UNUSUAL SUSPECTS

By Katy, Pat, Tangee, Kathy, Melissa, and Alice.

"Gage, I can't do that!"

"You are with the police department, right?"

"Well, yeah but..."

"You have to do this for me!"

"Johnny, I don't have to do anything for you. Besides, I'm only CHP. You have to get Malloy or Reed."

"They're only beat cops. They don't have the extensive reach that the CHP have."

"Get real, Gage. Maybe Lt. Crocket could help you. He's a detective. He can find things out better than I can." Jon Baker pleaded.

"Yeah but I trust you, Jon. I have to know who it is."

"Can't you just ask?"

"Are you kidding? That takes the fun out of it," he smiled. "With the computer you guys have there at CHP headquarters, you could probably find out a lot faster than I could asking around."

"If Sarge finds out..."

"He won't I promise!"

"Gage, why am I letting you talk me into this?"

"Maybe 'cause you like me!"

"I'm beginning to wonder why," Jon commented.

"Listen, Jon, I gotta know who's been sitting in front of my apartment building for the past few nights. I can't knock on the window and ask Hi! Would you like to have dinner with your stakeout? It's pretty obvious that it's a police car," Gage stated.

"Oh?" scoffed Jon, raising his eyebrows. "How can you tell?"

"It's got that spotlight hanging off the side," Johnny replied. "Besides, no chick, that good looking, would ever come visit any of the guys in my building. They're all a lot older...and married. I gotta know if she's married."

Jon sighed. "I'll see what I can find out. But, you owe me BIG TIME for this one, Gage."

"All right," John commented, as he held up his hands. "Don't worry, when pay back time comes, Ol' Gage will be ready."

Later that evening, he showed up at Johnny's apartment, and hid in the bushes. Gage, why didn't you just get the license of the car, it would be easier that way, Jon thought. The blonde CHP officer was surprised when the car in question, pulled up across the street.

I must be nuts, he thought, watching the woman in the car. Why do I do anything for a crazy firefighter? He's going to get me into serious trouble with Sarge on this one. Why couldn't he get the license number? The woman in the car turned to look directly at him, or so it seemed. She is beautiful, he thought. Being on stakeout sure made a guy talk to himself a lot.

"Psst!" Jon froze. "Jon," that sounded like Ponch. He carefully turned, trying not to disturb the branches of the bush. "What are you doing in Gage's bushes?" Ponch whispered.

Jon whispered back. "Gage asked me to do something for him. Now, go away!"

"You'll hide in his bushes but you won't hide in mine? Boy, some partner you are!"

"Ponch! You've never asked me to hide in your bushes."

"Like that makes a difference."

"GO AWAY!" he replied in a forceful, husky whisper. "I know why you'll never make detective."

"Low blow, Jon," Ponch turned and walked down the sidewalk.

Baker shook his head and looked back at the woman in the car. All of a sudden, it dawned on him... What the hell was Ponch doing here? He lives 3 miles South of Johnny. Something drew his attention. There was a rustling behind him. He slowly turned, his heart thumping way in his chest.

"GAGE, what are you doing?" Jon whispered loudly.

"I've never been on a stakeout, and I wanted to see what it was like," he shrugged his shoulders, smiling. Baker sighed deeply as he thought to himself Boy; I'll never be good at this detective stuff if Gage and Ponch can find me. Johnny squatted in the brush, and elbowed Jon in the ribs. "Move over," he whispered.

Baker glowered at him, "First Ponch, now you. Just sit there and shut up!"

"Ponch was here?" Johnny asked, snickering. "He must still be seeing that strange chick in 3C. She’s different," Johnny shook his head. He looked over at the sedan, and nodded in its direction. "It’s a cop car. See the lamp on the side?"

Baker nodded. "I know she’s married," sounding a little wounded.

"Why?" Jon asked.

"The car is too clean!"

Baker glanced at John with a skepticism. "What? Too clean? Gage you’re nuts."

"Well, look at it," Gage replied. "Only a man would keep a car that clean. Women don’t pay attention to the external parts of a car. That car is so polished you can see yourself from here."

Baker shrugged, wondering how Roy put up with him for twenty-four hours. Roy should be first in line for sainthood when he dies, he thought. He continued watching the woman in the car. She opened the door and the two men’s mouths dropped open. She was a real knock out, a tall brunette in her mid-twenties. She looked both ways before crossing the street, and carefully approached the apartment building.

Both men ducked as they watched the woman approach. Johnny lost his balance, and fell against a branch. The beautiful leggy woman turned toward the rustling bushes. Busted, Jon thought. "Excuse me,"

"Oh, hi", Johnny responded, "we were, uh, looking for ah..." Baker found that Gage didn’t think well on his feet.

"His wallet," Jon jumped in. "He dropped his wallet."

"Oh. Well, do either of you know John Gage?" she asked.

"I'm John Gage." Johnny stood up, giving her his irresistible grin.

She smiled back. "Hi, I'm a process server." She thrust a paper at his chest. "Consider yourself served!" She winked, and started back to her car.

"What!" yelped Gage as he held the paper in his hand. He stared; open-mouthed, watching the woman head back to her car.

"What did you get yourself into now, Gage?" asked Baker. He looked at the forms in John's hand.

"I guess I'd better find out," John replied as he tore open the envelope. His mouth moved, but no words came out as John read the legal papers.

"So?" asked Baker, as he watched John's expression turn to one of relief. "Somebody naming you in a paternity suit?" The young paramedic glared at the CHP officer.

"NO. Remember when Roy and I were accused of stealing that old man's money?"

Baker nodded. "How could I forget? You were a basket case." Johnny sighed, rolling his eyes.

"I was NOT a basket case. This is a summons to testify in court." Johnny handed the paperwork over to Baker, and started towards his Land Rover. Jon slowly followed him, reading.

"Where are you going?" Baker asked. Johnny stopped, turned around, and waited for him.

"I am going to go see if Roy got one too."

"Wait a minute, Johnny. Its too late, they’ll all be asleep. You don’t want to wake the kids do you?" Johnny continued walking, totally ignoring the blond CHP officer. Jon grabbed the firefighter’s arm as he reached for the door latch. Johnny pulled his arm away from the strong grip.

"What’s the rush?" Baker asked. Johnny climbed into his vehicle, turning to look at him.

"Some things you just don’t discuss with outsiders," Gage made it clear to Baker that he didn’t want to talk with him about the summons. "Look," he tried to soften the statement. "I don’t want to testify in court." Johnny hesitated a moment, "I need to talk to Roy, even if it is late." Johnny shut the door and drove off in the direction of the DeSoto household.

Baker stood in the middle of the parking lot confused. What’s going on in Gage’s head? What could have him so freaked out? Is there something in his past, which he doesn’t want anyone to know about? Jon looked down at his hand, where he still held the summons. "Great, Gage forgot his summons." I won’t be able to get into his apartment, and I can’t leave this in his mailbox.

He looked at his watch, 8:30. Roy doesn’t live that far from here. If this is about what Gage is thinking that it’s about, then DeSoto would be up too, because he would have received his summons tonight as well. He started thinking. Ponch is in 3C. Maybe he'd help. I've already wasted this evening. Gage owes me. A hand on his shoulder startled him out of his thoughts. Jon turned to face the person that owned the hand.

"Ponch, don't do that!"

"Don't do what? I saw you standing here and thought you looked a tad lonely."

"You're date back out on you?"

"Naw, she’s flying out of town in an hour. I wanted to see her off. Whatcha got?" Ponch asked indicating the paper in Jon's hand.

"It's a summons for Gage."

"Paternity suit?" Ponch grinned.

"No, something about an old man and some stolen money."

"Oh, I remember that. Man, they were lucky. Hope that never happens to us."

"Yeah well, he shot out of here like he was on fire."

"Where did he go?"

"Over to his partner's house, think we should go give him his paperwork?" Jon asked.

"You driving or am I?"

"You can drive if you want."

"Good, I like my ride better."

"Thanks."

"You're welcome." They headed for Ponch's vehicle.

Meanwhile at the DeSoto’s, Joanne was in the process of getting the kids to bed, while Roy, like any other off duty ‘man’, had dozed off in his recliner. Even with the kids screaming, the wife yelling, the dog barking, and the T.V. blaring, he heard a car pulling up into the driveway. He jumped, startled by the squealing tires. He stood up, went to the window, and saw Johnny hurrying across the yard. Roy went to the door and opened it. He was dumbfounded at the terrified look in Johnny’s normally calm eyes.
"John Gage! What’s wrong? Why are you driving like a bat out of hell at this time of night?" Johnny took a deep breath. When he began to speak his voice had a timber that Roy recognized as fear.
 
 

"Roy, did you get served with a summons?"

"Yes." Roy stepped to the side and Johnny entered the house, petting Scruffy’s head. "Why are you so upset?" Closing the door behind his partner, they went into the living room, and sat down. Roy shut off the TV, amazed at the quietness that surrounded them. Johnny looked around and asked,

"Why is it so quiet?" And Roy rolls his eyes and laughs.

"You should have been here 5 minutes ago. Joanne must have gotten the kids into bed. So, explain why you’re squealing into my driveway at this time of night?" Johnny reached for the summons and couldn’t find it.

"Oh man, I must have left my summons with Jon. Roy, I can’t go to court! I can’t do this. There has got to be a way out of testifying." He got up and began pacing. Roy grabbed his arm and stopped the pacing.

"Jon Baker? Why does he have your summons, and why can't you go to court? Will you PLEASE tell me what you are talking about; we didn't do anything wrong!"

"I know that Roy; he was with me when I got served. I was so upset when I read it. I knew I had to get over here to talk to you, so I left in a hurry, and left the summons with him. When I was 17…"

"Why do you think Gage would get so shook up about testifying?" asked Jon as they headed towards Roy DeSoto's house. Ponch shrugged.

"I don't know. Maybe he's worried about time off from work, losing money. Or maybe he's afraid they'll still try to blame him for the missing money."

"You could be right," answered Jon, "a good defense attorney would try to shift the blame onto somebody else to get their client off. Roy and Johnny would be the perfect targets."

"They'd have to try to discredit their testimony somehow," said Ponch. "Roy and Johnny had to have clean records to join the Fire Department. They shouldn't have anything to worry about." Jon shrugged.

"Oh well, you know how Johnny can obsess about things sometimes." He spotted Johnny's Land Rover in Roy’s driveway, and pulled in behind it. "Let's see if we can get to the bottom of this." The two of them got out of the car and walked towards the DeSoto's front door.

Roy heard another car pull into his driveway. He glanced out the window and saw the two CHP officers walking up to the door. "Well, Jon and Ponch are here." He got up, went to the door, and opened it. Greeting Roy, the two officers entered the house. They looked at Johnny, who plopped down on the sofa, looking like he was about to faint.
"Sorry to bug you at this hour, Roy, but I wanted to return this to Johnny. I didn’t think I should leave it in his mailbox." Jon told him.
"Yeah," Ponch commented as he turned his attention to Johnny. "Gage, you sure have some pretty nosy neighbors. I see the curtains part every time I go over there."
Johnny didn't respond. He stared off into space, restlessly drumming his fingers on the armrest of the sofa. The tall blonde officer held the summons out to the dark haired paramedic. Johnny continued to stare and drum his fingers.
"Earth to Gage," Ponch waved his hand in front of Gage's face.
"Huh?" Johnny asked. He noticed the summons. "Thanks," he said sheepishly, taking the summons. "Sorry, didn’t mean to run out on you like that. I’m sorry I dragged you into this, and wasted your evening. I still owe you."

"Well," Baker sat down beside Gage on the sofa; "you can do me the favor of telling me what has you so spooked. You and Roy aren't in any trouble. You're just going to testify for the Prosecution." Ponch sat on the easy chair across from Roy. Joanne entered the room and sat on the arm of Roy's chair.

"Hi guys!" She looked at Johnny, who held the summons in his hand. "I see you got your summons, too." Johnny nodded.

"I can’t testify," he looked down at the paperwork in his hand. He looked into his partners’ eyes and found the strength to continue. "When I was 17, I was on my way home from a party when a police car passed me on the highway. They shined their spotlight into my truck, and passed on by. I watched as they pulled in front of me, and blocked the road with their car. Of course, I stopped and they pulled me out of the truck. They proceeded to throw me to the ground, handcuff me, and toss me into the back of their car. Then they took me to the station."

"Did they explain why?" asked Jon, thinking like a policeman. "There’s always a reason."

"They said I fit the description of a guy who robbed a gas station a couple of hours earlier," answered John. "Anyway, they photographed, fingerprinted, and threw me into a cell. When I asked about my phone call, they told me that they where short a handed, and had to put the regular jail deputy onto the road. They also said I’d get to use the phone when I get to use the phone." John sighed. "Needless to say, a couple of hours later, I got to use the phone. Nobody was home, and they wouldn't let me make another call until morning." Scruffy jumped up next to Johnny and lay down. Johnny began absently stroking the little dog’s head. "Shortly after I used the phone, I was taken to a small room with a table and a couple of chairs. An investigator came in and tossed some papers on the table. He was an older cop, and looked really seasoned, you know?" he looked at each one, and they all nodded, knowing what he meant. "Anyway, he sat down opposite me, and told me that it would be easier on me if I confessed." Johnny commented, shaking his head. "I still didn’t know what he was talking about. He said he knew I was guilty, and promised, since this was my first offense, he could get me probation. He also told me that no one would believe me, because in his words, ‘everybody knows that Indian’s are no good, lazy, drunks’. I was young and stupid. I believed what he told me."

"I thought you grew up on the reservation. Aren’t the Tribal Police better than that?" asked Joanne.

"These weren't Tribal cops," answered Johnny. "My friend who had the party lived off the reservation in the next town." Johnny scratched his head. "I told him that I didn’t do whatever it was they thought I did, and that I had been at a party with witnesses who could place me there. He called me a stinkin’ liar, and slapped me across the face." Johnny took a deep breath, "I told him that I wasn't lying, and that the only thing that stunk was his breath."

"That wasn't a smart thing to say," commented Roy.

"I know that, now. Like I said, I was young and stupid. He got up and left. A few minutes later, he returned with this big, burly cop. The guy told me that he would give me one last chance to confess. I told him again, that I had been at a party, and started to name witnesses," John shook his head. "He didn't like that. He nodded to the burly cop, who yanked me out of the chair, and pinned my arms behind me while the investigator walked over, standing inches from my face. He told me that he was through being 'Mr. Nice Guy' and the time had come to stop lying. He wanted the real story. I told him again that I wasn't lying, and he slapped me again." Johnny’s eyes went distant, like he was re-living it all over again. "Then he proceeded to try and beat a confession out of me. I didn't tell them anything, I couldn’t tell them anything, but they wouldn’t listen, and when I wouldn’t cooperate, they dragged me back to my cell, throwing me inside. I must have passed out, because the next thing I remember, I was being lifted, and dragged down the corridor. They stood me in a lineup with eight other men that looked a little like me. Six of us were tall, skinny, young, and dark haired. The guy on my left was a biker, with a hula dancer tattooed on his upper arm. The guy on my right was an Indian who didn't look anything like me. After we turned this way and that, I was taken to my cell. After several horrifying hours, a deputy opened the cell door and told me, I was free to go. The clerk couldn't identify anybody."

"Good Lord, Johnny," said Joanne. "No wonder you were so upset when this first happened. Your experience with our legal system sucks."

"Yeah," answered John. "I'm just afraid that when the time comes to testify, I'll be asked if I've ever been arrested. I'll have to say yes, and then the defense attorney will try to pin the whole thing on me. This isn't something I want to go public." Johnny looked over at his partner, "but I don't want to see the housekeeper get away with stealing that money, either."

"Were you ever formally charged with a crime?" Ponch asked.

"No, just fingerprinted, and photographed."

"And beaten," Joanne finished angrily.

"I think that as long as the prosecuting attorney knows the situation and he's not blind-sided by it on the stand he'll be able to counter anything that the defense can dream up. Maybe if the prosecutor starts out by asking first, they can stop any kind of finger pointing. You've never been accused of anything else have you, John?" Baker asked.

"No," Johnny responded.

"Not even drunk driving?" Ponch asked.

"No. Growing up on the reservation, I saw plenty of alcoholics and I didn't like the way they behaved.

They were obnoxious and rude. I know what it does to the family, and to the person who drinks. Drinking to get drunk is just stupid. I have gotten a couple of speeding tickets though, when I was younger."

"We've all gotten those," Jon told him.

"I'm with Jon on this one, Gage. I think if you tell the prosecution about the situation, he can get the paperwork from Montana and present it to the judge so that the finger isn't pointed at you. I really don't think you've got anything to worry about," Ponch told him.

"And the people who care about you already accept you for who you are, so why should it matter if they find out about this?" Joanne asked him.

"I don't know. I just don't want anyone to think that I would do anything like rob a gas station."

"We've already accepted you no matter what, partner. Just because you were accused doesn't mean you did it," Roy stated.

"You are innocent until proven guilty," Joanne commented. "I've known you for too many years, John Gage. If I didn't trust you I sure wouldn't let you take care of my kids," She gave him a reassuring smile and he smiled back, "or my husband."

"Let's all get some sleep. We'll go talk to the prosecutor in the morning Johnny, and see what he says." They all stood and headed for the door.

"Yeah," said Johnny as he stood at the DeSoto's door. "I guess I shouldn't be so worried about the whole thing," he shrugged, "after all, I could never have gotten into the Fire Department if I had a record." He brightened a little. "The records of my arrest may not even exist." John paused, "It's just that this whole thing has brought back so many bad memories. I don't know if I can trust the DA." Ponch clapped John on the back.

"Don't worry, man. We're all here for you."

"Yeah," Jon nodded, "besides, the DA isn't out to get you, they're out to nail the housekeeper. We can meet you at the DA's office around 10, if you want."

"Thanks," John said gratefully. "I'll treat for lunch."

"Isn't that a little early for lunch?" asked Roy.

"Remember, Honey, this is your partner we're talking about," Joanne laughed as she pointed to Johnny.

"I think he could eat a three course meal for lunch, then have a five course dinner. Your tapeworm must be well fed." John and the guys laughed as they said good-night.

Johnny was pacing the steps of the prosecutors’ office at 9:30 the next morning. Jon Baker stepped up and placed his hand on Gage's shoulder, which caused the paramedic to jump back.
"Relax, Gage, you don't have anything to worry about," Baker told him.

"Like that will help," Johnny remarked. He nodded as the other halves of their partnership joined them.

"Boy are you early," Roy commented. "I'll bet Captain Stanley would be impressed."

"He's a late one too?" Jon asked, looking at his partner. Roy nodded.

"I think it has something with the color of their hair." Roy smiled; hoping the teasing would break the tension in his partner.

"I agree," Baker returned the smile.

"That is not fair," Ponch began.

"I concur with Poncherello. Just because you're jealous of our hair, doesn't give you the right to demean us."

"Thank you, Gage, well put," Ponch responded.

"Take it easy partner, it was just a joke," Roy told him patting his shoulder. "Relax."

"I told him that already," the blond CHP officer replied. "Didn't do any good though."

"Shall we..." Ponch gestured towards the front door.

"I don't know," Johnny hesitated.

"It's best to get it over with," Roy commented, smiling.

"I'll bet you wouldn't say that if you were in my shoes," Johnny replied. He held his breath as his hand reached out and pushed the door open, stepping inside. The rest of the group followed on his heels.
"Baker, Poncherello," the attractive, dark-haired receptionist smiled as she surveyed the group. "What do you two want today?" she asked, with a hint of amusement in her voice.
"Us?" asked Ponch, as he leaned over the desk, returning her smile, sweetly. "Angela, I'm shocked. What makes you think we're after something?" Angela leaned closer to Ponch and inhaled the masculine aroma.

"The fact that you only wear that particular scent when you want a big favor, or a date. Gave it up, what do you want?" She looked at the two strangers, and nodded. "Who are your friends?" Ponch sat on the edge of the desk.

"These are paramedics Roy DeSoto, and John Gage. They're with the LA County Fire Department. Actually, Angela, we'd like to speak with the DA assigned to the Harrison case. These two were served last night. John has a matter that may be pertinent to his testimony, and the DA needs to know about it." Angela looked through a file on her desk.

"That would be Mr. Romanello." She looked up at the group. "I'll see if he's available." Angela picked up her phone and pressed several buttons.

"He's new, but I hear he's pretty good," Baker whispered reassuringly into Johnny’s ear. They heard her response and watched her hang up the phone.

"Okay, fellas, he's down the hall, the fourth door on the left." She winked at Ponch as he stood up. "Why don't you come back sometime when you're not looking a favor."

"You're on," Ponch responded. "How about dinner and that new disco movie on Saturday night?"

"Pick me up at six," Angela wrote something on a slip of paper. "Here's where." She gave the paper to Ponch. He smiled and put it into his pocket.

"I don't believe you," Johnny commented, as Ponch led the way down the hall.

"It's the old Poncherello charm, with a hint of the right scent," boasted Ponch, patting his breast pocket. "Gets ‘em every time."

"Sounds like Johnny," Roy muttered to Baker as they followed their partners down the hallway. Baker laughed and rolled his eyes as they stopped at the door.

"Here goes nothing," Johnny knocked on the door.

"Come in," was the response through the door. Johnny took another deep breath, turned the knob, and pushed the door in. "Ah, Mr. Gage?" A young, dark haired man stood and stepped around the desk. He stuck his hand out, and took the paramedic's hand, shaking it firmly. Johnny nodded and returned the greeting.

"Yes, and this is my partner, Roy DeSoto," he gestured towards his partner. The DA took Roy's hand and shook it as well.

"And your other two friends would be?"

"Oh sorry, Jon Baker, and Frank Poncherello, they are with the CHP."

"Bike cops by any chance?" The young man asked, shaking both their hands.

"Yes, as a matter of fact we are," Ponch told him.

"I've always admired someone who could climb on one of those things. Well, gentlemen come in and take a seat." Ponch closed the door behind him. The District Attorney walked around his desk and sat down. "What brings you fellas here, today? I won't need you for a while yet."

"My partner here is freaking out." Roy jumped in.

"Oh really? Why?" He leaned back in his leather chair.

"I was arrested when I was younger." He looked down at his hands. "I don't want that to be a problem."

"What were you arrested for?" He sat forward, folding his hands on his desk.

"My description matched that of a gas station felon," Johnny explained.

"Needless to say, it wasn't a good experience for him," Baker told the young DA.

"That was the sixties, for you," he shook his head, "I'm glad we've moved on. It won't be a bad experience this time around, Mr. Gage. I promise. Where did the arrest take place? I maybe able to access their records."

"Long Bow, Montana. The date was, I believe, October of '64, don't remember the actual day. I only remember it was starting to get chilly." Johnny watched as the DA wrote the information down on his note pad.

"Ah near the Indian Reservation."

"I grew up on that Reservation." Johnny told him. "How do you know about it?"

"My parents moved to Canyon Junction when I was 5. Figured it would be a better place to grow up than the big city of New York."

"Canyon Junction is just down the road from Long Bow. I did my entire girl hunting in Canyon Junction. Of course it was much bigger than Long Bow." Johnny was glad to talk about home, even if it was only for a little bit. The younger man smiled at him.

"Yeah we did have some of the prettiest girls around. I went to Long Bow with a friend and I wasn't impressed with the girls there."

"Now you see why I went to Canyon Junction," Johnny grinned at the newly found friend.

"Not to change the subject any, but did you tell the fire department about this incident when they hired you?"

"I didn't think about it. Jon said last night that if I wasn't formally charged, that it shouldn't matter." The young DA smiled at Johnny.

"You should listen to your cop friends. It shouldn't matter, but I'm glad you told me about this before we got to trial. I'll check into it and get back with you." He looked at the clock on his desk, "I hate to be so short but I need to get over to the court house, I'm due there in about a half an hour. It was good to meet you Mr. Gage and DeSoto." They all stood and he stepped around the desk. The young DA shook all their hands as Ponch opened the door. "We'll see you two men later. Oh and Mr. Gage. If there is a problem, I'll be in contact with you."

"Thank you, you have made my day!" The four friends stepped into the hallway. Johnny smiling from ear to ear. "I will be able to sleep good tonight!" He clapped his hands together, rubbing them vigorously,

"Now who's hungry, and where do you want to eat?"

A few days later, John drove his Land Rover North on the 405. "Man, that was an UGLY shift. I'll be glad to get away for a couple of days." John looked in the rearview mirror as he heard a siren wail behind him. "Oh, man, now what?" he replied, as he saw the motorcycle officer behind him. The officer motioned him to pull over. The dark haired paramedic waved in the rearview mirror, and carefully pulled off the road. He watched as the officer dismounted from the bike, and walked towards his truck.

"Gage," Ponch removed his sunglasses, and pushed the brim of his helmet up, "only you would have a bed in the back of your truck."

"Are you jealous?" Johnny teased.

"Jealous," Ponch scoffed, as Baker strolled up beside him. "No way, man."

"We have a message for you," said Baker. "Call DA Romanello. He tried to call all day yesterday, but you were out."

"Yeah," Johnny covered his mouth as he yawned. "We had more runs than a normal shift deserves. Know where there's a phone around?"

"There's a twenty-four hour burger joint just off the next exit," Ponch told him. "They have great onion rings, and their burgers..." He shook his head, and patted his stomach with a look of ecstasy on his face.

"Ummm."

"Thanks, guys," Johnny smiled, "I'll talk to you soon."

"Let us know what Romanello says," Jon patted the window of the truck. "Let's go, Ponch." Turning he headed back to his bike, Ponch followed him, putting on his sunglasses.

Johnny pulled into traffic, getting off at the next exit. "Boffo Burger" was a hundred feet from the exit ramp. Johnny found a parking space and walked into the restaurant. A pay phone hung on the wall at the entrance. Johnny fished a dime out of his pocket and dropped it into the slot. He dialed the number of the DA's Office and waited.

The secretary's voice came over the line. "District Attorney's office, how may I direct your call?"

"DA Romanello, please," was Johnny’s answer.

"Who may I ask is calling?"

"John Gage. I'm returning his call."

"Just a moment, please." John heard ringing at the other end, and a male voice answered.

"Romanello."

"This is John Gage, I heard you were trying to get a hold of me."

"Yes," responded the DA "Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner on this," he said apologetically, "but we had a couple of urgent cases crop up."

"That's okay," John told him. "I imagine you can get pretty busy."

"I contacted the local officials in Long Bow, and they couldn't find any record of the arrest. They told me that it might have been destroyed. There had been a big fire in the courthouse a couple of years ago, and most of the records that were stored in their basement were gone. Since the case against you never went anywhere, and you've never been in any other legal trouble, there's really nothing to worry about with your testimony. I do, however, want to meet with you and your partner to go over your testimony. The preliminary hearing is coming up, and you'll both need to be there. How's Friday at ten?" Johnny thought for a moment.

"Should be fine with me, I'll have to check with Roy. Friday at ten, it is. I'll see you then." Johnny hung up the phone and held the door open for an attractive woman surrounded by several small children leaving the restaurant. She carried several large paper bags. The odor of onion rings and grease permeated the small space.

"Thanks," said the woman gratefully as she followed the children outside.

"You’re welcome," Johnny's stomach growled in response. Oh, yeah, he thought, I haven't had breakfast yet. He patted his stomach. A burger and rings for breakfast? He asked himself. Why not? You've been up most of the night anyway. He shrugged and walked towards the counter.
Gage looked up at the menu over the counter contemplating on what his stomach could tolerate at this time of the day. Who was he kidding, his stomach could tolerate anything except Kelly's cooking.

"Could someone help me?" a voice said from the door. Johnny turned and saw the pretty lady that he had held the door for. She had a large cut on her forehead and the blood was running into her eyes. Johnny ran over to her and helped her over to one of the chairs.

"Call the fire department." Johnny yelled at the employee behind the counter. "And get me some towels. What happened?" he asked her.

"Um, I don't..." realization came to her. "THE CHILDREN!" She yelled, trying to stand up. Johnny pushed her into the chair, trying to stop the bleeding with several napkins that he had grabbed from the napkin dispenser.

"Where are they?"

"They're in the car. Someone ran a stop sign. Oh god, the babies!"

"I'll go take a look, you stay in here." The employee stepped up with the towels.

"The fire department and CHP are on their way." The young girl told him.

"Good, you stay here with her, hold this napkin on her cut to stop the bleeding. I'm going to check on her kids." The employee stepped over and put her hand on the napkin holding it firmly against the woman's forehead.

Running over to the accident, he saw a young nurse from Rampart leaning in the car, so he went to check on the other driver. It was a young teenager, who never had a chance. He had hit the windshield, and lay crumpled in the seat. His neck had been cut; his jugular vein had bled profusely. Johnny could tell from the angle of his neck that it was broken, and he was already dead. He looked for a pulse, but there wasn’t one. He then proceeded over to the woman’s car, where the nurse was comforting one of the children.

"Hi Sharon. Whatcha got here?" Sharon smiled at him, and turned the child around.

"Her name is Angie, and she’s a big 4 years old. She’s a very talkative little thing. She is my little information giver. She hit her head against the front seat but she’s only shaken up. She has a little bump here on her forehead, and I think that’s all for her. The little boy in the back seat is 6, his arm’s broken, and he hasn't said much. His name’s Randy. The baby is Lisa; she’s 8 months. I couldn't find any injuries on her, she’s in her car seat."

Johnny smiled at her "Okay, the fire department should be here any minute. Tell them the other driver is Code F and I have the mother in the restaurant. She has a laceration on her forehead."

As he entered the restaurant, he heard the sirens of the rescue vehicles. He took the towel from the employee and looked at the woman’s head. She was pale and diaphoretic. Johnny went to the door and waved Dwyer in.

"Johnny! Were you involved?" Dwyer asked as he stepped in the door.

"No, I was in here getting something to eat. She came in asking for help. The other driver is Code F. The kid’s are OK, just shaken up; the boy has a broken arm. She is diaphoretic, her pulse is 75, and respiration is slow and shallow."

"Okay, thanks." Johnny smiled at Dwyer.

"Sure, anytime. I am gonna split now." He starts to leave. The manager steps over to him.

"Sir, my employee told me that you were a paramedic. I would like to thank you for your help here today. Order whatever you want. It’s on the house." Johnny smiled real big.

"Well, thank you but I couldn’t do that. I am just glad I could help." Dwyer looked up at the off-duty paramedic.

"Hey, Gage, its not often you get offered a deal like that." The manager nodded in agreement.

"Please! Let us show you our appreciation. You guys’ work hard and I know you don't get the appreciation you deserve. Please, let me to treat you to lunch."

Johnny smiled, went over to the counter, ordered a very large hamburger, with 2 orders of onion rings, and a large drink. He thanked the owner, and the employees, picking up his order he exited the small establishment. He went to check on the children, but they had already been transported to Rampart. He got into his Land Rover and headed home.

As the court date rolled around, Johnny became more fidgety. Dropping things, tripping over his own two feet, and not tolerating anything the phantom did to him. The day of the trial, the sun was bright and the air was crisp.

"Winter must be around the corner," Roy commented as they walked up the steps to the court house.

"Hum," Johnny replied.

"Your date must have gone really bad last night."

"Date?"

"You're down to one word answers, that means bad date in my book," Roy smiled at his joke, as he pulled the door open.

"No date. I was to freaked out about this thing," Johnny told him, "to even concentrate on a woman."

"Oh," They went through all the security checkpoints and headed for the courtroom where the trial was to take place. As they sat quietly waiting for the trial to begin, every time the door opened both men would turn to look to see who was entering. One time it was the prosecuting attorney. The defense attorney with his client came in last; behind them was the pretty girl from the accident.

"Hey, I know her," Johnny stood and stepped up to her. "Hi, how are you feeling?" Her eyes brightened.

"I'm doing really good. Not even a scar," her hand touched the area where the cut had been.

"Rampart is the best!" Johnny pulled his crooked grin on her and she all but melted into the floor. "So, what are you doing here?"

"It's my Grandmother. She's a clepto. I don't really want to be here but my mother told me to come to be her support," she leaned up to his ear and whispered, "Granny isn't the nicest person in the world."

"That's too bad. Where are all your kids?"

"They're not mine. I was only baby-sitting. I'm as single as a tree in a desert." That made Johnny laugh out loud, which was very loud in the quiet courtroom. He looked around self-consciously and touched her arm.

"You want to go out to dinner sometime?" he whispered.

"Sure. As long as my 'sand buddies' don't mind," she smiled. She reached into her purse, took out a pen and paper, jotted down her phone number and address, and then handed it to him. "Call me." She sat down as he put the paper into his jacket pocket.

"Count on it." He smiled and went back to his seat next to his partner.

"So, who's that?" Roy asked.

"A couple of weeks ago she was in a car accident and I helped her out. She's real nice. Apparently she's the house keeper's grand-daughter." Roy nodded his head as the bailiff called for order.

"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.