Chapter 7

Putting the Pieces Together

It was quite late when everyone finally settled for the night. The horror of what John Stewart and Sam Clay had put them through only a few months ago came pressing in on everyone once again especially Alex and Walker. It had only been lately that the nightmares had stopped for Angela and Danny. Now to come to the realization that they were being terrorized by these people once more…

Sumner had driven Trivette back to his place where Fred was still standing vigil waiting for his family to return. It had been hard for Jimmy to go in that door and face his father-in-law with the fact that Erica and the children were probably being held somewhere in order to get to him.

Embracing Jimmy Fred Carter plainly told him, "Son this isn't your doing and I have every confidence that you will bring our family home unscathed."

"I'll pick you up around seven Trivette," Sumner told his partner before leaving them there for what remained of the night.

Not wanting to disturb Angela and Danny a second time Walker and Alex decided on spending the night with the Gages. "Alex and I could go home and leave them with you I just feel like it's important for the kids as well as my wife that we are together in the morning," Walker apologized to Gage.

"Hey it's nice to be able to pay you back for all the times you and Alex have taken care of me and my family. I just wish the circumstances were a little better," he conveyed to his boss.

Thanking Gage once again Walker went to join Alex. Gage said goodnight to Anna B who was taking the couch for her bed, looked in on all the kids once more and headed to where Sydney was.

Sydney had just come out of the bathroom as Gage clicked the door of their bedroom closed. "Everyone in for the night?" she asked coming to stand in front of him.

"Yeah I checked the kids they are all sleeping," he smiled leaning down to kiss her.

"How's your face?" she asked catching him a little off guard.

"Fine," he mumbled back to her.

"Just slip and fall did you?" she questioned a little more.

"There are lots of other things to worry about besides a bruise on my face," he responded.

"You're my husband you and the kids are on the top of my worry list," she persisted.

"If you must know Lieutenant Sears didn't like a couple of my answers today that's all case closed all right."

Syd closed her eyes a moment seething inside before answering, "All right case closed. Now that is settled how bout you come here and let me see if I can make it feel better."

Again his arms went around her to hold her close.

Very Early the Following Morning

Syd was up and had the coffee brewing by five; the shower was running evidence to where Gage was. Walker had joined her about the same time as she flicked the kitchen light on.

"Coffee's almost ready," she told her boss taking the cups from the cupboard. "Get any sleep?"

"A little maybe an hour when Alex finally stopped tossing and drifted off," he admitted.

"Walker do you know anything about Lieutenant Sears?" Syd asked.

"Not really is that where Gage got that bruise on his face?"

Syd nodded her head yes adding, "Just a feeling I got about him."

"Check it out Sydney," he told her.

Suddenly there was a loud roar of a bike starting up and roaring off down the street. "I've got to get over there and help Greg make those adjustments on that bike, I promised him the other morning when I was talking to him." Both Sydney and Walker turned to see Gage enter the kitchen as he spoke.

"When the other morning?" Syd's eyes looked right into her husband's face as she asked.

"Just before I went for my ride," Gage exclaimed almost as if a light had just gone on, "my alibi."

"That proves that you were here at five," Syd excitedly smiled her arms going around Gage hugging him.

"What's going on?" Alex asked as she and Anna B came into the kitchen.

The phone rang and Gage picked it up as Sydney explained what Gage had just remembered.

"For you Walker," Gage said handing the phone to the senior ranger.

Everyone watched as the ranger put the phone to his ear. "Walker," he answered.

"Want some coffee?" Syd asked reaching into the cupboard for more cups.

"You tell your boss we're on to him," Walker growled into the phone slamming it down.

All eyes went to Walker who after a moment simple said, "The Black Knight, just wanting to let me know that the fun had just started.

The room was silent with everyone retreating into their own fears and thoughts until Walker finally spoke again. "Anna B can you monitor a trace on the phone lines here?"

"Yeah I'll get right on it," she replied heading for the study and the computer.

He was dialling the phone as he spoke, "I want the rest of you to do everything today like it was a regular day, Syd arrange for protection for the kids at school…"

"You got," she replied picking up her cell as Walker's call connected.

"Sumner pick up Trivette and head for the ranch Sydney and I will meet you there."

Turning to Gage he was about to speak when his friend began, "I understand I'll make sure the kids get to school on time."

"Thanks Gage," Walker replied resting his hand on his ranger's shoulder.

Later that Morning

Anna B seemed like she had been tapping on the keyboard for hours. Gage after getting Cat settled into some colouring and one of her favourite videos had come to sit behind her but was finding his eyes slowly closing. Syd had called about half an hour ago to let him know what they had found at the ranch, which amounted to a footprint outside the back door. "Still nothing to report on Erica and the kids," Syd had told him.

"I think Anna B has pulled up every Black Knight, on the Internet," he had informed her telling her that the files were on the way to Trivette now. After Syd promising to check in with him again shortly Gage hung up. Now he rested his eyes as Anna B tried to get into some files that were related to Jonas Blake.

"Gage?" Anna B suddenly began.

"Um hmm," Gage answered as if talking to one of the kids.

She cleared her throat and jumped right in, in Anna B fashion, "Do you think Matt is a good catch?"

"Anna B you only just met Matt," Gage started glad to be interrupted by the phone. Smiling he quickly grabbed the receiver and said, "Gage."

"Gage it's me," came the sobbing voice at the other end of the line.

"Erica where are you?" Gage questioned he was now sitting up straight in his chair.

"Gage I can't find Jimmy, he's not picking up," she cried. "They're holding me and the children. I…"

"Erica do you know where you are?" Gage was shouting into the phone. All of a sudden there was shouting in the background and a loud scream as the phone went dead.

"Did you get the trace?" Gage shouted again looking at Anna B.

"It's coming, it's coming," she nattered as Gage watched over her shoulder. Suddenly the address popped up on the screen and Gage scribbled it down.

"Get Sydney and Trivette on the phone and send them to the address tell them Erica is in trouble, I talked to her and I'm on my way there," Gage was instructing as he grabbed his keys and headed for the door.

Starting his car Gage backed out and took off down the street unaware that two pairs of eyes were on him. "Knew he'd take the bait," the first said to his partner.

"And you were right," said the second pulling his phone and dialling. "This is Lieutenant Samms we need a warrant issued for Francis Gage he seems to be fleeing the state to avoid prosecution."

TBC...