker's voice was telling him assuring him.
"Once you get to the trail it's pretty easy to follow even in the dark," Sheriff Cole was continuing. "We've got enough people here to start in tonight." And then her added, "Ranger's if she was my wife I'd start looking tonight."
"You have someone that knows the area and can lead the way?" Walker asked.
Sheriff Cole nodded his head calling, "Joshua come here," at the same time. "Need you to get these two over to the river trail that comes out near River Road."
"Back of the Wesson farm?" he asked knowing the answer all ready.
"Yeah take Steve and Clint with you."
Joshua nodded his head saying to Walker and Trivette, "Let's get you fitted with a couple of rain slickers and get going, they got a couple of hours on us."
Lucky Chance Motel
Gage and Sydney pulled into the parking lot at the motel just before Walker's silver ram did Alex at the wheel.
"Any news?" Gage asked getting out of the car and going around to where Alex was.
"Nothing so far, everyone agreed it would be better in light of the body and Erica that I bring the children into town for the night. How's Syd?"
"Syd's fine, false alarm," she responded getting out of the car joining her friends. "Gage why don't we all get settled order in some food and then you can go find out what's going on."
"Yeah we could do that," Gage reluctantly answered.
"Gage stop it Alex is here and I promise I won't have this baby with out you."
"You're right Syd, I just can't help worry about you, but you're right I've got to help find Erica if I can," he conceded.
"Gage no one would blame you if you stayed here with Sydney," Alex assured her friends.
"Yeah I would blame me," he admitted letting his wife put his arm around him.
"I'm fine honey really I am," she smiled up at him.
"Can we get out yet Mom," Piper called from the car.
"Very soon Pipe, Daddy and Aunt Alex have to go in and make arrangements."
Gage held the door open and they disappeared inside while Sydney waited outside with the children. A few minutes later both emerged holding keys. Alex was able to get two rooms with an enjoining door while Gage got one right next door. Sydney called for pizza while the kids helped Gage and Alex bring the belongings in from the car and truck.
Piper and Chris went next door to wait with the rest of the kids giving Gage an opportunity to put his arms around Sydney. "Am I going to get a promise out of you that you are going to try to rest, put your feet up that kind of thing?" he asked her lifting her chin with his finger to look into her brown eyes.
"I'll behave just find Erica and bring her home, we both know the hell this will be putting Jimmy threw."
He nodded slightly bending to catch her lips in a kiss only to be interrupted by their son. "Come on the pizza is here," he called knocking on the door at the same time.
"Coming right now Chris," Gage called stealing that kiss from Syd before opening the door to join the rest.
Gage stayed long enough to eat a couple of pieces and then grabbing another one to take with him and headed towards the Sheriff's office.
The Campgrounds and River Trail
Joshua Martin knew exactly where he was going and wasted no time getting there. The men moved along in silence wanting to keep the element of surprise in their favour if and when they caught up with Gideon and Anthony Wesson.
Even though Anthony carried Erica over one shoulder the pair were able to keep a fair pace. Coming to a small clearing near he set her down to rest. Gideon walked over to where the land dropped away a good ten feet to the water below. Daylight was beginning to light the surroundings.
"Another hour and we'll be home," he commented, "I hope Mother hasn't worried too much about us."
"She hasn't she knows we are big boys and can take care of ourselves," Anthony told his brother. He turned to pick up Erica and she tried to squirm away from his touch.
Grabbing the front of her shirt once again he yanked her face into his asking, "Do I need to give you another hit to make you behave."
Erica silently began to cry again as the larger Wesson threw her over his shoulder and walked to the rock edge where his brother stood.
"Put her down Wesson."
Both brothers stopped in their tracks facing her husband.
"You want her you get her," Anthony replied tossing her bound and gagged to hit on the rock side below before finally hitting the water.
Without a second thought both Trivette and Walker dived in after her.