After dinner, Robin cleared the table and Rick sat down to watch a game on
TV with Robert, who
seemed to enjoy his yelling at the players. Cecilia went in to the kitchen
and insisted
on drying as Laurie washed the dishes. "Remember when you would help me at
home after the
boys' father died; we'd fix a snack for Rick or A.J. and you'd insist on
helping clean up?" Laurie's
eyes grew misty. "I think of Uncle Jack sometimes, I wasn't afraid of
Herman and Shirley until
after he was gone." She looked at Aunt Ceci. "I know you tried to adopt
me before we moved,
I kept writing letter after letter that I wanted to live with you and Rick
and A.J., I never knew she
destroyed them all". Cecilia hugged her , saying "I didn't know about your
letters. It was the not
knowing where you were and what was happening to you was what hurt, honey,
I'm so sorry you
had to go through all that by yourself".
Laurie smiled at her "At least I found you and the boys again, I guess it's all been worth it after all".
Rick came in at that moment ,"hey, don't I get a hug?" His mom ruffled his hair and said, "I'll let Laurie do the honors", flipping him her towel and going out to the living room. Laurie put her arms around Rick and whispered "Alone at last", kissing him. He was in the middle of reciprocating when the kitchen phone rang. Both of them groaned and then started laughing as Laurie reached for the receiver. "Hello?, It's A.J!". She handed him the phone and Rick swatted her as she slid past. "A.J., did you get a flight?"
Laurie exited the kitchen and put a bowl of popcorn down between Robert and Robin as they kept one eye on the TV and the other on their homework. She was putting on her jacket when Rick came out of the kitchen. "And where do you think you're going, miss?' She made a face at him. "Bedtime for the horses, I have to set the alarm and close up."
"I'll walk you over there, we have some unfinished, uh, business". "All right, but put your jacket on, there's frost in the air", she said. Robert looked up at them and grinned. "You're funny, you just want to look at the moonlight." Rick mussed his hair and smiled back at the boy. "That's the idea, kid, don't wait up".
Dodging a handful of popcorn, Laurie and Rick went out to the barn and she showed him the alarm system and interlinked smoke detectors. Going from stall to stall, they took turns covering the horses and throwing one measure of feed in each bin, then turned out all but one emergency light and locked the barn door.
Stopping between the barn and back of the house, they both gazed up at a crystal clear moon. Rick looked down at the girl next to him and pulled her into his arms for a kiss. "I love you, Rick,", she whispered, kissing him back, "You know stole my heart the day you picked me up from that sidewalk." "Yeah, you were all pigtails and skinned knees and, well so full of caring. Speaking of which."
After a final kiss, they linked arms and went into the warm house, finding the kids packing their schoolbags for the morning. Both were trying to hide grins and Cecilia, sewing a button onto Robin's sweater, pretended not to notice Rick's red cheeks as they parted ways and Laurie went to get some extra blankets.
Rick complained loudly enough about Robert's bunking it in the living room for Laurie to relent and let him take the sofa until A.J. came in the morning.
"I warn you, sir, I have to come through here at 5:30 to feed the horses and the chickens.", so if you hear me, just turn over and go back to sleep". She stopped in the doorway of her room, grinning at him as he tried to find a comfortable spot. "Good night, love", she whispered. He threw off his covers and came over to her, taking her face in his hands for a good night kiss. They heard Cecilia in the background, "Good night, Rick". "Night, Mom", he groaned, and watched Laurie go back to the room she was sharing with Robin.
If it was hard sleeping in the same place with Laurie, before, he thought, punching a pillow into shape, it's really going to fun now.
Rick woke to the sound of a rooster and after trying to ignore the bird, sat up to discover it was after 5:30 am and a light was on in the kitchen.
Pulling his robe on, he walked in to discover the coffee pot all ready to go. Peering through the window, he saw a figure go into the barn with a bucket. He shook his head in amazement at the girl who was used to sleeping in now getting up with, well, the chickens.
When Laurie came in from the chores, she was surprised to find breakfast already started. The sound of eggs being scrambled caught her attention, and coming around the corner of the kitchen, she found Rick pouring eggs into a pan. "Good Morning, Rick, you didn't have to get up yet", she yawned. Setting the pan on the stove, he turned and gathered her into his arms. "I did, and Good Morning to you too".
They had barely had time to kiss when a horn sounded outside. "Who could that be at this hour", Laurie said, reluctantly withdrawing from Rick's embrace. She started for the front door, only to have Rick go in front of her and peer through the window.
He turned with a smile, "Take a look for yourself", and she came around him to see A.J. climbing out of a sports car, bag in hand. "A.J., I thought he was flying in this afternoon", she said, unlatching the door.
"He told me he was trying to get the first flight in, guess he was successful", Rick grinned, following her out the door. They met the younger Simon on the porch and he greeted Laurie and his brother with hugs.
"I couldn't believe my luck", A.J. remarked later, following a hearty breakfast. "No traffic, no speed traps, only 45 minutes from Phoenix".
The kids were hanging on A.J., telling him about the horses and how they were all sold except 5. Cecilia was laughing at his expression when a horn sounded again outside.
"That's the school bus, time to go, kids", Laurie almost hated to break up the fun, but after an initial grumble, Robert and Robin went out the door to the tiny school bus and waved goodbye all the way down the road.
Once breakfast was cleared up, Rick and A.J. sat down with Laurie to compare the threatening notes she had received. The older Simon filled his brother in on what Chief Joseph had said, and after hearing about the other homeowners decision, A. J. cleared his throat.
"First off, I can't find any link to Willowby on this, but I did find some shady goings on with this Harvest Enterprises. They seem to clean up on acting as the middle man on sales of Indian land to the government for oil and gas. Their point man is Thomas Kingston, and his links to illegal energy fixing are pretty well known to the FBI. They are very interested in the situation and Dave Brown of the local office wants to be kept informed."
Laurie got up and pulling a file from her desk, handed it to A.J. "That explains this initial offer letter I got from Harvest, look at the letterhead and the signatures". The younger Simon took a glance at the paperwork and nodded. "You're right on the money, Laurie, Kingston is listed on the letterhead along with a John James and Edward Gomez. Who else handled your notes besides you, Rick and Chief Joseph?"
"No one, I didn't show them to anyone else, as a matter of fact I tried to use a tissue when I tried to compare them myself".
"Compare what?", Cecilia came in from the kitchen and looked at the three serious faces. Perching on the arm of Laurie's chair, she smiled and said "I know this wasn't just a spur of the moment vacation, darling, what's happened?" She glanced at Aunt Ceci. "I didn't mean to keep you in the dark, I really did want to see you and the guys. I got these notes, though." Laurie told her about the offer from the oil company and the subsequent threats that followed. Rick looked at his mom. "If I thought there was any danger to you, I would have told you, as it is we might have to tell the kids, just in case." She shook her head. "I think you underestimate them, Robert knows something is going on, he as much said he knows you're worried and he was glad you boys were here. I think Robin suspects getting out of school wasn't just a fluke, they both should know to be careful". Laurie reached up and hugged her. "Just when I think I have a clue on how to raise those two, Aunt Ceci."
"Nonsense, you're doing fine, remember, I've had a little more practice at it", Cecilia laughed, putting a hand on Rick's shoulder. A.J. grinned. "Yeah, Rick broke Mom In so she was really prepared for when I came along." "Yeah, well, at least I was never a dull kid!' Rick boasted, pulling his brother into a headlock. Laurie giggled at their shenanigans until Cecilia called a time out. "Listen, you three need a break, Laurie, why don't you show us the ranch by horseback?"
"That's a great idea, we have several horses that are broken in and I have to show you guys Lost Valley. I may have to give it up, so this might be my only opportunity to show it to you."
"Oh no, me and horses do not get along" A.J. groaned. "Why don't I call the office and get started on the fingerprints-you three run along and I'll even make lunch for the kids!"
"What a man after my own heart", Laurie teased, looking at Rick. "Flirt", he growled and swatted her as she went past.
After a half-hour in the saddle, Rick decided riding with the two women in his life was an adventure in itself. First his mom's horse threw a shoe, which Laurie promptly put back on using a heavy rock. Then his horse, wrongly named Fire as he had none, decided it didn't like him and tried to pitch him off several times. Of course Laurie made it worse by laughing at his attempts to make friends with Fire. It was almost worth it when they reached a small canyon, surrounded by fall follage of every color and covered with a eerie haze. Stopping several feet from the edge, she showed the two of them the secret path into the valley, where it was said the ghosts of the Navajo stood guard, only letting members of the Scott family in. "Why do you think you have to part with this place, its' like nothing I've ever seen", Cecilia said, breaking the silence.
Laurie shrugged. "Our property is just too big to maintain and this land borders the reservation, it could be used for a real hospital or cultural center. As it is, I had to call the sheriff last week for trespassers. I'll never sell it, of course, but Chief Joseph and I have talked about a straight donation. " The three of them stood in silence for a moment, then Laurie noticed how warm it was getting and said, "we'd better get back, the kids should be home soon. Mounting their horses, they started back to the main road.
About a mile from the ranch, Laurie suddenly stiffened. Rick looked at her "what's wrong, sweetheart?"
"Something's happened to the kids, we have to get to them", she gasped, and prodding Lightening, took off a a gallop. Hearing gunfire, Rick hurried to catch up with her, telling his mom to stay behind him. He had almost caught up with her at the bend in the road when he saw the van, with a man hanging out of the door dragging Robin kicking and screaming and Robert pulling at him.
Laurie leaned down to her saddle as she rode, and pulling out a length of rope, lassoed the man holding her niece, while yelling "Put her down!" Startled, the man dropped Robin in the dirt and was almost instantly caught by the lasso, dragging him out and onto the road. At the same time Rick spotted his brother in the doorway of the house, pinned down by the driver of the van who was keeping him at bay. He yelled for his brother to cover him and he flung himself off the horse and onto Robert and Robin, who were both on the ground away from their attacker. Instantly the van took off, leaving the roped man yelling in its wake. Laurie got off her horse and after seeing that the kids were safe with Rick, ran over to the man lying in the road. "Who the hell are you and what do you think you were doing!" She reached down and grabbed the rope, jerking him to his knees.
Suddenly she threw him back down."Eddie, Eddie Tree, why the h.., why did you try to take my kids". "You know who he is? " Rick got up and pushed her away from the would-be attacker. "Yeah, he's a local whose been in trouble before, but why .?" She turned away and fell on her knees, gathering a now sobbing Robin and Robert to her. Cecilia rode up at that moment, and after A.J. gave her a hand, she helped the teens up and walked them back to the house. Rick reached over and pulled Laurie up by her arm. "I need you to talk to him", he said quietly. She nodded. "Alright, Eddie, you want to face attempted kidnapping and assault charges all by your lonesome, that's fine with me." His defiant look changed and he quickly said "I wasn't going to hurt them, it was just to frighten you into selling, that's all. Maybe we can work out a deal."
"No promises, just tell us who's behind this and we'll see", she replied. "Meantime, I'm going to see if the sheriffs on his way before I forget myself and give you a taste of your own medicine". Rick tied him to the gate and stood watch for a few minutes until the reservation sheriff drove up. A tall, lanky man climbed out of the car, looked at the subdued criminal and extended a hand to Rick. "You must be Rick Simon, I'm Sheriff Gomez". "Sheriff", he acknowledged him. "This is one of two men who tried to kidnap Robert and Robin and almost succeeded, the other one got away in a white panel van". The sheriff looked at Tree, then at Rick. "Are the kids ok?" He nodded. "I think just shaken up, if Laurie hadn't gotten the idea there was a problem, it could have been bad. When we rode up, the driver had my brother pinned down and Robert was trying to stop this creep from dragging Robin inside the van." Gomez shook his head, then directed his gaze at Tree. "You blew it this time, man, really bad. This time you get your rights read and a ticket to prison for sure." He brought out the handcuffs and after untieing him from the fence, started to put him in the police car. "Wait a minute, sheriff, wait; I'll tell you who hired me, It was a guy named Kingston, he gave me $500 to grab the kids and another $500 to stash them".
Rick got in his face, "alright, who was the driver of the van and where can we find him?" Gomez started to push him away, then stopped. Tree saw that he was on his own and quickly replied "I don't know, honest, he picked me up in town and gave me an envelope with my money, he had some kind of paper with directions but I never saw it."
The sheriff turned to Rick. "Let me put this guy in my car, and then I need to talk to your brother and the kids. I already radioed in what your brother described on the phone, but ten to one that van is already abandoned some place." As the two men entered the house, they found Cecilia with the kids on the sofa, putting a band aid on Robin to cover a scrape. Both teens immediately got up and hugged Rick, with Robert adding "I don't know how you got Fire to move so fast, he doesn't gallop for most people". "Yeah, you must really be good with horses, Uncle Rick", Robin chimed in. She turned to the sheriff. "You should have seen Auntie, she lassoed that guy, just like you taught her, Uncle Rob". Rick looked over at Gomez, who grinned and explained "I taught Light how to throw a rope, she normally can't reach anything over 20 feet but I guess she did today. By the way, where is she".Cecilia spoke up. "She went to the kitchen to get something for the kids". Rick offered his chair to the sheriff, and called A.J. over so he could give his statement. Walking into the kitchen, he heard muffled sobs and found Laurie with her face buried in a kitchen towel, two glasses of juice next to her. He gently turned her towards him and let her cry on his shirt, whispering words of comfort to her until he felt her distress subside. Raising her face, he told her "the kids are alright now, they're safe. The sheriff's talking to them and A.J."
She tried to smile, but failed. "Rick, its not alright, the children could have been taken from us today and I should have seen it coming. It's not safe for them here, not until the council vote tomorrow." "Honey, it's not your fault, heck, if you hadn't had that, premonition, feeling, whatever, they could have been gone, but you know A.J. wouldn't have let that happen". She wiped her eyes with the towel, determination replacing the tears. "I know, you guys saved them almost at the expense of your own life, but I can't keep risking them or you. I think I should take Aunt Ceci and the kids to town, at least for tonight. I could stay here with you and we could maybe come up with some answers as to catching the van driver and proving Kingston is behind all this".
Rick picked up the glasses of juice and a couple of bottle of soda, then meeting Laurie's gaze, replied, "I think you have something, except Mom may not go quietly. If it's just for tonight, she might agree, if only to give some support to Rob and Robin." She let out a sigh, then leaned over and kissed his cheek. The two of them left the kitchen, finding Robin and A.J. still talking to the sheriff. Handing the juice and soda around, Rick noticed Robert was nowhere to be seen. A.J. met his gaze and jerked his head toward the bedroom. Rick suddenly understood and going down the hall, knocked on the boy's door.
A muffled "yes", answered him, and entering the room, he found Robert with his head down, sitting on the edge of his bed. Plopping down next to him, Rick quietly told him "You were pretty brave out there today, keeping those men from taking your sister." Robert shook his head. "I wasn't brave, Uncle Rick, I was stupid. I should have made sure Robin was inside before I went to see what that dumb Eddie Tree wanted. Chief Joseph said he was following the wrong path, I guess he meant doing bad stuff. I heard him call to us that he had to deliver a message to Aunt Laurie. I should have stopped Robin from going to the gate, that's when he grabbed her. I was so afraid I wouldn't be strong enough to pull her back, he wouldn't let go until Auntie lassoed him." Rick put his arm around the boy's shoulder. "You weren't stupid, kid, you haven't been around people like Tree enough to see they would be the last to deliver a real message to your Aunt. You did the right thing in fighting with him, you gave A.J. a chance to try to hold them off or driving away until we got there."
Robert gazed at him. "Honest?" Rick grinned and wrapped him in a bear hug. "Honest, Rob, you're a pretty strong guy. That's what you have to be in this world to protect your family". He stood up and pulled Robert up with him. "Now, I think it's time you and your sister heard why this all happened and the plan your Aunt has to make sure this doesn't happen again".
Considering everything they had been through, Rick thought Robert and Robin took Laurie's explaination of why someone was trying to force them into selling pretty well. What Robin didn't seem to understand is why they had to go into town. "After all," she said, "What if one of these bad men try to hurt us in town?" Laurie shook her head. "That's not going to happen, because you and Robert and Aunt Ceci are going to be at Chief Joseph's home; I don't think anyone is going to mess with him, do you?" "No way", Robert grinned, "the Chief is too tough for anyone to try anything, remember Robin, he's a warrior". "Besides", Laurie whispered to the teens, "I want Aunt Ceci to be safe and she won't go to town without you, ok, I know you'll keep an eye on her, too" Robin straightened up importantly. "She'll be fine with us. Come on, Aunt Ceci, I'll help you pack if you like". Cecilia put an arm around the girl. "Thank you, sweetheart, I'd like that".
Later, Rick went over and over why he or A.J. didn't go to town with Laurie. "I'll be back in 20 minutes or so, in fact I'll call you from the Sheriff's office to let you know if Rob's got any new information", she had told him. He gave her a hug and she kissed him, whispering "I'll hurry back.". Watching her drive off with Cecilia and the kids waving, A.J. spoke from the doorway. "You really love her, don't you?" Rick turned, grinning sheepishly at his brother. "Yeah, I do, I don't know what's going to happen with us, but I know it will never be boring!" A. J. laughed, then put his arm around his brother. "I kind of like her too, Rick. She always makes me feel important, like." "King of the world."Rick finished, heading inside to the kitchen and pulling a soda from the fridge. Sitting at the kitchen table, he and A.J. started to go over the information on Harvest Enterprise, in case there was a link to the driver of the getaway van hidden in the myriad corporate statements. Suddenly, Rick saw the answer staring them in the face. "A.J., look at that corporate letterhead again, see the name "Eddie Gomez", Laurie says that's a name Eddie Tree used to go by. What if this "John James" is the name of the van driver?" A.J. picked up the letter, and after comparing it with the corporate literature he had received in Phoenix, looked at his brother and smiled. "Nice work, Rick, it was there all along, the hit squad is the whole company, low overhead, only splitting profits 3 ways, ."
The phone interrupted him, and snatching it before his brother, A.J. answered "Scott residence". Rick could hear the laughter across the table. "A.J., you make a great receptionist. Can I talk to your brother?" He heaved an exaggerated sign. "All right, but you're missing your chance to talk to me instead.." Rick growled, "give me that phone", and taking it from A.J., said "don't encourage him, he'll only get a big head. Is everybody settled in?". "Yes, Rick, and boy, talk about small world time. Did you know your Dad served with the Chief in Korea?"
Rick shot a look at his brother, then replied "No, how did this come out?"
"Aunt Ceci recognized him, she knew him by Joe Windwalker. He used to send off your Dad's letters when he was on recon patrol. She still has a picture of the two of them on leave, guess it must be pretty funny cause they're laughing about it. Listen, I'm going to start back before it gets dark, so I should be there in half an hour, ok?" "Alright, sweetheart, be careful and don't stop for anything." He replaced the receiver, then answered A.J.'s quizzical stare with "this gets weirder and weirder". He told A.J. about Chief Joseph being the "Joe" their Dad had mentioned in conversation about his service years. A.J. sat lost in thought for a minute, then, "That explains his knowing who you were when you first came to town, Laurie must have told him something about us, but when Dad used to talk about how the Indians were the real good guys, I used to ask how he knew, and he said his best friend in the service was an real Indian."
The phone rang, and Rick grabbed, it thinking Laurie had forgotten something.
"Rick, honey, you've got to come, someone's taken Laurie".
"Mom?". It took him a moment to recognize the frantic voice.
"Hurry, a car with two men, one of them dragged her in."
A.J. took the phone from him. "We're on our way".
Rick shook himself and grabbing his holster, ran for the door, only stopping to make sure the door was locked behind them.
A.J. got behind the wheel of the rental and waited for Rick to close the gate behind him. As he got in the car, the younger Simon glanced at him and said "They can't have gone far, we'll get her back". Rick just shook his head, muttering , "I shouldn't have let her go by herself."
Driving toward town, A.J. broke the silence. "If anyone should be kicking themselves, it should be me, I could have gone with Laurie. I, well , I never thought this Kingston would go this far". Rick just sat there, then ..
"She's just a pawn, A.J, they'll try to force the council to sign off on the sale of the Gomez property, maybe even say she agreed to sell hers. If we don't find her, .."
"We will". It was a statement, not a guess.
Pulling into the parking lot next to the tribal center, they saw a frantic Cecilia running toward the car. Stopping next to Rick, she panted, "the sheriff took off after them about 10 minutes ago, heading toward the next town". Rick motioned her to back up and as they were about to drive away, he saw the bullet holes in the jeep, door open and Laurie's purse on the ground. Swallowing hard, he said "Mom, can you take her purse inside, stay with the kids."
They drove down the street and headed toward the highway for about 10 minutes. Coming around the bend toward Highway 40, A.J. screeched to a halt, as sillowetted in the setting sun was the sheriff's car off the shoulder of the road. Flames were starting to come out of the hood, so Rick jumped out and pulled a dazed Rob out of the car, then popped the hood open and squirted it with the extinguisher from the rental.
A.J. pulled out a bottle of water and handed it to the sheriff , now half sitting on their car. Nodding his thanks, he downed the liquid, then looked at the younger Simon.
"I'm sorry, they got away with her. I had almost caught up with them when a shotgun blast torn away my tires. I thought for sure I was going to flip over, but instead I caught the edge of the road." He slammed his hand on the car. "Damn it, I should have seen this coming, this is bigger then anything I've ever had to handle. These guys are killers, I could have insisted Laurie stay put and I would have picked up your mom and the kids, but no." Rick came over and grabbed him by the shoulder. "Look, Rob, all of us should have thought twice about letting her out of our sight, but the important thing is we need to find her before that council meeting tomorrow."
He looked at both Simons, blew out a breath, and said, "Ok, let me see my radio still works and call a tow truck. If I raise Andy, maybe its not too late to get a perimeter set up between here and the border."
After successfully jury-rigging his radio, Rob made his calls then climbed into the car and they headed back toward Silver Rock. Pulling into the police station, The three men hopped out and headed in, only to find the deputy coming out to greet them. He looked at Rob and then Rick, then said "This was left on the counter about 5 minutes ago, nobody saw who dropped it" He held out his hand to show them a note wrapped around a small object. Rob took it by the corners, then opened it to see a watch. Rick bit back a swear word.
Laurie's watch. The watch that the OSI had given her several years ago, with a locator beacon built in. He took it and saw a smear of blood on the links. He looked up at A.J. "They must have had to force it off her'. His brother put his hand on Rick's shoulder as Rob showed both of them the note.
"No FBI. No Government.
The Tribal Council signs off on the sale of the Gomez and Scott lands tomorrow or Laurie Scott is dead.
Instructions will follow.
Laurie smiled at her "At least I found you and the boys again, I guess it's all been worth it after all".
Rick came in at that moment ,"hey, don't I get a hug?" His mom ruffled his hair and said, "I'll let Laurie do the honors", flipping him her towel and going out to the living room. Laurie put her arms around Rick and whispered "Alone at last", kissing him. He was in the middle of reciprocating when the kitchen phone rang. Both of them groaned and then started laughing as Laurie reached for the receiver. "Hello?, It's A.J!". She handed him the phone and Rick swatted her as she slid past. "A.J., did you get a flight?"
Laurie exited the kitchen and put a bowl of popcorn down between Robert and Robin as they kept one eye on the TV and the other on their homework. She was putting on her jacket when Rick came out of the kitchen. "And where do you think you're going, miss?' She made a face at him. "Bedtime for the horses, I have to set the alarm and close up."
"I'll walk you over there, we have some unfinished, uh, business". "All right, but put your jacket on, there's frost in the air", she said. Robert looked up at them and grinned. "You're funny, you just want to look at the moonlight." Rick mussed his hair and smiled back at the boy. "That's the idea, kid, don't wait up".
Dodging a handful of popcorn, Laurie and Rick went out to the barn and she showed him the alarm system and interlinked smoke detectors. Going from stall to stall, they took turns covering the horses and throwing one measure of feed in each bin, then turned out all but one emergency light and locked the barn door.
Stopping between the barn and back of the house, they both gazed up at a crystal clear moon. Rick looked down at the girl next to him and pulled her into his arms for a kiss. "I love you, Rick,", she whispered, kissing him back, "You know stole my heart the day you picked me up from that sidewalk." "Yeah, you were all pigtails and skinned knees and, well so full of caring. Speaking of which."
After a final kiss, they linked arms and went into the warm house, finding the kids packing their schoolbags for the morning. Both were trying to hide grins and Cecilia, sewing a button onto Robin's sweater, pretended not to notice Rick's red cheeks as they parted ways and Laurie went to get some extra blankets.
Rick complained loudly enough about Robert's bunking it in the living room for Laurie to relent and let him take the sofa until A.J. came in the morning.
"I warn you, sir, I have to come through here at 5:30 to feed the horses and the chickens.", so if you hear me, just turn over and go back to sleep". She stopped in the doorway of her room, grinning at him as he tried to find a comfortable spot. "Good night, love", she whispered. He threw off his covers and came over to her, taking her face in his hands for a good night kiss. They heard Cecilia in the background, "Good night, Rick". "Night, Mom", he groaned, and watched Laurie go back to the room she was sharing with Robin.
If it was hard sleeping in the same place with Laurie, before, he thought, punching a pillow into shape, it's really going to fun now.
Rick woke to the sound of a rooster and after trying to ignore the bird, sat up to discover it was after 5:30 am and a light was on in the kitchen.
Pulling his robe on, he walked in to discover the coffee pot all ready to go. Peering through the window, he saw a figure go into the barn with a bucket. He shook his head in amazement at the girl who was used to sleeping in now getting up with, well, the chickens.
When Laurie came in from the chores, she was surprised to find breakfast already started. The sound of eggs being scrambled caught her attention, and coming around the corner of the kitchen, she found Rick pouring eggs into a pan. "Good Morning, Rick, you didn't have to get up yet", she yawned. Setting the pan on the stove, he turned and gathered her into his arms. "I did, and Good Morning to you too".
They had barely had time to kiss when a horn sounded outside. "Who could that be at this hour", Laurie said, reluctantly withdrawing from Rick's embrace. She started for the front door, only to have Rick go in front of her and peer through the window.
He turned with a smile, "Take a look for yourself", and she came around him to see A.J. climbing out of a sports car, bag in hand. "A.J., I thought he was flying in this afternoon", she said, unlatching the door.
"He told me he was trying to get the first flight in, guess he was successful", Rick grinned, following her out the door. They met the younger Simon on the porch and he greeted Laurie and his brother with hugs.
"I couldn't believe my luck", A.J. remarked later, following a hearty breakfast. "No traffic, no speed traps, only 45 minutes from Phoenix".
The kids were hanging on A.J., telling him about the horses and how they were all sold except 5. Cecilia was laughing at his expression when a horn sounded again outside.
"That's the school bus, time to go, kids", Laurie almost hated to break up the fun, but after an initial grumble, Robert and Robin went out the door to the tiny school bus and waved goodbye all the way down the road.
Once breakfast was cleared up, Rick and A.J. sat down with Laurie to compare the threatening notes she had received. The older Simon filled his brother in on what Chief Joseph had said, and after hearing about the other homeowners decision, A. J. cleared his throat.
"First off, I can't find any link to Willowby on this, but I did find some shady goings on with this Harvest Enterprises. They seem to clean up on acting as the middle man on sales of Indian land to the government for oil and gas. Their point man is Thomas Kingston, and his links to illegal energy fixing are pretty well known to the FBI. They are very interested in the situation and Dave Brown of the local office wants to be kept informed."
Laurie got up and pulling a file from her desk, handed it to A.J. "That explains this initial offer letter I got from Harvest, look at the letterhead and the signatures". The younger Simon took a glance at the paperwork and nodded. "You're right on the money, Laurie, Kingston is listed on the letterhead along with a John James and Edward Gomez. Who else handled your notes besides you, Rick and Chief Joseph?"
"No one, I didn't show them to anyone else, as a matter of fact I tried to use a tissue when I tried to compare them myself".
"Compare what?", Cecilia came in from the kitchen and looked at the three serious faces. Perching on the arm of Laurie's chair, she smiled and said "I know this wasn't just a spur of the moment vacation, darling, what's happened?" She glanced at Aunt Ceci. "I didn't mean to keep you in the dark, I really did want to see you and the guys. I got these notes, though." Laurie told her about the offer from the oil company and the subsequent threats that followed. Rick looked at his mom. "If I thought there was any danger to you, I would have told you, as it is we might have to tell the kids, just in case." She shook her head. "I think you underestimate them, Robert knows something is going on, he as much said he knows you're worried and he was glad you boys were here. I think Robin suspects getting out of school wasn't just a fluke, they both should know to be careful". Laurie reached up and hugged her. "Just when I think I have a clue on how to raise those two, Aunt Ceci."
"Nonsense, you're doing fine, remember, I've had a little more practice at it", Cecilia laughed, putting a hand on Rick's shoulder. A.J. grinned. "Yeah, Rick broke Mom In so she was really prepared for when I came along." "Yeah, well, at least I was never a dull kid!' Rick boasted, pulling his brother into a headlock. Laurie giggled at their shenanigans until Cecilia called a time out. "Listen, you three need a break, Laurie, why don't you show us the ranch by horseback?"
"That's a great idea, we have several horses that are broken in and I have to show you guys Lost Valley. I may have to give it up, so this might be my only opportunity to show it to you."
"Oh no, me and horses do not get along" A.J. groaned. "Why don't I call the office and get started on the fingerprints-you three run along and I'll even make lunch for the kids!"
"What a man after my own heart", Laurie teased, looking at Rick. "Flirt", he growled and swatted her as she went past.
After a half-hour in the saddle, Rick decided riding with the two women in his life was an adventure in itself. First his mom's horse threw a shoe, which Laurie promptly put back on using a heavy rock. Then his horse, wrongly named Fire as he had none, decided it didn't like him and tried to pitch him off several times. Of course Laurie made it worse by laughing at his attempts to make friends with Fire. It was almost worth it when they reached a small canyon, surrounded by fall follage of every color and covered with a eerie haze. Stopping several feet from the edge, she showed the two of them the secret path into the valley, where it was said the ghosts of the Navajo stood guard, only letting members of the Scott family in. "Why do you think you have to part with this place, its' like nothing I've ever seen", Cecilia said, breaking the silence.
Laurie shrugged. "Our property is just too big to maintain and this land borders the reservation, it could be used for a real hospital or cultural center. As it is, I had to call the sheriff last week for trespassers. I'll never sell it, of course, but Chief Joseph and I have talked about a straight donation. " The three of them stood in silence for a moment, then Laurie noticed how warm it was getting and said, "we'd better get back, the kids should be home soon. Mounting their horses, they started back to the main road.
About a mile from the ranch, Laurie suddenly stiffened. Rick looked at her "what's wrong, sweetheart?"
"Something's happened to the kids, we have to get to them", she gasped, and prodding Lightening, took off a a gallop. Hearing gunfire, Rick hurried to catch up with her, telling his mom to stay behind him. He had almost caught up with her at the bend in the road when he saw the van, with a man hanging out of the door dragging Robin kicking and screaming and Robert pulling at him.
Laurie leaned down to her saddle as she rode, and pulling out a length of rope, lassoed the man holding her niece, while yelling "Put her down!" Startled, the man dropped Robin in the dirt and was almost instantly caught by the lasso, dragging him out and onto the road. At the same time Rick spotted his brother in the doorway of the house, pinned down by the driver of the van who was keeping him at bay. He yelled for his brother to cover him and he flung himself off the horse and onto Robert and Robin, who were both on the ground away from their attacker. Instantly the van took off, leaving the roped man yelling in its wake. Laurie got off her horse and after seeing that the kids were safe with Rick, ran over to the man lying in the road. "Who the hell are you and what do you think you were doing!" She reached down and grabbed the rope, jerking him to his knees.
Suddenly she threw him back down."Eddie, Eddie Tree, why the h.., why did you try to take my kids". "You know who he is? " Rick got up and pushed her away from the would-be attacker. "Yeah, he's a local whose been in trouble before, but why .?" She turned away and fell on her knees, gathering a now sobbing Robin and Robert to her. Cecilia rode up at that moment, and after A.J. gave her a hand, she helped the teens up and walked them back to the house. Rick reached over and pulled Laurie up by her arm. "I need you to talk to him", he said quietly. She nodded. "Alright, Eddie, you want to face attempted kidnapping and assault charges all by your lonesome, that's fine with me." His defiant look changed and he quickly said "I wasn't going to hurt them, it was just to frighten you into selling, that's all. Maybe we can work out a deal."
"No promises, just tell us who's behind this and we'll see", she replied. "Meantime, I'm going to see if the sheriffs on his way before I forget myself and give you a taste of your own medicine". Rick tied him to the gate and stood watch for a few minutes until the reservation sheriff drove up. A tall, lanky man climbed out of the car, looked at the subdued criminal and extended a hand to Rick. "You must be Rick Simon, I'm Sheriff Gomez". "Sheriff", he acknowledged him. "This is one of two men who tried to kidnap Robert and Robin and almost succeeded, the other one got away in a white panel van". The sheriff looked at Tree, then at Rick. "Are the kids ok?" He nodded. "I think just shaken up, if Laurie hadn't gotten the idea there was a problem, it could have been bad. When we rode up, the driver had my brother pinned down and Robert was trying to stop this creep from dragging Robin inside the van." Gomez shook his head, then directed his gaze at Tree. "You blew it this time, man, really bad. This time you get your rights read and a ticket to prison for sure." He brought out the handcuffs and after untieing him from the fence, started to put him in the police car. "Wait a minute, sheriff, wait; I'll tell you who hired me, It was a guy named Kingston, he gave me $500 to grab the kids and another $500 to stash them".
Rick got in his face, "alright, who was the driver of the van and where can we find him?" Gomez started to push him away, then stopped. Tree saw that he was on his own and quickly replied "I don't know, honest, he picked me up in town and gave me an envelope with my money, he had some kind of paper with directions but I never saw it."
The sheriff turned to Rick. "Let me put this guy in my car, and then I need to talk to your brother and the kids. I already radioed in what your brother described on the phone, but ten to one that van is already abandoned some place." As the two men entered the house, they found Cecilia with the kids on the sofa, putting a band aid on Robin to cover a scrape. Both teens immediately got up and hugged Rick, with Robert adding "I don't know how you got Fire to move so fast, he doesn't gallop for most people". "Yeah, you must really be good with horses, Uncle Rick", Robin chimed in. She turned to the sheriff. "You should have seen Auntie, she lassoed that guy, just like you taught her, Uncle Rob". Rick looked over at Gomez, who grinned and explained "I taught Light how to throw a rope, she normally can't reach anything over 20 feet but I guess she did today. By the way, where is she".Cecilia spoke up. "She went to the kitchen to get something for the kids". Rick offered his chair to the sheriff, and called A.J. over so he could give his statement. Walking into the kitchen, he heard muffled sobs and found Laurie with her face buried in a kitchen towel, two glasses of juice next to her. He gently turned her towards him and let her cry on his shirt, whispering words of comfort to her until he felt her distress subside. Raising her face, he told her "the kids are alright now, they're safe. The sheriff's talking to them and A.J."
She tried to smile, but failed. "Rick, its not alright, the children could have been taken from us today and I should have seen it coming. It's not safe for them here, not until the council vote tomorrow." "Honey, it's not your fault, heck, if you hadn't had that, premonition, feeling, whatever, they could have been gone, but you know A.J. wouldn't have let that happen". She wiped her eyes with the towel, determination replacing the tears. "I know, you guys saved them almost at the expense of your own life, but I can't keep risking them or you. I think I should take Aunt Ceci and the kids to town, at least for tonight. I could stay here with you and we could maybe come up with some answers as to catching the van driver and proving Kingston is behind all this".
Rick picked up the glasses of juice and a couple of bottle of soda, then meeting Laurie's gaze, replied, "I think you have something, except Mom may not go quietly. If it's just for tonight, she might agree, if only to give some support to Rob and Robin." She let out a sigh, then leaned over and kissed his cheek. The two of them left the kitchen, finding Robin and A.J. still talking to the sheriff. Handing the juice and soda around, Rick noticed Robert was nowhere to be seen. A.J. met his gaze and jerked his head toward the bedroom. Rick suddenly understood and going down the hall, knocked on the boy's door.
A muffled "yes", answered him, and entering the room, he found Robert with his head down, sitting on the edge of his bed. Plopping down next to him, Rick quietly told him "You were pretty brave out there today, keeping those men from taking your sister." Robert shook his head. "I wasn't brave, Uncle Rick, I was stupid. I should have made sure Robin was inside before I went to see what that dumb Eddie Tree wanted. Chief Joseph said he was following the wrong path, I guess he meant doing bad stuff. I heard him call to us that he had to deliver a message to Aunt Laurie. I should have stopped Robin from going to the gate, that's when he grabbed her. I was so afraid I wouldn't be strong enough to pull her back, he wouldn't let go until Auntie lassoed him." Rick put his arm around the boy's shoulder. "You weren't stupid, kid, you haven't been around people like Tree enough to see they would be the last to deliver a real message to your Aunt. You did the right thing in fighting with him, you gave A.J. a chance to try to hold them off or driving away until we got there."
Robert gazed at him. "Honest?" Rick grinned and wrapped him in a bear hug. "Honest, Rob, you're a pretty strong guy. That's what you have to be in this world to protect your family". He stood up and pulled Robert up with him. "Now, I think it's time you and your sister heard why this all happened and the plan your Aunt has to make sure this doesn't happen again".
Considering everything they had been through, Rick thought Robert and Robin took Laurie's explaination of why someone was trying to force them into selling pretty well. What Robin didn't seem to understand is why they had to go into town. "After all," she said, "What if one of these bad men try to hurt us in town?" Laurie shook her head. "That's not going to happen, because you and Robert and Aunt Ceci are going to be at Chief Joseph's home; I don't think anyone is going to mess with him, do you?" "No way", Robert grinned, "the Chief is too tough for anyone to try anything, remember Robin, he's a warrior". "Besides", Laurie whispered to the teens, "I want Aunt Ceci to be safe and she won't go to town without you, ok, I know you'll keep an eye on her, too" Robin straightened up importantly. "She'll be fine with us. Come on, Aunt Ceci, I'll help you pack if you like". Cecilia put an arm around the girl. "Thank you, sweetheart, I'd like that".
Later, Rick went over and over why he or A.J. didn't go to town with Laurie. "I'll be back in 20 minutes or so, in fact I'll call you from the Sheriff's office to let you know if Rob's got any new information", she had told him. He gave her a hug and she kissed him, whispering "I'll hurry back.". Watching her drive off with Cecilia and the kids waving, A.J. spoke from the doorway. "You really love her, don't you?" Rick turned, grinning sheepishly at his brother. "Yeah, I do, I don't know what's going to happen with us, but I know it will never be boring!" A. J. laughed, then put his arm around his brother. "I kind of like her too, Rick. She always makes me feel important, like." "King of the world."Rick finished, heading inside to the kitchen and pulling a soda from the fridge. Sitting at the kitchen table, he and A.J. started to go over the information on Harvest Enterprise, in case there was a link to the driver of the getaway van hidden in the myriad corporate statements. Suddenly, Rick saw the answer staring them in the face. "A.J., look at that corporate letterhead again, see the name "Eddie Gomez", Laurie says that's a name Eddie Tree used to go by. What if this "John James" is the name of the van driver?" A.J. picked up the letter, and after comparing it with the corporate literature he had received in Phoenix, looked at his brother and smiled. "Nice work, Rick, it was there all along, the hit squad is the whole company, low overhead, only splitting profits 3 ways, ."
The phone interrupted him, and snatching it before his brother, A.J. answered "Scott residence". Rick could hear the laughter across the table. "A.J., you make a great receptionist. Can I talk to your brother?" He heaved an exaggerated sign. "All right, but you're missing your chance to talk to me instead.." Rick growled, "give me that phone", and taking it from A.J., said "don't encourage him, he'll only get a big head. Is everybody settled in?". "Yes, Rick, and boy, talk about small world time. Did you know your Dad served with the Chief in Korea?"
Rick shot a look at his brother, then replied "No, how did this come out?"
"Aunt Ceci recognized him, she knew him by Joe Windwalker. He used to send off your Dad's letters when he was on recon patrol. She still has a picture of the two of them on leave, guess it must be pretty funny cause they're laughing about it. Listen, I'm going to start back before it gets dark, so I should be there in half an hour, ok?" "Alright, sweetheart, be careful and don't stop for anything." He replaced the receiver, then answered A.J.'s quizzical stare with "this gets weirder and weirder". He told A.J. about Chief Joseph being the "Joe" their Dad had mentioned in conversation about his service years. A.J. sat lost in thought for a minute, then, "That explains his knowing who you were when you first came to town, Laurie must have told him something about us, but when Dad used to talk about how the Indians were the real good guys, I used to ask how he knew, and he said his best friend in the service was an real Indian."
The phone rang, and Rick grabbed, it thinking Laurie had forgotten something.
"Rick, honey, you've got to come, someone's taken Laurie".
"Mom?". It took him a moment to recognize the frantic voice.
"Hurry, a car with two men, one of them dragged her in."
A.J. took the phone from him. "We're on our way".
Rick shook himself and grabbing his holster, ran for the door, only stopping to make sure the door was locked behind them.
A.J. got behind the wheel of the rental and waited for Rick to close the gate behind him. As he got in the car, the younger Simon glanced at him and said "They can't have gone far, we'll get her back". Rick just shook his head, muttering , "I shouldn't have let her go by herself."
Driving toward town, A.J. broke the silence. "If anyone should be kicking themselves, it should be me, I could have gone with Laurie. I, well , I never thought this Kingston would go this far". Rick just sat there, then ..
"She's just a pawn, A.J, they'll try to force the council to sign off on the sale of the Gomez property, maybe even say she agreed to sell hers. If we don't find her, .."
"We will". It was a statement, not a guess.
Pulling into the parking lot next to the tribal center, they saw a frantic Cecilia running toward the car. Stopping next to Rick, she panted, "the sheriff took off after them about 10 minutes ago, heading toward the next town". Rick motioned her to back up and as they were about to drive away, he saw the bullet holes in the jeep, door open and Laurie's purse on the ground. Swallowing hard, he said "Mom, can you take her purse inside, stay with the kids."
They drove down the street and headed toward the highway for about 10 minutes. Coming around the bend toward Highway 40, A.J. screeched to a halt, as sillowetted in the setting sun was the sheriff's car off the shoulder of the road. Flames were starting to come out of the hood, so Rick jumped out and pulled a dazed Rob out of the car, then popped the hood open and squirted it with the extinguisher from the rental.
A.J. pulled out a bottle of water and handed it to the sheriff , now half sitting on their car. Nodding his thanks, he downed the liquid, then looked at the younger Simon.
"I'm sorry, they got away with her. I had almost caught up with them when a shotgun blast torn away my tires. I thought for sure I was going to flip over, but instead I caught the edge of the road." He slammed his hand on the car. "Damn it, I should have seen this coming, this is bigger then anything I've ever had to handle. These guys are killers, I could have insisted Laurie stay put and I would have picked up your mom and the kids, but no." Rick came over and grabbed him by the shoulder. "Look, Rob, all of us should have thought twice about letting her out of our sight, but the important thing is we need to find her before that council meeting tomorrow."
He looked at both Simons, blew out a breath, and said, "Ok, let me see my radio still works and call a tow truck. If I raise Andy, maybe its not too late to get a perimeter set up between here and the border."
After successfully jury-rigging his radio, Rob made his calls then climbed into the car and they headed back toward Silver Rock. Pulling into the police station, The three men hopped out and headed in, only to find the deputy coming out to greet them. He looked at Rob and then Rick, then said "This was left on the counter about 5 minutes ago, nobody saw who dropped it" He held out his hand to show them a note wrapped around a small object. Rob took it by the corners, then opened it to see a watch. Rick bit back a swear word.
Laurie's watch. The watch that the OSI had given her several years ago, with a locator beacon built in. He took it and saw a smear of blood on the links. He looked up at A.J. "They must have had to force it off her'. His brother put his hand on Rick's shoulder as Rob showed both of them the note.
"No FBI. No Government.
The Tribal Council signs off on the sale of the Gomez and Scott lands tomorrow or Laurie Scott is dead.
Instructions will follow.