Chapter 2
"Linny, that's wonderful! Laurie cried, then embraced her sister-in-law.
"I think it's a little soon to start getting excited, but still, Laurie, I always wanted
to have four children." Linda said, tearing up a little. "And I know A.J. always
teased you about having 2 and 2, you're going in the right direction!" Laurie
smiled, handing her a kleenex.
"Well, Dr. Lindstrom says lil' whosit is about 8 weeks, so I have to be careful for the next
month of so. Figures, the heat is just nasty this year, so keeping hydrated is going to be tough."
her friend laughed. Just then a little voice was heard at the door. "Who's 8 weeks, Mama?" Ricky yawned, then came to his Aunt for an "uppie".
"Well, big boy, Mama has a surprise to share with you." Laurie told him happily, then the boy turned expectedly to his mother.
"Uh, Laurie, can you..." Linda suddenly became pale, then bolted for the bathroom.
"Well, Ricky, you know Mama and Papa gave you a little sister last year, remember?" Laurie explained. Ricky nodded, his eyes glancing over her shoulder at the bathroom door.
"Mama and Papa loved having both you and Ceci, so much that they are going to share another brother or sister with you next year. What do you think of that?" she asked.
Astonishingly, Ricky's eyes filled with tears. "I don't want Mama to be sick again. She had to go to the hospital with Uncle Rudy, I don't want a a..another baby sister!"
Startled, Laurie hastened to reassure him. "Ricky, Mama's all right, all mommies get an upset stomach when they're going to have someone like you. And you'll be able to help Ceci understand this too, cause you're going to be the big brother she'll come to. Would you like that?"
A smile crossed his face, then widened as Linda came back into the room, sitting down then beckoning him onto her lap. "Mama ok?" he looked up at her.
"Yes, Ricky, I'm all right. I'm so proud of my boy, and you will be the best big brother ever, just like your Uncle Rick!" she looked over at her sister-in-law and took her hand.
"Thank you, Linny, now I going to be the one to cry! Speaking of which..." the phone rang and Laurie released her hand to go answer the extension.
"Simon Residence".
"Mrs. Simon, this is Phoenix General, I'm afraid there's been an accident. Can you come over right away?" The man's voice sounded official.
Frowning, Laurie looked at Linda, then pointed at her watch and took it off. Her friend got the idea and taking the transmitter from her, turned it on, whispering to her son to go play with his truck for a minute.
"I'm don't understand, who's been in an accident?" Laurie tried to sound vague.
"Your husband and his brother, I 'm afraid it's bad. You need to come to the new entrance, one of our people will direct you in." the man said.
Abruptly Linda pulled at her arm, then indicated that A.J. was on the transmitter.
"Just a moment, I 'm afraid there's been a mistake, one moment." Laurie stalled, then covering the receiver, took the watch and whispered, "A.J.?"
"Honey, it's a trap, keep the guy on the line and we'll have Ron tap into the connection." A.J. instructed.
"Sir, are you sure I'm supposed to go to the new entrance, I mean, I thought you just poured the driveway, unless I go in the out way of course." Laurie rambled, watching Linda as she listened to A.J..
"Ma'm, just come to the parking lot in the front, we'll pick you up, how's that?" the man replied impatiently, then suddenly said, "wait a minute, are you...never mind, I have a wrong number."
Click.
"Darn!" Laurie exhaled, then looked at Linda. She shook her head then handed the watch back to her sister-in-law. "A.J.?"
"It's Rick, darlin'. He wasn't on long enough. You did a good job, you two. Thank God you knew to call us." She could hear the pride in his tone, and it made her heart flip. "Thank you, my love. It sounded so funny, besides I know you and A.J. wouldn't let a stranger call us if there was an emergency!"
"You've got that right. Now you and Linda keep everything locked tight and don't let anyone in until we get home, promise?" Rick's voice had an edge of worry to it.
"I promise, darling. You guys be careful, capice?" she added.
"Capice, sweetheart, same for A.J." Rick signed off and Laurie let out a sigh.
"This isn't good, honey. I can't believe Carlson and his gang is trying to kidnap one of us while they're awaiting sentencing."
"You think that's what this was, Laurie, what are we going to do, stay holed up in the house until they find the missing crook?" Linda replied, frustrated.
"Yes, because you and I are not going to let these animals take us. I'm not budging from your side, either, sis!" Laurie told her firmly. "Remember, we're in this together."
After a moment of silence, Linda looked over at her, then reluctantly grinned.
"I like that word, honey, together. All those years we did without a family, now look what we have." "Yes." Laurie pulled a giggly Ricky from the floor and hugged him fiercely. "Look what we have. And nobody's going to take it from us!"
"He's what?" Rick was not sure he'd heard his brother correctly. "Carlson's attorney has demanded a new trial based on not being able to substantiate the information Laurie provided." A.J. repeated. Before his brother could come unglued, he added, "The judge has scheduled a closed hearing, Rick. He just wants to hear from Laurie herself what Marston told her. Danson himself says that will be enough to deny the motion and he can finish sentencing those animals."
Rick looked at his wife, then his anger subsided as she handed him a glass with water and gave him a kiss. The day of Ricky's party had dawned cooler; still he was sweating bullets from this news.
"Whatever it is, it's all right," she murmured.
Letting out a deep breath, he got control of himself and asked his brother "When's the hearing?"
"Monday morning. Now Carlson and his attorney supposedly don't know that Laurie's the informant, so that does give us the right to have her appear in her disguise and give a pseudonym." A.J. replied, sounding slightly more relieved.
"Okay, but we're going to have everything lined up security-wise before I let her even breathe near that courthouse. Now what time are you coming?" Rick tried to change the subject.
"About 12 noon, traffic shouldn't be that bad and Robin did say lunch would be ready about one, this way Ricky won't be bouncing off the walls waiting for his "pony picture"! A.J. chuckled.
"Man, I'm glad we're doing this today, we need to have some fun, little brother." Rick sighed as Laurie's small hands began to massage his neck.
"We will, and if that's the hostess with the mostest at work on you, tell we'll be there in a while!" A.J. laughed. His brother shook his head. "She is and I will, A.J. Be careful on the road, we'll see you later."
Hanging up, Rick turned around and picked up his wife, holding her tightly to him. "My angel." He kissed her then held her tightly to him. Carrying Laurie in his arms, he took her to the living room and sat down on the sofa with her in his arms. Laurie rested her head against his. "I love you, Rick. Now, what is it, you can tell me."
Silent for a moment, Rick began "Sweetheart, Carlson's attorney has demanded a new trial, saying they weren't allow to verify your testimony by cross-examining you." She buried her head against his shoulder as he continued, "The judge wants to have you come in during a closed session, and then once he hears you testify, he's going to present his findings and sentence those two perverts then."
Laurie raised eyes to meet his "Rick, I thought we were done with all this, I've had such a bad feeling that those men were going to come after you and A.J." She swallowed hard, then put her arms around his neck as she said "I'm all right, my love, just as long as I have you with me, they won't hurt us."
Rick gazed into her face. "What do I do to deserve you, darlin'?" He kissed her then cuddled her against his chest. "I don't know, must have been something good!" she giggled as she returned his kisses then stroked his hair.
Only the beeping of a horn disturbed them, and as Mike went racing to the front door, Laurie reluctantly unwound herself from her husband's embrace. "I think we can continue this later, my love." She gave him one more kiss then straightened herself.
"Promises, promises." Rick pretended to grumble, then caught her hand in his. Going to answer the door, he grinned as he saw his son and daughter- in-law carrying his grandson up the walk.
"It's going to be a good day, nobody's going to spoil it for us!" he thought.
"Linny, that's wonderful! Laurie cried, then embraced her sister-in-law.
"I think it's a little soon to start getting excited, but still, Laurie, I always wanted
to have four children." Linda said, tearing up a little. "And I know A.J. always
teased you about having 2 and 2, you're going in the right direction!" Laurie
smiled, handing her a kleenex.
"Well, Dr. Lindstrom says lil' whosit is about 8 weeks, so I have to be careful for the next
month of so. Figures, the heat is just nasty this year, so keeping hydrated is going to be tough."
her friend laughed. Just then a little voice was heard at the door. "Who's 8 weeks, Mama?" Ricky yawned, then came to his Aunt for an "uppie".
"Well, big boy, Mama has a surprise to share with you." Laurie told him happily, then the boy turned expectedly to his mother.
"Uh, Laurie, can you..." Linda suddenly became pale, then bolted for the bathroom.
"Well, Ricky, you know Mama and Papa gave you a little sister last year, remember?" Laurie explained. Ricky nodded, his eyes glancing over her shoulder at the bathroom door.
"Mama and Papa loved having both you and Ceci, so much that they are going to share another brother or sister with you next year. What do you think of that?" she asked.
Astonishingly, Ricky's eyes filled with tears. "I don't want Mama to be sick again. She had to go to the hospital with Uncle Rudy, I don't want a a..another baby sister!"
Startled, Laurie hastened to reassure him. "Ricky, Mama's all right, all mommies get an upset stomach when they're going to have someone like you. And you'll be able to help Ceci understand this too, cause you're going to be the big brother she'll come to. Would you like that?"
A smile crossed his face, then widened as Linda came back into the room, sitting down then beckoning him onto her lap. "Mama ok?" he looked up at her.
"Yes, Ricky, I'm all right. I'm so proud of my boy, and you will be the best big brother ever, just like your Uncle Rick!" she looked over at her sister-in-law and took her hand.
"Thank you, Linny, now I going to be the one to cry! Speaking of which..." the phone rang and Laurie released her hand to go answer the extension.
"Simon Residence".
"Mrs. Simon, this is Phoenix General, I'm afraid there's been an accident. Can you come over right away?" The man's voice sounded official.
Frowning, Laurie looked at Linda, then pointed at her watch and took it off. Her friend got the idea and taking the transmitter from her, turned it on, whispering to her son to go play with his truck for a minute.
"I'm don't understand, who's been in an accident?" Laurie tried to sound vague.
"Your husband and his brother, I 'm afraid it's bad. You need to come to the new entrance, one of our people will direct you in." the man said.
Abruptly Linda pulled at her arm, then indicated that A.J. was on the transmitter.
"Just a moment, I 'm afraid there's been a mistake, one moment." Laurie stalled, then covering the receiver, took the watch and whispered, "A.J.?"
"Honey, it's a trap, keep the guy on the line and we'll have Ron tap into the connection." A.J. instructed.
"Sir, are you sure I'm supposed to go to the new entrance, I mean, I thought you just poured the driveway, unless I go in the out way of course." Laurie rambled, watching Linda as she listened to A.J..
"Ma'm, just come to the parking lot in the front, we'll pick you up, how's that?" the man replied impatiently, then suddenly said, "wait a minute, are you...never mind, I have a wrong number."
Click.
"Darn!" Laurie exhaled, then looked at Linda. She shook her head then handed the watch back to her sister-in-law. "A.J.?"
"It's Rick, darlin'. He wasn't on long enough. You did a good job, you two. Thank God you knew to call us." She could hear the pride in his tone, and it made her heart flip. "Thank you, my love. It sounded so funny, besides I know you and A.J. wouldn't let a stranger call us if there was an emergency!"
"You've got that right. Now you and Linda keep everything locked tight and don't let anyone in until we get home, promise?" Rick's voice had an edge of worry to it.
"I promise, darling. You guys be careful, capice?" she added.
"Capice, sweetheart, same for A.J." Rick signed off and Laurie let out a sigh.
"This isn't good, honey. I can't believe Carlson and his gang is trying to kidnap one of us while they're awaiting sentencing."
"You think that's what this was, Laurie, what are we going to do, stay holed up in the house until they find the missing crook?" Linda replied, frustrated.
"Yes, because you and I are not going to let these animals take us. I'm not budging from your side, either, sis!" Laurie told her firmly. "Remember, we're in this together."
After a moment of silence, Linda looked over at her, then reluctantly grinned.
"I like that word, honey, together. All those years we did without a family, now look what we have." "Yes." Laurie pulled a giggly Ricky from the floor and hugged him fiercely. "Look what we have. And nobody's going to take it from us!"
"He's what?" Rick was not sure he'd heard his brother correctly. "Carlson's attorney has demanded a new trial based on not being able to substantiate the information Laurie provided." A.J. repeated. Before his brother could come unglued, he added, "The judge has scheduled a closed hearing, Rick. He just wants to hear from Laurie herself what Marston told her. Danson himself says that will be enough to deny the motion and he can finish sentencing those animals."
Rick looked at his wife, then his anger subsided as she handed him a glass with water and gave him a kiss. The day of Ricky's party had dawned cooler; still he was sweating bullets from this news.
"Whatever it is, it's all right," she murmured.
Letting out a deep breath, he got control of himself and asked his brother "When's the hearing?"
"Monday morning. Now Carlson and his attorney supposedly don't know that Laurie's the informant, so that does give us the right to have her appear in her disguise and give a pseudonym." A.J. replied, sounding slightly more relieved.
"Okay, but we're going to have everything lined up security-wise before I let her even breathe near that courthouse. Now what time are you coming?" Rick tried to change the subject.
"About 12 noon, traffic shouldn't be that bad and Robin did say lunch would be ready about one, this way Ricky won't be bouncing off the walls waiting for his "pony picture"! A.J. chuckled.
"Man, I'm glad we're doing this today, we need to have some fun, little brother." Rick sighed as Laurie's small hands began to massage his neck.
"We will, and if that's the hostess with the mostest at work on you, tell we'll be there in a while!" A.J. laughed. His brother shook his head. "She is and I will, A.J. Be careful on the road, we'll see you later."
Hanging up, Rick turned around and picked up his wife, holding her tightly to him. "My angel." He kissed her then held her tightly to him. Carrying Laurie in his arms, he took her to the living room and sat down on the sofa with her in his arms. Laurie rested her head against his. "I love you, Rick. Now, what is it, you can tell me."
Silent for a moment, Rick began "Sweetheart, Carlson's attorney has demanded a new trial, saying they weren't allow to verify your testimony by cross-examining you." She buried her head against his shoulder as he continued, "The judge wants to have you come in during a closed session, and then once he hears you testify, he's going to present his findings and sentence those two perverts then."
Laurie raised eyes to meet his "Rick, I thought we were done with all this, I've had such a bad feeling that those men were going to come after you and A.J." She swallowed hard, then put her arms around his neck as she said "I'm all right, my love, just as long as I have you with me, they won't hurt us."
Rick gazed into her face. "What do I do to deserve you, darlin'?" He kissed her then cuddled her against his chest. "I don't know, must have been something good!" she giggled as she returned his kisses then stroked his hair.
Only the beeping of a horn disturbed them, and as Mike went racing to the front door, Laurie reluctantly unwound herself from her husband's embrace. "I think we can continue this later, my love." She gave him one more kiss then straightened herself.
"Promises, promises." Rick pretended to grumble, then caught her hand in his. Going to answer the door, he grinned as he saw his son and daughter- in-law carrying his grandson up the walk.
"It's going to be a good day, nobody's going to spoil it for us!" he thought.