Part 5

“Damn it, Lou! I'm not going to let you throw your life away like this!” shouted Johnny.

The young woman looked at him sadly. “You didn't see the looks the jury gave me after Crockett's testimony,” she answered softly. “They already think I killed Dr. Brady. Everything else is just a formality now.”

“So, you're gonna take the deal Hendrix is offering and spend the next thirty years in jail?!?” demanded the paramedic. “I thank the Spirits that Grandfather didn't live to se this ! He would be so disappointed that you gave up without a fight!”

“What choice do I have?!?” Louisa shot back. “The D.A. is out for blood, Johnny. If I'm convicted, he's going to ask for the death penalty.”

Gage turned white and ran a shaking hand through his hair. “My God, I had no idea,” he whispered. “Have you told Cap?”

“Yeah, even though he tries to pretend it won't come to that,” she replied. “Can we talk about something a little more cheerful? Got any juicy gossip to pass along?”

The paramedic chuckled. “Marco finally worked up the nerve to ask Sharon Walters for a date,” he said. “And Craig Brice is getting hot and heavy with Brenda from Orthopedics. It must be love because he's lost all interest in alphabetizing the drug box.”

“Will you stop?” giggled the young woman. “Brice may be a little uptight, but he's not that bad. You're just jealous because she turned you down.”

“Sure, rub it in,” Johnny teased. “I almost forgot to tell you. Joanne is ‘swelling up like a beach ball'. That's a direct quote from Daddy Desoto.”

Louisa rolled her eyes. “He better not let Mama Desoto hear him talk like that,” she snickered. “I wish I was there to see her blow up, though. Do they know if it's a boy or a girl yet?”

“I was sworn to secrecy,” answered Gage. “I'd like to stay longer, but your attorney is waiting outside. Anything you want me to do for you?”

The young woman smiled. “Yeah, hug my kids for me and tell them not to worry, especially Emma. The way she is, she'll have gray hair before she's sixteen.”

“Takes after her Mama,” grinned the paramedic. “Hang in there, cousin.”

“Right,” answered Louisa. “Hey, Toby. Who's your friend?”

“This is Susan Chen, a private investigator,” he said. “Wait until you hear what she uncovered.”

The petite Oriental shot him a look and sat down. “Mrs. Stanley, I did a little snooping and found out that a very large sum of money changed hands right before Dr. Brady's murder. Are you familiar with a man by the name of Antonelli Seredanca?”

“Never heard of him,” she replied. “What does he have to do with my case?”

Ms. Chen smirked and held out a black and white photograph. “Do you know this man?”

“That's Tony Seneca,” said Louisa. “He was Dr. Brady's assistant.” Her mind made the connection and she gasped. “ He's this Seredanca character?”

Toby grinned. “Told you she was smart,” he laughed. “Seredanca, or Seneca, is the son of Thomasino Seredanca, a Sicilian crime boss. Interpol has been trying to indict the old man for the past twenty years, but the witnesses mysteriously disappear before they can testify.”

The young woman sighed. “That's all very interesting, but again, what does that have to do with me? Cut to the chase, Wilder.”

“The FBI has been keeping tabs on Seredanca, Junior, since he entered the United States ten years ago,” interrupted Susan. “About a week before Dr. Brady's death, he made a call to a woman named Lucille Franco, ordering her to make a ‘visit to the son of John in Cattle Country'. Miss Franco boarded a flight to Billings , Montana and drove to Lame Deer, where she took a room at a local motel. She flew back to Los Angeles the same day Phillip Johnson reported that his house had been broken into the night before.”

“We have a picture of the Franco woman,” added the attorney. “Does she remind you of anyone?”

Louisa stared at the image, her mouth hanging open. “She could be my twin!” she exclaimed. “All she needs is a dark wig and a pair of sunglasses to cover her eyes.”

“Exactly,” Wilder replied. “It gets better. You told the police that you decided to take a nap in your car before going home after your shift, right? Someone saw you that night, Lou, and can testify that you were nowhere near Mercy General at the time of the murder. He's at the police station right now, talking to Detective Crockett.”

“Who is it and why didn't he speak up before?” she asked.

“Patience, my dear. Susan and I have to meet with the D.A. and Judge Stein tomorrow morning,” chuckled Toby. “Once they've gone over the new evidence we uncovered, there will be a hearing to decide whether or not to drop the charges against you.”

The young woman shook her head in disbelief. “It's like an answer to my prayers,” she marveled. “Ms. Chen, how can I ever thank you?”

The private investigator laughed. “We'll discuss that after the Judge makes his ruling, but I'm sure I can come up with something.”

“You wish is my command,” Louisa promised.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Los Angeles County Courthouse , One Week Later

The Judge took the statement the District Attorney handed him and read it carefully. “Why wasn't this brought to my attention at the start of the trial?” he demanded.

“The witness didn't come forward until late Saturday evening, Your Honor,” replied Hendrix. “He was out of the country and wasn't aware of the charges against Mrs. Stanley until he returned.”

Stein nodded and folded his hands on his desk. “What about Mr. Seneca and his accomplice?”

“Seneca was arrested in London three days ago,” answered Crockett, unable to suppress a smile. “Scotland Yard is holding him until he can be extradited back to the States. His partner, Ms. Franco, is being held in the County lock-up. Her attorney says she will turn state's evidence against Seneca in exchange for a suspended sentence.”

“I don't think so,” snorted the D.A. “Mr. Seneca may have masterminded the whole thing, but she's the one who pulled the trigger. No deals.”

“Quite an interesting development,” commented the Judge. “How long will it take the F.B.I. to collect Mr. Seneca?”

“He will back on American soil tomorrow evening, Your Honor,” said Hendrix. “His lawyer, Raymond Battaglia, is already raising Cain, saying his boy is completely innocent.”

“This from a man who defended John Gotti,” muttered Stein. “Well, gentlemen, in light of this new evidence, I recommend that all charges against Louisa Stanley be dropped. Do you concur?”

“Absolutely,” agreed the D.A. “When shall we schedule her hearing?”

“Today is Tuesday, so why don't we say nine a.m. Friday morning? Does that suit you, Mr. Wilder?”

“I'll inform my client,” replied Toby.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

“You look like you just won the lottery, honey,” said Wanda Mae when Louisa returned from meeting with her lawyer. “Good news?”

The young woman laughed and hugged her cell-mate. “They found the real killer!” she whooped. “As soon as the charges against me are officially dropped, I'm going home !”

“That's fantastic, girl!” exclaimed the black woman, grinning from ear-to-ear. “It won't be the same around here without your crazy behind. I'm really gonna miss you.”

“You're not getting rid of me that easy,” chuckled Louisa. “If someone gave you the chance to kick your drug habit, would you take it?”

“In a New York minute, but how? Those places cost money and I ain't got none,” replied Wanda Mae. “Besides, I would be at the bottom of the waiting list.”

“Not necessarily,” smiled the young woman. “The doctor who runs the clinic at Rampart General and I have known each other for years. I spoke to him earlier today and explained your situation. He said my timing was uncanny. One of his patients just completed the in-patient program, so he has an opening. Interested in filling it?”

“You bet I am, but who's gonna pay?” replied the woman.

“I can loan you the money,” said Louisa. “Rehab might be the first step in getting your kids back.”

Wanda Mae considered that for a moment. “You think the Judge would let me see my babies if I got sober?” she asked hopefully.

“There's no guarantee, but he might,” answered the young woman. “If Family Court grants you another hearing, I'd be willing to testify on your behalf.”

The black woman's eyes filled with tears. “You're the first person who's ever given a damn about me, honey,” she whispered shakily. “All right, I'll go to the clinic, but I'm not sure I can get through it alone.”

Louisa reached out to squeeze her new friend's hands. “You won't have to, sweetie; I'll be with you every step of the way. And if you even think about quitting, I'll sic Nurse Dixie on you,” she teased.

“Is she the one you call the Second Coming of General Patton”?

“No, that's Dr. Donaldson,” snickered the young woman. “She's the Drill Sergeant, but don't ever say that to her face. The last person who made that mistake received a tongue lashing of biblical proportions.”

“Sounds like my Momma,” chuckled Wanda Mae. “What set her off?”

“ Dixie was reprimanding an intern and Miguel Sanchez, a paramedic from Station 36, asked her if she was going to make the poor guy drop and give her twenty like they do in the Army,” answered Louisa. “She yelled so loud, it was a good week before she could speak above a whisper. I wouldn't have been surprised to see Miguel burst into flames!”

The other woman gaped at her. “You heard the whole thing?” she questioned.

The young woman grinned. “Chapter and verse,” she confirmed, “and believe me, it was a doozy! I was waiting for one of the doctors to come to Miguel's rescue, but they were all too busy laughing. Sanchez finally made his escape when Dix stopped for breath.”

“Are you ladies done gossiping?” asked a uniformed officer, tapping his nightstick on the bars. “If so, Mrs. Stanley has a visitor.”

“Aren't you Miss Popular today?” teased Wanda Mae. “Maybe it's a photographer from Jailhouse Monthly , wanting you to pose for the centerfold.”

“With or without the handcuffs?” joked Louisa. “I just hope they don't put a staple through my belly button. It's so unattractive.” She turned to bat her eyes at the guard. “Think I'm pin-up material, honey?” she cooed.

“I'm not permitted to ogle the prisoners, ma'am,” smiled the guard. “Besides, all women pale in comparison to my amazing wife.”

“Have you been talking to my husband?” snickered the young woman. “He says the same thing about me. Being gorgeous is a tough job, but I can handle it.”

“Someone bring me a pair of boots,” snorted the black woman. ”It's getting mighty deep in here.”

The guard chuckled softly. “I'll add it to the list,” he grinned. “Are you coming with me or not?”

Louisa raised a suggestive eyebrow. “Why don't we find a quiet broom closet and find out?” she leered.

The man's dumbfounded expression sent Wanda into a fit of hysterical laughter. “If you could only see the look on your face!” she hooted. “Girl, you are so bad!”

“I never could resist a man in uniform!” she giggled, making the guard blush even harder. His cheeks were still burning when he escorted the young woman into the visiting area.

Toby was seated at the table, surrounded by the rest of his and Louisa's old band, Mute Nostril Agony. Rick Dunkirk, one-half of the group's guitar duo, smirked when he saw the guard's red face. “What did you do, kid?” he joked. “Tell him a dirty joke or flash your goodies?”

“Unlike you, some of us have grown up,” answered Louisa. “I don't do that anymore.”

The guitarist grinned sarcastically. “Sure you don't, sweetheart. I know you better than that, so spill your guts.”

“I just asked him to step into the nearest broom closet with me,” confessed the young woman. “Are you satisfied?”

Gene Simpson, their former drummer, burst out laughing. “Some things never change!” he teased.

Paul Roland, Rick's guitar partner, shook his head. “Sure they do, pal,” he smiled. “Lou's upgraded to hay lofts. Didn't you get the memo?”

Louisa rolled her eyes and aimed a swat at his head. “Did you idiots come to visit or torment me?” she grumbled playfully. “I can get that from my kids, thank you very much.”

“They're here to give you a lift home, unless you want to spend one more night in a cell” said Toby. “The Judge signed the release order ten minutes ago.”

The young woman's jaw dropped. “That was fast!” she exclaimed. “I guess that means I can really go home, right?

“Anytime you're ready, babe,” chuckled Dunkirk . “Maybe you should notify Hubby first, so he'll have time to clean the house.”

“For your information, smart ass, my house is always clean,” she retorted. “If today is Tuesday, Hank is on-duty. He's probably sitting in the office, doing paperwork and cursing every five minutes.”

“He enjoys it that much, huh?” grinned Toby.

“About as much as Cousin It here likes barbers,” giggled Louisa, cocking a thumb at Paul.

“Speak for yourself, Rapunzel,” muttered the guitarist. “When was the last time you had a haircut?”

“Good point,” the young woman admitted sheepishly. “It might be time to change my look.”

“Then you wouldn't be able to hit me in the face with your mop,” teased Rick. “Remember when you got your hair caught in my tuning pegs?”

“The showcase at the Whiskey,” grinned Toby. “Gene was laughing so hard, he fell off the drum riser and busted his arm.”

“For a drummer, he sure was uncoordinated,” needled Louisa. “What are we hanging around here for? Let's go harass some hose jockeys! Toby, did you take care of that thing we discussed?”

“Your friend will be on her way to Rampart first thing tomorrow morning,” confirmed Wilder. “Come on, kid. I'll even let you drive, but no speeding!”

“There goes that idea,” she pouted. “Just kidding!”

Part 6

“What are you parking here for?” asked Rick when Louisa pulled into a strip mall several blocks from the station.

“Use what passes for your brain, Dunkirk ,” replied the young woman. “I don't want the boys to see me until just the right moment.”

“In other words, you're gonna sneak up on them,” concluded the guitarist. “Are you sure that's a good idea?”

“Maybe not, but it's the perfect opportunity to get even with the Phantom for the last prank he pulled on me,” grinned Louisa, a devilish twinkle in her eye. “And the best part is, he'll never see it coming.”

“ If you can pull it off,” argued Paul. “What am I saying? Of course you can. Man, I can't wait to see the look on his face!”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Station 51

“You know something, Marco? It's not the same without your sister popping in all the time,” complained Chet as he pushed Henry off his lap and stood..

The Latino fireman nodded sadly. “I miss her, too, amigo ,” he replied. “Where you going?”

“To see if Mike wants help waxing the engine,” answered Kelly. He crossed the bay and leaned against the squad. “Can I give you a hand, Stoker?”

The engineer looked up, taking in the Irishman's hang-dog expression. “Sure, grab a rag and start on the fender.” After a minute, he said, “I'm worried about her, too, Chet, but sooner or later, the truth will come out and Lou will be released.”

“I hope you're right,” muttered Kelly. “She may be a world-class pain in the ass, but I really care about her, you know?”

“Yeah, buddy, I know,” chuckled Mike. “Lou would never admit it in a million years, but she has a soft spot for you, too.”

Louisa walked out from behind the engine, her eyes shining with unshed tears. “Don't be so sure, Michael,” she murmured. “And you're one to talk, Kelly. When it comes to being a pest, you take the cake!”

Chet dropped the rag he was holding and stared at her wide-eyed. “Aren't you supposed to be in jail ?” he squeaked.

The young woman laughed and shook her head. “Nope, I was released about an hour ago,” she smiled. “The private investigator Toby hired found proof that I was framed for Dr. Brady's murder.”

Stoker whooped and hugged his sister tightly. “I knew you were innocent!” he crowed. “So, who did kill him?”

“Patience, brother dear,” she answered. “Where's the rest of this motley crew?”

“I'll get them,” shouted Chet. “Hey, guys! You won't believe who's here!”

“What's going on out here?!?” bellowed Hank, poking his head out of the office.

“Is that any way to greet your best girl?” Louisa joked. “How about a kiss, handsome?”

“Thought you'd never ask,” snickered Johnny, sliding his arm around her shoulders. “Pucker up, baby.”

“I'd like one, too,” added Roy . “Just don't tell Joanne.”

“Down, boy,” giggled the young woman, giving him a playful shove. “If you animals will stop pawing me, I'll tell you how I managed to beat the rap.”

“A damn good lawyer and a whole lot of luck,” quipped Toby. “Uh, Lou, about my fee……”

Before she could reply, a television news van turned into the driveway and Grant Saxon, a reporter from Channel Four, jumped out. “Damn, it would have to be that jackass. I was wrong, Chester . You're not the world's biggest pest; he is.”

“Rumor has it that you're no longer a suspect in the Brady murder,” called Saxon. “Is that true?”

“I wouldn't be standing here if it wasn't,” answered Louisa. “That's all I'm going to say, so get out of my face.”

“One more question, Mrs. Stanley,” blurted the reporter. “Do you know who the real killer is?”

“Maybe, but why should I tell you?” she smirked. “Better watch out, Saxon, because the wrath of God is about to descend upon you in the form of a very angry Chief McConikee.”

“Move that van immediately !” bellowed the Chief, his face red. “Or I'll have your butts hauled in for interfering with public safety!”

“Freedom of the press, sir,” countered Grant. “Mrs. Stanley is big news right now.”

“You want news? I'll give you tomorrow's headline,” chuckled Louisa. “It deals with a certain reporter having to go to the hospital after an enraged fire fighter makes him eat his own microphone.”

“Point taken,” gulped Saxon. “Let's wrap it up, Harvey .”

“That's the smartest thing he's said so far,” snickered Chet. “You were about to tell us how your lawyer cleared your name, Lou.”

“I'll give you the whole story Saturday afternoon, Mr. Nosey,” she smiled. “Make sure you all show up and bring your appetites!”

“Kind of a ‘get-out-of-jail' bash, little sister?” laughed Marco. “I wouldn't miss that for anything!”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Saturday

“Honey, I can't find the matches,” said Hank. “Did you forget to buy more?”

“There's a new box in the utility drawer,” answered Louisa, busy shelling hard-boiled eggs for the potato salad she was making.

“Oh, right, here they are.” He turned to go back outside and bumped in Robert, his youngest son. “Oops, excuse me, Buckaroo. I didn't see you there. Wanna help get the picnic tables out of the barn?”

The little boy shook his head and clung to his mother's leg. Now that she was home, he wasn't about to let her out of his sight again. “Gotta stay with Mama,” he whimpered.

“Okay, little buddy. If she tries to run away, come tell me,” joked the Captain.

Robert wailed and pressed his face against Louisa's stomach. “That's not funny, Henry. Now look what you've done!” she growled, wrapping her arms around her son. “It's all right, baby. I'm not going anywhere.”

“I didn't mean to upset him,” said Hank. “Don't get mad, Lou.”

“Too late now,” snarled his wife. “What were you thinking ? Forget it; I don't care. Just get out of here. We'll discuss it later.”

The Captain left the house through the front door just as Roy was about to knock. “Hey, Cap,” greeted the paramedic. “Is this a bad time?”

“Not at all,” he muttered. “Give me a hand with the picnic tables, will you? Hello, Joanne.”

The petite brunette smiled and headed for the kitchen. “Oh my goodness!” she exclaimed. “What happened?”

“My husband made a comment about me taking off,” answered Louisa. “He meant it as a joke, but as you can see, my son didn't think it was very amusing.”

“Neither do I!” raged Joanne. “I can't believe Hank could be that insensitive! If it had been Roy , I would have slugged him.”

“I was more concerned with Robert at the moment,” said the young woman. “But his father will get his before the day is out.”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Four Hours Later

“So, this dude shadows me through the whole store, going on and on about how much he loves the car,” Chet was saying. “Then he follows me out to the parking lot and says he'll give me five hundred bucks for it.”

“That wouldn't even cover the parts!” scoffed Louisa. “The front-end kit alone set me back almost three hundred dollars! Even if you bought the rest of the stuff used, it would still have cost almost two grand.”

“The paint wasn't exactly cheap, either,” added Kelly. “Even with the fifteen percent discount.”

“Just be glad we were able to find the right shade of Autumn Red,” chuckled the young woman. “That guy in Chicago did a great job matching the chip I sent him.”

“I'll say,” grinned Johnny. “The car looks great, but anything is an improvement of that eyesore of a van you used to drive.” He turned to elbow his partner. “Too bad Lou wasn't around when we bought that old engine.”

Louisa's ears perked up. “What old engine?” she asked.

“We found a 1932 Dennis at a junkyard a few years ago,” replied Gage. “It got crushed when a wall fell on it. Remind me to show you the pictures some time.”

“Restoring old vehicles seems to run in the family,” chuckled Mike. “Have you found your next project yet, Miss Mechanic?”

“Not yet, but I think the next one will involve something without a motor,” laughed his sister. “I'm tired of scraping grease from under my fingernails.”

“Dix told me there's an opening at the morgue,” put in Roy . “No grease involved.”

“Yeah, and plenty of peace and quiet,” snickered Chet. “If a patient doesn't like the accommodations, he won't be able to complain or ring to get his pillow fluffed every five minutes.”

“It would be a cutting edge career change,” she teased, making the paramedic laugh.

“Maybe you should take the job,” said Johnny. “We could strap Kelly to a table and find out if he has a working brain.”

A chorus of frantic neighs from the pasture caught the young woman's attention and she jumped up. “That damn coyote is after the horses again! Mami , take the kids in the house and don't let them out of your sight!” she yelled, sprinting toward the barn. Seconds later, a shot rang out, followed by a loud yelp.

Hank ran across the yard and vaulted over the fence, Marco, Chet, and Mike right behind him. He skidded to a stop beside his wife and stared at the shaggy gray animal lying dead in the grass. “Oh, man!” he gasped.

“It was a wolf, not a coyote,” whispered Louisa, her voice shaking. “And a female who was still nursing a litter, too. Sweet Jesus, what have I done?!? she wailed, the rifle slipping from her fingers.

“Stoker, call Animal Control and tell them what happened,” ordered the Captain. “Kelly, you and Lopez put the horses in the barn.”

“Right, Cap,” said the Irishman, reaching out to grasp Samson's halter. The stallion shied, terrified by the scent of blood and predator. “Whoa, boy!” he shouted, jumping to the side when the horse reared.

“Watch out!” cried the young woman, pushing him away from the animal's flying hooves. “Knock it off before you hurt someone, you stupid twit!” she scolded, giving the stallion a gentle swat. “Chet, for future reference, never approached a frightened horse from the front unless you want a mouthful of broken teeth.”

“Thanks for the tip,” answered the Irish fireman, ignoring Marco's muffled snicker. “I guess he was pretty spooked. Are wolves still common around here?”

“Not anymore, but they used to be,” said Louisa. “This female and her mate were probably living in one of the old dens.” She bit her lip thoughtfully and studied the trees intently.

“You're going to search for the pups, aren't you?” accused Marco. “I've seen that look before and it always means trouble.”

“Do you honestly believe I would let them starve to death?” the young woman retorted. “Don't get your knickers in a twist, brother dear. I know for a fact that male wolves don't stick around after the pups are born.”

“She's right,” put in Johnny. “Question is, what are you going to do with the critters if you find them?”

“I haven't thought that far ahead,” Louisa admitted with a blush. “Judging by the mother's condition, I'd say the pups were born about two weeks ago, three at most. They should do all right on baby formula until they're old enough to handle solid food.”

“You never cease to amaze me, honey,” smiled Hank. “Where did you learn all this stuff?”

“From Gray Eagle, mostly,” replied his wife. “And from observing your crew. Humans may be more evolved, but I've discovered that the males of any species generally behave in the same manner. Their basic needs are satisfied by good food, a warm place to sleep, and a receptive female to keep them company.”

“Thank you, Dr. Joyce Brothers,” grumbled Kelly. “”We require other things, too.”

“Beer, fast cars and sports on television are just perks to enrich your life, Chet,” giggled Louisa.

“You left out wet t-shirt contests and mini skirts,” quipped Mike. “Animal Control is tied up with an escaped boa constrictor, so Dispatch is sending a black-and-white.”

“Then we better get moving,” said Gage. “Lou, where did you say those dens were?”

“Up near the caves,” she answered, ducking into the barn and returning with a large basket, four bottles of pre-mixed formula, a first-aid kit, and two pairs of heavy gloves. “Ready?”

“Guess so,” the paramedic shrugged. “Since you're the wolf expert, I'll follow your lead.”

“Just be careful,” lectured Hank. “What should I tell the cops when they arrive?”

“Anything, as long as it's not the truth,” laughed Johnny. “In other words, lie like a rug!”

Part 7

“Man, I gotta start working out,” panted Johnny, wiping his sweaty forehead. “Can we stop for a minute?”

Louisa nodded absently and dropped to a crouch. An instant later, a faint sound reached her ears and she cocked her head, listening hard. “We must be close,” she whispered. “I can hear the pups whining.”

“Over there,” Gage whispered back, pointing to a fallen log. “We're practically on top of them!”

The young woman inched forward on her knees, unscrewing one of the bottles at the same time. She poured a few drops of formula on the ground near the log and waited for the animals to catch the scent. One of the pups eyed her warily, torn between his hunger and the fear of the strange creature. Finally, his growling stomach won out and he dashed forward, his nose twitching. “Hi there, little fella,” Louisa greeted softly, chuckling when the wolf pup nudged the bottle. “You want some of this?”

Johnny sat with his mouth hanging open, watching her feed the tiny animal. He grinned when a second pup crawled into her lap, demanding his share of the food. The third pup approached the paramedic cautiously and sniffed his out-stretched hand. “I think we've been adopted by the little fur balls,” he laughed quietly when the pup began to gnaw on his finger.

“Looks that way,” answered Louisa. “About time you became a father, Cousin,” she teased.

Gage rolled his eyes at her. “I always wanted my kids to be a howling success,” he joked.

The young woman pretended to gag. “You've been spending way too time with Chet,” she snickered. “He's starting to rub off on you.”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

“Try to act casual,” said Hank as a police cruiser roared up to the house. “Maybe we can get rid of them before Lou and Johnny come back.”

“Sure, no problem, Cap,” replied Chet, a foolish grin on his face. “How's this?”

“I said casual, not idiotic,” muttered the Captain. He waved to the approaching officers. “Afternoon, boys.”

“Dispatch said you had a dead wolf on your property,” said Vince. “Where is it and how did it get that way?”

“In the pasture,” answered Hank. “It went after the horses, so my wife shot it.”

“I see,” commented Howard, peering at the animal's lifeless body. “And where is your wife now? I'd like to get her side of the story.”

“I-I can't say for sure,” hedged the Captain. “In the house maybe.”

“Or maybe not,” interrupted Vince's partner, David Brooks. “My gut instinct tells me that you're not being completely honest with us, sir. Would you like to continue this conversation downtown?”

“That's enough, Brooks,” growled Vince. “Radio in and find out what's keeping Animal Control. Now, I want a straight answer. Where is your wife?”

Marco tapped him on the shoulder and pointed. Louisa was walking across the pasture, holding a covered wicker basket. Johnny followed, a wriggling bundle in his arms. “There they are.”

“Well, if it isn't Officer Howard,” smiled the young woman when the cousins reached the fence. “How's it going, Vince?”

The African-American police officer nodded tersely, his eyes focused on her burden. His suspicions were confirmed when a muffled whine came from inside. “Let me guess; you saw that the wolf you shot was a nursing female and decided to go looking for her pups.”

“Yup, and we found them, too,” grinned Louisa, removing the cover. “Aren't they precious?”

At that moment, Brooks returned with two uniformed Animal Control officers. “I'll take that,” he barked, grabbing the basket.

The young woman glared and moved out of his reach. “Keep your grubby paws off!” she snarled. “You don't have any authority here!”

“I beg to differ,” he snapped, tapping his badge. “This gives me the right to confiscate those animals under county law.”

“I hate to tell you this, pal, but county law doesn't mean diddly-squat here,” answered Louisa, her eyes flashing. “You're standing smack-dab in the middle of a wildlife sanctuary owned by the Federal government.”

Clint Jones, one of the Animal Control men, stepped forward. “Mrs. Stanley is correct,” he said. “The sanctuary starts at the southern end of her property and covers this part of Topanga Canyon and most of Los Padres National Forest .”

“I don't believe this,” grumbled Brooks. “So she gets off without paying a dime?”

Myron Greene, Clint's partner, spoke up. “Not exactly. I'm sure it's not cheap to care for a trio of wolf pups,” he chuckled. “Even with the government's support.”

“What is he talking about, Lou?” asked Stoker, looking at his sister curiously.

“That's what I'd like to know,” she answered.

Greene looked confused. “Didn't some men offer you money to help them relocate the pack?”

“Oh, you mean Drake Jarvis and his cronies,” snorted Louisa. “That old fool just wanted to shoot a wolf and said he would pay me fifty grand to show him where they were. I said I wouldn't accept anything less than a hundred and he agreed.”

“I can't believe you would do something like that,” muttered Johnny, giving her a dirty look.

“Will you let me finish? While Jarvis was writing the check, I made a comment about man-eating grizzly bears,” grinned the young woman, her eyes twinkling with mirth.

“What man-eating grizzlies?” questioned Marco. “The only bear around here is the one on your living room floor.”

“We know that, pal,” chuckled Hank. “But most people don't. Go on, honey.”

“Jarvis must have heard my remark because he got all nervous and asked if we could go hunting another time. You know, I've never seen anyone turn that particular shade of white in my life. He didn't call again, though. I think I scared him when I mentioned the bears.”

“Jeez, you think?!?” howled Vince. “I would have given a month's salary to see the look on that dude's face!”

Gage handed the pup he was holding to Mike and slid an arm around Louisa's shoulders. “Sorry I doubted you, Cousin,” he apologized.

“You're forgiven, this time,” she teased. “Vince, would you and your boys like to join us for coffee and dessert? Mami made lemon pie meringue.”

The African American cop licked his lips. “My favorite,” he smiled. “What about the fur balls?”

“They're not old enough to drink coffee,” laughed the paramedic.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

When the men entered the house, the first thing they heard was Robert's strident cries. “I want Mama!!” he wailed, tears streaking his cheeks.

Johnny reached out to pick up the screaming child. “Hey, little buddy, don't cry; your Mama will be here in a minute,” he crooned.

Lara Stoker's eyes widened when she spotted her husband. “What in the world is that ?!?” she questioned.

“It's a baby wolf, Aunt Lara,” said Emma, the Stanley 's oldest daughter, extending a hand to pet the animal.

“Don't get too close, sweetheart,” cautioned her father. “She could bite you. Better take her outside, pal. Lou should have the formula mixed by now.”

The little girl followed her uncle out the door, squealing in delight when she saw the other two pups. “Can I hold one, Mama?” she begged. “Oh, wow! They're so small!”

“That's because they are just babies,” smiled Louisa. “I'm sorry, honey, but I think it would be best if you didn't handle them right now.”

“Okay, Mama,” replied Emma, trying to hide her disappointment. “What are you gonna do with them?”

“Go broke buying formula,” chuckled her mother. “This little guy has an appetite like a certain bottomless pit we know.”

“I heard that!” hollered Johnny, carrying Robert outside. “He's a growing boy and so am I! Look, buddy, there's your Mama right there.”

“Mama!” cried the little boy, struggling to get down.

“Take over for me, will you, Mikey? It's just like feeding any other baby,” said the young woman.

“Except this one already has teeth,” grinned the engineer, cuddling the tiny creature. “I think he likes me!”

“Because you have food,” giggled Louisa. “Come here, little man,” she called, scooping her son into her arms. “What's this I hear about you throwing a tantrum, sonny boy?”

Robert blushed and buried his face in her neck. “I thought you were going away again,” he whispered.

“Not a chance, sweetie pie. You're stuck with me forever !”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Three Months Later

“Wow, check out the parking lot!” exclaimed Louisa and she and Chet pulled into the fairgrounds. “I had no idea so many people were interested in nineteenth century life!”

“Me neither,” replied Kelly. “Where are we supposed to meet up with Gage?”

“Near the stables,” answered the young woman. “He's taking my place in the calf-roping demonstration this afternoon. I would have to break my wrist three weeks before the competition! Of all the dumb luck!”

“Be glad it wasn't your neck!” grinned the Irishman. “I'd say you got off easy.”

“Are you kidding?!?” snorted Louisa. “Hank screamed at me all the way to the ER and, when we got there, Dixie picked up where he left off. Then I had to endure a forty-five minute lecture from Mami about acting my age instead of my shoe size! I'm surprised she didn't try to ground me!”

“”Did she say anything to Marco?” snickered Chet. “He's the one who dared you to climb that tree in the first place.”

“Ask him yourself,” giggled the young woman. “Here he comes now. Hey, big brother. Hello, Sharon . Nice to see you again.”

Sharon Walters smiled and extended a slender hand. “How's your wrist?” she asked. “I heard all about your little accident.”

“Including the aftermath?” Louisa laughed, nudging Chet with her elbow.

“Roy and Johnny filled me in,” chuckled Sharon . “I take it your mother was a little upset?”

“Yeah, and an F5 hurricane is a ‘little breeze',” grumbled Marco. “'Ballistic' would be a better word.”

“ Mami has read you the riot act before,” smirked Louisa. “Remember the time you and Frankie Valentino went to Tijuana without telling anyone?”

“All too well,” shuddered the Latino fireman. “I don't know what was worse: my hangover or getting arrested and having to call Mama to come bail me out. Either way, we still had a blast!”

“I'll bet you did,” teased his sister. “What was her name?”

“I don't kiss and tell,” huffed Lopez, his face turning red. “Must you know everything about my life?”

“I guess not,” she said. “I didn't mean to upset you. Forget I asked.”

Marco shrugged nonchalantly and leaned over to whisper in Chet's ear. The Irishman's eyes bugged out. “Are you serious?” he cackled.

“My mother was right when she told me that a man's center of intelligence is located a few inches south of his belt buckle,” muttered Sharon .

“ What did you just say?!?” gasped Louisa. Before the girl could repeat her statement, she burst out laughing, tears pouring down her cheeks. “She hit right on the head,” she howled, “if you will pardon the expression!”

“And women say we have dirty minds,” snorted Kelly. “Come on, Marco. Let's go someplace cleaner, like the pig sty.”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Sharon and Louisa satin the stands surrounding the make-shift corral, ignoring the appreciative glances they were drawing. “If those guys only knew that I have four kids,” giggled Louisa.

“You just might have the opportunity to point that out,” grinned Sharon . “Don't look now, but stud at six o'clock .”

“Hello, ladies,” smiled a tall, lanky man. “Mind if I join you? I'm Jed. And you are?”

“I'm Sharon and this is my friend Moon Flower. She doesn't speak much English.”

“Is that right?” answered Jed. “Moon Flower? That sounds like a redskin's name.”

“It is,” retorted Sharon . “She's Lakota. You got a problem with that?”

“I suppose not, as pretty as she is,” leered the man. “Wanna take a walk with me, squaw?”

“Moon Flower not speak to wasichu scum,” said Louisa, adopting a heavy accent. “Your kind murder my people.” She reached down to pluck a wicked-looking Bowie knife from her belt, testing the cutting edge with her thumb. “Custer learn hard way not smart to cross Lakota,” she purred, her eyes gleaming.

“Uh, I just remembered,” stammered Jed, his face blanching. “I'm late for an appointment.” He scurried away without a backward glance.

“Was it something I said?” wondered the young woman.

“It's a distinct possibility,” laughed Sharon . “Uh oh, I think we're in for it.”

“Act casual,” murmured Louisa as Jed approached, accompanied by a uniformed cop. “Good afternoon, Officer.”

The cop nodded. “This gentleman says you threatened him with a knife,” he said levelly. “Is that true, ma'am?”

“Not at all, sir,” she replied sweetly. “I was just testing the blade.”

“Don't believe a word of it, Carmine,” said a voice. Vince Howard was standing a few feet away, making no attempt to hide his amusement. “I know this woman and she's always cooking up trouble. Mrs. Stanley, I've warned you before about pulling your mock scalping routine on unsuspecting civilians.”

“Aww, come on, Vince; lighten up. I was just having a little fun,” grinned Louisa.

“Uh huh, sure you were,” smiled Howard. “Go about your business, Petrillo. I'll stay here and keep an eye on her.”

“Yes, sir,” answered Carmine. He walked away, shaking his head in disbelief. “I should have stayed in Brooklyn with the normal crazies,” he muttered to himself.

“Normal crazies?” echoed Sharon . “That doesn't make any sense at all!”

“It does when you work in law enforcement,” answered Vince with a chuckle. “Consider my partner, for example. Correction, former partner. He went nuts on a suspect and bought himself a six-week stay in the psych ward.

Louisa nodded sadly. “I was working the night David was brought in,” she murmured. “”Who did Flanagan assign as his replacement?”

“Some kid from Montana , Ronnie Daniels,” said Howard. “His uncle is the sheriff in Lame Deer.”

“Are you serious?” the young woman gasped. “I haven't seen Ronnie in ages ! How is he doing so far?”

“”He's a natural,” replied the veteran cop. “I've never seen anyone so eager to learn.”

“Ronnie always wanted to be a police officer,” chuckled Louisa. “I think I'll drop by the station and say hello.”

“He'd like that,” grinned Vince. “Some of the boys have been trying to get under his skin.”

“Sooner or later they'll push him too far and he'll decide to retaliate,” she predicted. “When it comes to pulling pranks, Ronnie makes Chet Kelly look like an amateur! If I were you, I'd just lay low and enjoy the slaughter from a safe distance.”

“Sounds like good advice to me,” he laughed. “Either way, it'll be fun to watch Daniels take those bozos down a peg or two.”

“I'm almost sorry I won't be there to witness it,” giggled the young woman. She jumped when the loudspeaker mounted above her head emitted an ear-piercing squeal of feedback. “Turn it up some more, you idiot,” she grumbled. “A couple of my fillings are still in place.”

A heavy-set man dressed in a bright red jacket walked to the center of the corral, carrying a microphone in his hand. “Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon and welcome to the eightieth annual Los Angeles County Livestock Fair and Rodeo!” he shouted. “Have we got a show for you! In addition to the usual program, we have with us today a genuine herd of buffalo! A little later on, two real live Lakota Indians will explain why these magnificent animals were so important to their people, but for now, just sit back and enjoy yourselves!”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Two Hours Later

“Lou, can you give me a hand with this?” asked Johnny, holding up an elaborately-decorated bone breastplate. “I can't reach the ties.”

“Is your shoulder still bothering you?” asked Louisa. “You landed on it pretty hard.”

“Don't start mothering me like Roy does,” muttered Gage. “I'm just a little sore. Nothing to worry about, Mom .”

“Maybe I should get Nurse Dixie in here to check,” the young woman teased. “Sass her and she'll smack you.”

“Fine, you win, brat,” sighed the paramedic. “When we finish our demonstration, you can drive me over to Rampart. Satisfied?”

“I will be if you agree to have supper with us tonight,” she smiled.

“Okay, you talked me into it,” Johnny laughed. He looked up when a rodeo clown approached leading a pair of buffalo. “What's with the saddles?” he asked.

“Mr. Crane wants you to ride them into the corral,” replied the clown.

Louisa burst out laughing. “I hate to tell you this, sweetheart,” she giggled,” but no Indian with an ounce of sense would even attempt to ride one of those monsters. You can tell your boss to forget it.”

“Don't look at me, pal,” said Gage. “I'm with her. It's stupid, not to mention dangerous.”

“What's the delay?!?” barked a voice. “We're waiting for you.”

The clown stepped forward. “They refuse to ride the buffalo, Mr. Crane.”

“And why not?” demanded Crane. “I thought redskins did that all the time. If it's a question of money, I'll pay each of you five hundred dollars.”

Louisa glared at him, her eyes flashing. “That does it!” she growled. “I'm out of here! Find someone else to exploit, you bastard!” She stomped off, muttering under her breath.

Crane turned red. “Come back here, young lady!” he bellowed. “Mr. Gage, please speak to her.”

Johnny shook his head. “It wouldn't make any difference,” he said quietly. “I know exactly how she feels. The white man has been exploiting our people for generations and I'm sick and tired of it. I don't want any part of tis ridiculous stunt.” He turned to follow his cousin, ignoring Crane's outraged shout.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Stanley Ranch, One Hour Later

“They wanted you to do what ?!?” exclaimed Hank. “That's disgusting!”

Johnny grinned and took a swallow from his can of beer. “Lou was so mad, I thought she was gonna deck him,” he chuckled.

“I don't blame her,” said Chet. “What a jackass.”

“That's not the word I would have used, Kelly,” Louisa smirked. “Can we please talk about something else?”

“Good idea, honey,” smiled the Captain. “I heard you set a new calf-roping record today, Gage.”

“He was amazing!” the young woman gushed. “I wish you could have seen him, Hank!”

“I'll bet it was a lot more exciting than the Captain's meeting,” laughed Mike, bouncing Robert on his knee. “What was the topic this month?”

“The new computerized log,” answered Hank, rolling his eyes. “It's supposed to be easier, but it's got me stumped. Here, honey, you use a computer at work. Maybe you can figure it out.”

Louisa took the blank form and skimmed it. “It's a basic spreadsheet format,” she commented. “We use the same system in the lab.”

The Captain smiled. “The Department is considering training civilians to run the computers,” he said. “Would you be willing to spend a few hours at the station on your day off? McConikee wanted me to ask you.”

“Hmm, work with my favorite hose jockeys?” she questioned. “Would I have to teach you guys how to run the program?”

“No, you'd be in charge of that stuff,” replied Stanley .

“Well, in that case, I guess I'd be interested. If Headquarters agrees, I might even be persuaded to cook for you.”

“Wonderful, I'll call Houts in the morning,” said the Captain.

“You know, I kinda like the idea of having Lou around the station,” grinned Johnny. “She can help discipline the Phantom.”

“Then I better buy some new rulers,” Louisa joked, making the men laugh. “I have a feeling I'll be going through at least one a week!”

Epilogue : Lucille Franco and Antonelli Seredanca, better known as Tony Seneca, went on trial for the murder of Dr. Edward Brady three months later. In exchange for testifying against her lover, Ms. Franco received a sentence of life without the possibility of parole. Four months after she entered Chuckawalla Valley Women's Prison, Lucille was found stabbed to death after an altercation with another inmate. Seredanca was sentenced to death by lethal injection, but escaped from San Quentin Penitentiary two weeks before his scheduled execution. He was last seen boarding a flight to Mexico City .

On July 15, Joanne Desoto gave birth a bouncing baby girl that she and her husband named Caitlyn Marie. Roy was on a call during his wife's labor, but made it to Rampart in time to hear his daughter's first cries.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

* Randolph Mantooth played Joe Nez in the movie Terror at London Bridge , the movie Louisa refers to while driving through Arizona . The movie was shot in Lake Havasu City , Arizona , which is currently home to the real London Bridge .

1950's Slang Referenced in This Story”

nifty bent eight : a cool car

Squaresville : something that is considered boring or “uncool”

hip to the jive : knows what is going on

cheery rod : cool car

go for pinks : a drag race where the winner takes ownership of the loser's vehicle

the heat : the police

cruisin' for a bruisin : asking for trouble

I hope everyone enjoyed reading this story as much as I enjoyed writing it. Last summer, I helped a friend restore a 1952 Nash convertible. In January, we purchased a 1959 Plymouth Fury Sport Coupe exactly like the one Louisa gives to Chet and Rachel. And, yes, it looks just like the car in the Stephen King book and movie, Christine. As far as we can tell, it is not possessed!!!!!