Louisa , Maria , and Dorothy Johnson sat around the kitchen table, catching up. Louisa shared the details of her visit to Katherine Sutton in St. Louis , finishing by telling the women about her conversation with a secretary at the adoption agency.
"It was so strange," she was saying, "but I got the feeling that Ms. Sutton wasn't being completely up-front about my birth parents.
"Why do you say that?" asked Dorothy , setting down her coffee cup.
"This girl was acting really weird, like she was afraid of something. She kept glancing over her shoulder, like she excepted someone to be eavesdropping on us," answered the young woman.
"When was this, dear?" questioned Maria . "Why didn't you tell me about this?"
"You were in the ladies' room, Mami . I didn't tell you because it would have only upset you."
"Did Ms. Sutton give you any reason to believe she was covering something up?" asked Dorothy .
"Not really," answered Louisa , "but after talking to that secretary, my instincts are telling me that there is more to the story."
"What are going to do, dear?" asked Maria .
"For one thing, I'm going to call that secretary when we get back home. She gave me her phone number before we left. I think if I can talk to her away from the office, she might give me some information that I can use to find my parents."
"Just be careful, whatever you do," cautioned Mrs. Johnson . "I've got a bad feeling about this. If Ms. Sutton is hiding something, who knows what kind of trouble it could cause."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Los Angeles
"Hey, Stoker, you asleep or what?" said Captain Hookraider , standing over the engineer.
Mike jumped. "I'm sorry, sir. What did you say?" he asked sheepishly.
"Nothing vital," smiled the Captain. "You all right? You seemed like you were miles away."
"Yes, sir; I'm fine. Just got something on my mind, that's all."
Hookraider stepped back and stared at the young man. "Well, if you want to talk about it, you know where my office is."
"Thank you, I'll remember that, sir," answered Mike . He turned around and left the room, running straight into Chet Kelly . "Watch where you're going, Chet!" snarled the engineer, shoving past the Irishman.
"Man, what's eating him?" said Kelly , watching as Stoker walked out to his truck and sat on the tailgate. "He's acting like a real grouch lately."
"Yeah, I noticed that, too," put in Roy Desoto . "He about bit my head off when we were hanging hose this morning."
" Mike 's been grumpy ever since Cap and Lou left for their vacation," commented John Gage .
"That was over a week ago," said Roy . "I hope there's nothing wrong."
The morning passed slowly. The men filled the time by doing extra chores and reading the newspaper. After lunch, Hookraider disappeared into the office to catch up on paperwork. Stoker was noticeably absent, preferring to keep to himself, and didn't join his shift-mates until suppertime.
" Mike ? You okay, buddy?" asked Roy , seeing the dark look on the engineer's face. "Something bothering you?"
"Mind your own damn business, Desoto, and stay out of mine!" Stoked growled, shoving back his chair and storming outside. Roy 's jaw dropped open, surprised at the man's burst of anger. "What did I say?" he questioned, completely baffled by his friend's behavior.
Out in the parking lot, Mike sat with his back against the station's brick wall. He drew his legs up and rested his forehead on his knees. "What am I going to do?" he whispered to himself. "I can't go on snapping at everyone. I gotta talk to somebody about this."
The engineer stayed outside until the sun went down, the chilly air finally forcing him back in. He sought out Roy and found the paramedic polishing the squad. Mike took a deep breath and approached his friend.
" Roy , I'm sorry I snapped at you earlier," he said. "You were only trying to help."
Desoto grinned wryly. "It's okay, Mike . I'm just worried about you. Anything I can do?"
"Well, actually, there is," admitted the engineer with an embarrassed laugh. "Do you remember the name of Louisa 's doctor? The one she talked to after her kidnapping?"
"Um, Dr. Franklin , I think. Yeah, that's her name," answered Roy .
"Thanks, I appreciate it. Can you keep this between us? I don't want anyone else to know," replied Stoker .
"Sure, no problem." As Mike started to walk away, Roy called after him. "If there's anything you wanna talk about, I'm here." He stared after the man, frowning slightly. "Why would Mike want to talk to Louisa 's therapist?" wondered the paramedic.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Lame Deer, Montana
Hank followed Richard Johnson as the old man led him along a trail that ran through the woods behind the Johnson ranch. They came to a clearing and sat down on a fallen log. "How's Louisa coming along with finding her parents? Any progress?" asked Richard .
"So far, all she's learned are their names," answered Hank. "I think finding her parents is becoming an obsession with her."
The old man chuckled. "One thing about Lou , she's tenacious when it comes to getting to the bottom of things. She would have made a good private investigator."
"I'm just afraid that she could be setting herself up to be hurt, Rich ," said the Captain. "I mean, they put her up for adoption. That tells me they didn't even want her."
"You could be right, Hank, but we don't know that is exactly what happened. Maybe they just couldn't take care of her."
Hank started to reply, but a rustling in the brush on the other side of the clearing prevented him from speaking. The sound grew louder, and a massive 10-point buck came into view. Richard tensed, then raised his rifle. Before he could pull the trigger, the animal spotted the men and bounded away.
"Guess my reflexes are getting slow," he laughed. "Let's head back. I don't know about you, but I'm freezing my tail off."
"Sounds good to me," agreed Hank. "A cup of hot coffee would be great about now."
The men turned and headed back the way they had come. After a few moments, Richard spoke. "If I was you, I wouldn't tell Lou your opinion of her search. She might take it wrong."
"I don't plan to," replied the Captain. "I know this is important to her, I just don't want her to be hurt."
An hour later, the hunters crossed the barnyard and entered the house. The heady aroma of freshly-baked bread reached their nostrils and they grinned in anticipation.
"I see you ladies have been busy," joked Hank. "Smells great. Any chance two hungry men could get a sample?"
Louisa turned around and laughed. "Nope, you'll just have to wait until suppertime." She paused and glanced at her watch. "Think you can survive for another fifteen minutes?"
"I don't know, honey," replied Hank, winking at Richard . "We've worked up quite an appetite out there in the wilderness."
"Wilderness, my foot," teased Maria . "Scat, both of you. Go get cleaned up, mountain men."
After dinner, the group settled into the living room to relax. Outside, a car approached, its horn blaring. Phillip rose to his feet to see what all the commotion was about.
"It's Clem Rogers ," he told the others. "What in tarnation is he doing, raising all that racket?"
They went out onto the porch, just in time to see the deputy leap out of his car, a wide grin on his face. "Hey! I've got incredible news!" he shouted, jumping the steps and landing beside Louisa . He swept the young woman into a tight hug, laughing loudly.
"Put me down, you big ape," said Louisa . "What in the world are you shouting about, Clem ?"
Rogers released her and stepped back. " Stacey and I are getting married!" he whooped.
Louisa burst out laughing. "Man, you certainly work fast, Clem . So, when's the wedding?"
"Well, we want to make it official as soon as possible, so we thought maybe Saturday. Mrs. Daniels said that wouldn't be enough time to plan a 'proper' ceremony, but all we really need is a license, the rings, and a preacher." The deputy stopped to take a breath. " Lou , will you and Hank be our witnesses?"
Hank grinned and shook the man's hand. "Of course we will!" he exclaimed. "We'd be honored, wouldn't we, sweetheart?"
"Just try to stop me!" giggled Louisa . "Wait a minute," she continued, throwing Clem a stern look. " Stacey isn't pregnant, is she?"
The deputy stared at her incredulously. "Are you kidding? I'd be six feet under if she was."
Dorothy smiled. "Congratulations, Clem . I guess I better call Sally and ask if there's anything I can do to help."
Louisa reached out and squeezed her husband's arm. "Let's drive over and see the bride-to-be, Hank. If I'm going to be Stacey 's matron-of-honor, I better get started on planning her wedding."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Saturday Morning
" Stacey , you look absolutely gorgeous," Louisa told her friend. " Clem won't be able to take his eyes off you."
Stacey Daniels smiled. "I'm so happy, Lou . I waited so long for Clem to notice me, and now, here we are getting married. It's almost like a fairy tale."
"I can understand that. I hope you will be as happy with Clem as I am with Hank. When I went down to visit my family, I never dreamed that I would meet anyone like him, let alone marry him!"
Stacey 's mother, Sally Daniels , appeared in the doorway, followed by her husband, Andrew . "Are you ready, sweetheart?" asked the sheriff. "Your groom is waiting."
"Let's go," answered Stacey , picking up her simple bouquet. Sally carefully adjusted her daughter's veil, then wrapped her arms around the girl. When she stepped back, her eyes were misty with tears. "I'm very proud of you, baby. I better get out of here before I really start crying." Sally exited the room, and signaled to Dorothy , who was sitting at the Daniels ' piano, to start the wedding march.
Hank grinned as he saw Louisa start down the stairs leading to the front parlor of the Daniels home. Seconds later, Stacey followed, clinging to her father's arm. A short time later, the young bride stood beside her groom, ready to take her vows.
During the brief ceremony, Hank and Louisa 's eyes met several times. To those gathered around, it was clear that the Stanleys were remembering their own wedding. As Clem and Stacey spoke the words that would join them as man and wife, Louisa mouthed the vows along with her friends.
"And by the power vested in me by the Lord Almighty and the state of Montana , I pronounce that Stacey and Clem are husband and wife," intoned the minister. "Those whom God has brought together, may no man put asunder. Clem , you may now kiss your bride."
"You don't have to tell me twice!" shouted Clem , drawing Stacey into his arms. "Forever," he whispered, then planted a kiss on his new wife. A chorus of cheers erupted around the happy couple.
"Wasn't it a beautiful wedding, Hank?" Louisa asked her husband two hours later. The young woman's eyes were focused on the newlyweds as they danced across the makeshift dance floor set up in the front yard.
"It sure was, honey. They make a wonderful couple. I'm sure they will be very happy," answered the Captain.
The music ended and Stacey and Clem walked over to the Stanleys and sat down. " Louisa , Hank, we want to thank you for standing up with us today," said Clem . "Hank, I wanted to ask you about the fire academy. You think I got a shot at being a fireman?"
The Captain stared at the deputy, surprised by the question. "Uh, that would depend on how serious you are about it," he stammered finally.
"Wait a second, Clem . Are you talking about the academy in Bozeman , or somewhere else?" asked Louisa , as stunned as her husband.
" Los Angeles , to be exact," grinned Clem . " Stacey and I want to make a life for ourselves, and California sounds like the perfect place to do that."
"I'll send you some literature about it when Lou and I get back, Clem ," said Hank. "I won't lie to you; it's a tough program."
"If I can get through the police academy, I'm sure I can handle being a fireman," said Rogers .
The couples sat talking about Clem and Stacey 's plans until it was time for them to leave for their honeymoon. Before the newlyweds departed, Hank and Louisa promised them whatever help they needed.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Los Angeles , Six Months Later
"Hank, have you talked to the Chief about Clem ? How's he doing at the Academy?"
"Very well, sweetheart," replied Hank. "McConikee told me that Rogers is one of the best recruits he's seen in years."
"That's wonderful! I talked to Stacey yesterday and she found a job working in the admissions desk in the Emergency Room at Rampart. She said Dixie has taken her under her wing, so to speak."
The telephone rang. Louisa got up to answer it, frowning when the caller didn't speak.
"Hello? Is anyone there?" she asked. "I can hear you breathing. If you don't say something, I'm going to hang up."
"No, don't do that," said a muffled voice. " Katherine Sutton isn't telling you the whole truth about your parents, Louisa . Ask her about Seattle ."
"Who is this?" demanded the young woman. "And how do you know she's not telling me the truth?"
"I'm a friend of your father's. He's living in Seattle ." The voice continued, rattling off a phone number. "Call him. He's been searching for you, too." The phone went dead.
"Honey, who was it?" asked Hank.
"I don't know. They said they knew my father and that he lives in Seattle . Then they gave me a phone number to call him," replied Louisa , shaken to the core.
"What else, honey? You're white as a sheet," said Hank.
"Whoever it was told me that Ms. Sutton is being completely honest with me," answered Louisa , staring at the phone number she had written down.
Just then, Maria walked in the door. Her eyes widened when she saw the stricken look on her daughter's face. "What's wrong, dear? You look like someone just walked over your grave."
"I just had a very weird phone call, Mami ." She told her mother what the caller had said.
Mrs. Lopez frowned. "I think they're right, Louisa . Now that I've had time to think about, I believe Ms. Sutton was hiding something, too."
"Do you think I should call her again?" asked Louisa , confused. "What if this is all a hoax?"
"Honey, sit down and tell us everything you can remember about the person's voice," replied Hank. "Was it a man or a woman?"
The young woman bit her lip, thinking hard. "It was definitely a man. The voice was very deep and rough-sounding, but it could have been altered somehow."
The phone rang again. This time, Hank answered. "This is Captain Stanley . I want to know how you know my wife is looking for her parents!" he growled. "Uh huh, right. Yes, I know where that is. We'll meet you there in one hour. This better not be a trick!" He slammed down the receiver.
"He wants us to meet him at Algier's Industrial Park in one hour," Hank told Maria and Louisa . " Lou , I think we should call Vince and let him know what's going on, just to be on the safe side."
"If you think that's wise, honey, call him. Just tell him to keep out of sight until we know who this guy is. If he can lead me to my father, I don't want to risk scaring him away."
Hank made the call to Vince Howard and shared what information they had. The officer agreed to meet them at the Park, telling them that he would stay far enough away so he wouldn't be spotted.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Algier's Industrial Park, One Hour Later
Louisa shivered as she climbed out of the car. "I wonder why he chose this place, Hank. You don't think this could be connected to Tom Parker in any way, do you?" she asked nervously, her eyes darting around the complex.
"It better not be, sweetheart. If it does, I'll tear this creep's head off."
A pale yellow Toyota pulled into the lot and stopped a few feet from the couple. The driver's side window rolled down, revealing a man with shaggy black hair and a scruffy beard. "Mr. and Mrs. Stanley ?" asked the stranger.
Louisa moved forward. "That's right. Who are you?" she demanded.
"My name is Bartholomew Foster . Samuel Weber is my friend and business partner."
"All right, do you have any proof of that, mister?" asked Hank.
Foster reached into his pocket and pulled out a worn photograph. He handed the picture to Louisa . The young woman stared at the image, her eyes widened when she got her first look at her father's face. "You have his eyes, Mrs. Stanley ," commented Foster . "You're grown up to be a very attractive young woman, as well."
"And how would you know that, Foster ?" growled the Captain, moving closer to his wife.
" Louisa , do you still have that heart-shaped birthmark on your right hip?" asked Foster, ignoring Hank's question.
The young woman stared at him, shocked. "How do you know about my birthmark?" she gasped.
Mr. Foster smiled. "Because I saw it when you were just a baby," he answered. "I helped your father take care of you when your mother wasn't around."
"I don't know what to say, Mr. Foster . This is all happening so fast, I can't process it all."
"That's understandable. Is there someplace a little more private where we can go and discuss this further?"
"I don't think that's a good idea," interjected Hank. "Why are you telling us all this anyway?"
Foster chuckled. " Samuel and Constance split up almost a year before Louisa was put up for adoption. He didn't even know about it until a couple years ago. Sam 's been trying to find his daughter every since. It wasn't until just recently that he was able to learn where she was living."
" Mr. Foster , I want to talk to about this some more, but first I have to know something," said Louisa hesitantly. At Foster's nod, she went on. "Do you know where my mother is?"
"I'm sorry, I don't. Last we knew, she was in San Francisco ."
"Honey, could I speak to you alone for a minute?" asked Hank, taking Louisa 's elbow and pulling her aside. "I think we should let Vince handle this, just to verify a few things. We don't know that he's even telling us the truth or not."
"Hank, I appreciate what you're saying, but if he didn't know me before, how would he know about my birthmark?" answered the young woman, her voice lowered to a whisper. " You didn't even know about it until after we were married."
"Okay, that might be proof, but let Vince check this guy out. Please, just humor me. I don't trust this Foster guy."
"All right, have it your way. Go find Vince ; I'll wait for you in the car."
Hank nodded then reached into the car to blow the horn, the pre-arranged signal for Vince to move in. Seconds later, a police cruiser rolled into view and stopped behind Foster's Toyota .
"What's the problem, Hank?" asked the officer.
"We're not exactly sure there is one, but could you check this guy out, just so we know that he is telling us he is who he claims he to be?"
"Okay, buddy, step out of the car," ordered Vince . "You got any I.D. on you?"
Bart pulled out his wallet and handed the officer his drivers license. Vince went back to his vehicle and returned a few moments later. " Bartholomew James Foster , last know address, Seattle , Washington . No outstanding warrants or arrests."
"Okay, Foster, you check out okay," growled Hank, "but I want more proof. You gave my wife a phone number. Call it." He pointed across the parking lot to a phone booth.
"What should I say?" asked Louisa , biting her lip nervously.
"Tell you what," replied Foster . "I'll talk to Sam first, and let him know what's going on. Then, I'll give you the phone. Does that sound okay?"
"I guess so," answered the young woman. She reached and grabbed Hank's hand, squeezing hard.
Bart picked up the payphone receiver and dialed. He tapped his foot impatiently as he waited for the call to connect. " Sam ? It's Bart . Yeah, I'm in L.A. right now. Well, I think I just might have found your daughter. She's standing right beside me. Okay, hold on a second." Foster held the phone out to Louisa .
"Hello? Is this really Samuel Weber ? No, they changed my name after the adoption went through. Well, I'm not sure exactly how much you know, but I'm married and have two children, Matthew and Emma ." The young woman bit her lip as she listened to the replay. "No, Ms. Sutton didn't give me any information about my mother. Yes, I'd like to see you, too. Okay, I'll give Mr. Foster my address and phone number. It was nice talking to you, too. All right; good-bye."
Louisa hung up the telephone and stepped back. "Hank, he wants to come visit," she said. "Is that okay with you?"
The Captain grinned and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. "I think that would be wonderful, honey." He turned to Foster. "We'd like you to come, too, sir. Seeing as you knew my wife when she was a baby, you might be able to help fill in some of the blanks."
"I'd be happy to, Mr. Stanley . Like I said, Sam has been trying to find his daughter for a long time. He was devastated when Constance put her up for adoption without consulting him."
"I can understand that," answered Hank. "Why don't you follow us back to our house and call Mr. Weber back from there?"
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Two hours later, Louisa and Bart sat in the living room of the Stanley home. Foster was telling Louisa what he could remember about Constance .
"She was tall, with dark hair and blue eyes," he was saying. "You look like her, Louisa , except that you have your father's eyes."
"You said that she was living in San Francisco ?" questioned the young woman. "How long ago was that?"
"About fifteen years or so. After she and Sam divorced, she just disappeared. He finally tracked her down through her sister. That was when he found out Constance had put you up for adoption."
"I can't believe that the agency didn't try to contact my father," said Louisa with bewilderment. "Wouldn't he have had to sign the papers, too?"
"Under normal circumstances, yes, but there is a good reason no one told him what was happening." Foster paused and stared down at his hands. " Louisa , what I'm about to tell you is pretty shocking. That Sutton woman, the one who handled your case? She's Constance 's sister."
"Are you serious?" gasped Louisa . She gazed at Bart , her face white with shock.
"That's not the only thing Constance was hiding, either. Before she married Sam , she had a child out of wedlock. She never told anyone who the father was, but she gave him up for adoption, too."
"Him? Are you telling me that I have a half-brother out there someplace?" asked Louisa , her voice full of anger.
"It's entirely possible," answered Foster . "I don't much about him, except that he was about 4 years older than you."
Louisa stood up and paced the room. Ms. Sutton never even mentioned that my mother had another child. She had to have known about him. I'd bet my last dollar that she knows where my mother is, too!" she spat. "She might even know where my brother is as well."
"I wouldn't doubt it," said Bart . " Katherine never liked Sam , and she told Constance not to marry him. It wouldn't surprise me a bit if Kathy told Connie that you're trying to find her."
"Honey, what are you going to do?" asked Hank, disturbed by the sheer fury in his wife's eyes.
"I'll tell you what I'm gonna do. When my father gets here, I'm going to call Katherine Sutton and make her tell me exactly where the Hell my mother is!" she growled. "Then, I'm going to ask her where my brother is." Louis snatched up her purse from the hall table and stormed out of the house, slamming the door behind her.
"I didn't mean to upset her, Captain Stanley . I hope she doesn't do something she'll regret later."
Hank sighed heavily and sank into his favorite chair. "I have a feeling that Constance Weber is going to be very sorry if Louisa ever finds her. In case you haven't figured it out," he continued ruefully, "my wife has a pretty nasty temper."
"You don't say? I never would have guessed" joked Bart . The men fell silent for a moment, then burst out laughing.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
St. Louis, Missouri, One Week Later
Katherine Sutton looked up, startled, as her office door crashed open. The social worker gasped in surprise as Louisa and her father, Samuel Weber , came into the office.
"All right, Aunt Katherine ," hissed Louisa , "you've got some explaining to do, and I'm not leaving here until you tell me what I want to know."
"I have no idea what you're talking about," hedged Katherine , struggling to compose herself.
"Don't give that line of bull. I know you're my aunt. Where is my mother?!"
Ms. Sutton bit her lip, stalling for time. "I see you found your father," she said. "Hello, Sam ."
"Cut the crap, lady. Tell me where my mother is," demanded Louisa . "And where is my brother?"
Katherine 's face paled and cold sweat beaded on her forehead. "All right, I'll tell you what I know. Connie is living in San Diego , California . I have no idea where your brother might be, except that he may be living on the West Coast."
Louisa reached out and snatched up the telephone. "Call my mother," she ordered, thrusting the receiver into the social worker's face.
The woman glared as she did as asked. " Connie , it's Katie . You better believe something's wrong. Sam and your daughter are in my office as we speak. Yes, just a minute. She wants to speak to you, Louisa ."
Louisa grabbed the phone and held it to her ear. "Hello, Mother ," she said, ice coating her words. "I want to meet with you. I don't care about that, just do it! Rampart General Hospital in Los Angeles , two days from today, at 9:00 A.M. And bring any information you have about my brother." She slammed down the phone and turned her furious stare onto Ms. Sutton . "Same goes for you. If you or my mother don't show up, I'm going to send someone to hunt you down and drag you there. Come on, Daddy. Let's get out of here. The stench of this place is making me sick."
Ms. Sutton sat frozen for several minutes, trembling with fear. "My God," she whispered to herself. "When Louisa finds out just who her brother is, there is going to be Hell to pay."