Disclaimer: This was written for the soul purpose of our entertainment. I lay no claim on Walker Texas Ranger or any of its characters.

"Inheritance" A Sequel to Westfield Isle

Part Two

Vengeance Is Mine

Janis Boisclair

jboisclair@rogers.com

DFW Airport 11:57 PM.

Walker pushed his way in followed by Trivette to where Sydney was being treated by real EMTs. Julie Gage was sitting beside her sister-in-law holding tight to her hand as they packed her nose from the hit she took. Syd's eyes had both blackened from her assailants fist pounding her square in the face.

The tears flowed freely down her cheeks, not from the pain of being hit but from the deep rooted fear of where they had taken Gage. Julie's face was tear streaked too the same fear taking over her as well.

"Sydney, Julie," they both turned at the sound of Walker's familiar voice.

"Walker," Sydney cried out as he put his arms around her to comfort her. "They took him. They told us Julie was sick and an ambulance was meeting the plane. They took us out to the ambulance and they took Gage instead," she was sobbing against Walker's chest as she finished speaking.

"Sydney we are going to find him," Walker soothed. "We found you and Gage before under lesser odds, we'll find Gage this time too."

"Walker," Trivette was tapping his shoulder he was speaking on the phone. "They found the ambulance."

"Tell them we'll be right there and not to touch anything," Walker told him quickly turning his attention back to Sydney. "I'll have someone take you…"

"Not on your life Walker I have to go I have to be there," she insisted all ready standing and on the move.

"Hold up Sydney," Walker stopped her his hand on her arm.

"Walker I'll just follow you there any way," she retorted.

Catching the determination in her eyes he slowly gave in saying, "Let's go I thought you actually had to be a Gage to be this stubborn but I see you just have to be around them."

Both Julie and Sydney followed the senior rangers out getting into Walker's ram with them. The ambulance was only a few miles from the airport the yellow police tape was all ready around it. The forensic team was there going over every inch of the vehicle and the area around it.

"There was a second vehicle waiting an SUV or a van. We are canvassing the area but it doesn't look good," a police detective was telling them.

Walker nodded his acknowledgement.

"We have gotten some good tire prints and a shoe print but there is nothing in the ambulance except for…" the detective paused a moment as he motioned to the lead of the forensic team. The man walked over to where the detective stood with Walker and his people. "Ranger Cooke do you recognize this?" the detective asked.

Syd gasped slightly recognizing the shirt that was held out to her knowing it was her husband's the one he had been wearing. Trivette put his hand under Syd's elbow to help steady her.

"I'm all right," she cried pulling angrily away from Trivette stomping away from everyone to stand by herself to let pain bubble to the top.

"Sydney," Julie was placed her hand on Syd's shoulder and she turned into her arms.

"Oh Julie why Gage?" she suddenly cried her emotion getting the better of her. "How long does he have to pay for Westfield's horrors? Julie we just have to find him and bring him home, we need each other…"

"I know you do Syd," Julie tried to comfort her. "We'll find him, we'll never stop looking until we bring him home, no matter what it takes."

Syd's hand had gone to her face to wipe the endless tears and try to get back to the business of her husband. Together the two of them walked back over to where Trivette and Walker stood.

"Sydney I don't want any argument," Walker began. "I want the two of you to go back to your place. You have to be there it is the logical place for these people to contact you both with their threats."

Knowing he was right Syd shook her head in agreement.

Gage's Prison Westfield Isle

Every bone and muscle in his body ached as he tried desperately to open his eyes. They were like heavy weights refusing his command. He was hot he could feel the steam rising from his body that was bathed in sweat. He tried to pull himself up enough that he could sit up forcing his eyes to open to come face to face with the almost skeletal remains of another human being.

"Oh God," Gage gasped turning sideways the effects of the drug he had been given and the sight in front causing him to be sick. He leaned back heaving heavily his eyes closed again. His mind was desperately churning trying to make sense of what was happening. Once more he sat up this time ready for the gruesome sight in front of him. He tried to yank his hand to his head but was stopped by his wrists and ankles being chained together held by another piece of chain running the length of his waist to the ground to connect his hands and feet.

He tried to think back to how long he had been there to what had happened and suddenly his mind went to Sydney. The last thing he had saw was that big goon's hands on her holding her, clamping his paw over her mouth. He pulled frantically against the chains at the thought that they had her but to no avail.

"Syd," he softly whispered fighting back the anguish that was threatening to over take him knowing he had failed her again.

He again looked at his skeletal companion beginning to recognize the clothes that were still draping the bones realizing it was Philippe Martez that he stared at. It was at this point he realized where he was back at Westfield Isle. The question was; who and why was he brought here?

Slowly he got himself to his feet his head spinning from his ordeal and the jungle like heat. He felt the bile rising in him again closing his eyes and leaning against the stonewall of the cave he was in until the nausea passed. Slowly as not to fall he began exploring his surroundings. Making his way to the entrance of the cave he was met by locked iron bars. He could tell they were a recent addition by how new they were. Putting his hands on them he pulled hard on them knowing as long at they were locked he wouldn't be escaping this way.

He turned to explore deeper into the cave to find that it only went about another ten feet in and then was stopped by a rock wall. Turning he went to resume his seat knowing his captor held all the cards for now.

Time moved slowly Gage knew patience was not one of his virtues but this wait was worse then anything he could remember. Finally he heard someone coming along the path towards him. A moment later a woman stepped into view. She was very tall and slender walking with a sway in her hips, she wore the colourful garb of the islands the beads and bangles clapping together announcing her arrival. A colourful scarf was wrapped around her head obscuring part of her face from view.

"Francis you are awake," she stated more then asked her rich French accent coming through.

"Francine Boisvert," Gage replied recognizing her from Pedro's very accurate description.

"You have done your homework as I have done mine," she answered focusing her eyes on Gage.

"What have you done with Sydney?" Gage demanded to know his eyes following his captor as he grasped the bars of his cell.

"Ah your little wife," Francine murmured. "She is of no concern to me or to you now either Francis."

"What is that suppose to mean?" Gage asked wishing he could grab hold of her and shake the answers from her.

Again Francine laughed, "It means that your only concern is your life here on this island with me and Philippe."

Gage stared at her the words slowly forming in his mind. "Philippe Martez is dead."

"Philippe pay him no heed," Francine cried out her eyes moving to the remains of the captain. "He will soon come to realize that your word is law, he will soon come to realize his place on this island with us. He will be made to pay for what he has done to us."

Her eyes became cold coming back to glare at Gage. "Francis Gage you are sentenced to live out your life with us for the atrocities you have committed against us. For the murder of Anton Westfield, the murder of Philippe Martez and for what you did to me," she cried her voice cold and calculating as she pulled the scarf from her head revealing her disfigured face.

Gage stared at the once beautiful Francine Boisvert, at how her eye was disfigured sagging closed, at the hideous purple red scar that ran down the side of her face and neck words failing him.

"You did this to me Francis Gage and now you will pay the price. Your precious little Sydney will cease to exist for you and I alone will become the center of your world, I alone will relish in your devoted attention, I alone will be your lover."

She turned on her heel sashaying down the path that had brought her to him Gage staring after her.

Dallas Texas

Lynn York Cartier DuBois threw back the satin covers that she lay beneath stretching as she got out of bed. She walked to the window of her suite in one of Dallas' very posh premier hotels throwing back the drapes to look at the view of the city. She smiled inwardly to herself things were going better then she hoped they would. Soon the DuBois fortune would be hers and the world would be at her finger tips. She was going to squish Julie Gage like she was a bug.

Key West One Year Ago

She stood in the shadows watching Julie walk arm in arm with her brother and his wife from the docked hotel yacht knowing that the reports she had received were true. Knowing that both her brothers were dead knowing she was doomed to live on the allowance that Julie Gage was going to dole out to her at the woman's discretion.

"This will never due. This isn't over yet," she swore watching the three of them with the little Asian brat in tow.

As soon as Julie had gone back to Miami Lynn had set to work. She had gone to visit Deke McCall in prison bribing him with the promise of a little nest egg if he would lay out her brother's operations to her.

"I'll have it up and running again at full capacity," she had told him. "We'll be in it fifty, fifty and when you get out you'll be a rich man."

Deke had decided that he would let Lynn set things up, let her do all the work and once he got out he would take it from her one way or another.

With the information in hand Lynn had made arrangements to travel to Westfield Isle her intentions to open up the island for business as usual. She had never been to the infamous island but from what Philippe had told her she felt she knew it by heart. What she didn't know was the island was occupied by Francine Boisvert.

Lynn knew who Francine was by reputation. It didn't take her long to see the accident had more then disfigured the woman. She talked incisively about how Francis Gage had killed Philippe and done this to her… And that is when the idea had come to Lynn, that is when she made the pact with Francine Boisvert.

Same Time Sydney and Gage's

The sun was just rising Syd could feel the warmth on her face as she stared out the balcony doors at the city in front of her. She had sat there for many sunsets and sunrises her husband's arms around her holding her peacefully after a session of lovemaking.

Her face was puffy and her eyes red she had sat there most of the night letting the tears flow down her face wanting him with her. Now as the sun came up she whispered as much for him as her, "Gage I'll come for you just like you came for me."

"Sydney did you get any rest at all?" Julie asked sitting down beside her looking almost as worn out as Sydney did.

Leaning back against Julie she shook her head no. "I'm sorry Julie I should have done something to stop them."

"Honey no, I know that you did everything humanly possible to try and stop them from taking Francis. I know you would never willingly let him go," Julie tried to comfort Syd.

"Yeah it wasn't good enough was it?" she snapped back mad at herself. "I'm sorry Julie I know he's your brother and you're just as worried as me it's just… Oh Julie I just can't loose him."

"You aren't going to Sydney we are going to find him just like I found you both before and we'll do it again," Julie told her with her husband's determination.

They sat silently for a moment each trying to decide what should be done next. "Have you seen any of the information Trivette brought over last night?" Syd finally asked.

Julie shook her head no and together they walked over to the dining room table to go over the information Sydney hoping that Julie could see something that she could not. Julie began to read over the family history of the Westfield family as Syd went to the kitchen to put coffee on.

"Sydney?"

She turned to see Pedro standing in the doorway. She smiled slightly at the young man she had all but forgotten that he was there.

"I don't know much about your ways… I do know that Gage and you and his sister are good people. I just want… if I can help in any way," he finally stammered out.

"Your caring about Gage is more help to me then you can imagine," Sydney told him letting her hand come to rest on his arm.

"Still…" he persisted feeling he wasn't doing enough.

"I won't hesitate to ask," Syd assured him.

"Sydney?" Julie's voice was calling from the other room.

"Coming," she called back clicking on the coffee maker and going to see what Julie had found. She sat in front of the computer and Syd joined her pulling up a chair to sit beside her.

"The name York was sticking out in my mind from somewhere I just couldn't place it and then it dawned on me. The papers for the trust set up for Lynn and her mother on behalf of the DuBois estate. Michael's stepmother was Carol York before she married Regime Cartier who divorced her after three children Lynn being the youngest. When Cartier died all his money was left to the two eldest children who are estranged from their mother and Lynn. Michael told me that it was rumoured that Carol had, had a torrid affair with someone and Lynn was the result of the affair. That is why Cartier divorced her. Michael's father Michel fell in love with Carol but was not blind to her. He knew that she married him for the money, that is why he made sure that Michael got the bulk of the estate and she was given a trust to live on which she looses if she remarries. Now this is where it gets interesting," Julie continued pointing at the computer screen. "This is Lynn's birth certificate."

Sydney's eye went right to where Julie was pointing to read aloud. "Lynn Marie Westfield Cartier. Oh my God Julie she was Anton's sister."

"That would have made Philippe Martez her brother," Julie added.

"And you think that was why Martez went after Michael?" Sydney asked.

"It makes perfect sense she had no way of knowing Michael had changed his will in favour of me. I believe it was just dumb luck that Westfield saw you that night at the restaurant and took a fancy to you. When he found out that you would be on board the 'Precious Jules' all he had to do was have Martez grab you and make it look like you were dead like the rest of us," Julie said finishing with, "We just have to figure out what her plan is now."

"Julie you know where they have taken him, you know where he is…" Sydney began her mind flying in ever direction as thoughts of that horrific place jumped into her thoughts.

"I believe so Sydney but we want to make sure we don't want to make the trip for nothing…"

She knew Julie was right but the thought of Gage being taken back to that island was almost more then she could bear.

Westfield Isle

Gage had stood dumbstruck as Francine walked away without a care in the world leaving him to keep company with the late Captain Martez. So it was true she had been on the 'Martillo De Blarney' and survived, he wondered if anyone else had or if she was the only one.

It was obvious that she had some sort of contact with the outside world or he could never have been brought here. The question was who?

His mind raced on his thoughts turning to Sydney wondering if she had been brought here too if she had been harmed.

"Well Gage the only way you are going to find out is too play nice with the crazy lady," he spoke out loud trying to resolve himself to his situation. Then he made a silent promise to his wife that no matter what he would make it back to her. Once again he sat down in the company of the captain to wait the return of his jailer. 

As the sun began to set he heard the sound of Francine's bangles clacking together announcing her approach. "Francis," she sang out to him a smile on her face. "I have something for you."

"And what would that be Francine?" Gage asked trying to be pleasant with her.

She reached into the basket she carried over her arm pulling out a leather collar. "It is very nice don't you think Francis?" she asked rubbing the piece of leather across her scared face.

"If leather is your thing," Gage replied.

Reaching out her hand with the collar in it she ordered, "Put it on."

Swallowing Gage stood there unmoving. "If it's all the same to you…"

"I said put it on," the sweet playful voice was gone, a small calibre pistol was pointing at him.

He tried to reach for it his eyes not leaving her face but the chains that were holding him were too short making it impossible. Seeing his predicament she set the collar and gun back in the basket and reached for the chain around her neck that held numerous keys.

"Put your hands through the bars," she directed. Gage did as she told him and she opened the shackles on his wrists. Picking up the collar and the weapon once more she repeated, "Put this around your neck Francis."

Gage took the collar from her noting the wires that ran through it and the small power pack at the clasp. The gun fired and the bullet just whizzed past his shoulder accompanied by Francine's shrill scream, "Now!"

Reaching up he fastened it around his neck.

"Very nice," she smiled once he had it in place. "Sit Francis with your back against the bars."

With out much choice he did what she bid. "Lean against the bars Francis," her voice had become seductively lusty almost hypnotic. Gage hesitated a moment more finally leaning back. Her fingers teased his neck toying with the collar before snapping a tiny lock in place.

"Very good Francis, you are a good boy," she purred her hands rubbing down his back. Gage flinched at her touch, he considered twisting and grabbing her hand from him, twisting until he could take the key from her until he felt the nose of the gun against the back of his neck.

"He's a good boy isn't he Philippe?" she questioned the skeleton and laughed. "Yes, yes I'm going to take him to the house for dinner. You don't have to worry about him he loves me he won't run away from me will you Francis?" The gun jabbed his neck again and Gage agreed he wouldn't run away from her.

"Very good Francis because if you do run away you will suffer the consequences," she hissed pressing a button on the tiny remote she had hidden in the palm of her hand.

Immediately Gage grabbed at the collar around his neck screaming out in pain as an impulse of electrical shocks shot into his neck. Her finger lifted off the button and Gage fell forward his breathing erratic the pain still pulsing through him.

"Poor Francis," Francine gushed. "If you behave you will never have to know that pain cross me and this is only the beginning. Now if you would like to lead the way to the house our dinner is waiting for us."

Gage's whole body was shaking and bathed in sweat in the aftermath of the shock from Francine's little demonstration. "Come now Francis on your feet," she sang out.

"A minute please Francine," he begged finding it hard to get to his feet.

"Don't tell me you're not as strong as you look Francis?" she questioned swinging the iron bars open and standing back so he could emerge from the prison.

He pulled himself slowly to his feet his body still quaking from the torture. Moving through the open entrance of the cell Francine commanded he stop when he was beside her. Threading her arm through his they continued on their way towards the main house.

Nothing much had changed from the last time Gage had seen it. She lead him into the dining room where the swords Walker had duelled the pirate with hung proudly over the fireplace once again. The table was set with all the Westfield finery the china, the silver and the crystal. All the fine linen had been set out and she smiled at Gage as if it was what they had done every day of their lives.

She lead him to the head of the table saying, "Sit down my darling." Gage obliged her in no hurry to feel the pain her wrath would bring. She bent shackling his legs to the chair pulling her hand up his right leg from his ankle to his thigh feeling him tense and she smiled to herself.

Sitting in the chair to the right of him she rang a small silver bell and a moment later a young man came into the room carrying a bottle of wine. Popping the cork he poured a glass for each of them setting the bottle in a bucket of ice to stay chilled. He quickly disappeared from the room to return a moment later with two plates of food. He placed one in front of each of them once more quickly exiting.

"Eat my love," Francine smiled as she urged, "You need to keep up your strength.

Silently Gage picked up his fork going through the motions of eating but hardly tasting the food. As the meal came to an end the young servant silently came back in clearing the table and disappearing once again.

Francine stood up moving around behind Gage running her fingers across his still naked shoulders. She leaned down letting her lips brush his neck and he closed his eyes wanting her away from him but saying nothing.

"Hmm," she purred leaning further forward her hands rubbing over his chest. "You need to relax my love," she whispered moving around beside him as his fists clenched and unclenched. She hoisted her skirt up moving her leg over him so she could face him her body straddled over his. Her blouse opened and she pulled it off her shoulders moving forward so her more then ample breasts rubbed against Gage's chest. Resting her feet on the floor she moved her body up his and then down again. He adverted his head to the side away from her.

Turning slightly she picked up her glass of wine bringing it in front of her she took a sip smiled and threw the liquid in Gage's face.

The smile was gone now and she rose up in front of him screaming, "Murderer," attacking him, slapping his face and chest with her hands flailing. He put his hands up to protect himself and she grabbed up her tiny remote hitting the button for the second time once more sending Gage's hands to his neck as he cried out in pain. The jolt was so strong that the chair teetered sideways crashing to the floor. His eyes closed and the last thing he remembered was calling out for Sydney.

Florida State Correctional Institute

Jimmy Trivette waited impatiently for Deke McCall to be brought up from the cells. Hopefully the man could provide them with a lead to where Gage had been taken and who was behind all of this. The door suddenly opened and a wall guarded McCall was brought in.

Catching sight of Trivette he loudly lamented, "And what do you want I thought I was through with the likes of you."

"Glad you missed me too," Trivette returned as the guard handcuffed McCall to the bar on the table and left him to the ranger.

"What do you want now?" McCall demanded.

"Information," Trivette simply stated.

"Information about what?"

"The Westfields," Trivette smiled as he spoke.

"Hey I told you everything I know about Anton and his island," McCall came back.

"And for that we're grateful, the thing is we are kind of hoping to put a family tree together. See if we can shake it, see who else may fall out," Trivette smiled again. "You couldn't maybe enlighten us on some more on any brothers or sisters, maybe some children."

"Now what would be in it for me if I was to supply you with that information.?" Deke stared at Trivette pondering the question a moment then answered it himself. "Of course I could maybe settle a score…"

"What score might that be?" Trivette asked hopping this would lead somewhere.

Ignoring Jimmy Deke began, "Lynn DuBois mean anything to you?"

"Lynn DuBois," Trivette murmured, "Isn't she Michael DuBois' step sister?" he asked knowing full well she was. He remembered the unpleasant encounter with her right after Michael had died and Sydney and Gage were missing.

"Yeah but did you know that her biological father was old man Westfield?" McCall grinned knowing he had peaked the ranger's interest.

"Do tell," Trivette replied trying not to look to anxious. "That's very interesting," he nonchalantly commented.

"The real interesting part is the fact that she is trying to restore her brother's business on Westfield Isle. She's been contacting Anton's old customers letting everyone know business as usual."

"That is an interesting revelation," Trivette retorted. "She doing this all on her own?"

"Rumour has it she has a couple of silent partners but she's not treating them very well," McCall told him referring to the fact Lynn had cut all ties with him now that she had got the information she wanted. Deke had put out the word that he needed to know what was going happening on that island. What he found out was that Lynn had a couple more partners and she had all but forgotten about him. She was going to pay, he was going to bid his time and when he got out she was going to pay and he was going to take things over.

"Is Lynn the vengeful type?" Trivette quizzed.

"Not unless there is something in it for her, only if she thinks she is going to score big… Or unless she could make Julie Gage's life miserable or has figured a way to get at the DuBois money."

"How far do you think she would go?"

"I wouldn't put anything past her to get what she wants. When an idea strikes her she'll go to any length to execute it," Deke smiled at Trivette as he gave him the information.

Trivette signalled the guard and they came back for McCall. As soon as they were gone he pulled his phone and began dialling Walker with the info.

"Does McCall think she has him?" Walker asked his partner.

"I think he is telling me everything he knows but he is sure pointing me in that direction," Trivette replied.

"I guess we had better find Lynn DuBois and see what she knows about Gage's disappearance," Walker replied telling Trivette to get in touch with Detective Gray and see if you can find her.

"Will do Walker I'll be in touch," Trivette answered hanging up the phone.

Dallas

"Well?" Sydney asked as her boss hung up his phone.

"Julie do you happen to know where Lynn DuBois is?" Walker asked knowing how anxious both women were.

"I haven't seen her in six months or better when she came waltzing into my office demanding money as usual. She made such a scene I ended up having security remove her from the building," Julie explained.

"Walker what did Trivette find out?" Syd demanded to know.

"He basically just confirmed what Julie found out that her brother's were Martez and Westfield. McCall also suggested that she was trying to set up business on the island once again but she seems to be making enemies. Some of her silent partners aren't happy how she's treating them. He also suggested that she may do anything to get at the DuBois money and strike a blow at you as well Julie," Walker repeated what Trivette had told him.

"So when do we leave?" was Sydney's next question.

"Slow down Sydney I think we need to pick Lynn DuBois up for questioning first…" Walker began quickly being cut off.

"Walker you know as well as I do she has him to use against Julie and he is on that island," Sydney insisted.

"Sydney I agree that in all probability she is behind the abduction but if she is trying to re-establish Westfield's smuggling operation she wouldn't have risked taking Gage to the island. It's just to obvious," Walker tried to reason with her.

"What you say makes sense Walker it's just… it's this bond Gage and I have. I know he's there and I know he needs me," she argued.

Everyone stood in uncomfortable silence knowing that Syd's mind was not going to be easily changed on this. The sound of the phone ringing was a welcomed diversion from the conversation.

All eyes went to Sydney as she picked up putting the phone on speaker to hear the words of a technically altered voice on the other end. "Loose something like a Ranger? Want to find him? You'll do as I say. Your first set of instructions are in the Dallas morning newspaper just look for Francis in the lost and found." The phone clicked dead.

"I'll go get a paper," Lin quickly volunteered.

"And I'll go with her," Pedro added standing up to follow Lin out.

"Neither of you are going anywhere," Walker stopped them, "any of you can be used to easily as pawns in this game we are caught in." Pulling out his cell he called to have a paper brought up to them.

In a matter of fifteen minutes there was a knock on the door and a patrol officer was handing a paper to Walker. Going to the dining room table Walker spread the paper open to the classified section as they scanned down to the lost and found. In large bold print were the words: Found one Ranger. To claim this prize will take a signature on a legal document. If this Ranger belongs to you, you will find the papers in your possession soon.

"What is that suppose to mean?" Julie cried out.

Sydney had moved away from them as Walker and Julie set about trying to find out who had placed the add in the paper. She stood once again looking out the window to be joined by Pedro Sanchez.

"You believe he's on the island don't you?" he quietly asked.

Syd nodded her head yes.

"You are just like him you know. My brother and I begged him not to go to that island but he knew that you were there and that you needed him. You are going to go after him aren't you." It was more a statement then a question.

"As soon as I can arrange it," she answered him.

"You will not go alone I will go with you and I will hear no argument about it," he firmly told her.

Syd smiled her thanks.

Westfield Isle

"It is time to wake up Francis," Francine Boisvert sang out to Gage as she stood above him pouring a pitcher of cold water in his face bringing him to attention. It took him a moment to realize that it was morning and he was still on the floor in the dining room shackled to the chair where she had left him. The sun was all ready up quite high and he had no idea how long he had lay unconscious thanks to her.

His body ached beyond belief he thought ever muscle had been affected by the electrical current surging into him. His neck felt as if it was on fire. There was a red circle of tender flesh beneath the leather collar that was burnt by the current and he grit his teeth to the pain. He lay not moving watching her unchain his ankles waiting to see what she what she would do next.

"Lynn's toys are quite effective aren't they?" she asked him holding the remote up for him to see.

Lynn there was that name again he thought to himself answering quickly, "Yes quite effective."

She seemed pleased with his answer but who really knew. She smiled once again before telling him, "It is very sophisticated she assures me that it should be able to reach you anywhere on the island. I hope we don't have to find out.

"We won't," Gage submissively replied.

"You are a good boy this morning Francis," she smiled reaching down and running her fingers through his hair. With the third stroke she grabbed a handful of the hair yanking him to a sitting position. "I think it is time we cleaned you up. Stand up," she ordered.

Gage pushed himself to his feet and she released the hold she had on his hair. He shut his eyes for a minute a wave of dizziness closing in on him. "Follow me," she quickly ordered and he pushed his eyes open to focus on her and follow behind her. They went upstairs and she swung open wide the door to the bedroom Sydney had been imprisoned in for her stay here.

"You like the accommodations?" she asked.

"They're fine," he replied.

"As you can see a few features have been added since your wife was a guest here, new bars for the windows and a much better security system. No one will break in on us when we are inside," she smiled.

Gage remained silent.

"I have news of Sydney," she told him standing moving her hands slowly over his chest.

"Are you going to tell me or are you just going to tease me with it?" Gage asked trying to force the anger down inside of him.

Her hands quickly turned inward her long nails against his soft flesh clawing them down his chest leaving long red open scratch marks. Gage stayed motionless against her attack and she laughed out loud. "Your wife is quite safe as long as you do as you are told. She will be with young Anton soon," Francine teased.

"What is that suppose to mean?" Gage asked. "Anton is dead and buried on this island."

"Yes, yes he is," she agreed with him. "All you need be concerned with is as long as I'm happy she will be safe."

Gage's hands moved up slightly and he clenched them into fists to keep from wrapping them around this woman's neck like he had Westfield.

She laughed again twirling around as she yelled out, "Stephan."

The young man who had served them dinner the night before immediately appeared in the doorway.

"Stephan help Francis remove the collar," she ordered once more pulling her pistol into sight for assurance.

The young man did as she told him obvious that he was afraid of her. Standing behind Gage he slipped the small key into the clasp and opened the lock on the collar.

"Everything you need should be in the bathroom Francis. Stephan will be back shortly with a breakfast tray while I go and speak to Lynn. I'll tell her she can keep Sydney alive another day my love.

Gage stood watching as Francine swayed out of the room Stephan behind her, he listened to the key click in the lock and he sank to the bed. "God Syd I've got to get away I'm going to be as crazy as she is. If I could only know you are safe…" his voice trailed off and he rubbed his eyes to keep the tears away. Slowly he rose to head to the bathroom to do what he was told before she got back.

The towels had all been laid out for him and he turned the water on watching the steam begin to rise. He turned around to let his hands lean on the sink to catch his red rimmed eyes and gaunt face in the mirror. He leaned in a little closer to inspect the red ring around his neck; it was blistered a bit on the left side. He turned bitterly rubbing his hands over his face wanting this nightmare to be over one way or another. He watched the steam rise up over the door of the shower and vowed aloud, "I can take what ever she hands out as long as you are all right Syd."

He pulled off the rest of his clothes and stepped into the shower letting the hot water pound down on his back. Visions of Sydney's smiling face came to mind, he desperately wanting to reach out and touch her hand, draw her tender body to him just hold her.

He wasn't sure how long it was he stood there, water pouring over him until he turned the tap off. He stood a moment more before opening the shower door and grabbing one of the enormous bath towels. He wrapped it around his waist just as there was a light knock on the bathroom door. Hesitating a moment Gage moved to the door and opened it to find Stephan standing there.

"Francis I brought this for you," the young man spoke in broken Hispanic English. He held out a small jar with a paste inside. Gage looked at it for a minute not moving. "For your neck it will help," Stephan volunteered. Reaching out Gage took it from him thanking him before turning back to the sink to shave his face.

"I brought you food," Stephan continued going to the wardrobe to pull out clothes.

"Yeah thanks," Gage absently said from the bathroom.

"Are you a real Texas Ranger?" Stephan asked finishing his task and coming back to the bathroom door. "Can you help my sister and I escape? You escaped from here once… can you take us with you this time?"

"Slow down Stephan," Gage cut in wiping the excess shaving cream from his face. "I can't even help myself not alone anyone else."

"Maria and I will help you, we'll do anything to escape…" Stephan's eyes had gone to the floor and his voice had gone quiet.

Gage studied the young man's reflection in the mirror as he stood behind him in the doorway. He dabbed some of the paste Stephan had given him on his neck feeling an almost instant relief. "You wouldn't happen to know if I was the only one brought here?" Gage asked not really knowing if he wanted it to be true that Sydney was there or that she wasn't.

"You were the only brought here," Stephan confirmed.

"How is it that you and your sister are here?" Gage asked still eyeing him in the mirror.

Stephan quickly told Gage how he and his sister had wanted to come to the United States it had always been a dream, that dream of a better life. Then they had met Miss Lynn she had promised to sponsor them in return for them working in her home.

"We never got to her home she brought us here and gave us to the crazy one," Stephan spat out.

Gage thought about Kim and Lin saying to Stephan, "Your story sounds very familiar."

"I laid out your clothes," Stephan began to say as the door suddenly flew open.

"Get out," the shrill voice of Francine filled the room. Stephan ran past her without looking back. She turned to Gage a sickly smile displayed on her grotesque face. "Much better," she purred her eyes running over his hard body.

"Put this on," she ordered once again reaching out her hand the collar in it the gun trained on him.

Swallowing hard Gage stared at it a moment then took it from her to fasten it around his neck. "Turn around Francis," she instructed moving up behind him as he did. Reaching for the collar she once again locked it in place. "Very good Francis," she seductively whispered her hand moving down his back.

Gage swallowed hard again he could feel her fingers at the top of the towel. He wanted more then anything to grab her hands from him, to shove her away from him and the only thing stopping him was the not knowing. Not knowing Syd's fate if he did it.

Her hand had moved to his butt and she slowly moved her hand from one cheek to the other. Gage willed himself against arousal from her physical touch feeling her hand back at the top of the towel. She pushed her finger inside the towel moving slowly around the edge of it until coming to the spot it was tucked in to hold it in place. With out a word she pulled the towel loose letting it drop to the floor her hand immediately leaving him.

"Get dressed Francis," she hissed out her voice low and lusty, "Philippe is expecting you for a game of chess.

Without turning Gage grabbed for the clothes Stephan had put out for him quickly putting them on. He could feel her eyes on him watching his every movement. He had never felt this vulnerable in his whole life, not even during those times his foster father had beaten him unmercifully.

"You look very nice Francis, do you think Sydney would approve?"

"Can we just leave Sydney out of this?" he asked turning to face her.

Francine's eye narrowed and she walked to stand right in front of him. Raising her hand she slapped him across the face with all she had, not once but twice before repeating the question, "Do you think Sydney would approve?"

"Only if it was her here with me not you," he answered bracing for another slap or worse. Instead Francine just laughed declaring at the same time to come along Philippe awaited him.

Sydney and Gage's

"Carol it's Julie Gage calling," Julie cheerfully greeted the Lynn's mother over the phone.

"Julie dear how are you?" Carol DuBois asked.

"I'm just fine," Julie replied quick to add, "Carol would Lynn be there I have some papers concerning her trust that I need her to sign.

"She's gone to Dallas for a few days dear. She said she had friends there and a little business there," Carol repeated her daughter's words.

"Dallas?" Julie asked being caught off guard but quickly recovering. "Would you happen to know where she is staying?"

"No but I do have a phone number, just one minute… Oh here it is," Carol DuBois said as she began repeating the number into the phone.

"Thanks so much," Julie told the woman as she hung up the phone. Turning to the rest she began to dial the number she had been given saying as she did, "She right here in Dallas."

A moment later she had the name of the hotel and the fact she was in.

Sydney and Walker headed to the hotel to pick up their suspect while Julie and the other two with a police escort headed for Ranger Headquarters. Lynn was walking across the lobby as the two rangers came in. Walker recognized her immediately from his previous unpleasant meeting with her at the DuBois hotel in the Keys. He nodded towards her and Sydney took her cue, walking in front of the woman she asked, "Lynn DuBois?"

"Who wants to know?" Lynn snapped the question back recognizing Sydney, surprised they had found her so fast.

"Texas Rangers," Syd identified them. "We need to ask you a few questions."

"It is going to have to wait I have pressing business," Lynn retorted.

"We have pressing business too," Walker said he had moved up behind her. "And ours isn't going to wait."

Glaring at the two of them she let herself be ushered out and taken to headquarters.

~~~~~

"So what is this pressing business?" Lynn was asking as Walker and Sydney moved into the interrogation room where she sat.

Julie, Lin and Pedro stood in the observation room watching what went on.

"We hear that you are taking over your brother's business," Walker told her.

"I don't know what you are talking about," she declared. "I have a brother and a sister who I haven't spoken to in years and believe I couldn't even get a job as a secretary with them not alone take over their business. So if that is all…"

"We aren't talking about that brother or sister Lynn," Sydney continued. "We are talking about one of your dead brothers Anton Westfield."

"Who?" she asked trying to make them believe she didn't know who they were talking about.

"Lynn," Walker began, "it has come to light that your biological father was Lionel Westfield, making Anton Westfield your half brother. It has also come to light that you may be trying to head up a few of his business enterprises"

"So what if I am there is nothing wrong with getting out from under Julie Gage's thumb and making it on my own."

"It depends how you go about it Lynn," Syd started calmly telling her.

"She stole my inheritance from me," Lynn's eyes had narrowed as she stared at Sydney, "and flaunts it every day. I think that I should be left to explore every possibility for my financial freedom."

"As long as you aren't breaking the law with kidnapping and murder," Sydney leaned over the table returning her stare.

"What are you talking about? What are you accusing me of? I haven't kidnapped or murdered anyone. Are you charging me with something?" Lynn was firing the questions.

"It will be a lot more then charging you with something if I find out you had anything to do with Julie Gage's brother, my husband's disappearance," Sydney warned her his glare not wavering.

An officer knocked on the interrogation room door and let himself in, he spoke a moment to Walker who in turn said, "Sydney can you come with me." He held the door open for her.

Syd's glare stayed on Lynn for a few moments more before she followed Walker out. "What is it?" she asked her boss. Julie had come into the hall as Sydney spoke.

"Come into the office," Walker instructed, "an envelope has come for both of you."

They walked over to Syd's desk where the envelope sat. Scrawled in the now familiar calligraphy style were the words, "To the Gage Women."  Looking at Julie, Syd picked up the envelope and gently opened it pulling the papers out from inside. The letter written in the same script read, "If either of you ever hope to see Francis Gage again then you Julie Gage will deposit the balance of the DuBois estate into a bank account in the Caymans. You have forty eight hours to comply."  The bank account number for which the money was suppose to be deposited was supplied.

Sydney pushed by everyone and back out the door to interrogation room C where they had left Lynn DuBois. She burst into the room screaming, "Where is he? Where is he?" Syd had rushed Lynn and had her pinned against the wall as her voice lowered and she spoke threatening her, "You're not going to get the money all you are going to get is a whole lot of me if you don't give him back."

Walker had a hold on Syd pulling her off of Lynn who was screaming now too, "You're crazy and this is going to cost you more then you know."

Syd tried to make another grab for her as Walker held her back, "I've got your meaning Lynn don't you dare threaten me or Gage."

"All right Sydney enough," Walker barked.

"I'm fine Walker," she said pulling from his grasp and walking from the room.

"Sydney?" Julie was standing in the hall with Lin and Pedro.

Walker appeared and they all headed for his office. "Sydney I want you to go home."

"I can't just go home…"

"It's an order Sydney," Walker's voice rose as he spoke to her.

"I'll go with you Honey," Julie was quick to speak.

"Julie we need to speak for a moment." Walker stood back so they could all go back into the office. "You need to arrange the money have it ready to go but don't start the transfer until the last possible minute."

"All right Walker I can do that from home," Julie agreed.

"Walker you know I'm right she has him…" Syd started to plead her case.

"Sydney I don't doubt that she is up to her neck in this but we have to let her out so she can lead us to him."

"We know where he is…" Syd cried out turning from everyone.

"Sydney," Walker began.

"No Walker if it was Alex and you felt this strong… You're right I need to go home," she said heading towards the elevator Lin and Pedro following close behind.

"Walker I'll look after her and get the money ready. You just find Francis for us."

"We will Julie," Walker promised watching her to go join Sydney and the others.

Once the elevator doors closed Julie turned to Sydney, "The yacht is ready and I've chartered a plane to take us to Houston."

"Thank you Julie," Syd whispered to her taking hold of her hand. "I just know he's there."

"I do too," Julie assured her.

Westfield Isle

Francine had chatted on non-stop as she and Gage walked back to the cave where the captain awaited them. A chess board had been set up in front of the skeleton and a chair opposite him for Gage to play.

"Give him a good game Francis," Francine told him then leaning her head towards Gage whispered, "but remember he doesn't like to loose.

"I'll keep that in mind," Gage replied as she clanged the bars closed behind him.

"Yes Philippe I'm sure he is a worthy opponent," Francine called to Martez. Turning to Gage she smiled, "I'll be back for you at dinner time."

Taking his place across from the captain he sat a moment watching as Francine disappeared down the trail. Looking back over to the remains he spoke aloud to it, "I hope she doesn't ask me any questions about our game because I really don't know very much about chess at all."

"I can take care of that," the voice almost giving Gage a heart attack as Stephan appeared.

"What are you doing here?" Gage asked.

"I came to give you this," Stephan said handing a cell phone to Gage as he began opening the cell door. "She is going to be busy for the next little while a ship has just sailed into the island and she must attend to them. You need to get up to the top of the cliff to catch the signal just follow the trail up. I'll play your chess game for you."

"Thanks Stephan," Gage cried squeezing the young man's shoulder on the way by.

Gage knew the exact spot Stephan had meant and he took off on the run knowing it would take him quite a few precious minutes to get to the destination. Now would be his chance to try and contact Sydney. He was almost more desperate to find out if she was all right then escape the island.

As the top of the cliff came in sight Gage pulled out the phone to dial. He had decided that first he would call Syd and if she couldn't pick up Walker would be next. He stood catching his breath from his run up the path to the top as he listened to Syd's phone ring. One ring, two, three he was about to give up when her voice came on the line. He stood there a moment just listening to her voice say hello a tear in his eyes before he could speak. "Syd," his voice cracked into the phone.

"Gage, Gage where are you?" He could hear the tears in her voice.

Pulling himself together he began to talk. "I'm a prisoner on the island."

"I just some how knew you were on that island we're on our way you have to hang on."

"Syd listen to me, come in the back of the island I'm being kept mostly in the caves just below the cliff."

"All right Gage I know where."

"Syd I'm so glad you're not hurt. I love you honey," his words were delivered in a whisper.

"I love you too Gage," she too whispered tears streaming down her face as the connection was broke off.

Gage quickly made his way back to his prison where Stephan was anxiously waiting for him. "Were you able to make contact?" he asked as soon as Gage came in sight.

"Yes help is on it's way," Gage replied. "You and Maria be ready to travel at a moments notice I won't leave you here."

"Thank you Francis," the young man's gratitude welling up in his eyes.

"Stephan my friends just call me Gage."

"All right Gage," Stephan retorted closing the bars behind Gage he started down the path stopping a moment he turned. "The captain won in sixteen moves."

"Thanks," Gage answered a smile coming across his face.

~~~~~

"Maria, Maria," Stephan came rushing into the back door of the old kitchen excited to tell her that they were going to be rescued. He had expected to find her working hard to prepare the evening meal. What he hadn't expected was to come face to face with Francine Boisvert.

"Stephan I've been searching for you," she calmly said her cold calculating voice expressing her displeasure. "Where have you been?"

"You told me that I could have free time this afternoon," he quickly said.

"That isn't what I asked you." He could see the maniacal anger rising in her like so may times before.

"I was at the far side of the island at the beach," he lied hoping he could be strong and not let Gage and his sister down.

She stood from the seat she had taken at the kitchen table picking up the riding crop she had laid there and began to walk towards Stephan. "Captain Martez tells me differently," she said her low menacing voice chilling him. With each step she made towards Stephan she would slap the riding crop against her leg.

Stephan's heart was beating almost out of his chest as he tried hard to stand his ground. "Captain Martez tells me that you went by to disturb his game of chess. That you and Francis spoke for a long time and you told him all about yourself and Maria. But that wasn't all was it Stephan?" she asked bringing the whip across his face laying it open.

"I swear Miss Francine I was no where near the Captain today," he pleaded hoping she would believe him.

"You are calling the Captain a liar?" she screamed bringing the whip down across his face and body non-stop.

"No, no Miss, please Miss no," Stephan cried out. His hands had gone up to try and protect his face as he fell to the floor.

"That is exactly what happened I know it is what happened," she screamed out the whip beating down on her victim until she had to stop to catch her breath.

Stephan lay bloody and crying on the floor, she bent over him tying his hands behind him with a leather thong. Grabbing his arm she yelled out, "On your feet you and Francis are going to pay dearly for this."

She half pulled half dragged Stephan along the path towards the caves the strength of a mad woman taking over.

Gage could hear them coming and stood facing out ready for her when she appeared.

"Francis," she screeched shoving Stephan face down in the dirt in front of him. "Look what you have done to this boy Francis. Now the same thing will happen to Sydney and you have no one to blame for any of it but yourself."

"Oh but I do Francine I have you to blame, it is you who perpetrates these crimes against innocent people," Gage proclaimed. "Some how when your face became twisted so did you."

Francine immediately pushed the button on her remote sending Gage screaming to his knees tearing at the leather collar. She opened the bars and stood above him her evil, chilling laugh sounding in his ears. "Get up Francis," she hissed at him kicking him in the side. "Get up and get Stephan in here."

Pushing himself slowly to his feet he helped Stephan to his feet and brought him inside the cave allowing him to be locked in.

"Now Francis we need to adjust your attitude," she glared at him giving him another jolt that again sent him to his knees just to remind him that she was in charge. Tears rolled down his cheeks from the pain but he refused to scream out infuriating her more. Grabbing a handful of his hair she jerked his head back bringing her lips to his ear, "You will cry out Francis, before I'm done with you, you will be screaming out and crying for mercy. Now get up!" With that she flung his head forward watching as he slowly got to his feet to walk to the house.

Onboard the DuBois Yacht

Sydney stood silently on the deck of the yacht Westfield Isle coming into sight. Even in the cover of darkness the island loomed ominously in the distance. Pedro came up to stand beside her he was thinking of the night he and Lorenzo had brought Gage there to rescue his wife the same terror of the place trying to take hold. The stood silently in their own thoughts until Lin and Julie joined them. The island held vicious cold memories for both of them as well.

After Gage's call Sydney had immediately called Walker, he had wanted them to wait until he and Trivette got there. She had asked, "Would you wait if Alex was a prisoner there?" Walker had remained silent for a moment before warning, "Be careful we're on our way."

"I want everyone to be careful and watch where you are going once we get there. We are going to the caves for Gage and then we are out of here," she finished.

Everything was stowed in the small motorboat before they climbed in. Pedro started the motor and piloted them towards shore. No one spoke for the short trip their minds were all on the task ahead of them.

The surf was loud as it crashed in on the beach, Pedro cut the motor jumping out to bring the boat ashore everyone else following suit. Sydney tensed it felt like it had been only hours ago that she had last set foot on this beach on this horrid island. She had never wanted to come back here so much of her and Gage's lives had been stolen from them here. Yet here they were an evil force drawing them back.

They moved silently along the caves coming into sight. They easily found the prison cave Syd ran to the bars calling for Gage only to be met by a low moan. "Gage," she hissed again.

"She took him," Stephan cried out a low moan escaping him.

"Whose there?" Syd called yanking on the bars in vain. Getting no answer she called, "Stay back." With careful aim she fired her gun and broke the lock the barred door swinging wide.

Julie had turned on a flashlight and was playing it over the cave, gasping loud as she caught sight of Captain Martez. Over here Syd was calling as she knelt beside Stephan.

"You are Gage's help?" he asked as Sydney helped him to sit up.

"Who are you? What happened to you? Do you know where Gage is?" Sydney questioned.

"The crazy one has him she took him to the house we have to hurry before something happens to him," he was struggling to get up as he spoke.

"Lin help him to the beach the rest come with me," Sydney was giving orders all ready heading for the house.

"Miss," Stephan called out to her. "Be careful she has a device around his neck with an electric charge she can kill him with it."

Sydney took the words in starting out again to the house.

~~~~~

Gage's head lolled to the side he was barely conscious. Francine had finally lost interest and stormed off leaving him by himself.

She had been screaming for Maria before they had come in the house. "I need your help," she had shrieked at the terrified girl. "Get up to his room."

Without a word Maria had run up the stairs opening wide the door to the bedroom from that morning. Francine had pulled out her pistol and shoved it hard into Gage's back. "Move Francis you are going to pay for your treachery."

Having no choice he had moved up the stairs and into the bedroom where Maria stood waiting for them.

"Move over to the end of the bed," Francine ordered the gun jabbing into him again.

Gage began to walk to the end of the bed speaking as he went. "Francine can we not work this out reasonably."

"On your knees now," she screamed forcing him there with another jolt. She walked around in front of him grabbing the front of his shirt and ripping it open. "Maria," again she yelled, "remove his shirt."

With trembling hands the girl moved forward pulling the shirt from him.

"The restraints Maria," she continued as the girl fastened the leather cuffs around his wrists.

"I'm sorry," she softly whispered hating that she was giving in to Francine's orders but terrified of what she would do to her brother if she didn't. As she finished Francine moved forward again taking a handful of his hair and yanking to force him to his feet.

"Maria," she screamed again and the girl scurried forward to help secure him to the foot posts of the four poster bed leaving him hanging there by his wrists. It was at this point that she ordered Maria from the room.

Standing behind him she laughed the laugh Gage had quickly learned meant he was going to feel her anger and wrath directed at him with a vengeance that only she could deliver. After the initial hits of the riding whip she had used on Stephan Gage lost count of how many times it cut into his flesh.

All of a sudden it had stopped and she was gone leaving him hanging there bleeding and in pain.

TBC.