The next several days were frustrating beyond anything Rick had dealt with, in protecting his mother.

Despite the evidence of his collusion with the murderer, the gate guard refused to name his accomplice or give any information. Rick and A.J.'s only satisfaction was that Ben Warren's apartment yielded several stolen items, including Mrs. Patterson's wedding ring. Both brothers were glad to bring the grieving widow at least a small break in her grief.

"You boys, oh Cecilia, you always bragged about them, now I see why." Mrs. Patterson said, a faint smile on her face. She was in A.J.'s living room, her hand caressing the thin golden band.

Embarrassed, Rick was relieved when the doorbell rang, then A.J. waved him off and went to see who it was.

"I told you my boys would find it, would you like some more tea, Claire?" Cecilia smiled as Laurie and Linda brought in some of her famous lemon bars.

"No, my daughter Margo is coming for me, oh, I think that's her car now." The older woman replied. Immediately Rick got up to walk her to the door, only to almost bump into his brother at the entry.

Before he could say anything, A.J. jerked his head at Rick, letting him know they needed to talk. Rick nodded, then both brothers saw their neighbor to the door.

As soon as Mrs. Patterson was safely driven away, Rick took a peek around the perimeter of the property, then closed the door and faced A.J..

"There was an anonymous note on the doorstep, Rick." Gingerly showing it to him, A.J. watched Rick's face redden with anger.

"Forget the Patterson case, or else your mother will die, A.J., did you see anyone…." Rick began, only for his brother to shake his head.

"No, no cars in sight either. I went as far as the driveway, then I thought I'd better call Ron. He'll be here in 5 minutes."

"A.J., who was at the door?" Cecilia came down the hall, then stopped when she saw her son's expression.

"What happened?"

Both A.J. and Rick looked at each other, but before either could speak, the phone rang.

"I'll get it." A.J. went toward the living room, as Rick muttered, "Chicken."

"All right, Rick, what's going on?" He saw his mother frowning, and immediately he went and put an arm around her shoulders. The two of them walked back into the living room and sat down..

"Mom, someone left a threatening note for us to find, warning us to drop the Patterson case. It's okay, nothing's going to happen to you."

"Oh, Rick, I know that, I trust my boys to take care of me." Cecilia's confidence in him and A.J. brought tears to his eyes.

"Rick? That was Ron." A.J. appeared in the doorway. He looked at their mother, then gave a sheepish grin to Rick.

"I'm okay, A.J.. Rick told me about the note. Now what did Ron say:" Cecelia held out a hand and he came over and sat next to her.

"Ron says Warren broke down and told him that the murderer is Gabe Thomas, you know, that wrestler. He met him at a bar a few months ago and promised him big money for being the info man on these robberies. Warren swears Thomas didn't mean to kill

Mr. Patterson but we've got a warrant out on him now, and Ron wants you to come to the station for a lineup as soon as he's picked up."

Rick let out a breath, relieved they at least had a name to put to the threat facing them.

"Just in case, Mom, after they pick this guy up, I want you to come to the ranch until after the trial of these guys. I just don't like this guy threatening you, especially in broad daylight with all of us at home."

Cecilia smiled at her boys. "That I won't mind. It'll be a good way to stage Joe's birthday party, he'll never guess what I'm up to then."

Rick snickered at the mention of Chief Joseph, this was the first he'd heard of her wanting to honor his birthday. Before he could tease her, Cecilia held up a hand.

"Rick, there is nothing wrong with two mature people enjoying their time together."

A grin almost split A.J's face as Rick shook his head. "We're just teasing, Mom,"

"Yeah, right." She replied, then started laughing. "You two…."

The next day Rick was fixing his mother's faucet when the phone rang. Laurie's voice called, "I'll get it, Mom."

"Hand me that wrench, A.J…." Rick began, half-wondering who was calling.

"Who is this?" His wife's tone was angry, then he heard a sharp gasp.

"Laurie! What happened?" he yelled, then scooted out from under the sink and got to his feet as A.J. dropped the wrench and raced into the living room ahead of him.

Before them, Laurie stood, holding the phone, a terrified expression on her face.

"Rick….it was about Mom…if she testifies against Warren, this guy says she's going to wish she was dead. I asked who he was, and he said, "Mrs. Simon, you'll know who I am soon enough. You have really beautiful grandchildren, it'd be a shame if they disappeared."

"Sweetheart…" Rick came forward, then saw her lip tremble as she put the phone down, then hit the record switch off on the recorder.

"Honey, you recorded it?" A.J. asked, grateful for her quick thinking. She nodded, then Rick took her in his arms and held her tight.

Feeling how hard she was shaking, he picked her up, then sat down on the sofa with her in his embrace. "It's all right, we're here, Laurie."

She raised her face to his, then he saw the fear in her eyes, and realized something else had happened.

"Darlin', what else did this creep say?"

"Nothing, Rick, 'cept…." Laurie swallowed hard, then whispered "he must have heard me gasp, then he said "or maybe I'll just take care of your husband like Mr. Patterson." That's when he hung up."

"A.J., call Ron, right now. We'll send the tape over and try to trace that call. Sweetheart, I'm sorry he scared you, nothing's going to happen to me." Rick stroked her hair, then was relieved to see her relax against him.

"I'm okay, love. It was just, so vicious sounding, he was .." Rick suddenly interrupted her, an idea in his head.

"Laurie, did you hear anything in the background, cars, people, you know…"

"It was quiet, Rick, except, there was a truck noise, like a freight truck, like…."

"A warehouse!" A.J. finished, then came toward them with the extension in hand. "Ron's running a trace right now, but you tell him what Laurie said."

The chief of detectives was just as angry when Rick finished telling him about the warning.

"Now he's playing with us, but I think we just got a lead on his whereabouts, Rick. Tell Laurie she did good." He responded tersely. "Just to play it safe, pal, I want you and the family to stay put the next couple of days. After the preliminary hearing on Thursday, it'll be safe again."

Rick scowled. "I hate to let this bastard control our lives, but you're right. Let me call Robbie and Robin."

Reaching both of their children, Rick was heartened to find that Robin and Ian had to go to California anyway for a training session with the new Knights show. Laurie immediately called Steve Austin and he made arrangements to fly in and take the little family back to Ojai with him.

"That's nice of Uncle Steve, Pop. Why don't the rest of us just stay at the ranch, then we can all watch over Grandma." Robbie told him.

"Good idea, son. Your mom was pretty upset by that phone call, so you and the kids being where she is will help." Rick added, proud of his son's thoughtfulness.

Within the hour everyone was packed up, and A.J. took Cecilia over to her condo to pick up some clothes. While he waited, Rick went through some information Ron put together on Gabe Thomas.

"Robbie, look at this, this Thomas is in deep to every bookie in town, not to mention the guys in Vegas." Rick showed his friend the records he'd been able to get."

"That explains his getting bolder and more violent, but don't worry, Rick, we'll catch …" Ron began, then a series of shots rang out, and Rick yelled "Everyone down on the floor!"

Suddenly a scream was heard from outside, then A.J.'s voice. "NO!"