Vengeance of the Freeway Phantom

Chapter 17

The following morning, Ponch got a roommate. The orderlies brought the patient into the room, carefully placed him in his bed and then left

Nurse Dixie McCall quickly came in to check on the new arrival. "Johnny, do you need anything?" she wondered, sounding more than a little concerned.

The dark-haired young man smiled, "Yeah, Dix, a new leg and a set of intact ribs, so I can get outta here."

"Now, now, Johnny, you know very well that you'll be here for at least a couple days--if not longer," she told him with a smile. Before leaving the room, the woman stopped by Ponch's bed, "How you doing, young man?"

"Better thanks."

"Good! That's what we like to hear. And it sounds like your voice is coming back a little as well," she smiled and then left the room.

The door had barely closed behind her, when it opened again and a tall, blonde young man came in dressed in a paramedic's uniform.

The paramedic started towards his new roomy's bed, but then stepped up to Ponch's instead. "Hi! How you doin'? I'm Roy DeSoto. Uh, you were in that bad accident last week on the 405, weren't you."

"Yeah, I was," Ponch confessed to the fireman/paramedic, who had recognized him. "The Freeway Phantom caught me off guard--and here I am."

"Freeway Phantom?" Roy repeated, "Oh, yeah, I heard about him. His main target is the Highway Patrol, isn't it?"

"Huh! Yeah, and now it appears he's going after us even while we're off duty."

"Well, you keep mending there and they'll ship you outta here in no time," Roy told him with a smile.

"Thanks. I can only hope."

Then Roy walked over to his prone partner's bed side. "Hey, Johnny, I must say that you were lucky this time. You could have been hurt a lot worse than just a broken leg and a few busted ribs."

Ponch could tell by DeSoto's banter that these two men were obviously partners.

"Yeah..." Johnny glumly concurred, "Tell me about it. Being buried by a bunch of heavy boulders ain't my idea of a 'fun' time."

"Cap's already called for a replacement, so I'll be back in business in no time. I just hope it's not Brice again. I don't think I could take the guy for 'six to eight weeks'."

"What do you mean? I don't think anybody could take Brice for that long." Both firemen laughed heartily. Well Roy did, anyway. Johnny grimaced, held his ribs and tried to stop laughing. Roy also tried to hold his amusement in check, as he saw that his partner had just inflicted a lot of pain on himself.

Ponch lay there listening attentively. He was anxious to find out what happened to cause his roommate to be 'buried by a bunch of heavy boulders'.

"Well, Johnny, I guess I'll head out. I'll probably see you again, sometime later today--if we get any runs." Before heading for the door, DeSoto turned back to the prone CHP officer, "Take care, okay? Oh, and don't let Johnny keep you up with all his stories," he teased. Roy flashed his talkative friend a wry grin. Then, on that light note, the on-duty paramedic left the room.

Johnny wasn't smiling. He had even managed a slight snarl as his partner had departed. Then with a smile, he turned to his roommate, "Well, I guess since I'm stuck here, might as well introduce myself, hi, Johnny Gage."

"Frank Poncherello, but everyone calls me Ponch."

"You sure look a whole lot better than you did that day of the accident."

"Yeah. The Freeway Phantom's fifth victim is still alive."

Johnny shook his head, "A madman...mowing down motorcycle cops...Man, what is this world coming to?"

Again Ponch was more interested in what happened to his roommate, "Hey, enough about me. What happened to you?"

Johnny smiled, "Rescue gone bad, as they say. Some kids were playing in a cave in Cougar Canyon. Course, they had to pick the most unstable cave in the whole area. We got called to rescue them, because, of course, there'd been a cave-in. After what seemed like forever, we finally got through to them. Roy and I went in and took care of the medical problems the best we could. Then, as soon as we were ready to get them--and us--out of there, there was another cave-in. So the engine crew ended up digging us all out. When the rocks came down, both Roy and I covered the kids with our bodies and, unfortunately, I ended up being the one that got beaten up by--what felt like a ton of rocks...and here I am."

"Ouch! Man, what people like you and I don't get ourselves into just to save other people's necks."

"Well, I--" Gage began, but then stopped and raised an eyebrow, as a pretty young woman came strolling into the room.

Ponch followed Gage's gaze. A broad grin formed when he saw that it was Stephanie that had captured the fireman's attention, "Hey! Good morning!"

"Good morning!" Stephanie returned, "How you doing today?"

"Doing a whole lot better--now that you're here!" Ponch told her with that broad grin of his.

The woman noted Ponch's comment and thought, 'Hmm, maybe things are, indeed, looking up.' She also noticed the no longer vacant bed. "I see you've got a roommate."

"Oh, yeah, Stephanie, this is Johnny Gage. Johnny this is my good friend, Stephanie Wilkes. She's also a CHP officer. Stephanie, Johnny is one of the paramedics that worked on me at the accident scene. Unfortunately, right now, as you can see he's also been injured." Introductions over, Ponch turned his full attention towards his 'good friend' as she sat down beside his bed.

"Well, Ponch, you are looking better today. I take it you got some sleep last night. Sounds like your voice is finally coming around too."

"Huh? Oh yeah," the well-rested officer grinned. "I tried to manage the pain myself, but ended up getting poked again anyway. I honestly think those nurses love giving shots," he told her with a grimace.

Stephanie smiled and thought, 'That would all depend on who the patient was.' Then cleared her throat and stared rather sheepishly over at her handsome young friend. Ponch was looking back at her,wearing a puzzled expression. Stephanie just kept smiling at him, not daring to divulge her thoughts. The woman was now doubly glad that he couldn't read her mind.

The two 'friends' visited right through the remainder of the morning—till lunch was delivered. Stephanie announced that she was going to head home so Ponch could eat in peace.

But he had other plans. "Steph, don't go all the way home. Just go down to the hospital cafeteria for lunch. That way you can come back, umm, that is if you want to."

Stephanie sighed inwardly, as Ponch flashed her that handsome, disarming smile that made her heart melt. "Okay. Sure. I'll see you after lunch," she promised and headed straight for the cafeteria.

After the woman had left, Johnny couldn't help but comment, "Umm, are all the CHP female officers that pretty?"

Ponch grinned, as he remembered Getraer's remark to him. Then he turned to his roomy, "Hey! Down Romeo!" he warned, "I'm hoping Steph' and I will become a number one of these days." Then his grin broadened and he finally answered his roommate's question, "Well, yeah, actually they are. But I've already dated most of 'em." Ponch saw Johnny's forlorn look and chuckled--only this time, he remembered to hold his ribs as he did so. "Hey," he added, "maybe, when we're both outta here, I'll set you up with one of 'em. Okay?"

And it was Johnny's turn to grin. "Deal!"

Then they both turned their attention to the little trays that contained their plates of...hospital food.

That day was a typically busy day for all on-duty Highway Patrol Officers. Between fender benders, traffic hazards, and looking for stolen vehicles--amid numerous other problems that came up--everyone was kept occupied. Even Baricza…sort of.

Bear was back in his patrol car driving down the freeway. The officer had finished a traffic stop, a few miles back. The college student that he had stopped had apparently come from a wealthy home. The kid had thought that he was too good to be pulled over by a 'common' cop. But, he had soon learned that he was not smart enough--nor rich enough--to talk himself out of being written up. Bear couldn't help but chuckle as he remembered the look on that spoiled brats face when he was handed the officer's ticket book and asked for his signature.

Baricza's grin vanished as something suddenly caught his attention--a shiny, red car. Not just any old car, the thing was a very sporty-looking, newer-model, fancy-red Ford Mustang. The officer watched as the vehicle pulled up ahead of him and into the lane--just to his left. The hairs stood up on the back of Bear's neck. The officer checked his mirrors for any other traffic in the immediate vicinity. No other vehicles were beside--or that close behind him at the moment. Bear continued to observe the driver of the Mustang. The guy kept checking his mirror, and the officer realized that quite possibly he was the one being watched. Bear didn't know if it was just paranoia setting in, but it almost seemed like the driver was waiting to catch him off guard. 'Better to be paranoid--and stay alive, than to be caught unaware--and be killed' the officer silently reminded himself. If there was any chance at all that this car was being driven by the Freeway Phantom, Bear had no intentions of giving the guy the opportunity to take him out.

Since Ponch's accident, especially with him not even on his motor, all officers, whether on their motors or even in the police cruisers were continually on guard. They've made a lot of traffic stops to check out drivers of sporty, fast looking cars just like this in the past week or two. It just made them feel a little better to keep on top of things.

Baricza checked for other traffic again. If he was being set up, there were now a few cars coming up on either lane beside him, but none close behind him. The vehicles traveling along beside him and just up ahead kept slowing down a little and speeding back up--typical freeway traffic. Suddenly, Bear saw the driver of the Mustang make a quick move of the steering wheel. The car lurched quickly to the right as he tried to hit the left fender of the police car. But, Bear had been so focused on what could happen, he was prepared for something like this and had quickly slammed on his brakes just in time. If Bear hadn't been so alert, the Mustang would have definitely smashed into the left front fender of his car. Traffic continued moving forward. Realizing that he had failed in his attempt to wreak his usual havoc, the Mustang's driver punched the gas pedal. Baricza hit the lights and siren and the chase was on! He thumbed his radio mic', "LA, 15 7 Adam, in pursuit of possible Freeway Phantom suspect. California reg. David, Victor, X-ray 395...on the 405 just south of Broadway. The suspect's vehicle is a newer-model, red Ford Mustang..."

"Roger, 15 7 Adam," LA came back. "All units in the vicinity of the 405, 15 7 Adam in pursuit of person suspected of being the Freeway Phantom. Suspect is driving a newer-model, red Ford Mustang...Location: south of Broadway."

"7 Mary 5, I'm two away! I'm coming up from behind. I'll run traffic interference." Grossman acknowledged. He wanted a piece of this guy too.

"15 7 Charles, two away. Break, Bear I'll be also coming up from behind to assist," Bonnie acknowledged.

"15 7 David, two away, I'm near Broadway and in a position to run a road block," Turner announced.

"Turner be ready with the stop-sticks," Bear warned him.

"Okay, clear!" the officer acknowledged, and sped up his patrol car to get in position.

The CHP dispatcher came back, "15 7 Adam, your car is stolen…" then continued on with the rest of the information.

The dispatcher's confirmation of the vehicle being stolen along with the driver's sudden attempt at trying to involve Baricza's vehicle in what could have been a horrendous accident made Bear's adrenaline really start pumping. He looked down at the speedometer and found they were already traveling in access of over 100 miles an hour! This suspect had certainly gone over the edge.

Other motorists up ahead heard the siren and kept pulling onto the shoulder, giving the officer--and the suspect he was pursuing--plenty of room to race on. All breathed sighs of relief as the two cars sped past--without incident.

Wasn't long before Bear spotted Turner's flashing overheads. Turner's car blocked a portion of the freeway lanes, which would force the car to take the remaining two lanes. He'd postion the stop sticks so that no matter which lane the pursued vechicle took, he'd still run over them.

Bear hoped Turner would get the stop-sticks set up in time--because the Mustang was fast approaching. Baricza couldn't keep his eyes on Turner as he was too busy watching the road. Turner's timing had to be just perfect. At the speed they were going, the sticks had to be immediately retracted after the Mustang went over them or they could take out Bear's tires, too.

The stop-sticks are designed to puncture a suspect's tires and slowly release the air. The Mustang was going so fast and the driver was so intent on getting away that he didn't even see the equipment there on the road, so the car went right over them. Knowing that Bear's car was still coming at high speed, Turner quickly retracted them. So, by the time Bear got there, the way was clear for him to pass by unscathed. Baricza pulled up behind the suspect's gradually slowing car.

The phantom cursed seeing that traffic up ahead was grinding to a halt and all the lanes of escape were completely blocked. He realized his 'borrowed' car was of no further value to him, and bailed out--while it was still rolling.

Baricza quickly stopped his car, shoved his patrol car into 'Park' and continued to pursue the suspect--on foot--with Bonnie now hot on his heels. Bear's adrenaline was pumping so hard that it felt like his feet weren't even touching the ground. With sheer determination of wanting to get this guy, the officer closed the distance between himself and the suspect. Then Bear threw himself forward tackling the guy to the ground. The man fought with him as hard as he could but then Bonnie gave her assistance. The suspect kept fighting both officers as hard as he could, but to no avail. Bear kept telling the guy, "Stop resisting….stop resisting!"

Between them, Bear and Bonnie quickly had their struggling suspect subdued. Bear was breathing so hard he could barely speak, "Thanks…Bonnie," he gasped, and slapped the handcuffs in place.

"Don't mention it. It was my pleasure," she replied, and helped her colleague pull the prisoner to his feet.

"Read…him…his rights…okay," Bear asked her, as he tried to catch his breath as they walked back to the vehicles.

"You pigs really think your something, don't yah," the young suspect taunted.

"I wouldn't say anything till after I've read you your rights," Bonnie warned and flashed the fugitive an angry glare. It was a real struggle for her to remain calm and professional--when what she really wanted to do was deck the guy--right then and there!

"Don't bother, I know my rights," the suspect snarled.

"Oh...it's no bother at all," Bonnie assured him rather sarcastically, and began shoving him towards Baricza's patrol car. So she read him his rights. "You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can be used in a court of law. You have the right to talk to a lawyer and have him present with you while you are being questioned. If you cannot afford to hire a lawyer, one will be appointed to represent you before questioning if you wish. You can decide at any time to exercise these rights and not answer any questions or make any statements." By the time they got to the car she had finished. The prisoner was placed in the back seat. "Good bust, Bear," Bonnie acknowledged.

"Hey, we all…had a hand in it...It wasn't... just me," Baricza humbly replied, still having a little problem catching his breath.

"Sorry, but I don't see it that way," Bonnie said, before heading back to her patrol car.

Bear smiled as he slid back behind the wheel of his police cruiser. He was certain this guy was the Freeway Phantom. The officer glanced into his rearview mirror. His gaze was met with the hate-filled eyes of the suspect. Yes, sir! This guy had to be the Phantom! Bear smiled again and then, while his colleagues got the stalled traffic underway again, he transported the suspect to Central--for questioning.

Bonnie, Grossie, and Turner returned to Central, as well. It was their hope that they'd get a chance to find out if the suspect was--indeed--the dreaded Freeway Phantom.

Bear left his prisoner in Turner's custody for awhile, so he could go talk with Getraer. Baricza figured his commander would want to be informed of the latest events. "Sarge, can I talk to you a minute?" he inquired as he walked into Joe's office.

"Sure, what's up?"

Bear proceeded to give the sergeant a complete report. He explained that he had immediately suspected that the Mustang's driver just might be the guy they'd been looking for. He went on relate how the suspect had tried to 'take him out'. Bear ended with a brief account of the capture and arrest.

Getraer thanked Bear for his report, checked with him to make sure they 'read' the guy his rights and then headed for the holding area. The sergeant had a few questions of his own for this particular prisoner that is if he would answer them--without having a lawyer on board.

When Getraer entered the room, he told the guy that he understood that he was 'read his rights', but he wanted to make sure that he understood them. The guy said he did and that although with an attitude would talk. Once they had a chance to question him, it became quite apparent that the subject Bear had nabbed was indeed the Freeway Phantom. It also became crystal clear as to why he hated cops---and why he had carried this vendetta of his for so long. In the end, the Freeway Phantom was charged with one count of vehicular homicide for the death of Officer Jim Stevenson, at least four counts of assault with a deadly weapon, fleeing and alluding, and resisting arrest.

Getraer called and filled in the captain regarding the arrest of the Freeway Phantom. To say the least, Joe's superior was very happy to hear the news. Perhaps now, his officers could relax a bit and quit having to keep looking over their shoulders, well, in regards to the 'Freeway Phantom' anyway.