Vanished
It was one of those days. C-Shift was on a run when A-Shift arrived for duty. Captain Hank Stanley held roll call and made assignments. The crew began their chores since there wasn't anything else they could do until C-Shift got back. It was almost 0900 before the trucks were returned to quarters. A very weary crew disembarked the vehicles and headed for the locker room.
Roy passed Dwyer en route to the kitchen."Bad run?"
Dwyer just shook his head."No, just really long. The whole shift was like that. I can't remember when we've had that many calls, back-to-back." Dwyer seemed dead on his feet.
"How are the supplies?"
"Man, they are low. I think we used just about everything. Roy, you wouldn't believe the stupid things we got called out on last night. No real emergencies. Most of those people could have applied first aid or driven themselves to the ER!" Dwyer was frustrated and agitated.
"Then I guess Johnny and I had better head over to Rampart before we get a run."
"Yeah. Listen, I am beat. I think I'll sleep until my next shift. See ya." Dwyer turned a weary hand in Roy's direction and staggered into the locker room.
Johnny came out of the kitchen, munching on an apple."What's up with Dwyer?"
"Rough shift. We're gonna make a run to Rampart. They haven't had a chance to restock the supplies."
A grin spread across Johnny face. Ah, a chance to charm a few nurses."Well, let's go, partner."
Roy walked over to the office and stuck his head in the door and let the captain know where they were going."Okay, Roy, but don't take all morning. I've got a few drills I'd like to go over before lunch."
"Sure thing, Cap."Roy got into the squad as Johnny informed dispatch that they timed out to Rampart. As they pulled into traffic, Roy glanced down at the gages and frowned. "Boy, they not only ran low on supplies but the tank's nearly on empty," he commented sourly.
Johnny sat up and peered across at the needle."Figures. We'll probably get out in the middle of nowhere and run out of gas. Even my dates don't buy that excuse."
"Well, don't speak too loudly, Junior. You might just get your wish," Roy warned. Johnny just made a face.
The ER was unusually quiet when they arrived and made their way to the nurse's station."Hi Dix!" Johnny greeted.
Dixie McCall, the head ER nurse, looked up from her paper work and smiled at the two paramedics."Hi guys. What brings you here so early?"
"C-shift," Roy stated simply.
"Oh yeah, Linda told me they had a busy night on the street. Can you believe that of all the runs they had last night, not one required them to come in to the ER?"
"Yeah, that's what Dwyer was telling me this morning," Roy said.
"Well, I for one hope it stays quiet," Johnny added as he poured some coffee.
"Let's see if we can get you guys resupplied." Dixie smiled as Roy rattled off a long list of items that they needed. They were just finishing up when the alarm in the base station went off. Dixie rushed into the small room and picked up the phone. Roy and Johnny waited to see what the call was all about as Dr. Joe Early walked up.
"Good morning, guys."
"Morning Doc."
Dixie opened the door."Joe, Brice is on the line. They have an overdose," she stated simply. Joe nodded and excused himself and hurried into the room.
Just then Roy's HT summoned them."Squad 51. Are you available?"
Roy responded. "10-4 LA."
"Standby 51." They picked up their supplies and headed for the squad."Squad 51 in place of Squad 18. Unknown type rescue involving a child. J&R Ranch. 11135 LaTresize Lane. One one one three five LaTresize Lane. Time out 0943."
"10-4 LA." Roy looked over at Johnny. That was clear on the other side of the district.
Johnny looked up the address on the map once they got back in the squad."Man, Roy, that's going to take us over 20 minutes to get there."
"I know. That address, isn't that somewhere near Station 69?"
"Yeah." He checked the map again. "They're probably within five miles."
"That's good. If it turns out we need help, they'll be close."
Johnny nodded in agreement. He really hated having to cross so much territory. Especially when it was an unknown type rescue.
###
Twenty-five minutes later they pulled up to the ranch style house. A young woman, of about 30 years of age, rushed out of the house and up to Johnny's window. "Thank goodness you're finally here!" Fear was etched in her pretty features.
Roy and Johnny exited the squad and grabbed their gear as Johnny asked her what the problem was."I'm Penny Davis. It's my son, Bobby. He's stuck on the roof of the stable." She explained as she led them out to the back. As they came around, they could see a small boy of about 8 years of age, clinging to crest of the roof.
"What happened? How'd he get up there?" Johnny wanted to know as he tilted back his helmet to apprise the situation.
"There's a ladder over on the side. It must have fallen down. Bobby had seen some of the older kids jumping off the loft into the hay. He kept saying he wanted to do it too but I never dreamed he'd actually try it. Now he's up there and he's scared stiff. He hasn't move a muscle for over an hour."Roy glanced over at her questioningly.
"I tried to get him down myself, first. But I'm afraid of heights. I got up to the roof but I couldn't make myself get on it and he wouldn't let go to come to me. I just didn't know what else to do so I called the fire department," she explained as she led them to where the ladder now lay on the ground.
"You did the right thing, ma'am," Roy reassured her. "That's what we're here for."
Johnny picked up the ladder and placed it up against the building. It was an old, wooden ladder. It had obviously been left outside in the elements. He put one foot on the first rung to test it. He looked over at Roy and shook his head."I dunno Roy. It might hold my weight and then again it might not. I'm more worried that it won't hold me and the boy."
"Let me see if Engine 69 is available. They can be here in five minutes." He picked up the HT. "LA. Squad 51."
"Go ahead Squad 51."
"Respond Engine 69 to our location to assist in a roof rescue."
"10-4, 51."
Roy and Johnny tried talking to the young boy but they got no response. Roy set up the bio-phone and contacted Rampart."Rampart, this is Squad 51. How do you read?"
"Go ahead 51," Dixie's voice answered.
"Rampart, we have a male child, age about 8 years, stuck on a roof."
"Do you have any vitals?"
"Negative, Rampart. We haven't been able to reach him yet. He doesn't seem to be injured, just very scared."
"10-4, 51. Advise us of any change. Do you have an ETA on reaching the boy?"
"Uh, Rampart, we're waiting on an engine company. ETA should be about 5 minutes."
"10-4, 51. Rampart standing by."
Roy put down the hand set and walked over to Johnny and the boy's worried mother. "Mrs. Davis, you might try talking to him. Maybe he won't be so scared," Roy suggested.
She nodded and started to tell the boy that the firemen would be coming up to help him get down. Bobby didn't respond. He didn't move an eyelash. Johnny and Roy exchanged worried glances. They worried that perhaps the boy had gone into a catatonic state.
Sirens announce the arrival of Station 69. Johnny jogged out front to meet them at Captain John Gallagher swung down from the rig."Hey, Cap, John Gage," he introduced himself. "We're going to need a ladder. We've got a kid up on the roof. Too scared to come down."
The captain shook John's extended hand."Good to meet you Gage. I've heard good things about your work." He turned to Jerry Thompson, one of the firemen disembarking from the cab of the Ward LaFrance engine."Jerry, you and Fess grab the ladder and bring it around back," he ordered.
The fireman nodded as Fess Myers came around the back of the engine. The two men grabbed the ladder down and headed for the stable. Captain Gallagher walked back with Johnny."You guys need anything else?"
"No, we've got our safety belts and lines already back there."
They joined Roy and Mrs. Davis. As soon as Johnny had his gear on, he ascended the ladder to the roof. He carried the spare belt and a coil of rope with him. He eased himself across the high pitch of the roof."How ya do'n Bobby?" he asked softly as he straddled the roofline, inching himself closer.
Bobby's body was trembling with fear and when Johnny spoke, he started, moving forward almost a foot, inches now from the edge of the roof. Mrs. Davis involuntarily screamed as she watched him so close to the edge. Roy and the other firemen watched helplessly. Captain Gallagher turned to Fess and Jerry and ordered them to bring out the safety net. They hustled out to the rig.
Johnny caught his breath as he saw the small boy move forward."Easy, Bobby. I'm a fireman. My name is Johnny and I'm here to help you down, okay?"
"I'm sca...scared," Bobby stuttered.
"I know, Bobby. I know. It's pretty scary up here. Is it okay if I help you down?"
"NO!!!" Bobby hissed. It was a whisper but it spoke volumes.
"It's okay, Bobby," Johnny spoke soothingly. "I've got a special belt here that I want to put around your waist."
"NO! I'll fall!" Bobby sobbed.
Johnny inched forward. He saw the two other firemen coming back with the safety net. He felt relieved to know that there was an alternative should Bobby fall from the edge. They positioned themselves below the point of the roof. "No Bobby, I won't let you fall," Johnny promised. He moved closer. Bobby was so close now. But the fear was overpowering the small boy. A little closer and he'd have him. Mrs. Davis clutched at her throat, stifling a cry. Five pairs of eyes were riveted on the drama on the roof.
Johnny reached forward with his hand to grab the back of Bobby's pants. As if Bobby could sense movement, he lurched forward, rolling to the side. Johnny jumped to grab as Bobby turned, slipping from his reach, tumbling down the pitch of the roof. Mrs. Davis screamed as Roy ran forward, positioning himself in the path of Bobby's dissent. He braced himself and caught the child in his arms, the impact knocking them both to the ground.
Captain Gallagher and his men rushed with Mrs. Davis over to Roy, who was still holding on to Bobby. Roy had had the wind knocked out of him and was trying to sit up and determine if the child was okay. Bobby wailed, crying out for his mother, who gathered him up in her arms, sobbing with relief.
Johnny made his way back down to the ladder and was back on the ground by the time, Jerry had helped Roy to his feet. "You okay?" he asked when he saw how pale Roy's face was.
"Got the wind...knocked out," Roy replied breathlessly.
Satisfied, Johnny turned his attention to Bobby who was clinging tightly to his mother. "How about you, Bobby? Are you okay?"
Bobby turned a sniffling face toward Johnny, nodding slightly, his bottom lip quivering. Johnny could see a number of scrapes on Bobby's face and arms from the rough shingles of the roof as he fell."Ma'am, we can check him out if you'll let me look at him."
Mrs. Davis nodded. She let Johnny help her release his grip on her neck and sat him down on the lawn. Captain Gallagher seeing that the paramedics had things under control, took their leave to return to their quarters. The ambulance arrived and the attendants came around to see if they were needed. Roy motioned them to stand by as he contacted Rampart again.
"Rampart. This is Squad 51."
"Go ahead, 51." Dr. Morton's voice answered.
"Rampart. The boy is off the roof. He's suffered some cuts and contusions. We're doing our exam now."
Johnny ran his fingers quickly over Bobby's small frame. He winced when Johnny palpitated the left wrist. Johnny double checked it and looked over at Roy. "It doesn't seem to be broken but there's tenderness and swelling."
"Rampart. The boy's left wrist is tender and swelling but it doesn't seem to be fractured. Stand by for vitals." Johnny finished taking the readings and Roy relayed them to the hospital.
"10-4, 51," Dr. Morton answered. "Splint the wrist and finish dressing the cuts. Transport when ready."
"10-4, Rampart." Johnny was already putting a splint on the wrist. He kept a worried eye on Roy. Roy still seemed a bit breathless. But he turned to the mother. "Mrs. Davis. The hospital has instructed us to transport Bobby. They'll want to x-ray his wrist and make sure it isn't broken. He seems fine except for that and these bumps and bruises."
"Can I ride in with him?" she asked, not wanting to be far from her child.
"You'll probably want to follow the ambulance in so you'll have a ride home. They won't be using the lights and sirens. They'll be taking him to Rampart General. Dr. Morton will be waiting for you."
"Thank you. Thank you so much." She turned to Roy. "And thank you especially for catching my baby." She gave him a hug and Roy blushed. "No problem, ma'am," Roy said modestly. His upper body felt sore. He was sure he'd be bruised in the morning.
They placed Bobby on the stretcher and carried him to the awaiting ambulance. He perked up at the thought of getting to ride in a real ambulance. Johnny set the drug box and bio-phone in the back of the ambulance and stepped back. Roy hesitated.
"You go in with him and have the Doc check you out," Johnny suggested.
"I'm fine," Roy protested.
"I know you're fine but you had the wind knocked out of you, so humor me and have the Doc check you out."
"Fine! I'll get checked out. Happy?" Roy snapped as he climbed into the ambulance. He knew Johnny was right. He just didn't want to admit it.
Johnny started to close the doors and stopped as a thought occurred to him. "Hey, Roy."
Roy looked up, questioningly."Yeah?"
"Since we're so close to 69s and the tank's practically on fumes, why don't I run over there and fuel up before I meet you back at Rampart?"
Sure. Just don't stay for lunch. I don't want to spend all day at the hospital."
"Hey, by the time you get through getting checked out, I'll probably be pulling up in the parking lot," he promised.
"See ya later," Roy said as Johnny shut the doors.
The ambulance pulled out with Mrs. Davis following in her car. Johnny cleaned up the site and put the equipment back into the compartments of the squad. He slid into the driver's seat, buckled up before starting the engine. Then he headed back down to the main road, turning left.
He picked up the mike. "LA. Squad 51 out of service to Station 69 to refuel."
"10-4, 51."
He headed up the hilly grade, leaning his arm out the window, enjoying the view as the road curved around. He wondered to himself what it would be like to make this drive each shift. Station 69 was somewhat secluded in the Malibu area, located in the middle of a section that was frequently plagued with brush fires.
As he steered the squad around a blind curve, Johnny was shocked to see an oncoming car in his lane. The hill blocked him to his right. He laid on the horn and swerved to the left. The blast of the horn startled the woman driver awake. She saw the red truck in front her and she slammed on the brakes. She pulled the steering wheel to the right and shut her eyes and screamed, waiting for the impact. Johnny, seeing the car coming at him again, tried to maneuver out of her way.
He felt the wheels spin as he hit the gravel on the shoulder, then as the back wheels left the road, he pulled the steering wheel back to the right, over compensating. He lost control and the squad careened over the edge. He struggled to hold the wheel as it bounced down the embankment. Somewhere between that moment and when the squad came to rest, precariously, on the rocks some 50 feet below the road, Johnny cracked his forehead on the steering wheel and lost consciousness.
At the same time, the woman felt as if she was flying. Literally she was, the car left the road and sailed over the embankment. It hit the ground with a jolt. She kept her foot on the brake and screamed as the vehicle slid down, crashing through the underbrush, finally stopping imbedded in its thickness. She shuddered a moment as she realized, with relief, that the car had stopped and she wasn't dead. Suddenly she felt light-headed as she slumped over in a dead faint.
It was a miracle that the vehicles had not impacted. They rested a couple of hundred feet apart, some fifty feet, unseen, below the road's edge. There had been no guardrail protecting the curve. From the road's surface there was scarcely any indication that anything was amiss. A patch of gravel appeared somewhat grooved. But there were no telltale skid marks. Nothing indicated to anyone passing by that an accident rested just out of sight.
###
Roy sat in the Doctor's lounge, impatiently waiting for Johnny to show up. It had been over an hour since Dr. Brackett had checked him over. He checked his watch. 'Damn, Johnny. What'd you do? Stay for lunch? ' He drained the last of the coffee in his mug. Washed the cup out in the sink and headed down to the nurse's station."Hey, Dix."
"Roy, you're still here?" Dixie was surprised.
"Yeah. Johnny hasn't showed up yet. Mind if I use the phone to call 69's?"
"69's? Why?"
"Oh, Johnny was going over there to refuel since it was so close to that last call," Roy explained. "I think it would be better if I used a phone." He held up the HT and rubbed his shoulder. It was feeling a bit sore. Just then the HT crackled to life.
"Squad 51? What is your status?" Roy hesitated waiting to hear Johnny respond. There was only silence."Squad 51, do you read?"
Roy put the HT to his mouth. "LA, this is HT51."He gave Dixie a worried look.
"HT51 what is your status?"
"LA, I'm at Rampart, waiting on Squad 51."
"HT51, is Squad 51 still out of service?"
Roy hesitated again, unsure what to say. "Affirmative LA. Squad 51 is overdue at this location."
"10-4, HT51. Standby."
Roy could feel his chest tightening. He had a bad feeling. He wasn't even aware that Dixie had placed a call to Station 69 and was speaking to Captain Gallagher. She held her hand over the receiver and looked at Roy. "Roy, I've got Captain Gallagher for you."
Roy picked up the phone. "Hello, Captain. This is Paramedic Roy DeSoto. ...Yes, from the roof rescue...Oh, he's going to be fine. He's already been released." Roy listened a moment and then had to interrupt. "Excuse me, Captain. Did my partner show up over there to refuel?" He listened. "Yes, I'll hold."
He looked over at Dixie, who waited for him to tell her something. He held his hand over the mouthpiece. "He said that they just returned from a fire. He's going to check the log for the pump."He felt awkward holding the phone in one hand and the HT in the other, fervently praying for some kind of an answer.
"Yes sir. I'm still here...It hasn't? No, sir. Thank you checking. I'll contact my Captain." He hung up the phone. The worry in his eyes was evident as he looked at Dixie. "He hasn't been there," he told her, his voice barely a whisper. Where the hell was his partner?
The HT crackled again."HT51."
"HT51, go ahead LA."
"We've been unable to raise Squad 51. Headquarters requests you contact Chief McConikee on his car phone."
"10-4 LA."
Dixie turned the phone around for Roy to use as the landline rang in the base station. She rose and entered the room and answered the ringing line. Through the window, she could see Roy speaking to the Chief.
"Rampart ER, Miss McCall speaking," she answered crisply.
"Dixie? It's Hank Stanley."
"Hi, Hank. How can I help you?" She felt she knew the answer but she waited.
"Is DeSoto there?"
"Yes, Roy's here. He's on the phone with Chief McConikee right now."
"What's going on? What's this about the squad? Has something happened to Johnny?" The worry in his voice was evident. Apparently he had been monitoring the transmissions for some time.
"We don't know, Hank. We know about as much as you do."
There was a moment of silence as the Cap absorbed this information."Dixie, would you have Roy call me as soon as possible?"
"Sure, Hank."
"Thanks. Bye."
"Bye, now." She hung up the phone and returned to the nurse's station. She placed a comforting hand on Roy's arm. It was trembling as he hung up the phone."What did the Chief have to say?"
Roy's shoulders slumped a bit. Dixie guided him over to sit down in her chair. "They've reported the Squad and Johnny missing to the police. They'll put out an all points bulletin. A search and rescue team is being organized at Station 69."
"That makes sense," Dixie said. Roy looked at her, puzzled.
"Well, that's where Johnny was headed when he disappeared. Hopefully he's there, somewhere between Station 69 and your last rescue."
"Dix, I have a bad feeling about this. Something has to be really wrong for Johnny not to call in. I mean, if he ran out of gas or had a flat tire, he'd call it in. It's like he's just vanished." Roy felt bewildered.
"I know how you feel, Roy. This isn't like Johnny. Your captain just called on the landline. He wants you to call."
"Yeah? Okay. I'll call in a minute. The Chief said he was calling him next. Dixie, I feel so helpless. I need to be doing something!"
Dixie gave Roy an understanding look and rested her hand on his shoulder."Try not to worry too much, Roy. Have faith that it will be okay."
Roy reached up and placed his hand over Dixie's and gently squeezed. He knew she understood."Thanks, Dixie. I'll try."He rubbed his eyes and stared off into space, trying to make some sense of what was happening.
He picked up the phone and dialed the station. The Cap picked it up on the first ring. He had already talked to the Chief. The engine crew was being deployed to the search area. They would swing by the hospital and pick Roy up in a few minutes. Roy waited impatiently, anxious to get started.
###
When she came to, Lisa Lansing felt disoriented. She found herself sprawled across the front seat of her car, her seat belt still holding her in place. She sat up, her head spinning with the movement. She looked at the cracked windshield and out at a forest of brush and remembered going off the road. She tried to think. There was something else. Wasn't there another vehicle? Yes, there was.
She turned and tried to look out the back window. The entire car appeared to be buried in brush. She pulled the latch on the car door and it popped open. She had to push hard against the door to open it enough to slip through the opening. She fell on her knees in the dirt beside the car. The movement hurt her knees. She had to crawl past the car to get out of the brush. Finally she could stand. She looked up the steep embankment to where she knew the road had to be. She realized that if she couldn't see the road then they probably couldn't see her. She wondered how long she had been unconscious. She wondered what happened to the red truck. She needed to get help. She looked around and began walking away from her car. Maybe the truck was nearby.
She was about to give up when she spotted a patch of red through the brush. She started running, scared at the thought of what she might find but more scared at what she wouldn't find. The ground slipped beneath her foot and she felt her left ankle roll over with a crunch. She cried out in pain as she landed on the ankle's side and she fell to the ground. She rubbed it quickly, trying to ease the pain. Gingerly, she rose to her feet and limping, continued towards the truck.
The squad was resting upon a boulder at an angle that placed the passenger side above the driver's. Compartment bays had opened and the contents lay scattered on the ground. The driver's door was ajar. Johnny's seat belt had kept him from falling out. Lisa approached the vehicle fearfully. She reached out and took a hold of Johnny's left wrist as it dangled below him. He had a pulse. She reached up and rested her hand on the doorframe. The squad wobbled at her touch. It occurred to her that it might roll over. The fireman was unconscious. He had a nasty cut on his forehead and dried blood clung to his face, hair and blue shirt. What if he woke up and started to move around, she wondered. Would that cause the truck to roll? She wondered if she could move him. Who was she kidding? How would she move a man? Especially with the truck so unstable. But did she dare not move him? It was obvious that help might not be coming for some time.
Looking around the squad, she looked for something that might help her. She found a wooden board lying on the ground. It appeared to have a couple of handholds and straps. She wasn't sure what it was for but figured it was worth a try. She carried it around and placed it up, bracing it against the open door frame. She reached across and carefully released Johnny's seat belt. The release caused Johnny to slide downward suddenly. Lisa wasn't really ready for the dead weight of his body as he slid towards her. Pushing her shoulder beneath his, she lowered herself down and Johnny came down gradually, the backboard serving as a guide.
The squad rocked threateningly as it adjusted to the change of weight. Lisa put her arms under Johnny's armpits and dragged him towards the back of the vehicle as quickly as she could. They had just cleared the back of the truck when she heard the radio come to life as dispatch tried to raise the squad again. She got up and went back to the cab. Looking in, she could see the radio and the mike, just out of reach. All she needed was a few inches. Then she could get them help. She reached up and tried to dislodge the mike. The movement caused squad lurched and it began to roll. She froze as it encased her. Then suddenly it was rolling over her. The seat had made a pocket and she passed through it, unscathed. The squad continued to roll down into the ravine. It came to rest with its wheel skyward. Lisa shook as she looked at the crumpled truck and how close she had come to going down with it.
She went back to check on the fireman. She read his name badge. Gage. She shook his shoulder."Mr. Gage. Hello. Mr. Gage. Can you hear me?" she shouted. There was no response. Just then she heard a vehicle pass on the road above. She ran over and shouted upwards, "HELP! SOMEONE HELP US!"
The sound of the motor faded. She felt helpless. Unless she could get up to the road, they might never find them. The midday sun was beating down unmercifully now. She began to realize that she was hungry as well as thirsty. The fireman looked to be in an uncomfortable position. She thought perhaps that she should try to reposition him. He looked hot in the bright sunlight. He needs to be in the shade she thought. She began to look around at the contents from the squad to see if there was something that she could use. She found a couple of bottles of sterile water. She was so thirsty. Would it be safe to drink? She read the ingredients and decided it would be. She opened the bottle and drank deeply. She replaced the cap and carried the bottles over beside Johnny's limp form.
Then she found a package that seemed to contain a yellow blanket. She opened it and realized that she could spread it over some of the brush and create a shelter from the relentless sun. But she had to move Johnny again. It was harder this time but she managed to move him back a couple of feet. For such a skinning looking guy, he was heavier than he looked.
After she had him moved she took the yellow blanket and arranged it over the brush creating a shaded shelter. She crawled under the cover and scooted up beside Johnny's head. She took a piece of gauze that she had found and poured some of the water unto it. Carefully, she began to clean Johnny's head wound. It wasn't bleeding now and she found the dried blood unsettling. She shifted over and placed Johnny's head in her lap. Soon she had his face cleaned up.
Not a bad looking guy, she thought. She raked her fingers through his hair. She could tell that this was hair that had a life of its own. Wild and unruly. Probably much like the man himself. She wished he would wake up. She felt so alone, so helpless. It was hot, even in her makeshift shade. She felt herself growing drowsy. Someone was bound to be looking for the fireman and his little truck. Surely they would find them. She leaned back and laid her arm across her eyes. She was so tired. Just a little rest. She'd sleep. Just for a little while.
###
Station 69 had become a beehive of activity. Engine 51 was parked on the right side of the driveway. The Chief had set up a command post in the day room. There the officers pored over a detailed map of the district, examining the search area. They divided the area into a grid and the Chief made assignments.
The various search crews left for their designated areas and began to search. The sun rose high in the sky, and the search was painstakingly slow. The area to be covered was undeveloped and thick with brush. Off duty firemen converged on the station to help with the search as word spread through department that one of their own was missing.
Captain Stanley looked down at the hillside of brush of their assigned grid. You could hide a city under all that brush, he thought woefully. If Johnny had gone off the road, they might not even be able to spot him even if he was right under their noses. As Mike slowly inched the engine along, the rest of his crew moved down the road, watching for any type of a sign that might be a clue as to what had happened. It felt futile. He pulled out a canteen and swallowed a mouthful of tepid water. The Chief had insisted that every man carry water with him. They didn't need anyone having a heat stroke. The day was turning hot.
Roy looked up from this searching when he heard the helicopter. He searched the sky for its direction and watched as Chopper 10 flew in low, above the searchers. At least it wasn't a news chopper. That was all they needed-a media circus. He hoped that they would have a better handle of the situation. The chopper passed close to their location, circled and flew back the way they had come in. Roy felt a wave of hope as he watched the chopper return to make another pass.
###
Lisa awoke with a start to the sound of the chopper flying over. As she moved her legs out from under Johnny's head, he moaned. 'Oh dear, I hope I haven't hurt him,' she thought, worriedly. She got to her feet and crawled out into the opening, searching for the helicopter. Shading her eyes with her hand, she gazed upwards, listening for it. She rewarded a moment later as the machine hovered above her. She waved her arms wildly, screaming at them, hoping she had their attention.
Jess Franklin, the pilot of Chopper 10, spotted the yellow blanket first and then the young woman, gesturing beside it. He flipped on the PA."We see you miss. Help is on the way," he announced to her. She waved back that she understood. Then he switched over to report to Chief.
###
Hank's HT crackled in his pocket. He fished it out."Base to Search 51."
"Search 51," he responded. He held his breath.
"51, Chopper 10 has located an accident site at Point 75 on the grid. He spotted a woman next to a yellow blanket. He told her we're on our way. He reports seeing the squad near the bottom of the ravine."
Hank hesitated. "And my man?"
"Don't know yet, Hank. Get your men over to the site. The terrain is steep there and it may take some time to get down to the woman."
"10-4. Search 51 out." The rest of the crew had gathered during the transmission. They mounted the rig and Mike headed the engine to the crash site.
Other search teams were pulling up as Mike brought the big rig to a halt at the edge of the curve. The Cap swung down and peered over the edge. The brush blocked his view. Damn, was this the right spot? The other men were trying to see as well. Hank picked the HT."Search Base, this Search 51. We're at the designated location. Can Chopper 10 swing by and give a visual confirmation?"
"10-4 Search 51. Stand by."
Moments later the chopper hovered above them. Jess radioed to the Cap."Captain Stanley, the woman is located approximately 50 feet below your location. I'd estimate the squad another hundred feet below her."
"10-4 Chopper 10. Thanks."
The men deployed around the edge and prepared to send Roy and Brice down the side by rope. Roy was anxious as he moved down the hill. Not knowing about Johnny was gnawing at him. He looked over at Brice, who operated business as usual. Roy often wondered how anyone could keep emotions under such control.
They quickly reached the area where Lisa stood, anxiously awaiting their arrival. "Thank goodness you're here!" she exclaimed.
The men disentangled themselves from their safety line and hurried over to the woman."Are you hurt, miss?" Brice asked first.
Lisa shook her head; "I don't think so but he's..." her voice trailed off as Roy pushed past her.
"Johnny!" He knelt down beside his partner and quickly assessed his condition as felt for a pulse. Relief swept over him as Johnny softly moaned.
"Cap?" he yelled into the HT.
"Go ahead, Roy."
"Johnny's here and he's alive. We're going to need a couple of stokes, backboard, c-collar and our equipment."
"10-4. Do you need any more manpower?"
"Negative, Cap. I think Brice and I can handle it."
"10-4. Equipment is on it's way down."
Brice had seated Lisa on the ground and was checking her vitals as Roy check out Johnny. He was relieved that for once, Johnny seemed to have survived without a multitude of injuries. He was surprised to find that the injury to his forehead seemed to be the most serious. He found bruising across his abdomen, obviously from the seat belt and smiled to himself. Johnny hated wearing that seat belt but had been complying with the county regs to do so. Roy felt thankful that he had this time. He still hadn't seen any sign of the woman's vehicle or the squad. He wondered just how bad it was.
In no time, it seemed, they had contacted Rampart and had IVs in place and had moved Lisa and Johnny to the road above. Brice rode in one ambulance with Lisa as Roy climbed into another with Johnny. All the men allowed themselves to relax as the ambulances hurried their cargo off. The Chief released Hank's crew to return to quarters, leaving the crew from 69 to perform cleanup. Many of the volunteers stayed behind to help.
Johnny began to wake up on the ride in to the hospital. Roy was checking his vitals again."Roy?" his voice felt raspy.
"Hey, partner. How's the head?"
"Hurts...what happened?"
"Oh, you just drove off a mountain."
"What...?" Johnny felt confused.
"Don't worry about it now, Junior. I'll tell you later."
"Kay." Johnny closed his eyes. His head was killing him and he winced with pain.
"We'll be at Rampart in about 10 minutes," Roy told him. Johnny nodded his head almost unperceivably. Roy finally felt like he could relax. Lisa had told him and Brice about the accident while they waited to move them to the road. He was amazed that even knowing where her car rested, he still couldn't see it. He still had no idea where the squad had landed.
###
Johnny was resting comfortably in his room at Rampart the next morning when the door swung open and Roy sauntered in."How ya doing?" he greeted, a big smile on his face.
Johnny grinned back. "I'm okay. Head hurts like hell but I'm doing okay."
"That's great. Did you see the news this morning?"
Johnny shook his head. "Naw. I was asleep up until a few minutes ago. Dr. Brackett was by to check on me. Says I can go home tomorrow. What was on the news?"
Roy sat down on the empty bed beside Johnny's."Your accident. They showed the recovery of the squad."
"Really? Gee, I'm sorry I missed that. How bad is the squad?"
"It's history. The whole frame is crushed in."
"What!? How'd you get me out of it?"
"We didn't."
Johnny's jaw dropped open and he stared at Roy."What do you mean?"
"The other driver pulled you out before it crashed to the bottom of the ravine."
"Damn. That was close."
"It sure was, partner. It sure was."
There was a knock at the door and Lisa pushed it open."Am I interrupting?" She smiled as she carried in a box of candy.
"No, no. Come in, Lisa," Roy told her. Johnny looked at the attractive young woman and then back at his partner, confused. Roy made the introductions. "Johnny this is Lisa Lansing. Lisa, my partner John Gage."
She reached forth her right hand and took Johnny's in hers."It's good to see you awake. I've been worried," she told him and handed him the box of chocolates. Roy brought over a chair so she could get off her feet and rest her sprained ankle.
Johnny was still confused. Roy had a twinkle in his eye."Johnny, Lisa was the other driver."Johnny narrowed his eyes at Roy. Surely this woman, no, this girl, couldn't have possibly been the other driver.
But Lisa spoke."I just wanted to stop by and tell you how sorry I am about the accident. I've been going to the school full time and working nights. I was on my way home yesterday and I guess I fell asleep at the wheel. All I remember is hearing the blast of a horn and sailing off the road. When I woke up, I found you in your truck. It seemed so unstable, I thought I had better get you out of it. Good thing I did, cause there isn't much left of it now."
Johnny still couldn't believe that she could have done it unassisted but he realized that often people under duress could move mountains."Well, thank you, Lisa. I guess I owe you my life."
"I'm just grateful you'll be okay."
"And how about you? I noticed you're limping."
"Dr. Morton says it's just a sprain. I'll be out running other guys off the road in no time," she joked.
"Well, listen, Johnny, I've got to go. Joanne'll skin me alive if I don't get home soon. The guys said they'd be by this afternoon to see ya."
"Sure, Roy. I'll see ya later."
"You going to need a ride home tomorrow?" He paused at the door.
Johnny tore his eyes away from Lisa to look at his partner."Uh, I'm not sure. I'll call you if I do." He smiled crookedly at Roy and then back at Lisa. Roy smiled back, knowingly and closed the door.
(Author's note: I figured Johnny deserved a break (pun intended) since he tends to get pretty injured in these stories. Been enjoying the FanFic that I've read. Would like hearing comments from you. Thanks.)
"Vanished" ©1999 Nancy Thysell. "Emergency!" and its characters © Mark VII Productions, Inc. All rights reserved. No infringement of any copyrights or trademarks is intended or should be inferred. This is a work of fiction, and any similarity to actual persons or events is purely coincidental.
NOTICE: The layout and HTML formatting on this page are the property of Two Chickies Fan Fiction. They may NOT be used on any other fan fiction site and any such use constitutes HTML theft. Additionally, this page may not be linked directly from any other site without the express written permission of the owners of Two Chickies Fan Fiction, and any such link must be acknowledged on the referring page. We urge you not to support any site that engages in such tactics, and to report any such usage to Marcia or Tangee.