For the next few minutes hugs were exchanged with Cecilia commandeering a sleepy Andrea and hustling them all up to the Simon's rooms.
After settling the little girl down for a nap, Laurie rejoined the rest of the family in time to hear the reason behind A.J.'s sudden visit to San Diego.
"When Ron got the information, he got a hold of Robbie at the house, then called me. He wanted us just to keep an eye out, that's all." A.J. was saying as she walked in the room.
Immediately, Rick held out his hand to her.
"Sweetheart, Ron's been trying to reach us, remember that Rodriquez, the one working the prescription drug ring?"
He saw a startled look cross her face. "Yes, Rick, he's one of those who tried to force you and Carlos to smuggle for him, then he tried to kill us." Laurie took his hand then sat next to him as he continued.
"Darlin', he's escaped from jail, seems he was up for another parole hearing and managed to switch places with his lawyer, then hitched a ride on a garbage truck leaving the prison. Ron says he may be headed toward Yuma."
"Oh, no!" Laurie put a hand to her mouth, memories of watching Rick nearly shot in front of her flooding her thoughts. She looked at him then Carlos, whose eyes darkened with shame.
"Honey, it's going to be all right." A.J. spoke up, seeing her distress.
Taking a deep breath, she managed a smile then gazed at her husband's worried expression.
"I know, just a bit of a shock. We'll be okay. It's a good thing we came to see you, Carlos." she added, causing him to look puzzled.
Rick grinned at his wife's logic. "She means we're out of harm's way here if Rodriquez heads for Arizona, my friend. Meantime, we've still got a couple of piñatas to pick up, A.J., Mom?"
"Oh, no. You boys go along, Laurie and I will stay here and get to know Andrea. Don't forget to get a couple for your Aunt, I'll take them to her tomorrow." Cecilia decided, bringing a smile to Carlos's face.
"Thank you, Mrs. Simon. Don't worry, I'll pick out the best ones for your sister, maybe some candy for you, Chiquita?" he teased Laurie, making her giggle.
"You know my weakness, just bring these two back sober." She retorted, breaking the two brothers up.
As the three friends headed out the door, Rick lingered behind and planted a kiss on Laurie. "We won't be too late, sweetheart. You and Mom have a good time."
"We will, darling. I love you." She murmured, then drew his face down for another kiss.
For a second Rick thought about passing on the excursion, then he heard his brother groaning, "Riicck."
"Hold that thought until tonight, love." He whispered, then hugged Cecilia and followed the others down the quiet hallway.
As Rick settled into the passenger seat of Carlos's old car, he chuckled at his friends' remark "Just like old times, except A.J.'s old enough to come!"
"Just barely!" Rick tossed at his brother in the back seat, then ducked the thump A.J. aimed at his head.
After a short drive on the freeway, Rick was relieved to only have a cursory hold up at the border. Within an hour they located the Piñata Piñata company Carlos had bragged about, and he had a hard time picking out just a couple of the holiday treats.
Finally each of them settled on three piñatas each, and the two Simons were astonished at the low prices they were quoted. Arranging for the brightly colored piñatas to be delivered to the border crossing, Rick insisted on treating them all to an early dinner, and soon all three men were chowing down on tacos and fajitas at a restaurant Carlos knew.
While waiting for their server to return with his change, Rick noticed Carlos glance nervously at a man standing at the bar. "You know him?" Rick asked, then saw his friend swallow convulsively.
"Yeah, he's an old acquaintance, from my bad old times. I'd just as soon not run into him again."
"Well, I'll take your word for it." Rick had a sinking feeling this meant trouble, so as soon as the waiter came with his money, he threw down an extra five and asked where the back door was.
"Thru the kitchen, follow me, Senor." The pleased server led them down a hall, then escorted the men through the kitchen to a side door opening onto the parking lot.
"Thanks, bud." Rick nodded to his brother, who walked out first then seeing no one else around, indicated it was clear.
As Carlos unlocked the car, he glanced around, then warned " I think we're being followed, I'm sorry guys, I'll get us out of here."
Rick could see A.J. was tense; so he spoke calmly for both of them as they slid into the vehicle.
"We'll worry about sorry's later. Hit the gas, now!"
Immediately peeling out of the rocky parking lot, Carlos did a couple of quick lefts and rights, then headed back to the border on the truck route.
Noticing the lack of traffic, Rick started to relax, only for A.J. to clear his throat.
"Guys, that red Camaro that was parked next to the front of the cantina, it's coming up on us."
Swiveling around, Rick caught a glimpse of a car, no lights, within half a block from them.
"Carlos, is there someplace safe we can pull into…" he started, then a loud bang sounded, and the car started to swerve.
"Damn, we've lost a tire, hang on!" Carlos hollered, then managed to get control and whip around to go back toward the outskirts of town. Turning again on a side street, they were almost to the main highway when another bang sounded, and the car veered toward a half-filled wash.
"Brace yourself!" Rick yelled, then ducked just as they skidded into a chain-link fence. The impact set off both airbags, saving all three men from the crush of metal into the interior of the car.
As soon as the car stopped moving, Rick glanced behind him and saw A.J. sitting stunned, then turned and gasped, seeing Carlos with blood on his face, slumped against the deflated safety device.
"A.J., A.J.!" he said loudly, then saw awareness in his brother's eyes. "Rick? Are you okay?"
"Yeah, but we've got to get out of here, I'm going to try to raise Laurie, but Carlos needs help, can you get out?" he asked. "I don't know, shh, someone's coming." The younger Simon froze, then Rick heard the sound of two men's voices.
"Out, now." He hissed, then saw A.J. manage to open the back door, then slide out.
"Head for the police station we passed, get help, okay?" Rick told him, then met A.J.'s eyes.
"I'll come back with the cavalry, be careful." he replied evenly, then reached out and grabbed his brother's arm. Within a moment he was gone, and Rick quickly loosened his seat belt, then helped the now groaning Carlos out of the car, just as a puff of smoke signaled an engine fire.
Hastily half-carrying, half-dragging his friend, they barely made it away from the smoking wreck when it exploded, sending both men crashing to the ground.
Dazed, Rick heard Carlos whispering, "Rick, where's A.J.?"
"He's gone for help, can you walk?" he ventured hopefully.
"I can try, can't let them take me. That man, he worked for Rodriquez." Carlos said thru clenched teeth. "I'm as good as dead, they'll use me to hurt you and Laurie."
"Head for a phone, try to reach her. She can get a hold of Oscar and Ron; they'll be able to send the authorities." Rick told him.
Just then a flashlight shone in their direction, and he whispered, "Go now." Picking up a piece of debris from the demolished car, Rick hurled it in the opposite direction, then heard a plunk. Instantly he saw the beam of light sweep away in search of the noise. Hesitating only long enough to put his transmitter on, he ducked down into the high grass of the field encircling the wash and slowly headed north, then a loud voice stopped him in his tracks.
"Simon, I know you're out here, come out into the headlights or your brother gets a bullet in his head."