Chapter 4
Bedlam ensued as Rudy rushed forward and helped Oscar lower her back into her chair. As Peters tried to gavel the meeting to order, another one of the commissioners yanked the mallet from him and ordered him to vacate the chairman's seat.
Laurie opened her eyes to see Rick, stroking her forehead and saying her name. "Darling, I'm all right, just dizzy for a moment." Breathing a sigh of relief, Oscar told her "Honey, I don't care, we're taking you to the hospital, just take it easy."
Sitting up, she shook her head, "no, Oscar, really, I'm ok, just give me a moment. I, I had a premonition. I want to get this over with so they never bother us again. Please?" She gazed up at the big man, who kissed her cheek and said heavily, "Only for a few minutes, then we take you home, no buts!" Rudy looked mutinously at his friend, then relented as she agreed, "I promise, no buts." Before Rick could utter a protest, she placed her fingers over his lips, saying, "Please, my love."
He smiled at her, whispering, "I can't refuse you anything, sweetheart", then sat back down in his wheelchair. Laurie took his hand, then faced the acting commissioner, who she recognized as the assistant Mayor. As order was restored, he glanced apologetically at her, and said, "Mrs. Simon, I'm sorry for any discourtesy from this panel, are you well enough to continue?"
She nodded, then said "Mr. Commissioner, I only have a few words to add. I'm sure any person in this room would risk their life to save a loved one. I did, only to rely on the expertise and courage of one of the firemen, and Captain Johnson. I can never repay their efforts in rescuing my husband, but I can and will say that with all our efforts, this ruthless arsonist will be stopped."
As members of the audience murmured their agreement, the commission members
conferred, then the assistant Mayor turned to the microphone and replied, "Thank you, Mrs. Simon, we appreciate your appearance. May I extend our heartfelt apology for the behavior of one of our members." Laurie nodded, then the session was continued to the afternoon.
As several reporters attempted to gather a quote from her, Captain Johnson cleared a path around Laurie and Rick, as she took Oscar's arm. Still holding Rick's hand, they exited the room and headed to the parking lot, meeting up with Rob and Robin and Cecilia. Just before exiting the building, Laurie reached for Captain Ron and hugged him. "Thank you, Ron, you saved the day by interrupting that horrible man. I don't know how I could have gotten through it today if you hadn't stood up for us!" He shook his head, then embraced her. "No, Laurie, thank you for showing those jerks up, none of them had the class you showed today. I'm going to make sure those lawyers from your building get a chance to say how you led them to safety!" Promising to follow up with Rick about the hearing, he went back inside.
As A.J. went to get Rudy's van, Cecilia handed Laurie a bottle of water for her to sip. "Thanks, Mom, I was afraid to have any beforehand, I didn't want to get sick!" Rick looked up to see she was still pale, then pulled her into his lap.
"No use you're standing, darlin'," he teased. Giggling, she leaned against him as her uncle just shook his head. "You two." he sighed, then as A.J. rolled up with the van, helped load Rick in for the trip back to the hospital. As he gave a hand to his niece, she kissed him, "I can always depend on you." she whispered, smiling.
Getting in beside her, Oscar put an arm around her shoulders. "You always can, honey, you and the delinquent here!"
"Delinquent? you mean, oh Rick, you didn't", she exclaimed, then put her arms around him as Rudy said, "you got it, Laurie, he's awol. We're taking you back to the hospital, Rick, Allen says you need one more day of observation before he feels you can go home."
Grumbling, Rick looked at his friends, then said, "at least I'm taking my security blanket back with me, I want her to get some rest too!"
Once he was back in his room, Rick had A.J. go over the arson file with him again, this time photo by photo. When the two brothers reached the last photo, which had earlier triggered Rick's memory, A.J. held it up for Laurie to see. "Honey, do any of the people in this picture seem familiar?" She gazed at it a second, then her eyes widened.
"A.J., that's Catherine Palmer, the one who tried to kill you when you got married! I thought she was locked up in the hospital in Tucson!" Laurie said, a sick feeling in her stomach.
"Sweetheart, she was, I don't know how she could have gotten out, she's supposed to be sent to California when her terms up here!" Rick insisted, slipping an arm around his wife. Feeling her shivering, he pulled a blanket around her and held her. Calming down, she smiled up at him, 'Thank you, darling; I'm ok, just a little queasy at seeing her. I saw someone who looked just like her at the arson scene, this woman was glaring at me. I just thought it was an employee or relative, but it could have been her."
"Let me call and find out, Rick, if she's out, we need to let Captain Ron know, he can put out an APB. I'm going to call Linda, just to make sure things are all right at home." he said, worried. As his brother left the room, Rick sucked in a breath, "I need to get out of here, Laurie, he's not safe if she's out there." "You're right, my love, I'm scared for him." she replied, stroking his cheek. Rick kissed her hand, then told her, "I'm scared, too, I think she's the one who knocked me down and caused those boxes to fall on me. If she's willing to do that, what would she do to A.J.?"
"Nothing, because I'm putting extra security around all three of you." Captain Ron answered, coming in the room. Greeting their friend, Rick and Laurie listened as he continued, "That woman slipped out of the Tucson facility a month ago, their staff claims they notified us, but no such warning ever came to the department! Rick, I want you and Laurie to stay put tomorrow until Oscar and Rudy can take you home. Robbie is going to provide escort.
I'll have a man stationed outside your brother's house for the next day or so until we get an idea about her whereabouts, too." he added. Grateful, Rick thanked him, "Ron, I don't know where we'd be without your help, you really are the man!" Embarrassed, he said good night then grabbed a chair and stood watch outside their door the whole night.
The next day, Dr. Clarke gave Rick a clean bill of health, only telling him, "No shouting, no extra stress, and make sure you get some exercise in, that will help your lungs heal faster. If you have any headaches or soreness in your lungs, you call me or Rudy immediately."
"Yeah, just so I can come have some more of this lovely hospital food, you really ought to hire my daughter; she could teach your cooks a thing or two about good tasting food!" he good-naturedly grumbled.
Laughing, Laurie went to see if Robbie had pulled up yet to the loading zone. As she stepped out of the lobby doors, she saw a green van waiting at the curb, then started to walk past it to see if her son was waiting. Suddenly the sliding door opened of the vehicle and an arm came around her neck, dragging her inside. Startled, she tried to break free, only to be slammed down on the metal floor, as the side door slowly closed. Opening her mouth to scream, she felt a knotted scarf forced into her mouth, then her wrists were bound tightly in back of her. She saw a woman's legs walk past her, then disappear into the cab of the van. Abruptly it started to pull away, as she mentally started calling for Rick. At once she felt his response, "Laurie, where are you, are you all right!" She pictured to him what had happened, then wriggling her fingers, felt for her watch. Horrified, she realized it wasn't there, then the vehicle made a sharp turn and she slammed into the doors. Gasping through the gag in her mouth, she felt a stabbing sensation in her side, then tried to turn herself so she wouldn't slide so easily. Telling Rick her watch was missing, she felt him trying to comfort her. "Sweetheart, we'll find you, don't worry. Oscar's having your transmitter turned on by remote, it'll be ok."
Feeling the van slowing down, she wasn't ready when it braked to a stop, causing her to hit against the tire well. A sharp pain shot through her ankle, causing tears to well up in her eyes. At once the doors opened, and she looked into the smirking face of Catherine Palmer.
Bedlam ensued as Rudy rushed forward and helped Oscar lower her back into her chair. As Peters tried to gavel the meeting to order, another one of the commissioners yanked the mallet from him and ordered him to vacate the chairman's seat.
Laurie opened her eyes to see Rick, stroking her forehead and saying her name. "Darling, I'm all right, just dizzy for a moment." Breathing a sigh of relief, Oscar told her "Honey, I don't care, we're taking you to the hospital, just take it easy."
Sitting up, she shook her head, "no, Oscar, really, I'm ok, just give me a moment. I, I had a premonition. I want to get this over with so they never bother us again. Please?" She gazed up at the big man, who kissed her cheek and said heavily, "Only for a few minutes, then we take you home, no buts!" Rudy looked mutinously at his friend, then relented as she agreed, "I promise, no buts." Before Rick could utter a protest, she placed her fingers over his lips, saying, "Please, my love."
He smiled at her, whispering, "I can't refuse you anything, sweetheart", then sat back down in his wheelchair. Laurie took his hand, then faced the acting commissioner, who she recognized as the assistant Mayor. As order was restored, he glanced apologetically at her, and said, "Mrs. Simon, I'm sorry for any discourtesy from this panel, are you well enough to continue?"
She nodded, then said "Mr. Commissioner, I only have a few words to add. I'm sure any person in this room would risk their life to save a loved one. I did, only to rely on the expertise and courage of one of the firemen, and Captain Johnson. I can never repay their efforts in rescuing my husband, but I can and will say that with all our efforts, this ruthless arsonist will be stopped."
As members of the audience murmured their agreement, the commission members
conferred, then the assistant Mayor turned to the microphone and replied, "Thank you, Mrs. Simon, we appreciate your appearance. May I extend our heartfelt apology for the behavior of one of our members." Laurie nodded, then the session was continued to the afternoon.
As several reporters attempted to gather a quote from her, Captain Johnson cleared a path around Laurie and Rick, as she took Oscar's arm. Still holding Rick's hand, they exited the room and headed to the parking lot, meeting up with Rob and Robin and Cecilia. Just before exiting the building, Laurie reached for Captain Ron and hugged him. "Thank you, Ron, you saved the day by interrupting that horrible man. I don't know how I could have gotten through it today if you hadn't stood up for us!" He shook his head, then embraced her. "No, Laurie, thank you for showing those jerks up, none of them had the class you showed today. I'm going to make sure those lawyers from your building get a chance to say how you led them to safety!" Promising to follow up with Rick about the hearing, he went back inside.
As A.J. went to get Rudy's van, Cecilia handed Laurie a bottle of water for her to sip. "Thanks, Mom, I was afraid to have any beforehand, I didn't want to get sick!" Rick looked up to see she was still pale, then pulled her into his lap.
"No use you're standing, darlin'," he teased. Giggling, she leaned against him as her uncle just shook his head. "You two." he sighed, then as A.J. rolled up with the van, helped load Rick in for the trip back to the hospital. As he gave a hand to his niece, she kissed him, "I can always depend on you." she whispered, smiling.
Getting in beside her, Oscar put an arm around her shoulders. "You always can, honey, you and the delinquent here!"
"Delinquent? you mean, oh Rick, you didn't", she exclaimed, then put her arms around him as Rudy said, "you got it, Laurie, he's awol. We're taking you back to the hospital, Rick, Allen says you need one more day of observation before he feels you can go home."
Grumbling, Rick looked at his friends, then said, "at least I'm taking my security blanket back with me, I want her to get some rest too!"
Once he was back in his room, Rick had A.J. go over the arson file with him again, this time photo by photo. When the two brothers reached the last photo, which had earlier triggered Rick's memory, A.J. held it up for Laurie to see. "Honey, do any of the people in this picture seem familiar?" She gazed at it a second, then her eyes widened.
"A.J., that's Catherine Palmer, the one who tried to kill you when you got married! I thought she was locked up in the hospital in Tucson!" Laurie said, a sick feeling in her stomach.
"Sweetheart, she was, I don't know how she could have gotten out, she's supposed to be sent to California when her terms up here!" Rick insisted, slipping an arm around his wife. Feeling her shivering, he pulled a blanket around her and held her. Calming down, she smiled up at him, 'Thank you, darling; I'm ok, just a little queasy at seeing her. I saw someone who looked just like her at the arson scene, this woman was glaring at me. I just thought it was an employee or relative, but it could have been her."
"Let me call and find out, Rick, if she's out, we need to let Captain Ron know, he can put out an APB. I'm going to call Linda, just to make sure things are all right at home." he said, worried. As his brother left the room, Rick sucked in a breath, "I need to get out of here, Laurie, he's not safe if she's out there." "You're right, my love, I'm scared for him." she replied, stroking his cheek. Rick kissed her hand, then told her, "I'm scared, too, I think she's the one who knocked me down and caused those boxes to fall on me. If she's willing to do that, what would she do to A.J.?"
"Nothing, because I'm putting extra security around all three of you." Captain Ron answered, coming in the room. Greeting their friend, Rick and Laurie listened as he continued, "That woman slipped out of the Tucson facility a month ago, their staff claims they notified us, but no such warning ever came to the department! Rick, I want you and Laurie to stay put tomorrow until Oscar and Rudy can take you home. Robbie is going to provide escort.
I'll have a man stationed outside your brother's house for the next day or so until we get an idea about her whereabouts, too." he added. Grateful, Rick thanked him, "Ron, I don't know where we'd be without your help, you really are the man!" Embarrassed, he said good night then grabbed a chair and stood watch outside their door the whole night.
The next day, Dr. Clarke gave Rick a clean bill of health, only telling him, "No shouting, no extra stress, and make sure you get some exercise in, that will help your lungs heal faster. If you have any headaches or soreness in your lungs, you call me or Rudy immediately."
"Yeah, just so I can come have some more of this lovely hospital food, you really ought to hire my daughter; she could teach your cooks a thing or two about good tasting food!" he good-naturedly grumbled.
Laughing, Laurie went to see if Robbie had pulled up yet to the loading zone. As she stepped out of the lobby doors, she saw a green van waiting at the curb, then started to walk past it to see if her son was waiting. Suddenly the sliding door opened of the vehicle and an arm came around her neck, dragging her inside. Startled, she tried to break free, only to be slammed down on the metal floor, as the side door slowly closed. Opening her mouth to scream, she felt a knotted scarf forced into her mouth, then her wrists were bound tightly in back of her. She saw a woman's legs walk past her, then disappear into the cab of the van. Abruptly it started to pull away, as she mentally started calling for Rick. At once she felt his response, "Laurie, where are you, are you all right!" She pictured to him what had happened, then wriggling her fingers, felt for her watch. Horrified, she realized it wasn't there, then the vehicle made a sharp turn and she slammed into the doors. Gasping through the gag in her mouth, she felt a stabbing sensation in her side, then tried to turn herself so she wouldn't slide so easily. Telling Rick her watch was missing, she felt him trying to comfort her. "Sweetheart, we'll find you, don't worry. Oscar's having your transmitter turned on by remote, it'll be ok."
Feeling the van slowing down, she wasn't ready when it braked to a stop, causing her to hit against the tire well. A sharp pain shot through her ankle, causing tears to well up in her eyes. At once the doors opened, and she looked into the smirking face of Catherine Palmer.
