~ Chapter Four ~
Without hesitating a minute Walker was at the car where they were loading Lyttle in, Gage and Trivette a step behind him. Grabbing the man Walker spun him around slamming him hard against the trunk of the car. Snatching the front of Lyttle's shirt Walker brought his fist back driving it into the man's face. "Where is he?" the seasoned ranger growled his hand moving to clutch Lyttle's throat his free hand moving back to strike again.
"Where's who?" Lyttle whined out looking around at the group of lawmen for help and finding none.
"Ranger Matt Sumner," Gage barked at him wanting a piece of him too.
"I don't know any Ranger Sumner," he cried back just in time for Walker's fist to slam into his face once again.
"That's why his gun and ID are in the trunk of your car?" Trivette started in wanting answers about his partner.
"You tell us now or it will be a very long drive back to Dallas if you make it that far," Walker cut back in his hand tightening around Lyttle's throat.
"All right," he choked out Walker letting up slightly. "I don't know… exactly… where he is," he got out Walker's fist lifting a third time. "You got to believe me," he cried out, "It's the truth let me explain."
"Start talking," Gage cut in.
"We brought him out here to get rid of him," Lyttle began the story explaining how Sumner had gotten away from them and they had come back here that morning to find him and finish the job before their boss found out they had botched it up.
"He can't have gone far his hands are taped behind him and there was tape gagging him," Lyttle was still explaining.
"Get him out of here," Walker ordered dropping his hold on Lyttle relinquishing custody to the troopers once again.
"Think he's telling the truth?" Trivette asked.
Nodding his head Walker answered, "Yes." Turning to Gage he began giving orders, "Have Sydney take Anna B back to Dallas and make sure she stays there. Trivette let's get every available man out here looking. Lyttle said there was a possibility that Matt was hurt."
Trivette was all ready on the phone organizing things as Gage began to walk towards his wife and Anna B. "Walker wants you to take Anna B back to Dallas," Gage began to tell Sydney only to be interrupted by Anna B.
"I'm not going anywhere without Matt and you can't make me Gage," she blurted out the temper that matched her flaming hair bursting forth.
"Anna B," Syd had begun to say feeling her husband's hand on her back.
"Syd can you excuse us for a few minutes?" Gage asked letting Syd take his hand and squeeze it before moving off.
"Gage I meant it…" she began again.
"I have no doubt you meant," Gage told her folding his arms across his chest. "My question to you is when you are going to stop acting like a twelve year old and let us get at the task of finding Matt. That way our time doesn't have to be spent rescuing you."
"I'm sorry Gage," she had burst into tears knowing what he said was true; knowing he knew what it was like to be in this position.
Wrapping his arms around her he hugged her close before he began, "You know I'm going to be honest with you don't you?"
She shook her head yes waiting for him to continue.
"Your two friends here are the ones that took Matt. They bound his hands together, gagged him and brought him out here in the trunk of the car. They were going to kill him but some how he got away and that's why they were here today to look for him to finish the job," Gage finished his explanation.
"Oh Gage you have to find him," Anna B was in tears again.
"We will Honey Jimmy is all ready getting everyone possible out her for the search. Right now the best thing you can do is go home with Syd so I'm not worrying about you two and can do my job," he told her hugging her close again.
"You'll call when you know something?" she asked.
"The very second I know anything," he agreed waving Syd over to them.
Not More Then Five Miles Away…
"Lily come quick," old Joe Connors shouted from the yard. He had been out early that morning in the north field putting blocks of salt out for the cattle when across the ravine he saw a lone figure miss step and go tumbling in.
Driving the tractor over as close as he could to the edge he jumped down to peer over and see a young man laying at the bottom not moving. As fast as he could he made his way down to where the young man was. Getting to the bottom he hurried over to where the injured man lay noticing the blood on his shoulder and the tape across his mouth. Looking above trying to see if any one else was there he dropped to his knees beside the young man checking for a pulse. Wasting no time he hoisted the injured man over his shoulder and headed back up the incline.
Panting from his trek back to the top Joe Connors made his way to the wagon he had hitched up to the back of his tractor and carefully laid the stranger into the back of it. Climbing back on his tractor he made for the house calling out to his wife, as he got close.
"Lily," he cried again. "Look Lily God has brought our boy back to us. Help me get him in the house."
"Joe this isn't Andrew," Lily tried to say.
"Hush woman you think I don't know my own son," Joe retorted. "Now get the door so I can get him in inside."
Lily stared at her husband for a moment in disbelief finally finding her tongue to ask, "Where did you find him?"
"At the bottom of the ravine," Joe explained. "Enough talk he's hurt go and open that door and turn the bed down," he ordered once more picking up Sumner this time to carry him into the house.
Lily ran to open the door and then up the stairs to turn back the bed watching her husband carefully lay the stranger in her son's bed. Her mind went back to that awful day when Joe had found their son Andrew mortally wounded at the bottom of the ravine. Everyone in these parts new who was responsible even though no charges had been laid. Like always his Grandfather had come and cleaned up the mess and no one dared speak out against him.
Joe had laid Andrew on the bed just like he did with this young stranger today only it had been too late for their son he was all ready dead.
"Come on Lily don't just stand there we need to patch him up," Joe told her taking his jack knife and cutting Sumner's hands loose.
Lily's eyes went to her husband to stare again then back to where Sumner lay knowing that she should call the sheriff yet after what had happened with Andrew… she couldn't bring herself to do it. Instead she ran to get what she needed to patch him up deciding the pieces would eventually fall into place.
Back In Dallas
Sydney pulled the van to a stop in their driveway moments before the police guard that Gage had sent pulled up across the street. He had driven Syd and Anna B back to the truck stop to pick up the van so he could keep Anna B's car.
Neither woman moved after Syd turned the van off both stared out the windshield. Sydney knew exactly the pain and the fear that Anna B was feeling. The not knowing if she would ever see him alive again… now with her expecting… Syd rubbed her hand across her own tummy.
"Sydney?" Anna B suddenly asked.
"Um hmm," she answered turning to her friend.
"What will I do if they don't find him?" she burst into tears. "I just don't think I'll be able to go on either."
"Anna B Sumner don't you dare talk like that. Do you think Matt would want to hear you talking like that especially now that you are going to have his child?" Sydney lashed out at her reaching over to hug her at the same time.
"What if I thought that every time Gage or one of the kids was abducted? When your father kidnapped you Matt never gave up hope once. You just have to be strong, I know it's not easy but that is what this life is all about," Syd softly whispered her own tears falling as well.
"Ranger Cooke?"
Syd near had a heart attack as she turned to find the police officer assigned to guard them at the window of the van. "Everything all right?" he asked.
"Yes, yes we're fine," she answered. "Would you mind opening up the door and having a look around to make sure everything is all right?" she asked handing her keys to the officer.
"Sure thing Ranger," the officer smiled taking the keys from her. "You wait right here."
Turning back to Anna B Syd asked, "Why don't we both go in and lay down for a bit. Even if we don't sleep at least our bodies will get a rest and believe me you are going to find out that is almost as good as a sleep."
"I just want to be ready if Gage calls," Anna B replied opening the van door to let herself out.
Syd stood waiting on her side for Anna B to come around. "I know Gage Honey, the minute he knows anything he'll call," she tried to reassure her.
"All clear Ranger Cooke," the officer smiled again handing Syd her keys.
"Thanks," Syd replied putting her arm around Anna B and proceeding into the house.
The phone was ringing as they came in the door dropping her purse on the counter Sydney grabbed it, "Hello Gage?"
"No Sydney it's me Hunter please don't hang up," came the distinct voice from the other end of the line. "Can I please talk to Annabelle?"
"Just one minute," she answered putting the call on hold. Turning to Anna B she smiled slightly saying, "It's the school about a music program they want us to enroll Cat in I'm going to take it in the study. I'll just be a minute."
"Take your time I'm going to take your advice and just lay down," Anna B answered going towards the bedroom.
Waiting for the bedroom door to close Sydney went into the study and closed that door behind her and sat down in the desk chair. She closed her eyes a minute gathering her strength and picked up the phone. "How do you have enough nerve to even call here?" she angrily asked.
"Sydney please I know that we didn't get off on the right foot…"
"Hunter you listen to me and listen well," Sydney began. "You or your phone calls are not welcome here or at Annabelle and Matt's you try making contact with her again in any way, shape or form and I'll have your parole revoked faster then you can turn around. Do I make myself clear," she spat out.
"Always the high and mighty aren't you Sydney you and Annabelle's precious Gage never want to listen to reason or see a change in a person do you? Well I'm here to tell you Annabelle will come back to me and neither of you two can stand in the way of that," Hunter viciously threatened.
"Not on my watch Hunter you come near any of us and I'll shoot to kill," Sydney told him.
"You don't scare me any more then your husband does," Hunter snarled slamming down the phone.
Syd set the receiver down letting her head drop to her hands debating if she should call Gage or not. She took his phone from her pocket having given hers to him so she could bring his dead one home.
The phone rang again giving Syd a start grabbing it up she cried, "Gage?" into the phone.
"Honey everything okay?" he cautiously asked.
"Yeah," she answered closing her eyes as a sigh of relief passed through her.
"What's going on I thought you were going to call me as soon as you got in?" he anxiously asked still not satisfied that everything was all right.
She quickly explained that they had just got home and about the unwanted phone call. "Gage don't worry about us we have the police guard out front, Anna B doesn't know he called, she's laying down and that is what I'm going to do for a while too. Just find Matt and get home all right," she told him wishing he were there now.
"Sorry Syd but I do worry and there is nothing you can do to stop me," he told her wishing he hadn't sent her back to Dallas. "So far nothing on Matt…" he reported. "Syd when Anna B wakes up can you kind of quiz her about what she knows about the Blakes and this property. Also see what you can put together on the area, who the neighbours are what the history is?" he requested waiting for a reply. "Syd are you still there?"
"Yeah Gage," she answered swallowing hard trying to hide the fact that their unborn child combined with Hunter's phone call was reeking havoc on her. "My back is just bothering me a bit. I'll feel better once I lay down for a little."
"Sydney… I'm sorry Honey I wish I could be there with you," Gage started to apologize to her.
"I wish you were too," she admitted to him letting her guard down to lean on him something she had been doing a lot during this pregnancy. "Just find him Gage," she ended up saying just before saying, "I love you."
"Love you back," he told hanging up the phone.
The Rescue Operation At the Blake Farm
"Sydney and Anna B get home all right?" Walker asked as Gage walked over to join him and Trivette.
"Um yeah," he absently answered still thinking about his conversation with his wife.
"What's wrong Gage?" Trivette questioned.
"It's just Syd she's not feeling well again and that little jerk Hunter called wanting to talk to Anna B," Gage sighed.
"Let's put a stop to the phone calls," Walker said reaching for his phone and placing a call to his wife.
"Rangers I think that we've found something," one of the deputies from the county sheriff's office had come to find them.
"Thanks Alex," Walker was saying hanging up his phone to follow Trivette and Gage to where the deputy was taking them.
"Looks like your ranger may have taken a tumble into this ravine," Sheriff Jake McKay was explaining as all three surveyed what looked as if someone had miss step to slide down the steep side and land at the bottom.
"What's the quickest way down?" Walker questioned.
"This way," the sheriff retorted leading them to a well worn path that zigzagged to the bottom.
As quick as they could the three of them made their way to the bottom with the sheriff. Both Gage and Trivette were glad Walker was with them on this one. They would eventually be able to figure out what had happened but Walker was just so much better and faster at it. Proving them right again they heard him address the sheriff, "You're right someone did come over that incline and probably landed right about here."
"So how did they get out?" Gage asked the question everyone was wondering.
"Probably the same way we came down," McKay retorted looking upward.
Walker looked over the area again slowly shaking his head. "With his hands bound behind his back the possibility that he was hurt I doubt he could have gotten up that steep a climb. Besides there is no evidence that he even tried."
"If it was me I'd be walking the couple of miles down to Teasdale Flats," the young deputy piped up pointing in that direction. "Instead of going back up there and chancing to run into two men who were trying to kill me."
Sheriff McKay gave the deputy a look of distain before letting a smile cross his face saying, "He could have walked out yes if he went the right direction."
"I'm sure he would have went down hill," Trivette agreed looking the direction Deputy Weston had indicated.
Gage eyed Walker who had remained silent scrutinizing the area around them as he looked up the incline on the opposite side. It wasn't near as steep as the side they had just come down and some of the dirt looked as if it had been disturbed very recently. Motioning Gage over to him with the nod of his head Walker asked, "Think you could get up that hill with Sumner over your shoulder?"
Staring at the dirt wall Gage began to think about Matt's size, which was about the same size as he was. Knowing it would be a chore he still felt it was a very doable course of action. "If I had to," he answered Walker.
Walker nodded his head in agreement. "Climb up there and see what you can see," Walker told him.
"Okay Boss," he agreed walking over to head for the top.
"Where's he going?" Sheriff McKay asked catching sight of Gage.
"Just checking out a theory," Walker returned. "Lets head towards this Teasdale Flats Gage can catch up to us there."
"Yeah," the sheriff acknowledged calling out to his deputy, "Weston you lead the way I'm going to check in with the office I'll catch up with you in a minute."
"Sure thing Sheriff," Weston answered glad to be back in the sheriff's good graces.
McKay had all ready taken out his phone and began to dial. He glanced as the search party headed towards the flats only to focus his eyes on Gage a few moments later suspiciously wondering what he was up to. The phone connected and he spoke into it, "its McKay is he in? Then put him on he's going to want to hear this."
Gage had almost made it to the top when the voice came on the opposite end of the line. "This had better be important."
"I'd say it was," McKay said still watching Gage. "That's if you think it's important that your two boys Lyttle and Daines are being transported to Ranger Headquarters as we speak. Seems they were out here finishing up some job that they screwed up last night. The package they were suppose to dispose of got away and I got all sorts of rangers and state troopers up here trying very hard to get it back."
"Is there a Ranger Gage with them?"
"Yep just as big as life," McKay reported watching Gage make it to the top of the ravine.
"See to it that he has an accident and McKay I don't want that package found."
"You got it," McKay replied the connection being broken.
The Blake Estate
"What is it?" Hunter asked having eavesdropped on the conversation before coming into the room.
"Your little piece of fancy is becoming quite a problem," Jonas answered his grandson.
"Annabelle is all right isn't she?" he anxiously asked.
"As far as I know it's her ranger husband that is giving us problems," he stated.
"I thought you took care of him," Hunter said staring at his grandfather for the answers.
"I thought I had too but it seems those two bungling idiots I sent to look after things screwed it up. Seems Ranger Sumner escaped the two of them they got a shot off that may have hit him but that isn't confirmed either. Lyttle and Daines are both in ranger custody and we have to make sure that the trail doesn't come back to us," Jonas explained.
"Grandfather all I want is my Annabelle I've waited long enough," Hunter was shouting standing up towering over the old man.
"And you wait a little longer," Jonas replied turning to pick up the phone.
"I've waited long enough," Hunter said through gritted teeth his hand grasping tight to a heavy leaded sculpture.
"I told you that you wait a little longer," Jonas answered paying him no attention.
"And I told you no," Hunter shouted bringing the sculpture down repeatedly on his grandfather's head.
TBC
Special Note: For any WTRVS fans our new season begins September 20th.at 9 P.M.
Hope to see you there!
Janis