First Date

These good fellows don't belong to me but I promise when I'm done to pick um up, dust um off and with a kiss on the cheek return them safely home.

"Keep your fears to yourself but share your courage with others." Robert Louis Stevenson

Chapter 9

Johnny and Roy started working on dinner. Crisis or not there were two hungry mouths to feed tonight. Jenny was curled up in Kanda's lap with Chris lying in the floor watching television. The house was quiet for the most part with each one in their own thoughts. As Roy looked at his children he ran through all the possibilities in his mind. He would do anything to keep them safe, anything. He had to admit, it was somewhat reassuring to have Johnny in the house with him since he felt like he was standing guard over three priceless treasures.

He watched his partner closely. Roy was restless and it was more than understandable. When he received the call he quickly changed his date with Stacey and rushed over. There was nothing he wouldn't do to protect those in front of him. He went long enough without a sister and he didn't plan on doing it again. Then there was Roy and the kids. They had been a part of his life for several years now and he claimed them as his own just as much as he did Kanda.

Placing the food on the table Johnny called the kids for dinner but having no appetite he went into the living room with the others. Hearing the doorbell Roy looked up and headed towards it. He dreaded this. There was something about involving the police that just made it too real and brought the level of danger even closer to home for him. Opening the door he was grateful to see Vince standing there but he didn't know the man in plain clothes that was with him.

"Roy." Vince said.

He shook his hand, "Thanks for coming Vince."

The officer looked into the living room and the first person he saw was a woman in a cast. He didn't know Johnny's sister but it was obvious who she was. The resemblance was striking. Then past her was Johnny leaning against the reclining chair.

"I'm Inspector Carter with the LA crime division. Can you tell me what's going on?"

After introducing everyone Roy motioned for him to sit in the chairs as he sat down next to Kanda. Taking a deep breath he began the story of their first date and what had happened, including the ride with the couple. Finishing up with the stranger getting Jenny and passing the note over to them Roy felt like he had bared his soul to a stranger. After going through it again he knew how much he needed their help. If it was just him he would figure out how to deal with it but with it wasn't and he knew he couldn't risk them at all.

Both men listened diligently without interrupting. It just wasn't really necessary as Roy knew the importance of all the details, including the description of the truck. "Does Chris know exactly who they are?" Vince asked.

Roy shook his head. "He knows what they look like but doesn't know their names. He'd have to see them again."

Carter looked into the kitchen to the two young children. It would be hard on a child Chris's age to face someone that he accused. He then closed up his report book, "We need him to identify the three that were making the threats but Roy I have to be honest with you." Both men hated this part of his job. "With no evidence I can't do anything but talk to them at the station."

Roy was furious, "What?"

Carter stood up, "Look, I'll meet you out at the ranch and we'll get Chris to identify the men. We'll bring them in for questioning and try to find out who's behind this. But without a confession or evidence we won't be able to hold them for long."

Roy and Kanda nodded and looked over to Johnny, all having the same frustration on their faces. Roy asked, "Do we do this tonight?"

Carter shifted his questions to Kanda now, "We need to come in when most of them are on the grounds."

Kanda was still rocked by what was happening at her own home. "Early morning. All the ranch hands come in the morning and then Paul sends them home as chores are done. There's only two that stay with him all day, Dillon and Karl."

"What time do they arrive?" Vince asked.

"Six."

"Then we'll be there at before six. The detectives will arrive in an unmarked car. We don't want to spook anyone off."

They all understood the plan and what their responsibility was. Vince reached out and shook their hands. "We'll see you in the morning."

After discussing the time frame they were working in they decided it would be best to leave for the ranch that night. Roy got the kids ready and with hearts full of worry they left the house and headed out.

Her 1800's house was huge and had plenty of room for everyone. Since it was late they all headed to their bedrooms knowing the morning would come soon, at least for those who were able to find some sleep. Jenny got the pink room with the white iron bed, frilly bedding, tall standing mirror, and in the corner a beautiful antique doll house. It was her favorite room in the whole house. Chris and Johnny took the room up on the third floor with twin beds, decorated with old baseball memorabilia and the grandest view of the property through a large arched window.

Roy tossed his overnight bag onto the heavy handcarved sleigh bed on the second floor and sat down with a dread that seeped deep into his bones. He agreed with Kanda. He had a really bad feeling about all this. Looking at the giant feather pillows he almost laughed, sleep? Yeah right. When he looked back up Johnny was standing in his door.

"You okay?" He asked.

"Yea," Roy answered.

"Don't worry. We'll get this straightened out tomorrow."

"I hope so Junior. I'm getting to old for this kind of excitement," Roy answered.

"Well I can't argue with that," he said with a crooked smile.

Roy chuckled, "Oh thanks, you're a lot of help."

"I checked on the kids, they're both asleep." He rubbed his growling belly, "I thought I might raid the refrig."

Roy smiled at his partner. Some things never changed. "Come on Junior, I'll keep you company. Not like I'm going to get any sleep right now anyway."

Moving down the stairs they heard some noise in the kitchen and once they got close enough they could see Kanda standing by the stove pouring a hot cup of tea. She looked up and smiled at her two fellows that were obviously having as hard a time settling down as she was.

"Tea?" She asked them.

Johnny headed towards the fridge since he wanted something of a little more substance. After staring at its contents for a few seconds he decided that a glass of milk would be enough since the gnawing in his gut was more stress than hunger. They sat around the table in silence not really sure what to say to make the anxiety go away. After a while Roy looked at the clock and seeing that it was past midnight now knew that five am would come very quickly. "We need to get some sleep guys."

Johnny nodded and his red, tired eyes revealed how exhausted he really was after the day's excitement. "Don't know if I can sleep but I'll give it a try. Make sure I'm up in the morning."

Kanda just smiled at him looking like a little worn out kid resisting the sleep that he desperately needed. "Night my TeeTonka," she said.

They watched him go down the hallway and could hear him make his way up the creaky stairs. Roy looked at her and knew she was just as worn out. "Come on, you need some sleep too before tomorrow."

Glancing at the clock she smiled, "Too late, it's already tomorrow."

Taking her cup out of her hand and putting it down on the table he extended his hand to her, "Bedtime for you young lady."

She stood up, "Oh, so wooing me with flattery now huh?"

Picking her up she grabbed the crutches as they passed the door. Her room was on the second floor with his and as he set her down at her door he stepped back. She noted his hesitation and of course his chivalry. Ever the gentleman.

She smiled at him, "Goodnight Roy."

He knew this was not the time and stopping at the door was the better part of his valor right now. The look on her face told him that she understood and if nothing else thought it was slightly amusing. Laugh it up girl, he thought. One of these days, he smirked back to her. "See you in the morning," he simply said.

Her alarm clock went off at five am and with very little sleep she groaned as she slammed her hand down on the alarm. To her surprise the smell of fresh coffee greeted her senses as she headed down the stairs. When she saw Roy and Johnny up already she knew she shouldn't have been surprised in the least. "Did you two get any sleep?" She asked.

"A little," Roy said as he yawned.

"Like a rock," Johnny smiled as he poured her some coffee.

Roy just laughed. "You could sleep through an earthquake."

Johnny tilted his head and smiled, "Actually I have."

"I believe it," Kanda said. "When we were kids, he would sleep through anything. One time we had a stray dog have puppies outside of Johnny's window and it howled the whole time. Everyone in the house was up including the folks at the next farm who came over to see what was dying," she laughed. "And the whole time he slept!" She accented the story with a generous poke at him.

He quickly folded his arm across his chest to protect himself from his attacking sister, "Not my fault I'm a sound sleeper. Beside's I jump up at every call at the station."

"Maybe we should but a klaxon in your bedroom so you could be on time for work occasionally," Roy grumbled as he sipped his coffee. He was just not awake yet.

"At least I wake up in a good mood partner," Johnny jabbed back at him.

They all about jumped out of their chairs with the knock on the back kitchen door. Kanda knew instantly who it was. "It's alright. It's probably Paul. A lot of days he comes early." She walked over and unlocked the door to see the muscular dark headed man standing here.

"Morning Kanda," he smiled, until he saw her foot. "What happened to you?" She stood back and let him.

"I'm fine just fell down like a klutz and broke my foot. Come on in and get some coffee."

Johnny and Roy both knew the man and that he had been around helping Kanda since her husband had passed away. But the hesitation was still there for Roy. They didn't know who had threatened him and Kanda so the level of trust was not very high as the man so casually moved through the kitchen and got a mug out of the cabinet.

Paul was a little taken aback by the men in the kitchen. Since he came up the back road he hadn't see their cars in the front of the house. Anytime he was early, if the light was on, he knew Kanda had coffee ready and waiting on him. It was the only time he got to sit and talk to her alone, not about the farm, but just sit and visit.

"Johnny, Roy," he greeted them as he sat down. "What brings you fellows out here so early in the morning?"

Johnny could see Roy's hesitation and uneasiness so he decided to talk first. "Just out to spent the day with my sis here. Thought we might could do some riding later on."

Paul grinned, "Sure. Just let me know when and I'll get some horses ready for you." His pleasure to help out seemed genuine to Johnny.

"We'll I better get started, there's a lot to do today. Kanda that fence in the back by Eagle Rock road is down."

She nodded, "Paul how is Tonka doing?"

Tonka was the horse that she had discussed with him yesterday, "He's alright. Just a little colic. I gave him some meds and he was fine last night."

Roy saw the look of relief on her face. This place was so important to her and she deeply cared about the welfare of all the animals in her trust. They said goodbye as Paul headed out the door and out to the barn.

He glanced back at the door. Something was up and apparently Kanda wasn't going to tell him just yet what it was but his senses told him to be wary. This was not going to be a good day his gut told him. If only he knew that in the next few hours a life would be lost as the events unfolded before his very eyes.