~Chapter Three~
Sydney moved the shower curtain slightly and stepped in Gage stood letting the hot water beat down on him his eyes closed. For a few minutes Syd stood unmoving her eyes roving over his body her mind on the conversation she had just had with her father. She reached her hand out to touch him letting it drop to her side without making contact.
"Honey?" Gage's eyes had opened seeing her there he reached out and took her into his arms.
Melting against him Syd remained motionless the feel of his touch soothing her. "What is it Hon? Who was on the phone?" he asked patiently waiting for an answer silence falling between them.
"I should never have taken you there," she whispered her hands resting on his chest with her head, his arms encircling her close.
"Hey Shorty talk to me," Gage urged.
"My father," she sighed out.
"Your father is that who was on the phone?" Gage asked not sure if he really wanted to hear what Joseph Cooke had to say.
Her silence answered Gage's question. "What did he want Syd?"
"To let me know I can't let this relationship go on this way. That this living in sin would never do… if we couldn't do something about it we didn't need to come… home…" the words choked in her throat.
"Sydney let's tell him we're engaged…"
"No he isn't going to bully us into this," she spat out with fight in her voice leaning back to look in Gage's face. She let her tone soften catching his eyes as she spoke, "Gage I just wanted you to speak from your heart… to want to marry me because I was that important to you… that you loved me that much… Not that Joseph Cooke was insisting and making our lives miserable because we didn't."
Bringing his hand to her cheek Gage gently stroked it. "Sydney this is from my heart… I want to marry you and not because your father is insisting either. I love you Honey I want us to be married. As soon as this assignment is over I'm going to do it right. You are the most important person in my life and I do love you that much."
Lifting her chin he let his lips meet hers in an ardent kiss the steamy shower water raining down on them all the while.
A Few Moments Later…
The phone was ringing as Gage shut off the water. "I'll get it," he said stepping past Syd grabbing a towel to wrap around his waist. "Jeff Stevens," she heard him say into the phone wrapping her hair in a towel and another around her petite body before joining him in the other room.
"Bobby I wasn't expecting to hear from you tonight," Gage told him continuing to speak into the phone. "Callie and I were just getting ready to go out and get a bite to eat. Sign the contracts… just a sec let me get a pen so I can write this down."
Tossing a pen to him Syd watched as he scribbled down some information on hotel stationary. "Well thank you Bobby I look forward to meeting with you, Callie and I will see you out there a little later," Gage was winding down the conversation only to pause a moment. "I appreciate that but Callie is my good luck charm I don't need you to fix me up with some female company I'm quite happy with our arrangement." Again Gage paused and listened. "Maybe we could just sign those contracts in your office tomorrow," Gage told him Syd making a slight face as she listened. "Good night Bobby," Gage finished the conversation.
Putting the phone back in its cradle Gage stood silently in thought. "What was that all about?" Syd questioned having waited a few moments for Gage to speak.
"Our owner Bobby Hollander just invited me out to his summer home on the lake to sign the contracts and to partake in some female entertainment," her partner told her reaching out for her pulling her in front of him between his legs.
"Maybe you should have went," Syd told him biting her lip very glad he had decided against it.
"Oh we're still going Syd I have the directions out there right here in my hand," Gage smiled at her his hands moving over the towel to rub her body beneath it.
Her arms went round his neck as she brought her forehead against his. "Not if you keep doing that we aren't," she told him with a laugh.
Grasping her he held tight to her falling back on the bed with her.
"Francis so help me," she yelled.
Bobby Hollander's Summer Home
They could see the lights to the Hollander's place up ahead it was at the end of a dead end road. Gage pulled to the side of the road both he and Syd quietly getting out of the car. Gage had called Walker to inform him that they were going to check out Hollander's little party before they had left the hotel. "Be careful Gage," Walker had warned before hanging up the phone.
The night was cold Gage moved up close to Syd as they stole silently towards the house. The music and the people were loud, guns drawn the partners took positions either side of a small window enabling then to peer in. Inside were a dozen or more men and women in compromising positions; both the liquor and the cocaine were flowing freely.
Catching Syd's eye he motioned her to follow him away from the window when suddenly a door flew open and Lindy Tameron pushed her way out side. Syd gave Gage a quick shove into the cover of the shadows stumbling against him just in time to duck out of sight.
Bobby Hollander was only a step behind Lindy grabbing her arm he spun her around Lindy immediately reacting slapped Hollander hard across the face. "You bastard," she shrieked Hollander grabbing her wrist preventing her from striking him again.
"Lindy you were just suppose to keep Donnie happy take care of his physical needs and you got paid very well for those services. But what did you do you went and fell in love with Donnie, you had to tell Donnie everything; you had to spoil it all. I had to do some tall talking to keep you alive my people aren't happy with you," Hollander recited to her.
"Are you threatening me?" Lindy demanded not backing down an inch.
Grabbing her chin Hollander brought her face up to meet his. "Me threaten you come now Lindy you know I'd never do that," he snickered slightly before forcing his lips down on hers roughly kissing her. She struggled to get out of his grasp her hand wiping across her mouth trying to extinguish the kiss from herself both physically and mentally.
Syd could feel Gage stiffen as they watched Hollander strong arm Lindy. She put her hand on his shoulder, reaching up he touched her fingers silently indicating he was fine.
Hollander laughed out loud now still grasping a handful of Lindy's hair. "You have one more thing to do for us and you'll do it if you want to be forgiven for what you did with Donnie," he told her his face coming with in a few inches of hers.
"What do you want now?" she asked her voice low Hollander's words and actions subduing her.
"Our new driver Jeff Stevens," he began to tell her.
"What about him?" she asked knowing what was coming.
"Same deal as Donnie only don't go falling in love with him," he stressed tightening his grip on her hair. "There is a slight twist here though he thinks he's in love with his old lady but you can handle her can't you Lindy?"
"Let go of me," she cried out Hollander grasping the hair tighter.
"I asked you a question Lindy," he retorted.
"Yes, yes I can handle her," she cried out.
"That's what I like to hear," Hollander smiled loosening his grip a menacing smile coming across his face. "We're counting on it…" his voice trailed off letting go of her.
"Hey Bobby let her go you're missing a good party here," someone from inside shouted.
Smiling again Hollander called out, "Be right there." Turning back to Lindy he smiled again, "You will do as you are asked," he stated more then questioned.
"Am I off the hook then?" she asked.
"That should do it," he told her turning away from her to walk back in the house.
Lindy took off like a scalded cat running to her car to jump in. Reviving the motor she floored it the gravel flying out from beneath her wheels as she careened down the long driveway. Before she hit the main road there was a terrible explosion Sydney and Gage were both thrown backwards to the ground watching as the garage exploded in flames.
The house door flew open Hollander running towards the structure that was engulfed in flames. "My cars, my cars," he was yelling trying to pull open the garage's door two of his pals trying to hold him back as he fought to get inside to his precious race car collection.
Taking hold of Syd's hand Gage started back to their car not wanting to be detected and their cover blown. Once he had them on the road Syd put a call into Walker to let him know what had happened.
"You two go back to the hotel Trivette and I'll go out to the lake and to see where the investigation is going on this. We'll check in with you as soon as we learn something," Walker told her.
Agreeing Syd hung up the phone repeating the conversation to her partner to once again be drawn into her own thoughts. Guiding the car into the parking spot in front of their room Gage turned off the engine. "What are you thinking Cooke?" he asked trying to make light of everything.
"Let's go inside Gage," she replied instead of answering his question getting out of the car not waiting for him. Getting to the door she realized Gage had the key yet still she faced the door. Coming up behind her he reached around her putting the key in the lock and opening it let them inside.
"Syd what's up?" he asked.
She stopped abruptly in front of him still not turning. "Gage I'm scared," she admitted feeling his hands on her shoulders.
"Of what?" he questioned his arms going round her neck and shoulders drawing her back against himself holding her close.
"Something happening to you."
"Syd…"
She spun around facing him, "Gage don't brush this off," she insisted her dark eyes flashing. "Since we walked into Walker's office I've had this feeling that you were walking into danger and I wasn't going to be able to do anything about it… I'm scared Gage," her voice had become nothing more then a whisper.
"Shorty," Gage was holding her to him again, "I'm not brushing anything off your intuition has served us well many times in the past. It's telling us both that we really need to be careful on this one," he told her cupping her chin his thumb stroking her cheek.
Shaking her head yes she leaned into him even more. "Lets catch a little television while we wait for Walker and Trivette to call," Gage suggested. Forcing a smile to her face Sydney agreed.
The Investigation At The Hollander Lake House
The scene was alive with fire trucks and police cars by the time Walker and Trivette got there. What was left of the garage was smoldering the burnt out shells of what was left of the car collection stood in skeleton like positions.
"Walker, Trivette," Detective Paris greeted the rangers. "Special interest in this case?" he questioned.
"Looking into the death of Hollander's driver at the track… heard this come over the radio," Walker replied.
"Looks like a fire bombing," Paris supplied. "All the witness' stories are the same they heard an explosion and came running out here to see the garage on fire. Hollander went crazy trying to get into the garage to save the cars. They were really partying in there lots of booze and someone has tried to unsuccessfully hide the evidence of drugs…"
Walker nodded his head in acknowledgement Trivette asking where Hollander was now.
"EMT's are treating his burns and smoke inhalation," Paris told them jerking his head towards the unit.
"Thanks," Walker told him he and Trivette heading towards it.
Hollander looked to be in a state of shock sitting in the back of the of the transport oxygen mask over his face as a paramedic bandaged his hands. "Hollander," Walker addressed the man. "I'm Ranger Walker and this is Ranger Trivette any ideas on what happened here?"
"They're all gone all of them gone," he dejectedly lamented to Walker. "It was a priceless collection that my father started when I was just a kid. Every Hollander car that ever won a championship…" his voice cracked and he broke down in tears.
"Do you know anyone that would have hated you enough to do this to you?" Walker tried again.
"I can't believe they're all gone… they're just all gone…" Hollander's voice trailed away.
"Rangers."
Both Walker and Trivette turned around to see a man around Hollander's age standing there. He too had his hands bandaged evidence that he had helped pull Hollander out of danger. "I'm Jack Thomas that collection meant everything to him."
"We're beginning to gather that," Trivette dryly commented.
"Any ideas on this?" Walker tried with Thomas since he was getting nowhere with Hollander.
Thomas drew his mouth into a tight line shaking his head no. "All I know is that he has been living pretty high. He told me he had gotten into some financial troubles and he had a big debt to pay off to some people I didn't even want to know about. A few weeks later he said he had found a way to fix all his troubles without touching any of his ladies."
"His ladies?" Trivette questioned.
"Now they're all gone up in smoke," Walker commented looking once again at the garage.
"The cars," Trivette murmured answering his own earlier question. "If the cars were worth so much why not just sell one or who ever he owed money to just take one?"
"You just don't sell a car Trivette it may take months for the right buyer to come along and give you your price," Walker began to explain. "The guy he owed money to would have known that taking a car wouldn't get him anywhere. Anyone who would be interested in making a buy like this would have known it was Hollander's car just too much risk there."
"So he sends this warning instead," Trivette theorized. "That means Hollander is still on the hook for the money."
Walker nodded yes thanking Thomas for the information before speaking to Trivette. "Find out what kind of financial shape Hollander was in and who he might be into for a lot of money."
"You got it," Trivette answered.
The Following Morning… The Texas Motor Speedway
Stepping out of the car Syd stood waiting for Gage to come to her side so they could walk together. As he came close she turned to move ahead of him until he caught her arm and held her trapping her between him and the car. Giving a quick look around to make sure they were alone Gage leaned down to kiss her first gently and then more seductively his hands moving to hold either side of her face.
Bringing her hands between them she planted them on his chest pushing back slightly to look in his face. "Gage please be careful," she warned, "You heard Hollander and Lindy last night they as much as admitted that their actions caused Donnie's accident. Now she has orders to do the same to you."
"Syd I'm going to be on my guard I'm not about to make you a widow before we're even married," he teased.
"Will you be serious Francis you heard Walker last night there is someone higher up the food chain here pulling all the strings," she tried to stress.
"All right Syd I'll be careful. Any little hinky thing with the car I'll be right into the pits complaining about it," he told her leaning down to kiss her again. "Now will you relax Callie we aren't suppose to know about anything that happened last night. We were suppose to have spent a nice evening at the hotel doing what comes naturally," he grinned down at her.
"Jeff get your mind off me and on to that car," she scolded catching sight of Tye Reade coming their way.
Walking right for them Reade grabbed hold of Gage's shoulder to spin him around. Catching Gage off guard Reade swung hitting him in the jaw sending him staggering backwards. Syd's foot immediately came out doing Reade the same favour hitting him in the jaw sending him backwards to the pavement.
Reade was back on his feet in a second yelling at Syd. "Mind your own business you little…" he was shouting making a charge for her Gage stepping in stopping him cold with a hit of his own.
Another punch with a spin kick and Gage had Tye Reade on the ground. By this time Tinker, Dawson and the rest of the crew had come outside. "What's going on?" Tinker was shouting.
"I was just coming back for my belongings when he went nuts on me," Reade was shouting.
"He attacked Jeff first," Syd cut back in.
"I saw the whole thing," a voice from behind them interrupted everyone turning to see Lindy Tameron walking their way. Lindy was very provocatively dressed in a short skirt showing off her long shapely legs and a high rise low cut t-shirt that had all the men staring including Gage.
"Your jaw all right Jeff?" she asked squatting down in front of Gage where he still had Reade pinned to the ground. Reaching out she lightly rubbed her thumb over the spot on Gage's face that Reade had hit him.
"For now it is," Sydney cut in bringing Gage out of his hypnotic state that Lindy seemed to be casting on him.
"Uhh yeah fine," Gage answered getting up to let go of Reade at the same time.
"You watch yourself on the track Stevens this race isn't over yet not by a long shot," Reade threatened moving away from Gage and Sydney.
"You're the least of my worries Reade," Gage shouted back. "You aren't going to be seeing anything but the back end of me anyway."
"We'll see about that," Reade wasn't giving up. "You might just end up like Donnie Maples and then where would Hollander be.
"Get your stuff and get out of here Tye," Tinker ordered him. "The rest of you get back to what you were doing," Tinker told them trying to get things back to where they were.
"Are you sure you're all right?" Lindy was questioning Gage again.
"I'm sure Miss…"
"Everyone just calls me Lindy," she supplied.
"I'm fine Lindy," Gage answered dismissing her to put his arm around Syd and ask, "You all right Callie?"
"Fine Jeff," she told him through gritted teeth.
"Thanks for looking after me Honey," he continued kissing her forehead feeling Syd begin to relax.
"Come on Jeff we have a lot of work to cover today," Tinker reminded him.
"You go suit up Jeff," Callie urged I'll be right in.
Smiling Gage gave a quick look to Lindy before giving Syd a quick peck on the lips and followed Tinker inside.
"Lindy," Syd addressed the tall shapely blonde. "I know all about you. I'll only tell you once stay away from Jeff because if something happens to him I'll come after you."
"What's the matter afraid you can't keep your man," Lindy jeered at Syd.
"On the contrary I know that he's mine," Sydney told her, her own glare fixed on the woman. "I also know what happened to Donnie Maples and the part you played in it," she answered walking by Lindy her mouth hanging open in surprise over Syd's statement.
Sydney was just in time to catch sight of Gage in his racing gear helmet under his arm hurrying she went to join him. "Everything all right?" he asked.
"She knows where I stand anyway," Syd answered walking out to the car beside him Gage smiling to himself.
Tinker had just caught up to them and walking along side of them he began to lay out what they were going to be doing that day. "First thing I want to check out is the adjustments we made yesterday and see if we have that problem fixed. Take it slow to start and I mean that Jeff none of that crap you gave me yesterday about the car begging you, you got that…" Tinker's voice trailed off just as he caught sight of someone standing up from the far side of the car. "Hey you! What in tarnation do you think you're doing?" he shouted out.
The same instance the guy knowing he was caught took off on a dead run both Sydney and Gage after him. Running to the far end of the track the suspect began to climb the fence almost making it over the top if it hadn't been for Sydney catching hold of his ankle and hanging on. In a matter of a few seconds Gage was half way up the fence yanking the man down to the ground.
Without thinking twice the man took a swing at Sydney she easily ducking it to deliver a hard kick to his mid section. Gage landed on his feet on the ground quickly grabbing hold of their opponent around the neck to bring him quietly to the ground.
"What did you do to that car?" Gage was shouting.
"I didn't do anything to it, nothing," the man shouted back. "I was just looking at the undercarriage."
"Then why did you run?" Syd joined the questioning.
"You were chasing me," he answered.
Looking at Syd the partners knew they weren't going to get any where with the man. Tinker and Dawson were catching up to them now followed by security who took the suspect into custody. Syd and Gage stood with Tinker and Dawson as security drove off. "What do you think?" Tinker was asking his chief mechanic.
"She was running like a top when I had her out this morning," Dawson answered shrugging his shoulders. "We could do a diagnostic on her… it will take some time…"
"Why not just let me take her out for a couple of laps and see how she's running?" Gage asked.
"Jeff?" Syd's voice sounded her eyes wide with disbelief staring at Gage.
"Callie," Gage took her arm steering her away the rest of the group. "You know as well as I do that this is the easiest way…"
"If he tampered with this car…"
"I'll be careful it'll just be a test run,"
"Francis," she hissed panic still on her face as his hands cupped her cheeks.
"I'll be fine," he whispered his lips going to her forehead.
Clutching his wrists she slowly nodded her head.
Turning back to Tinker and Dawson Gage exclaimed, "Let's do it!"
Within minutes Gage was strapped in and heading the car onto the track. Syd moved up to stand beside Tinker her eyes never leaving the car watching closely as Gage hit the first turn taking it with no problem.
Tinker held the headset up to his ear Syd could hear him ask how she was running. "So far so good," she could hear Gage's voice crackle over the radio the roar of the engine almost drowning him out. "The steering is a little tight," he told them heading into the next turn.
"Keep your speed even Jeff," Tinker instructed his eyes on the car as well watching Gage start into the second lap.
By the fifth lap Gage began to notice a low whine. "Hear that?" he asked.
"Yeah Jeff get around the track and bring her in," Tinker ordered watching the car whiz by them once again.
"What is it?" Syd nervously asked her heart beginning to race.
"Not sure but I don't want to take any chances," Tinker was saying just as Gage's voice came over the radio again.
"The steering is locking up… I don't think I can make the… turn," was the last thing Syd heard as the car veered off the track.
TBC.