Latimier Chapter 3- 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.)
After Ranger Watts explained Erica's accident to Walker, he immediately called Alex at her office.
"Alex, I'm arranging for a Ranger escort for you for the next few days."
"Walker, I'm fine."
"I'm not taking any chances. Latimier has threatened all of the Rangers of Company B. Gage is in the hospital, Sydney is missing and now he's gotten to Trivette through Erica. I'm going to call Louis Fellows, you remember him don't you?"
"Yes, of course, but Walker . . ."
"Alex, please, no arguments. I need to know that you and Angela are safe while Trivette and I go after this bastard."
Alex sighed. "If it will make you feel better, I won't go anywhere without a Ranger by my side, but Walker, this goes both ways. You had better be careful tonight."
"I will."
"Any word on Gage?" Alex asked.
"He's still unconscious, but they have moved him to a room."
"Have you seen him yet?"
"No. We were getting ready to when they called from Methodist about Erica."
"How is she?" Alex asked, concern for her friend welling in her voice.
Walker sighed. "I really don't know. Trivette left right after they called while I was talking to Watts."
"Walker, I have to go. I'm due in court in thirty minutes, and yes, I'll wait for Ranger Fellows to escort me down."
"Thanks Alex. I'll talk to you later, oh, kiss Angela for me."
"I will and Walker, please be careful."
"I promise."
"I love you." Alex whispered into the phone.
"I love you too."
Walker briefly hung up the phone, just to pick it up again and dial Ranger Headquarters. "Jenny, its Walker. Is Louis in?"
"Just a minute Ranger Walker." Jenny replied and then paged Ranger Fellows.
"Fellows." A jolly voice answered.
"Louis, its Walker. I need a favor." After explaining the situation to Ranger Fellows, who eagerly agreed to keep an eye on Alex, Walker made his way to Gage's room. He stopped just outside the door as he heard Dr. Martin's voice.
"We're not going to able to wait for the MRI, the tests show that the pressure in his head is increasing. If this keeps up, we'll have to go in and relieve it."
"Do you want me to reserve an OR?" The nurse asked. Dr. Martin nodded.
The nurse stepped out, leaving Dr. Martin alone with his still unconscious patient. Walker quietly stepped in, knocking on the door as he opened it. "Doctor, how is he?"
"Not good Ranger Walker. He's still unconscious and that bothers my, especially in view of the test results I just got back."
"I overheard you telling the nurse that the pressure is increasing."
"Yes, and if it doesn't stop soon, we'll have to drill a hole at the back of his head to relieve it."
"How soon?" Walker asked.
Dr. Martin adjusted the flow of Gage's IV. "I'm going to check on him again in about thirty minutes. If I don't see any changes then, we'll take him to the OR." The doctor brushed by Walker and started for the door.
"Doctor, have you given any more thought to what we discussed earlier?" Walker asked.
"Ranger Walker, I may not have to fake his death. You don't seem to understand just how sick Ranger Gage really is. His condition is life- threatening."
Walker's eyes held the doctor's for a minute just before Dr. Martin slipped through the door. Walker pulled a chair next to Gage's bedside and took the young Ranger's hand in his. "It's gonna be OK Gage. Don't worry about Sydney. Trivette and I will get her out, somehow and you're in good hands here with Doctor Martin."
Gage's eyes fluttered slightly at the mention of Sydney's name, but never opened. Walker continued to sit with him until Dr. Martin returned.
"Ranger Walker, you'll have to step out and let me re-examine him." The doctor urged.
Walker nodded, but paused at the door, watching the doctor check Gage's eyes. The doctor shook his head. "Donna, did you reserve that OR?"
"Yes sir. It should be ready now."
"Good, we need to move fast."
"What is it?" Walker asked as the doctor started out the door.
"The pressure appears to have increased. We need to get him into surgery and relieve it."
Walker watched as Gage was prepped for surgery and lingered until two orderlies appeared to take him to the operating room.
"Ranger Walker, please report to the nurse's station, Ranger Walker." A voice sounded over the PA system.
Walker made his way to the nearest nurse's station and picked up the phone. "Walker."
"Walker, it's me." Trivette's voice sounded on the other end. "How's Gage?"
"Not good. They're taking him to surgery as we speak."
"Surgery? What's going on?"
"Pressure is building up inside his head. They're going to drill a hole at the back of his skull to relieve it."
"Oh no." Trivette sighed.
"What about Erica? Is she OK?"
Trivette nodded. "Yeah, they're releasing her now. Walker, do you think she could stay with Alex while we finish this case?"
"I was just going to suggest the same thing. I have Fellows with Alex 24/7 right now. I need to set up an alternate with him and I'll assign someone to Erica too."
"Thanks Walker. Listen, I'm going to take Erica by the house to pick up some clothes and we'll meet you at headquarters in about an hour. Sound OK?"
"Gage should be out of surgery in about an hour, so let's make our meet in about an hour and a half. I want to make sure he comes out of this OK."
"Good enough. Walker, keep me posted on how he's doing."
"I will." Walker replied.
Walker called Ranger headquarters and arranged for a guard alternate for Fellows and assigned Ranger David Klegg to watch Erica along with an alternate. He knew how much the two women were going to hate having Rangers with them at all times, but this was the only way he and Trivette would have peace of mind while trying to find Sydney.
*********
Sydney squirmed as the guard entered her room with a syringe. "Hi Ranger Cooke." The guard spoke in a soothing tone. "Listen carefully I can only say this once. My name is Daniel Thomas. I want out of this mess, but if I try to leave, Latimier will kill me. I want you to know that I've been helping you all this time."
"How?" Sydney asked.
"Sydney, if you had been given the amount of drugs Latimier requested you would be dead by now. Not only that, I had to convince him that he didn't want to give you a sedative and Heroine; that's why you're on Ecstasy. He has no idea what mixes together and what doesn't. Not only that, he has no clue as to how much a body can take without overdosing. Sydney Latimier trusts me to prepare your doses of both drugs. So far, I've managed to cut them down so much that you get only a slight effect from both, but I don't' know how much longer I can keep this up."
"Why are you helping me?" Sydney asked, her mind becoming more focused.
"I told you, I want out of this mess. I never wanted to hurt you or your partner but Latimier holds something on each of us that keeps us here doing his bidding."
"Daniel, help me get out of here. I need to get to my partner."
Daniel shook his head. "I can't do that. I have to give you another shot now, but I've only put half of the drug in the syringe, the other half is saline. That's what I came to tell you. Latimier plans to have his way with you tonight and he thinks that you will be too drugged to fight him off."
"Daniel, you have to untie me. I won't be able to fight him off like this." She tugged at the ropes that bound her wrists and ankles to the bedposts.
Daniel shook his head. "I can't. He'll kill me."
"At least loosen them. I'll work my hands out." She watched Daniel hesitate. "Daniel, please! You said you wanted to help me and that you didn't want to be a part of Latimier's mess. Right now you're up to your eyeballs in this, but if you help me, I'm sure the DA's office will go easier on you."
Daniel rubbed Sydney's arm with alcohol and plunged the syringe into her arm. "Sweet dreams Sydney Cooke." He said quietly, watching her eyes close. He started out of the room and turned back, looking at Sydney lying so helpless on the bed. Guilt began to overwhelm him. Sighing he returned to the bedside and loosened the ropes on both of her wrists.
********
"Page him, damn it!" Latimier's voice boomed into the phone.
"I'm sorry sir, but he's in surgery. If you'll leave your name and number, I'll give him a message to call you as soon as he's available."
"No, that won't do!" Latimier screamed into the phone, slamming it back into its cradle.
He dialed David's pager number again and left his phone number. Hanging up, he swore under his breath. "You had better have good news for me David Martin. You had better have good news."
********
David Martin wiped his brow as he came out of the operating room. He pulled the pager from his waist and looked at the number crawl across the screen. Leaning back against the wall, he looked upward wondering when he would ever be out of Latimier's clutches.
Walker noticed the young doctor leaning against the wall and quickly approached him. "Dr. Martin, how is he?"
"We've inserted a shunt at the back of his head. That should keep the pressure from building again, but for now, we wait."
"Wait?" Walker asked.
"Wait and see if he wakes up and if he does, we'll need to watch for signs of brain damage."
Walker stared at the wall, unmoving. "I'm sorry Ranger Walker. I have a phone call to make."
Dr. Martin entered his office and closed the door. He reluctantly dialed Latimier's number.
"What took you so long David?" Latimier asked.
"I was in surgery with your Ranger."
A smile came to Latimier's face. "Really? How is the dear boy?"
"Not good. Latimier, he might not make it. A lot of pressure had built up inside his head from the concussion your men gave him and . . ."
"Blah, blah, blah. David, speed up his death. I want Ranger Cooke complete and right now, her heart belongs to Ranger Gage. I want him out of the picture entirely." He paused. "And what of Ranger Trivette's wife. Is she there yet?"
"No. The doctor at Methodist was releasing her this morning. I also heard that Ranger Walker has assigned a round the clock Ranger escort for her as well as his own wife."
Latimier nodded. "David, take care of Ranger Gage. I'll take care of everything else. I don't care how you do it, but do it fast and call me back. And don't even try to fake it. I have eyes and ears all over that hospital. I will know if he's dead or not."
"I can't! I can't take his life. It's unethical, it's . . ."
"David, don't forget, I know where your mother and sister live. I will make good on my threat if you don't come through for me, understand?"
Tears were welling up in the young doctor's eyes. "Yes, I understand. I'll call you back shortly."
*********
As soon as Alex was out of court, Ranger Fellows met her at the door. "Looks like you're going to have some company for a while."
Alex looked him questioningly and then saw Erica sitting on the bench just down the hall. "Erica! When did they release you from the hospital? Are you OK?"
The two women embraced. "I'm fine. Just a few bumps and cuts, but I'll heal. Jimmy just dropped me off a few minutes ago. It seems that Gage has taken a turn for the worse."
"Oh no." Alex exclaimed.
"He's had surgery to relieve some of the pressure in his head, but that's all Jimmy knew."
"Maybe we should go check on him."
"Sorry ma'am." Ranger Fellows interjected. "I have my orders to take you two ladies back to Ranger Walker's house and you're not to leave until he tells us otherwise."
"What?" Alex asked, her eyebrows going up.
"Ranger Walker's instructions were very specific Mrs. Walker. He's very concerned for your safety and yours too Mrs. Trivette."
Erica and Alex didn't argue further with the Ranger, but let him take them to Alex and Walker's ranch.
*******
Latimier pounded his fist on the table. "The whole plan is falling apart! The only thing I have is Ranger Cooke for myself and the death of Ranger Gage."
"Don't forget sir, Rangers Walker and Trivette are due here at midnight to rescue Ranger Cooke." One of the guards reminded.
"I know that, but the whole plan is ruined now."
"Sir, can we rethink the plan?"
Latimier looked at him for a moment. "What do you have in mind Daniel?"
"Well, I was thinking that instead of luring the Rangers to the dining hall as we had planned, why not lure them to the pits up in the hills? The ground is unstable there and once they fall in, they won't be getting back out. Plus no one will know where to find them."
Latimier nodded. "I like this idea of yours Daniel. I'll have to put off my little rendezvous with Ranger Cooke for a while, but knowing that she's secured to the bed and drugged half out of her mind eases my mind a little. Let's get this plan into motion. Call the guards together and you and I will set out a strategy to lure the Rangers to the pits."
"Daniel, how are you aware of the pits anyway?" Latimier asked.
"I used to come to this campground every year as a kid until they closed it down when the pits were discovered. Seems that this area used to be a mining operation and the pits were left opened. They're well above the camp, but still, it was too much of risk that the kids might discover them."
Latimier nodded. "Call the guards together."
********
Dr. Martin's steps were heavy as he started towards Gage's room. He had studied Gage's chart and found that it noted a severe reaction to Morphine. Tearing the sheet from the record, the doctor had prepared a full syringe of the drug and was now on his way to administer it.
As he stood over his patient, he looked back at the security camera. Turning back to Gage, he shook his head. "I can't do this. I can't kill a patient." He jumped as his beeper went off. Latimier's number appeared on the screen.
David picked up the phone in Gage's room and dialed the too familiar number.
"Do it David. You're too close to back out now. Remember, the fate of your mother and sister rests with this act."
"How are you seeing me?" David asked, looking up at the security camera.
"I told you, I have eyes and ears all over the hospital. Now, do what needs to be done." He hung up.
David pulled the syringe from his pocket and introduced the drug to Gage's IV just as he heard the door open. "How is he doc?" Trivette asked.
Dr. Martin shook his head. "No change. I've just given him something for pain though. He'll need it when he wakes up."
Walker met the doctor in the hall. "Any change?"
David shook his head. "No."
Walker could tell that the doctor was on the verge of breaking down. "Doctor, what's wrong? Is it Gage?"
Dr. Martin nodded as he sank to the floor, crying. "Doctor, what's going on?"
"I've done something terrible." He said as alarms from the monitors suddenly sounded from Gage's room.
Trivette hit the call button. "He's coding!" He shouted. Before the nurse could respond, a team of medical personnel were in the room with a crash cart.
"You'll have to leave Ranger!" A nurse shoved him out the door.
Trivette saw Walker crouched down with the young doctor. "I gave him Morphine."
Trivette shook his head. "How much?"
"Just a little bit would have caused him to crash. It's in his chart." He pulled the crumpled piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to Walker.
"Why? Why would you take him into surgery to save his life, just to try to kill him later?" Walker asked.
"Travis Latimier. He said he would kill my mother and my sister if I didn't cooperate. Ranger Walker, I'm so sorry. I didn't know what to do. I . . ."
"Get yourself together and get in there and save his life!" Walker hauled the doctor to his feet by his coat collar.
Dr. Martin nodded. "I'll do what I can, but Walker, shut off the security cameras. I think Latimier is keeping tabs on me through them. He'll know if Ranger Gage pulls through."
********
Latimier stared with interest at his computer screen. He knew he had lucked out when he recruited Dobbs. He could hack into almost any system and getting into the computer at St. Matthews had been a cake walk.
He watched as Dr. Martin called for the paddles and hit Gage with a volt of electricity, making his body lift from the table. Latimier smiled as the line on the monitor stayed steady. "Good boy David. One less Ranger to worry about."
As he continued to watch, the screen went blank. "Dobbs! Dobbs, what happened?"
"We lost the connection. I'll get it back up."
********
Trivette had killed the power to the security cameras while Dr. Martin frantically continued to work with Gage until the monitor showed a rhythm. "We've got him back. Get him on a ventilator and into ICU."
Gage was quickly moved out of the room and as soon as the door closed, Dr. Martin arranged pillows on the bed in the position of a person. He then pulled a sheet over the pillows and nodded towards Trivette who restored the power to the cameras.
Latimier stared at the screen as the image of Gage's room returned. He smiled with content as he saw the monitor showing a flat line and the sheet pulled over the body on the bed.
Walker and Trivette stood at the bedside and lowered their heads as if mourning their young partner while Dr. Martin signed a chart with the time of death and then escorted the two Rangers from the room.
End Chapter 3 - To be continued
After Ranger Watts explained Erica's accident to Walker, he immediately called Alex at her office.
"Alex, I'm arranging for a Ranger escort for you for the next few days."
"Walker, I'm fine."
"I'm not taking any chances. Latimier has threatened all of the Rangers of Company B. Gage is in the hospital, Sydney is missing and now he's gotten to Trivette through Erica. I'm going to call Louis Fellows, you remember him don't you?"
"Yes, of course, but Walker . . ."
"Alex, please, no arguments. I need to know that you and Angela are safe while Trivette and I go after this bastard."
Alex sighed. "If it will make you feel better, I won't go anywhere without a Ranger by my side, but Walker, this goes both ways. You had better be careful tonight."
"I will."
"Any word on Gage?" Alex asked.
"He's still unconscious, but they have moved him to a room."
"Have you seen him yet?"
"No. We were getting ready to when they called from Methodist about Erica."
"How is she?" Alex asked, concern for her friend welling in her voice.
Walker sighed. "I really don't know. Trivette left right after they called while I was talking to Watts."
"Walker, I have to go. I'm due in court in thirty minutes, and yes, I'll wait for Ranger Fellows to escort me down."
"Thanks Alex. I'll talk to you later, oh, kiss Angela for me."
"I will and Walker, please be careful."
"I promise."
"I love you." Alex whispered into the phone.
"I love you too."
Walker briefly hung up the phone, just to pick it up again and dial Ranger Headquarters. "Jenny, its Walker. Is Louis in?"
"Just a minute Ranger Walker." Jenny replied and then paged Ranger Fellows.
"Fellows." A jolly voice answered.
"Louis, its Walker. I need a favor." After explaining the situation to Ranger Fellows, who eagerly agreed to keep an eye on Alex, Walker made his way to Gage's room. He stopped just outside the door as he heard Dr. Martin's voice.
"We're not going to able to wait for the MRI, the tests show that the pressure in his head is increasing. If this keeps up, we'll have to go in and relieve it."
"Do you want me to reserve an OR?" The nurse asked. Dr. Martin nodded.
The nurse stepped out, leaving Dr. Martin alone with his still unconscious patient. Walker quietly stepped in, knocking on the door as he opened it. "Doctor, how is he?"
"Not good Ranger Walker. He's still unconscious and that bothers my, especially in view of the test results I just got back."
"I overheard you telling the nurse that the pressure is increasing."
"Yes, and if it doesn't stop soon, we'll have to drill a hole at the back of his head to relieve it."
"How soon?" Walker asked.
Dr. Martin adjusted the flow of Gage's IV. "I'm going to check on him again in about thirty minutes. If I don't see any changes then, we'll take him to the OR." The doctor brushed by Walker and started for the door.
"Doctor, have you given any more thought to what we discussed earlier?" Walker asked.
"Ranger Walker, I may not have to fake his death. You don't seem to understand just how sick Ranger Gage really is. His condition is life- threatening."
Walker's eyes held the doctor's for a minute just before Dr. Martin slipped through the door. Walker pulled a chair next to Gage's bedside and took the young Ranger's hand in his. "It's gonna be OK Gage. Don't worry about Sydney. Trivette and I will get her out, somehow and you're in good hands here with Doctor Martin."
Gage's eyes fluttered slightly at the mention of Sydney's name, but never opened. Walker continued to sit with him until Dr. Martin returned.
"Ranger Walker, you'll have to step out and let me re-examine him." The doctor urged.
Walker nodded, but paused at the door, watching the doctor check Gage's eyes. The doctor shook his head. "Donna, did you reserve that OR?"
"Yes sir. It should be ready now."
"Good, we need to move fast."
"What is it?" Walker asked as the doctor started out the door.
"The pressure appears to have increased. We need to get him into surgery and relieve it."
Walker watched as Gage was prepped for surgery and lingered until two orderlies appeared to take him to the operating room.
"Ranger Walker, please report to the nurse's station, Ranger Walker." A voice sounded over the PA system.
Walker made his way to the nearest nurse's station and picked up the phone. "Walker."
"Walker, it's me." Trivette's voice sounded on the other end. "How's Gage?"
"Not good. They're taking him to surgery as we speak."
"Surgery? What's going on?"
"Pressure is building up inside his head. They're going to drill a hole at the back of his skull to relieve it."
"Oh no." Trivette sighed.
"What about Erica? Is she OK?"
Trivette nodded. "Yeah, they're releasing her now. Walker, do you think she could stay with Alex while we finish this case?"
"I was just going to suggest the same thing. I have Fellows with Alex 24/7 right now. I need to set up an alternate with him and I'll assign someone to Erica too."
"Thanks Walker. Listen, I'm going to take Erica by the house to pick up some clothes and we'll meet you at headquarters in about an hour. Sound OK?"
"Gage should be out of surgery in about an hour, so let's make our meet in about an hour and a half. I want to make sure he comes out of this OK."
"Good enough. Walker, keep me posted on how he's doing."
"I will." Walker replied.
Walker called Ranger headquarters and arranged for a guard alternate for Fellows and assigned Ranger David Klegg to watch Erica along with an alternate. He knew how much the two women were going to hate having Rangers with them at all times, but this was the only way he and Trivette would have peace of mind while trying to find Sydney.
*********
Sydney squirmed as the guard entered her room with a syringe. "Hi Ranger Cooke." The guard spoke in a soothing tone. "Listen carefully I can only say this once. My name is Daniel Thomas. I want out of this mess, but if I try to leave, Latimier will kill me. I want you to know that I've been helping you all this time."
"How?" Sydney asked.
"Sydney, if you had been given the amount of drugs Latimier requested you would be dead by now. Not only that, I had to convince him that he didn't want to give you a sedative and Heroine; that's why you're on Ecstasy. He has no idea what mixes together and what doesn't. Not only that, he has no clue as to how much a body can take without overdosing. Sydney Latimier trusts me to prepare your doses of both drugs. So far, I've managed to cut them down so much that you get only a slight effect from both, but I don't' know how much longer I can keep this up."
"Why are you helping me?" Sydney asked, her mind becoming more focused.
"I told you, I want out of this mess. I never wanted to hurt you or your partner but Latimier holds something on each of us that keeps us here doing his bidding."
"Daniel, help me get out of here. I need to get to my partner."
Daniel shook his head. "I can't do that. I have to give you another shot now, but I've only put half of the drug in the syringe, the other half is saline. That's what I came to tell you. Latimier plans to have his way with you tonight and he thinks that you will be too drugged to fight him off."
"Daniel, you have to untie me. I won't be able to fight him off like this." She tugged at the ropes that bound her wrists and ankles to the bedposts.
Daniel shook his head. "I can't. He'll kill me."
"At least loosen them. I'll work my hands out." She watched Daniel hesitate. "Daniel, please! You said you wanted to help me and that you didn't want to be a part of Latimier's mess. Right now you're up to your eyeballs in this, but if you help me, I'm sure the DA's office will go easier on you."
Daniel rubbed Sydney's arm with alcohol and plunged the syringe into her arm. "Sweet dreams Sydney Cooke." He said quietly, watching her eyes close. He started out of the room and turned back, looking at Sydney lying so helpless on the bed. Guilt began to overwhelm him. Sighing he returned to the bedside and loosened the ropes on both of her wrists.
********
"Page him, damn it!" Latimier's voice boomed into the phone.
"I'm sorry sir, but he's in surgery. If you'll leave your name and number, I'll give him a message to call you as soon as he's available."
"No, that won't do!" Latimier screamed into the phone, slamming it back into its cradle.
He dialed David's pager number again and left his phone number. Hanging up, he swore under his breath. "You had better have good news for me David Martin. You had better have good news."
********
David Martin wiped his brow as he came out of the operating room. He pulled the pager from his waist and looked at the number crawl across the screen. Leaning back against the wall, he looked upward wondering when he would ever be out of Latimier's clutches.
Walker noticed the young doctor leaning against the wall and quickly approached him. "Dr. Martin, how is he?"
"We've inserted a shunt at the back of his head. That should keep the pressure from building again, but for now, we wait."
"Wait?" Walker asked.
"Wait and see if he wakes up and if he does, we'll need to watch for signs of brain damage."
Walker stared at the wall, unmoving. "I'm sorry Ranger Walker. I have a phone call to make."
Dr. Martin entered his office and closed the door. He reluctantly dialed Latimier's number.
"What took you so long David?" Latimier asked.
"I was in surgery with your Ranger."
A smile came to Latimier's face. "Really? How is the dear boy?"
"Not good. Latimier, he might not make it. A lot of pressure had built up inside his head from the concussion your men gave him and . . ."
"Blah, blah, blah. David, speed up his death. I want Ranger Cooke complete and right now, her heart belongs to Ranger Gage. I want him out of the picture entirely." He paused. "And what of Ranger Trivette's wife. Is she there yet?"
"No. The doctor at Methodist was releasing her this morning. I also heard that Ranger Walker has assigned a round the clock Ranger escort for her as well as his own wife."
Latimier nodded. "David, take care of Ranger Gage. I'll take care of everything else. I don't care how you do it, but do it fast and call me back. And don't even try to fake it. I have eyes and ears all over that hospital. I will know if he's dead or not."
"I can't! I can't take his life. It's unethical, it's . . ."
"David, don't forget, I know where your mother and sister live. I will make good on my threat if you don't come through for me, understand?"
Tears were welling up in the young doctor's eyes. "Yes, I understand. I'll call you back shortly."
*********
As soon as Alex was out of court, Ranger Fellows met her at the door. "Looks like you're going to have some company for a while."
Alex looked him questioningly and then saw Erica sitting on the bench just down the hall. "Erica! When did they release you from the hospital? Are you OK?"
The two women embraced. "I'm fine. Just a few bumps and cuts, but I'll heal. Jimmy just dropped me off a few minutes ago. It seems that Gage has taken a turn for the worse."
"Oh no." Alex exclaimed.
"He's had surgery to relieve some of the pressure in his head, but that's all Jimmy knew."
"Maybe we should go check on him."
"Sorry ma'am." Ranger Fellows interjected. "I have my orders to take you two ladies back to Ranger Walker's house and you're not to leave until he tells us otherwise."
"What?" Alex asked, her eyebrows going up.
"Ranger Walker's instructions were very specific Mrs. Walker. He's very concerned for your safety and yours too Mrs. Trivette."
Erica and Alex didn't argue further with the Ranger, but let him take them to Alex and Walker's ranch.
*******
Latimier pounded his fist on the table. "The whole plan is falling apart! The only thing I have is Ranger Cooke for myself and the death of Ranger Gage."
"Don't forget sir, Rangers Walker and Trivette are due here at midnight to rescue Ranger Cooke." One of the guards reminded.
"I know that, but the whole plan is ruined now."
"Sir, can we rethink the plan?"
Latimier looked at him for a moment. "What do you have in mind Daniel?"
"Well, I was thinking that instead of luring the Rangers to the dining hall as we had planned, why not lure them to the pits up in the hills? The ground is unstable there and once they fall in, they won't be getting back out. Plus no one will know where to find them."
Latimier nodded. "I like this idea of yours Daniel. I'll have to put off my little rendezvous with Ranger Cooke for a while, but knowing that she's secured to the bed and drugged half out of her mind eases my mind a little. Let's get this plan into motion. Call the guards together and you and I will set out a strategy to lure the Rangers to the pits."
"Daniel, how are you aware of the pits anyway?" Latimier asked.
"I used to come to this campground every year as a kid until they closed it down when the pits were discovered. Seems that this area used to be a mining operation and the pits were left opened. They're well above the camp, but still, it was too much of risk that the kids might discover them."
Latimier nodded. "Call the guards together."
********
Dr. Martin's steps were heavy as he started towards Gage's room. He had studied Gage's chart and found that it noted a severe reaction to Morphine. Tearing the sheet from the record, the doctor had prepared a full syringe of the drug and was now on his way to administer it.
As he stood over his patient, he looked back at the security camera. Turning back to Gage, he shook his head. "I can't do this. I can't kill a patient." He jumped as his beeper went off. Latimier's number appeared on the screen.
David picked up the phone in Gage's room and dialed the too familiar number.
"Do it David. You're too close to back out now. Remember, the fate of your mother and sister rests with this act."
"How are you seeing me?" David asked, looking up at the security camera.
"I told you, I have eyes and ears all over the hospital. Now, do what needs to be done." He hung up.
David pulled the syringe from his pocket and introduced the drug to Gage's IV just as he heard the door open. "How is he doc?" Trivette asked.
Dr. Martin shook his head. "No change. I've just given him something for pain though. He'll need it when he wakes up."
Walker met the doctor in the hall. "Any change?"
David shook his head. "No."
Walker could tell that the doctor was on the verge of breaking down. "Doctor, what's wrong? Is it Gage?"
Dr. Martin nodded as he sank to the floor, crying. "Doctor, what's going on?"
"I've done something terrible." He said as alarms from the monitors suddenly sounded from Gage's room.
Trivette hit the call button. "He's coding!" He shouted. Before the nurse could respond, a team of medical personnel were in the room with a crash cart.
"You'll have to leave Ranger!" A nurse shoved him out the door.
Trivette saw Walker crouched down with the young doctor. "I gave him Morphine."
Trivette shook his head. "How much?"
"Just a little bit would have caused him to crash. It's in his chart." He pulled the crumpled piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to Walker.
"Why? Why would you take him into surgery to save his life, just to try to kill him later?" Walker asked.
"Travis Latimier. He said he would kill my mother and my sister if I didn't cooperate. Ranger Walker, I'm so sorry. I didn't know what to do. I . . ."
"Get yourself together and get in there and save his life!" Walker hauled the doctor to his feet by his coat collar.
Dr. Martin nodded. "I'll do what I can, but Walker, shut off the security cameras. I think Latimier is keeping tabs on me through them. He'll know if Ranger Gage pulls through."
********
Latimier stared with interest at his computer screen. He knew he had lucked out when he recruited Dobbs. He could hack into almost any system and getting into the computer at St. Matthews had been a cake walk.
He watched as Dr. Martin called for the paddles and hit Gage with a volt of electricity, making his body lift from the table. Latimier smiled as the line on the monitor stayed steady. "Good boy David. One less Ranger to worry about."
As he continued to watch, the screen went blank. "Dobbs! Dobbs, what happened?"
"We lost the connection. I'll get it back up."
********
Trivette had killed the power to the security cameras while Dr. Martin frantically continued to work with Gage until the monitor showed a rhythm. "We've got him back. Get him on a ventilator and into ICU."
Gage was quickly moved out of the room and as soon as the door closed, Dr. Martin arranged pillows on the bed in the position of a person. He then pulled a sheet over the pillows and nodded towards Trivette who restored the power to the cameras.
Latimier stared at the screen as the image of Gage's room returned. He smiled with content as he saw the monitor showing a flat line and the sheet pulled over the body on the bed.
Walker and Trivette stood at the bedside and lowered their heads as if mourning their young partner while Dr. Martin signed a chart with the time of death and then escorted the two Rangers from the room.
End Chapter 3 - To be continued