Chapter 15

        

       Roy yawned and stretched, enjoying the feeling of still being in bed at nine o'clock on a Sunday morning. This relaxing weekend at home without the kids had been far more enjoyable than Roy could have imagined. He and Joanne had gone out to dinner and a movie the previous evening. They'd made love twice when they'd returned home around eleven o'clock, then fell asleep wrapped in each other’s arms. Roy missed his children, but he had to admit after the busy three day shift he'd had the previous week this was just what the doctor ordered. He smirked as he thought of his partner.

        I wonder how Johnny's holding up? I hope the kids aren't running him ragged.

        Joanne entered the room fresh from the shower. She gathered her robe up and sat down on the edge of the bed.

        "What are you smiling about?"

        "Oh, nothing. Just thinking of how much I've enjoyed the time we've had without the kids. Last week's shift was murder. I hope Chris and Jennifer are taking it easy on their old Uncle Johnny."

        Joanne laughed. "I've never known 'old Uncle Johnny' to run low on energy. Usually it's the kids who collapse with exhaustion long before he's out of steam."

        "That's true." Roy laced his fingers behind his head. "So. what do you have planned for today, Mrs. DeSoto?"

        "Same thing I had planned for yesterday. Nothing specific. Though while I was in the shower I was thinking that it might be nice to go out for a leisurely anniversary brunch."

        "Sounds good to me. Just let me shower, shave and get dressed. I'll be ready to leave in half an hour."

        "No hurry. I need to make the bed, then get dressed, too."

        Roy grabbed his robe from the end of the bed and wrapped it around himself as he stood. Joanne began making the bed while Roy rummaged through his closet. He reappeared with a pair of casual navy cotton trousers and a shortsleeved Oxford shirt striped in navy and white. He moved to his dresser to get underwear and socks.

        "Roy, why don't we drive over to Johnny's after we finish eating."

        "To Johnny's?" Roy shut his dresser drawer and turned around. "Why?"

        "I was just thinking that it would save him a trip over here. After all, he did do us a favor by taking the kids for the weekend. And he picked them up from school on Friday which meant he had to drive two hours round trip. Despite that endless Gage energy he'll no doubt be tired by six o'clock tonight. If we're waiting at his place when he and the kids get back then we can help him do his chores, give him and the kids time to hit the showers, and then take everyone out to dinner. Johnny likes that steak house that's not too far from his place. We could got there. The kids can get hamburgers, you and John can get T-bones, and I can get shrimp."

        "That's fine with me."

        "What time do you think they'll be back?"

        "Oh, I suppose anywhere between one and three. No later than that I'm sure."

        "Great. We can put the Sunday paper in the car for you, and I'll take the novel I've been reading, and we can sit out on Johnny's deck until they get there."

        "You mean I can nap on Johnny's deck until they get there?"

        "Nap? Roy, you just woke up!"

        "Can I help it if I'm tired?" Roy smiled and waggled his eyebrows. "You've been keeping me mighty busy this weekend, Mrs. DeSoto."

        Joanne crossed the room. She wrapped her arms around her husband's neck.

        "So I take it you like this kind of busy better than my Honey-do lists?"

        "You could say that."
        
        Joanne stood on her tiptoes until her lips met Roy's. They exchanged a long kiss right before he picked her up and carried her to the bed.

        "What about that brunch?" the woman asked.

        Roy chuckled as he untied the belt on his wife's robe. "We'll grab some doughnuts on the way to Johnny's."

        Joanne didn't have time to protest her husband's teasing before she was lost in a wave of passion.

Chapter 16

        
        Chris clung to Cody's reins as the horse made his way down the mountain trail. The horse was as sure-footed as Chris had told his sister, but he was also high-spirited like Jennifer said. The boy had all he could do to handle the gelding. Chris was glad now that he'd slipped into the woods before saddling Cody and emptied his bladder. He didn't want to dismount the horse until he got to Uncle Johnny's. He was afraid if he did Cody would take off on him.
        
        Chris managed to take a sip of water from the canteen, then recapped it and hung it back over the saddle horn. It was a good thing he was too upset to eat. He'd never be able to turn around and get a sandwich out of the saddlebags without being dumped from Cody's back.
        
        The boy kept his eyes on the trail like John had taught him. He glanced to his left and right every few seconds just to make sure he was alone. He tried not to think of the man who had attempted to kidnap Jennifer. Chris wasn't nearly as confident of his ability to stay on Cody's back as he'd led Jennifer to believe should he be forced to kick the horse into a gallop. The trail was so steep for the next two miles more than likely Chris would slide forward and tumble head first over the horse's neck.
        
        Chris thought of John's threat to tan his hide for disobeying him. He prayed he was doing the right thing as he and Cody made steady progress forward. If he should fall off the horse, or if Cody stepped in a hole and ended up lame, then what good would Chris do Johnny? Maybe he should have listened to John and stayed at the campsite.
        
        No, I couldn't. I had no choice. I could tell by looking in Uncle Johnny's eyes that he knew he'd never live until my dad figured out something was wrong. It would have been late tonight before Dad got to our camp, or maybe not until tomorrow morning even.
        
        For the first time in all his eleven years Christopher DeSoto knew what it was like to be an adult. Uncle Johnny had risked his life to keep that man from taking Jennifer. By trying to stop Chris from going for help, Uncle Johnny was willing to risk his life again in order to keep his best friend's children free from harm. Now Chris fully understood the legend of He Who Dances With Rattlesnakes. It wasn't easy being brave. As a matter of fact you had to be scared before you could be brave. Chris had been scared ever since he saw that man clutching Jennifer and stabbing Uncle Johnny, but from that moment on he'd done what he had to in order to help first his sister, and then his father's partner. Now leaving Johnny and Jennifer behind was scary, too. Going for help on the back of a high-strung horse while traveling through woods where a kidnapper might be hiding was scary as well. But what frightened Chris even more was the thought that his Uncle Johnny might be dead before he could get him the assistance he needed. He recalled Johnny's words from the previous evening.
        
        You don't have to be the bravest, or the strongest, or the fastest, or the smartest, or the most handsome, to stand out in your tribe. All you have to be is good, and honorable, and decent, and help those who can't help themselves.
        
        "That's what you are, Uncle Johnny," the boy said aloud. "Good, and honorable, and decent. I wanna be just like you when I grow up. That's why I had to disobey you. I had to help you 'cause right now you can't help yourself. I hope I get the chance to explain that to you." The boy turned his eyes toward the vast blue sky. "Oh please give me the chance to explain that to him. Please give me that chance."

_________________________        

        
        Jennifer tried to squirm from her Uncle Johnny's grasp. He was holding her really tight now and mumbling words she couldn't understand. His eyes looked funny, glassy and vacant like the eyes of her dolls. His coughing had increased since Chris left which only seemed to cause him more pain.
        
        The girl reached for a dry towel. Wiping the beads of cold perspiration from Uncle Johnny's face seemed to help a little, but when his eyes roamed to her they were flat and unseeing. Jennifer could barely understand John's urgent words.
        
        "Stay with me, Jen. Don't leave. Don't go...don't go near him."
        
        "I won't, Uncle Johnny."
        
        "I...I'll keep you...keep you safe. I will. I prom...promise."
        
        "I know. I'm not afraid."
        
        John looked around, confusion furrowing his dark eyebrows. "Jenny? Jennifer?"
        
        "I'm right here, Uncle Johnny. You're hugging me. I'm right here."
        
        "Tell your dad...tell him I did...did my best. Tell him...tell him I'm sorry."
        
        Jennifer bit back her tears. "You don't have anything to be sorry for, Uncle Johnny. Daddy will know that. He won't be mad at you. I'm gonna tell him you're as brave as He Who Dances With Rattlesnakes. I'm gonna tell him all about it, Uncle Johnny."
        
         Jennifer's voice slowly brought John a bit more alert. He smiled up at his nurse as though he was just now realizing she was wrapped in the crook of his arm.
        
        "Hey, Jenny...Bean."
        
        "Hi, Uncle Johnny."
        
        The paramedic's eyes traveled the campsite. "Did Chris...come back?"
        
        "No. Not yet. But he hasn't been gone very long."
        
        "He...he shouldn't have left. I don't know what...what I'll tell your dad...if something happens to him."
        
        "I'll tell Daddy you told Chris not to go. If he gets mad I'll tell him Chris disobeyed you."
        
        "No, no. Don't you go bein' a tattle...tale. You know I don't...like tattle...tales."
        
        Jennifer said the only other thing she could think of in an attempt to ease Johnny's mind. "Chris will be okay, Uncle Johnny. He'll be careful."
        
        Johnny merely nodded. If nothing else he knew he'd taught Chris well when it came to the rules of the outdoors and horsemanship. Overall the boy shouldn't have any problems getting back to the ranch provided Cody behaved himself, and that man didn't show up anywhere along the way. That's what had Johnny worried, that the man would get Chris, or come back for Jennifer, and there'd be nothing he could do to stop him.
        
        "Peanut, don't leave, okay?" John whispered between coughs. "You stay right here with me."
        
        "I will."
        
        "No matter what happens...I'll take care of you, Jen."
        
        "I know. But nothing's going to happen. Or at least not anything until Daddy gets here. Then Chet will probably show up, too, and start making bad jokes."
        
        Johnny couldn't help but smile. "Probably. Juz...juz tell your dad...to give me...give me lots of morphine...'fore that happens."
        
        "What's morphine?"
        
        "A pain killer. And if you get...enough of it...the world could blow up and that thought wouldn't...cause you any worry. So see...if I have some...'fore Chet gets here...I won't even care 'bout his dumb ole' jokes. They won't...bother me...a bit."
        
        John coughed again. Jennifer didn't know what was wrong, but she thought he was having a hard time getting a deep breath.
        
        "Uncle Johnny, is there anything I can do for you? Do you want something to eat? Chris left sandwiches and cookies with us."
        
        John gave a tiny, negative shake of his head. "No. Don't need...anything. Juz you. You stay...right here...by me."
        
        Once again Jennifer assured John she wouldn't leave his side. After Johnny's eyes slid shut the girl dropped her weary head to her knees. The sun was warm, but not so warm that she wanted to take off her jacket. Joe still sat a few feet from her keeping watch over the campsite. She was glad Chris left the dog behind. She wasn't so scared with him here. She would be scared if it got dark before her dad arrived, but Jennifer refused to consider that possibility. Chris would get to Uncle Johnny's house around lunchtime and call Daddy. If their parents weren't home then Chris would call fire department. He had already told Jennifer those things so that she knew, one way or another, help would be arriving before the sun set.
        
        Jennifer allowed her tired body to slump sideways. She reached for her blanket with her right hand and covered her legs. Without moving from the crook of Johnny's arm she curled up next to him and fell asleep.
        

_________________________        

        Roy and Joanne arrived at Johnny's ranch a few minutes after twelve. Roy patted his full stomach as he got out of the pale green Impala that was the DeSoto family car.

        "It feels good to stand."

        "Eat too much?" his wife teased.

        "Of course. With all that food just sitting there for the taking who wouldn't?"

        The woman nodded. "We'll have to take Johnny there some Sunday morning. He'd definitely get his money's worth from the kind of spread Hoolihan's puts on."

        "I'll say. I never saw anyone who can eat as much Johnny and not gain an ounce."

        "That's because he's got what they now call a 'high metabolism'. I bet when he was in school he drove his teachers crazy. You know, one of those kids who just couldn't sit still."

        Roy snorted. "Not much has changed, believe me."

        Joanne opened the back passenger door and started to reach for the book and Sunday paper she'd brought along.

        "Leave those there for now. Let's take a little stroll. Maybe walk some of that food off."

        Joanne did as her husband requested. It was perfect walking weather. The sun was shining and the temperature hovered at seventy degrees.

        Roy held his hand out to his wife. The couple strolled toward the barn with palms firmly clasped. Roy unlatched the barn door and they stepped inside the cool structure. Yuma's soulful eyes seemed to plead with them to let him into the corral.

        "Hey, Yuma," Joanne greeted as she rubbed a hand up and down the horse's nose. "Johnny and the kids will be back soon along with your horsy friends."

        "Horsy friends?" Roy asked with a hint of amusement.

        "Well, sure. Don't you think a horse gets lonely and misses his stall mates when they're gone?"

        "I don't know. I never really thought about it. Guess you'll have to ask Johnny that."

        "I don't need to. I can tell just by looking at this guy's sad face."

        The woman bent and petted the cat who had come to rub against her legs. "Hi, Mrs. Gage. Are you taking good care of your kittens?"

        "If I ever wondered where Jennifer gets her love of animals from I don't need to any longer."

        "Oh, you," Joanne playfully poked her husband in the stomach. "It wouldn't do a bit of harm to let her have one of Mrs. Gage's kittens, you know. A little cat hair in the house never hurt anyone."

        "Don't even think it. I'm sure Jen's already asked Johnny for one and I'm sure he's already said yes. Which means I'm going to have to be the mean old daddy who breaks his little girl's heart by telling her no. The least you can do is back me up."

        "Roy..."

        "No," the man shook his head. "No cat. They jump on countertops. They shed. They knead your bare legs with their claws and they have fleas."

        "A flea collar will take care of the latter, and as far as the former goes we could have it declawed."

        "No."

        "All right," Joanne sighed. "But don't be surprised if Jen throws a tantrum and once again threatens to run away and live with Uncle Johnny."

        "I won't be. Besides, she's never made good on that threat yet."

        "There's always a first time."

        The couple exited the barn, leaving Yuma and Mrs. Gage to their own devices. They walked around John's property for another twenty minutes, then headed for the house. Joanne went to the car to retrieve their reading material while Roy pulled his key ring from a pant pocket. He plucked up the key that would let him into John's house, entering through the side door. He walked through the laundry room, heading for the bathroom next door. After making use of the facilities the man entered the main part of the house. He unlocked the sliding glass doors that opened from the dining area and talked to his wife through the screen.

        "You want anything to drink?"

        Joanne looked up from the chaise lounge she had claimed. "No, I'm fine."

        Roy grabbed a Coke from the refrigerator for himself. He looked around the house, still somewhat amazed at how neat and clean Johnny kept it. John had never been this good of a housekeeper when he'd had his apartment. Roy didn't know what had caused his partner to change his ways, other than to assume it was a combination of pride in ownership and some added maturity.

        The paramedic smiled when he thought back to the first few months he and Johnny had begun working together. Although there had never been a time when the two men didn't like one another, Roy would have never imagined all those years ago there would come a day when he and Johnny would grow so close that he would feel comfortable walking into his partner's house when John was absent and grab a drink from the fridge. But then Johnny felt that comfortable in Roy's home as well. Roy knew the bond they shared as friends and co-workers
went beyond what many people had with their own siblings.

        The blond man walked out to the deck, sliding the screen door shut behind him. He sat in the padded lounger next to Joanne's and stretched his legs out in front of him. Joanne pointed to the newspaper she had laying on the deck between the two chairs.

        "There's your paper."

        "I'll look at it later." Roy drained the last of the Coke from his can. "The sun feels good. Think I'll take a little nap. Wake me up if I'm still sleeping when Johnny and the kids get here."

        "Oh, I'm sure Johnny and the kids will do that quite well without my assistance."

        Roy set his empty soda can under his chair, then laid back against the cushion and closed his eyes. "Just don't let them wake me up Johnny Gage style."

        "And what exactly does that mean?"

        "Oh, you know. Like throwing a bucket of water over me, or stuffing ice cubes down my shirt, or smearing my face with Vaseline."

        "Aw, come on, Roy. You're no fun."

        Roy opened one eye and pointed a stern finger at his wife. "I'm counting on you to make sure our children behave. And that your third child behaves as well."

        "Goodness, but it's that overgrown third child of mine who seems to cause us the most problems."

        "You're right, Mrs. DeSoto, and I really wish you'd take that matter in hand."

        The last thing Roy heard before he drifted off to sleep was the sound of his wife's soft laughter.

        

        
        Chris's arms ached from gripping Cody's reins for so long, and his butt was sore from his three hour trip in the saddle. The boy gritted his teeth as the horse continued to make his way down the steep incline. Just when Chris thought he couldn't hang on one more minute he saw the flat clearing of land below that meant he was just a quarter of a mile from Uncle Johnny's house. Cody saw the clearing, too. As soon as his hooves hit level ground he broke into an all out run, ready to get some well deserved exercise after the tedious trip down the mountain.

        Chris hung on for dear life. He pulled back on the reins, shouting, "Whoa, Cody! Whoa!," but to no avail. Cody was used to Johnny allowing him this freedom each time they came off the mountain trail, and no half grown boy was going to keep this fun from him.

        "Cody, stop!" Chris yelled. "Stop!"

        He didn't know what was worse, his sore butt being bounced up and down in the saddle, or the fear of falling from the galloping horse. The boy grabbed a handful of Cody's mane and prayed that somehow, the steed would know to stop when he came to Johnny's barn.

_________________________

        
        Roy had no more than gotten to sleep when he heard his son shouts. He opened one eye and turned to look at Joanne.

        "Here they come now."

        The man pushed himself to his feet and moved to stand by the deck railing. From this vantage point he'd be able to see the campers when they first made their appearance a few hundred yards from the barn. Joanne marked her place in her book, set it on the lounge, then stood as well. She crossed the deck to where Roy was standing.

        "Chris sounds like he's having fun," the woman commented.

        "Only John Gage would bring our kids back from a camping trip wound up instead of dead tired," Roy lamented with mock long suffering.

        It wasn't until Chris came into view that Roy realized something was drastically wrong.

        "What the--why the hell is Johnny letting him ride Cody? That horse is too wild for Chris." Roy started down the steps. "And where is Johnny anyway?"

        "Whoa!" Chris screamed, pulling back on the reins with all the strength he had left. "Whoa, Cody! Stop!"

        The horse ran straight for the corral gates. For a few terror-filled seconds both Roy and Chris were sure the animal was going to plow right through those iron barriers.

        "Whoa, Cody! Whoa!"

        Roy raced across the ranch yard, Joanne at his heels. He had no idea how he'd stop the horse, and all he could think of was when he got a hold of Johnny he'd break his neck for allowing Chris to ride an animal he wasn't experienced enough to handle.

        Gage had better be praying right this very minute that this idiot horse doesn't hurt my boy.

        By no means was Cody the fool Roy took him for. He knew exactly what he was doing and found it amusing that everyone was making such a fuss. When he got within twenty feet of the corral gate he slowed to a comfortable gallop. Within ten feet he was trotting. Within five he was walking. When he arrived at the corral he stopped, waiting for the boy on his back to open the gates and allow him entrance.

        Chris whimpered when he lifted his right leg over Cody's back. He clung to the saddle horn as he slid to the ground. It took a moment for his aching legs to remember how to support his weight. He turned around and saw his father running to him. It was then that Chris released the emotions he'd held in tight restrain ever since he'd been forced to flee into the night as his sister's protector.

        Tears spilled from Chris's eyes as he hobbled toward Roy. He held out his arms and sobbed a word he hadn't used in years. "Daddy! Daddy!"

        Roy engulfed the dirty, crying boy. He pulled Chris to his chest and held him tight while rubbing a hand over the trembling child's back.

        "Shhh. Don't cry. You're okay. You're fine. Don't cry, son. Don't cry."

        "Daddy. Oh, Daddy."

        Roy crouched down and gently grasped his son's shoulders. He was vaguely aware of Joanne kneeling beside him and heard her question, "Chris,...honey?" as she took in their son's disheveled appearance. The woman's heart skipped a beat.

        He hasn't called Roy 'Daddy' in years now. And I don't remember when the last time was he cried in front of either one of us.

        Roy could see no signs of injury other than the scratches that dotted Chris's pale face from chin to forehead. Paint was streaked on his cheeks in a mass of indistinguishable colors and mixed now with dirt churned up by Cody's hooves.

Roy could barely speak around his clenched jaw. Fury gleamed from his blue eyes.

        "Where the hell is your Uncle Johnny?" Roy looked over Chris's shoulder toward the clearing the boy had just appeared from. "And Jennifer? Where is she at? Is Johnny letting her race around on the back of a horse she has no business riding, too? What's that fool trying to do, get you both killed? When I get a hold of Gage I swear I'll..."

        "Daddy! Dad, please. You gotta hurry!" Chris grabbed Roy's hand and started pulling him toward the trail. "We gotta get back up there now!"

        "Up where?" Roy held tight, preventing his son from taking him anywhere. The blond man tried to quell the panic that was once again rising inside him. "Chris, calm down. What is it? Where's Jennifer? Has she been hurt?"

        "She's fine. She's with Uncle Johnny. I had no choice! I didn't want to leave her. Honest I didn't! But I had to. I had to get help!"

        Now that Roy knew both his children were all right he was able to rein in his own emotions. His many years of paramedic experience told him he had to calm Chris down in order to get a coherent story from him.

        Roy turned Chris so he could once again put his hands on his son's upper arms while looking into his eyes. This time he spoke in his normal tone of voice.

        "Why do you have to get help, Chris? What's happened?"

        Sobs overtook the boy again, preventing him from doing more than stuttering over a few meaningless syllables.

        Though Joanne's panic was increasing with each second that passed without any signs of Jennifer or Johnny, the woman followed her husband's lead and kept her emotions in check when she spoke to her son.

        "Chris, you've got to calm down, sweetie. Take a deep breath and then tell Daddy what's wrong."

        The boy did as his mother told him. He was surprised to find that deep breath really helped.

        "A man...a man came into our camp last night after we'd gone to bed. We were sleeping. He took Jennifer and..."

        Roy exclaimed, "What!" while Joanne gave a strangled gasp.

        "He tried to run away with Jen but Uncle Johnny stopped him. He...he knocked the man to the ground, but he wouldn't let go of Jen. Uncle Johnny was tugging at Jen, trying to get her away from the man, and then the man stabbed him. I ran over to Uncle Johnny and helped him. The man...he stabbed Uncle Johnny again, but somehow we got Jen away from him. Uncle Johnny yelled for me to take Jen to the Pow Wow. I knew he meant the cave and that he wanted me and Jen to hide there. So I did. I grabbed Jen's hand and we ran as fast as we could until we got to the cave. A couple hours passed and when Uncle Johnny didn't come for us I knew something was wrong. Me and Jen snuck back to the camp. The man was gone, but Uncle Johnny was layin' on the ground." Tears started running down Chris's face again, but he ignored them in an effort to finish his story. "The man stabbed him three more times after Jen and I got away."

        "Oh my God," Roy mumbled, now even paler than his distraught son. "Chris, is he still..."

        Chris knew what his father was trying to ask. The boy nodded his head.

        "Uncle Johnny told us how to help. Me and Jen did the best we could to stop the bleeding using the towels and sheets Mom sent along. Then we covered him up with blankets. But he kept getting worse. He...he kept losing consciousness and when he was awake sometimes he didn't know where he was. He was throwing up blood this morning, and then he had two convulsions I think. That's when I knew I had to get help. Uncle Johnny was mad at me for leaving. He told me not to. But I had to, Dad. He needs help. So I saddled Cody 'cause he's the fastest and I left Joe with Jennifer and Uncle Johnny 'cause I know he'll protect them."

        Roy pulled his boy to him and gave him a quick, firm hug. "You did the right thing, son."

        Roy released Chris and ran for the house. Joanne took her son by the hand. They ran along behind Roy knowing he was headed for the phone.

        Joanne and Chris listened as Roy called L.A. dispatch. He identified himself to Sam Lanier, then explained the situation with the detached professionalism he needed to rely on now in order to get help to Johnny. Without asking Roy knew the dispatcher would be sending out the paramedics from Station 17. They'd have to pass right by John's ranch on their way to the scene.

        "Tell them I'll be waiting at the end of Gage's driveway. I'll direct them to the campsite. And we'll need a Flight For Life chopper on stand by. If Gage is as bad as my son says we'll have to fly him out of there."

        Roy also requested that dispatch notify the police of an attempted abduction and attempted homicide. He thought of the wounds Chris had said Johnny suffered and hoped the word 'attempted' when it was attached to 'homicide' still held true.

        Roy's instructions were acknowledged on the other end. He hung up the phone and headed for the door, talking to Joanne as he walked at a rapid clip.

       "The only way to get up to the campsite is by the old fire road off highway 65. It'll take us within four miles of where Johnny and Jennifer are. I'll ride with the guys from 17's, then hike the rest of the way in with them. Call Rampart and ask for Dixie. If she's not there ask for Brackett or Early. One of them's bound to be on duty. Tell them what's going on. Because of the mountains I don't think we'll be able to contact them until we're in the chopper and off the ground. I want them to be as prepared for Johnny's arrival as they can be. Then call Hank Stanley. He'll want to know what's happening."

        "Okay," Joanne acknowledged.

        As the family stepped outside they could hear Squad 17's siren in the distance. Roy took off running for the end of the driveway with Joanne calling after him, "Chris and I will meet you at Rampart!"

        The paramedic waved a hand in the air in acknowledgment of his wife's words. The red squad barely came to a stop before Roy was opening the passenger door and climbing in.

        Chris and Joanne watched as the squad backed out of Johnny's driveway, then headed east with its lights flashing and siren blaring. A few seconds later two police cars flew by the ranch, their lights and sirens going as well.

        Chris looked up at his mother. "I wanted to go back up there with Dad. Maybe I could have helped."

        "Honey, your dad will have all the help he needs." Joanne looked toward the corral fence where Cody still stood, munching on grass. "Besides, Cody, Yuma, and Mrs. Gage have to be fed and given fresh water, then you can get a hot shower while I call the hospital and Captain Stanley."

        Joanne placed a hand on her son's back as they walked together toward the barn.

        "But what about Cheyenne and Niabi? Someone's got to bring them back here. And Joe, too."

        "I'll call Mr. Emery. I'm sure he'll go up and get the horses. As far as Joe goes, your father will see to it that he gets down somehow."

        Chris gave a reluctant nod as he mother opened the barn door. He grabbed a hold of Cody's reins and led the horse to his stall. Mr. Emery was a retired fireman who had a ranch near Uncle Johnny's. He owned horses, too, and was a good friend of John's. Chris knew his mother was right. Mr. Emery would bring the horses down the mountain along with anything else that was left behind like backpacks and saddle bags, but still, Chris wanted to be up there.

        Joanne gave her son an understanding smile while they scurried around the barn getting the chores taken care of.

        "I know you're worried, Chris. I know you want to be with Johnny and Jennifer just as much as I want to be with them. But right now we're doing other things that have to be accomplished like feeding the animals and calling the people Daddy asked us to. These things are just as important."

        "I suppose. But still, I'd rather be with Dad."

        Joanne pulled her son into a hug. She kissed the top of his head while running a hand up and down his back. "I know," she whispered as she thought of her daughter and Johnny alone on that mountain with the possibility of their attacker lurking somewhere nearby. Joanne did the only thing she could, offered up a silent prayer asking God to keep Jennifer and Johnny safe until Roy arrived.

        Hurry, Roy. Hurry.

Chapter 17

        Jennifer slept peacefully wrapped in Johnny's right arm. The long, terrifying night had worn the child out.

        As the morning passed Johnny continued to drift in and out of consciousness. He was so thirsty, and now had a severe headache to go along with the rest of his maladies, not to mention that blood speckled his lips and the skin surrounding his mouth each time he coughed. Because of that, and because of the difficulty he was having drawing a deep breath, Johnny suspected the knife had hit one of his lungs. John knew his thirst and the headache were indications of both shock and dehydration. If it wasn't that he had to take care of Jennifer, to keep her safe from the man who had invaded their campsite the night before, Johnny was certain he would have allowed his body to shut down completely like it seemed to be begging him to do. But the thought of Jennifer left alone to fend for herself until help arrived is what gave the paramedic the incentive to go on breathing no matter how painful it was. Despite all he'd been through, he kept his mind focused on one thing.

        I gotta take care of Jen. Can't let anyone hurt her. Could never face Roy if something happened to her.

_________________________

        
        Evan Crammer crept through the woods without making a sound. Once he'd crossed the stream he'd slowed his pace considerably. The last thing he wanted to do was alert the dog of his presence near the campsite.

        The man used his right hand to push aside bramble and brush, while keeping his eyes on the ground. He stepped over logs and around bushes, not desiring to have even the smallest mishap.

        Evan wondered what he would find when the camp finally came into view. Perhaps this hike would have been for nothing. The children might be long gone by now, having fled down the mountain to safety hours earlier. But for some reason Evan's gut instinct told him that wasn't the case. It had been apparent to him that those kids loved their Uncle Johnny with a type of undying devotion he'd never felt toward anyone in his life. Unless Uncle Johnny was dead, Evan had a feeling the children came back sometime during the night from wherever it was they'd run to, and were no doubt tending to the redskin at this very moment.

        Evan fantasized about what he'd do when he found the campers. The boy. He'd choke the life right out of that pesky boy. He'd wrap his hands around the kid's throat and squeeze until the blood vessels popped in his eyes. After what the kid had done, coming to his uncle's aid and running off with Jennifer, he deserved to die the slow, terrifying death that came from being choked by another human being.

        Then there was the man. Uncle Johnny. The thought of killing him brought Evan pure joy. He hadn't quite decided yet how he was going to finish the Indian off, though the thought of finding his knife and literally scalping the son of a bitch was an appealing one. Appealing and amusing.

        Just what his kind deserves. That will teach the bastard to interfere with my plans.

        After Chris and Johnny were disposed of that left little Jennifer. Evan had no doubts about what he'd do with her. He'd done it with so many other angels he didn't even have to think about it any longer. Didn't have to consciously go over his actions before carrying them out.

        Soon Jennifer, Evan smiled as he came within a quarter of a mile of the camp site. Soon you'll be mine, sweetheart, just like you should have been last night.

_________________________

        It was Joe's barking that woke Jennifer from a sound sleep. She had no idea how long Chris had been gone, but by the way her stomach was growling Jen knew it was well after lunch time. She sat up, but couldn't wiggle out of Johnny's grasp. Joe's barking unnerved the little girl.

        What if that man is back! I can't run to the Pow Wow cave and leave Uncle Johnny here by himself.

        "Uncle Johnny! Uncle Johnny, please! Let me go! Joe's barking! Uncle Johnny!"

        Johnny was vaguely aware of his dog barking and Jennifer's frantic pleas. He pulled her even closer, pinning her to his chest.

        "Uncle Johnny! Uncle Johnny, please!" Jennifer's heart hammered in her chest as Joe ran to the edge of the woods where the man had been hiding the night before. "Please! I think the man's back! Tell me what to do! Please!"

        "No...no," Johnny mumbled without opening his eyes. "I...I'll take care...you. No. No. Stay...me. Stay."

        Jennifer tried to break Johnny's hold by prying her fingers between his hand and her arm. Her shouts had now changed to terrified whispers as Joe began to growl deep in his throat and creep toward the woods with shoulders hunched like a rabid wolf ready to go on the attack.

        "Uncle Johnny! Oh, please! Please, Uncle Johnny!"

        Jennifer's terror broke through the paramedic's semi-conscious state. His eyes popped open. He had no more than a few available seconds to assess what was happening. He stifled a scream as he shot his body off the ground and did the only thing he could in order to protect Roy's daughter.

Chapter 18

        Squad 17 came to a halt behind a white Chevy pickup. The two Los Angeles County Deputy Sheriff's cars did the same. While the paramedics gathered equipment from the squad's compartments the four sheriff's deputies that had emerged from the two cars began combing the area. The oldest amongst, a red headed sergeant Roy guessed to be in his late thirties, ignored the need for a search warrant when he opened the driver's side door of the pickup. He stretched his body across the front seat and rifled through the glove compartment.

        As Roy helped 17's paramedics put the drug box, trauma box, bio-phone, backboard, oxygen tank, and two blanket packs in the Stokes, he heard the sergeant say to one of his men, "There's no registration papers."

        Roy didn't think too much of the truck one way or another. He knew it was possible that it belonged to whoever had attacked Johnny and tried to run off with Jennifer, but it could just as easily belong to another camper, or a guy out for a day of fishing. Or at least those were Roy's conclusions until Sergeant Garret pulled a roll of duct tape and several lengths of rope from beneath the truck's front seat. Roy saw the look that passed between the sergeant and his men. The youngest amongst them simply shrugged his shoulders as if to say, "So what? It's not a crime to have duct tape and rope in your vehicle." But the other three, who were evidently far more experienced in the ways of child molesters, wore expressions that told Roy the Chevrolet just might belong to more than a Sunday afternoon fisherman.

        Roy didn't know Station 17's B-shift paramedics, Tom Ketchum and Archer Doyle other than by reputation. At the present time Archer was the only black paramedic in L.A. County. He was built like the middle-weight boxer he was in his off-time. He had a reputation for being highly skilled and efficient, while at the same time possessing a gentle, bed-side manner that often came as a surprise to those who took notice of the beefy hands that always possessed a twisted knuckle or two, and the nose that had been broken so many times Archer had lost count.

        Tom Ketchum was a fair as his partner was dark. At five-foot six inches tall he just met the height requirements for the fire department. With his white hair, sky blue eyes, and slender frame he looked like he was still in high school as opposed to being a twenty-seven year old father of three. Like his partner, Tom was devoted to the paramedic program. Though Roy had been wishing he knew the two men better when they first picked him up at Johnny's, by the time the three of them were carrying the stokes across the stream he had no doubts John would be in good hands.

        One cop stayed behind to search the area around the pickup while Sergeant Garret and the two remaining officers followed the paramedics. Roy was glad he'd left his dress shoes at home that morning, and instead wore thick-soled brown 'Earth shoes' as was the popular phrase for his footwear. If nothing else they were as easy to walk in as a tennis shoe, though admittedly not waterproof when one was forced to wade through shin deep water in a wide stream.

        Until now Roy hadn't time to think about the possible danger still threatening his little girl. The story Chris had relayed about a man sneaking into the campsite in the middle of the night and snatching Jennifer from her bed seemed more like a nightmare than reality. But just one look at Chris's face had told Roy this tale was not the product of an overactive imagination, but was indeed the truth. As the paramedic now led the way to the peaceful place he'd camped at least half a dozen times with his partner and children, he wondered what he would find. If Johnny was dead and Jennifer gone...

        Roy tried not to dwell on those possibilities as he forged ahead carrying the front end of the loaded stokes.

        They'll be okay. They'll both be okay, Roy repeated over and over with each step he took in the cold water. He tried not to pay attention to the three cops who walked to various sides of the stokes and were on alert for anyone they might come across, nor to the quiet words being exchanged behind him between Archer and Tom as they discussed the course of action they'd take should they find Johnny in the condition Chris described.

        They'll be okay. They'll both be okay.

        It was the rhythm of those words that kept Roy DeSoto trudging toward the distant woods.
        

Chapter 19

        

        Evan Crammer burst from the trees so overcome with rage that he took scant notice of the dog leaping toward his chest. One violent swing of the billy club sent Joe sailing across the campsite. The Malamute landed against a tree with a solid thud. He lay dazed and whimpering, unable now to help his master.

        Johnny was on his knees curled in a ball. The blankets Chris and Jennifer had laid over him were still in place, their hems now dragging the ground.

        He heard Evan's roar, then Joe's cries. The ground seemed to shake as the large man thundered toward him.

        "Where is she? Where's the girl goddammit! Where's the girl?"

John couldn't have answered the man if he'd wanted to. The first blow from the billy club landed across the center of his arched spine. The second blow popped his right shoulder from its socket. The third blow reopened the knife wounds on his back. The paramedic's limbs were trembling as he tried to hold his body in place. He'd take however many blows were necessary. Surely the man would soon tire of his game and leave.

        Johnny cried out when a forth blow crashed against his lower back. The pain almost caused his knees to fly out from under him, but he held his ground, and the precious bundle he was hiding underneath the blankets.

        Jennifer had no idea what was happening. She felt Uncle Johnny's body slamming against her and could only imagine that the man was beating Johnny with his fists. Her mouth was covered by Johnny's right hand. As tears streamed down her face Jennifer tried so hard to be quiet as Uncle Johnny had told her she must. Her heart attempted to escape from her chest as she remained hidden beneath the stuffy blankets, certain that Uncle Johnny's lifeless body would soon collapse on top of her.
        
        

_________________________

        
        The men were only a few feet into the woods when they heard the shouts.

        "Where is she? Where's the girl? Damn you! You tell me where the girl is! Where is she?"

        Roy dropped the front of the Stokes and raced ahead of the three deputies. He ignored Doug Garret's shouts of, "DeSoto, wait! Stop!"

        Tom scampered to take Roy's place. He and Archer followed after Roy and the running deputies at a trot. Despite their own sense of urgency the last thing they wanted to do was trip over a log and dump their expensive equipment on the ground.

        When Roy first burst into the campsite he could only guess at what he was seeing. A man well beyond six feet in height stood over a bundle of blankets swinging a billy club. It was the repeated sickening 'thuds' the club made that indicated to Roy it was striking a person.

        Evan Crammer turned when he heard Roy crash through the brush. For a brief moment he seemed to be weighing his options. The sound of more running footsteps caused him to abandon his quest and take off for the opposite side of the woods. He fled down the same path Jennifer and Chris had taken to the Pow Wow Cave.

        Roy barely paid attention to the deputies who flew by him. In what seemed like slow motion, the person under the blankets rolled to his side as his body slumped to the ground. Johnny's arms went slack, allowing Jennifer to wiggle out from her hiding place. She gave a tear-filled cry of joy at the first face she saw.

        "Daddy! Daddy!"

        Jennifer pushed herself off the ground and ran into her father's open arms. Roy scooped his daughter up. He felt her wrap her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist in a near death grip. He held her, and kissed her, and swayed side to side with her, while running one hand through her tangled hair as she sobbed into the collar of his shirt.

        Tom and Archer were at Johnny's side within seconds of Jennifer bursting from her cocoon. Behind them they heard Jennifer's murmured, "Daddy. Oh, Daddy," repeated over and over again as they quickly assessed Johnny's condition.

        Like Roy had suspected, contact with Rampart was impossible. The bio-phone proved useless, but Archer was prepared for that. Using his Handie Talkie he contacted the Flight For Life Helicopter that was on stand-by. When he cut the transmission he looked back at Roy.

        "The chopper's ETA is ten minutes, Roy. He'll hover over the stream. That's the clearest spot we've got that's close. We're gonna have to wrap and run."

        Roy understood what the man meant. Until they could make contact with Rampart use of any drugs was prohibited. The aid they could give Johnny now didn't go much beyond what Chris and Jennifer had already done.

        Roy watched as Archer and Tom took Johnny's blood pressure, pulse, and counted respirations then slipped the oxygen mask over Johnny's mouth and nose. None of the information they exchanged was good. As Roy held his daughter he wondered if Johnny would still be alive when the helicopter arrived.

        When the paramedics began to carefully remove the dressings the children had put on Roy spoke quietly into Jennifer's ear.

        "Honey, can Daddy put you down so he can help Uncle Johnny?"

        As much as Jennifer wanted to stay within the safety of her father's arms, she knew Uncle Johnny needed him more right now than she did. Jennifer squeezed Roy's neck one last time, then replied, "Help the paramedics make Uncle Johnny better. He was so brave, Daddy. He saved my life twice. He got hurt when he kept that man from taking me last night, and again just now."

        Roy's eyes misted over as he caught sight of the paper-white face of his best friend. The only color Johnny possessed was from the paint Jennifer had smeared across his cheekbones the day before, the bright green, purple and orange an absurd contrast to John's death-like pallor.

        "I know, Jenny. I know."

        Roy placed Jennifer on her feet. The girl followed her father to Johnny's side, but stayed out of the way of the three men who worked to keep the dark headed paramedic alive.

        Johnny was semi-conscious. His eyes roamed in lazy fashion to each of the faces above him, not seeming to recognize any of them. He responded to Archer's questions in a way that made Roy think of someone coming out of heavy anesthesia.

        "John, can you tell me where you hurt?" Archer asked as he and Tom replaced the towels on Johnny's arm and leg with pressure bandages.

        "Hu...hurt?"

        "Where do you hurt, John? Help me pinpoint your injuries."

        Roy knelt by Johnny's head, placing his hands on either side of his partner's face. Tom had put a C-collar around Johnny's neck meaning Roy couldn't force his partner to look up at him. Because of that Roy crouched lower to the ground so he and Johnny were eye level with one another.

        "Johnny? Johnny, it's Roy. Come on, Junior, help us out now. Tom Ketchum and Archer Doyle from 17 are here with me. We're going to load you on Flight For Life in a few minutes, but we need to know a few things before we do that."

        Johnny took in Roy's face, but didn't seem to understand that his partner was there with him.

        "Jennifer? Jenny!" John's voice was weak, but even through the oxygen mask his panic was plain to hear. "Jenny! Jen, where are you?"

        "Jennifer's right here, Johnny. She's safe. She's right here beside me. You don't need to worry about her anymore."

        "Jen! Jenny!"

        Roy swiveled, motioning for his daughter to come closer. "Talk to Uncle Johnny. Let him know you're okay."

        Jennifer nodded. Like the pro she'd become ever since she and Chris first offered aid to Johnny, she knelt by his chest and took his right hand in hers.

        "I'm here, Uncle Johnny. I'm okay. Daddy's here, too. Please just do what Daddy says so you'll get better."

        John was having a difficult time focusing. Jennifer's face swam in front of him. He lifted his eyes until he came to blurry features he thought he recognized as being those of his best friend. Jennifer's voice seemed to come from far away when she said again, "I'm okay, Uncle Johnny. My daddy's here now, too."

        "Ro...Roy?"

        "Yeah, partner, it's Roy. I'm right here. Jennifer's fine."

        "Chris?"

        "Chris is okay, too. He made it back to your place safe and sound. Both the kids are fine. They're just fine."

        Without breaking the steady stride or quiet reassuring tone of his conversation, Roy watched Archer and Tom work. The black paramedic carefully cut Johnny's T-shirt away. Roy swallowed a gasp when the bare skin of John's back was revealed. The white towels the children had tied in place were soaked with blood. The skin surrounding them was raised with angry, red welts from the beating John had just endured. When the towels were removed two gaping, jagged knife wounds appeared. Once again pressure bandages were quickly applied.

        Tom poised his pen over a spiral pocket notebook he'd been using to record Johnny's vital signs. "Okay, what have we got?" The blond man asked his partner.

        "In addition to the stab wounds to the right biceps and right calf, he's been stabbed on the upper right portion of his back approximately an inch below the scapula. Based on his respirations and the blood around his mouth I suspect a lung has been hit. There's also a stab wound to the right CVA. His right shoulder has been dislocated as well."

        Tom recorded the information that would be relayed to Rampart as soon as they got Johnny on the chopper. Archer stood and straddled John's body. He cut the front of the T-shirt away from Johnny's chest and continued his exam.

        "He's been stabbed just above his right clavicle. This wound isn't very deep and it's quit bleeding."

        Roy kept one hand on the side of Johnny's face while resting the other in his tangled hair. John moaned when Archer touched his left wrist. The black man looked at his partner and nodded.

        "Broken. Let's splint it as well as immobilize that shoulder."

        One of the cops returned as the paramedics worked. Roy looked up.

        "Did you find him?"

        "No. But Garrett and Conley are still looking. Doug called for blockades of all area roads and a police chopper to search from the air. Every available deputy will be combing this mountain within the next twenty minutes." The young man looked down at Johnny. "How is he?"

        Before Roy could answer Archer simply shook his head. Roy had been a paramedic long enough to know Archer was telling the deputy Johnny wasn't good, but at the same time the black man didn't want his words to be absorbed by the semi-conscious patient.

        "He'll be fine," Roy said for the benefit of Johnny, Jennifer, and himself. "The doctors at Rampart will have him on his feet in no time."

        Roy chose to ignore the skeptical looks that Archer and Tom exchanged at his words. He was well aware of Johnny's condition, but he was far from ready to acknowledge the seriousness of it out loud.

        Roy turned to his daughter as the paramedics and deputy got ready to roll
Johnny onto the backboard.

        "Let go of his hand, Jen, and stand out of the way."

        The little girl gave Johnny's hand a final squeeze then did as her father requested. She turned away and started crying when Johnny wasn't able to contain a strangled scream. The men stopped the movement.

        "No, no," Johnny moaned. "Please."

        Roy knelt by his partner's head. "What, Johnny? Tell me."

        John's eyes were squeezed shut against the pain. "Not,....not on,.....my back. Please."

        Though paramedic training taught the men to transport a patient on their back as often as possible because of the easy monitoring of vital signs it allowed for, they did make exceptions when the situation warranted. Although Johnny was technically Archer and Tom's patient, they looked to Roy, as the senior paramedic amongst them, to make the call.

        "You didn't find evidence of any injuries to his spine or vertebrae when you examined him?" Roy asked.

        "No," Archer responded. "None. I checked twice. And he was able to move all his extremities on command."

        "In that case if he's more comfortable on his left side then let's transport him in that position. If he loses consciousness, or his airway is being compromised, we can put him on his back at that time if we need to." Roy pointed to the now discarded blankets the kids had used to cover Johnny. "Roll those up and line one side of the Stokes with them. We'll rest Johnny against them so he stays off his back."

        Archer, Tom, and the deputy, Don Ferguson, did as Roy instructed. When they were ready to place John in the Stokes Roy spoke to his partner.

        "Johnny, we're going to move you. We'll be as careful and quick as we can. You let us do all the work, okay?"

        John gave a weak nod. He dreaded what was to come, but his only response was a hoarse, "Kay."

        As hard as he tried not to, John cried out again when he was lifted from the ground and placed in the Stokes. He was barely cognizant of the blankets the paramedics had brought along being placed over him, or the oxygen tank that was gently rested against his left thigh. Every nerve ending in his body seemed to be on fire, and his thirst was beginning to drive him to distraction.

        "Water?"

        Roy hated denying his friend of the only thing Johnny had asked for so far, but he had no choice.

        "I'm sorry, Johnny, but no. Not right now. As soon as we get you on the chopper we'll see what Rampart authorizes."

        Roy knew John was beyond processing what he was saying because he kept mumbling, "Water, water," in a raspy voice.

        They heard the chopper overhead. Archer got on his Handie Talkie and spoke with the pilot. When he broke off communication he hung the Handie Talkie from his utility belt and spoke to the men.

        "He'll be waiting when we get there. Let's go."

        Don Ferguson took one end of the Stokes while Archer took the other. Tom picked up the remaining equipment while Roy swung Jennifer to his hip. As they headed for the stream Jennifer pointed at the dog that still sat whimpering by the tree.

        "Joe, Daddy. What about Joe? He's hurt, too."

        Before Roy could answer Deputy Ferguson spoke from his place at the foot of John's Stokes. "My wife works for a vet. I'll take the dog there."

        "Thanks," Roy said. "I'll pay for whatever he needs. Just see that he gets the best care available."

        "I will."

        "You can reach me at Station 51 when he's ready to come home."

        "Can Joe stay at our house when he gets out of the hospital?" Jennifer asked her father as they made their way toward the helicopter. "I mean until Uncle Johnny is back at his ranch."

        "Sure, honey. Joe can stay with us as long as necessary."

        Jennifer gave her father's neck a firm squeeze. She knew he didn't like animals in the house. "That will make Uncle Johnny happy. He'll feel better just knowing someone who loves Joe is taking care of him."

        "You're right, Princess. That will make Uncle Johnny feel better."

        "Make sure you tell him, Daddy."

        "I will," Roy promised as they came to a halt twenty feet from the hovering chopper.

        They waited while the pilot brought the chopper down until it almost touched the water. Roy turned and bent his body in order to protect Jennifer from the mist being sprayed on them. At the same time Archer reached down and brought the blankets over Johnny's face.

        It took less than thirty seconds to get John and the equipment loaded on the medical helicopter. Archer climbed in, then took the notebook Tom handed him and slipped it inside his shirt pocket. The black man reached out for Jennifer. She went willingly from her father's arms to Archer's. He pointed to a plastic bench seat at the rear of the chopper. "Put the belt on!" he shouted in her ear so he could be heard over the noise of the rotating blades. Jennifer did as the man instructed, sitting on the bench and latching the seat belt around her thin waist.

        Roy was the last passenger in. There wasn't enough room for anyone else. Don Ferguson would report back to Sergeant Garrett and take charge of getting Joe to the vet's office. Tom Ketchum would drive Squad 17 to Rampart in order to pick up his partner.
        
        Roy glanced to the rear of the chopper to make certain his daughter was seated and strapped in tight. When he saw this was the case he gave her a smile and thumbs up. She returned the gesture, understanding that his attention would now be focused on Uncle Johnny until the doctors took over his care at Rampart Hospital.

        Jen gripped the edge of her seat so hard her knuckles turned white as the chopper's nose dipped forward and it rose into the air. The girl had never even been on an airplane. She wasn't too certain she liked this means of transportation as they flew high above the tree tops, especially sitting all by herself ten feet from her father. But like Katori, Jennifer knew she had to be brave. Her dad didn't have time to worry about her right now. Uncle Johnny needed him.

        Roy and Archer worked like a well-rehearsed team. Archer didn't bother with the bio-phone. He contacted Rampart using the chopper's direct line to the hospital.

        Joanne had reached Dixie McCall like Roy requested. Dixie and Kelly Brackett were waiting when Archer's call came in. Roy gave the black man updated vital signs. Archer relayed them to Doctor Brackett along with the array of injuries Johnny had suffered.

        Brackett spoke into the microphone. "Does the patient have any signs of head trauma, 17?"

        "That's negative, Rampart. We haven't found any evidence that such trauma occurred. The patient has been semi-conscious since our arrival on the scene and relatively cognizant of his surroundings. He is severely dehydrated. As well, Rampart, the patient is in pain and most certainly has been for quite a length of time. Request 2 milligrams MS to start."

        "Go ahead with the MS, 17, as well as two IV's Lactated Ringers wide open. I also want updated vitals at three minute intervals."

        "10-4, Rampart. That's 2 milligrams MS, two Ringers wide, and updated vitals at three minute intervals."

        "Affirmative, 17."

        Roy swabbed John's right arm with an alcohol wipe then started the IVs while Archer administered the morphine. They continued to monitor Johnny's vital signs and relay them to Rampart. The noise of the chopper made it difficult to be heard without shouting. In light of this Roy didn't try to talk to his friend, but every chance he got he rested a hand on John's right forearm. If nothing else Johnny would know he was still there with him.

        Even with the morphine, John refused to allow his eyes to completely close. His vision was limited by the fact he was resting on his left side, but every so often he'd catch a glimpse of Roy. He tried to find Jennifer, but each time he struggled to move his head within the confines of the C-collar Roy would discourage him by firmly grasping each side of his face. Finally Roy must have realized what was agitating him because the man crouched close to Johnny's ear and said over the sound of the chopper blades, "Jen's fine, Johnny. She's here. She's sitting on the bench behind us. Thanks to you, Junior, she's just fine."

        Upon hearing his partner's words Johnny calmed down, relieved to know Jennifer was safe. He finally gave in to the morphine's beckoning. As his eyes closed Johnny blocked out everything around him until even the thump, thump, thump of the chopper blades was so distant the noise could have been coming from miles away.

        The kids are safe. That's all that matters. Roy's kids are safe. I don't care about myself, just the kids. I'm just so glad the kids are okay. I don't have to fight any more. I don't have to hang on.

        Roy was bent over Johnny with his ear right next to his partner's mouth as he laid a light hand on Johnny's chest and counted respirations. The blond man paled when the mumbled words drifted to him through the oxygen mask.

        "The kids...okay. Roy says...kids fine. Don't have to fight...anymore. Don't have to...hang on."

        "Johnny!" Roy shouted into his partner's ear. "Johnny, yes you do have to hang on! Dammit, John Gage, you'd better hang on, do you hear me? Don't you dare give up on me, Junior! John, don't you dare give up!"

        Archer's eyes caught Roy's as he finished taking Johnny's blood pressure. The black man gave a slight shake of his head, then leaned forward to speak to the pilot.

        "If this thing can fly any faster now's the time to crank her up!" Archer saw the pilot's nod and thought he detected a slight increase in speed as he picked up the mike that would connect him to Kelly Brackett.
        

        _________________________

        
        The latest set of vitals that came to Rampart caused Doctor Brackett's brows to furrow. He turned to Dixie.

        "He's losing ground fast. We're not going to waste time bringing him down here. As soon as we get him off the chopper we'll go right to OR. Have someone make certain the stand-by room next to OR 2 is prepared for complete trauma care and get a portable X-ray unit up there. The less we have to move Johnny the better."

        Dixie nodded her head. OR 2 was already reserved for John Gage with six units of his blood type waiting. A medical team was also on standby, waiting for the chopper to land. The nurse got on the phone and relayed Brackett's newest set of instructions. As soon as Archer indicated the chopper was within two minutes of landing Kelly and Dixie ran for the elevator. A nurse slipped behind the counter, taking Dixie's place for as long as necessary.

Chapter 20

        
        Evan's natural instincts made up for his lack of speed. Long ago he'd discovered he had a knack for knowing exactly what the police would be doing in an effort to locate him. Road blocks were the first thing they'd order, followed by a helicopter. Evan knew it would only be a matter of time before the mountain was crawling with cops, which was why he kept running.

        The man had no idea what highway he'd come to when he emerged from the woods. By looking at the sun he knew he was west of where he'd started from. He took a few deep breaths, rolled his shirtsleeves down and buttoned them so the wounds on his arms weren't apparent, and swiped his bangs back into place. When he heard the eighteen-wheeler rounding the bend he stepped onto the shoulder and stuck out his thumb.

        The trucker slowed his rig. Evan opened the passenger side door and swung himself into the cab.

        "Where you headed?" The trucker asked.

        "Wherever you're going is fine with me."

        "Got several stops to make all the way up to Eureka."

        "Great."

        The trucker eyed his passenger. He briefly wondered why the man wasn't carrying at least a duffel bag of clothing, but he didn't question this oddity either. He enjoyed the company of hitchhikers. Each one of them had a different story to tell. He'd learned long ago not to ask questions that were none of his business. All he was really looking for anyway was a little company to break up the monotony of a long run.

        "My name's Keith," the trucker introduced as he pulled the rig back onto the highway.

        "Tim," the passenger replied. Though he'd never had reason to use a false name in the past, after the kind of day he'd just had he thought a pseudonym was a wise move.

        "Nice to meet you, Tim. So, you a native Californian?"

        "Nope. I was born and raised in Illinois."

        "Really? So what brings you all the way out here?"

        Evan watched as two squad cars passed them going in the opposite direction. "My job," Evan replied with a tiny smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "It's my job that brings me all the way out here."

        "I see. Gonna be in the Sunshine state for a while then, huh?"

        "Yep. I've got some work left to do before I move on." Evan thought about the map folded up in the back pocket of his blue jeans, and the gold star he still wanted to place somewhere in the state of California. "I've still got some work left to do."

Chapter 21

 

        Within seconds of the chopper landing on the roof extension outside the eighth floor operating rooms the Stokes was placed on a gurney. Roy took in the jumble of concerned faces surrounding Johnny. He recognized some while others he didn't know at all. He allowed Archer to relay the latest set of vitals to Doctor Brackett, and to run along side the gurney with the medical team as they entered the building. Had Jennifer not been in the chopper Roy would have been running with one hand clinging to the Stokes, too. But now that they were at the hospital and Johnny was in the best hands available, Roy's obligation was to his young daughter who had gone through so much in the past fourteen hours.

        Roy climbed back in the chopper just as Jennifer was standing. He took her hand and helped her out onto solid ground. He lifted her to his hip once again, moved away from the helicopter, and gave the pilot a wave to let the man know the area was clear. He crouched low and ran with his daughter to the automatic double doors as the blades began to pick up speed.

        Jennifer spotted her mother first.

        "Mom!"

        Joanne took the girl from Roy's arms and hugged her as tight as she dared. Mother and daughter clung to one another a long minute, both of them crying.
Joanne finally allowed Jennifer to slide to her feet. She continued to hold her daughter's hand as she hugged Roy's neck with one arm. Through her tears she whispered, "Chris and I just saw them wheel Johnny through. Oh, Roy, he looks so bad. He's not good, is he?"

        It took Roy a moment to find his voice. Like Joanne, he kept his tone pitched low so Jennifer wouldn't overhear his words.

        "No, he's not. He...he's critical. Be prepared..." Roy had to swallow the lump in his throat, "be prepared for the worst. I just don't...I just don't know if he'll survive surgery."

        Joanne took the news as stoically as possible for the sake of her children. Chris was seated a few feet away in an alcove that consisted of a long couch, two chairs, a coffee table filled with magazines, a soda machine, a snack machine, and a pay phone. The boy jumped up as his father approached.

        "Dad! How's Uncle Johnny? Mom and I saw him for just a second and he looked real sick."

        "I know, son."

        Roy put a hand on Chris's back and encouraged him to sit back down on the couch. Roy sat next to the eleven year old, then pulled Jennifer into his lap. He didn't want to dash his children's hopes, but neither did he want to lie to them and leave them unprepared for what might come. Joanne sat down on the other side of Chris and took his hand. Fourteen years of marriage to Roy left her no doubts as to what he was going to say to the kids.

        Roy's eyes took in both his offspring. "Chris, Jen,.....Uncle Johnny's in critical condition."

        "What's that mean?" Jennifer asked, though deep inside she suspected she knew.

        "It means that because of his injuries his body is having to fight very hard to keep him alive. Sometimes, when a person is hurt as bad as Uncle Johnny is, the body just...gives out. It can't fight any longer. The injuries are too serious for the body to be able to heal itself."

        "But won't the doctors and nurses help Uncle Johnny's body fight now that we got him here?"

        Roy gave his daughter a soft smile. "Yes, Princess, they will. They'll help Uncle Johnny in every way they can. But sometimes...well sometimes even the doctors and nurses can't make a person better no matter how hard they try. You understand that, don't you?"

        Jennifer laid her head against Roy's chest and started to cry. "But I don't want Uncle Johnny to die. I want the doctors and nurses to make him all better."

        Roy ran a hand over his daughter's head. "So do the rest of us, Jenny," he whispered while kissing Jennifer's temple. "Believe me, so do the rest of us."

        Joanne extended her free hand and grasped Jennifer's. Now that she was physically connected to both her children she said, "Let's bow our heads and say a prayer for Uncle Johnny."

        The kids did as their mother suggested. Even Roy found himself following suit. Because of his work schedule he didn't often attend the Congregational Church Joanne took the kids to on Sunday mornings. And he had to admit that even when he was off on a Sunday he usually bypassed Sunday School and then the church service in favor of enjoying a few hours of a quiet house after Joanne and the kids left.

        Joanne led the prayer as the kids squeezed their eyes shut. Both Chris and Jennifer were sure if they concentrated enough on their mother's words, if they showed enough respect to her prayer, that there was no way God would take Uncle Johnny from them.

        "Dear Lord," Joanne prayed in a soft voice, "please watch over Johnny and extend Your mercy to him. We don't understand why someone was allowed to hurt such a good man, but we trust this matter is in Your hands. Please protect John in the same way he protected my daughter. We ask that You give the doctors wisdom as they work now to heal Johnny's body. Please let Johnny feel the love that surrounds him. Please give him the strength he'll need to get better. Lay Your healing hand upon him, Lord. In this we pray, Amen."

        Roy looked up when he heard a soft "Amen," echo Joanne's. He saw Marco standing there with his head bowed. The Hispanic man made the sign of the cross, then moved to sit in the chair next to Roy.

        "Marco?" Joanne questioned. "When did you get here?"

        "Just now. Cap called Mike with the news and asked him to contact me and Chet."

        Before Joanne or Roy could say anything further they saw Hank Stanley striding down the corridor. He joined the group, sitting on the couch next to Joanne.

        "How's John?"

        Roy was about to relay what he knew when Archer Doyle rounded the
corner. He'd heard Captain Stanley's question and answered for Roy.

        "They're taking him into surgery now. The knife hit his right lung and right kidney."

        "Can they repair the damage?" Hank asked.

        "Brackett thinks so. The problem is..." Archer stopped there, mindful of Roy's children.

        Roy nodded his head, indicating for the man to proceed.

        "The problem is he's very weak as be would expected considering it's now been almost fifteen hours since the injuries occurred. Brackett's concerned that the surgery will be too much for him."

        Roy was concerned about that as well, but he made no comment. Still holding onto his daughter Roy stood. He extended a hand to the black man.

        "Archer, thanks. And tell Tom I said thank you as well. The two of you make a great team."

        "Well, you know how it is when you just 'click' with the right partner. There's really no way to explain the chemistry to someone else. It just exists without you ever really giving it conscious thought."

        Roy nodded. "Yeah," he said softly, "I know how it is."

        "I know you do, Roy." Archer squeezed Roy's hand, feeling a little guilty to find himself glad he wasn't in DeSoto's position. "I know you do."

        The black man promised he'd call later to get an update on Johnny's condition, then headed down the corridor toward the elevator.

        Over the course of the next thirty minutes three more people drifted into the waiting area. Mike Stoker arrived followed closely by Chet Kelly, who was still dressed in the ragged cut off shorts and wet sneakers he'd been wearing when he got the call about Johnny while in the midst of washing his car. Dixie McCall stopped by, but didn't have much more information to share other than what Archer had already told Roy. She went down to the ER to finish out what little time was left of her shift, then returned an hour later with a man in tow.

        "Roy, Joanne, this is Detective Mark Bellmen. He stopped in the ER asking for directions on how to find you just as I was going off duty."

        Dixie stepped aside as Roy stood. Jennifer was now seated next to her brother. During the course of their wait she'd been taken to the bathroom by her mother and cleaned up. Though she was still wearing her dirty clothes, her face and hands had been washed and her hair brushed out so it hung long and straight against her back.

        Roy guessed the stocky detective to be in his late forties. His dark hair was trimmed short around his head, and just beginning to gray at the temples. Jennifer stared at him, fascinated by the handlebar mustache that was curled up on the ends with the aid of gel. She thought he looked like a big, friendly barber who had stepped right out of the pages of another century. Like the picture she'd once seen of her maternal great great grandfather who had owned a barber shop in Ohio.

        Roy and the detective shook hands. Roy turned, introducing the man to his wife and co-workers.

        When the introductions came to an end the detective said, "Mr. DeSoto, I hear your children have quite an adventure to tell me."

        "Yes. I would say they do."

        The man looked at Dixie. "Is there a room I can use in order to speak to the children privately?"

        "I'm sure I can find you an empty office."

        Despite the detective's friendly appearance Jennifer had no desire to go anywhere with a strange man considering her recent experiences. She grabbed for her father's hand.

        "No, Daddy. Please. I don't wanna go anywhere."

        No one else was in the waiting area but Roy and his co-workers prompting the paramedic to say, "Why can't your questions be asked right here?"

        "Well..." the men looked at the faces of those surrounding him. Based on Roy's introductions he knew everyone present save for Dixie and Joanne was a city firefighter.

        "I promise you that anything my kids tell you won't leave this group. Besides, I think they'd be more comfortable and willing to talk if they can stay here amongst the people they know."

        The detective thought a moment, then gave a reluctant nod of his head. "I'm trusting your judgment on this, Mr. DeSoto. The last thing we want is any one of you talking to the press about the details of the investigation."

        Hank Stanley spoke up. "I can assure you, Detective, that my men are extremely loyal to one another and understand the delicate nature of this situation. No one here will repeat a word of what they hear to anyone."

        Mike, Chet and Marco nodded their heads in confirmation of their Captain's promise.

        Dixie didn't feel Hank Stanley's words included her so she started to leave, only to be stopped by Roy.

        "Wait, Dix, I'd like you to stay, too."

        Dixie looked at Roy. She knew him well enough to pick up on his unspoken thoughts. If either Chris or Jennifer got too upset by the detective's line of questioning Roy was counting on her to intervene with a medical opinion regarding the emotional harm the children might be incurring. Though Dixie felt she was a bit out of her league and would have preferred a pediatric psychologist be present, she knew on a Sunday afternoon she was about the only off duty medical person Roy was going to find to sit in on this session. She nodded her head, honored that he thought so much of her.

        Chet vacated the chair he was seated in so Detective Bellmen could sit down. Marco did the same, offering his seat to Dixie. The two firemen stood together, leaning on either side of the soda machine.

        Jennifer climbed in her father's lap while Chris remained seated between his parents. The detective smiled at the children, acknowledging each of them by name.

        "Hi, Chris. Hi, Jennifer."

        "Hi," Chris replied without hesitation.

        Jennifer's "Hi," was quiet and with an uncharacteristic shyness to it.

        "There's nothing difficult about what I'm going to ask both of you to do for me. I simply want you to tell me all about your camping trip, from the moment you left Mr. Gage's ranch until..."

        "You mean left Uncle Johnny's?" Jennifer clarified.

        "Yes," Mark smiled. "From the moment you left your Uncle Johnny's ranch until your father found you in the woods."

        When the children didn't immediately begin, Joanne helped them.

        "Kids, you need to tell Detective Bellmen about your camping trip exactly like you would have told Daddy and me about it this evening when Uncle Johnny brought you home. Don't leave out any details."

        "That's right," Detective Bellmen said. "Even the smallest thing that seems insignificant might prove to be important." The man reached into the pocket of his brown suit coat and pulled out a small spiral notebook and a pen. "I'm going to write down much of what you say. You just ignore what I'm doing and keep talking. And every so often I might interrupt one of you to ask a question. Okay?"

        "Okay," Chris agreed while Jennifer nodded her head.

        "All right. Let's begin. Start with yesterday morning when you left your uncle's ranch."

        Chris looked to Roy for guidance.

        "Go ahead, son," Roy nodded. "It's all right."

        With that final bit of encouragement from his father Chris turned his attention to the detective. He told of the trip up the mountain on the horses. Chris saw a slight smile dance on Chet's lips when he mentioned them stopping to rest the horses and how Uncle Johnny looked around for snakes before they sat down.

        "Chris," Jennifer scolded. "Uncle Johnny said we weren't supposed to tell anyone that. Especially not Chet."

        Roy shushed his daughter. "It's okay, Jen. This is the kind of special circumstance where sometimes we're forced to break a promise to a friend." Roy gave Chet a pointed look. "I'm sure Chet will work hard at resisting the urge to tease Uncle Johnny about any of this situation."

        Captain Stanley added his own confirmation to that. "Yes, I'm sure he will."

        The detective got the children back on track with their story.

        "Chris, Jennifer, did either of you see or hear anything unusual when you stopped to rest the horses?"

        "What do you mean?" Chris asked.

        "Oh, a noise that would indicate there was a person nearby. Or perhaps you saw another person walking the trail or on horseback."

        "No," Chris shook his head. "We didn't see anyone."

        "Or hear anything either," Jennifer said, "other than birds and squirrels, and the kinda stuff we see every time we go camping with Uncle Johnny."

        Chris took over the tale again at this point. He told of how they'd collected leaves and rocks for Jennifer's science project before mounting their horses again. He told of the uneventful trip up the mountain, then how they'd worked together to make camp.

        "After we ate lunch Uncle Johnny and I fished while Jen and Joe played by us in the stream."

        "Joe?" Detective Bellmen asked.

        "Uncle Johnny's dog," Jennifer explained. "We gave him to Uncle Johnny for his birthday a couple years ago."

        "Nice gift," Mark responded before questioning Chris again.

        "Chris, did anything unusual happen while you were fishing? Did anyone come into your campsite?"

        "No. No one. We didn't see anyone. When we'd caught twelve fish we stopped. Uncle Johnny taught us that you never take more from nature than you're going to use. So since he figured we'd caught enough for supper and breakfast we put 'em in a bucket of cold water and then took a hike to the Pow Wow Cave."

        "The Pow Wow Cave?"

        Chris explained about the hidden cave they'd found the previous year. Together he and Jennifer told of their afternoon spent there with Johnny. Now Dixie understood why John had arrived with streaks of what looked like paint on his face. She hadn't been sure if this was some bizarre thing his attacker had done to him, or if it was some bizarre thing he'd done to himself for reasons only known to Johnny Gage.

        After Chris told of their hike back to the campsite and the supper they'd eaten the detective asked again, "And you didn't see or hear anything suspicious?"

        Before the boy or his sister could answer Roy intervened.

        "Detective, I can assure you that if John Gage had seen or heard anything that would have caused him to fear for my children's safety he would have broken camp, loaded everyone on their horses, and headed back for his ranch. If need be he would have scooped my kids up, left everything behind, and ran down that mountain while carrying both of them in his arms."

        "I realize that, Mr. DeSoto. Please believe me when I say I'm not trying to insinuate that Mr. Gage ignored warning signs of impending trouble. Quite the contrary. But it's possible that he or the children saw or heard something that at the time they didn't associate with danger. I hope you understand that if we're going to catch this guy I have to be thorough."

        There was a moment of silence before Roy heaved a weary sigh.

        I do understand that. I'm sorry if my comments were out of line. It's just been a...a very long afternoon."

        "I'm sure it has been. And I know you're worried about your partner. When I was a patrol officer I spent eight years sharing my squad car with a man I grew to be closer to than I am to my own brother. Had anyone made even the slightest unsavory remark about him I would have been the first person to come to his defense."

        Roy nodded his thanks at Bellmen's understanding of his bond with Johnny.

        Knowing that he now had Roy back on his side, Bellmen returned his attention to the children.

        "All right, Chris, you said you had supper after your hike. Then what did you do?"

        "After we cleaned up our camp,...you know, threw our paper plates and stuff into a garbage bag Uncle Johnny brought along, we sat around the fire until the sun set."

        "Uncle Johnny braided my hair for me," Jennifer interjected.

        Detective Bellmen didn't react to this information one way or another, but for some reason it brought a lump to Dixie McCall's throat. She thought of the injuries she had seen on John Gage's body an hour earlier, and the grave condition he was in that meant his chances of making it through surgery were no better than fifty/fifty.

        How can anyone hurt a person with as gentle of a soul as Johnny Gage possesses? What goes wrong inside someone that causes them to do such violence?

        Dixie had been an ER nurse for twenty years. She'd seen the physical effects of random acts of violence on innocent victims before. She'd always thought that eventually she'd become immune to it. That eventually she could look at woman who'd been beaten by her husband, or a man who'd been stabbed by a stranger, and not feel anything but detached professionalism. Some years ago Dixie had finally learned that would never happen. At least not where she was concerned. Kelly Brackett had once told her that's what made her such a good nurse. That might be so, but when the victim was a friend, and she was surrounded by the people who loved him and thought of him as family, she felt that both her compassion and her medical knowledge was a curse.

        Dixie tuned back into the conversation when she heard Chris say, "We told ghost stories after that. After Uncle Johnny had braided Jen's hair and the sun went down. I told my story first. Then Jen told hers. Uncle Johnny went last, only his wasn't a ghost story 'cause he's not too good at those."

        "He's not?" Detective Bellmen asked in an effort to get a better feel for John Gage's personality than he already had.

        "No," Chris shook his head. "He couldn't scare a two year old if he tried. But his legends...those are the best. So he told us a legend."

        "Legend?

        "Yeah. An Indian legend. Uncle Johnny's half Waupun Indian, you know."

        "No, I didn't know that."

        "Well, he is. And he knows lots of cool stories that his grandfather, Gray Wolf, told Uncle Johnny when he was a kid."

        "I see. That does sound interesting."

        "Yep," Chris agreed while Jennifer nodded her head.

        "When the stories were over what did you do?"

        "We went to bed," Chris responded.

        "Do you know approximately what time that was?"

        "Ten o'clock."

        "You're certain?" The detective questioned as he recorded the time on his note pad.

        "Yeah. We always go to bed at ten o'clock when we go camping with Uncle Johnny. When my dad's along sometimes him and Uncle Johnny stay up later, talking around the campfire, but me and Jen always go to bed at ten."

        "And Mr. Gage...your Uncle Johnny, went to bed when you kids did?"

        "Yeah."

        "How soon after going to bed would you say you fell asleep, Chris?"

        "Not very long 'cause I was tired. Maybe five minutes."

        "And you, Jennifer? Did you fall asleep right away?"

        "Yes."

        "And neither of you woke up between then and when the man came to your camp site?"

        "I didn't," Chris said.

        "I did," Jennifer responded.

        "Do you know what woke you, Jennifer?"

        "One of the horses. I think it was Cody. I heard him whinny."

        "Did you go back to sleep?"

        "Not really. I turned on my side to face Uncle Johnny."

        "Was he sleeping?"

        "Yeah. Or at least I'm pretty sure he was. He had his arm over his eyes." Jennifer leaned back against Roy's chest so she was half reclining. She put her left arm over her eyes. "Like this. This is how Uncle Johnny always sleeps."

        "So you didn't say anything to him? You didn't let him know you were awake?"

        "No." The girl returned to an upright position in her father's lap. " I just rolled over, saw him sleeping, and closed my eyes."

        "Did you fall back to sleep?"

        "I was almost asleep again when I...when I..."

        Jennifer's eyes welled up with tears. Roy wrapped his arms around and whispered into her ear.

        "It's okay, sweetheart, I'm right here. No one can hurt you."

        Jennifer nodded at the words of encouragement her father offered her. She swallowed hard in an effort to keep her tears from falling.

        "I was almost asleep when I felt someone lift me out of my bedroll and start to run with me."

        The detective kept his voice quiet and calm. "What did you do then?"

        "I yelled, 'Uncle Johnny! Uncle Johnny! It's the Stone Ridge Killer! Help me! Help me!' "

        All the adults exchanged glances at Jennifer's words.

        "The Stone Ridge Killer?" Mark asked, wondering if Jennifer had just given him a lead to her assailant's identity. His hopes were quickly dashed, however, as the little girl explained further.

        "The Stone Ridge Killer from Chris's ghost story before we went to bed. He snatches girls right out of their beds in the middle of the night."

        "I see," Detective Bellmen nodded his understanding. He had three younger sisters himself. He well remembered the enjoyment he got out of scaring them when he was Chris DeSoto's age. "So the Stone Ridge Killer was just a made up person from Chris's ghost story?"

        "Yeah. But that's all I could think of when I felt the man lift me up."

        "That's understandable," Mark said while Joanne made a silent vow to have a talk with