Chapter 2

"Linda, do you want me to start dinner, I could make a salad?" Laurie asked, pulling dressing down from the cupboard. "Yes, I have some fresh tomatoes, that will taste good. I wish I knew what was bothering my stomach these days, I never know what's going to hit it right!" Linda sighed. "I'm sorry, did you talk to Rudy, maybe he should check you out?" Laurie replied, concerned. "No, it's probably just a bug, A.J. made me promise if it doesn't get better I'm to tell Rudy. What time were the guys going to check in?", her sister- in-law added, setting the table.

"Robbie said the sting went well, the two men they met last night were supposed to rendezvous with them this afternoon at the museum parking lot. Robbie and Captain Walker were going to be in a van waiting with two other units behind the main building. We should hear from them this evening." Laurie set all the ingredients out as Linda finished with the table, then said, "I'll put the TV on, maybe there's a game we can watch."

Just as the two women sat down to eat, the local news came on, and the anchor announced breaking news. "A police sting operation resulted in the arrest of several major players in a fake artifacts ring, formerly active in the San Francisco and Phoenix areas". Laurie stared at the screen, "Linda, it's Robbie's case, maybe he'll be on camera?"

Abruptly the phone rang, and Linda picked up the receiver, "Simon Residence, A.J.?" Her sister-in-law looked up briefly from the screen, then gasped as the closed captioning told of an injury to one of the participants in the operation, "local private investigator Rick Simon." Jumping from her seat, she looked at Linda as her friend wordlessly handed her the phone.

"A.J., what happened, are Rick and Robbie all right? I just saw the news, they said Rick was hurt!" she said. "Honey, Rick was hurt pushing Robbie out of the way of one of the crooks, but he's here at the hospital and Rudy'll be arriving in a few minutes. I tried to reach you before it was on TV, I'm sorry," A.J. answered, sounding upset. Laurie took a deep breath, then calmly replied, "It's ok, we'll leave right now, you make sure Robbie and Rick are being taken care of. I'll meet you in emergency."

Hanging up the receiver, she glanced at Linda's worried face. "They'll be just fine, I know it.," she told her. "Come on, I'll drive." Linda flipped her the keys and they raced out the door.

Arriving at the main emergency room, the two Simons headed right for the Trauma unit and found A.J. and Robbie waiting for the doctors. Captain Ron was with them, and it was he who reacted first to their presence. "Laurie, Mrs. Simon, I'm glad you you're here." he greeted both women. "Dr. Wells is in with the doctor and Rick now, we should know something pretty soon." Laurie thanked him, then A.J. came over and embraced her, "Honey, Rick's going to be all right, he hit his head and I think he has a concussion." "A.J., is he conscious?" Laurie asked, glancing at her son, silently perched on the edge of a chair. He paused, then shook his head, "No, Laurie, he was moaning when I reached him and Robbie, we got him to the hospital really fast, but he was still out when they wheeled him in." She looked at Rob, then lowered her voice, "We heard on the news that the sting was successful, the police made arrests, what happened?"

"Somehow Mr. Big, some older guy, made a run for it. Rob went after him, and when Rick saw this Hermanson pull a gun, he dove and knocked Robbie out of the way. I was busy trying to get down to them, so the next thing I saw was the swindler running away and Rick lying on the ground, with Rob trying to help him."

"Thanks, A.J.," she squeezed his arm, "You did the right thing." He forced a grin, then watched as she went over to Rob. He stood up as she approached him, then hugged her, saying, "I'm sorry, Mom, I'm really sorry, Pop pushed me out of the way and that's when the jerk hit him. I thought I had control of the situation, I didn't see the gun. It's all my fault."

"Rob, look at me, it's not your fault, honey", she told him, keeping a firm tone in her voice. She sat down, pulling him down next to her. "I just told your uncle the same thing, instead of going after that crook, you took care of your father. I'm proud of you, and he will be too."

"Your mother's right, Robert, " a stern voice interrupted her, and Laurie looked up to see a uniformed officer, focusing his gaze on her son. Robbie stood up at attention, then Laurie got to her feet and extended her hand. "I'm Mrs. Simon, You must be Captain Walker." The policeman took her hand, then glancing at her son, quietly told him, "One of the first rules of being able to protect and serve is to take care of your partner if he or she goes down. Son, you not only got help for your father, but your description will help catch this killer."

Laurie tried to stifle a gasp, then said, "Captain, you know who this criminal is then, he has a record?" The older man nodded, "I'm afraid so, Mrs. Simon, he is a career criminal who may have killed his wife and her husband, robbed and assaulted women in several states, then hit upon this scheme after he found some book about Indian relics. Fortunately, your husband apparently recognized him, so as soon as he comes to, we have a artist ready to do a sketch."

Surprised, she turned to her son, who cleared his throat and added, "I heard Pop say "Oh, no, you!" then the creep struck him with the gun. I managed to throw some dirt in his face, otherwise he might have done the same to me."

Just then they heard A.J. call "Laurie, Rudy wants to see us." Mother and son excused themselves, then approached the treatment room as their friend came out.

"Honey, you and Rob can see Rick, but I need to talk to you first," he began, then looking at their eyes, stopped and gave the two of them a hug." Laurie felt her emotions starting to slip, so she was grateful that Rudy went back into doctor mode. "Rick has a closed skull fracture, with some swelling in the top of his head. I don't think we'll need to operate, but he's still unconscious, so we need to keep that as an option. He's responding to non-verbal stimuli, and all his brain activity is good, so I need you to keep talking to him until he responds."

Laurie saw Rob's shoulders droop, so she put her arm around him as she asked, "When should he wake up, Rudy, I mean, I understand his nervous system is working, what about him?" She could hear his answer before he spoke, "Any time now, Laurie, remember, head injuries are tricky, he might be in and out for a couple of days. If he doesn't come out of it by then, we'll go in, but remember, your husband is very strong, and just as stubborn as you are. He'll come to, just let his brain get a chance to heal."

She nodded, then told him, "Bless you, Rudy, you're always here when we need you." She kissed his cheek, and he had to blink rapidly as he gruffly told them, "Ok, two at a time, and then one of you can stay with him tonight, but quietly." Rob insisted that his mother and A.J. go in first, but Rudy pushed him in too, so he remained in the background as his mother and uncle went toward Rick.

Laurie had seen him hurt before, but not like this. He looked so still, i.v.'s hooked up, a bandage covering the top of his head. She had to swallow several times before she stood next to him. "Rick, it's Laurie, darling, can you hear me?" A.J. pulled up a chair for her, and as she sat, Laurie took his hand, "Rick, I'm not going to let go until you open your eyes and tell me to. I love you so, you took care of Robbie, you helped catch the bad guys, now you need to wake up." There was quiet, then a moaning sound issued from her husband's mouth. Alarmed, she leaned closer, "Darling, do you want anything, do you want some water?"

From behind them Rudy stepped forward, "He's getting some intravenous fluids, but try moistening his lips." He exchanged looks with A.J., as Laurie carefully brought a small cup with water to Rick's mouth, then wet his tongue. Suddenly he swallowed, and doing it again, reacted the same way. She looked up at the doctor, and felt like bursting into tears when he smiled and said, "That's a good sign, he's thirsty, just keep talking to him."

Turning back to Rick, she gave him the rest of the water, telling him the whole time, who was there, what she and Linda had been doing, keeping it as normal as possible. When her throat became tired, she gave him a kiss, then said, "A.J. and Robbie are here, I'll let you talk to them, but I'll be right back."

Changing places with her brother-in-law, she motioned for Rob to sit on the other side. When he hesitated, she put her arms around him, saying, "Robbie, he needs you to talk to him, please." After a moment, he nodded, "Thanks, Mom, I love you." She left the room and asked Rudy if she could use the phone to call Cecilia and Robin. "Already did, honey, and Oscar's on his way too. I want you to rest for a while, I want you well when Rick wakes up."

Laurie managed an "Ok", then seeing Captain Ron in the hall, went over to him. "How is Rick, Laurie, I heard Dr. Wells say he might wake up anytime now." "He seems to trying to respond, but I don't know, he's so pale. What I'm worried about now is this killer that's loose, what if he comes after Rick, can Rob take sometime off to stay here and keep an eye out?" she asked.

A relieved look crossed his face, "Certainly, Laurie, I can even take a few hours just let me check in with the office. This will give me a chance to see if Rob remembers anything else about the suspect." "You don't know I much I appreciate you being here, Captain, I know Rick and A.J. will too." She said, shaking his hand. To her astonishment, he blushed, then replied, "They're good guys, ma'am, they'd do it for me. Why don't you take a few minutes and rest before you go back to Rick, I'll be here."

She shook her head, "I'm all right, I'll just freshen up and then take turns with A.J." She excused herself, then went to the ladies room, fearful she might start crying. After splashing herself with cold water, she decided go back to Rick's room, only to see Robbie come bolting out and head toward the chapel.

Following him, she hesitated, and then quietly entering, saw her son sitting, hunched over and shaking with sobs. Her heart ached at the sight, so she went over to him and kneeling down put her arms around him and comforted him. "Rob, this is what your grandmother has gone through for years, sitting and waiting for your father and uncle in hospital rooms and police stations. Now it's our turn. Our family will bring him out of it, I know we will." Her son raised his head from her shoulder, then drew a ragged breath and told her, "I know, Mom, I feel so helpless, though. I'm glad Grandma and Robin will be here pretty soon." Taking Rob's hand, Laurie sat for a while in companionable silence, before getting up and going to her husband's room.

Sitting in the same chair on Rick's right side, she took his hand and said, "I'm back, sweetheart, and I have a story to tell you."

All that night she talked to her husband, taking breaks only to let A.J. or Rob or, when they arrived, Oscar and Cecilia and Robin, sit with Rick. When Oscar changed places with Cecilia around breakfast time, Laurie stood up to stretch, then looking at Rick in the day light, suddenly felt her self-control going. Excusing herself, she headed for the chapel.

Laurie took a seat at the back of the room, then started sniffing. Abruptly, she heard her uncle's voice. "Honey," he whispered. She looked at him, her lip trembling, as he told her, "Laurie, you can't keep it locked in, let it go." She shook her head, then feeling Oscar's embrace, started to cry. He stroked her hair, comforting her and telling her how proud he was of her. When her sobs subsided, she told him, "I love you, Oscar, and I don't know what I'd do without you.

You understand, it hurts so bad to see Rick lying there, but I refuse to start bawling on his chest. "

"Rick is a fighter, honey, he loves all of you so much, he'll come out of this." Oscar said, smiling at her. Getting to his feet, he took her hand, "Come on, let your old uncle buy you some breakfast, Rudy won't allow you in with Rick until you have something to eat."

When Laurie returned to the hospital room, A.J. had an air of excitement about him. "Hon, Rick blinked his eyes; Mom came in and told him you were having some thing to eat, but that you would be there in a moment. He opened his mouth as if he was thirsty, and she asked him if he wanted some water and he opened his eyes, just for a moment. Mom went to get Rudy, you sit next to him and talk to him, we'll be right back."

"A.J.! I knew it! he will be all right!", she squeezed his arm, then sat down by Rick's side. It wasn't her imagination; his color was a little better. Taking his hand, she looked into his Face, "Darling, do you want a sip of water? A.J. said you were thirsty." Taking a small cup, she looked to see the water pitcher empty. Getting up, she told him, "I hope you don't mind regular water, it looks like we're fresh out of bottled." Running a cup under the faucet in the bathroom, she took a seat then brought it to his lips. He opened his mouth and let her pour a little in as she supported his head, then he swallowed. "Rick, you're waking up, oh, I know You are. Just hold on, I won't leave again until you do, I promise!"

Suddenly it occurred to Laurie that Rudy was taking a long time to come, and a cold sensation came over her. Just then Oscar came in, "Honey, thank God you two are all right. Cecilia was just attacked as she went to get Rudy." "Oscar, no! is she all right?" she got up from her seat only to have her uncle push her back down. "She's fine, just a little shaken up. She thinks it was Rick's attacker, but she says he looked very familiar. I want you to stay put, Rudy's looking after her and A.J. and Robin won't leave her, I promise."

Laurie shook her head, "Oscar, this is crazy, how could Mom have seen that killer before?" Just then she heard Rick start to cough, and turning to him, saw his eyes wide open with his face a funny shade. "He's choking, help me sit him up!", she exclaimed, hitting the alarm button. Oscar helped get her husband into an upright position, and Rick's breathing started to ease up as his face relaxed. Just then Rudy came in, and after examining him, let out a deep breath and told them, "he's ok, he probably choked on some saliva. I should have had Oscar talk to you outside, it may have agitated him about Cecilia, but she'll be in as soon as she's spoken to Captain Ron." "Rudy, maybe Rick remembers something about this swindler, his identity," she replied, then facing her husband, saw him frown, then open his mouth as if he was going to speak.