CHAPTER 8
Two days later, Matt was moved from ICU to a regular room. The FBI had been by to speak with him and they had sent two men up with Hart and Cutler to check out the scene where the shooting had occurred.
In checking back through their records, the FBI had realized that most of the money from the Tahoe bank robbery had never been recovered and they assumed that Davis had returned to the Tahoe area retrieve it. Once they realized how close the site of Matt's shooting was to where Davis had been arrested, they figured the money must be cached somewhere nearby.
So they'd brought in a full team and along with Cutler and Avila were doing a complete search of the area. No one had very high hopes of actually finding something that had been buried years before, but they had to try, especially since it was possible they'd come across Davis and his cousin if they hadn't already retrieved the money.
Sheriff McBride had posted a Deputy outside Matt's room for security since the FBI and the Rangers were concentrating on the search for Davis and the money. So now it was just a matter of waiting to see what happened.
/
Davis slipped down the hallway, half expecting to be stopped before he got to Matt Hawkes' room. It had been easy to get the information, pretending he was a concerned friend. He saw a cop standing by the nurse's station, flirting with the nurse. He quickly pushed the door to Hawkes' room open a couple of inches listening to see if he heard any conversation inside. It seemed quiet, so he slipped into the room. He saw his target lying in bed, either asleep or unconscious.
He slid his hand into the pocket of his jacket and pulled out the switchblade. He pressed the button and it snicked open. He watched the man in the bed to make sure the quiet noise didn't wake him up. When he was sure the High Mountain Ranger was still out he moved closer to the bed.
He wanted to savor the opportunity to make this man suffer, wanted to remember every second of Hawkes' death so that he could relive it over and over again for the rest of his life, but he knew that time was not on his side. He looked up at the machinery that was attached to the patient in the bed and debated whether to just turn the pain medication up to full so that he would overdose or unplug it altogether so he'd feel everything.
But then again, he wouldn't be able to hang around to watch the man writhe in pain. He wondered if anyone would notice if he snuck into a closet and stuck around for a while. He laughed quietly imagining what it would be like to be in the room when Matt Hawkes' heart stopped. But he didn't think he'd be able to contain his glee and he'd give away his position.
He shook his head, trying to get those wonderful images out of his brain and get on with the job. He debated how best to make his presence known. Raising the knife, he slammed it down into Matt's thigh. Davis laughed out loud seeing the look on Hawkes' face as the man shot up from the bed, gasping in pain as he moved.
"Well, Hawkes, nice of you to be awake for my visit. I don't have a lot of time so we'll have to make this quick," he said, yanking the knife from Matt leg and raising up in front of his victim's face, blood dripping from the blade. The injured Ranger saw a man standing by the bed and when he was able to focus, he noticed the blade and then focused his eyes on Davis' face.
Jerking his head back slightly, he looked up as a man began to laugh again.
"Oh, Matt, that was priceless! I wish I had a camera! In fact I wish I had a video camera so I could document your last breath." He leaned over, his face just inches from Matt's, moving the knife around so that the light caught the blade. Davis turned to look over his shoulder when he thought he heard the door open. Seeing no one behind him he turned back to his victim, just in time to react to Matt reaching for the hand that held the knife.
Davis changed the grip on the knife holding it in his fist with the blade point downwards, pulling away from Matt's reach. As he raised the knife again, preparing to stab his prey in the heart, he heard a deep growl behind him. The sound sent a shiver down his spine and he turned slowly toward the door. Across the room, he saw the German shepherd that had taken a chunk out of his arm a week before, the dog's intense eyes locked onto his own.
Davis knew he was facing death... his own. The dark eyes, the bared teeth, and the dog's position, back on her haunches and ready to spring, and Davis knew he only had a split second to react. But he was too late. Moments later a scream echoed down the hallway, stopping everyone in their tracks. The voice sounded like the devil himself was coming out of hell.
Suddenly two figures raced down the hall heading straight for Matt's room. Not hesitating they rushed into the room, seeing Davis on the floor, screaming, blood spurting from his left arm as Teagan clamped down and refused to let go, shaking her head back and forth.
"Teagan, release!" Cutler ordered. It took a second, but the dog let go, but continued to growl at the writhing man on the floor.
"Jimmy, he had a knife. Find the knife," Matt said, his voiced tinged with pain. The deputy who had run into the room with Cutler stepped around to get on the other side of the suspect, just as Cutler spotted the light glinting off the metal of the blade from across the room. But as he stepped closer and reached to pick it up, a desperate Davis kicked the Deputy in the knee, knocking the man back, and causing him to fall and strike his head hard on the floor. Davis then dove toward the knife, wrapping his hand around the handle a split second before Cutler was able to.
Jimmy dropped to the floor, his hands trying to get purchase on Davis' arm, his grip slipping in the blood that was flowing from the new bite wounds on the escapee's arm. He registered the barking and growling behind him, but barely felt the weak attempts by Davis to bring his knee into his side, as he concentrated on keeping the knife away from his own body. He felt Davis shift, and a sharp pain went across the back of his hand, then up his arm. He noticed the cut across his knuckles, but before he could really comprehend that Davis had managed to cut him, he saw the convict's eyes go almost comically wide.
Then another bloodcurdling scream filled the room. Davis dropped the knife, allowing Jimmy to slap it across the room. He moved back slightly, thinking that he needed to get some cuffs on the man, but froze at the sight before him.
Davis was screaming. "Get him off! God, please, help me! Get him off me!" He was struggling to move away from the angry dog that had attached herself to his body.
Teagan had attacked as Davis pulled his leg back to get some force behind his next kick, so instead of getting hold of his leg as she lunged at him, her jaw had locked on to the space between his legs and she was refusing to let go.
Jimmy winced in sympathy, finally finding his voice to call her off. But it wasn't until Matt called out a weak, "Teagan, come," that the animal released her grip with a final growl and hopped up onto the bed next to her human.
By that time, a doctor and two nurses were standing in the doorway. An orderly pushed a gurney part way into the room and assisted the doctor in getting the bleeding and still screaming man lifted up. Davis hadn't realized that the dog had let go. One of the nurses hurried over to check on the deputy, who was just starting to come around again, as the orderly pushed the gurney carrying Davis toward the elevator that would take them down to the emergency room. The deputy went with them, settled in a wheelchair, a bloody towel held at the back of his head.
Hospital security, who had arrived on scene just as Davis had been wheeled down the hall, were asked by Cutler to stay with Davis until they could get another Deputy to the hospital to guard him.
Once the commotion was over, Jimmy walked over to the bed. "How the hell did that dog get in this room?"
"I have no idea, Jimmy," Matt remarked, "but I'm sure glad she did. She saved my life. Again. Davis was going to kill me, and I'm not sure I could've stopped him."
Seconds later Matt's doctor rushed into the room. "What the hell happened here?" He asked. "I just got an urgent call that my patient was in danger. Are you okay, Matt?"
"I'm good, Doc. This little lady saved my life, for the second time," he declared, petting the head of the dog that the doctor only then realized was on the bed with Matt.
"You do realize that's not the most sanitary thing in the world," the doctor said with a smile. "I've heard a lot about this little lady, but I am gonna have to insist that she be removed from the room. And just what happened to your leg?" he asked, just noticing the blood.
Both Rangers looked down and saw blood seeping through the sheets and blanket, a neat slice in the material. It was at that moment that Matt remembered he'd been stabbed and finally felt the pain. The doctor pulled back the covers and took a close look at the wound.
"We need to get this cleaned up and stitched. It's pretty deep," he said, walking around the bed to pick up the phone. As he waiting for his call to be answered, he noticed blood dripping onto the floor that couldn't have come from Matt. Following the angle, he noticed Cutler's arm. Grabbing the sleeve on Jimmy's other arm, he pulled the man closer to him, tucking the phone under his chin. Gently lifting the bleeding arm, he pulled a pair of scissors from his pocket and cut through the sleeve of Jimmy's shirt, exposing the deep cut on his arm.
"Did you not feel this?" he asked, worried. He slipped some gloves from the box attached to the wall, he slipped them on, then turned his attention back to Jimmy's arm.
Cutler stared at his bleeding arm in fascination. "Hmm, thought it was just my hand," he said, flexing his fingers.
"This might need more than just stitches," he said, then turned his attention to the phone. "Yes, this is Doctor Bishoff. I need a plastic surgeon in Room 2023..."
"Actually, doc, this room is now a crime scene," came a voice from the doorway. They all looked up to see Hart standing in the doorway. "Matt, the FBI is here. They're down with Davis right now, but they'll be here in a few minutes. I think it might be best if we can get you moved to another room and get this room secured."
Bishoff shook his head in frustration and spoke back into the phone. "Correction, have Doctor Spiner meet me in the ER. I have two patients for him. One a deep stab wound to the leg, the other a serious laceration to the forearm and hand. Yes, thank you." He hung up as a nurse stepped into the room. The doctor instructed her to get two wheelchairs.
He began pulling sterile bandages from a container in the drawer next to Matt's bed, wrapping them around the cut on Jimmy's arm. Cutler began to sway just as the nurse rolled a wheelchair behind him. The doctor assisted him in sitting down, still keeping a tight grip on his arm. He instructed the nurse to get him down to the ER, then turned his attention to Matt.
Getting fresh gloves and pulling more bandages from the drawer, he snatched a roll of gauze and another sterile bandage. Pressing the bandage against the wound, he lifted Matt's leg just high enough to wrap the gauze around the leg to keep the bandage in place. "That'll do until we get you downstairs," he said. Hart helped the Doctor get Matt off the bed, making sure not to jar his already injured arm.
"Teagan..." Matt began.
Hart raised a hand. "I'll have Frank run her back to the station real quick. Izzy can keep an eye on her."
"Thanks, Buddy," Matt said, his weary voice betraying the pain he was in, both from the earlier bullet wound and the new stab wound in his leg.
Hart grabbed hold of Teagan's collar to keep her from following Matt as the doctor pushed him from the room. She whimpered until he was out of sight, then looked up at Tim. The dark-skinned Ranger could almost read the torment in the animal's eyes.
"He'll be okay, girl. Don't you worry," he assured her, feeling a bit foolish as he led the dog out of the room.
/
"...just dumb luck that the cousin was sitting in a stolen vehicle outside the hospital as we drove up," Frank was explaining, as the Rangers, Cody and Jesse were all gathered in Matt and Jimmy's hospital room. They'd moved Matt to a different room after Davis' thwarted attack, and since the doctor's had decide to keep Cutler overnight due to blood loss, they just put the two Rangers in a double room.
"When Frank, me and two FBI agents surrounded the car, he gave up pretty quickly. And gave up his cousin too," Hart added.
"Connor didn't know that Davis had escaped prison," Avila continued. "He didn't own a television or radio. Didn't know his cousin was out until Davis called him from Placerville. In fact, Davis completely exonerated Tyler, said he told his cousin that he'd been paroled."
"How the hell did we not know he'd escaped?" Matt asked.
"Damn, Matt, we've been so busy we haven't had time to relax enough to turn on the television. Except for Izzy and he wasn't around when you arrested Davis. He saw the reports on the news, but it happened in Sacramento, and all indications were the guy was headed north. He didn't realize his connection to you and the Rangers."
"Aren't you supposed to get notification from the prison?" Jesse asked, angry that the man had been able to hurt his son, not once, but twice. He was grateful that Cody hadn't been in the room with Matt when Davis attacked. He didn't think he would be able to handle it to have both his sons hurt at the hands of that maniac.
"New warden at the prison. They notified the FBI and the local police, along with the Highway Patrol, but until he pulled Davis' file, he didn't see the notation that El Dorado County Sheriff and the High Mountain Rangers were supposed to be notified. By the time he saw that, Matt was already here and in surgery."
Hart had been disgusted to learn that the prison had been so lax in doing its job. If they'd have known about Davis' escape the day it happened, Matt would have had some warning that he might be in the area. And Hart would never have allowed him to travel to his father's place alone.
"The car they were driving belonged to an elderly man who lived in Placerville. He was dead in his kitchen when Placerville Police went to talk to him about his car. Another victim of Davis. And they found a vehicle parked nearby that was associated with a missing female from Chico. She was found two days ago wandering naked along highway 50 near Pollock Pines. She'd been beaten and sexually assaulted over a two-day period. She just regained consciousness this morning and was able to pick Davis out of a photo line-up."
"Slimy bastard," Matt growled, the others nodding their agreement. "What's being done about the prison, anything?"
"FBI made an official complaint on your behalf to the Bureau of Prisons and Department of Justice. We'll see if anything comes of it," Hart shrugged, not really expecting anything to happen to the warden.
"On a lighter note," Robin said, "we got a call from the Humane Society. They want to honor Teagan for saving your life!"
"Cool!" Cody exclaimed. "She deserves it."
"Yeah, they want to give her a plaque and free food for a year."
"I won't argue that!" Matt said. "She goes through her food pretty fast."
"Speaking of which," Frank said. "I talked to Jake the yesterday. He's sicced Sacramento Animal Control on that lady who owned the cabin where you found Teagan. Seems that when he spoke to them about her, they were all too familiar with her. She's been charged with animal abuse and neglect in the past. When they went out to the house in Sacramento, she wasn't home, but they spoke to some of her neighbors. They're pretty sure that Teagan was her dog and she left her up at that cabin on purpose. Jake is pursuing it. She wants her in jail this time, not just fined."
Matt shook his hand, the anger easy to see on his face. "I'd love to lock her in a room, with no food or water, and no way get out and see how well she survives," he muttered.
"And she's still calling Jake, threatening a lawsuit if the animal isn't returned to her. He's already talked to Judge Michaels, who issued a court order after seeing the pictures Jake had of Teagan when he first got her. The order forbids her from adopting any animal in El Dorado County and he's forwarded his information to the courts in Sac County as well, requesting a similar order against her there. He also issued a restraining order against her, so she can't go near the vet's office, the Ranger station or your house. She should be served with that order today sometime."
"Wow," was the only comment from Matt.
"He has a personal interest," Frank said. "His god daughter is Emily Traxton." He saw by the smile on Matt's face that he understood.
"Emily Traxton?" Jesse asked.
Matt smiled. "She was being hassled outside of Stoney's by the Hunter twins a couple months ago. I helped her out," he said, shrugging his shoulders.
"Those Hunter boys still don't want anything to do with Matt after their daddy took a switch to them for messing with a Ranger's vehicle last year. Seems like Daddy has a soft spot for the Rangers," Frank said with a grin.
"That's because Dad and his team saved his wife's life when she was pregnant with the twins. She got into a car accident. Dad and one of his Rangers happened to be driving by and were able to get her out of the vehicle, just before it caught fire," Matt explained. When Jesse raised an eyebrow, Matt remarked. "I read it in one of the letters we found in the attic."
"Which reminds me," Izzy piped up, "we got a call from Harrah's this morning. They said they've blocked out thirty rooms for the first weekend in September, Friday through Monday. And they'd like to host a Welcome dinner for the retired Rangers that Friday night. We've had some other offers from different businesses in South Lake Tahoe to help with banners, pictures and catering."
Jesse stood up from the chair he'd been sitting on between the two beds, stretching to get the kinks out of his back. "I can't tell you enough how much I appreciate what you all are doing. I thought it was something special when you put that display together, but to go to all this trouble to honor the first Rangers, well…thank you."
"So, Mr. Hawkes, you think we'll be able to get those retired Rangers to tell us some stories about the olden days," Izzy teased.
"I got your olden days, son," Jesse growled, playfully grabbed the younger man in a headlock, causing everyone else in the room to bust out in laughter. Down the hall, smiles broke out on the faces of several staff members who were hanging out around the nurse's station.
/
Matt leaned on the cane as he stopped just inside the Sierra Room, situated to the right of many slot machines in Harrah's Casino and Hotel. Luckily, he'd been able to rid himself of the sling a week before, but the leg had proved troublesome, and he still needed the cane when he spent too much time on his feet. Luckily, both injuries had been to his left side, so he was able to use the cane in his right hand and not have to resort to a wheelchair.
He glanced around the room and smiled. Robin, Izzy and the staff of the hotel had done a wonderful job setting up the room for the initial get-together for all the Rangers, retired or still on active duty in the mountains. Along the back wall, a banner stretch about ten feet across, with a message of welcome and thanks in the middle. On either end of the banner was a rendition of the High Mountain Rangers patch. On the left was the original patch, on the right the patch of the current team.
Underneath the banner was a long table, covered with photo albums and notebooks, holding a multitude of photos and letters. Two large easels sat at either end of the table. The easels held two enlarged photos, one of Earl Jones, the other of Merlin Pierce.
Matt stood in front of Merlin's photo and smiled. It was typical Merlin—a huge grin lit up the man's face, his eyes held the mischievous glint that was always in his eyes, except when they were in the midst of a rescue. Merlin had not only been his Commander, but his friend. He'd judged Matt on his own merits and didn't expect him to be his father. Matt still missed him.
He made his way around the rest of the room. There were several other easels set up with more enlargements of photos of the Rangers in action. He recognized a much younger Jesse Hawkes in a couple of them, no touch of gray in those pictures of his younger years.
Jesse and Cody walked into the room just as Matt finished looking at the pictures. He joined them at the door, then he and Cody watched as Jesse moved through the room, unknowingly following in Matt's footsteps. When he reached Earl Jones' picture, they could see him reached out a hand, stopping just before he touched the glass.
Matt and Cody had heard the story of the old Ranger's death on many occasions. They both knew that Jesse carried around a great deal of guilt about Earl's death. As not only Earl's Commander, but his friend, he had always felt that he should have done more that day. It had weighed on Jesse for years.
Jesse's Rangers had been tracking a juvenile runaway, a city kid who had run away from his parents while on their first camping trip. They'd heard a scream and when they reached the clearing, they saw the boy they'd been searching for backed up against the trunk of a large tree, a mountain lion crouched and prepared to pounce. Earl had taken a quick shot, wounding the animal and causing her to run off.
While two other Rangers made sure the boy got back to town, Earl and Jesse had tracked the cat. They knew that a wounded animal was a dangerous animal—or in this case, a deadly animal. Jesse had managed to kill the cat, but not before she'd mauled Earl. He had bled out quickly and Jesse had been forced to build a travois to carry him down the mountain. Since that day, Jesse had also carried a huge dose of guilt.
Matt would never forget the look in his father's face when he'd dragged himself through the door that night. It was one of the few times he'd ever seen his father cry. He hoped that this get together would lessen the weight that he'd borne since that day. As Jesse turned around, Matt was glad to see a hint of the smile on the older man's face. He nudged Cody and the two sons walked over to join their father.
Jesse pulled his sons close, an arm around the waist of each boy. "Thank you, Mathew. This is...special."
"It turned out great, didn't it? Robin and Izzy did most of the work."
"Hey, where's the beer!?" The three men turned at the loud question. "Jesse Hawkes! You haven't growed a bit have you?"
"I'm still big enough to take you on!" Jesse replied, hurrying to greet his friend.
Cody and Matt grinned at each other as their father greeted the big man who walked in the door and grabbed Jesse in a bear hug, lifting him off his feet. He was well over six foot tall and had a full head of red hair, tinged with gray. He wore a black and white plaid flannel shirt and blue jeans.
"You're still an ugly cuss ain't ya?!" the man said as he set Jesse back on his feet.
"And you're still the loudest man in the room." Jesse turned to his sons. "Matt! Cody!" he said, waving his boys forward. "Do you remember Max Trunkill?"
"I do," Matt said. "I'm glad you could make it, Mr. Trunkill." Switching his cane to his other side, he shook the big man's hand.
"Is this really little Matty?" Trunkill said. "And you can call me Max. So, I heard you're the head of the Rangers now."
"Yes, sir, I am."
"That's great that you're following in your Daddy's footsteps. And Cody," Max said, shaking his younger boy's hand as well. "You were barely out of diapers when I retired. Now look at you, nearly a foot taller than your dad. Of course, that wouldn't take much." Jesse shook his head as Max cackled at his own joke.
Any further conversation was interrupted by the arrival of several others, anxious to get the evening started. The retired Rangers caught up with each as they all meandered around the room, the pictures prompting memories of rescues. Soon, everyone had a drink and the wait staff were walking around the room with trays of appetizers
Matt finally had to sit down, his leg giving him fits. His own Rangers were due to arrive any time and he looked forward to the two groups mingling. A loud bark caused him to look toward the door just as Teagan trotted through. She made her way unerringly to her human, pushing her head under his hand, even though he really needed no encouragement to pet her.
"Hey, girl. Did you have fun with Zephyr today?" he asked. He glanced up at Cutler, who had followed Teagan, with Zephyr on his heels, leashed since the puppy still got easily distracted.
"They had a blast, Matt, thanks for letting me keep her with me."
"She needed the exercise. I haven't been able to do much with her since my run-in with Davis."
"We saw Laura. She said she'd be by later. She got called out."
Matt nodded. It wasn't unusual for Laura to get a last minute call out. He looked forward to seeing her, as she'd be busy the last few weeks and they hadn't been able to spend much time together.
Once all the Rangers arrived, the staff served dinner. The older men told of past rescues and overcoming the problems of getting the unit up and running, while the younger ones listened with rapt attention, soaking up the stories, and later telling a few of their own.
Both groups discovered a new appreciation for each other and the job. The younger group realized just how tough the job was, without all the equipment they took for granted. And the older group were relieved to discover that the mountain was still in good hands. New friendships were formed between the two groups.
As the evening wore down, some of the older Rangers decided to call it a night, others took the opportunity to go do some gambling, Jesse included. It wasn't often he indulged, but Max had convinced him to play a little poker. They'd been joined by a couple of others, until Matt, Cody, Cutler and Hart were the only ones left in the room.
Matt reached over and nudged his little brother, who had fallen asleep, his handled cradled on his folded arm.
"Hey, Toad, time to go home."
Cody lifted his head, yawning and looking around, blinking at the bright lights in the room. He pushed himself up from the table.
Matt stood up, using his cane to steady himself, his brother keeping a watchful eye on him. Teagan roused as her human got up and placed herself beside Matt as the brothers headed out. Tim and Jimmy said their good nights and left together as the Hawkes boys walked toward the side door where Matt had parked his vehicle.
"Can I drive home?" Cody asked. Matt smiled and handed over his keys. Cody had his permit and often drove with Matt in the vehicle. They made their way slowly through the casino, Cody keeping pace with Matt's limping gate. It was nearly midnight, but the room was far from quiet, the pinging of slot machines from all-night gamblers assaulting their ears.
They had just walked around the back side of a roulette wheel when two men crashed into them, knocking all of them to the floor. Matt grunted as he hit the floor on his injured leg. A loud growl from Teagan had Matt glancing up to see Cody in the grasp of an armed man.
"Let him go!" Matt snarled, noticing several armed security officers surrounding them all. The man who had Cody, pulled the teen closer, wrapping his arm around Cody's neck, his other hand shoving the gun into Cody's side. His companion was waving another gun around at the half-dozen security guards who surrounded them. Citizens who had been gambling scrambled for safety.
Matt grabbed his cane and moved to stand up, freezing when the man who held Cody placed the gun to Cody's head. "Don't move!" the man ordered.
Matt's eyes met the frightened gaze of his little brother.
"Nobody move! You try to stop us and the kid dies!" the man shouted, pressing the barrel of the gun into Cody's temple.
"You won't get ten feet out the door," Matt told him.
"Oh, I think we will, unless you want this kid's brains splattered all over the room," the man smirked, completely ignoring the growling dog who was crouched down next to Matt.
The two suspects moved together, back to back, watching all directions as the moved toward the main entrance. As they moved, so did Matt, as he got to his feet. Matt knew that things were about to get uglier as he noticed blue and red flashing lights as police showed up outside the door.
Matt leaned on his cane and slowly moved as the suspects did. He wasn't sure what crime these men had committed, but at the moment he didn't care. He just knew that he needed to get his brother out of their clutches. He wasn't about to let them get out the door with Cody still their hostage.
Security moved in tighter around them, taking cover behind whatever objects they could. Things were at a standstill, security not giving way, and the two armed men not releasing Cody.
A noise to the right startled both men and as the second gunman turned, a gray and white blur slammed into his chest, knocking him backwards. His partner had turned to see what was going on, inadvertently pulling the gun away from Cody's head.
When Cody felt the man holding him loosen his grip, and the gun move away, he leaned forward to pull the man off balance. At the same time he swung a leg out, pulling the man's feet out from under him. As they dropped to the ground, he slammed his elbow into the man's face, eliciting a grunt of pain from his assailant.
What he didn't expect was the gunshot. And the pain that flashed across the side of his head.
/
When Cody felt the man holding him loosen his grip, and the gun move away, he leaned forward to pull the man off balance. At the same time he swung a leg out, pulling the man's feet out from under him. As they dropped to the ground, he slammed his elbow into the man's face, eliciting a grunt of pain from his assailant.
What he didn't expect was the gunshot. And the pain that flashed across the side of his head.
The gunman moved to his hands and knees, but as he reached again for Cody, he heard a growl. He turned to see a snarling Teagan beside him. As he moved back, he heard a second growl behind him. Glancing over his shoulder, he noticed Zephyr standing over his partner, the man's stocking cap in his mouth, shaking his head back and forth like it was prey he was trying to shake to death.
Another growl from Teagan had the man facing her again, only to realize she'd gotten closer to him, moving between him and an unmoving Cody. As the man raised the gun, Teagan lunged, causing the man to scream and toss the gun away, covering his face with both hands. Teagan landed on his chest, knocking the wind out of him, drool flung from her mouth landing on his cowering head.
Sheriff's Deputies rushed in, quickly taking both men in custody...after Cutler and Hart were able to get the two canines to back, that is. Knowing the men were under control, Matt hurried to his brother's side.
"Cody!" Matt yelled as he fell to the floor next to his brother. He reached for Cody's shoulder to turn him over, but came away with a blood covered hand. "Cody!" He was frantic. "Cody, talk to me!"
"Ow," Cody muttered. He moved to his back and Matt saw blood on his head, just at the hairline over his right ear. He moved the hair back carefully and about fainted as he realized how lucky his little brother had been. The bullet had just grazed his head, leaving a shallow furrow.
"Thank you, God!" He sighed in relief.
"Mathew!"
Matt looked up to see his father and Max running across the room, having heard the shot from the poker room they'd been in. They pushed through security and police as the two gunman were being led away, Cutler led the two dogs away, after allowing them to intimidate the two gunman until police got them cuffed. Matt could hear Jimmy praising both animals as they continued to bark and growl. The smell of urine was strong as one of the men...or possibly both...had literally gotten the piss scared out of them by the fierce canines.
"Matt, medics are enroute," Hart told his Commander, who could only nod in reply.
Jesse dropped to his knees next to his sons, fear on his face. When he'd seen Matt but not Cody, he'd nearly screamed. But when he'd finally noticed Cody on the ground and heard Matt calling to him, his vision had blurred from the tears that had instantly begun to fall.
"It's just a graze, Dad. Medics are on the way," Matt assured his father.
"What the hell happened?" he demanded.
"I don't know."
One of the deputies crouched down beside the three Hawkes men. "Robbery gone bad," he informed them. "Security spotted them as they were approaching the cashier's cage. They spotted security and took off running."
"And they ran into us," Matt supplied. "Literally."
Matt dropped back to sit down on the ground and was immediately jumped by Teagan, who licked his face. He grabbed her by the scruff and buried his face in her neck. "Thank you, girl. You saved Cody's life. Thank you," he whispered. She licked the tears from his face as they were joined by Cutler and Zephyr. Matt reached out to hug the Husky too. "You both are heroes."
Cutler grinned. "Yep. I see a couple big steaks in their futures. I can't wait to tell Laura that Zephyr made his first arrest!" He lost his grin as he finally noticed Cody still on the floor. "Cody?" he asked.
"A graze," Matt said. "Just a graze," he mumbled again as the medics hurried across the room. The two paramedics quickly assessed Cody's condition and loaded him onto the stretcher, Jesse following them out to the ambulance after getting an assurance from Matt that he'd get a ride from Cutler.
"Matt?" Jimmy asked, looking down at his friend, who still sat on the floor.
Matt reached a hand up. "Give me a hand, Jimmy." Cutler and Hart moved in, Jimmy taking the offered hand, while Tim grabbed Matt by the belt, not wanting to yank him up by his recently healed left arm. The blond shifted his good leg underneath him and with the assistance of his friends, got to his feet, with a grunt. Hart kept him steady while Cutler reached down to pick up his cane and hand it to his boss.
"You okay, Matt?" he asked quietly, noticing the shaky hand that reached for the cane.
"Yeah. Yeah, I am. I heard the shot...saw Cody go down...the blood...Shit!" he exclaimed, closing his eyes as he recalled the sight of Cody bleeding. Cutler shoved a chair behind him and Hart helped him to sit. Matt took several deeps breaths to calm himself down. Teagan laid her head on his knee, so he leaned down and put his head on hers, running his fingers through her fur. It took several minutes, but finally he looked up at his two friends and nodded. "I'm good. Thanks."
He pushed himself up, using the cane for leverage. His two Rangers stayed close in case they were needed, but once they saw that he was steady on his feet and under control again, they each took a step back.
As he walked he reached into his pocket for his keys, then stopped when he realized he didn't have them.
"What is it, Matt?" Hart asked.
"My keys. I'd given them to Cody. He had them in his hands."
Cutler turned and walked back to the area where Cody had fallen. Checking under chairs and around slot machines, he finally spotted the keys and reached down to pick them up. He grinned as he joined his friends. "You want me to drive it back to the station?" he asked.
Matt shook his head, holding out his hand. "No. I'm okay to drive. I'll need it later."
Cutler hesitated just briefly before laying the keys in Matt's hand, but didn't let them go right away. "How's the leg? You okay to drive?"
Matt smiled. "I don't use my left leg to drive. I'll be fine."
Jim nodded, then released the keys. "All the same, I think I'll ride along with you."
The big blond nodded. "Be glad for the company. Tim, can you take the dogs back to the station?"
"Sure, Matt." He patted his leg and called the dogs. Zephyr trotted over to him, while Teagan waited until Matt told her to go. Cutler handed over Zephyr's leash and Hart attached it to his collar. Matt pulled Teagan's leash from his pocket and gave it to Hart too. Once he had both dogs hooked up, he headed out the door, after getting a promise from Matt to call once they had any news.
"C'mon, Matt," Cutler said, patted Matt on the back. "Let's go check on your little brother."
/
The doctor decided to keep Cody overnight for observation, diagnosing a mild concussion. Jesse decided to stay at the hospital, but convinced Matt to head home. He and Jimmy swung by the station to get the dogs, then headed to Matt's. Since it was late, Cutler accepted Matt's invitation to stay in his guest room, rather than walk the twenty minutes up the hill to his own cabin.
Matt undressed and slipped under the covers. He was just falling asleep when he heard the door and a minute later he felt the mattress dip as Laura joined him.
"How's Cody?" she asked.
"Bullet grazed his head," he replied, softly. "Mild concussion. He'll be released tomorrow. They planned to stay here anyway since the big reunion is going on. I'm hoping I can convince them to stay all week."
She nodded as she laid her head on his chest and wrapped an arm around his waist. He pulled her tight, breathing in her scent. In less than a minute, he was asleep. On the floor at the foot of the bed, Teagan curled up with Locet, both animals content in the fact that their humans were nearby.
/
Cody spent the weekend being spoiled by Robin, who catered to his every need as he lounged on the sofa in front of the fireplace at the Ranger station. The normally shy teen was the star attraction at the Ranger Open House, most everyone attending having heard what had occurred the night before at the casino.
Eventually, he'd get tired of the attention, and his headache would flare up, so he'd quietly make his way upstairs to lie down in Matt's bunk for a couple hours before venturing out again to meet his adoring public. Robin, Matt or Jesse would check on him periodically to make sure he was doing okay, but otherwise left him alone.
They closed the doors Sunday evening after the last of the visitors left. Exhausted, Matt sat down on the sofa and lifted his aching leg onto the coffee table. Cutler handed him a glass of iced tea, receiving a smile and thankful nod in return. Matt took a long drink, then set the glass on the table next to the sofa.
Cody shuffled over and dropped down next to him, laying his head on Matt's shoulder.
"Doing okay, Code?"
"Mmmm," his brother replied, barely.
"Have I told you how proud I am of you?"
Cody lifted his head. "Why?"
"The way you handled yourself that night. I know you were scared, but you didn't panic."
"I was too scared to move, so I couldn't panic," Cody admitted.
"You did good, Cody. I'm proud to call you my brother."
Cody smiled. "Me too," he said, laying his head back down on his big brother's shoulder.
"Just one question?"
"Hmmm?" Cody managed.
"Where did you learn those moves? That was a pretty slick take down?"
Cody raised his head again and smiled. "Chalk one up to the Jimmy Cutler school of self-defense."
"Really?"
Cody nodded. "While you were in the hospital, we stayed at your place. Jimmy came over one night and we got to messing around. He kept getting me in a headlock and I just couldn't figure out how to get him to let go. He showed me what to do."
"And by the end of the weekend," Cutler interjected, "he was putting me flat on my back! He made me proud!"
"And I'm so proud of both my sons," Jesse said, standing behind them. He leaned down and kissed each one on the head. "What say we head out?"
Both boys pushed tiredly to their feet, Cody standing first and helping his brother up. As they walked to Matt's truck, Cutler called out. "Night, guys. Oh, Matt, Laura called. She said she's on duty tonight, but she'll talk to you tomorrow."
Matt just nodded as he walked out the door, waving at the other Rangers as they called out goodnights as well.
"So, big brother, you and Laura...it's getting pretty serious," he ventured.
Matt smiled. "Could be, Cody, could be."
"She's good for you. I like her."
Matt wrapped his arm around Cody's shoulder. "You never know what the future holds, Cody. But I'm glad you like her."
Behind his two boys, Jesse smiled. Although he was old-fashioned enough to not approve of Matt and Laura sleeping together, he knew his son well enough to know that he had deep feelings for Laura, or it never would have gotten that far. Like Cody, he too was fond of her and could see a future for the two. Like Matt said, you never knew what the future held. But Jesse was looking forward to having grandkids to spoil.
/
Meanwhile, in Sparta, Mississippi
Chief Bill Gillespie was in his office speaking to the Chief of Detectives, Virgil Tibbs. Their quiet discussion was interrupted by some loud whooping and hollering from outside the window. The exchanged a glance and both stood up and moved outside. Virgil pulled open the door and Bill stepped onto the sidewalk, moving left toward the field beside the police station.
As they neared the corner of the building, they heard what sounded like Bubba Skinner giving a loud rebel yell, and a loud motor revving. The rest of the on-duty officers were standing at the edge of the field, cheering.
"What the devil is goin' on out here?" Gillespie asked in his distinctive drawl.
"Bubba bought a snowmobile," Officer Parker Williams replied with a grin.
"A snowmobile?" Virgil questioned. "In Mississippi?!"
"It's been modified to drive on dirt and grass," Lonnie Jamison told him, not really seeing the appeal himself.
"Why?" Gillespie asked.
"He mentioned something about Tahoe as he was starting it up," Parker said. "It looks like fun!"
Gillespie frowned and walked into the middle of the field, waving his hands at the big police Lieutenant. Bubba pulled up next to his Chief and turned off the motor, a huge grin across his face.
"Hey, Chief!"
"Bubba, what are you doin'?" he asked.
"Just tryin' out my snowmobile!" he replied, as if the answer was obvious, which of course he figured it was.
"And just why do you need a snowmobile in Mississippi? When was the last time this town saw snow?"
"Now, Chief, this here machine ain't exactly equipped for snow..."
"I can see that! Just why do you need it?"
For a full minute Bubba didn't reply, then he smiled. "'Cause it's fun!" he exclaimed, starting up the machine and taking off once again, leaving his befuddled Chief standing in the middle of the field. Gillespie heard a chuckle behind him and turned to find Virgil doubled over in laughter.
He waved his hands at the rest of his police officers. "Don't y'all have work to do?! Get back to it! Leave this maniac out here to his...snowmobile." As he walked back into the station, he pushed Virgil, who stumbled sideways, still laughing.
Gillespie continue on his way, still mumbling about crazy police officers. Behind him, Bubba sped around the field on his modified machine, attracting the attention of everyone passing by. The last thing Bill heard as he pushed back through the door was another rebel yell, this time coming from Virgil Tibbs.
"Crazy," Gillespie muttered. "The whole lot of them...crazy!"
THE END