Chapter Four

"I'm on my way," Gage told Sumner. "Get Trivette over there too," he added before hanging up.

"Anna B?" Syd asked sitting up beside Gage.

"She's just disappeared," Gage replied getting up to go out. Syd had stood up too all ready tucking her shirttail back in getting ready to join him.

"Not this time Honey," Gage began to say his wife cutting him off.

"Francis this is Anna B don't be crazy!" Syd exclaimed.

"Syd you have an assignment did you forget that Julie and Chafe need protecting not to mention we got four kids that will be up by seven-thirty," Gage told her stopping her dead in the water.

She said nothing knowing that he was right. "You call the minute you know something," she retorted knowing Gage was right.

"I don't know how they would know to take Anna B," Gage mused grabbing his keys to hurry out and over to Sumner's.

"This is Anna B look beyond the case Gage," Syd suggested her hand rubbing across his shoulder.

Nodding his head he gave Syd a quick peck to take off to Sumner and Anna B's place.

Anna B And Sumner's Home

Sumner was anything but calm when he opened the door for Gage. "We were just getting into bed when you called about Julie and Robin," he began his voice racing. "I tucked the covers around her and kissed her. That's the last time I saw her… when I got back here the covers were pulled back and she was gone."

Sumner was almost frantic by the time he finished telling Gage what little he knew. "There was no sign of struggle?" Gage questioned.

"No thank God," Sumner answered. "Her car is gone her and her purse too," he continued.

"Then does she have her phone?"

"No it's on the night stand… Gage if anything has happened to her… I swear…" Sumner's words faded away.

"Come on Matt there has to be an explanation we're going to find her," Gage tried to put Sumner's mind at ease knowing exactly the panic and fear he was feeling for his wife his own worry for his young friend seeping in.

There was a loud knock on the door, Gage pulled it open to let Trivette in. "Anything?" he questioned remembering how he had been in the same position a few years back when Erica was expecting Simon.

Gage shook his head no.

"Jimmy," Matt simply greeted his partner swallowing hard.

"Matt we're going to find her," Trivette replied letting his hand rest on his friend's shoulder.

"No sign of a struggle?" Trivette questioned as had Gage. Again Matt shook his head no.

"Let's get forensics in here," Trivette said thinking aloud.

"Done called them on the way over," Gage answered. "They should be here any time."

Nodding Trivette addressed Matt, "Anything in particular you been looking at? Anything from before that could be coming back to haunt you?"

"Trivette I just don't know," Sumner shouted back his frustration coming through.

"Matt listen to me," Gage stepped in. "You have to concentrate here this is the only way we are going to figure out who might be behind this. Think carefully any idea who might be using Anna B to get to you?"

Another knock at the door interrupted them, Trivette pulled it open to let forensics in. "Start upstairs in the master bedroom," he began instructing taking over leaving Gage to deal with Sumner.

"Come on Matt let's start pulling up files," Gage said moving Sumner towards Anna B's computer. Sitting down in front of the screen Gage flipped it on Trivette walking in behind them to join them.

"Gage think this might be something connected with you and Sydney?" Trivette asked reaching over him to click a few keys a flurry of files popping onto the screen. "These are all your cases that Anna B got herself involved in," Trivette began to say pausing as the three of them skimmed the files.

"Sumner what on earth is going on?" came a voice from behind of them.

"Anna B," Sumner was on his feet his arms around her holding her tight.

"Matt what's the matter?" she cried letting her own arms go around her husband her eyes going to Gage.

"Where in hell were you at four thirty?" Gage sputtered out.

"Well Matt wasn't home and I just had this weird craving I needed some of that rocky road ice cream with some of that hot salsa you know," she began to explain.

"You went out for ice cream and salsa?" Sumner asked looking at her in disbelief. "Anna B you don't know how worried and scared I was. I thought that for sure someone had taken you I thought… I thought…"

Her arms were around his neck and she was crying, "I'm so sorry Matt, I'm really sorry, I thought I'd be back before you ever got home."

"Sumner I think Gage and I'll clear everyone out of here for you," Trivette told him as he and Gage edged their way from the room.

Six-Thirty The Gage's

The smell of fresh brewed coffee hit him as he came into the kitchen Syd was sitting at the table she got up when he came in. "Francis?" she questioned standing in front of him.

"Have you been to sleep yet?" he asked.

"Never mind me… did you find her?"

Putting his arms around her and drawing her close he whispered, "Yes we found her she'd gone out for salsa."

"Out for salsa!" Syd exclaimed leaning back to look in her husband's face listening as he explained the story to her.

With head shaking Syd fell back into Gage's embrace. "Only Anna B," she sighed.

"Am I interrupting anything?" Both Gage and Syd turned hearing the sound of Julie's voice.

"No Jules come in," Gage invited.

"Would you like some juice?" Syd asked.

"What I'd really like is some of that delicious smelling coffee but I guess some juice will do," she replied.

"That's it Mommy-to-be," Gage answered pulling a chair out for her while Syd went for the juice. "How's Robin doing?" he asked taking the seat beside her.

"Better I think he slept pretty much through the night. What ever they gave him really zonked him out."

"Probably the best medicine for him," Sydney said also joining them at the table.

"Aunt Julie are we still going shopping?" Piper had come to the kitchen doorway and was asking her aunt.

"Oh Piper the shopping, we might have to do that another time," Julie replied knowing she was disappointing her niece.

"But Aunt Julie it's really important…" Piper's voice dismally cried out.

"Hey Squirt how bout you come with me and Angela we're going later this afternoon," Chris volunteered joining them in the kitchen. "You and Aunt Julie can go out another time."

"Really you'll take me?" Piper asked her big brother.

"Sure it's Christmas," Chris replied giving her a poke.

"Chris you're the best brother in the world," she cried out wrapping her arms around her brother in a big hug.

"Thanks Chris," Julie mouthed the words to her nephew.

"Morning everyone," Chafe greeted them steadying himself on the doorframe.

"Robin," Julie cried out running to him her arm going round him.

"Julie I'm fine," Chafe responded his eyes momentarily closing as a wave of dizziness hit him for a moment.

"Sure you are," she chided him as Gage went to the other side of him to help Julie to get him seated in a chair.

"What's going on with the case?" Chafe questioned.

Quickly turning to Chris Syd asked, "Would you and Piper mind getting the Christmas tree out? I think your father said something about getting it set up so we could decorate it soon."

"Sure Mom but can't it wait until after breakfast?" Chris replied with an question hoping to hear what was going on.

"Chris can you do as your mother asks for now," Gage told him his eyes motioning towards the door.

"Yeah Dad, come on Squirt lets get Cat and then the tree," Chris answered slinging his arm around his sister's neck.

Once the kids had trooped out Syd began to explain that they usually tried to keep the them out of things when they could. Before she could finish Gage's phone was ringing again. Pulling it out he looked at the call display. "I have to take this," he told them getting up.

"Darius' people?" Robin questioned struggling to pull himself to his feet.

"Robin," Julie cried out going to his side to assist him.

"Julie I'm fine," he told her pulling from her grasp to follow Gage. Syd put her arm on Julie's shoulder.

"No use arguing so you can spoil a perfectly good I told you so," she smiled at her sister-in-law.

Reaching up Julie grasped Syd's hand a small smile of acceptance curling at the corner of her mouth. "Are all men as hard headed as Frankie and Robin?"

Chuckling softly to herself Sydney asked if Julie would like some breakfast. Still anxiously looking after Robin and Gage she nodded her head yes. "Isn't this bothering you?" she quizzed.

"Julie relax…"

"Relax! How can I possibly relax when they are trying to kill Robin," Julie sputtered out.

"Julie if you hadn't told me I would have guessed anyway that you are expecting anyway," Sydney couldn't help but laugh remembering back how she drove Gage to distraction when she was expecting.

"That bad?" she asked.

"Um hmm," Syd smiled shaking her head yes.

"I'll have toast," she pouted sliding into her chair.

Inside The Gage Study

Robin had sank into the desk chair behind the desk as he listened to Gage's side of the conversation on the phone.

"Tyrone if you can't produce I can look elsewhere…" Gage was saying stopping mid-sentence to listen. "You're not the only game in town," he continued his eyes focused on Chafe as he spoke. "CZ Williams in back and bragging about a really rich shipment he has to unload." Again Gage stopped to listen ending the exchange with, "Suit yourself," and hanging up the phone.

"Gage you're going to loose them," Robin voiced his concerns.

"Chafe stop thinking about Julie and think," Gage grinned. "You and I have both been in this game long enough to know this is just baiting the hook."

Grimacing Chafe agreed, "It's just when they went after Julie and I couldn't stop them…"

Gage's mind raced back to when his children were born first how Louise Peron had nearly shot Sydney after she had been knocked her from her feet being sent into labour. Then there was Piper they were being held hostage with Chris when she had made her appearance. Cat… Syd had a knife protruding from her shoulder when Gage had gotten to the hospital to watch Cat be born. After Piper's frantic phone call he had been so afraid Syd was dying. Cody had almost died the memory all to fresh. "You don't have to tell me about that fear," Gage agreed.

The shrill ring of the phone interrupted them. Putting the phone to his ear Gage answer, "Danton."

Once more Chafe sat watching and listening to Gage. "I didn't think you had time for me or this deal Tyrone?" he was saying as Robin listened on. "Okay tonight ten fifteen at the "Ride Em Cowboy," Gage answered hanging up the phone.

Turning to Chafe he smiled, "We got a meet. Now I'm going to give Walker a quick call and get some shut eye so I'm ready for tonight."

Opening the study door Gage was met by Cat. "Daddy are we decorating the tree now?"

Reaching down he lifted her into his arms. "Not right this minute Puss I've been working all night," he told her with a yawn. "I've got to get a little sleep before I can work on the tree."

"But Daddy it will soon be Christmas," Cat pouted her lower lip trembling threatening a tear.

"Cat?" it was Aunt Julie calling to her. "How bout you let your Mom and Dad get some rest and you can come in the kitchen to do some Christmas baking?"

"Some of those little sugar cookies that Mom used to make?" Gage was asking an almost pleading look coming over his face as the memory of his mother and those cookies came to mind.

"Yes Francis Mom's cookies," Julie smiled back at her brother she too thinking of their mother.

"Are they good Daddy?" Cat quizzed catching the closeness of her father and her aunt even at this young age.

"The best cookies in the world," Gage answered turning his attention back to his young daughter. "Now you wouldn't happen to know where Mommy is do you?" he asked.

"Aunt Julie sent her to bed for a nap," Cat informed him.

"And that is where I'm heading too," Gage told her setting her back on the floor and to Julie's care before heading down the hall to join his wife.

Later At The Mall

"So Piper who are you shopping for Danny?" Angela asked grinning at Chris.

"Well no… not exactly," Piper began to stammer out.

"Then who?" Chris pressed her for the information.

"Well I wanted to get something for Marcus," she boldly told them as she marched ahead of them.

"Marcus Trivette?" Angela questioned. "I didn't know that you were sweet on Marcus," she teased. "So are you going to marry him?"

Piper stopped dead in her tracks mortified by Angela's words. She may have gotten older but she still didn't know when not to say dumb things. Turning on her heel eyes flashing she glared at Angela and Chris. "Marcus has always been my best friend and I just want to get him a present is that a crime? If it is have Mom and Dad put me in handcuffs when we get home," she cried turning to run down the mall.

"Give me a minute," Chris hastily told Angela taking off after his sister leaving Angela standing there.

"Pipe, hey Pipe wait up," Chris called after Piper finally getting close enough to catch her arm.

"Chris just leave me alone I can do this shopping for myself," Piper cried trying to pull out of his grasp.

"Piper listen to me for a second will you?" Chris was pleading with his sister wondering how his father did it, Piper was exactly like his mother. "Angela didn't mean anything by what she said," Chris began. "I know it is important for you to get something nice for Marcus and I want to help you if you'll let me."

Looking around her at brother and Angela Piper swallowed hard. "All right Chris," she finally gave in adding, "but she'd better leave me alone. I like Danny a lot just not the same as Marcus."

"Don't let it worry you Pipe I have it on good authority that Danny has been shopping for Kali Simmons this year," he told her hoping to put her mind at ease.

"Kali Simmons you have to be kidding me," Piper squealed as if in total shock knowing that Danny had been smitten with Kali for months now. "Maybe you should inform your girlfriend of that fact."

"Who do you think told me?" Chris smirked poking Piper affectionately in the side before they went back to join Angela and continue their shopping.

The Family Room At The Gage's

"Hurry up Piper and Chris we're going to decorate the tree before Dad has to go to work," Cat was excitedly jumping up and down as she called to her brother and sister.

"Did you get what you wanted?" Syd asked her daughter as she and Chris joined them.

Piper nodded her head yes trying to avoid any other questions unable to elude her father. "Getting something for me?" he teased.

"No Dad it's a secret," she gasped out racing past everyone and down the hall.

"Leave her alone Gage," Syd sternly told him her eyes going to his face in warning.

"What?" the familiar question rolled off his lips.

"I'll explain later," Syd replied hearing the back door open.

"Hello anybody home?" Anna B was shouting as they came in.

"Anna B and you're just in time we're going to decorate the tree," Cat was crying out as she took hold of Anna B's hand to drag her into the family room Sumner bringing up the rear.

"Salsa and ice cream?" Julie asked looking at her young friend.

"Hey don't you laugh your turn is coming," Gage teased turning his attention to his sister.

"All right, all right let's get at this tree," Julie cut him off before he could really get going.

Outside The Ride Em Cowboy Bar

Chafe sat in the car with Sumner outside the Ride Em Cowboy bar watching Gage pull up and go inside. Chafe's mind went to Julie instead of staying focused on her brother. She hadn't wanted him to come on this stakeout and there had been a few tense moments at home before they had left.

Walker's rig was parked down the street where he and Trivette sat just out of their sight all eyes watching for Tyrone or anything else suspicious. An hour later and everyone was beginning to think Tyrone was a no show.

"This has been a big waste of time," Sumner was just saying he too preoccupied with thoughts of Anna B.

The words were no sooner out of his mouth then he felt the muzzle of a gun at his neck. "Nice and easy boys," the gun's owner was saying. "Been a long time CZ Darius is wanting a word with you."

TBC