Chapter 2

"Laurie, he just left. How do you know there's a problem with his car?" Rick caught her in his arms. "I got a funny feeling when I heard his car start, then I saw a picture of him swerving, we've got to catch up with

him!" she gasped.

"All right, sweetheart, you stay here, I'll go after him. Don't worry, I'll catch up to him!" he assured her, climbing into his truck and catching the keys Robin tossed to him.

"Be careful, Rick, please!" she called after him as he raced down the drive.

Speeding down the road, he soon caught up with his son's Chevette, then honked at him in Morse code. Robbie blinked his lights in acknowledgement, then started to slow down, only to have a small puff of smoke come out from underneath the car.

Quickly Rick got in front of his son's car, then slowing down, allowed the compact to hit the rear of his truck. Halting the forward momentum of the Chevette, Robbie used the emergency brake and managed to stop the car just before the Rockpoint grade.

Shaken, his father got out of his truck, and embraced his son. "How did you know, Pop, I just had the brakes done on this car!" Robbie gasped. "Your mom, she had one of her funny feelings, then said she saw you swerving! I've got to get back to her, son. I'll tow you to town if you like..." "No, Pop, Ramona will understand. I want Andy and Rob to see the car, let me call them then I 'll go home with you. This is too much coincidence with that warning and what the Chief told you." Rob interrupted. Grabbing his portable radio, he called his fellow deputy and boss and alerted them to his near-accident. Arranging to have his car towed to the station, he climbed in the old truck with his father and they raced back to the ranch.

As they pulled up to the gate, Rick honked, waiting for Robin or Laurie to open the gate. It remained closed, then he had a familiar cold feeling. Hitting his watch on, he heard Laurie's whisper, "Rick, come in, someone's trying to break in the back. Robin and I locked ourselves in our room, please hurry!"

"Sweetheart, stay there, Robbie and I will find the intruder." he told her, trying to stay calm. "Rob, you go around the back, I'm going to swing to the side, call Rob and Andy, then meet me in the patio!"

"Got it, Pop!" his son nodded, then edged out of the cab and vanished into the shadows. Rick took the truck to the side yard, then crept out the door and to the back of the house. Peering around the corner, he saw a shadowy figure trying to slide a note under the back door, pulling his gun, he slid noiselessly along the siding. Coming up behind the intruder, he barked, "Freeze!"

Startled, the figure whirled around, then raised his hands as Rick motioned with his weapon to drop the paper he was carrying. "Against the house, now!" he ordered, then called, "Robbie, anyone over there?" He heard two sets of footsteps, then out of the corner of his eye watched his son march another man and place him against the building.

"Rob, shine a light on our uninvited guests, I want to see who's trying to terrorize your mom and sister!" Rick growled.

The young deputy obliged him, then swore, "Randy, Jackson, what the hell do you think you were doing!"

His father saw the shock on his son's face, "Rob, are these friends of yours?" The one Rick had cornered hung his head as Rob replied, "Yeah, I went to school with both these guys, I can't believe they would attack us like this!" "I'm sorry, Rob, I didn't think, Mr. Whitefeather said your Mom was desecrating the Navajo by donating that land.," the one called Randy said. "I thought I was only supposed to scare her then I heard Jackson say we were to take your sister and hide her for a day. I told him no, just to leave these notes and split!"

The other man started to argue, "shut it Randy, you know I wouldn't hurt Robin, but Whitefeather said this was to prove we were real men!" "Shut it, yourself!" Rick barked, angered at the threat to his wife and daughter. "Which one of you lowlifes nearly killed Robbie by tampering with his brakes?" Both guys' jaws dropped, then Randy shook his head, "Mr. Simon, I wouldn't do anything to hurt Rob, that wasn't something we were to do! I know scaring Mrs. Simon was wrong, I'm sorry!"

Just then Rick heard Laurie's voice calling from the house, "Rick, are you and Robbie ok?" He breathed a sigh of relief, "Yes, Laurie, stay inside, we'll be right in!"

A siren outside alerted them to the arrival of the Sheriff and Rob's fellow deputy, Andy.

Ordering Randy and Jackson to the front of the house, Rick and his son gave a brief outline of what the two had said, then Robbie knocked on the front door. "Mom, it's ok, open up!"

As the light went on in the living room, Robin came to the door, and hugged her brother. "Rob, I heard voices, how many were out there?" "Two, Robin, two idiots. Where's Mom?" "Right here, Robbie, oh thank God you're safe, "she cried, taking her son in her arms. "Mom, it's ok, thanks to you. I just can't believe what these two were going to do, especially since they knew Mike wasn't here. They say Mr. Whitefeather put them up to it!" he added, angrily.

"Darling, I can, that racist old fool was trying to stir up trouble the entire time the council was debating. I just can't understand why those two boys would

fall for that old "make men out of you stuff"!", his mom replied, looking at the downcast duo.

"Sweetheart, are you all right, when did you realize these guys were outside?" Rick came to her and Robin, enveloping both in a fervent embrace. "We're ok, Rick, right after you left Robin thought she heard a noise, then I saw the smaller once outside by the barn. I shut off the lights, then tried to call the sheriff's office, only I got a circuit busy. That's when I called you. ", Laurie said, kissing him.

"Light, I think you and Robin should spend the night in town, at least until the council meets tomorrow. If Whitefeather is behind this, I don't trust what else he might be up to." Sheriff Rob told her, coming to check on the two women. Giving him a hug, Laurie shook her head. "No, Rob, we'll be safe here tonight. I don't think that old jerk will have the nerve, as a matter of fact maybe he doesn't have to know his plan failed. Rick," she turned to her husband, "Maybe we ought to pretend the guys here left those notes, then reveal Whitefeather's harassment at the meeting."

Rick looked at the sheriff, then at his son, "That might work, darlin'. Let me call A.J. and tell him I won't be in tomorrow. I spoke to Oscar already, he'll be here in a little while to help stand watch. What do you think, Rob?"

The sheriff laughed, "I think Light's got a point, but I still would feel better if you were all in town before the meeting. Why don't the four of you come to the Chief in the morning and lay low there. At least we'd know you were out of harm's way!"

Laurie grinned, "All right, Rob, you win, we'll be at the Chief's tomorrow morning. Darling, this way you can keep your morning appointments and Robin and I will be safe until this gets taken care of."

With their plans made, Rob and Andy took their prisoners to the sheriff's car and drove off. Robbie went around the ranch house to make sure everything was secure, then waited for Oscar Goldman to arrive.

When Oscar showed up, he found Laurie had made a fresh pot of coffee and had persuaded Robin to go to bed. "Robbie, what's this your father told me about your brakes going out?" he asked, giving his nephew a hug.

"Yeah, Uncle Oscar, I just had them done last week, but right after Pop tried to warn me, they went poof. If he hadn't managed to get in front and slow my car down before the Rockpoint grade, I'd have wiped out!" Robbie told him.

As Laurie set a cup of coffee in front of him, her uncle stood up and embraced her. "Honey, I don't like any of this, you should have called me this afternoon when you got that note!" Laurie saw how upset Oscar was, "I'm sorry, Oscar, I thought you were still out of town, I should have called Rudy after I missed Rick at the office. Thank you for worrying!" she kissed his cheek.

"That's what uncles are for, Laurie, now I want you and Rick to get some rest. I think you've had enough excitement for the day. I'll stand watch with Rob." he said.

"On one condition, Oscar, I'll relieve you in four hours, no need for any of us to be dragging in the morning!" Rick insisted.

As he watched Laurie get ready for bed, Rick was concerned about how calm she was after the frightening events of the night. He watched check the windows, then he saw her shiver as she glanced out at the side yard. "Darlin', it's going to be all right, no one's going to get anywhere near you, I promise!" he assured her, coming behind her and embracing her.

"I know, my love, I was so scared for Robbie, though. I can't bear the thought of someone trying to hurt Robin or Rob. Just hold me, darling, I feel safe when I'm with you." she whispered. He picked her up in his arms, then carried her to bed and gently kissed her. Comforted, she sighed, then returned his kisses. "Nothing will hurt me as long as I have you near me," she whispered. Watching her drop off to sleep, Rick vowed nothing would disturb her peace of mind again. Putting his arms around her, he nodded off.