Chapter 3

After an early breakfast, Rick and Robbie followed Laurie and Robin to Silver Rock, where they stopped at the veterinarian's office to pick up Mike, then dropped off the deputy at the sheriff's station. Seeing them safely into Chief Joseph's home, he lingered for a moment as Laurie handed the energetic dog's leash to Robin, then ran back to him. "Sweetheart, what..." he asked, then found her kissing him through the window. "Well, guess I'll have come for lunch, won't I, darlin'?" he smiled, then kissed her back.

"Be careful, Rick, I'll call A.J. to let him know you're on your way!" she told him, trying to be upbeat.

As he pulled out, she watched him from the doorway of the Chief, then went in to find the elder playing with Mike as Robin laughed at their antics. "All right, you silly dog, go outside with your sister, I need to talk to Light." he grinned. Shaking her head, Robin kissed the cheek of Chief Joseph. "Mike's my brother, huh? What does that make Rob?" she teased. Seeing her go outside, Laurie sat down next to her mentor, then her face crumpled. "Chief, what am I going to do, I'm tired of being scared, now this!" she cried. The elder drew her to him, then facing her, said, "You have every right to fear these threats to your family, my child. Maybe Rick should take you and Robin to San Diego for a few weeks. We can postpone the groundbreaking and construction of the hospital for a couple of months."

"You mean runaway, let the snakes who nearly killed my son and threatened my Robin win? No, Chief, they'd only do this again to me or Rick or someone else I love!" she returned angrily. Standing up, she turned back to the Chief, wiping tears off her cheeks, then saw his proud expression. "Oh, you, you sneaky," She managed a grin, then hugged his neck. "Light, you forget you will not be alone. I and Rob and Doc will be there, as well as your family. Now, I want you to think about more pleasant things for the rest of the day, time enough to worry about the council. What's this about Robbie getting engaged?"

As Laurie filled their friend in about her son and Ramona, Rick spent his day watching the clock while A.J. kept him occupied with one client after another. As their last client left right before 12, Rick grabbed his jacket and told his brother, "I'll call you to see how Ricky is doing this evening." A.J. nodded, "If he wasn't sick, I'd go with you guys tonight. If you need me, call, I can make it in 20 minutes!"

"Thanks, little brother, give Linda a hug for me!" he replied, then rushed out the door. As he ran down the stairs, he passed their part-time secretary, Grace and told her in passing, "A.J. has your check, hon, we probably won't need you next week, ok?" She looked puzzled, so he slowed down and said, "Laurie will be coming back to work part-time next week, Grace. I appreciate your work, and if you like, A.J will write up a reference for you."

"Thanks, Mr. Simon, I could use it. Say hi to Robbie for me!" she smiled, then turned and went up the steps.

Shaking his head, he thanked his lucky stars he saw her before A.J. His son might be a good deputy, but he was too kind when it came to the lack of office skills Grace had exhibited. In the month she had worked for them, she had mislaid files, misspelled reports, called all her friends on their dime and generally acted like it was an effort to work. A.J. had wanted to fire her the week she started, but he had persuaded him to let her stay until Laurie was ready to come back to the office.

Speeding down the highway, he saw the light on his portable transmitter come on, then heard Robbie's voice. "Pop, are you on your way to the Chief? Over."

"About 10 minutes away, son, everything ok, over." he responded. "We're all right, Mom's making sandwiches, she wants to know what you want on yours, over."

Rick grinned, it was like having his son driving with him all the way into town. Relaying what he wanted for lunch, asking about Linda and Ricky, that transmitter was worth it's weight in gold!

Pulling into the parking in front of the tribal center, he felt Laurie's greeting, then saw her at the door to Chief Joseph's. "There's my girl!" he called, getting out of the truck. She came to meet him and he picked her up, kissing her and saying, "I missed you, Laurie, I couldn't stop thinking about my sweetheart."

Smiling up at him, she told her husband, "I missed you like crazy, The Chief's been so good, trying to keep my mind off things. I have lunch ready, but "she kissed him back, "I thought you might like an appetizer!" Seeing a wicked look in his eyes, Laurie blushed at her boldness. It made him laugh, seeing her turn red. "Darlin', you are so cute, it's a good thing we're in public; otherwise I might take you up on that appetizer!" Setting her down, the two went into lunch, not noticing the older man watching them from a delivery van parked nearby.

That night, Laurie was pacing nervously as Rick watched the residents file into the Tribal Center. By and large Robbie was reporting a wave of support for the hospital, he had been stopped by several townspeople who were horrified by the events of the previous night. News traveled faster then the telephone, Rick had remarked, and Laurie was heartened by the good wishes being passed along to her son.

A few minutes before 8, Robbie and Oscar came to walk Robin to the meeting. Rick and Laurie were going to come in through the back entrance with Chief Joseph. Deciding to have all the bases covered, Sheriff Rob and Doc were going to stand in the background just in case.

"Pop, you and Mom wait until the Chief is seated, then you come in. Andy's going to bring Randy and Jackson in after that and Rob's going to read the charges against them. I spoke to their parents, they're both going to hold Whitefeather responsible for misleading the guys." their son added.

"Ok, Robbie, we'll be in there in a few minutes." Rick replied, putting an arm around him. Watching him go through the door, Laurie glanced up at her husband, then leaned against his chest. "I'm so proud of our son, darling, and Robin, they've been so brave through all this. You've helped teach both of them how to be strong when something bad happens."

"Laurie, it's you they've learned from, day one you showed them how to handle the two worlds we live in!" he told her, stroking her hair. "Rick, when you say "We", oh, I love you!" she whispered, putting her arms around his neck.

Just then Rob called his father on the transmitter, "Now, Pop, Whitefeather's just started up!"

"Hold that thought, darlin'," Rick told his wife, then taking her arm, the two Simons went in to the back of the Center hall.

Walking into the room, an audible gasp was heard from the few supporters the renegade council member had with him. Laurie kept a tight grip on Rick's hand once they sat down. Immediately Chief Joseph called for Deputy Andy to bring in the witnesses against Martin Whitefeather, and the two men and their parents entered through the side door.

As first Randy Lopez then Jackson Bear told of the plot against the Simons, a rumbling went around the hall. Their parents gave the council accusing looks, then told of the undue influence allowed during the "Leadership" Council meeting conducted by Whitefeather.

Finally, Laurie and Rick stood, as the Chief showed everyone the threatening note they had received. Cries of outrage rang from their friends, then Rick asked for quiet.

"Now, maybe I'm not a member of the people, but you can't tell me this community values an unusable piece of property over a much needed hospital and cultural center. Do any of you want to be responsible for the next person between here and Gallup who desperately needs emergency care and can't make it to the clinic in time?"

Amid yells of appreciation and applause, he sat down, breathing hard. Laurie smiled at him, then stood and faced the crowd. "I can't say anything more persuasive then what Rick just said, but I can tell you this. My family gave the land we inherited back to the people. No threat is going to force us to leave our home or stop the building of the people's hospital.

Only cowards attack and threaten women and children, and I don't believe anyone is above the law when it comes to such tactics. I ask the council to bind Martin Whitefeather and his accomplices over for criminal charges."

As the old council member stood as if to flee, Rob and Andy moved in and placed him and the two men with him under arrest. As they left the room, Whitefeather turned and stared at Laurie, muttering under his breath.

Rick stood up and put his arms around Laurie for support, as she refused to look away from the old man.

As the proceedings ended, the Simons's friends and family surrounded the two and escorted them to the Chief's home. Laurie was stopped by Ramona, who hugged her and said, "Mrs. Simon, I'm sorry those guys scared you like that, they used to be really nice. Robbie was really brave up there tonight." Smiling at her son's fiancée, Laurie told her, "Honey, he's strong because he has family behind him, and he has you now. You've always been a part of our family, now it's official!" As she embraced the girl, another woman and a stern-looking man approached them. Spying them over Ramona's shoulder, Laurie released her and held out her hand. "Angelina, thank you for coming tonight." "Laurie, I'm just glad none of you were hurt, especially Robert." she replied "I was just welcoming your daughter into our family, although it seems she's always been a part of it!" Laurie answered, then saw an upset look cross Ramona's face. Suddenly the man stepped forward, and Laurie recognized him as Ramona's stepfather, Rodolfo Martinez.

"I'm afraid you are celebrating much too soon, Mrs. Simon: Ramona's mother and I have not given her permission to marry your son. I hope you appreciate that this is not possible under the circumstances." Mr. Martinez informed her in a gruff voice. Shocked, Laurie heard Angelina's voice say "Rodolfo, no!" as she repeated, "Not possible, under what circumstances do you forbid your daughter to marry my son. Ramona is of age, and Robert will be able to support her."

Martinez faced her, waving off his daughter's reproachful, "You have no right!" "I can and will refuse my consent, as you and your son are not of our race. Ramona is of Castillian descent, where as your family is Indian, mixed Mestizo, white and Navajo!" he returned.

Taking his wife by the hand, he started to go in the opposite direction, then Angelina shook his arm off. Turning to Laurie, still stunned by his racist attitude, she apologized. "I don't know what to say, please come see us for lunch tomorrow, Laurie. I'll talk to him, reason with him, for Ramona's sake, please come!"

"I'll speak to Rick about it, Angelina, we'll talk this through, I promise." Laurie replied, then hugged the upset Ramona again and told her Robbie would call her later.

Once inside the Chief's home, Robin clung to her father and asked him tearfully, "Pop, why didn't you tell me those two guys were going to kidnap me!" He embraced her, saying, "Honey, both Lopez and Bear say they wouldn't have done it, I believe them. Your brother and I didn't want

you to be worrying, we won't let anything happen to you, I promise." She took a deep breath, then managed a smile, "Ok, Pop, I know it'll be all right. Thank you!"

Suddenly looking around, she frowned, "Where's Mom?"

Just then Laurie entered the room, then went straight to Robbie. "Darling, I think you and Ramona need to have a talk. I just had a conversation with her parents. Rick?"

Her husband came over, seeing her concerned expression. "Sweetheart, what's wrong?" She looked at him, then filled the two men in on the disturbing remarks made by Mr. Martinez. Her son shook his head. "I'm sorry, Mom, I knew he was resentful of me, but I never dreamed he'd come out with something like that. I'll call Ramona a little later."

Rick was beet red with anger, "Laurie, how dare that nasty little man be so prejudiced, I ought to..." "Rick, darling, please calm down, Angelina already apologized for his behavior. She wants us to come to lunch tomorrow to discuss this. I think for Robbie and Ramona's sake we should," she tried to soothe him.

He stared at her, then said to the others, "Excuse us." Taking Laurie by the hand, he led her to the Chief's back conference area, then closing the door, turned to face her.

"Laurie Light Simon, don't you ever give in to racists like Martinez again. I don't care if it's for Robbie or Robin or whoever: never again will you or I go crawling to make peace with people like that again. Do you understand?"

His wife gazed at him, realizing the depth of hurt he carried for her and their children. Seeing the anger in his eyes, she only knew how much he cared. She knew he was right, and she only had one thing she could say to him.

Laurie approached him and to his surprise, put her arms around him and just held him. Looking down on her face, he saw her eyes full of tears as she whispered, "I'm sorry, darling, you're right. I'm sorry." over and over again.

"Oh, darlin', no, it's ok, don't, my angel." he said, his anger dissipating. He clung to her, as she told him, "All those years ago in San Diego, it cost a lot to try to make it better for Robin and Robbie. I didn't know it hurt you as much as it hurt us. I love you so much, I would never do anything without your being involved." Rick cupped her face in his hands, "I only want what's best, sweetheart, but not like that." As they kissed, a knock on the door reminded Rick that the others were waiting to say good night.

Taking Laurie by the hand, they went to the door and opening It, found both Robbie and Robin standing there with upset expressions. "Pop, is everything all right, you two didn't have a fight, did you?" their daughter asked.

Laurie sighed, "No, but your father needed to know that I would never go against him when it comes to you and your brother." Robbie looked at his father's expression, then without a word hugged him.

"It's ok, Pop, I've never forgotten what you had to do in San Diego to help us; I would never ask you to do anything like that again." Patting his son on the back, Rick choked back his own emotions, how he would do almost anything for his family.

Taking a deep breath, he cleared his throat, then told the others, "I think we should go home, it'll be safe now with Whitefeather behind bars."

Smiling at Rick, Laurie put an arm around him then told their children, "Your father's right, we'll sleep better on this at home. Let me get Mike and we can say our goodbye's."

Looking for their "puppy", Laurie saw Oscar and Rudy helping bid everyone good night, then she heard the pooch barking and followed the noise to the back door.

As she stepped outside and bent down to pick the wagging ball of fur up, she felt a presence, terrifying in its closeness. She heard Rick call to her, "Sweetheart, where are you?"

"At the back door, darling, I had to get Mike," she replied, suddenly afraid. Her husband appeared in the doorway, then looked behind her with a frown. "Laurie, did you hear something out here?"

"Yes, Rick, I just got such a cold feeling, like someone's watching us. Let's go home, it's probably just nerves," she said, taking his arm.

Helping Laurie into his truck, Rick carefully belted her in, then made sure Robin and Robbie were with Oscar and Rudy as they took off for home.

On the way, Rick told his wife, "Darlin', Rob and Andy think Whitefeather's son may be planning to take you hostage to free his father. I think he was lurking around the Chief's when you were outside. I don't want you going anywhere by yourself until they catch him, all right?"

"Yes, Rick, just let me call Angelina in the morning and I'll cancel seeing them, she sighed, leaning against his arm.

The next morning, Rick awoke to see Laurie's side of the bed empty, and a cold feeling swept over him. Getting his robe around him, he went out to the kitchen, only to find her staring out the window.

"Sweetheart, is it your Grandmother?" he whispered, seeing her gazing toward the barn. "Rick, I had a bad dream or premonition, I don't know. All of a sudden, I knew Grandmother Casey was around.", she replied.

Taking his hand, she opened the back door, and Rick saw the figure of her Grandmother, standing in the morning light. Walking her as far as the patio, Rick put an arm around his wife as she tentatively said "Good morning, Grandmother."

Casey looked at the two Simons, then almost sadly answered, "Laurie, you'll have to choose, use your heart and you'll know what to do. He will find you, don't lose hope. Just know that Robin and Robert will be safe."

Rick felt his throat tighten, "Grandmother, are they in danger? Please tell me how to protect them."

She shook her head, "Richard, it's beyond me, the danger is not who you think. Do not lose touch, and listen to your elder, he will do what science cannot. I will be there when you need me, child." she added, looking at Laurie.

Sunlight shone down on the yard and suddenly the spirit was gone, leaving Laurie trembling in her husband's arms. "Darlin', it's all right, I won't let anything happen to you." he tried to comfort her. Taking Laurie inside, Rick made some tea and held her while she drank it.

"I'm ok, Rick, I never get used to her coming, that's all." she told him, trying to coax a smile from him. "I know, sweetheart, but I don't like riddles. What did she mean, you'll have to choose?"

"I don't know, Rick, we'll just have to trust in her words. In the meantime, I want you to go to work, A.J. needs you and we'll be all right." she said, kissing him then getting up to start the coffee.

Reluctantly he stood up, hating the fact she was right. "Ok, darlin', but you don't go anywhere without Rob or Oscar, promise?"

She turned and embracing him, whispered, "Cross my heart!"

As Rick was about to leave, thermos in hand, the phone rang, and a sleepy Robin shuffled out of her room to answer it.

Her parents paused at the front door as she held out the phone, "Pop, it's Rob, he wants to talk to you."

Planting a kiss on her cheek, Rick took the receiver from his daughter. Laurie smiled at her as she came over to give her a hug. "Mom, did Grandmother Casey come this morning, or was it a dream?"

Astonished, Laurie replied, "Yes, honey, how did you know, did we wake you?" "I dreamt she was standing in the yard, and she said she had to talk to you. When I woke up, I heard you and Pop outside, so I figured it was her. What did she say?" Robin asked.

"She warned us, darling, she wasn't that clear but she did say you and your brother would be safe. She said she would be there when I needed her. I don't understand, but well, we'll just watch our step for the next couple of days.", she explained

Just then Rick hung up the phone, then turned with a smile on his face. "Laurie, Rob says they picked up Johnny Whitefeather, he's refusing to talk but they think they got him on weapons violations. It sounds like everything's going to be ok."

"Oh, Rick, that's great, now you go to work and don't worry. I'll take Robin to town with me when I go to sign the final paperwork for the Chief, though, just in case.", she grinned, giving him another goodbye kiss.

Even with the sheriff's phone call, Rick still felt uneasy about his family. When A.J. decided to close the office early, he was relieved and called to let his wife know he would be home for lunch.

Finding no one at home, he left a message, then was ready to hang up when the breathless voice of his son came on.

"Pop, thank God you called, have you spoken with Mom this morning?" Robbie gasped, breathing heavily.

"No, Robbie, is anything wrong?" he answered, concerned, as his brother stopped in the doorway and picked up the extension.

"Yeah, Ramona's here, she found out something from her mother about her step dad, here, she wants to talk to you." Rick heard the phone being passed, then Ramona came on.

"Mr. Simon, my mother just told me that my stepfather isn't my stepfather, he's my uncle. He, he murdered my stepfather down in Monterrey and took his identity. Mom swears she didn't know until a couple of days ago. He threatened to hurt us and Robbie if she said anything. She wanted to warn you and Mrs. Simon not to come to the office to meet her, she's afraid Martinez might try to harm you." she added.

Shocked, Rick shook his head at his brother, then said, "Honey, why would he want to hurt us, we don't even know him!" "He's crazy, Mr. Simon, he thinks Robbie's going to expose him and put him in jail! That's why he made that big thing last night. Plus for some reason he thinks Mrs. Simon is a witch, Mom's afraid he'll go after her if he gets a chance, anything to hurt Robbie!", she replied, frantically.

Terrified at what might happen, Rick asked for her to put his son back on. "Robbie, I want you two to call the Chief, maybe your mom and Robin are still there. Tell them not to move, to stay put and I'm on my way. I'll try to reach her on my transmitter, it's set to 715.5, so keep in touch and call me when you talk to either of them, all right?"

"Sure, Pop, we'll find Mom, drive careful and I'll see you in town." he answered, sounding relieved.

Ending the call, Rick looked at A.J. "I'm worried, here we thought the threat was Whitefeather, now this. I'd better get there, quick!"

"I'll follow you, Rick, you go and I'll call Linda and tell her where I'll be." A.J. returned, putting an arm on his big brother's shoulder.

Driving as fast as his truck would go, Rick kept trying to reach his wife on her transmitter, only to find it wasn't on. Successful in reaching Oscar, he found the older man was already aware of the threat and was on his way to town.

Suddenly Rick got a cold feeling, then the light on his watch went on.

"Laurie, sweetheart, answer me, where are you?" he called. There was a pause, then her voice, sounding strange.

"Rick, I stopped to see Angelina, but something's wrong, I think Martinez isn't Ramona's stepfather. Darling, I don't feel so good, got to get out of here." She sounded faint, then to Rick's horror he heard another voice. "Quiet, Mrs. Simon, you're coming with me." A muffled cry came through the transmitter, then there was the sound of a struggle. Immediately Rick raised the volume of his transmitter, only to hear nothing.

Dialing his son's transmitter, he called, "Robbie, come in, go to Ramona's house, hurry, over!"

His son replied immediately, "Pop, I'm just pulling into town, we'll be there in a moment."

Monitoring his tranmission, the older Simon tore into town, listening to the sound of his son running, then pounding on the door of the office Rodolfo Martinez had occupied. Abruptly he heard a key turning, then Robbie calling out for Ramona's mother.

"Pop, no! Mom's jacket and purse are on the floor, she's gone! Ramona, what's this?", he heard something being ruffled, like papers, then his son's voice.

"Pop, he's left a diagram to the Lost Valley construction site here, and, he's got explosives, he's going to blow up something!"

"Robbie, go get Rob, I'll meet you at his office, we've got to find your mom before he hurts her!" Rick told him, trying to remain calm.

As he drove in to town, he caught sight of Oscar and Rudy, together with Rob Gomez and his son in front of the Chief's house.

Screeching to a halt, he jumped out of the truck and ran to the group. "Robbie, have you heard anything, where's Ramona?"

"She's with her mother, Pop, I'm so glad to see you", he said heavily, then hugged his father.

"It's all right, son, we'll find your mom. We just have to figure out where he took her." he replied, seeing the angry looks on Oscar and Rudy's faces. "Where's your sister?"

"She's with the Chief, Pop, she's really upset. Mom told her she'd be right back, that Mrs. Martinez wasn't answering so she was going to stop by to cancel meeting her." he answered.

"Rick, Ramona's mother was locked in a closet, she's going to be all right but she's afraid Martinez may have taken Laurie to stop Robbie from marrying Ramona." Sheriff Rob explained, putting an arm on his friend's shoulder.

Rick let out a deep breath, then paled as Rudy added, "What concerns me, son, is that Mrs. Martinez says her brother-in-law had been carrying some Mexican herbal potion that's supposed to put you to sleep.

I'm afraid he may have slipped it to Laurie in a glass of water., Robbie found a half full one on the desk in Martinez's office."

"She said she didn't feel good when I got ahold of her on the transmitter," he answered numbly. "She wanted to get out of there, that Rodolfo wasn't Ramona's stepfather.

Laurie must have overheard or seen something; we have to find her!"

Behind them a car skidded to a halt, then A.J. burst out of the driver's seat and ran up to them.

"Robbie, does Martinez drive a white van?", he asked, winded. "I think so, Uncle A.J., why, did you see something?"

"I just talked to the construction chief for the hospital site; he says a white panel van has been seen around the area the last couple of nights. I asked him if it was there now and he said yes!" A.J. added, looking at his brother.

"Good work, A.J., let's get out there. Oscar, do you have your weapon?" he asked the big man. Stern-faced, Oscar lifted his jacket to show his shoulder holster. "I'm ready, son, let's go get my niece."