~Chapter Six~
Lies, Deceit and Truth
McMurtrie's Apartment
Sydney and Gage took a stand on either side of the door guns drawn while Walker stood in front to pound heavily on it. "Open up Texas Rangers," he announced loudly. Getting no answer with one heavy kick from his boot he opened the door.
All three proceeded cautiously inside to soon find the place to be empty. A quick survey of the place told them that McMurtrie seemed to have packed and left in a hurry. There was no indication that Anna B had been there at all.
Walker pulled his phone to call Trivette to see if he and Matt had found anything that they could go on regarding Anna B's abductor. As he did that Sydney began rummaging through the papers on McMurtrie's bedside table.
"Find anything?" Gage asked approaching his wife.
"Not anything we can use to find her," Syd replied her hand hitting on a softbound leather book. Opening it she was soon to discover that it was a journal that McMurtrie had been keeping.
Flipping through it Syd began scanning it then to read one of the passages. Gage watched his wife as her eyes grew big continuing to read what had been written. "What is it?" Gage asked coming up behind her so he could read over her shoulder.
"Gage we have to find her now," Syd choked out Gage taking the book from her hands to finish what he was reading.
Closing his eyes for a moment Gage could feel his stomach begin to churn from reading just one paragraph of this sexual predator's scribblings. He couldn't imagine thinking of his wife in this capacity let alone a father thinking of his daughter but here it was in black and white Anna B named the subject of his desires.
"Oh God Syd," was all Gage could whisper out.
"Did you find anything?" Walker asked joining them in McMurtrie's bedroom.
"Yeah a handbook of sexual atrocities he plans to inflict on Anna B if we don't find her fast," Syd spoke up.
Walker scanned over the notes a cold chilling glare coming over his face. The partners had seen the look before like them they knew Walker wouldn't stop until this animal was put away for good and Anna B was home safe.
"Let's go," Walker said through gritted teeth, "I got two addresses for our suspect one Damien Trask. He was McMurtrie's cellmate for the past six years."
The first address proved fruitless the place was all but condemned. The second address was a small one-bedroom apartment obvious that Trask was living there. After finding no one home all three rangers began to look through the apartment for any sort of clue to where Trask had taken Anna B.
"Find anything?" Walker asked going into the bedroom where Gage was.
"Maybe," Gage replied holding a scrap of paper with some writing on it. "One way passage for two on a private sailboat to leave from Galveston tomorrow at eleven forty-five. The paper's been ripped but there is still a partial phone number."
"Get the partial to Trivette," Walker ordered as Syd pulled out her phone to call.
"Walker if he's planning to take her out of the country like last time…" Gage's voice trailed off.
"I know Gage we have to find her now," Walker agreed.
"Trivette is working on it and is going to get back to us," Syd informed them hanging up the phone. "He says Trask is overdue checking in with his parole officer and he had Sumner put an all points out on both Trask and McMurtrie.
"How's Sumner holding out?" Gage asked.
"As well as any of us do under these circumstances," Syd replied.
"There has to be something else around here some clue," Gage stated once again beginning to rummage through the papers that cluttered the apartment Syd following suit.
Walker picked up Trask's phone and hit redial the last five numbers popping up on the screen, starting with the first number on the list he began to dial. The first two numbers were nothing the fifth was McMurtrie's. It was the third and forth that gave them two solid leads.
One call was a truck rental company and the second number was a young woman. Calling Trivette once again Syd got an address for the number of the girl and while she and Gage went to check her out Walker went to Hoskins Truck Rental.
The Home of the Tanya Minors
Syd brought the car to a quick stop and jumped out, she still had to run to catch up with Gage as he hurried towards the apartment Trivette had given them the address for. The apartment was rented to a Tanya Minors and at this point she had no priors.
Gage banged loudly on her door at the same time calling out, "Texas Rangers open up."
"He's not here," came a small reply from the other side of the door.
Gage was about to shout again when Syd put her hand on his arm. "Tanya could you open the door we would just have like to have a word with you."
Syd's soft voice must have done the trick because the door slowly opened a crack and a small blonde haired woman looked out. "If you are looking for Damien he's not here," she stated trying to close the door again.
"Please," Syd pleaded, "We are desperately looking for him as a suspect in a kidnapping and your phone number is the last one he dialed. You might be the last one who spoke to him before he disappeared."
Looking from Sydney to Gage and then back again she finally relented and let them in. "The last time I spoke with Damien was a couple of hours ago. He came by and borrowed my credit card he said he needed to rent a truck to move some stuff for a friend and he was getting paid double what it cost to rent the truck. He had the cash, which he gave me but you know rental companies they need a credit card number before they will rent you anything. He said he'd get the card back to me some time tomorrow," she relayed to them.
"Thanks for your time," Sydney told her watching as Gage had all ready begun to dial Walker to let him know what they had found out.
The Hoskins Truck Rental Company
Walker pulled his ram into the parking lot at Hoskins just as the manager was locking up. It was just eight o'clock but the manager was making sure things were locked up and he was on his way exactly at closing.
"Texas Ranger," Walker announced to him just as he turned the key in the lock.
"Sorry Ranger we're all closed up until eight tomorrow morning," the man smiled at Walker.
"Then you are going to have to make an exception," Walker replied. "It may be a matter of life and death. I need to see your rentals for the past couple of days."
"Do you have a court order?" the manager argued.
"Not in my hand but I can have one just about the time you got to your front door. Then you would have to haul yourself back down here. The time we waste doing all that may mean the time it takes for the suspect to skip the country with a kidnap victim and that would be on your head," Walker told him his eyes boring into the man.
Sighing heavily the manager unlocked the door again and flipped on the lights. Going behind the counter he flipped on the computer and began bringing up the day's invoices.
Walker's phone rang as he waited; he quickly pulled it from his pocket and answered it. "Thanks Gage," he answered hanging up and turning back to the manager. "Anything on a credit card for Tanya Minors?" he asked.
"Give me one second… Yes right here a Damien Trask showed his license he is the one that was to be driving the vehicle… it's a two year old cube van I have all the details on it right here I'll print it for you," the man offered adding, "Mr. Trask is suppose to be back here by eight tomorrow morning. There is also a notation that he was taking the van to Galveston so that he could get the special mileage rate."
Saying thanks Walker headed back for Company B.
Ranger Headquarters
Sumner leaned forward with his head on his desk the pain from the bullet wound almost getting the better of him. He closed his eyes his mind conjuring up the image of his fiancée before him, her flaming red hair, her smile… His eyes clouded up and his resolve grew stronger he wanted her back and he was going to have her.
"Will you look at that," Trivette suddenly said.
Sumner forced himself to sit up gritting his teeth at the same time. "What have you got?" he questioned.
"McMurtrie has a new bank account in the Cayman Islands, there's over a million dollars in it from some place in the middle east," Trivette stated.
Sumner struggled to his feet to look over his partner's shoulder. "How does a convicted felon who has been in jail close to twelve years get a bank account with that kind of money in it?"
"I don't know but with that kind of money…" Trivette never finished what both he and Sumner were thinking that McMurtrie could disappear for a very long time Anna B with him.
"What kind of money?" It was Gage asking the question he had just opened the door Sydney walking in ahead of him.
"Trivette found an account for McMurtrie in the Cayman Islands with over a million dollars in it," Sumner was informing them when suddenly the room began to spin. The next thing he knew Gage had caught him in his arms and was helping him to sit down.
"Easy Matt," Gage was saying to him. "None of us wants to face Anna B's wraith if we let something happen to you just because she's been abducted."
"Gage help him to the couch in my office," Walker was ordering he had come back into the office quickly grasping the situation.
"I'm all right Boss," Matt tried to tell him.
"Sumner if you want to be there when we find her you'll do as you are told now," Walker told him.
Without the strength to argue Matt nodded yes and let Gage help him into Walker's office.
A Small House in Galveston
"You know John I'm really going to miss you," Trask was saying as McMurtrie counted out the money, payment for what Trask had done for him.
"Who knows Damien we may meet again one day you never know where life it going to take you," McMurtrie smiled at his old cellmate.
They had made good time from Dallas to Galveston Annabel had hardly stirred from her sleep and now she lay peacefully on the bed in the other room. They would have a good dinner, a nice quiet evening and be refreshed for a leisurely cruise to the Caymans the second stop of their journey.
"Have a good trip John you and your little girl," Trask said bringing McMurtrie out of his thoughts.
"Thanks Damien," McMurtrie answered embracing his friend, "for every thing."
"You're welcome John," Trask answered actually sorry that they were parting company. With that he climbed into the truck and headed back towards Dallas.
Turning McMurtrie went back inside carefully locking the door behind him he went to the bedroom where Anna B lay bound to the bed a silk scarf in her mouth to assure she made no sounds.
He smiled once again at her beauty knowing he was going to have to act with restraint. He had years of his mother's foolish ideas to erase from her head not to mention the values of the Gages and Matt Sumner. Of course it would have been easier if there had been time to finish the job and the rangers had been disposed of as was his original plan but that was all right soon they would be out of the country and on there way to the middle east.
He had been lucky that a man with his computer skills was needed in these remote countries. He now had the money due him for his talents and a place for he and his daughter to find sanctuary. A place away from his country, a country that had showed him nothing but contempt ever since he could remember.
Again he smiled his long wait and imprisonment was finally over he was going to achieve what was long over due him.
Walking over to where his daughter lay he towered over her his eyes on caressing her until her grey green eyes slowly began to flutter open. Her head hurt she struggled to bring her mind into focus her eyes slowly coming to rest on her father's face.
A feeling of sheer panic instantly over took Anna B, she thrashed wildly against the restraints that held her to the bed, her screams muffled by the scarf pressed into her mouth.
"My darling don't be afraid," her father cooed bringing his hand to caress her cheek. "I'm going to take care of you now my love," he whispered, his face moving closer to her his hand moving down her neck and across her breast.
Anna B could feel the bile in her throat, a feeling of sheer terror rising from her depths, she had been here before the feelings and memories were flooding her mind, the tears washing her face.
Her father had done this to her before the memories were coming back to her. That night her mother had come home early he had been kissing her neck his hand was opening her blouse and her mother had caught him. She had been sent to her room and her parents had gotten into a terrible fight. Two days later she had been sent to her Grandmother's house.
The memories came back and the realization of what had happened came back to her too. Her focus went back to the monster that stood above her, fondling her, tearing her life apart again and she struggled harder.
"I know it is hard to understand darling but we will get through this and you will learn that this is for the best that I am the only man that can love you," her father told her leaning forward kissing her before getting up to leave her lying there.
Anna B's mind went wild she cried and cried into the silk scarf that muffled her sobs. "Oh Matt I need you so much," her mind cried out for him. Things seemed so dismal as she gathered her strength knowing that he wouldn't stop looking for her.
Ranger Headquarters
Sydney had just finished talking to Julie and the kids she handed the phone to Gage for him to say good night too. "Okay Puss be good for Aunt Julie," she heard him tell their daughter.
The door to Walker's office opened and Matt appeared in the doorway Syd got up going to help steady him to his chair. "Feeling any better?" she asked.
"Yeah I guess I needed that sleep," he admitted in the same breath asking, "Anything?"
Syd began to shake her head no just as Trivette slammed the phone down. "We got Trask," Trivette shouted out.
"Where?" Matt asked sitting straight up Gage coming to attention too.
"The outskirts of Houston on highway forty-five they are holding him until we get there," Trivette told them.
"Sydney get us a chopper to get us down there," Walker ordered. As Syd picked up the phone he turned to Matt. "I'm letting you go for Anna B you stay back and out of the thick of things you got it?"
Sumner knew better then to argue nodding his head he dragged himself to his feet to prove he was ready to go.
"Okay people lets move," Syd prodded, "the helicopter's waiting."
~~~~~
The flight down was uneventful Gage had manoeuvred it so he and Syd were sitting together behind the rest. Putting his arm around her he drew he close. "Gage we're working," she protested trying to pull away.
"Nobody cares right now Syd," he told her hanging on tight to her. Syd looked at their co-workers everyone was deep in their own thoughts.
Giving in she lay her head on his shoulder. "I feel like one of our kids is missing," Syd confessed feeling Gage pull her tighter still.
"I know Syd she has been a part of us for so long…" Gage agreed with her his voice beginning to crack. "Close your eyes Syd I'll wake you when we get there."
She nodded yes but instead reached up putting her hand lightly on Sumner's shoulder, "It's going to be all right Matt, we're going to find her and get her back. Try and rest so you can hold her in your arms when you see her."
Matt grasped on to Syd's hand trying unsuccessfully to keep the tears at bay. "Thanks Syd I guess I just needed to hear the words."
He felt Gage's hand on his other shoulder hearing his words too. "We all want her back and none of us are stopping until we have her."
Sumner could do nothing but close his eyes and say a small prayer to God.
Ranger Headquarters Houston
To Sydney and Gage it was almost like old times walking into Ranger Headquarters in Houston. Momentarily they looked over to their old desks at the young rangers that occupied them now, a slight smile coming to their faces.
"Trask is being brought to interrogation C," Ranger Sam Walters was telling Walker. "Anything else we can do for you let us know."
"Thanks," Walker replied. Turning to Syd and Gage he said, "You two take the interrogation."
"You got it," Gage answered as he and his partner lead the way.
Trivette got his partner settled into a chair in the observation room while Walker flipped the sound on. A moment later the door of the interrogation room opened and Gage walked in followed by his wife. Gage had an open folder he was looking at as he walked to the table. He absently pulled a chair out for Syd his eyes not leaving the folder. Syd sat down across from Trask without either ranger speaking.
Finally it became too much for Trask. "What do you two want?
"Shh," Syd cut in. "Ranger Gage is reading and I've partnered with him long enough to know it's not wise to interrupt him when he is doing something."
Trask just looked at them as Gage continued to look at the file. About five minutes later he looked up at Trask but spoke to Syd. "Do you think Damien here has any idea what kind of trouble he has got himself in helping his buddy John?"
"I don't know Gage let's ask him," Syd played along.
"I ain't in no trouble," Trask defiantly told him. "I was just bringing a load of stuff down here for a friend he's moving."
"Moving stuff and does that stuff include John's daughter Annabel McMurtrie?" Syd asked as Gage moved around behind Trask.
"I don't know what you are talking about," Trask insisted his voice getting louder he tried to stand up.
Gage clamped his hands on Trask's shoulders slamming him back down in the chair and holding him there. "You see Damien we have a witness who saw you getting into the elevator at the hospital with her just before we found the police officer who was guarding Ranger Sumner's door stashed in a storage closet with a knife wound."
"So I got in an elevator with her what does that prove?" Trask came back grasping the edge of the table trying to hide his nervousness.
Gage brought his head down beside Trask's; "It proves that you are the last one to see her before she disappeared. It tells me you caused her disappearance and you are going to tell me where she is one way or another even if I have to beat it out of you."
"We're wasting time Gage," Syd cut in standing up. "You and I both know that he took her and delivered her to her father. Just let him go down for three counts of attempted murder and kidnapping."
"Ranger Cooke get yourself a coffee," Gage told her.
"Gage you know what happened last time…" Syd began to say.
"That's an order ranger," Gage barked his hands clamping down tighter on Trask.
Syd glanced at Trask and then Gage before turning to head for the door. "Hey you can't leave me here alone with him," Trask yelled out.
Gage moved his hands around Trask's throat applying pressure before he leaned his head down again saying, "She has no choice I'm her boss."
Trask licked his lips as Syd began to open the door. "They're in a rented house in Galveston, they're to be leaving in the morning by sailboat to the Cayman's that's all I know."
Swinging around Syd demanded, "An address give us an address."
"Fifteen fifty Santa Rose Boulevard," Damien gasped out.
Immediately Gage released Trask following his partner out.
McMurtrie's Galveston Refuge
There was soft music playing in the background candle light illuminating the room as John McMurtrie rattled on to Anna B about the wonderful life he had planned for them.
McMurtrie had warned her that he would take the restraints off of her and the gag from her mouth if she promised to behave other wise she would spend the remainder of the trip in shackles and drugged. He had also told her that he had hired bodyguards patrolling the grounds no one was getting in or out.
Anna B sat quietly at the dinner table playing his game waiting for the opportunity to try and escape. Suddenly his hand shot out and grasped hold of hers causing her heart to near stop.
"What's wrong Darling?" he questioned.
"Father you startled me that's all I wasn't expecting you to take my hand," she answered squirming her hand out of his.
McMurtrie frowned slightly reaching and capturing her hand again. "I think John is more appropriate for you to address me," he told her with a smile.
Swallowing hard Anna B nodded yes repeating, "John."
It seemed to please him and his smile broadened. He reached his hand out wanting to caress her face and Anna B did a plain little thing she yawned. "I just seem so tired it must still be the effects of what your friend gave me this afternoon."
"Of course dear you need to get some rest we have a long trip ahead of us in the morning," he agreed. Standing up he moved behind her to rest his hands on her shoulders and bending brought his lips to her neck fluttering it with kisses.
"Fath… John I really am quite exhausted," Anna B cried out.
"Yes, yes my dear. We will have plenty of time for affection later I promise you," he whispered as he brought his lips to her ear. Standing he helped her up from her chair and held his arm out to escort her back to the bedroom. "Good night my precious Annabel," he crooned holding the door open for her to enter.
"Good night John," she answered side stepping him to get inside away from him.
She stood silently listening to the door close and lock before collapsing to the floor in tears.
Outside McMurtrie's Safe House
Ranger Walter's had made sure there was plenty of back up waiting for them when they got to the Santa Rose address. "He has armed guards in and around the house but all seems quiet at present," the lead officer told them.
"Sydney Gage go around back," Walker began ordering. "Trivette and I'll take the front." His eye caught Sumner struggling from the car. "Matt we'll bring her out to you, you stay put."
"Walker," Sumner began to protest.
"Matt we won't let anything happen to her," Gage told him his eyes looking directly at the young ranger knowing first hand how he felt. He knew wild horses couldn't stop him from going to Syd's rescue but he was asking the same thing of Sumner.
"Then do it and stop talking about it Gage," Matt told him falling back against the car.
Syd had all ready started to move Gage hurried to catch up to her. Catching sight of one of the guards Syd took one side of him while Gage took the other side. Reaching out she tapped the man on the shoulder as he turned his face met with Gage's fist knocking him cold.
The partners proceeded closer to the back door where another guard stood. Gage motioned for Syd to go round in front of the guy while he came up behind. "Hey McMurtrie sent me round back to see if you'd like some coffee," she called to the guard giving Gage just enough time to get his arm around the man's neck and bring him to the ground.
They were just about to proceed inside when they heard a noise behind them. Quickly turning guns drawn they took a stand only to see Sumner coming towards them half a second later.
"Matt," Syd hissed.
Followed by Gage's whispered shout, "What the hell do you think you're doing?"
"The same as you," he came back.
Gage was about to order him back to the car when they all heard Walker's voice shout, "Texas Rangers McMurtrie. Open up."
Giving Sumner a look that Walker had given him many times before they proceeded inside. Straight away they began opening doors searching for Anna B before they got too far there where armed men running towards them.
Sydney and Gage quickly took a stand to try and bring the guards under control while Sumner continued searching for Anna B. Gun drawn he opened the last door in the hallway to find her on the floor. Crying out her name he rushed inside towards her as she tried to shake her head no but her father was faster. McMurtrie stepped from behind the door bringing the butt of his own gun down on Matt's head sending him sprawling to the floor Sumner's gun flying from his hand under a small table.
"How dare you come her and interfere in our lives," McMurtrie shouted standing above Sumner his gun aimed at him to shoot. Sumner slowly rolled over to face him as McMurtrie ranted on. "You are going to pay for this with your life," he cried out. With Sumner's eyes staring hatefully at him he began to squeeze the trigger. A loud bang sounded in the air and McMurtrie fell forward to the floor dead. Matt jarred his head sideways to see Anna B holding his gun still aimed at where her father had stood.
As fast as he could Matt got up and went to his fiancée. Placing his arm around her he took the gun from her hand. Sydney rushed into the bedroom quickly taking in the scene. She went to where McMurtrie lay on the floor crouching to feel for a pulse that wasn't there.
Gage was at the bedroom door now too, he looked to Matt and Anna B then Syd who shook her head no indicating McMurtrie was dead. Going to where Matt stood with Anna B he took Matt's gun from his hand helping Anna B and Matt out of the room and away from what had just happened.
Sydney and Gage's a Few Days Later
Gage stood in the family room looking out into the backyard watching Syd with the children. He was glad his kids were going to have some memories that they could always cherish. Julie had quietly snuck up behind him running his hand up his back she asked, "Penny for your thoughts?"
"I was just thinking how glad I am that Syd and I could give our kids such a better life growing up then we had," he wistfully told her.
"Frankie they have each other and they know that just like we had each other. I don't care what kind of pampered lives we may have had I wouldn't have wanted it if we couldn't have been together," she honestly told him. "We've done pretty good for ourselves considering what we endured and lived through."
"Yeah well I've had Ranger Cooke to help me along the way here… when am I going to be hearing about that someone special coming into your life?" Gage questioned putting his arm around his sister's shoulder.
"Hmm there is someone that is pretty good to me right now that isn't you," she confided.
"So why is this the first I'm hearing about him?" Gage asked holding her at arms length.
"Because I want to make sure he is exactly what I want before I bring him here for you to grill about his intentions," she answered him with the Gage smile.
"I wouldn't do that," he protested.
"Oh no I'm just glad I'm not Piper or Cat," Julie laughed.
"What? Have you been talking to Sydney? She says the very same thing. I don't think I'm that bad I just want to make sure that… that…"
"Yes Francis we know," she told him laughing some more.
"You are coming back for the wedding aren't you?" Gage asked.
"I promised Anna B," Julie replied.
"Then you can bring the mystery man to the wedding," Gage coaxed.
Julie didn't have time to answer Anna B and Matt along with his parents had just arrived. Everyone headed out to the yard except for Matt who hung back with Gage. "How's she doing Matt?" Gage asked.
"Pretty good she's getting back on track, I think it had a lot to do with those long talks she had with you and Julie," Matt confessed a little jealous maybe that she didn't think he could understand as well as Gage and Julie.
"You know Matt there are things that I think Syd will never understand that happened in my past. No matter how much I love her I can't always make myself confide it all to her. Yet just like Anna B knows about you I know about Syd you're both there a hundred percent for us and we couldn't survive without you in our lives," Gage explained hoping Sumner understood.
"I know you're right," Sumner agreed giving Gage a little grin.
"Good then the only thing I have to worry about for now is getting her married off to you," Gage laughed slapping him on his good shoulder.
"Gage we got you married off to Syd and that was no easy feat I'm sure Anna B and Sumner's wedding will be a piece of cake," Trivette butted in both he and Walker coming to see where the two of them were.
"Hey how were Syd and I suppose to know that Spike Nichols was going to decide to shoot at Judge Harris just as we were saying I do," Gage retorted following Walker and Trivette into the backyard.
Sumner stood for a minute watching them go.
"Matt are you all right?" he turned to see Anna B standing there.
"I'm always all right when you're around," he replied putting his arm around her to lead her outside to join the rest of their friends.
The End
