~Chapter Four~
The car flew into the in field ploughing into a stack of tires to drag them another hundred feet before finally coming to a stop.
Sydney was running the minute the car left the track Tinker and the crew moving the emergency crews too.
"Gage!" he could hear her voice calling him.
"Callie, Callie... I'm fine," he got out trying to get loose of the confines of the car.
"Jeff don't move," Tinker was ordering him as the rest of the crew pulled back the mesh to yank him from the car.
Sydney held back until they had pulled Gage free before rushing to him. "Jeff, Jeff," she had her arms around him holding tight.
"Callie it's nothing," he was insisting leaning heavily against her.
"Let the EMT's be the judge of that Jeff," Tinker was taking command again. "Someone get me a phone so I can get Bobby down here."
"After last night?" someone else piped up.
"Yeah after last night," he barked back grabbing an offered phone. "Dawson get that car in the garage and see what the hell it is now," he shouted listening as the phone in his hand rang.
The EMT were pulling up beside them Gage all ready protesting. "This really isn't necessary I'm fine."
"Callie do me a favour and get him checked out…"
"Tinker I don't need to be…"
"You're out of the race with out a clean bill of health now get I've got enough to contend with," Tinker glared at him letting him know he meant business.
Gage stood staring at the wiry man for a moment to hear him spit out, "And if you don't think I mean it just try me."
"All right," Gage finally gave in letting the EMTs do their job. Sitting in the back of the EMT unit he watched as Dawson and the rest of the crew pushed the car into the garage.
"All right Mr. Stevens it looks as if you were just banged up a little just take it easy for the rest of the day," the young paramedic told him and Sydney.
"He will I'll make sure of it," Sydney cut in.
Gage nodded his head in agreement figuring he could get around Syd easy enough once the EMTs were gone.
Before they had disappeared Gage had started, "Let's go see what happened with the car."
"Jeff you heard them you are suppose to be taking it easy," Syd argued.
"Callie we need to get to the bottom of this… "
"I know you better then that Jeff you just want to make sure you are ready for time trials," Syd accused letting him all ready begin to lead her towards the garage and car.
"Oh my God are you all right," Lindy Tameron gushed as they came in the door. "You could have really been hurt or worse," she cried pushing past Syd to take Gage's arm.
"Jeff if you're all right for a minute I'm going to make a phone call," Syd smiled watching Lindy cling to him.
"Oh I'll take very good care of him," Lindy smiled leading Gage away from Syd.
Looking pleadingly over his shoulder Gage called out, "Don't be long Callie."
Smiling to herself Syd walked off to quickly call Walker. "He's going to be fine for now as long as no more attempts are made on his life," she told their boss. "Okay we'll keep you informed."
Cutting the line Syd walked over to where Gage was standing at the coffee machine Lindy still clinging to his arm. "Maybe you should be laying down putting your feet up after all you were just in a harrowing accident… you might have been killed," she was crooning trying to pull him into a more intimate spot.
"Look Lindy," Gage started to say relieved Syd was coming over to them.
"Lindy thanks for keeping Jeff company but he has to concentrate on winning this race right now and he can't do it with you in the way," Syd curtly told her.
"Is that so?" she retorted, "I don't know who you think you are," Lindy began to blurt out.
"My fiancée," Gage answered for Syd watching a smile come to her face.
"Well isn't this cozy," Lindy sputtered out stalking away from the both of them.
"Jeff you all right?" Bobby Hollander had just entered the garage making his way over to where Gage stood with Syd.
"Yeah I'm fine I'm more worried about the car," Gage answered.
Hollander looked wistfully past Gage murmuring, "The car," his mind on what he had lost the night before.
"Jeff Bobby," Tinker called out to them their attention going to the chief crewman. "The power steering line was tampered with. The fluid drained out…"
"And then the steering went out," Gage finished the sentence.
"If we hadn't been testing the car for the alignment things could have been a lot worse," Tinker spoke his thoughts aloud.
"How long to fix it?" Hollander asked.
"Couple of hours," Tinker replied looking straight at Gage. "You up to taking her out again?"
"Are you kidding me?" Gage almost shouted. "I'm ready now if the car was."
Standing beside Gage Syd smiled slightly saying nothing listening to his excitement build while her fear and apprehension for his safety grew even more. "Jeff you are suppose to be taking it easy," Sydney cut in. "I'm sure that the crew can put the car back together without you standing over them. Why don't we get out of here for a couple of hours, grab something to eat and be back in time for you to take her out."
"Callie if you're worried…" Gage began to say as Hollander cut in.
"I think the lady has a good idea. Why don't I give you those contracts you can look them over and bring back with you," Hollander told him.
"I guess that would be all right," Gage reluctantly gave in.
"Good I've got those contracts right here in my car," Hollander smiled opening the door and waiting for the partners to join him. Eyeing Sydney Gage let her lead the way out he following right behind her.
Going over to Hollander's car Bobby reached in to yank out his brief case, snapping it open he brought out the contract handing it to Gage. "I need it back by five this afternoon," Hollander told him holding the papers as Gage reached for them.
"No problem Bobby it seems I have all afternoon to read it over," Gage responded unfolding the contract to begin scanning it.
"That's what I like to hear," Hollander replied smoothing over the comment. "I'll see you at five," he added getting in his car at the same time dismissing both of them.
Turning his attention to his partner Gage began, "Syd you know I'd really much rather…"
"Francis we're working here in case you have forgotten. Walker is having the guy who sabotaged the car brought in to headquarters but if you'd rather stay here and play with your car…" Syd teased. "I'll go and interrogate him myself."
"Shorty what are we standing here jawing about lets go," he answered heading towards where they were parked not waiting for Syd.
Looking after him for a moment Syd shook her head running to catch up.
Ranger Headquarters
"Hey, hey it's the next NASCAR champion," Trivette greeted them watching Gage's face colour the same time a wide grin spreading across it.
"If we can keep him alive long enough to win," Syd dryly replied.
"Syd you know I just like to keep a little excitement in our lives," Gage teased.
"You crashing into center field at high speed is the kind of excitement I can do without," Syd told him her eyes narrowing in a mock glare.
"Your boy is in interrogation B," Trivette informed them chuckling to himself as he watched the two of them.
Nodding in acknowledgement Gage asked if the Walkers were available. "I've got this contract I'd like Alex to take a look at it before Jeff Stevens signs it and becomes part of Hollander's team."
"I'll get it to her," Trivette volunteered taking the wad of papers from Gage.
"Thanks," Gage answered his eyes turning to Syd to ask, "Ready?"
"Oh yeah lets get to the bottom of this," Syd was all ready standing the man's arrest file in her hand.
Together they went the short distance to the interrogation B Gage pushing the door open to hold it open for Syd to enter.
"Ronnie Macko of no fixed address," Syd read aloud looking up at the man sitting in the chair in front of them.
"Well Ronnie Macko what's your story?" Gage asked placing his hands on either side of the table and leaning across it.
"You ain't no driver," Macko sputtered out.
"I'm a Texas Ranger and I moonlight as a NASCAR driver," Gage told him not giving him an inch.
"I guess that means Ronnie here tried to kill a Texas Ranger," Syd addressed Gage with the statement. "Why do you think he'd do a thing like that?"
"Don't know Ranger," Gage answered her. "Either he doesn't like Rangers or he doesn't like race car drivers. Either way he's going away for attempted murder."
Macko fidgeted in his seat saying nothing. "Think he was working alone?" Syd asked Gage as if the suspect wasn't there.
"Has to be," Gage replied, "He's just too stupid to be working by himself."
"What makes you say that?" Syd inquired with feigned interest.
"Cause he is going down for this all by himself when you and I both know that someone else is giving the orders."
"You're right he isn't very bright," Syd agreed.
"I'm doing the only smart thing I can do," Macko butted in both partners turning to look at him. "If I tell you two anything I'll be dead before I get to trial."
"Of course if you don't tell us what we want to know we will be looking at you for sabotaging Donnie Maples car. That means you will be taking the fall for Maples' murder and that means the death penalty," Gage answered him once more getting in his face.
"I had nothing to do with what happened to Donnie Maples," Macko shouted rising up from his chair his eyes level with Gage's.
"Sit down Macko," Syd ordered stepping forward.
Glaring a minute more into Gage's face Macko sat down. "I didn't kill Maples," he mumbled to them again.
"Then prove it," Syd stated, "Tell us who is behind the sabotage today."
Swallowing hard and staring at the table in front of him Macko sat silent finally saying, "You have to protect me if I talk."
"Tell us what you know and we'll see if you are worth protecting," Gage challenged him.
Again looking from side to side knowing he had no cards left to play Macko began to speak. "I really don't know that much," he began.
"We're listening," Gage encouraged watching as Macko licked his lips starting again.
"I've been trying off and on for weeks to get a job out at the speedway. I'd take almost any job just so I could get inside that gate," he paused a moment before continuing. "I guess people are kind of used to seeing my face out there cause this blonde lady approached me yesterday."
"This blonde lady have a name?" Syd asked interrupting Macko's story.
"I don't know what her name is but you see her all the time hanging with the Hollander team drivers," he answered.
Gage gave Syd a quick look both figuring the mystery woman had to be Lindy.
"She told me she was sure that she could get me a job with the Hollander team if I did a little job for her and her friend," he continued. "She told me all I had to do was disable the steering in the car."
"And you didn't think that was a little odd that she would do something to the Hollander car?" Syd asked.
"Well yeah but I wanted to get my foot inside the door and she was offering me a chance to be on the Hollander team…" Macko whined hoping they could understand.
"Did she say who the friend was?" Gage questioned.
Shaking his head no he answered, "She gave me the impression that I didn't want to know that it would be better for my health if you know what I mean…"
Outside Interrogation B
The door closing behind them Gage commented, "Looks like Lindy and Bobby are getting in deeper with every turn."
"Yeah now all we have to do is prove she, Bobby and their mystery friend are the ones that killed Maples," Syd agreed walking ahead of Gage into the office.
"Gage," Alex greeted them coming out of Walker's office and over to his desk. "Your contract looks good nothing funny it just a standard contract," she told them.
"Thanks Alex appreciate you looking it over," Gage told her letting Syd explain what they had learnt from Macko.
"The question is what has Bobby Hollander gotten himself mixed up in?" Gage remarked.
"And with who?" Syd added.
"The one I might be able to help with," Trivette spoke up. "It seems that Hollander has quite a passion for gambling even though he isn't very good at it. He's depleted most of his funds and liquidated almost everything thing that he can. His car collection and the lake house were the last of his assets other then the race team."
"Then why sabotage your team and kill off your driver?" Alex asked.
"That is what we need to find out," Walker smiled at his wife evading her question until he had the right answer.
"Gage we had better get back they're expecting us," Syd pointed out catching sight of the clock.
"You're right," Gage replied his mind going to the race car once again.
"Try and keep her on the track this time," Walker called after them as they headed for the door.
"I'll do my best," Gage called back over his shoulder.
Back At The Speedway
There was no sign of either Lindy or Hollander when the partners got back to the track. Hollander was nowhere around when they entered the garage nor was Lindy for that matter. "I'm suppose to give this contract back to him," Gage explained to Tinker.
"I'm pretty sure he was headed to his trailer that's were his office is," Tinker told them saying in the same breath, "Come on Jeff we need to get to work they have moved the time trials to tomorrow afternoon at one."
"Jeff I'll run the contract over to him if you promise to keep that car on the track while I'm gone," Syd volunteered taking the contract from his hand.
"Callie you don't have to do that," Gage began to protest.
"Jeff get your head in the race or you aren't going to be ready for tomorrow. I'm a big girl I can run this little errand," she smiled. "I'll be right back."
"Yeah all right hurry back," he told her his focus on her and not the race as she disappeared back out the door.
Syd hurried along the small city of trailers that housed the executives for the race teams. She could see the bright blue and gold colours of the Hollander trailer just ahead. Picking up her speed she hurried along not wanting to miss Gage being on the track. Two trailers away her phone began to ring, "Hello," she answered not wanting to say anything that would be over heard.
"Sydney," came the familiar voice over the phone.
"Mom?" Sydney had stopped dead in her tracks.
"I hope I'm not bothering you but this just can't wait," Amanda Cooke exclaimed into the phone.
"Mom what is it?" Syd asked ducking between two trailers to give her mother her full attention.
"I'm on my way to Dallas… I'll be at the airport in two hours. Sydney I've left your father," she simply stated.
"You did what?" Syd demanded falling back against one of the trailers.
"I left your father," the feisty little woman repeated. "My flight is four twelve from San Antonio I'll be there in two hours and we'll talk then."
"Mom I want to talk but I can't come and get you in two hours," Syd sputtered out still in shock over what her mother had just said. "I'm going to have to ask a friend of mine to come get you and take you to her place. Mom are you all right? I mean what brought this on?"
"I can't cut you out of my life because your life choices aren't what your father thinks they should be. I need to see you face to face and then we will discuss it," she told Syd.
"All right mother," Syd answered hanging up the phone only to begin to dial Alex's number.
"Alex Walker," the ADA answered the phone.
"Alex its me can I ask a huge favour of you?"
"Sure Sydney what can I do for you?" Alex asked.
"My mother is coming into town for a surprise visit…"
"When?"
"In about two hours flight four twelve from San Antonio…"
"Two hours," Alex said looking at her watch. "That's no problem Syd I'll take her out to the ranch for as long as need be."
"Alex you are a lifesaver," Syd exclaimed catching sight of a silver jag pulling up in front of the Hollander trailer. "Alex I got to go."
Hanging up Syd silently watched the driver get out of the car. "Willy Mancuso," she said aloud recognizing him immediately. Mancuso reached into his car he grabbed his jacket putting it on before he headed into see Hollander.
Staying back Syd watched and waited before long Mancuso was at the door of the trailer still talking, angrily shouting at Hollander. All Syd could make out was, "You'd better have things taken care of for the race. You'd better make sure I get paid." Saying that he slammed the door shut to run down the stairs and jump into his car speeding off.
Waiting until he disappeared Syd came out from between the trailers to deliver the contract. Banging on the door she waited a few minutes getting no answer. Knocking again she called out, "Bobby are you there?" she called out.
A moment later the door flew open Hollander standing there. "Callie?" he questioned.
"Bobby I have Jeff's contract all signed. He's working with Tinker right now or he's have brought it round himself," she explained handing him the papers.
Reaching out Hollander took hold of her hand as well as the papers. "Thanks Callie," he flashed a smile. "Did you care to come in for a drink?"
"Thanks but no I want to keep an eye on Jeff," she replied pulling her hand away.
"Of course you do," Bobby answered watching Syd skip down the steps his eyes zoning in on her cute behind a slimy grin coming across his face.
Hurrying as fast as she could she made it back to the pit just as Gage whizzed past. Catching sight of her Tinker spoke into the headset, "Okay Jeff she's here get in the race."
Hearing that Gage opened her wide the car taking off a break neck speed once again he was manoeuvring her like a pro.
"Callie I don't know what kind of a hold you have over that boy but as far as I can tell you hold this race as much in your hands as Jeff does," Tinker chuckled before shouting into the mic, "Go high on turn two Jeff," watching as Gage took her high almost flying around the track.
"Man oh man Tinker," Dawson shouted, "I'm clocking him at 26.69 seconds he does this good in the qualifying rounds tomorrow we are going to be set for the race."
"Don't get too anxious a lot can happen between now and tomorrow," Tinker cautioned even though inside he was jumping up and down. Donnie had been good, damn good but he couldn't touch Jeff Stevens.
The Carson Pit
Tye Reade fretfully looked on from the sidelines as Gage took the car around the track. He was good Reade admitted to himself worrying about his own ability to out race him.
"Aren't worried are you?" a sultry voice asked from behind him. Reade didn't have to turn around he knew who it was.
"He's good," Tye answered.
He won't even be in the running when I finish with him," she answered.
Reade laughed silently to himself turning to catch the woman in his arms and crush her lips in a satisfying kiss. Immediately her arms went around his neck and her feet left the ground Tye lifting her, her legs winding around him while he walked with her until he had her trapped between him and the wall.
Tye didn't know what she had in mind for Jeff Stevens nor did he care all that mattered is that he won this race.
TBC.
I