Chapter 5

The call was at an office building that had been successfully evacuated with the exception of the Maintenance operator and the CEO who were running around the building trying to figure out where the smoke was coming from. The problem was that the smoke was coming from the vents and it was not an easy task to figure out the source. An hour later, after going from room to room it was found that a small space heater was left on in a closet in the very center of the basement starting a supply of paper products on fire.

It took nearly every foot of hose on the engine to reach the fire and all of ten minutes to get the fire out completely and then forty-five minutes to drain the hose and load it back on the engine. Before they were finished the Squad was called away for a possible heart attack.

When they backed big red into the equipment bay Mike hurried into the day room. As much as he wasn't surprised that Laura was no longer at the station he was clearly disappointed. Hank Stanley was quick on his engineer's heels and even though their guest was no longer present she had left gifts.

Captain Stanley's well read book was on the table on top of a stack of three other books. One book a hard back copy of 'Keep the Rescuers rescuing,' and two copies of another book titled, 'Never to strong to Crumble'. One copy a hard back the other a paperback. Tucked inside the cover of the top hard back copy was an envelope addressed to Captain Stanley, on the table next to them was a matching envelope addressed to Mike Stoker.

Cap handed Mike's envelope to him and he quickly opened it to read: I need to get some sleep but I copied the number off the phone there at the station and I'll call you in the morning to tell you where I can be found. I'm hoping that you will be willing to do the driving tomorrow but if not please be prepared to mark up a map with clear directions of how to get from where I'm going to wind up to where ever it is that we need to go. We can talk about it when I call in the morning. I promise you will get your answers before I'm through with these people and they will think twice before they do this to anyone else, Laura Elmer.

As Hank watched Mike while he was reading a subtle hand tried to sneak past his captain in an attempt to capture a copy of the book on the table. Being a good Captain means having good peripheral vision and he was able to place a hand on top of the stack of books before Chet was able to grab it.

"I just want to see what Chapter 23 is all about Cap," Chet coaxed.

"Uh hu," Cap grinned as he watched Mike fold the letter back up and stuff it back in the envelope out of the corner of his eye. "I'm not ready for you to know that yet." He said before scooping up the books on the table and tucking them under his arm. "I have a phone call to make," he said and gave his other two men a look before looking at Mike who was now sitting on the couch in deep thought while he rubbed the ears of station's resident basset hound.

Marco gave his captain a simple nod to show that the message had been received and Hank knew it was safe to leave the room.

The problem with calling headquarters was that it was guaranteed to mean long stretches of being on hold and he was sure from the beginning that this call was not going to be handled in their usual efficient manner. While he was on hold the first time Hank read the autograph just inside the cover of his new copy of the book he had turned to often before dealing with his men.

'To a sensational Captain who clearly knows and cares for his men, if I had had leaders like you over the years, I wouldn't have needed to write these books.' Hank felt humbled by her remarks but grinned as he noticed her signature was followed by a simple face doodle that included a mustache.

Once Hank repeated who he needed to talk to and was put on hold again, he pulled the envelope from the book and opened it. Unlike Mike's letter this one was sealed which peaked his curiosity. Pulling the pocket knife from his belt Hank used it as a letter opener.

Captain Stanley

I have never been more honored in my life as I was when I saw how diligently you have studied my work.

That said I'm sure you are well aware that our boy is on the edge. He's clearly not sleeping enough to rejuvenate and keep himself going for much longer and this has gone on far too long. Don't be surprised if he's not able to read the letter from his father right away. Don't rush him. I believe we have given him a life line today and hope that he'll soon be able to find the closure he not only deserves but needs. If at all possible it would be best if he could have a couple of days off to pursue and digest the information that is out there.

I totally agree with you that he's a chapter 4 and would advise you to employ chapters 17, 18, 19 and 20. For some reason I'm sure you're already on top of it but I might also suggest chapters 38 and 41 of the new book I've left for you.

I'm not sure how much help I'll be but for the next few days at least I'll do all that I can to help out still you know him much better than I do and should be able to get him to open up once he realizes he's ready to.

I'll call in the morning, hope you'll be able to get the ball rolling before then,

Laura Elmer.

Hank set the letter down and reached for the books on the desk when the person he was holding for came to the phone. Armed with Dates and names he was able to make his request for the information but was told they would have to call him back and then they hung up. Hank considered calling again and going one rung higher up the chain of command but his thoughts were interrupted.

Station 51 Possible drug overdose Maple park, use south entrance, repeat use south entrance be advised Police are on scene advice coming in non code R.

"Station 51 KMG365," Hank responded in automatic pilot as he copied the address down on a call slip. Out of the corner of his eye he watched as his men filed out of the common room and onto the engine. His engineer sporting his usual professional ready to go appearance but Hank knew him well enough to know it was just an act. The title of Chapter 4 is 'Bottled and Corked' and that was the best description for Mike's emotional state, much more so since his father passed away. Hank had been worried for some time now that his stoic engineer was headed for what the book called 'internal melt down' and he was very grateful to now have the assistance of a true expert to help him turn Mike around.

"Squad 51 10-4 responding from Rampart," was heard over the radio and Hank knew they were arrive well before the paramedics and only hoped they would have what it was going to take to keep things going until they could get there.

Cutting their sirens as they approached the park entrance Hank could see at least three police cars parked and several people laying on the ground. Loosing sight of the scene as they worked the engine through the narrow drive and parked behind the last police car Hank quickly climbed out and headed for the police officer coming toward him, his three crewmen right behind him.

"I don't have any idea what she's on but she is not in touch with reality," the police officer reported. "The information we've been able to get so far is that some boys were playing football and the ball accidently hit that camper over there. Then this woman came out and started checking everyone out like she was a doctor or something and they were all in a ten car pile up." "Since we've been here she's been ordering us to apply bandages and hold pressure on non-existing wounds, she keeps saying something about an aftershock and a collapsed building. So far we've just been playing along until you guys got here."

"Good idea," Hank replied, "We'll probably do the same until the squad get's here, they're better qualified to deal with this situation."

"Our one real concern," The Police officer added, "She is bare foot and there is a lot of broken glass where she's walking."

"I better see if I can go steer her away from it then." Hank offered before jogging off in the needed direction calling, "Kelly, Lopez, with me."

Weaving around the people seated or laying on the ground Hank made his way for the young woman who was checking the pupils of on of the police officers. She was holding her left arm to her chest and when she wasn't using her right arm it was moved to support her elbow and she looked to be in pain even from the back. Her hair was about four inches below her shoulders and had a rubber band in it but she had been sleeping and the hair was loose and uncombed. When she turned to face the on coming firefighters Hank gasped. It was Laura Elmer.

"Maggie!" Laura called out with controlled panic in her voice the kind he always heard from his Paramedics. "Thanks for coming so fast. Get Durham and Spenelli going on getting that shelter back up, Dr. Chun has a lacerated femoral artery we've got to do something with or he's going to loose his leg. There are four others with serious injuries but the rest are just minor stuff that can wait. We're going to be on our own now until tomorrow."

"Miss Elmer," Hank took a hold of her shoulders with his hands.

"Maggie, we've got to hurry if we're going to save these people's lives, Now hustle." Laura ordered and Hank thought he could see a glazed look to her eyes but her pupils didn't look to be those of someone under the influence of any substance.

"Laura!" Hank spoke louder and gave a gentle shake of the shoulders he was holding onto, "Laura Elmer."

Suddenly the look of controlled panic turned to one of total confusion as Laura looked into Captain Stanley's face. "What?" was all she seemed to be able to say as she turned her head to look at the area and the people staring back at her.

"Captain Stanley? Guys? What's going on here?" Laura asked in total confusion.

"I was hoping you could tell me," Hank said, "What's the last thing you can remember?"

"I a, I left the station, um, after you got called out, and a, um, was going to find a hotel or a Motel and get some sleep before tomorrow." Laura was remembering as she continued to look around as if she had never seen this place before. "The traffic here is so crazy here compared to back home and I was so tired I decided to stop here and rest my eyes for a while before in continued to search for a place to spend the night."

After a moment Laura was able to look directly at Captain Stanley, "I was dreaming about Indonesia and the after shock that hit while I was at the aid camp there." Then her eyes flew open wide, "Oh no, I was doing more than just dreaming wasn't I?"

"It would appear so," Captain Stanley managed to hide any hint of a smile as Laura nearly crumbled in total embarrassment.

"Is this your camper over here?" Captain Stanley asked noticing the New Mexico license plate.

"Yeah," Laura confirmed.

"What do you say we go sit down while you finish waking up?" Captain Stanley directed and so she wouldn't cut her bare feet on the broken glass around he scooped her up into his arms and carried her the short distance to her camper where she was sat down on the back bumper to regroup.