~ Chapter Five ~
Sydney walked into headquarters one step ahead of her partner. "What are you two doing here?" Trivette questioned catching sight of them.
"We just had a couple of leads to check out before we went home," Gage volunteered asking before Trivette could reply, "What did you find out on the two SUV that tried to run us off the road?"
Shaking his head at the pair of them Trivette began to recite what forensics had found out about the vehicles, which wasn't much. "No ownership, no plates they traced the serial numbers to a dealership in Fort Worth that reported them stolen yesterday. It is has been determined that one of the vehicles was involved in the attack on you in the parking garage. After shooting at you and taking off they hit one of the posts at the exit leaving a dent in the front fender and paint on the cement post. Some one is really out to get you Sydney," he ended his summary.
"I've noticed," she answered dryly.
"As far as your suspect and his black hummer there is no one in this state that owns one with a name first or last that is close to Cyrano. That goes for driver's permit as well," Trivette continued.
"Out of state?" Gage asked looking over at Trivette.
"Or Cyrano is an alias maybe even a nickname," Trivette answered.
"Got Tony's new address?" Gage questioned his partner she had come from her desk to stand beside him.
"Right here," she answered holding it up.
"Then lets go," he urged her slowly standing up.
"Hey you two are suppose to be headed home," Trivette called after them.
"We are we just have one little stop on the way," Syd called over her shoulder as they made tracks.
The Six Shooter Bar…
"I can't say that Tony's digs are getting any better," Syd commented looking to the grimy windows above the dingy bar. Gage had just pulled long side the curb on the opposite side of the street of the seedy hotel and bar.
"Come on Syd are you saying Tony isn't a class act?" Gage smiled thinking about the dirty greasy little man.
"Let's just get this over with," Syd answered getting out and slamming the car door behind her.
Pushing open the door Gage's smile grew wider thinking about the "thing" Tony had for his partner. Tony would never give up any information to Gage unless Syd was with him. Syd deplored the little man but like Gage she knew his information was always right on the money.
Syd swung the door open and walked through the crowd to the bar at the back Gage right behind her. It was like most little dive bars a couple of pool tables, lots of smoke and suds on tap. The patrons had stopped what they were doing for a moment eye balling Syd as the partners came in.
Ignoring the leering glances Syd addressed the bartender. "Tony T around any where?" she asked.
"Tony T is real particular about who he sees," the man behind the bar retorted leaning back putting his hands on his hips.
"He'll see me," Syd told the bartender.
"Yeah just let him know that Sydney is here," Gage added getting a glare from his partner.
Nodding his head to someone at the end of the bar who scurried out back the bartender kept his eyes trained on the two of them.
They didn't have to wait long before they heard Tony's whiny little voice. "Sydney I knew it was just a matter of time before you really missed me," he drawled out. Catching sight of Gage he added, "Why did you have to bring him?"
"You know we're a team Tony," Gage replied.
"So this is business not pleasure then," he stated the smile vanishing from his face the same time gesturing with his head to follow him to a table in the corner. "So what do you want?" he asked as they sat down.
"Know a guy named Cyrano?" Sydney asked him.
"You don't want to know him," Tony answered.
"I take it that's a yes," Gage replied.
"Don't know him know of him," Tony corrected.
"What do you know of him?" Syd questioned all ready tired of Tony's games.
"Like I said Sydney you don't want to know him," Tony repeated himself. "He's a ruthless killer for hire just stay clear of him before he decides to come after you. Then you're good as dead."
"Too late for that he knows who I am and has all ready tried. We need to know everything there is to know about him and where we can find him," Sydney told him watching him nervously look around the room.
Gage's eyes played around the room as well seeing nothing he could construe as suspicious.
"Listen good cause I won't be repeating and I'm only telling you now cause it's you Sydney," he nervously smiled at her. "That gang related murder you know the Pritchard case that's Cyrano's work. He's got something big going on word has it he's looking for people for a job that needs to get done ASAP. You want to be pretty sure that you can do the job though cause you fail him you just up and… disappear."
"How do you get hired on to his crew?" Gage questioned.
Again Tony looked the room over before speaking. "He puts the word out if you're interested he'll find you."
"How?" Syd asked, "How does he find you?"
"You just let the word out you're interested and he sets up a meet," Tony shrugged.
"You wouldn't happen to be privy to one of these meetings would you Tony?" Syd wasn't letting up.
Leaning forward grabbing Syd's hand he whispered, "Only cause it's you. Tomorrow night eleven thirty some run down apartments off Ninth and Main."
"Which ones Tony?"
"You'll find him he always drives that great big monster of a vehicle…"
"Black hummer," Gage supplied.
"Yeah that's it," Tony shook his head in agreement.
Gage looked over to his partner who quickly looked at him and then back to Tony T. "Thanks Tony," she told him pulling her hand out of his grasp.
He nodded his head beckoning for the bartender for a beer watching as the partners left.
Gage And Sydney's Place
Bringing the car to a stop in the driveway Syd came around to help Gage from the car. He had begun to feel the effects of their earlier crash on the way home compensating by leaning back and closing his eyes. "Come on Honey we're home," Syd told him opening the door and reaching in to help him out.
"I didn't feel this bad an hour ago I feel like I'm seizing up," Gage complained easing himself out of the car.
"Don't tell me I moved in with an old man," Syd teased unmercifully walking with him to the door.
"Let me get you inside and I'll show you who's old," Gage retaliated with a moan the door closing behind them. "Maybe I'd better wait until tomorrow for me to show you," he gave in to the aches and pains as he headed towards the couch.
"No stopping lets get you straight upstairs to soak in a nice hot tub then into bed," Syd told him taking charge.
"All those stairs?" Gage moaned.
"Yes all those stairs lets go Francis," she ordered letting him sling his arm over her shoulder to lean on her a little. It wasn't that often he allowed her to take care of him… she had babied him a little when he had lost his hearing… she had known even then that she liked to take care of him.
"Are you listening to me at all Cooke?" he interrupted her thoughts.
"Every word," she lied stopping to hug him as they reached the bedroom. "Go get undressed while I run the water for you," she bossed him a little more slipping out of his reach to go into the bathroom.
Gage stood a couple of minutes more looking after her until he heard the water start to run into the bath tub. He couldn't get used to the fact of how comfortable it was to have her here looking after him. He was so glad she had given in to him to come and live with him. He let a smile drift slowly over his face vowing he wasn't going to do anything to screw this up… Even with all his aches and pains life had just gotten to a point that was better then it had been for him in a very long time.
The water suddenly stopped running and Syd reappeared in the bedroom. "Do I have to undress you tonight too?" she asked.
"Sounds good to me," he smiled letting her fuss with the buttons on his shirt while he undid his pants.
With her smile as wide as his she teased back, "I bet it does sound good to you." Taking his hand she lead him to the bathroom. "Get in," she ordered.
"What are you going to be doing?" he interrogated easing himself into the warm water sighing at how good it felt.
"I'm going to go and see about some dinner," she told him making the mistake of leaning forward to give him a kiss. Before she knew it his arm had gone round her yanking her into the tub with him clothes and all.
"Gage…" she squawked out arms flailing trying madly to get out of his grasp and the tub. Before she knew what was happening his lips were on hers in a fervent kiss. Her arms were going around his neck the temper from a moment ago lulled into a passionate low moan whispering, "Gage…"
"Syd…" he murmured against her temple.
"You're suppose to be relaxing," she told him.
"In case you didn't notice I am pretty relaxed here," he told as she laid her head on his naked chest.
"Umm this is nice but I have to get up Gage before we fall asleep and we both stove up and can't get out of this tub…"
Again he was kissing her… "Gage you know I'm right," she insisted his kisses trailing down her neck.
"All right, all right," he finally relented helping her back out of the tub.
Once again she leaned forward caressing his cheek with her lips before reaching for a towel. "You relax for a bit I'll be back shortly," she teased kissing him deeply before scurrying from the bathroom.
Fifteen Minutes Later…
Sydney had quickly pulled off the wet clothes to pull her bathrobe around her. She took another quick peek in the bathroom to find Gage relaxing with his eyes closed before she went back downstairs to put the casserole she had prepared that morning into the oven.
Returning she turned down the bed then headed into the bathroom. "Hey you aren't sleeping are you?" she asked.
"Just about," he answered slightly opening his eyes to catch sight of her still wrapped in the plush white robe he had bought for her. She had pulled her hair into a ponytail and wrapped it into a knot on the top of her head now she stood there waiting for him.
Holding up a bath towel she coaxed him out. "Come on and I'll rub your back a little while we wait for dinner to warm up."
"Twist my arm a little more Syd," he grinned standing to take the towel from her. Wrapping it around his waist he took her in his arms for a quick hug letting her take his hand to walk back in the bedroom and over to the bed.
"Lay down," she instructed running her hand down his back to grab the towel from him.
"Are you going to lay down with me?" he questioned looking over his shoulder to catch her face.
"As I recall I told you that I was going to give you a back rub. Now do as you're told before I change my mind," she scolded kissing his shoulder at the same time.
"All right Shorty," he replied hugging the pillow to his chest as he lay on his stomach.
Lifting her leg she swung it over her partner to straddle him coming to sit on his backside. Reaching to the night table she grabbed a tube of ointment squeezing a generous amount across his shoulders. The familiar smell of wintergreen began to fill his nostrils as Syd began to work it into his back.
"Umm Syd you are a woman of many talents," Gage moaned feeling his body totally relaxing under her touch.
"You just relax I want you in perfect shape after all you are the one protecting me aren't you?" she asked her hands moving down his back massaging the liniment into his muscles as she went sliding down slightly reaching the small of his back.
"Man this feels so good Honey," Gage whispered feeling her hands begin to work their way back to his shoulders the warm salve soothing his aching body. "I could really… get… to like… this," he sighed his eyes closing hardly noticing the kiss she bestowed on the back of his head.
A moment later he was a sleep. Smiling to herself Syd stood up and pulled the covers around him before heading for a quick shower deciding she would put a tray together and bring dinner upstairs.
Later…
Thirty minutes later Sydney was back upstairs gently shaking Gage's shoulder. He moaned slightly his eyes struggling to open. "Hey you your doctor said I was suppose to wake you every few hours make sure you're okay," she told him.
"I'm okay can I go back to sleep?" Gage replied wiggling closer to her to wind himself around her.
"I have food Gage," she enticed him.
"Food?" he questioned one eye opening.
"And you were the one that said you didn't have a one track mind for food," Syd teased.
"I just don't want the dinner you made to go to waste," he tried to plead his case.
Syd had begun piling up the pillows for him to lean back against all ready laughing. "This is me you're talking to Gage," she answered putting the tray down in front of him and climbing on the bed beside him.
"Still Honey…" Gage started to say the same time Syd brought a fork full of food to his mouth.
"Gage I have an ulterior motive," she said her eyes adverting downward.
"And what would that be?" he asked cupping her chin bringing her face level with his.
"I talked to Walker while you were napping, he wants us to lay low tomorrow so we are ready for the stakeout tomorrow night," she told him.
Nodding he answered, "That makes sense."
Reaching up she grasped his hand that held her chin saying, "I want to go to Sally Benton's funeral tomorrow afternoon and I'd really appreciate it if you would go with me. Do you mind?"
"Come here Shorty," he half grinned holding out his arm waiting for her to nestle into the crook of it. "We're a team in every way possible of course I'll come with you." Saying that he leaned down to kiss the top of her head.
"Thanks Gage I want to be there but I really didn't want to face it alone," she told him leaning her head back to catch his lips never tiring of kissing him.
The Next Afternoon Sally Benton's Funeral
It looked as if anybody who was anybody had turned out for Sally Benton's funeral. In reality only a small handful of people probably would have even recognized the young woman the rest were only there because she was Marshal Benton's daughter-in-law.
Gage had taken Syd shopping that morning for an appropriate black suit and now opened the car door for her to escort her inside for the service. They had just come inside to where the guest book was when Dwight Benton caught sight of Syd.
"What's she doing here," he seethed breaking away from the small group he was standing with to stomp over to where Sydney stood with Gage. "How dare you come here," he bellowed people beginning to stare.
"Dwight I just came to pay my last respects the same as everyone else," Sydney began to reply.
"Pay your last respects," he sputtered out. "It's your fault she's dead, you killed her," he screamed out the rage rising with in him. "She died at your place, in your apartment, by your gun. You killed her," he ranted on.
From across the room Marshal Benton had quickly grasped the situation to make his way towards where his son was causing a scene. He had just raised his fist intent on punching Syd when Gage stepped in quickly taking hold of Dwight's wrist and twisting his arm behind him. Softly Gage spoke into his ear, "I'm assuming that you are overwrought with grief from the loss of your wife therefore I'll forgive you this time but don't you ever try to raise your hand to Ranger Cooke or any other woman for that matter again."
"See here unhand my son," Benton was shouting his bodyguard close at his heels Gage letting go of Dwight as he spoke.
"Doctor Benton," Gage addressed the man, "I'm sorry that we have upset your son Ranger Cooke was merely wanting to pay her respects."
"We don't want to cause you any more grief," Sydney quickly added.
"Then you won't be offended when I ask you to leave," Benton quickly cut her off.
"Of course not," Sydney answered adding, "Our sympathies are with you." Saying that she laced her hand around Gage's arm letting him lead them back outside.
By now two of the senior Benton's underlings were helping Dwight to his seat as Marshal's eyes stayed focused on the Rangers as they left. "Manny," he called to his bodyguard, "Get Cyrano on the phone. I want to know what she is doing still walking around and I have another name to add to the list."
"Right away Sir," Manny answered Doctor Benton turning to join his son the funeral about ready to commence.
Outside The Funeral Chapel
"Syd I'm really sorry that happened," Gage had begun to say trying to read her mood as they made their way back to the car.
"Gage how did he know that?" Sydney suddenly asked.
"Know what?" he asked not really sure what she was referring to.
"How did Dwight know it was my service weapon that had killed Sally?" she asked again still deep in thought. "I mean that information was never released it was left as an explosion and fire that killed her.
"Marshal Benton probably has pull in high places," Gage tried to reason knowing too that the fact Sally had been murdered with Syd's gun had been kept quiet. He opened the car door for Syd to slide in and went around to get behind the steering wheel.
"Dwight knows what happened to her he's got to be behind it," Syd was thinking aloud.
"After what you've told me about Dwight and what I just saw now I don't think he is bright enough to put this together," Gage answered he too thinking aloud.
"He doesn't have to be to bright he has Daddy's money and a hired killer. He's beat Sally almost to death in the past and hates me for trying to get her away from him," Syd tried to reason out.
"I don't know Syd I just think there is more to it then that." Gage too was trying to put the pieces of the puzzle together too.
"Like what?" she asked her eyebrows going up. "You've all ready pointed out that Dwight isn't that bright."
"I just think that in his own demented way he actually loved her and he is feeling the pain of her death," Gage replied.
"Oh come on Gage you're reaching for straws here," Syd interrupted.
"I don't know Syd it's just something about the whole thing a gut feeling…"
"We both agree that Dwight was either fed inside information or behind it right?" Syd asked turning sideways to face her partner.
Her phone rang before either of them had time to say any more. "Cooke," she spoke into it.
It was Trivette on the other end of the line. "Syd just got the full autopsy report back on Sally Benton. Did you know that she was expecting?"
"Had no idea I hadn't spoken to her in about three months," Syd honestly told him.
"That makes it a double murder," Trivette confirmed to her.
"Yeah it does," she agreed. Jimmy we just had a run in with Dwight Benton at Sally's funeral. He made a real scene when he saw me, told me Sally's death was my fault even went as far to say that she had been shot with my gun."
"Now that's interesting information," Trivette answered. "What are you two up to right now?"
Looking over at Gage she answered with, "Thought maybe we would follow the procession over to the cemetery."
Gage nodded his head in agreement as he listened to her speak. "We'll let you know if we come across anything interesting," she told Trivette before hanging up.
"What did Trivette want?" Gage asked listening as Syd explained about the autopsy report and the baby.
"Do you think that Dwight would harm his own unborn child?" Gage asked.
"Maybe he didn't know," Syd countered as the chapel doors opened.
"Maybe," Gage replied starting the car. "I just don't think Dwight would put that much thought into getting rid of Sally and then you. I think he is the type that gets mad and hauls off and hits you without even thinking twice about it," he continued pulling the car into line to follow the rest of the cars.
Sydney sat thinking about Gage's theory for a few minutes and what had just happened with Dwight inside the chapel. "Well if not Dwight then who?" she asked.
"Think the baby could be someone else's?" Gage asked still trying to get a handle on what they had just learnt.
"No…" Syd was quick to say stopping herself to finish. "I just don't really know. I suppose the possibility is there. It still brings us back to theory that Dwight found out and had her killed. And that doesn't explain why he wants me dead."
"What if she had an affair and this baby is the result of it. She goes to the baby's father hoping he is going to look after her and get her away from Dwight, but he wants nothing to do with taking on the Bentons. Instead he decides just to solve the problem by getting rid of both Sally and the unwanted baby," Gage explained his thoughts on the case turning into the cemetery.
"Could be… but that still leaves why they went after me," Syd answered her eyes roving the cemetery grounds for anything at all.
"I think the killer knew about Sally always going to you for help and how much Dwight hated you… killing you might just cast suspicion on Dwight and certainly off themselves," Gage answered pulling out of line as the cars began to slow and stop. Turning into a side path he drove down several hundred yards before pulling to a stop for he and Syd to get out.
Having had a minute to think about Gage's words Syd was beginning to sway to what he was saying suddenly questioning her partner. "So do you have an idea who this illusive suspect might be?"
"Not just off the top of my head… but they have to have lots of money," he replied his eyes training to the far side of the cemetery.
Following his gaze she too saw the black hummer parked in the distance. Before either of them could do anything about it their main suspect Cyrano came into view from around in front of it. He quickly jumped into the vehicle putting it in gear taking off towards the exit.
"Come on Shorty," Gage called out as both ran back towards Gage's car to charge after the fleeing hummer. In the end it was to no avail by the time they reached the street Cyrano was long gone.
Gage and Sydney's
After loosing Cyrano Gage had pointed the car towards home. "I'm going to give the CSI people a call and see if they were able to get a DNA sample for the baby," Sydney said as they pulled into the driveway. She was unable to get Gage's earlier suggestion of the baby's paternity out of her mind.
"I'll check in with Trivette while you're doing that," Gage agreed waiting for her to walk inside with.
Unlocking the door he pushed it wide for Syd to go in first saying to her, "That reminds me I have something for you."
"Yeah what?" she asked just as a loud crash sounded from upstairs.
Both instantly had guns drawn heading for the upstairs. Looking up Gage motioned with his eyes to cover him that he was going up. She nodded back yes watching as he leaned his back against the wall taking the stairs cautiously one at a time. Reaching the second floor he was met face to face by the intruders.
"Stop Texas Rangers," he shouted Syd but a step behind him. The perp and his accomplice both turning to run as Gage leapt at he closest one tackling him to the floor.
Without stopping Syd jumped past Gage and his opponent going after the second guy who was heading up the stairs to the third floor. Seeing Sydney was a girl her suspect let a big smile come across his face turning to go on the attack only to find out he had definitely underestimated her. As her foot came down hard on his head he laid sprawled dazed on the floor while she snapped handcuffs on him.
Gage had his young prisoner hauled to his feet dragging him over where Syd was with hers. Neither was any older then sixteen or seventeen dressed in baggy clothes and gang colours. "Just what do you two think you're doing breaking in here?" Gage interrogated.
"We have to get out of here," one answered a look of sheer fright on his face.
"What's your hurry? You took all the time to break in and now you want to leave?" Gage pressed for answers.
"Shut up Leon," the other youth shouted.
"You want to die?" Leon shouted back.
"Somebody threatened you?" Sydney asked trying to get to the bottom of things the same as Gage.
Neither youth spoke finally Gage looked over at Sydney asking, "Did you have anything to do this evening?"
"Not a thing," she retorted. "I've got all night."
"Then maybe we'll just all sit here until one of these two tells us what's going on," Gage smiled at the pair of them.
"You can't keep us here," panic was starting to creep into the first boy's face.
"That's exactly what we are going to do if you don't start talking," Syd told them both.
"Oh man we are going to die," Leon cried. "We have to tell them Raymond."
"We were doing a job for Cyrano," Raymond blurted out.
"What kind of a job?" Gage demanded hearing Cyrano's name mentioned.
Swallowing hard Raymond began, "He gave us a package and this address and told us all we had to do is put the package somewhere inside. We thought it might be something good, you know worth something so we opened it. It's a bomb and it's set to go off in about forty minutes.
Gage had Raymond by the arm again; "Show it to me," he ordered Raymond almost stumbling over his feet to get to the bedroom closet where he had left it.
Sydney was all ready on the phone alerting the bomb squad.
Seeing the package Gage sent Raymond out of the room to where Syd was shouting out to her to get them outside. Opening it he could immediately seeing the flashing numbers. There was thirty-seven minutes left on the clock that was wired to what looked like plastic explosive.
Syd lost no time doing as Gage shouted to her even though fear and worry for him were tearing at her. As they burst out the front door the sounds of sirens could be heard coming towards them.
Carefully picking up the bomb Gage had waited until Syd was outside before starting down the stairs. Coming into the living room he headed for the back door and across the deck towards the waters edge. Gently setting it down he began to back away he too hearing the screaming sirens coming towards them.
Moments later Walker and the bomb squad were coming around the side of the building. It was only a few minutes more that the bomb squad had the device neutralized. "Where's Syd?" Gage asked his hands slightly shaking.
"Right here?" she answered coming up behind him to let him grasp her in a hug.
From Across the River…
On the other side of the river Deacon Kelly alias Cyrano stood at the back of his black hummer field glasses at his eyes watching the action at the rangers' townhouse across the river. He chomped down hard on a cigar that hung from his mouth. "Those rangers have charmed lives," he mumbled to himself. "Looks like I'm going to have to personally look after this. I have bigger fish to fry to let this stand in the way."
TBC
