Latimier Chapter 2- by Lorrie Ellis
Email: lorrieann@hotmail.com
Disclaimer: The following story is based on the characters of the TV Series
"Walker, Texas Ranger". The characters belong to CBS Productions, Top Kick
Productions, Washo Brother's Entertainment, etc, but the story is ours. ALL
DISCLAIMERS APPLY. (No copyright infringement is intended.)
********
Gage tossed and turned restlessly in the Walker's guestroom bed. Finally, he threw the covers off of himself, got up and slid on his jeans. He started to put on his shirt, but quickly realized that his swollen arm wasn't going to allow him to slip it on.
The wooden floorboards of the old house creaked slightly as the young Ranger made his way to the front door. He paused for a moment, hoping that he hadn't wakened anyone in the house. When he heard no noises from upstairs, he continued to his goal, the front porch.
Hours later, Walker and Alex were brought out of their slumber by the shrill cries of baby Angela. "I'll get her." Alex said sleepily. "You go check on Gage."
Walker reached for Alex and pulled her close to him. "Can't we stay in bed for just a few more minutes?"
"No." Alex shook her head smiling. "It's tempting, but your daughter is hungry and she's probably wet. Besides, you really need to check in on Gage."
Leaning over, Walker kissed Alex before getting up. "Why do you always have to be right?"
"It's in my nature, remember?" She smirked as she slipped on her robe and house shoes.
Walker could hear Alex making funny sounds with Angela and stopped at the nursery door for a moment as Angela cooed back at her mother. "What a Kodak moment." He said quietly, entering the room.
Alex picked up the little bundle and eased into the nearby rocking chair. "I'll get breakfast for you and Gage right after I feed Angela."
"I'll let Gage know." Walker smiled, kissing both of his girls on their foreheads.
As he stepped on the last step, Walker noticed a shadow on the front porch. "Wonder who that is?" He cautiously opened the door and found Gage asleep and shivering in the porch swing.
"Gage." He shook his friend in an attempt to wake him. "Gage, it's time to get up."
"No, leave me alone." Gage mumbled.
"Gage, you're going to catch your death out here. It's only," Walker looked at the thermometer on the wall. "Geez Gage, it's only 43 degrees out here! Come on, wake up and that's an order!" He quickly opened the front door and yelled inside. "Alex, get me some blankets and call 9-1-1!"
Gage's head lulled to one side. He could hear Walker's voice, but he couldn't make out what he was saying. The words sounded so jumbled. "Walker." He slurred.
"Easy Gage. You're going to the hospital and I'm not taking no for an answer!" Gage slightly nodded his head in response.
Alex came to the door with the blankets. "What happened?" She asked, her voice urgent.
"Evidently he came out here sometime last night. He's burning up." He turned to his wife. "Did you call 9-1-1?"
Alex nodded, her eyes never leaving Gage. "They should be here within 10- 15 minutes. Walker, what about Sydney? If Gage isn't with you and Jimmy, he said they would kill her."
Walker nodded. "We'll worry about that later. Right now we need to get him taken care of."
Soon sirens could be heard screaming down the Walker driveway. Walker kissed Alex and she watched as he climbed into his RAM and followed the rescue squad toward St. Matthews.
After Walker was out of sight, Alex called the Trivette's and filled them in on what had happened.
*******
"So, do you think all three of them will show up?" One of Latimier's men asked as they approached Sydney's cell.
Latimier stared at Sydney as he spoke. "That would depend on whether or not the young Ranger Gage is still alive or not."
Sydney moistened her parched lips slightly with her tongue. "Gage?" She whispered.
"That's right Ranger Cooke." Latimier said as he entered the cell. "You're beloved partner, Francis Gage. I made certain that he was beaten pretty good before he was shoved out of a moving vehicle in front of Ranger Walker's house." He began to caress her cheek with his hand. "But that's of no consequence to you now, because I've decided to keep you for myself instead of killing you along with the others."
Sydney tried to open her eyes, but her eyelids seemed so heavy. "No." She mumbled. "Gage."
Latimier's eyes filled with rage at the mere mention of the Ranger's name. "Give her another dose."
"It's not time yet." One of the guards announced.
Latimier stormed out of Sydney's cell and grabbed the man's throat in his powerful hand. "You dare to question me?" He yelled, releasing the man at the same time.
The guard began to cough. "No. No sir. I'll get it right away."
"The Ecstasy. And then have her brought to my quarters." Latimier instructed.
The guard nodded, knowing that Sydney had just had a dose of Ecstasy two hours ago.
"Oh, and make sure she's secured when you transport her. I don't want to take any chances that she might escape."
"Yes sir." The guard replied and then left the area to retrieve the drugs for Sydney.
*******
The ambulance screamed down the main highway towards St. Matthews. "He's hypothermic." One of the EMTs announced as he and his partner went to work. "We have to get his body temperature regulated."
Walker sat back on the small bench, watching the two paramedics feverishly working over the junior Ranger. He let his head drop into his hands, trying to come up with a plan to rescue Sydney and not further involve Gage.
"ETA three minutes." The ambulance driver called out.
Minutes later Gage was unloaded from the ambulance and whisked into the ER. "I'm sorry Ranger, you'll have to wait here." A nurse informed Walker as he started back towards the trauma center with Gage.
********
Sydney was vaguely aware of being pulled to her feet after her last injection. "Where are we going?" She mumbled.
The guard quickly grew tired of trying to make Sydney walk and picked her up into his arms, carrying her to an SUV and dumping her into the back seat. Before closing the door, Latimier's words echoed in the guard's ears. " . . . make sure she's secured when you transport her. I don't want to take any chances that she might escape." He pulled Sydney's handcuffs from his pocket and brought her wrists up behind her back, locking them securely together with the cuffs.
Sydney bounced up and down in the backseat, barely aware that her surroundings had changed. Soon, the vehicle stopped and she felt herself being lifted into a pair of strong arms. Her head nuzzled into the man's chest and she felt him stiffen at her touch. "Gage." She whispered.
As the wooden door opened, a King size bed was revealed. The guard carried Sydney's limp form to the bed and gently lowered her. Relieved that there was no fight left in her, the guard realized that the drug was already taking effect. "Just a few more preparations." He uncuffed her and grabbed her left wrist tightly in his hand. Working quickly, the guard soon had the female Ranger spread eagle and tied securely to each of the bedposts.
Sydney was screaming for help on the inside, but the words weren't making it to her lips. "Oh God, what's wrong with me? Gage, why are you doing this?" She shook her head and focused on the large figure standing beside the bed. "Oh no, you're not Gage!" Filled with fear, Sydney tried again to call out, screaming in her head, but her voice was barely audible. "Help! Anybody, help!" A single tear ran down her cheek. "Gage, I need you. Where are you?"
*******
Walker was still sitting quietly in the waiting area when Trivette came rushing in. "What's going on Walker? Is he OK?"
Seeing his partner, Walker stood. "They haven't come out yet."
"Alex told me that you found him on the porch this morning."
Walker nodded. "Yeah. I don't know how long he had been there, but he was burning up with a fever and shivering from head to toe."
Trivette nodded as he and Walker both sat down. "What about tonight? How do you want to handle it?"
"I really want to keep Gage out of it and the only way that can work is if Latimier thinks he's dead."
"So, should we talk to the hospital administrators now?"
"No, let's see how he is first."
*******
Gage opened his eyes and was puzzled by the scene before him. Two doctors and several nurses were all looming over him. He could feel the oxygen mask over his nose and mouth and reached up to remove it.
"He's coming around!" One of the nurses shouted as she blocked his hand from the oxygen mask.
Gage immediately found himself staring into a very bright light. "Stop that!" He yelled and pushed the doctor's arm away.
"Ranger Gage, you need to calm down. We need to finish examining you and if you won't be still, I'll have you put in restraints." The doctor said firmly.
Gage considered the options for a moment and let the doctor continue.
"Now, I'm Dr. Martin." The doctor continued to check Gage's eyes. "Do you remember your name?"
"What in the hell is going on here?" Gage asked; his voice muffled by the oxygen mask.
"Just answer the question. Do you know your name?" Dr. Martin put the penlight back into his pocket.
"Gage." Gage replied.
"Your whole name." The doctor asked again, as he removed the oxygen mask from Gage's face.
Gage sighed. "Francis Gage. I'm a Texas Ranger."
"What year is it?" Dr. Martin asked.
"Look doc, I have better things to do than to lay here and play twenty questions with you. So, are you releasing me, or what?"
"You can drop the attitude Ranger. You have a severe concussion. That's the cause of your blackouts and in addition to that, you have two cracked ribs, both bones in your left forearm are broken and the laceration across your cheek is still bleeding. Obviously, you've been beaten very badly by someone. My only question is why you didn't seek treatment sooner. You were apparently with people you trusted, so there must be another reason."
Gage could feel the nausea welling up inside him again and knew that he was just about to pass out. "Doc, I . . ." His head dropped back and his eyes closed.
"He's out again. I want a full MRI. We need to be sure that he's not bleeding inside that stubborn head of his." Dr. Martin stepped out from behind the curtain and headed towards the ER waiting area with determination.
"Who's here for Francis Gage?" He asked with his jaw set.
"We are." Walker replied as he and Trivette stood. Walker reached to shake the doctor's hand, taking note that the doctor had no intention of returning the gesture.
"How bad is he?" Trivette asked.
Dr. Martin shook his head. "He has a severe concussion. He was conscious briefly, but passed out again just before I came out here." The doctor shook his head. "Why wasn't he brought in for treatment sooner?"
Walker sighed as he turned to the doctor. "Can we talk privately?"
Dr. Martin nodded and showed them to a deserted corner of the hallway.
"Doctor, first of all, I'm not looking for your approval here. Frankly, I don't care what you think about the way I handle my Rangers or the way we handle our cases, but I do care about Gage and I expect you to do your job."
"And second?" Dr. Martin asked sarcastically.
"We need your help."
"What exactly do you need?" The doctor asked.
"I need you to sign Gage's death certificate and then we need to make sure we hide him away here at the hospital until our case had been closed."
"I can't do that. It's unethical." Dr. Martin replied angrily.
"Let me lay it on the line for you. I don't want to give up any of my Rangers and if Gage doesn't show up with us tonight I'll be signing the death warrant for his partner." Walker seethed as he stood face to face with the doctor. "But, if I understand you correctly, if I do take him, there's a pretty good chance that he won't make it back alive because of the injuries he's already sustained."
Dr. Martin shook his head. "I can't!"
"You can. It's the only way to get Ranger Cooke out alive. The people holding her have to believe that Gage died from the beating they gave him. I don't have another solution." Walker said, turning away from the doctor.
The doctor stood silently for a moment and then suddenly turned to Trivette. "I'll do what I can." He whispered.
"That's all we can ask." Trivette replied. "Can we see Gage?"
Dr. Martin shook his head. "Not yet. Let me see if they've got him in a room yet. We're trying to schedule the MRI for later today, but they may not be able to get to him until morning."
"We'll be here until he's in a room." Walker replied.
"I'll keep you updated." Dr. Martin said.
"Thanks." Walker and Trivette replied in unison.
After the doctor left the hallway, Trivette turned to Walker. "How are we going to convince Latimier that Gage is dead without making Sydney believe it too?"
"We can't." Walker replied and started down the hallway while Trivette stared after him, thankful that this wasn't a decision he had to make.
*******
Latimier smiled evilly as he entered his quarters and closed the door behind him. Sydney still lay spread eagle on the bed, virtually helpless. "Well, well. You don't look so tough now, do you lady Ranger?"
Her head lulled from side to side. "Gage?" She whispered.
Latimier laid down beside her on the bed and gently caressed her cheek. "I could make you mine so easily right now, but what good would that be when you think I'm someone else." He gently kissed her lips and then stood. "So, my lovely Sydney, we will wait until your mind is a little clearer. Of course you still won't be in charge of your body, but your mind will know who I am and you will remember everything my love. Every little detail of what I have in mind for you." He began to laugh as he turned and left the room, leaving Sydney sobbing.
*******
"Ranger James Trivette, you have a telephone call at the Nurse's station. Ranger James Trivette." The speaker in the waiting room squawked.
Trivette looked at Walker and the two men started for the nurses' station.
"I'm James Trivette. You have a call for me." The nurse pointed him towards a courtesy phone.
"Hello."
"Ranger Trivette?" A male voice asked.
"I'm Dr. Brentwood. We were told that we might locate you in the ER waiting area. Your wife was involved in a car accident."
"What? When? Where?" Trivette began to question.
Walker cocked his head to the side, listening to his partner's questions.
"She's here at Methodist. There's a Ranger Watts with her too. He said he urgently needs to speak with you and Ranger Walker."
"How's my wife? What is the extent of her injuries?"
"She should be fine. She's a little shook up, to say the least, so we plan to keep her overnight for observation."
"I'll be right over." Trivette said, handing the phone to Walker without an explanation.
"This is Ranger Walker, who is this?"
"Ranger Walker, this is Dr. Brentwood. I'm an ER physician at Methodist Hospital. As I was explaining to Ranger Trivette, Erica Trivette was brought in about half an hour ago. She had been involved in a pretty bizarre car accident. There's a Ranger Watts her with her, would you like to speak with him?"
"Yes, I would, but first is Erica alright?"
"She should be fine. She has a few cuts and bruises, but considering the Ranger's report of the accident, I'm amazed that she's alive."
"Thank you doctor. You can tell her that Jimmy just left here so he should be there in twenty minutes or so."
"I'll let her know and here's Ranger Watts."
"Thank you."
Walker waited for a moment and then heard the familiar voice of another Company B Ranger.
"Walker, it's Byron. You're not going to believe this one."
*********
Latimier paused in the dirt drive as he heard a vehicle approaching. A smile curled across his lips as he saw the damage to the front bumper and right fender of the pick up truck. Two husky men jumped out, whooping and hollering. "Wahoo! You should have seen it boss!"
"Tell me about boys. I want every detail." Latimier walked towards the front porch of the cottage that he called home and took a seat. The "boys" joined him, sitting on the front steps.
"Oh man! That Ranger's wife is one beautiful woman. Shame to have to mess her up like that."
"Is she dead?" Latimier asked.
"I don't think so, but man, she was scared to death. You could hear her screaming above the engine on that clunker. We rammed her bumper so hard, she'll have whip-lash for a year or more . . ."
"If it didn't break her neck." The other man finished with a chuckle.
"You boys have done well. Is she in the hospital?"
The two young men nodded. "One problem though. They took her to Methodist instead of St. Matthews."
Latimier's eyebrows furrowed. "What?"
"We had no control over it. I heard one of the guys ask where they were taking her and he said Methodist because St. Matthews was full up."
"This simply won't do. We know that Ranger Gage is at St. Matthews. Mrs. Trivette needs to be there too."
"How do we do that?"
"With one simple phone call." Latimier pulled out his cell phone.
*******
Dr. Martin had just finished seeing a patient and turned down the hallway when his beeper sounded. He looked at the number and genuine fear gripped him. "What else could he possibly want from me?"
Nearing the doctor's lounge, he decided that this call may be best placed from his cell phone, outside, where no one could hear.
"What took you so long?" Latimier asked as Dr. Martin's voice sounded on the other end of the line.
"I was with a patient. You can't keep doing this."
"Oh, but I can David and you have your father to thank for that. He should have thought twice before turning me in and now that he's dead, what is that saying; 'The sins of the father . . . ' ? Do I need to remind you where the money came from to finance your fine education?"
"No." Dr. Martin replied quietly. "What do you want?"
"Ranger Trivette's wife, Erica, was the victim of an auto accident earlier today. She's at Methodist. I want her transferred to St. Matthews."
"How am I supposed to make that happen?"
"Find a way David and find it by tonight. How is Ranger Gage doing?"
"He's still unconscious."
End Chapter 2 - To be continued
********
Gage tossed and turned restlessly in the Walker's guestroom bed. Finally, he threw the covers off of himself, got up and slid on his jeans. He started to put on his shirt, but quickly realized that his swollen arm wasn't going to allow him to slip it on.
The wooden floorboards of the old house creaked slightly as the young Ranger made his way to the front door. He paused for a moment, hoping that he hadn't wakened anyone in the house. When he heard no noises from upstairs, he continued to his goal, the front porch.
Hours later, Walker and Alex were brought out of their slumber by the shrill cries of baby Angela. "I'll get her." Alex said sleepily. "You go check on Gage."
Walker reached for Alex and pulled her close to him. "Can't we stay in bed for just a few more minutes?"
"No." Alex shook her head smiling. "It's tempting, but your daughter is hungry and she's probably wet. Besides, you really need to check in on Gage."
Leaning over, Walker kissed Alex before getting up. "Why do you always have to be right?"
"It's in my nature, remember?" She smirked as she slipped on her robe and house shoes.
Walker could hear Alex making funny sounds with Angela and stopped at the nursery door for a moment as Angela cooed back at her mother. "What a Kodak moment." He said quietly, entering the room.
Alex picked up the little bundle and eased into the nearby rocking chair. "I'll get breakfast for you and Gage right after I feed Angela."
"I'll let Gage know." Walker smiled, kissing both of his girls on their foreheads.
As he stepped on the last step, Walker noticed a shadow on the front porch. "Wonder who that is?" He cautiously opened the door and found Gage asleep and shivering in the porch swing.
"Gage." He shook his friend in an attempt to wake him. "Gage, it's time to get up."
"No, leave me alone." Gage mumbled.
"Gage, you're going to catch your death out here. It's only," Walker looked at the thermometer on the wall. "Geez Gage, it's only 43 degrees out here! Come on, wake up and that's an order!" He quickly opened the front door and yelled inside. "Alex, get me some blankets and call 9-1-1!"
Gage's head lulled to one side. He could hear Walker's voice, but he couldn't make out what he was saying. The words sounded so jumbled. "Walker." He slurred.
"Easy Gage. You're going to the hospital and I'm not taking no for an answer!" Gage slightly nodded his head in response.
Alex came to the door with the blankets. "What happened?" She asked, her voice urgent.
"Evidently he came out here sometime last night. He's burning up." He turned to his wife. "Did you call 9-1-1?"
Alex nodded, her eyes never leaving Gage. "They should be here within 10- 15 minutes. Walker, what about Sydney? If Gage isn't with you and Jimmy, he said they would kill her."
Walker nodded. "We'll worry about that later. Right now we need to get him taken care of."
Soon sirens could be heard screaming down the Walker driveway. Walker kissed Alex and she watched as he climbed into his RAM and followed the rescue squad toward St. Matthews.
After Walker was out of sight, Alex called the Trivette's and filled them in on what had happened.
*******
"So, do you think all three of them will show up?" One of Latimier's men asked as they approached Sydney's cell.
Latimier stared at Sydney as he spoke. "That would depend on whether or not the young Ranger Gage is still alive or not."
Sydney moistened her parched lips slightly with her tongue. "Gage?" She whispered.
"That's right Ranger Cooke." Latimier said as he entered the cell. "You're beloved partner, Francis Gage. I made certain that he was beaten pretty good before he was shoved out of a moving vehicle in front of Ranger Walker's house." He began to caress her cheek with his hand. "But that's of no consequence to you now, because I've decided to keep you for myself instead of killing you along with the others."
Sydney tried to open her eyes, but her eyelids seemed so heavy. "No." She mumbled. "Gage."
Latimier's eyes filled with rage at the mere mention of the Ranger's name. "Give her another dose."
"It's not time yet." One of the guards announced.
Latimier stormed out of Sydney's cell and grabbed the man's throat in his powerful hand. "You dare to question me?" He yelled, releasing the man at the same time.
The guard began to cough. "No. No sir. I'll get it right away."
"The Ecstasy. And then have her brought to my quarters." Latimier instructed.
The guard nodded, knowing that Sydney had just had a dose of Ecstasy two hours ago.
"Oh, and make sure she's secured when you transport her. I don't want to take any chances that she might escape."
"Yes sir." The guard replied and then left the area to retrieve the drugs for Sydney.
*******
The ambulance screamed down the main highway towards St. Matthews. "He's hypothermic." One of the EMTs announced as he and his partner went to work. "We have to get his body temperature regulated."
Walker sat back on the small bench, watching the two paramedics feverishly working over the junior Ranger. He let his head drop into his hands, trying to come up with a plan to rescue Sydney and not further involve Gage.
"ETA three minutes." The ambulance driver called out.
Minutes later Gage was unloaded from the ambulance and whisked into the ER. "I'm sorry Ranger, you'll have to wait here." A nurse informed Walker as he started back towards the trauma center with Gage.
********
Sydney was vaguely aware of being pulled to her feet after her last injection. "Where are we going?" She mumbled.
The guard quickly grew tired of trying to make Sydney walk and picked her up into his arms, carrying her to an SUV and dumping her into the back seat. Before closing the door, Latimier's words echoed in the guard's ears. " . . . make sure she's secured when you transport her. I don't want to take any chances that she might escape." He pulled Sydney's handcuffs from his pocket and brought her wrists up behind her back, locking them securely together with the cuffs.
Sydney bounced up and down in the backseat, barely aware that her surroundings had changed. Soon, the vehicle stopped and she felt herself being lifted into a pair of strong arms. Her head nuzzled into the man's chest and she felt him stiffen at her touch. "Gage." She whispered.
As the wooden door opened, a King size bed was revealed. The guard carried Sydney's limp form to the bed and gently lowered her. Relieved that there was no fight left in her, the guard realized that the drug was already taking effect. "Just a few more preparations." He uncuffed her and grabbed her left wrist tightly in his hand. Working quickly, the guard soon had the female Ranger spread eagle and tied securely to each of the bedposts.
Sydney was screaming for help on the inside, but the words weren't making it to her lips. "Oh God, what's wrong with me? Gage, why are you doing this?" She shook her head and focused on the large figure standing beside the bed. "Oh no, you're not Gage!" Filled with fear, Sydney tried again to call out, screaming in her head, but her voice was barely audible. "Help! Anybody, help!" A single tear ran down her cheek. "Gage, I need you. Where are you?"
*******
Walker was still sitting quietly in the waiting area when Trivette came rushing in. "What's going on Walker? Is he OK?"
Seeing his partner, Walker stood. "They haven't come out yet."
"Alex told me that you found him on the porch this morning."
Walker nodded. "Yeah. I don't know how long he had been there, but he was burning up with a fever and shivering from head to toe."
Trivette nodded as he and Walker both sat down. "What about tonight? How do you want to handle it?"
"I really want to keep Gage out of it and the only way that can work is if Latimier thinks he's dead."
"So, should we talk to the hospital administrators now?"
"No, let's see how he is first."
*******
Gage opened his eyes and was puzzled by the scene before him. Two doctors and several nurses were all looming over him. He could feel the oxygen mask over his nose and mouth and reached up to remove it.
"He's coming around!" One of the nurses shouted as she blocked his hand from the oxygen mask.
Gage immediately found himself staring into a very bright light. "Stop that!" He yelled and pushed the doctor's arm away.
"Ranger Gage, you need to calm down. We need to finish examining you and if you won't be still, I'll have you put in restraints." The doctor said firmly.
Gage considered the options for a moment and let the doctor continue.
"Now, I'm Dr. Martin." The doctor continued to check Gage's eyes. "Do you remember your name?"
"What in the hell is going on here?" Gage asked; his voice muffled by the oxygen mask.
"Just answer the question. Do you know your name?" Dr. Martin put the penlight back into his pocket.
"Gage." Gage replied.
"Your whole name." The doctor asked again, as he removed the oxygen mask from Gage's face.
Gage sighed. "Francis Gage. I'm a Texas Ranger."
"What year is it?" Dr. Martin asked.
"Look doc, I have better things to do than to lay here and play twenty questions with you. So, are you releasing me, or what?"
"You can drop the attitude Ranger. You have a severe concussion. That's the cause of your blackouts and in addition to that, you have two cracked ribs, both bones in your left forearm are broken and the laceration across your cheek is still bleeding. Obviously, you've been beaten very badly by someone. My only question is why you didn't seek treatment sooner. You were apparently with people you trusted, so there must be another reason."
Gage could feel the nausea welling up inside him again and knew that he was just about to pass out. "Doc, I . . ." His head dropped back and his eyes closed.
"He's out again. I want a full MRI. We need to be sure that he's not bleeding inside that stubborn head of his." Dr. Martin stepped out from behind the curtain and headed towards the ER waiting area with determination.
"Who's here for Francis Gage?" He asked with his jaw set.
"We are." Walker replied as he and Trivette stood. Walker reached to shake the doctor's hand, taking note that the doctor had no intention of returning the gesture.
"How bad is he?" Trivette asked.
Dr. Martin shook his head. "He has a severe concussion. He was conscious briefly, but passed out again just before I came out here." The doctor shook his head. "Why wasn't he brought in for treatment sooner?"
Walker sighed as he turned to the doctor. "Can we talk privately?"
Dr. Martin nodded and showed them to a deserted corner of the hallway.
"Doctor, first of all, I'm not looking for your approval here. Frankly, I don't care what you think about the way I handle my Rangers or the way we handle our cases, but I do care about Gage and I expect you to do your job."
"And second?" Dr. Martin asked sarcastically.
"We need your help."
"What exactly do you need?" The doctor asked.
"I need you to sign Gage's death certificate and then we need to make sure we hide him away here at the hospital until our case had been closed."
"I can't do that. It's unethical." Dr. Martin replied angrily.
"Let me lay it on the line for you. I don't want to give up any of my Rangers and if Gage doesn't show up with us tonight I'll be signing the death warrant for his partner." Walker seethed as he stood face to face with the doctor. "But, if I understand you correctly, if I do take him, there's a pretty good chance that he won't make it back alive because of the injuries he's already sustained."
Dr. Martin shook his head. "I can't!"
"You can. It's the only way to get Ranger Cooke out alive. The people holding her have to believe that Gage died from the beating they gave him. I don't have another solution." Walker said, turning away from the doctor.
The doctor stood silently for a moment and then suddenly turned to Trivette. "I'll do what I can." He whispered.
"That's all we can ask." Trivette replied. "Can we see Gage?"
Dr. Martin shook his head. "Not yet. Let me see if they've got him in a room yet. We're trying to schedule the MRI for later today, but they may not be able to get to him until morning."
"We'll be here until he's in a room." Walker replied.
"I'll keep you updated." Dr. Martin said.
"Thanks." Walker and Trivette replied in unison.
After the doctor left the hallway, Trivette turned to Walker. "How are we going to convince Latimier that Gage is dead without making Sydney believe it too?"
"We can't." Walker replied and started down the hallway while Trivette stared after him, thankful that this wasn't a decision he had to make.
*******
Latimier smiled evilly as he entered his quarters and closed the door behind him. Sydney still lay spread eagle on the bed, virtually helpless. "Well, well. You don't look so tough now, do you lady Ranger?"
Her head lulled from side to side. "Gage?" She whispered.
Latimier laid down beside her on the bed and gently caressed her cheek. "I could make you mine so easily right now, but what good would that be when you think I'm someone else." He gently kissed her lips and then stood. "So, my lovely Sydney, we will wait until your mind is a little clearer. Of course you still won't be in charge of your body, but your mind will know who I am and you will remember everything my love. Every little detail of what I have in mind for you." He began to laugh as he turned and left the room, leaving Sydney sobbing.
*******
"Ranger James Trivette, you have a telephone call at the Nurse's station. Ranger James Trivette." The speaker in the waiting room squawked.
Trivette looked at Walker and the two men started for the nurses' station.
"I'm James Trivette. You have a call for me." The nurse pointed him towards a courtesy phone.
"Hello."
"Ranger Trivette?" A male voice asked.
"I'm Dr. Brentwood. We were told that we might locate you in the ER waiting area. Your wife was involved in a car accident."
"What? When? Where?" Trivette began to question.
Walker cocked his head to the side, listening to his partner's questions.
"She's here at Methodist. There's a Ranger Watts with her too. He said he urgently needs to speak with you and Ranger Walker."
"How's my wife? What is the extent of her injuries?"
"She should be fine. She's a little shook up, to say the least, so we plan to keep her overnight for observation."
"I'll be right over." Trivette said, handing the phone to Walker without an explanation.
"This is Ranger Walker, who is this?"
"Ranger Walker, this is Dr. Brentwood. I'm an ER physician at Methodist Hospital. As I was explaining to Ranger Trivette, Erica Trivette was brought in about half an hour ago. She had been involved in a pretty bizarre car accident. There's a Ranger Watts her with her, would you like to speak with him?"
"Yes, I would, but first is Erica alright?"
"She should be fine. She has a few cuts and bruises, but considering the Ranger's report of the accident, I'm amazed that she's alive."
"Thank you doctor. You can tell her that Jimmy just left here so he should be there in twenty minutes or so."
"I'll let her know and here's Ranger Watts."
"Thank you."
Walker waited for a moment and then heard the familiar voice of another Company B Ranger.
"Walker, it's Byron. You're not going to believe this one."
*********
Latimier paused in the dirt drive as he heard a vehicle approaching. A smile curled across his lips as he saw the damage to the front bumper and right fender of the pick up truck. Two husky men jumped out, whooping and hollering. "Wahoo! You should have seen it boss!"
"Tell me about boys. I want every detail." Latimier walked towards the front porch of the cottage that he called home and took a seat. The "boys" joined him, sitting on the front steps.
"Oh man! That Ranger's wife is one beautiful woman. Shame to have to mess her up like that."
"Is she dead?" Latimier asked.
"I don't think so, but man, she was scared to death. You could hear her screaming above the engine on that clunker. We rammed her bumper so hard, she'll have whip-lash for a year or more . . ."
"If it didn't break her neck." The other man finished with a chuckle.
"You boys have done well. Is she in the hospital?"
The two young men nodded. "One problem though. They took her to Methodist instead of St. Matthews."
Latimier's eyebrows furrowed. "What?"
"We had no control over it. I heard one of the guys ask where they were taking her and he said Methodist because St. Matthews was full up."
"This simply won't do. We know that Ranger Gage is at St. Matthews. Mrs. Trivette needs to be there too."
"How do we do that?"
"With one simple phone call." Latimier pulled out his cell phone.
*******
Dr. Martin had just finished seeing a patient and turned down the hallway when his beeper sounded. He looked at the number and genuine fear gripped him. "What else could he possibly want from me?"
Nearing the doctor's lounge, he decided that this call may be best placed from his cell phone, outside, where no one could hear.
"What took you so long?" Latimier asked as Dr. Martin's voice sounded on the other end of the line.
"I was with a patient. You can't keep doing this."
"Oh, but I can David and you have your father to thank for that. He should have thought twice before turning me in and now that he's dead, what is that saying; 'The sins of the father . . . ' ? Do I need to remind you where the money came from to finance your fine education?"
"No." Dr. Martin replied quietly. "What do you want?"
"Ranger Trivette's wife, Erica, was the victim of an auto accident earlier today. She's at Methodist. I want her transferred to St. Matthews."
"How am I supposed to make that happen?"
"Find a way David and find it by tonight. How is Ranger Gage doing?"
"He's still unconscious."
End Chapter 2 - To be continued