~Chapter Three~

Deception's Treachery

McMurtrie hit the close on his computer watching the image disappear before he went to the door. "Yes Ranger is there something that I can help you with?" he asked opening the door at the same time. Immediately he recognized Sumner from the night before a distinct dislike crowding in on him.

"John McMurtrie?" Trivette asked.

"Yes," he answered.

"We have a restraining order here to keep you away from Annabelle McMurtrie. Fail to do so and you will be arrested which will result in your parole being revoked and you will be sent back to Huntsville to finish out your sentence," Trivette recited to him.

"You can't just come waltzing in here telling me who I can and can't see," McMurtrie sputtered. "You can't keep me away from daughter."

"Yes sir we can and we will," Sumner answered the man.

"You, you put her up to this," McMurtrie shouted getting in Sumner's face.

"No sir this was Anna B's doing she wishes to have no part of you now or in the future," Matt told him using all his strength to refrain from popping the guy in the mouth.

McMurtrie barely heard any thing Sumner said past using the name Anna B. "I should have known," he managed through gritted teeth. "You're a close friend of his aren't you? I'm no more afraid of you then your buddy Ranger Gage. You can tell him from me that neither you or him are keeping me away from Annabelle."

Trivette stepped in at this point. "McMurtrie do us all a favour and just abide by the court order."

"Good day Rangers," McMurtrie answered closing the door sharply in Trivette and Sumner's faces. Turning he said to Trask, "Let's see what we can find out about this ranger."

Looking back at the door McMurtrie spoke aloud to himself, "You my friend are about to find yourself in as much deadly trouble as your friend Ranger Francis Gage."

Outside the door Sumner turned to Trivette, "Think he'll listen?"

"I think it would be wise for you to keep a close watch on your fiancée starting right now," Trivette advised. "What's she up to today?"

"She has classes all morning but she is off this afternoon," Sumner replied.

"Get her on the phone and I'll drop you off where she is," Trivette told him.

Sumner nodded as he dialled Anna B's number mumbling thanks as the phone connected.

Ranger Headquarters

Alex was just coming out of headquarters as the partners were coming down the hall. "Sydney I just left a folder on your desk," she told her friend.

"Great," Gage interrupted slipping past the two women.

Alex looked after Gage and then to Syd. "He guessed," she smiled at Alex adverting her eyes back to where Gage had disappeared into the office.

Laughing Alex told her, "I can't keep anything from Walker either. You better get in there before he rips your desk apart looking for it."

"You're probably right," Syd laughed too. "Thanks again Alex," Syd told her friend going to see what she had dug up.

Gage was sitting at her desk the file in his hand when Syd came through the door. "Find anything interesting?" she asked.

"She looks exactly the same as she did then. A little older maybe but basically the same face," he wistfully replied handing her arrest sheet to Syd.

Syd looked at the picture studying the woman. She was a plain woman, dark greying hair, tall and lanky but there was something Syd couldn't put her finger on.

"By the looks of this everything was done by the book," Gage was commenting looking over the arrest report as he spoke.

Handing the report over to Syd who began to skim it he picked up the phone and began to dial. "Detective Donna Kramer," Gage was asking for as Syd walked around to sit at his desk continuing to read.

"Coming Syd?" Gage asked all ready starting for the door.

"Yeah where to?" she asked grabbing up the file and following him out.

"To hear what the arresting officers have to say," he smiled.

Together they hurried out of the building to the car neither aware that a pair of eyes were focused on both of them.

The College Campus

Trivette pulled up long side Anna B's little yellow car to let Sumner out. "Check in when you get home," Trivette called after him.

"Will do," Sumner answered about to close the door.

"Hey McMurtrie is going to screw up and we are going to be there to catch him," Trivette tried to assure the young ranger.

"I know," Matt agreed. "It's just keeping Anna B out of trouble until then."

Grinning Trivette shot back, "Yeah good luck."

Matt closed the door and Trivette drove off heading back to headquarters.

"Matt," he heard his name called turning he caught sight of Anna B coming his way waving to him.

"Hey beautiful," he smiled reaching out to take her in his arms. She let him lightly kiss her before pushing books and papers into his arms.

"So does this mean you are going to be hanging out with me all day today?" she asked.

"And every day until I know that you are safe," he informed her.

"I like the sound of that," she smiled leaning forward to kiss his cheek.

"Yeah me too," he smiled juggling the books to open the car door for her. Closing the door behind her Matt he quickly went to the driver's side and after depositing the load in his arms in the backseat he slipped in to drive. Neither he or Anna B realized they were being watched.

Outside A Dallas Police Station

Gage brought the car to a stop and jumped out stopping for only a moment to let Syd catch up.

"Gage," she said grabbing hold of his arm. "What if she isn't guilty?"

"She is," he told her with confidence.

"But what if she isn't?" Syd persisted.

"Then Syd I'll still do my job," he answered looking straight in her eyes as he spoke.

Nodding her head the two of them proceeded inside to ask at the desk for Detective Kramer.

"Ranger Gage?" the detective greeted them holding her hand out to Gage.

"Detective Kramer," Gage replied shaking her hand. "This is my partner Ranger Cooke."

"What is it that I can do for the Rangers?" the seasoned woman asked smiling at them.

"We are interested in the Millson case," Gage began. "We've been sort of lead to believe that Lillian Millson might be the victim and that her son and stepsons might be the ones responsible."

A smile spread across Donna Kramer's face a small smirk escaping her. "Her three sons are in it up to their necks but she is the mastermind. I don't know what it is she has over them but let me tell you she rules the roost. They don't dare tell her no."

"That doesn't surprise me," Gage said sarcastically thinking back to the beatings he received for not bending to her will.

"We have had her under surveillance for months, we got her receiving the shipments, people coming and going at all hours from her home. The boys do everything from the nickel and dime sales to picking up and delivering from the big time dealers.

A month or so ago her husband Luke got out of jail and since she has been incarcerated he has taken over things…"

"Wait a minute," Gage interrupted her his heart had begun pounding hard against his chest at the mention of the man. "Luke Millson is here in town?"

"Yeah you know him?" Donna asked. "I have his file right here," she continued handing it to Gage who snatched from her hand to flip it open.

"Let's just say Millson and I are old acquaintances," Gage retorted as he began to read.

Sydney watched her husband's face closely she could tell something more was going on with him that he had left out from telling her.

Detective Kramer took his words at face value and continued, "We definitely have more then enough to put Lillian away but the investigation is on going with her husband Luke. Do you want to be informed when we are ready to move?"

Gage was hardly hearing the detective as he delved into Millson's file. Sydney took over the conversation for her partner answering for them both. "Yes please we would like to be kept a breast on everything that is going on and be there when you take him down."

"You got it Rangers," Kramer agreed. "If there is anything else?"

"Could we get copies of your files?" Gage asked.

"I anticipated that and had theses copies made for you all ready," Kramer retorted.

Thanking the detective they gathered up the material to go back to headquarters.

Once in the car Syd watched Gage as he manoeuvred through the traffic. His face was giving him away something deep from inside was bothering him and that's where his mind was.

"Gage I need some coffee you think we can stop and get some?" Syd requested.

"What Syd?"

"Coffee Gage can we stop for some coffee?"

"Yeah sure," he answered pulling off the street at the next spot.

With the coffee in front of them Gage asked without looking up, "Going to grill me on this?"

"I thought I'd give you a chance to tell me and if that didn't work then I'd grill you," she teased waiting for her partner to speak.

Gage sat silently for a moment finally opening his mouth to speak closing it again sitting for a moment more.

Reaching across the table Syd took his hand. "Honey just start the words will come to you."

With a slight nod he began, "The day the social worker came to pick Julie and I up is when it happened. The cast was still on my leg but that didn't stop Millson from hauling me round back of the house. He told me I'd better hope that I never saw him again because he wasn't finished with either me or my pretty sister. Then just to punctuate things he added that for sure the next time neither of us would survive it.

Syd Julie has to read this report she has to understand these people didn't change that she is doing nothing more then putting herself in a lot of danger."

Holding his hand tighter Syd agreed. "Gage you will make her see it I know you will."

"I hope you're right," Gage answered. "Finished with your coffee?"

"I'm right behind you Honey," Syd replied following him out and back to the car.

Later After School…

"Have you known Aunt Julie a long time?" Cat asked Piper as she stood impatiently waiting for her Aunt to arrive and pick them up.

"All my life silly," Piper answered with out a second thought her eyes never leaving the road as she watched for her aunt to arrive.

Cat pondered this over in her mind for a few minutes before asking the next question. "Then why does Daddy think she is being unrea-son-able?"

"Daddy doesn't think that and even if he did it would be the same reason I think you are being unreasonable asking all these darn questions," Piper scolded her.

"Aunt Julie asks lots of darn questions?" Cat questioned more.

Giving an exasperated sigh Piper answered once more. "Of course she does she's a reporter. That's what reporters do."

"Oh," Cat retorted once again trying to reason things out in her mind.

Piper looked down at her little sister again sighing out loudly again, "Listen Cat Aunt Julie is a lot like Dad tough but fair. Just be like you are with Dad and you'll have a great time."

Neither girl had time to speculate further Julie was pulling up out front with Chris all ready in the car. Jumping out Julie went to the opposite side of the car to open the door. "Hi how was school?" she asked while Cat and Piper climbed in.

"Not too bad," Piper volunteered, "but its better now its over."

Cat remained silent.

"I thought maybe we would eat first and then go to the movie is that all right with everyone?" Julie questioned as she got in behind the wheel again.

Chris and Piper readily agreed Cat remained quiet.

After a quick bite at a fast food place they headed for the movie theatre in the mall making it just in time for the early evening show. Armed with all sorts of movie food and drinks they finally found seats and got settled in. The lights went down the movie began and Cat announced, "I have to go pee."

"Chris will you and Piper be all right here by yourself?" Julie questioned the pair.

"I want Piper to come with me," Cat cried before either her brother or sister could answer. "Piper you have to come," she continued making such a fuss that Piper gave in grabbing hold of her hand and yanking her from her seat.

None of them happened to notice someone sitting a dozen rows back keeping his eyes on all of them. He slouched down in his seat as Piper, Cat and Julie passed by him waiting a few minutes to finally get up and follow. He made it into the lobby just in time to see them troop into the ladies room.

"Hurry up Cat," Piper was crying, "We're missing the show because of you."

"I'm coming," Cat shouted dashing by both Piper and Julie to tear out the door ahead of them.

Julie and Piper had run out after her Piper screaming at her to come back but to no avail. One of the other theatres was letting out and the lobby was crowded with people Cat had disappeared among them.

"Cat come here," Piper shouted again getting no response as both she and Julie looked frantically for the youngest Gage.

Suddenly from the corner of her eye Piper spotted her sister talking to an older man. "Aunt Julie over here. Hurry," she cried dashing towards Cat Julie but a step behind her.

The man hearing Piper's cry quickly grabbed up Cat sending her into a fit of screams as he tried to push his way through the people at the theatre to escape with the little girl. Piper had almost made it too her sister and her captor when Chris out of no where jumped in front of the kidnapper ready to take Cat back at any cost.

Seeing he wouldn't be able to escape with the child the perp tossed Cat at Chris knocking them both to the floor bolting out the door and away from them.

With both arms clutched tightly around Chris' neck Cat cried uncontrollably. Piper and Julie were on the floor too their arms around brother and sister they too crying. A crowd of people was surrounding them and security was pushing its way through.

"Aunt Julie, Aunt Julie," Chris was yelling finally making her hear. "Aunt Julie you need to call Dad and Mom."

"Yes Chris you're right," she agreed. Pulling out her phone she began to dial stopping half way through the number the image of Luke Millson trying to abduct her niece sucking the very life from her.

Chris handed Cat to Piper and taking the phone from Julie's hand dialled the number getting Gage on the phone. "Dad you and Mom have to come to the mall… someone tried to grab Cat."

A Little Later…

Sydney sat holding tightly to her youngest daughter while her husband along with Walker and Trivette tried to find out exactly what happened. Julie stood motionless staring at Cat and Sydney Gage trying to find out the details from her.

"Julie is that what happened?" he was asking getting no response from his sister who seemed to be in shock.

Turning towards him she stared into his face for a minute breaking down into a tirade of sobs. "I'm sorry Francis its all my fault… he could have gotten her," she sobbed out. "He could have done the same thing to her as he did to me."

"Julie, Julie." Gage had his arms around his sister his heart pounding again as he asked the question he all ready knew the answer for. "Who was it Julie," he asked his voice hardly audible.

"Millson it was Luke Millson."

Gage could feel his stomach churning as a mix of wild emotions began to surface in him hate, fear, pain… His mind raced the only thing he could think of was pounding Millson in the face until that twisted smile was finally erased from it.

Sydney had picked up Cat and walked towards them. "Gage you need to hear this," she told him his grip on his sister easing up.

"Cat tell Daddy what the man said," Syd encouraged her daughter.

"He said I was pretty that I looked just like my Mommy when she was a little girl. I told him I did not that my Mommy had black hair. I told him that I had yellow hair like my Daddy. He said is that so and he asked me if my Daddy's name was Francis and I shook my head yes. Then he said this makes things so much sweeter and he grabbed me till Chris saved me," Cat finished saying.

"Who is it Gage?" Walker was standing beside him asking.

"A horrible man that Frankie and I knew as kids," Julie answered for him.

"I have his file on my desk Walker," Gage answered lifting Cat from Syd's arms letting her draw Piper and Chris to her.

"Did he hurt you Puss?" he asked looking in Cat's face her arms tight around him.

"I hurt my arm when he threw me at Chris," she told her father in earnest.

"I don't think it looks too bad Honey," he soothed looking back to Walker.

"Gage you and Sydney take Julie and the kids home and we'll catch up with you there," Walker was giving orders.

"I want him Walker," Gage began to protest only to stop himself knowing his family needed him. "You're right we have to get home."

Still holding Cat in one arm he put the other around Julie drawing her close while Syd put her arms around Chris and Piper heading out.

Anna B and Sumner's

The evening was beginning to creep in on Sumner and Anna B as she snuggled closer to Matt's chest his arms folded securely around her.

"So Ranger Sumner is this how you protect people?" Anna B teased fluttering kisses across his chest as she spoke.

"Just the beautiful young ones who I'm in love with," he replied rolling them over so Anna B was beneath him.

"Umm what a great way to spend the afternoon," she purred softly. "Even if I didn't get any work done."

"I don't know I thought we were working pretty hard…" Matt let his voice trail off as Anna B screamed out his name both breaking into laughter.

"Are you hungry Babe?" Sumner asked kissing her cheek and moving on to her neck and shoulder.

"Famished," she replied.

"How bout you get at some of that work you were talking about and I'll put together something for us to eat," Sumner suggested.

"You've got a deal Matt," she told him as he kissed he passionately once more before throwing back the covers and getting up.

Anna B reached for her robe and pulling it around her got up to follow Matt. While he went to the kitchen she went to the study moving her computer mouse the screensaver disappearing.

"New Mail Anna B," her computer sang out to her. She clicked on the icon the new letters popping up on the screen as she let her eyes scan the letters she focused in on one from Gage.

Moving the mouse again she clicked the letter watching it pop open to be met by her father's voice. "You are my little girl and I will not give you up to Ranger Gage or Ranger Sumner." As the message ended a picture of Matt and Gage together appeared on the screen followed by the sound of automatic gun fire The pictures of both Rangers became riddled with bullet holes blood spurting from the holes.

"Matt, Matt," her voice screamed out bringing him immediately to her. "What is wrong with him? Does he hate me that much? Can't he just leave me alone?" she sobbed into Sumner's chest while he held her tight.

"Honey we're going to get him it's just a matter of time," he tried to convince her.

"I know but for now two can play his sick little games," she declared sitting down at her computer. In a matter of minutes she had traced back from where the email had originated and typed a quick reply, "Go to hell!"

TBC