Chapter 8

Unpredictable Events

Ranger Headquarters

Trivette was feverishly checking out the files that Anna B had sent him trying to find a connection. He hardly noticed anything any of the activity going on around him as he poured over the computer screen. "Something here has to lead us Erica," he mumbled softly under his breath. Her face popped into his mind and the faces of his kids as once more he furiously began reading the information on the screen. "Hey I think I have something," he shouted.

Walker set his phone down coming out over to where Trivette was.

"Black Knight Lumber Mill, owned by David Stewart in name only it is run by a parent company that is owned by his grandfather Sam Clay," he triumphantly told him.

"All right you and Sumner want to check it out," Walker told his friend turning to Sydney to ask, "Did Gage say anything about leaving the house today?"

"No," she replied shaking her head no at the same time.

"Get him on the phone there has been a warrant issued for his arrest and for his bail to be revoked because he is fleeing the state to avoid prosecution."

Sydney immediately went to her phone and began dialling trying first the house where there was no answer then his cell with the same result.

Suddenly all sorts of sounds began going off on Trivette's computer and he quickly turned to start punching keys. A moment later a message came across the screen from Anna B. "Help we are being held captive!"

Without a second thought all four rangers were on the move headed toward the Gages.

Black Knight Lumber Mill

Cautiously Gage pulled his car into the yard at the Black Knight Lumber Mill. The place looked absolutely deserted as he pushed the car door open and proceeded towards the mill. Except for the black silhouette of the ominous knight Gage would have thought he had made a mistake. Pulling on the door of the old mill he found it to easily give way and open admitting him to the darkened building.

Looking over his shoulder for about the third time Gage moved forward hugging the wall as he went unable to shake the feeling that he wasn't alone. Suddenly out of nowhere there was a loud shrill scream of pain. Knowing in an instant it was Erica Gage took off towards the sound as he did the saws began to come to life the noise deafening.

With his heart in his throat Gage moved on to where the scream had come from. There was a lone light from an office that was above the workings of the mill. From where he stood he could see that there was only one way into the office a narrow rickety staircase that lead right up to the door. Taking a deep breath he bolted to the stairs and up. Finding the door was jammed but seeing Erica with the kids inside he quickly threw his shoulder into and it gave way.

"Uncle Gage," both Torrie and Marcus cried running towards him as the door gave way and he all but tumbled into the room.

"You guys all right?" he asked.

"We are but Mom isn't?" Torrie cried out.

"Where is she?" Gage questioned being answered by a loud moan of pain coming from where she lay behind the desk.

Pulling away from the kids Gage went to where Erica was and dropped beside her. "Gage," she cried grabbing his hand a pain seizing her.

"How long have you been like this?" Gage quickly asked.

"Since the phone call she made this morning to you."

Gage twisted around to find two men standing there one had hold of Torrie and Marcus. Gage stood up to face them; "We have to get medical help for her she's in labour."

One laughed slightly saying, "You're a Texas Ranger I thought Texas Rangers did everything even delivered babies. You're on your own ranger."

With that the other man shoved the kids at Gage and slamming the door making sure the lock was securely in place.

Erica cried out again and Gage knew he had only one choice they would have to worry about escape later.

Outside Sydney and Gage's

Stopping down the block from the house all four rangers made their way to the yard. Trivette and Sumner took the front while Sydney and Walker moved around back. There was a sedan parked in the driveway and they made their way up the far side of it, one peek inside they could tell it was part of the police fleet.

Quietly they made their way to the house and the kitchen window where they could see Anna B sitting on a kitchen chair with Cat on her knee. Cat had both hands around Anna B's neck and as boldly as Piper was saying, "My Mom is gonna to be mad and you're gonna get it."

"That will be the day I'm scared of your mother kid," Lieutenant Sears sneered getting a laugh from his partner Samms.

"Shh," Anna B cautioned the child pulling her closer.

"Yeah shut up kid or you'll be shut up permanently like your old man is going to be," Samms piped up following Sears lead.

"Your Momma ain't giving the orders here," Sears laughed.

The words were no sooner out of Sears' mouth than Syd came flying into him feet first. He fell forward cracking his head on the counter and turned slowly. Walker all ready had Samms' arm pinned behind his back while both Sumner and Trivette stood in the doorway. He reached for his side arm but Sydney's hand all ready rested on hers. "Try it Sears it is bad enough what you did to Gage but when you threaten my child…"

Sears took the chance pulling his gun, Syd had hers drawn and the shot off hitting Sears' hand and knocking the gun from it instantly.

Sumner stepped forward pulling Sears' hands behind his back and snapped the cuffs on him.

Syd went to where Anna B held Cat and took her child in her arms, "I told him he'd be sorry," Cat told her mother.

"You did too," Syd told Cat hugging her close the same time saying to Anna B," Where's Gage?"

"He went to bring Torrie to play," Cat interrupted.

"Erica called and said her and the kids were being held, she was crying I think. Anyway the line went dead before she could finish talking. I got an address for where she was and Gage told me to get you guys and took off," Anna B was explaining. "I was just starting to dial but Cat spilled her drink and called me, she was crying. I went to look after her when the back door opened and these two waltzed in."

"Anna B what's the address where did Gage go?" Trivette cut in knowing this was the key to his wife.

"The works of them are probably dead by now," Sears butted in.

In a flash Trivette had his hand around Sears throat applying pressure staring into his bulging eyes. "Where are they Sears tell me what you know now?" he growled through gritted teeth.

"Tell him what he wants to know Sears," Walker barked standing behind Trivette.

Looking at the hate in Trivette's eyes Sears tried to look past him to Walker to plead with the Captain. He knew he had found a dead end there as well. "All right, all right but you're going to be to late," he choked out.

"Our boss wants them dead he wants you all dead," he shouted.

"You better hope that he doesn't succeed," Trivette softly spoke pressing a little harder before bellowing, "Where are they?"

"Black Knight Lumber Mill," Samms cut in, "Sam Clay's mill."

"Get them out of here," Trivette ordered handing Sears over for transport.

Walker was all ready calling for a chopper to get them out to lumber mill and Syd was handing Cat back to Anna B. "Where are you going Mommy?" Cat's lower lip was trembling, as she held tight to Syd.

"To get Daddy and bring him home okay sweetie?"

"Okay Mommy," the little girl replied her lower lip still in a pout.

"I'll tell Daddy he owes you big time," Syd smiled and that did it Cat's face brightened. Giving her a kiss Syd joined the rest.

Black Knight Mill

"Okay guys," Gage spoke to Marcus and Torrie, "I'm going to need your help your Mom is going to have the baby."

"Where's Daddy," Torrie cried out.

"He's on his way here," Gage tried to calm the child taking her in his arms, "but right now I need you and Marcus to be real brave so I can help your Mom. I see you were drawing some pictures how bout you make a card for the new baby for when he or she gets her."

This seemed to satisfy the child and shaking her head she went back over to where Marcus sat on the floor and both set to work.

"Gage," Erica cried out another pain hitting her.

"It's okay Erica you're doing great," Gage encouraged, "Now come on you have to breath."

"Gage I can't do this, I just can't do this," Erica gasped getting a strangle hold on Gage's hand.

"Erica, Erica yes you can. You've done this before it's the same thing," Gage tried to assure her.

"No it's not I was in a hospital with doctors and nurses and drugs."

"We can do this," Gage insisted taking charge, "Syd and I did it twice and one of those were on the restroom floor at Play World so I know we can do this. I want you just to get a picture of Jimmy in your mind then listen to me," Gage instructed as Erica nodded her head.

Another pain began to rack Erica as she cried out, "I've got to push."

In Route to Black Knight Mill

The roar of the chopper was the only sound evident as the helicopter raced towards the Black Knight mill. As they neared the structure Sydney caught sight of Gage's car not knowing if she should be happy he was here or worried that he was… She shot a look at Trivette his eyes were focused on the ground the not knowing eating away at him too.

Syd had no more time to think the sound of the chopper had brought the two men from the mill and they were scurrying to make a get away. Walker was motioning the pilot to bring them in closer and in a matter of seconds they were close enough that he and Sumner were able to jump taking down the gun men at the same time.

Once they had set down Sydney and Trivette raced to the door the men had come out, the same door Gage had entered earlier. The building was in semi darkness, the smell of cut timber prevalent in the air. With guns drawn the two rangers proceeded inside to be met with a piercing scream.

TBC...