Chapter Four
The Bayou Swamp
Night was falling yet it wasn't giving way to the heat and humidity of the swampy terrain, nor was it stopping the relentless pursuit of man and hound.
"Gage they're getting closer and we're going in circles," Syd exclaimed, her head was aching the heat and biting bugs slowing her.
Again the sounds of the baying hounds went up Gage moved up closer behind her in hopes of helping her pick up the pace. "Honey we have to keep going," he urged the sound of Kyle Clayton's voice reverberating behind them.
"They got to be right up ahead the dogs are getting real worked up," another voice was heard half drowned out by the dogs.
"Keep at it," Kyle's voice sounded again. "If we go back without proof that those rangers are dead my Daddy will kill all of us in their place," he told them.
"Come on Syd," Gage urged again his arm going around her to lead her into the swampy water in hopes of throwing the scent off again. Sydney didn't protest, her head was aching and she was fighting off dizziness, she was glad to have Gage's arm around her guiding her.
"I hear them Kyle they done gone in the water," one of the Clayton bunch hollered the echoes of the dogs and men a like splashing into the shallow water right behind them.
"This way Syd," Gage half dragged her stepping out of the murky water sinking into the soft mud as they struggled up the bank.
Suddenly an old woman stopped them short. From what they could see in the dusk of the evening she wore brightly coloured clothes that were set off by her dark skin. "Come quickly my children," she hissed in a thick accented voice.
Momentarily weighing the alternatives both rangers followed without hesitation. The path to her cabin was well worn and within minutes they were there. "D'his way," she ordered taking them around the side to where an old root cellar door stood open.
"Inside quickly," she ordered again both Sydney and Gage obeying. Once inside she slammed the door closed leaving them in total darkness.
The dogs had become louder again and Syd had unconsciously shuddered huddling closer to Gage as they strained to hear what was going on outside the confines of the cellar.
"Madam Beaubien," it was Kyle who spoke the partners instantly recognizing his voice.
"What'd you doing in da swamp d'his time of night?" the woman asked. "Evil business for your daddy I'll wager," she answered her own question.
Ignoring her comments Kyle spoke once more. "We're looking for two people they broke the law."
"And what law is d'hat Kyle? Da law of Ferris Clayton?"
"No ma'am the law of the state of Louisiana."
Madam Beaubien let out a loud maniacal laugh before replying to Kyle. "And you would know bout breaking da laws of Louisiana wouldn't you since you and your daddy have broken most everyone of d'hem one time or another."
Ignoring her Kyle went on, "Have you seen 'em or not?" he shouted at the old woman.
"You keep a civil tongue with me," she glared at Clayton, "Or I'll set da demons upon you."
"You don't scare me old woman," Kyle answered her yet taking a step back all the same his nerve dwindling fast.
Again Madam Beaubien let out a wild shrieking laugh. "Be gone Kyle as you can see d'here is nobody here but me and my chickens. It'd be a shame to have to kill one before its time just to put a curse on you."
"Come on Kyle," Bull Clayton urged wanting no part of the crazy voodoo lady.
"If we find out you're lying," Kyle half heartedly threatened wanting to be away from the scrutiny of Madam Beaubien as much as Bull and the rest of the group. Even the dogs had begun to whine her mystic presence scaring them too.
"And don't come back," the woman called after them watching them retreat back into the dense foliage of the forest.
Neither ranger had dared to breath as they listened to the voices above them. It seemed like an eternity before Sydney let out a soft sigh to fall against her partner.
"Syd," Gage softly cried catching her in his arms just as the door above swung open.
"D'hey're gone," Beaubien's accent grunted down to them.
Not a minute too soon Gage thought lifting Syd from her feet to carry her out of the damp musty cellar.
"She's 'urt?" the woman took charge it was more a statement then a question. "Come follow me," she directed Gage as she turned to lead them inside her meager home.
"Gage I'm all… everything is spinning," Syd tried to speak her head lolling on his shoulder.
"Take her in d'here and lay 'er on da bed," Madam Beaubien instructed leading the way a small coal oil lamp illuminating the room. "Get 'er out of d'hose wet clothes," she further instructed going to an old dressing table to pull out a long white flowing cotton nightdress for Sydney.
"You make 'er comfortable I'll be back to tend to 'er injuries," the woman told him turning on her heel and disappearing before Gage had time to say anything.
"Gage we got to get moving," Sydney softly cried as he laid her on the bed and began to undress her.
"Shh Syd take it easy. I'm sure we're safe for the night. We'll make a break for it in the morning when we can see where we're going," he tried to ease her mind as well as his own.
Her head hurt she felt as if she had about a dozen hangovers rolled into one fogging her mind and her judgement. After a couple more weak protests she finally gave into Gage putting her trust solely in him.
Just as he pulled the covers around her Madam Beaubien appeared at the door with a tray. There was a small basin of water, a clean towel and various bottles and small bowls that contained powders and other concoctions. "You out," she ordered Gage.
"Gage," Syd squeaked out her fingers tightening around his hand there was certainly nothing wrong with her grip.
"You don't worry you're strong man'll be just outside, I'll take care of you," Madam Beaubien cut in taking charge as she set the tray down the same time jerking her head at Gage indicating for him to leave.
"Syd I'm just going to be outside the door," Gage murmured reluctantly easing his hand from her fingers.
"You don't worry Madam Beaubien will take good care of you and da little one," the old woman addressed her before turning to Gage to say, "You git."
Slowly Gage backed from the room leaving Sydney alone with the strange old woman.
"What you two doing out here and what did you do to git Ferris Clayton so all fired up?"
"We're Texas Rangers and we're trying to put a stop to Clayton's drug manufacturing plants," Syd answered wincing slightly as the woman began to clean and tend the wound she had received earlier.
"D'hat's no job for you right now," the woman gently scolded, "Not when you carry a little one." Taking hold of Syd's hand she pressed it against her tummy her eyes fixing on Sydney's face.
Syd's own eyes widen and she could feel her cheeks begin to warm. Wrenching her hand from Madam Beaubien's grasp she began to sputter out, "You're wrong… I'm not… no I can't be…"
"I'm never wrong and I'm not d'his time I can see it in your face," the elder woman assured her taking hold of Syd's shoulders and gently pushing her back down against the pillows of the bed. "You need rest," she told Syd turning to mix a bit of powder with some water. "Here you drink d'his," she was again instructing.
"What is it?" Syd asked the woman's words hanging in the air the possibility of the situation beginning to sink in.
"Drink it all," again the woman ordered helping Syd bring the glass to her lips. "It will help you and da baby rest.
The liquid had a slight bitter taste Syd swallowed it fast. "I'll send him back in to you. You tell him he needs to know so he can protect you."
"There's nothing… to… tell," Sydney yawned her eyes all ready growing heavy.
Madam Beaubien slipped from the room tray in hand to face Gage.
"She's all right?" he anxiously asked.
"Yes she will be fine with some rest," the woman smiled. "You must get 'er to safety."
Smiling to himself over the woman's concern Gage began, "I don't know how much Sydney told you but she can pretty much hold her own."
As if not hearing a word Gage said Madam Beaubien kept rattling on, "I can protect 'er while she is in my presence but she needs you to protect 'er. The child she carries is special they both need your protection."
"Sydney," Gage began again only letting half what Madam Beaubien was saying register until the words the child she carries gripped hold of him. "The child she carries?" Gage repeated in a question the shock and surprise written across his face. "Sydney's not going to have a… a… baby," he stuttered out.
"Mais oui, she is with child."
Gage's mouth opened and then closed finally the words came tumbling out. "Did she tell you that?" his voice squeaked.
"She did not know 'erself."
"I… uh… you… can't know that for sure. Can you?"
"I see many things she carries your child. Go to 'er she needs you."
Numbly walking to the doorway Gage stood for a moment looking in where Sydney lay sleeping. She looked no more then a fragile child herself wrapped in the white gown Madam Beaubien had supplied her with.
The woman's words came from behind him, "Go to 'er Francis."
He took a step forward pausing to wonder how she knew his name deciding Sydney must have supplied it. "Go to' er," the words echoed softly behind him once again as he moved towards his partner.
Sitting on the bed beside her he gently stroked her cheek his eyes moving down her slender form to rest on her tummy. "Could she be?" he wondered to himself a wave of pride going through him.
"Umm Gage," Syd softly moaned her eyes remaining shut.
"I'm right here Honey," he murmured to her.
"Come lay down with me," she whispered her voice barely audible her eyes not opening.
With out saying a word Gage moved on to the bed beside her his arms going round her as he pulled her back up against his chest. Bending his head to brush his lips against her neck he whispered, "We are going to talk in the morning Cooke."
His eyes closed almost the same instant and his mind began to drift not to thoughts of the baby Sydney might be carrying but back to the hotel two days before…
Outside The Hotel
Gage had quickly drawn his gun jamming it into the thug's side, "Let's go," he snarled shoving the man ahead of him. Turning to Syd he addressed her, "Maria get Paulie on the phone."
"My pleasure," she answered dialing as they walked. "Paulie," she chimed into the phone hearing Trivette come on the line.
"What time is it Cooke?" he asked trying to focus on his clock. "Four forty-five this had better be good."
"We got us a little problem Paulie we caught someone in our room going through our stuff. TJ wants to send them a little message, wants them to know if they intend to do business with us they had better show us a little trust," Syd began putting on the show on.
"I'll put the call right through," Trivette confirmed.
"Good we're on our way downstairs right now," she confirmed breaking the connection. "TJ Paulie is going to meet us downstairs," she told Gage as they entered the stairwell for the trek down.
"Good then our friend here will see he went to work for the wrong people," Gage answered jabbing the gun harder into the man's side.
"You think the Clayton's are going to let you get away with this?"
"And how do you think they are going to stop us?" Gage sneered.
The man fell silent for the rest of the way down the stairs Gage forcing him to exit a side door into the noisy throng of guests, police and firefighters.
Searching the area Syd quickly caught sight of an old blue cargo van. "This way TJ," she called out to Gage who had caught sight of the van too.
Once more prodding their captive they headed to the van as they neared the back end of it the doors swung open and two large men emerged taking custody of Ferris Clayton's man. "We'll take it from here," one told the partners. "He won't be making a reappearance any time soon. In fact the word on the street is going to be he had an untimely death."
"That's what we like to hear," Syd smiled helping close the door of the van.
Standing together they watched the van weave through the crowd and disappear. "Think they found out anything?" Gage asked slinging his arm around Syd pulling her close.
"I don't think that they had time I think we're still safe," Syd speculated turning to face him enjoying his embrace. "What I do know though is we had better see about getting our stuff together do we are ready for our meet with Kyle," she informed him leaning back to look in his face.
"I guess you're right and since we have no place to lay our heads at the moment…"
"TJ we're working," she cut in with her Spanish accident giving him a little poke at the same time.
The Ferris Estate
"Damn it," Ferris Clayton uttered slamming the phone down at the same time.
"What is it Dad?" Kyle questioned having come into the room just in time to witness the old man's anger.
"Those two fools that you sent in to check out our new potential clients blew it. They got caught and one of them even got his brains splattered all over a back alley," he snarled out.
"So they got nothing?" again Kyle questioned.
"They got nothing," Ferris mimicked his son. "It's not that we found out nothing it's what they found out about us," he answered his son with a spiteful glare.
Kyle stood saying nothing watching his father shake his head. "Get Thomas on the phone tell him we've had a change of plans. Invite them out here for breakfast and if we don't see what we like then we can easily take care of business out here," the old man instructed.
Knowing there was no point to arguing with his father Kyle nodded his head and pulled out his phone. A moment later he had Gage on the phone making the arrangements. After a few words he hung up confirming to his father that they would be there around ten.
"Good let's just see what we have gotten ourselves into," the old man half grinned to himself.
Later On The Drive Out To The Claytons
Sydney and Gage had discussed the case over and over from every angle they could think of. They had called and talked it over with Walker who had left the decision to them whether they kept their date at the Clayton estate.
"Are you ready for this Shorty?" Gage asked using his pet name for her.
"I'm ready for anything. I can hardly wait to get inside that house the minute I get a chance..."
"Oh no you don't" Gage cut her off before she could finish her statement. "You aren't going to just start snooping around the Clayton's estate because you have a hunch that Marie just might be there."
"Gage I'm not going to be obvious they won't suspect a thing," she sweetly smiled while underneath she tried to hide how anxious she really was.
"Sydney," Gage tried hard to sound stern, to pull rank on her but knew his words were falling on deaf ears. "You be careful," he warned pulling into the driveway of the estate and up to the front of the house.
Jumping out of the car Gage hurried around to open the door for Syd just as the door of the house opened Ferris's frame filling the doorway followed by Kyle and his girlfriend. Sydney caught sight of the girl the same time as she saw Sydney recognition in both their faces.
"What is it Laurel? What's the matter?" Kyle asked.
"They're rangers, Texas Rangers, they are the ones that took my statement last night at Marie and Charlie's," she cried out Kyle immediately going for his gun along with a half dozen of his men doing the same.
"Now isn't this quite the coincident," Ferris grinned before ordering, "Lock them up inside."