Chapter 2

"I don't know, sweetheart, how would they know I was coming
home, except, wait a minute, A.J., didn't we get a call at the office
when we were leaving?"

Rick looked at his brother, who was rocking Ceci in his arms as Linda set the table.

"Yes, someone was asking if we were free for an emergency assignment
tonight; I said we were closing for the day and the man said "thanks", then
disconnected." A.J. replied. "Rick, ask A.J. what he sounded like." Laurie
asked, then Rick answered her. "A deep voice, sounded like a politician."

"That's Marcus Thomas, the guy who wanted to come in, Rick, they're
trying to scare me into signing with them again, I bet!"

She started to shake, as Rudy put an arm around her and sat her
down. "I'm all right." she managed, as Rick said, "Sweetheart,
I don't want you to worry. I'll call Robbie and have him patrol
around tonight and tomorrow; it might just be coincidence,
but this way I'll know you're safe."

"Thank you, darling, it'll be okay. Oscar and Rudy are here, and if the
weather's still bad I won't ride to the center. I'll miss you tonight though,
give me a call when you're ready to hit the sack." she said,
blushing when she caught a look from her uncle.

"Yes, Laurie, I promise. Let me talk to Oscar, and I'll call later, ok?
He grinned at the snicker from his brother, then hearing his friend on
the line, told him "I don't like these strong-arm tactics this Linden
House is using; can you call around and see who's running that publishing
house now?"

"Will do, son, I'll call you later when I have something, now give Linda
and the kids a hug for us!" Oscar signed off, then seeing Laurie with
a wistful look on her face, sat down next to her. "Come on, honey,
he's all right. It might not have been on purpose, but we'll make sure
nothing bad's going on." His niece smiled up at him, "I know, Oscar,
don't mind me. Let's have dinner before Mike beats us to it." nodding
at the golden retriever now perched on a living room chair, watching
them with a hungry look.

Laughing, the big man pulled a chair out for her then waited for Rudy
to sit down before saying grace. As he finished, Mike barked and
jumped out of his chair, leading Laurie to tease, "He just said "dig in"
guys!"

Following dinner, Oscar got on the phone to gather information on
the people behind Linden House, while Laurie and Rudy did the dishes.

Rudy balked in vain at Laurie going outside in the frosty air to feed the
horses and close up the barn. He wasn't any happier when she came in
shivering and sneezing. "All right, Missy, let me take your temperature,
sniffles my foot!" he declared.

Reluctantly Laurie allowed him to sit her down and stick an auto thermometer
in her ear, which gave off a telltale beep. "That's what I thought, honey, you're got a fever. I'm going to pack you off to bed now, no buts!" the doctor held up his hand as she started to protest.

"All right, Rudy, you're right. I do feel a little warm," she admitted, then
seeing his surprise at her turnabout, grinned. "I'm not a masochist, I don't
want to be sick for Thanksgiving next week! Let me call Rick and say good night, then I'll go to bed, promise!"

"That's my girl." Rudy smiled, then started a pot of tea as Laurie went to see if Oscar was off the phone yet.

Entering the living room, she saw her uncle was just ending a call.
"Any luck?" Laurie hazarded, as he let out a deep sigh.

"Yes, and no. Seems Mr. Thomas is for real, the offer to you is genuine
and the Lincoln Town car was turned in with its snow chains damaged.
However, Thomas and his assistant were booked to fly out of Phoenix
tonight, and the flight was canceled. I 've got Gregson himself monitoring
if they leave town or not." Oscar added, referring to the acting West Coast
head of the OSI.

"Thanks, Oscar, you don't know what a relief it is that you and Rudy are
here!" Laurie told him, then she embraced him. "I love you, if I haven't
told you that lately, I do! You're the best uncle ever!"

Moved, Oscar kissed her forehead, then was surprised by the heat coming
from her skin. "Honey, you're running a fever, I want you in bed right
now. I'll bring you the extension once you're ready."

"Yes, Oscar." she groaned, then headed down the hall.

Once his niece had said her good nights to Rick, Oscar picked up the
main phone. "Rick, Laurie's running a fever, I won't let her go out
tomorrow if she's not better."

"I knew she had more then "the sniffles"! Oscar, what am I going to do
with her, she's so stubborn!" The big man quietly laughed at his friend's
exasperation. "Did she tell you her Grandmother Kasey appeared in the
yard, and she stood out there and got chilled listening to her?"

"She left out the chilled part, Rick, but I know she took to heart the
"listening part". Son, she's always going to want to be independent, we've
just got to remind her once in a while that she's got to take it easy when she's not feeling well." Oscar told him. Rick sighed, "I know, I just can't stop
worrying though, I love her, Oscar. She's my life. That's why it bothers me about this sudden showing up at our home, then my being run off the road."

"Well, everything I've found so far supports my theory that I don't
think it was on purpose about you're going off the road. I just have
the feeling that someone wants her signed awfully bad, and this Mr.
Thomas may try to see her again. It's almost safer for her to be at
the Cultural Center, with the Chief and I there we can control access
to her." Oscar added.

"Well, only if she's better in the morning. You and Rudy call me if
she gets worse or if you need me. I'll take A.J. to work and make sure
his car gets fixed, then I'll come home, the roads should be cleared by
then." Rick yawned, bringing a laugh from the older man.

"Go to bed, son, I'll call you if anything happens. Laurie'll be fine."

" I'll try. A.J. and Linda send their best, Oscar, now you call if you need me!" Rick insisted, then yawned loudly again.

"Good night already!" Oscar chuckled, then hung up the phone.

Seeing Rudy already in his robe, he looked toward Laurie's door.
"Is she?" The doctor nodded, "I sat with her until she nodded off.
She was feeling a little better after she talked to Rick."

Oscar snapped off the living room lights then checked
the front door to make sure the alarm and deadbolt were on.

"I'll take the first watch, Rudy, no need both of us to stay up."
Oscar said, as his friend tried to stifle a yawn. "All right, pal,
wake me at 4, I'll check our girl's temperature then." the exhausted
doctor replied.

Opening Laurie's door, her uncle saw her sleeping quietly, so he
started to close the door part way. Abruptly he heard his niece
moan, then start to call out in her sleep, "No, don't take me from
him, please!"

Going to her side, Oscar sat next to her, then took her hand and
whispered, "It's all right, you're safe, baby. No one's going to hurt you
or Rick."

Almost immediately Laurie calmed down, then she smiled and turned
in her sleep. Touched, her uncle leaned over and kissed her cheek.
Realizing her fever was down, he felt secure enough to leave her
with the door partially open.

Making himself comfortable on the living room couch, Oscar opened
a file from his briefcase, then gazed over at his niece's room.

"I have to tell you about your aunt sometime, Laurie, it might as well
be tomorrow." he thought.