Chapter Six
Friday Morning Gatesville Women's Correctional Facility
The hour was early but even so the hot humidity of the day was making it uncomfortable for anyone outside in the early hours of this particular morning. A black limo pulled up outside the gates at Gatesville to wait silently for the release of one of the facilities inmates who was being patrolled that very morning.
The gates suddenly opened and a striking woman with long jet black hair appeared very modestly dressed. The driver of the car jumped out to greet the woman pulling open the door of the car at the same time.
"Every thing arranged?" the woman asked.
"Yes Miss Sayer," the driver replied.
"Good take me to Ray's ranch," she ordered slipping inside the luxury car. Once inside she hit a button raising a dark window between her and the front seat of the car affording her some privacy so she could change from these horrid prison clothes and into something more suitable. As she undressed she picked up a flute glass of orange juice and champagne savouring the taste. "Yes Julie the time is near that you and your brother will pay the price for double crossing me," she smiled to herself.
Sometime The Evening Before…
Julie Gage kept up a tireless vigil beside her husband's bed holding gently to his hand, in fact she hardly noticed the door silently opening. Without turning she gently called out, "Chris, I'm fine why don't you go home and get some rest."
"I all ready sent him home with Sydney." It was Gage answering for his son.
"Francis," Julie was on her feet and being encircled in her brother's arms. "Oh Frankie he's alive, Robin is alive."
"I know Honey it's wonderful," Gage quietly answered, what he was about to ask her weighing heavily on him.
"What Frankie?" Julie could read him like a book when he had something hard he needed to tell him, it hadn't changed since they were kids. "What is it?" she pushed.
Swallowing Gage looked into her eyes letting out a sigh before he finally said, "She's still out there, we may have Robin back but she is still out there, she's still a threat…"
Julie's fingers went to his lips silencing him. "What do we need to do? What do I need to do?"
"Julie if there was any other way…"
"Frankie it's because of me that she is a threat at all."
"Jules…"
"Frankie what do you want me to do?"
Hugging her close Gage held her for a few moments his eyes drifting to his brother-in-law who lay motionless in the hospital bed. Simply he said, "We need your help putting her back where she belongs so she can't hurt us again."
Friday Morning At The Amadee Ranch Outside Of Dallas
Sydney stood with Walker and Trivette holding a cup of coffee and even though the senior rangers discussed the case her focus was on her husband. Gage sat with Sumner, the younger chatting away as he often did Gage hardly noticing his eyes were fixed on his sister Julie.
Excusing herself Sydney made her way to Gage. "How's she doing?" she asked nodding towards her sister-in-law.
"Holding her own," Gage answered knowing the vulnerable position he had put her in to make this work. "I don't know Syd maybe I shouldn't have asked her, there had to be another way."
"Gage you know as well as me that she wanted to be in on this, she feels responsible and this is the only way she can even the score for all of us. Come on we've all been there," Syd tried to ease his mind.
Gage shrugged knowing his wife was right.
"Are you all right?" was Syd's next question for her partner.
Gage had fought Walker on his plan, he hadn't wanted Julie involved at all. In fact he had all out refused to discuss it until Walker pointed out that it was Julie's decision not his. Knowing his sister as he did he knew she would want to be in on this, knew she'd never forgive him if he denied her the chance to help put Dominique away.
"Yeah Syd I'm fine or at least I will be when this is all over," he murmured drawing Syd close letting his lips brush against her forehead.
"Go talk to her Gage," Syd urged feeling an affectionate squeeze on her arm from her husband.
As he started across the room in Julie's direction Ray Amadee suddenly bellowed out, "This is never going to work Dominique will see through this in a minute! How did I ever let you talk me into this?"
"For your sake it had better work," Walker cut him off. "Just keep a cool head, do what we rehearsed and everything will go off with out a hitch. Remember she gets away and you go down for everything. So you had better be pretty darn convincing."
Walker's phone rang he retrieved it from his pocket answering with, "Walker," leaving Amadee to stare coldly after him. It was Trivette calling from the driver's seat of Dominique's limo. "We should be there in less then ten minutes," he reported.
"Good we'll be ready," Walker answered breaking the connection. "They're almost here," he announced to the rest as everyone hurried to take their positions.
Gage and Sydney allowed their hands be tied with a slip knot before taking a seat on the floor of same bedroom that Robin had been found in. Sumner took Chafe's place on the bed wrapped in the same dirty blanket while Julie sat on the bed beside him. No one spoke the fear mixed with adrenalin taking over. Julie bit her lip her hand grasping Sumner's arm tighter and tighter at the sound of the approaching car, while the rangers unconsciously held their breaths.
Downstairs Walker stood in the house's kitchen leaning against the counter coffee in hand calm and cool as ever while Ray Amadee squirmed uncomfortably in his seat in front of him. Suddenly Dominique's car came to a halt outside both knowing it was show time.
They hadn't long to wait within moments of the car stopping the distinct sound of Dominique's high heels could be heard clicking across the wooden porch. The kitchen door swung open being held by her driver Jimmy Trivette. Ray Amadee had stood up as she entered extending his hand to her. "Ray," she greeted the man, "I'm told everything is in order for me."
"For you my darling, it's exactly as you asked for," he murmured brushing his lips against her cheek.
"Then lets not delay lets put this business behind us so we can get back to the business of making money," she smiled anxious to deliver her revenge.
"Of course," Amadee agreed stepping back to let Dominique lead the way out of the kitchen and to the stairway. By this time Dominique had been joined by a few of her key people who flanked the sides of both her and Amadee. Once upstairs they made their way down the hallway Walker stepping forward to turn the key in the lock. That done he stepped back affording Amadee what looked like the power of command.
With his hand on the doorknob Amadee paused, both Trivette and Walker held their breaths fearing he would blurt out it was a trap. "You know Dominique you have waited a very long time for this moment have you thought just how you are going to execute your revenge?"
A slow purposeful smile came across Dominique Sayer's face as she spoke. "But of course my dear Raymond open the door and watch."
Turning the door handle Amadee swung the door open Dominique pushing past him to face her captives. "Julie, Gage its been a long time," she gushed in total satisfaction.
"You horrible creature!" Julie blurted out her emotions getting the better of her as she leapt for Dominique's throat.
Trivette stepped forward in Dominique's defence his arms going round Julie lifting her off the ground averting her from physically attacking the Sayer woman.
Dominique laughed aloud planting herself in front of Julie who Trivette still physically restrained. "You," she glared her laugh turning cold and threatening, "you could have had it all but you and your stupid brother chose to throw it all away. You learnt nothing from your mother and father's demise, just like you they could have had it all, they chose to go against those who could have helped better them and died for their efforts."
Gage was sitting up straight now intensely listening to and staring at the woman while Julie hung limply in Trivette's arms Dominique's words smashing them like bricks.
"You seem surprised," she smiled smugly at brother and sister, "There is very little that I don't know about the Gage family." Turning to face Julie once again she added, "You think that Daddy would let me room with just anyone? Besides Daddy felt he owed you since you were orphans and all."
Gage had struggled to his feet hands still tied behind his back. "Shut up Dominique, just shut up, you know nothing about our parents or what happened to them," he burst out.
"Temper, temper Francis," Dominique addressed him walking over to stand in front of him. "I know lots about you in fact I know more about you and your parents then you do."
Regaining his composure Gage let a smile come to his lips retorting, "At least I know my father was a good man not a sleaze ball like your old man."
Dominique's hand shot out slapping Gage hard across the face her nails raking his cheek drawing blood. Her lips drew into a hard tight line, her eyes narrowed, her voice became cold and even. "Francis the high and mighty you can watch as I kill the rest before I put a bullet in you. In fact I think I'll start with your lovely wife," she viciously threatened raising a small pistol she carried to Sydney's head.
Instead of firing she threw her head back breaking into a maniacal laugh. "Nope not yet," she jeered.
"And why not?" Gage taunted.
"I want you to know how it could have been," she glared at Gage moving her face into his their eyes meeting in hate. "I want you to know that even from my jail cell I became a wealthy woman. Think what we could have had if we had all worked together. I may have lost my father's fortune with all that messy business, the lawyers, the trial… What a waste we could have all been living on easy street. Not to worry Francis, Julie one of us is going to be rich."
Swinging around she fired the gun the bullet hitting Sumner square in the back.
"Robin, Robin," Julie shrieked living the horrors of the day she thought she had lost him all over again.
Both Gage and Walker reacted Gage's foot shooting out to knock the gun flying from Dominique's hand while Walker moved in behind catching her arm and twisting it behind her.
Dominique for one fleeting moment caught the expression on Amadee's face and knew she had been betrayed. "You lying bastard!" she shrieked at him her free hand coming around in a fist to land on Walker's jaw. Wrenching from his grasp Dominique made a dive for the gun once again the rangers on her.
Struggling as if a wild animal trying to save its life she stretched her out reached hand her fingers clawing at the weapon kicking Gage as he fought her for possession. With finger curling around the trigger she fired wildly hitting Amadee in the chest and he slumped to the floor a crimson circle growing on his shirt. Just as quickly she turned to point the gun at Gage unable to get the shot off before Walker twisted the gun from her hand.
Immediately Syd and Trivette were on her Trivette snapping the cuffs on and hauling her to her feet.
"Gage?"
"Frankie?"
His wife and sister alike were voicing their concern each coming to his side as Gage slowly lifted himself to his feet.
"Fine," he retorted before calling out, "Hey Sumner you okay?"
"That's going to leave a mark," Sumner answered pulling open his shirt to reveal the body armour he was wearing.
Walker had all ready gone to Amadee but the man hadn't stood a chance he had died instantly with the impact of the bullet. "Get her out of here," he simply barked.
"Walker I want first crack at her," Gage demanded.
Walker knew that Gage wanted… no had to question her about what she had said about his parents. He also knew he had earned that right on this assignment. He nodded his had in agreement heading out behind Dominique and Trivette, Sumner following suit.
"Jules you okay?" Gage questioned his sister his arm going round her.
"I'm just glad it's over," she whispered adding, "Do you think she knows anything about Mom and Dad's accident? It was just an accident wasn't it?"
Gage's eyes met Syd's as if she might know the answer to that question before he answered. "I don't know Julie. I've never thought of the accident as anything but an accident. One thing I do know is that if she knows anything I'll get it out of her one way or another…"
That was all Gage had time to say before a loud crack of a single gunshot broke the air. "What the…"
Syd was all ready at the door gun in hand, pushing Julie behind him Gage was but a step behind her. As they cautiously moved down the staircase they could see both Walker and Trivette had taken cover as had the rest of the officers. All had guns drawn; all were searching for the shooter. On the ground just a few feet from the car that was to transport her to ranger headquarters laid Dominique Sayer the single shot having been fatal.
Chapter Seven
A Few Weeks Later…
Julie stood in the doorway of the family room the television was on tuned to the basket ball game. Her husband sat, no he was almost laying, comfortably in the recliner his eyes closed. Their son Michael lay curled in his lap he too with his eyes closed both sleeping. The doorbell suddenly rang and she jumped hurrying to answer so not to wake her men.
Gage and Sydney stood at the other side of the door. Syd had called earlier to say they would be by once they finished up at headquarters for the day. Letting Gage kiss her cheek she invited them both inside.
"How's Robin?" Syd quizzed.
"Robin is doing much better thank you very much," he answered for himself coming into the entrance with Michael still asleep in his arms.
"May I?" Syd asked reaching for her young nephew Robin reluctantly relinquishing him to her.
They all proceeded into the family room Julie letting her reporter instincts get the better of her. "Well Francis find out anything?"
"We have a few leads on who may have shot Dominique but nothing concrete."
"Not about that," she coyly remarked.
"Mom and Dad…" Gage's voice dropped off as he took his sister's hand. "There is nothing that points to anything sinister concerning the accident, it was just that an accident. It looks as if Dominique was just trying to conjure up some lies to push our buttons."
"In a way I'm glad, its bad enough they died in an accident but to think they were murdered and by some underworld figures," Julie sighed a small sigh of relief glad her brother had found nothing.
Drawing her close Gage kissed her forehead both feeling certain the past was no longer going to come back to haunt them.
On The Way Home…
Sydney and Gage stayed a few minutes before heading home. "Hey Shorty feel like driving?" Gage asked tossing the keys to Syd.
"Long day at the office Gage?" Syd questioned with a grin watching her partner slouch in the passenger seat and close his eyes.
"Something like that," he replied not bothering to open his eyes as he spoke.
They fell into a comfortable silence as Syd put the car in gear and headed for home. They had only gone a short distance when Gage's cell phone began to ring. "See Syd it's for this very reason I hate carrying the darn thing," he complained putting it to his ear to answer, "Gage." Listening a moment he suddenly sat bolt upright shouting into the phone, "Who is this?" as he tightly grasped the phone his eyes wide, his heart beating out of his chest.
"Gage what is it?" Syd had pulled the car to the side of the road and put it in park.
"The voice," he began to say pausing still in disbelief. "The voice said everything Dominique told us was true. Mom and Dad's accident wasn't an accident they were murdered. He said he knew that for a fact because he was the one who sabotaged the car."
The End
