It was not a ware house that greeted Neal.

"Time to wake up Mr. Larkin" A snide voice greeted him.

"My name's not Larkin."

Neal managed around the dryness in his Mouth and throat.
"Really, well then I have no use for you or your two friends."

Neal could barely focus his eyes on the Man. His vison cleared enough that he saw the obease body laying opposite him.

" Mr. Schabvey failed me, and as you can see I don't reward failure." The blurred figure said.

"Then you must be suicidal." Neal coughed.

"Hardly you or one of the other two hold the key to my big score." The other man said.

Neal shook his head.

"The Big score isn't the all it's cracked up to be, All it brings is trouble."

The blur shook his head.

"Not if it's something no one is looking for and The Star Fire crew stole it back in 1984. It's a cache that belonged to the O'Riley's I'm thinking you being the thief, You would know more than the two Rangers. Them being so honorable and upstanding." He laughed.

"You go looking for it and you'll be on someone else's Radar way or another. There's always some one else looking for you to take it away." Neal managed.

"I've searched the whole of Red Tree Ranch and found nothing. So I figure you know that old Charles Riley moved his stash every four years between his home and several other relatives. and right before each move they added to it as the loyal family members, brought tribute. Each family,then tribe met selected representatives, as well as the next generaton's best boys and carried tribute to the Clan gathering. Tons of Treasure was brought right to Old Charles Riley every four years. The Lord of the clan would take only a specific sort of work for his clan. Your skills are those you were taught. I know how old you were eight or nine. Your da took you some place and left you there. That was when you were taught what you know. Old Frank Gieger His two cousins Glen Scott, and Steven Kaile kept notebooks on every boy they'd ever got hands on and they had a lot to write about you."
Neal looked at the blur it was becoming coherent.

"They watched every thing it appears you were a fast learner. Especially where women in the bed room were concerned." The other man continued.

The con lunged forward as he hit the end of a heavy chain. his arms were secured behind him. A thick steel collar around his neck. padded to prevent injury kept him from getting the other man

"Ah careful big Dog. You are more valueable to me alive."

Neal lay still the other man's expression was Nonplussed.

"I know that game. you play hurt I come over you sucker slam me, I won't Play that game." He said.
Peter heard the conversation but seeing Neal Lunge at the man who held him and hit the end of that chain then become still, he glanced at Diana. She looked distressed at the Jolt Neal had taken. The team moved in quickly.

Peter saw Pat and Kim both up both ready to move but aware of the chains a team already worked on freeing them The other man was still intent on Neal.

Peter sneaked closer to the man. Who paced as Neal's body shuddered peter could see blood in the corner of neal's mouth, he knew then the excon was hurt. Neal Lay on his side still and glassy eyed. The other man was walking closer. "Hmmm well then you are of no further use."

Before he could withdraw, Peter had him. Jones knelt next to the injured man. He knew better than to move him and was already dialing 911.

Neal was quickly taken to the Hospital. While in the waiting room THere were furtive glances at the two Texas girls. Peter knew Neal couldn't tell him anything but Pat and Kim could.

"What was he talking about?" Peter demanded.

"I have no Idea," Kim said.

"He said Something about the Star Fire Crew."

"Barrel racers, Competition Trail Riders, pole benders, ropers and cutters. It was a group of friend who rode for the love of horses and sport." Pat said.
D.P.S. file case 132-4AC, Animal cruelty charges against one Charles w. Riley Jr of Star Texas. Filed 12-5-84 warrant served 12-12-84. By state trooper James Trivett" She added. peter and the others gave Pat, an incredulous look.

"You can remember that what about the Star Fire Crew?" He asked.

"The Star Fire Crew is according to DPS Records were a team of female equestrians in the western disciplines.
trained by Carl Mason of LLano Riding academy. Members Linda and Jenifer Riley, Paige Kaile, Shanda Cole, Misty Cole, Elaine Riley, Corey Riley, Hannah Springfield, Raine Cole-Smith, Cassie Robbins Cole, Annette Gieger, and Pat Riley. Need I go into show stats?"

"No that's good right there." Peter said.

Pat wasn't lying it checked out. the riding team existed. Their parents benched then a whole season after rumors of witch craft and other misbehaviors were made by Bill Riley.

Diana, presented this to Peter.

"Pat's Right the Star Fire club were twelve related Female equestrians. Including Pat herself, They all disappeared at the same time as Pat. Charles Riley had them all reported as runaways DPS files of the Chrysalis case show they were all Jumped by The same disciplineary team from Pride More. A defunct subsidiary of Riley enterprises."

Peter frowned "Everything leads back to the Crysalis project."

The idea was forming.

"Try this Bill steals what ever from his own family, and hides it then goes and wipes out all but two of his relatives. When he goes after Pat,
He get's killed By Pat Who has no idea about the theft because her father believed Bill that the girl relatives stole it."

This made sense. and that was the way Peter reported it.

"Their kidnapper was Thomas Waylan Cobb A former gang member of the Dark Star Gang, Pat's Brother's crew. He was on the outs with the gang and his parents when all this happened."

Peter left everything there Cobb was sentenced to thirty years in Prison for the crime he had committed. But peter was well aware,

that with another Score out there. He'd have to watch Neal more than ever.

"Pat, It seems there's a big score to be had out there and Neal as well as you seem to be the key to it." He told her.

"Burn your old Journals leave the past buried." He said.

Pat nodded.

"I always felt that way about it." Pat replied.

Burke had no time to say anything more, A doctor came up to them.

"Mr. Caffrey is going to be fine He did take a hard jolt to the neck and there is swelling to his spinal cord, But he should be fine to go home in a few days then He'll need rest I want to see him back in a week. " [End?]