Part 3
Sheriff Cole's office
Sheriff Cole was just pulling into his office as Gage drove in, "Sheriff," Gage called to him getting out as the man waited for him to catch up. "Ranger Gage," he said offering his hand.
"We think we have a lead on Ranger Trivette's wife. That camper that was in the ditch that you stopped to help we think the owner and his brother are who abducted her," the sheriff advised him as he took his hand.
Gage stopped dead in his tracks hearing the sheriff's words. "She was there?" he asked almost not believing that both he and Syd could miss the fact that Erica was in that camper.
"We wouldn't have known either except for the fact that Walker found a set of dog tags with Anthony Wesson's name on them," Cole explained filling in the rest of what they knew. "We're going out to the Wesson place now and start back the trail from that end. Interested in coming?"
"Yeah I'm coming I just need a minute to let my wife know."
"Boy or Girl? The sheriff questioned.
"False alarm," he replied dialing Syd's phone at the same time.
Sheriff Cole walked over to his desk as Syd picked up on her end. Quickly Gage told her what he had learnt and what they had missed.
"Gage I just can't believe we were that close and we didn't realize it."
"Syd I didn't call to upset you, Walker and Trivette are trailing them it's just a matter of time until we have her home. You okay?"
"I'd be a lot better if I was out there with you," she snapped back.
"I'm sorry Syd I'd like to have you out here with me too."
There was a slightly strained silence between them both blaming themselves for not realizing Erica had been right there and they failed to grasp it. "Gage be careful and bring her home."
"Always Syd."
The River
Trivette surfaced first his voice echoing loudly as he called out his wife's name.
"There Trivette," his partner shouted and they both headed towards her Walker getting there first. Turning her face out of the water he ripped the tape from her mouth as Jimmy got his arms around and together they started for shore.
Another splash was heard as Josh Martin hit the water. "Rangers they're in the water," was heard from the shouts above.
"I've got her Walker," Trivette called, "don't let those two animals get away." Walker gave a quick look to his friends and catching Trivette's eyes nodded his head pushing off down stream to aid the pursuit.
As Jimmy neared the riverbank he lifted Erica in his arms cradling her close. Her eyes opened for just a moment with a flicker of recognition for her husband then closed again as if knowing she was safe.
"Erica Honey please open your eyes," Trivette whispered, "I'm so sorry about the fight, this is all my fault and I know it, please Honey forgive me, please just open your eyes."
"Ranger Trivette can you hold on the Rescue Team is on it's way," Steve Dawson could be heard shouting down from above.
"Thanks Dawson," Trivette heard his own voice shouting back.
~~~~~
The swirling waters carried the Wesson brothers down the river to where it made a sharp bend. Walker and Deputy Martin were only moments behind, they too manoeuvring the bend only to find both Anthony and Gideon to have disappeared from sight. The water had become calm pooling into a quiet area that looked as if it had been a favourite swimming hole for years. Both Walker and Martin headed to the most likely spot to haul themselves out.
"Wet tracks," Martin observed Walker nodding. Without a word both men began following.
The trail followed close to the lower riverbank for about twenty feet before splitting up. One of the men went back in the water while the second went into the woods. Looking over the river as far as the eye could see there was no sign of human life.
"The woods," Martin suggested and Walker concurred at least they would have a trail to follow.
~~~~~
It was still dark when Sheriff Cole, Gage and four other deputies pulled into the Wesson farm to be met by Donna May and her shotgun.
"Donna May what are you doing with that?" the sheriff asked. "You know it is a violation of your parole."
"What is it you want Sheriff?" she asked lowering the weapon but keeping it at the ready.
"Looking for your boys," he replied his eyes never leaving her or that shotgun.
"What happen now bank robbery, drunk and disorderly, or was it some high and mighty's little girl getting themselves in trouble and you looking for a place to lay the blame?" she spitefully asked.
"We're missing a Ranger's wife and your two boys left enough evidence for a two year old to follow. Now are they here?" Sheriff Cole asked once more.
"They didn't come home last night. None of the chores is done and I got no idea where they're at," she indignantly told them.
"Then you won't mind us having a look around?"
"With whose authority?" she fiercely questioned her gun levelling at them again.
"By the authority of this search warrant and the county that's whose," Cole declared not backing down. "Now lay down that gun before I take you in on it."
Donna May stood staring them down for a few moments more before finally bringing the gun to her side. At this point one of the deputies walked to her and removed the gun from her hand.
"Abe you lead the way take Ranger Gage here and Jake with you back track down the river trail see if you can cut Anthony and Gideon off. Rangers Walker and Trivette with Josh and a couple of others are trailing them from the road in. The rest of you stay with me and we'll begin searching here."
Gage pulled his ball cap out pulling it low as he headed out with the two deputies. It had stopped raining but everything was still wet and the trail was slick with mud making the going slow. The group moved along in silence listening for any sound that someone was approaching.
A cool breeze came up from nowhere and Gage pulled his collar up against it. His mind wandered to Erica and Jimmy wondering how a simple camping trip with friends could have turned into such a disaster. Erica did so much for him and Syd when it came to the kids. There wasn't an undercover assignment they had that she wasn't there looking after Chris and Piper. Didn't matter what time of the day or night they knew they could count on her. Now here they were and she couldn't even count on them to save her from these two…
"You hear that?" Abe rasped all three men stopped to listen.
Someone was directly in front of them and coming that way. Gage motioned for Abe and Jake to circle around behind while he stood his ground in the center of the trail. Within seconds Gideon Wesson came into sight. "Get that camper out of the ditch?"
"What are you doing here?" Gideon asked astonished to see Gage.
"Looking for you and your brother hoping to stop you from doing something stupid where Erica Trivette was concerned," Gage shot back.
"My brother isn't here and I don't know any Erica Trivette."
"You know you may have got me to believe that last night but this is a new day. So if you would be so kind as to put your hands behind your back."
Gage barely had the words out of his mouth that Gideon was charging him. Bringing his foot up he caught Gideon in the chest sending him flying backwards. Wesson was quick to get back on his feet once more charging at Gage. This time the man had his hunting knife drawn and ready to strike. Grabbing hold of the wrist of the hand holding the knife Gage was once again able to bring his foot up into Gideon's middle knocking the wind out of him. Bending Gideon's wrist back Gage easily forced him to drop the knife the man dropping to the ground defeated.
Abe quickly stepped forward snapping the cuffs on Gideon pulling him to his feet.
"Can we try this again Gideon? Where is your brother and where is Erica Trivette?" Gage started again.
"Erica's with Trivette, but I don't know how she is," Walker answered coming up behind his ranger. "How's Sydney?"
"She's fine still no baby yet," Gage, answered asking at the same time, "what happened to Erica?"
"The other Wesson brother decided to throw her over a ten foot embankment into the river with her hands and feet tied together."
Closing his eyes Gage drew in a deep breath hearing Walker address Gideon. "As Ranger Gage asked where is your brother?"
"We split up I don't know where he went we were suppose to meet up later today at home that's all I know," Gideon replied.
Seeing they would get nowhere with the younger brother Walker sent him with Abe and Jake while he, Gage and Josh tried to track Anthony.
County General Hospital
The hospital was coming into view Jimmy Trivette held tightly to Erica's hand. He knew as soon as they touched down that they would be whisking her away to take care of her. The thought of being parted from her when she was hurt seemed unbearable. She opened her eyes briefly and he bent his head to her forcing a smile to keep from crying. He felt her squeeze his hand and he whispered, "I love you," to her.
All of a sudden they were on the ground, a flurry of people were rushing to them. Jimmy still had her hand as he ran along side the gurney, until they passed through the emergency doors. He stopped dead in his tracks staring at the swinging doors and crying.
~~~~~
Alex along with Sydney and all the kids came bursting into the waiting room. "Daddy, Daddy," both Marcus and Torrie went running to their father's arms and he lifted them to him both at once.
"Where's Mommy?" Torrie was demanding to know.
Sitting down with them one on each knee Trivette took a deep breath. "Mommy got hurt a little, two bad men wanted Mommy to come with them. When Uncle Walker and I caught to them they threw Mommy into the water. She got bumped a lot and the doctors are fixing her up now."
"Why did they want to take her away from us?" Marcus asked tears in his eyes.
"Some bad people do things that we just don't understand Marcus. When that happens we just have to help each other," Jimmy explained the best he could.
"Have you heard anything?" Alex asked.
Jimmy shook his head no pulling his kids close again.
"Ranger Trivette?"
Trivette looked up where his wife's doctor stood waiting for him. Letting his lips rest against Torrie's temple he spoke to his children barely above a whisper, "Guys can you go over there with the other kids for a couple of minutes while Daddy talks to Mommy's doctor."
"Okay Daddy," Marcus agreed taking Torrie's little hand as they slipped from their father's knee to join the rest.
Nodding at Alex and Sydney they both fell in behind him as Trivette faced the doctor. Sydney was surprised to see that it was Doctor Young, the same Doctor Young who had seen her the day before.
"Mrs. Gage," he nodded and she smiled slightly before he turned to Trivette. "Ranger first your wife is out of danger and is doing fine, but I'm sorry to inform you that she has miscarried."
Jimmy stood there silently staring at the doctor as the words began to sink in. Finally finding his voice he asked, "Can I see her?"
"Give us a few minutes to get her settled in her room the nurse will come and get you."
Turning Jimmy walked to the window and stared out, Alex went to his side. Sydney turned to the doctor and thanked him. Walking over to her friends she heard Trivette say to Alex, "How could I have been so stupid she wasn't trying to tell me she wanted to have a baby, she wanted to tell me she was all ready going to have one."
Before anyone could speak the nurse was in the doorway calling to him, "Ranger Trivette?" Jimmy turned around to face her. "If you come this way I'll take you to your wife."
"Go a head Jimmy," Alex encouraged him. "She needs you."
"Alex I don't know what to say to her," his voice broke as he turned back to the window.
"That you love her Jimmy the rest will come," Alex told her friend as she placed her hand over his and Sydney nodded her agreement.
"You're right," he sighed turning to follow the nurse.
~~~~~
The sunshine was blazing into the room Trivette focused his eyes on the slow drip of the IV that ran into his wife's arm. Slowly he walked over to her pulling the chair close to her bed and reaching for hand to hold in his.
"Erica Honey."
Her eyes instantly popped open. "I'm sorry Jimmy," she whispered a tear escaping the corner of her eye.
"Erica… please Honey don't." Jimmy's eyes went to ceiling, his lips pulled into a thin lined smiled in an attempt to fight back his emotions. "I'm sorry Erica I should have…"
"Jimmy we both should have and we both didn't and here we are."
Trivette brought his hand to his wife's face gently caressing her cheek. "Erica I love you that is one thing that just never changes. When I couldn't find you, when I knew they had you…"
"I'm back now and I've learnt more then ever I need you. I should have trusted you even when you didn't sound too enthused about having a baby, I should have told you then… Oh Jimmy I'm sorry." The tears were rolling down her cheeks Trivette moved to sit beside her on the bed and took her in his arms.
"Erica, Erica, don't cry Honey. If anyone is sorry it's me, I should have heard you out given you a chance to tell me. I should have…"
Her fingers were pressing against his lips, "shh, maybe we were both wrong."
"Maybe we were," he agreed pressing his lips on her forehead.
There was a knock on the door and Alex stuck her head in, "Hi we've got two young people out here dying to see Mommy."
"Well let them in cause I'm dying to see them too," Erica smiled as her son and daughter came rushing in.
"Mommy, Mommy," both were crying out as they rushed to her.
Jimmy picked up Torrie setting her beside Erica and then Marcus sitting him on the opposite side of her so both could hug her.
"You're feeling better?" Alex asked.
She nodded her head holding tight to her children, "We're going to get through it," she smiled looking at her husband as they clasped each others hand.
"I'm so glad I'm going to step outside with the children so Sydney can come in for a minute then we're going to go out and pick up the camping gear," Alex explained to them.
"Maybe you guys could bring our SUV back into town?" Trivette asked pulling the keys from his pocket and handing them to Alex.
"Sure can," Alex told him. "Now you make sure Erica relaxes and gets better while I try and get Sydney not to do to much until Gage gets back."
"Man I think I have the easier job," Trivette said letting his smile fall on his wife.
"Okay I'm going to go so Sydney can come in for a minute and we can get this done. Good to have you back Erica," she said squeezing Erica's hand.
"Thanks Alex," she retorted once again holding her children close to her trying to keep from crying.
Alex slipped out and a moment there was a light rap on the door and Syd stuck her head in. "Sydney come in," Jimmy told her.
"Just for a minute," she smiled hesitating a moment.
"Jimmy can you take the kids for a minute?" Erica asked knowing what was on her friend's mind.
Trivette lifted Torrie down as Marcus slid off the bed allowing Syd to sit on the edge of the bed.
"How are you feeling?" Erica asked.
"Hey that's what I'm suppose to be asking you," Syd replied letting Erica take her hand.
"You and Gage couldn't have possibly known that I was in that camper, even if you had gotten inside it. I'm back, alive and fairly unscathed. When I see your hard headed husband I'm going to tell him the same thing."
Sydney forced herself to smile at her friend and Erica put her arms around her hugging her. "I know you're right but I just feel like if we hadn't been so wrapped up in ourselves… this is no way for us to be doing our jobs."
"Sydney will you listen to yourself please, first you weren't on the job you were on vacation. You are entitled to think about just yourselves once in awhile."
"She's right you know Syd," Trivette added.
"It's just that…"
"You guys would have put everything on the line if you had known Erica was there and we never doubted that for a minute." Trivette had put his arms around her now too in a hug whispering to her, "You think you could drive my SUV back I've seen how Alex drives it's a lot like Gage."
Finally they got a small smile out of Sydney who promised she would get their vehicle back safe.
Wesson Farm
The yard was lit up like Christmas with all the emergency vehicles coming and going. Anthony Wesson stood in a wooded area watching as every inch of the house and barns were being searched. His mother sat in the sheriff's car in handcuffs watching as they brought the three girls her boys had kidnapped for their entertainment out of the basement of the house.
"They have no right," Anthony seethed as he watched what was going on.
"Over here Sheriff," someone was calling from one of the small sheds and Anthony knew they had found the dead girl they hadn't had a chance to dispose of.
Their things were being boxed up and labelled; the boxes were being put in trucks, taken away for evidence. "They have no right to take away our things," Anthony muttered under his breath. He would make them pay for what they were doing.
The sheriff had walked over to where his mother was. He was questioning her; he could tell she wasn't giving an inch. This wasn't right they would all pay for doing this to his family.
Suddenly a commotion went up as the two deputies, Abe and Jake appeared in the yard with Gideon his hands cuffed behind them. Anthony could feel his blood boiling as he watched what went on silently cursing everyone involved, cursing that Ranger's wife Gideon had to have. "Those Rangers," he cursed under his breath, everything had been fine until they showed up, this was their fault. The first order of business was to get Gideon out of their jail and then look after the Rangers.
"Hold on Mother we'll look after business, we'll take care of you just like we promised Daddy we always would," again Anthony muttered away to himself before trudging off into the woods again.
~~~~~
The trail Anthony Wesson had laid out for them to follow had more twists, turns and back tracking then Walker had seen in a long time.
"Haven't we covered this ground before?" Gage asked feeling they were going in circles and getting nowhere fast.
"We have covered this ground before he's taking us on a wild goose chase," Josh spoke up kneeling down beside Walker as the two of them looked at the tracks once more.
"He's headed for home," Walker said standing up.
"What are we waiting for then?" Gage asked.
"Not a thing Gage," Walker replied knowing Gage wanted to be here but was worried about Sydney too. Following Josh they headed towards the Wesson farm the trail going straight there.
Gage was all ready pulling his phone as the farm came in site. "If Alex is with her I'll talk to her when you are done," Walker advised his friend knowing he was checking on his wife.
Smiling back at his boss he nodded as the line connected. "Syd everything all right?"
"Hi to you too Honey and yes everything is fine," Syd told him smiling at Alex as she turned into the park grounds.
"Sorry Syd I've just been worried about you that's all," Gage admitted. Syd quickly gave him a report on Erica's condition while he quickly told her what was going on at the Wesson place and that they were still tracking Anthony.
"Mommy, Mommy I want to talk to Daddy," Piper was interrupting the conversation.
"For one minute Piper Daddy is busy," Syd told her daughter letting her take the phone in her hand.
"Hi Daddy."
"Hi Pipe what are you up to today?"
"Going with Aunt Alex to pick up the camping stuff," she had out before Syd could stop her.
"Piper I need to talk to Mommy again for a minute," Gage told her wondering what on earth Sydney was thinking.
"Daddy wants to talk to you again Mommy," Piper smiled handing the phone to her mother.
Taking the phone and smiling at her daughter she said, "Thanks Pipe," and put the phone to her ear.
"Sydney just what do you think you're doing?"
"Gage calm down I'm just doing the packing Alex and the kids are doing the carrying…" she got out before he cut her off.
"You are supposed to be resting with your feet up not packing up the camp grounds."
"It isn't the whole camp ground just our site, I'll be fine…" he cut her off again.
"Syd put Alex on the phone."
"Gage."
"Syd."
Looking at Alex she said, "He wants to talk to you."
Taking the phone from Syd Alex put it to her ear, "Yes Gage?"
"Don't let her do too much Alex please," he pleaded.
"I'll keep my eyes on her," Alex laughed handing the phone back to Syd.
"I'm sorry Honey I just… I love you."
"I know Gage I love you too I'll be good."
She handed the phone back to Alex saying, "Walker wants to talk to you."
~~~~~
Walker handed Gage's phone back to him saying, "Alex will make sure she is all right Gage."
"I know Walker it's just that she is there and you and I are here."
Smiling Walker slapped Gage on the shoulder, "Let's get a coffee and get back at it."
~~~~~
Anthony Wesson had watched the car with his mother and brother slowly move through the sea of emergency and law enforcement vehicles. It was forced to pull to the side of the driveway to let the coroner pass, then continued to snake it's way to the road.
Anthony started out again, he headed through the woods straight to the neighbour's farmer. He stood watching as the children waited for school bus eyeing the family car as he waited and watched. Once the children had boarded the school bus and it had disappeared down the road Anthony made his move.
Opening the driver's door it was only a matter of moments before he had the car started and was tearing down the road.
The Campgrounds
"I can carry that Mom," Danny smiled taking the sleeping bag from Alex's hands.
"Thanks Honey," Alex told her son watching him disappear up the trail.
"What can I take Alex?" Sydney asked snapping her friend back to the task at hand.
"Nothing I promised Gage," she replied.
"Alex don't you start too."
"Why not go up to the trucks and keep an eye on what the kids are doing."
Rolling her eyes Sydney started up the trail to where they were parked. She got half way there when Chris came running down to where she was the rest close behind.
"Mom, mom," he was calling to her in a half whisper. "He's here, he's here."
"Whose here Chris?"
"One of those men in the camper."
"Are you sure Chris?" Syd questioned looking for any signs of Anthony Wesson.
"Positive Mom it was him he took off into the woods."
"Okay you guys get in Uncle Jimmy's truck, lock all the doors and get down. Don't open the doors for anyone but Aunt Alex or me understand," Sydney was ordering.
"Where are you going Mom?" Chris asked a look of worry crossing his face making him look more like his father then ever.
"To get Aunt Alex, get moving."
Chris turned with the rest to do as his mother said while Syd hurried back down the path. Opening the door Chris made sure everyone was inside then looking at Angela began, "You heard my Mom lock the doors and keep them down."
"Where are you going?" Angela cried grabbing his arm.
"To make sure our Moms get back here that's where."
"Chris."
"Just look after them Angela," Chris told her closing the door of the SUV and taking off back down the familiar trail.
Sydney could hear Anthony Wesson's voice before she got to the clearing. Slowly she moved forward until she could get them in sight. He was standing behind Alex holding her against him a knife at her throat dragging her towards the trail that led down to the river. She could hear Alex pleading with Wesson, "Please my husband is a Texas Ranger he won't rest until you are brought to justice if you do this."
"Your husband is tramping around in the woods thirty miles from here looking for me," Wesson laughed. "I'll be finished here and long gone before he gets near here."
Sydney looked around for something she could use for a weapon her eyes coming to rest on a thick tree branch. Picking it up and dragging it Syd moved through the dense woods circling behind Alex and her captor. Stepping out on the path she lifted the branch and swung hitting Wesson in the shoulder just enough that he lost his grip on Alex.
Turning around he caught sight of Sydney, "You little… I'll teach you," he yelled out at her rushing at her knocking her to the ground at the same time. Gripping tight to his knife he brought it above his head just as Chris screamed, "Mom," he brought it down into her flesh.