Shattered Lives
by
John Gage slid his backpack from his shoulders and leaned against a tree to catch his breath. He grinned as he waited for his best friend and partner, Roy Desoto, to catch up. “What's the matter, Pally?” he teased. “Getting tired?”
“Unlike you, I'm not used to hiking ten miles up the side of a mountain, Junior,” panted the senior paramedic. He wiped his face with a bandana and drank from his canteen. “How much farther do we have to walk?”
“Once we cross the river, about another mile,” answered Johnny. “The cabin's in a stand of trees on the other side of the valley. Trust me, you'll love it.”
“If you say so,” chuckled Desoto. “How did you find this place anyway?”
“Louisa and I stumbled across it a couple years ago on one of our rides,” replied Gage. “We tracked down the owner and asked him if he would be interested in selling. It cost a small fortune, but was worth every penny.”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The paramedics spent the next two days fishing and enjoying the peace and quiet that filled the little valley. The night before they left to go home, Roy breached a subject that had been on his mind for the past three months. “It's pretty weird that you and Louisa are related, huh?” he said.
Johnny settled back into his chair and laughed. “You got that right,” he answered. “I'm still getting used to the idea. I wonder if that's the reason she and Grandfather got along so well.”
“Could be,” replied Desoto. “Maybe deep down, Gray Eagle knew she was family.”
“I wish we could tell him,” sighed Gage, his eyes sad. “He would have been so happy.”
“I know someone who's not happy you and Louisa are cousins,” snickered Roy . “Chet is afraid you guys are gonna gang up on him.”
The junior paramedic flashed a wicked grin. “We would, if Cap hadn't threatened me with a month's latrine duty,” he smirked.
“Like that would stop you,” laughed Desoto. He paused when a small herd of deer strolled out of the woods and started to feed. “Look at the size of that buck!” he gasped, awestruck.
“Isn't he beautiful?” Johnny whispered back. “I see him every time I come up here. I recognize the patch of white on his neck.”
Neither man moved as the animals came closer, stopping under a nearby tree to sample the apples scattered in the grass. The huge buck stared at them calmly as he chewed, completely at ease. After a few minutes, he turned to nuzzle one of the does, grunting softly. The female scampered away, dodging around a tree as she ran. The male shook his head and chased after her, the rest of the herd following.
“I was going to take a couple pictures, but I was afraid I would scare them away,” said Gage, getting to his feet. “Let's grab some shut-eye, Pally. I want to leave early tomorrow.”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The Next Afternoon
Johnny parked his Rover in the Desoto's driveway and gave his dozing partner a shake. “Wake up, Rip Van Winkle,” he teased. “End of the line.”
Roy sat up and rubbed his eyes. “Already?” he yawned. “You coming in for a while?”
Gage shook his head. “I promised Lou I would stop by before I went home. See you in the morning.”
“All right, see you tomorrow.” The blond-haired ‘medic stood back and watched him drive away, then went into the house.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
“Well, look who's back from the wilderness,” grinned Hank as Gage crossed the back yard. “Pull up a chair, pal. How was your trip?”
“Incredible,” grinned Johnny. “Nothing like the great outdoors to keep a guy from going crazy.”
“It'll take longer than a couple days of fresh air and sunshine to restore your sanity,” joked Louisa, looking up from the flower bed she was weeding. “Come to think of it, I could use a vacation myself. If I wasn't so busy at the lab, I'd pack my bags and be out of here in a second!”
The Captain chuckled. “Ed would have a fit if you took off right now, honey,” he said. “Especially since you're so close to making a breakthrough.”
The young woman smiled, her eyes lighting up. “I know! We may have found a way to stop cell mutation dead in its tracks! The experiment is still in the early stages, but if it goes the way we're hoping it will, this could be the discovery we've been busting our butts for!” She described the findings to the paramedic, who nodded as if he knew what she was talking about.
“I only understood about half of what you said, but it sure sounds exciting,” replied Johnny. “When will you know if it's successful?”
“Very soon,” answered Louisa. “We'll have to go over the results and run a few more tests, but we might be ready to present our findings to the FDA within the next month or so. If they approve the treatment, it could be on the market next year!”
“That's awesome!” enthused Gage. “Grandfather would be so proud of you. He always told me you were destined to make things happen.”
“I've already done that,” she answered, blushing with embarrassment. “Right now, my greatest accomplishments are my children, all five of them,” she teased, winking at her husband playfully.
“What about Chet?” snickered Johnny. “He acts like a kid sometimes.”
“Juvenile delinquent would be a better description,” giggled Louisa. “If he was my child, he'd spend most of his life sitting in the corner.”
“Nah, cleaning the latrine or mowing the lawn,” joked Stanley . “Maybe we could adopt Kelly and put him to work around the house.”
“As tempting as that sounds, I'll pass,” chuckled his wife. “How would you fill your time, hose jockey?”
“Catching up on department paperwork,” grinned Hank, making Johnny laugh.
“Remind me to pick up some extra pens next time I go to the office supply store then. You think a gross will be enough?”
“Better get two, in case McConikee goes report happy,” returned the Captain.
The young woman rolled her eyes. “Be glad you don't have to do my paperwork, honey,” she said. “Every little thing has to be documented, or, technically, it didn't happen. Some days, I wish I had a personal secretary.”
The paramedic snorted. “Hire Brice,” he joked. “He lives to fill out forms.”
“I want an assistant, not an obsessive-compulsive perfectionist,” chuckled Louisa. “He'd drive me nuts in less than twenty-four hours, but it does have one advantage. Ed would stop screaming about my penmanship. He says my handwriting is so bad, I should have been a doctor.”
“At least your bedside manner is sweeter than Mike Morton's,” muttered Gage.
“Only with certain patients, Cousin,” she teased.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Four Days Later
McConikee was waiting when Hank and his crew arrived at the station for their shift. “Change quickly, gentlemen,” he said in a rush. “All available crews are being ordered to assemble at the Command Station up in Jawbone Canyon in full turn-out gear as soon as possible!”
Hank's eyes widened in surprise. “What's going on?” he questioned anxiously.
“A potential disaster,” growled the Chief, moving to the map mounted on the bay wall. “Dispatch logged a report of a small fire on Bear Mountain about forty-five minutes ago. An engine company was sent out immediately, but the wind picked up and they had to pull back or fry. It's so dry up there that the blaze is spreading faster than we can knock it down.” He sketched an imaginary circle on the map with his finger. “At last estimate, the fire is approximately thirty square miles in area, right around here. So far, no homes are threatened, but that could change in the blink of an eye.”
“ Madre de Dios ,” breathed Marco, clutching his rosary beads. “It's heading straight for Topanga Canyon .”
McConikee squeezed his shoulder. “Don't worry, Lopez,” he murmured. “Anyone in the vicinity will be evacuated in plenty of time, I give you my word.”
“”Yeah, man,” said Chet. “I bet we'll have it contained before it gets near the canyon. Even if we don't, your sister is smart enough to know when to leave. She'll be fine.”
“Kelly's right for once,” added Johnny. “Lou's probably watching the news coverage on TV right this minute. If the fire gets too close, she'll pack up the kids and move to a safe place.”
Marco smiled and breathed a sigh in relief. “I know; I guess I just needed to hear it.” He squared his shoulders and looked McConikee in the eyes. “Let's get going and show the beast that it can't mess with the Los Angeles County Fire Department!”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The Stanley Home
Louisa got up and started to clear the table. Robert, her youngest child, dashed into the living room and turned on the television, flipping the channels until he found a station running his favorite cartoon, Tom & Jerry . Five minutes into the program, a news anchor interrupted. “This is Ted Jarvis with a special report,” he said. “A fast-moving fire has broken out in the hills surrounding Bear Mountain . We take you now to Grant Saxon on the scene. Grant, can you give us an update?”
The reported appeared on the screen holding a microphone. “Ted, what started out as an isolated fire has spread to cover most of Bear Mountain and the surrounding hills. Here with me is Fire Department Liaison Leonard Hoffman. Mr. Hoffman, can you tell us what's happening behind us?”
“Mama, come see!” shouted the little boy.
“Certainly, Grant. An unknown person called in to report the blaze early this morning,” he related. “Crews were dispatched to the area, but were unable to contain the fire, which now covers an estimated thirty-five square miles. Additional engine companies are now arriving at various locations to battle the fire.”
Saxon nodded. “Have you started evacuating the areas close to the fire, sir?” he asked.
“Not yet, Grant, but we're prepared to do so if it becomes necessary. At this time, I'd like to advise your viewers to stay calm and remain in their homes. They will be notified at the proper time if evacuation is ordered.”
The young woman stared past the men, trying to read the numbers on the fire trucks entering the area. She bit her lip when Engine 51 emerged from the gathering smoke and her eyes searched for a familiar face. Robert tugged on her pant leg and pointed at the screen. “Look! There's Daddy! Is he gonna help make the fire go away?”
“Yes, sweetie, he is,” answered Louisa softly. “Why don't you go play in your room for a while? I'll be up in a few minutes.” As soon as her son was out of earshot, she picked up the phone to call her mother. “ Mami , it's me. Do you have the TV on? Yes, I saw it; that's why I'm calling. No, Emma, Matthew, and Hannah are already on their way to school and I sent Robert upstairs. I can't explain it, but I've got a bad feeling about this fire. No, I'm not going to leave until we have to. Yeah, I think it would be a good idea. All right, see you soon.” She hung up and dropped into a chair. “Lord, please watch over the firemen and keep them safe,” she prayed, tears welling up in her eyes.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Two Hours Later
Sweat streamed down Hank's face as he raised the handy-talkie to his lips. “HT 51 to Base!” he shouted over the roar of the fire. “We need a water drop on the east slope of Jawbone Canyon !”
“We copy, HT 51 ,” responded a disembodied voice. “Copter 10 has been dispatched to your location. What is your situation?”
“Lousy and getting worse by the second!” yelled the Captain. “If we don't get some back-up, we're going to have to pull out!”
“No additional company is available at this time. Hold your position the best you can, 51.”
“Twit,” muttered Stanley . His head whipped around when he heard an ominous crack. A charred tree groaned and started to topple. “Desoto! Get the Hell out of there!” he bellowed, running forward and knocking Roy to the ground. He yelped when a smoking branch raked his forehead, opening a deep cut. Blood dripped onto his turn-out coat as he hauled the paramedic to his feet and dragged him up the ridge away from the inferno. “Fall back, men! It's no use; we can't hold it!”
“You all right, Cap?!?” hollered Stoker, pulling Marco along by the arm. Chet and Johnny followed, coughing under their air masks.
“Just peachy!” growled Hank. He looked up when the sound of an approaching helicopter became audible above the crackle of the raging fire. “About damn time they showed up,” he grumbled. He watched as the copter dropped its load and disappeared in the billowing smoke. The flames hissed, then flared up again, undeterred by the snuffing action of the chemicals. “Base, this is HT 51! We're pulling out and will be heading south towards your location! Please advise! HT 51 to Base! Do you copy?” A hiss of static drowned out the reply and he shoved the radio into his pocket with a curse. “Come on, boys.”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
McConikee stood near the Base Station, listening to the incoming radio transmissions. He spun around when Grant Saxon tapped him on the shoulder, asking for an update. “Go bother someone else!” he barked. “I don't have time to answer your questions right now!” The reporter glared and walked away, scrambling out of the way when an engine came speeding down the road. It screeched to a stop in front of the first-aid station and the driver jumped from the cab, his face black with soot. He spotted McConikee and dashed forward. “Chief, we just got word that Stations 36 and 110 are trapped on Taylor Ridge . Permission to go after them, sir?”
Before he could answer, another transmission came through. “Base, HT 36! We've been cut off and our tank is almost empty. Will attempt to clear a path through with our remaining water and resume contact as soon as possible! 36 out!” McConikee's hands clenched as he waited, his lips moving in silent prayer. “Base, HT 36! We made it and are enroute to your location with Station 110! Be advised that we have a Code I times three!”
“Station 36, this is Base! We'll be waiting for you!” replied the dispatcher, his voice tight with strain.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Rampart General Hospital
Dixie Brackett poked her head into the lounge and motioned to her husband, Dr. Kelly Brackett. “Kel, the first casualties have begun to arrive,” she said. “Anything new?”
The doctor got to his feet and stretched. “They've started evacuating the west side of Bear Mountain ,” he answered. “The winds have shifted and the fire is moving away from Topanga Canyon , but it's broken through defensive lines to the North.” He rubbed his eyes and sighed. “How many victims are coming in?”
“Eight in this wave, but we've been told to expect twelve more within the next hour,” replied the nurse. “I have Sharon and Betty calling in all available personnel. They should be here any time now. The blood bank is sending up all the plasma they've got, too.”
“Good, we're going to need every pair of hands we can get,” said Brackett.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Louisa met her mother at the front door. “I have to go over to Rampart and help out,” she told the older woman, juggling her purse and car keys as she pulled on her jacket. “Can you pick the kids up from school and take them and Robert to your house until I get back?
“Of course,” answered Maria. “I'll pack some things for them in case they have to spend the night.”
“Thanks, Mami . I'll call as soon as I can. Whatever you do, don't let them see the news briefs. I don't want them to worry about their father or the rest of the guys.” She jumped into her car and sped towards the hospital, keeping one eye on the traffic while muttering under her breath.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Rampart
Joe Early looked up and smiled when Louisa entered the ER. “Hello, stranger,” he greeted. “What brings you to this part of town?”
The young woman arched an eyebrow. “ Sharon called and asked if I would be willing to come in and help out for a while,” she replied. She winked at Dr. Morton, her eyes full of mischief. “How could I resist working with the handsomest doctors in the County?”
The neurosurgeon chuckled and shook his head. “Since you put it that way, you're more than welcome. You can assist me with my patient.”
Louisa gasped when she saw who was lying on the gurney. “Miguel? What's happening up there?”
Sanchez opened his eyes and stared at her for moment before answering. “It's bad,” he rasped. “The water drops aren't doing a damn bit of good. If the wind doesn't die down soon, we're not gonna be able to put the fire out.”
“What about my husband and his crew?” she asked. “Have you seen them? Are they all right?”
“No idea,” said Miguel. He reached out to squeeze her hand. “Can you have someone call Tracey and let her know I'm here?”
“Betty called her,” reassured Joe. “She's on here way in. Louisa, start an IV with normal saline and give him 10 mg of MS.”
“Yes, Doctor,” she murmured. “You're going to feel a little stick, Miguel. Just relax and let us do our jobs. Everything will be fine. For everyone, I hope ,” she added silently.
Part 2
“Stay together!” shouted Hank as he fought to see through the thickening smoke created by the massive blaze. “If we get separated, we'll never get out of here alive!”
Roy clung to his Captain's arm, supporting him as he fought to keep his balance. “Where is everyone?!?” he yelled over the noise. Desoto strained his ears for the slightest indication that another company was in the area, but couldn't heard anything other than the roaring flames and his own labored breathing. Suddenly, he left his legs give out and he fell in the dirt, scraping his hands on a patch of gravel.
Stanley bent to help him up, motioning the others forward. “Go ahead,” he bellowed. “We'll catch up!”
Johnny shook his head. “No way, Cap! We're not leaving you behind!” He stopped, cocking his head to the side. “I heard something! Sounds like a motor!” Seconds later, a paramedic squad appeared, its red lights flashing. “Hey, we're over here!”
Gil Robinson rolled down the driver's side window and poked his head out. “What are you guys still doing out here?!?” he yelled. “The fire's right over the next ridge! Didn't you hear McConikee order us to evacuate?”
“Our HT is on the fritz!” retorted Gage. He turned to his shift mates, a broad grin on his dirty face. “Come on, we're hitching a ride with these turkeys!” He climbed onto the back of the vehicle, pulling Marco up behind him. Mike and Chet stood on the bumper and held onto the rails.
Robinson through the squad into gear and started to drive away. “Gil, stop!” shouted Kelly. “You forgot Roy and the Cap! Are they up front with you guys?”
“I didn't see them, Chet!” replied Gil. “Where are they?”
Stoker squinted, his eyes watering. “I can't spot them in all this smoke!” he hollered. “Cap! Desoto! Damn it, answer me! Johnny, help me look for them!”
The paramedic dropped to the ground and peered through the ash that fell around them like snow. He yelped when a red-hot cinder burned a hole in his sleeve and seared his flesh. He moved forward and gasped when he struck something with his foot. Gage bent down to pick it up and paled when realized what it was. “My God,” he breathed. “This is Cap's handie-talkie! He must have dropped it!”
“Johnny, come on!” pleaded Gil in a hoarse voice. “The fire is headed straight for us! We have to get out now ! If Stanley and Desoto are out there, it's too late to do anything about it!”
Gage scanned the hillside, his chest tightening. “We'll come back for you,” he whispered. He reclaimed his seat and bowed his head, tears running down his face unchecked.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Central Command
“We didn't have any other choice,” Mike told McConikee twenty minutes later. “By the time we realized Cap and Roy were missing, the fire was practically on top of us.”
The Chief sighed and ran a shaking hand through his hair. “I don't suppose there is any possibility that they might be holed up someplace?” he asked hopefully, knowing that he was clutching at straws.
“The whole ridge was engulfed,” choked Marco. “There is no way they could have survived.” His voice broke and he sobbed, making no effort to hide his tears.
Chet and Johnny stood near an abandoned squad, their faces pale with shock. Before anyone could react, Kelly whirled and smashed his fist through the passenger-side window, shattered the glass with a musical crash. Blood dripped from his knuckles as a anguished cry rose in his throat. The Irishman sagged to his knees and covered his eyes with his bleeding hand, weeping brokenly. Gage stared into space, his lips moving soundlessly.
McConikee opened his mouth to speak, his temper igniting when he heard Grant Saxon order his cinematographer to get a shot of the grieving firemen. He darted forward and knocked the camera out of the man's hands, his eyes blazing furiously. “You've got ten seconds to get out of my sight, you ambulance chasing son of a bitch!” he snapped. “Let these men mourn in peace!”
“Freedom of the press, Chief,” answered the reporter indignantly. “I'm sorry for their loss, but this is news.” He swallowed nervously when Mike grabbed the lapel of his blazer and glared at him. “On second thought, I think I have enough information. Excuse me, gentlemen.”
Stoker gave him a shove, his cheeks purple with rage. “I'll take this,” he growled, ripping Grant's notepad out of his hands. “The department will be releasing a statement after the families are notified. If you air this story before then, I'm going to hunt you down and beat the crap out of you after I talk to your boss! Is that clear?”
Saxon paled and motioned to his crew. “Yes, sir,” he replied softly. “I give you my word.”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Rampart General Hospital
“How many more are waiting, Dix?” questioned Brackett, busy debriding a fireman's burned arm.
“Joe and Louisa just took the last one into Treatment Two,” replied the nurse with a tired smile. “Mike is finishing up in Three.” She shook her head in amazement. “Forty-six patients in less than three hours. No wonder I'm beat.”
Kel chuckled. “At least we know it's possible,” he said. “Any word on the status of the fire?”
“Not within the last twenty minutes,” answered Dixie . “Last I heard, the wind was finally beginning to die down and the weatherman was forecasting scattered showers. Too little too late, if you ask me.”
The doctor wrapped his patient's arm with sterile gauze and stepped back, rubbing his tired eyes. “I'll write you a prescription for some pain meds, Conway ,” he said. “If you se any signs of infection, get back here immediately. Otherwise, I'll see you the day after tomorrow.”
“Thanks, Doc,” grinned the fireman. “You know, you're not half the grouch Gage says you are,” he joked.
Dixie smothered a giggle and studied the ceiling. Kel rolled his eyes at her and frowned. “Gee, thanks a lot,” he muttered. “I'll have to mention it next time I see him.”
“Let's get a cup of coffee, Dr. Sunshine,” murmured the nurse, squeezing his arm affectionately. They joined Joe, Mike, and Betty in the lounge. “Where's Louisa?” she asked Early. “Catching forty winks?”
The neurosurgeon chuckled. “No, she said she was going to call home, then head down to the cafeteria for a sandwich. But I wouldn't be surprised to find her curled up on your sofa, Kel.”
Morton put down his cup and yawned. “I could use some rest myself,” he groaned. “If you don't need me for anything, I'm going to stretch out in one of the treatment rooms for a while.”
“Go ahead, Mike,” answered Brackett. “Things seem pretty calm right now. I guess we could spare you for an hour or two.”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Central Command
McConikee picked up the telephone inside the communications center and dialed. “Hi, Mrs. Lopez, this is Pat McConikee. Is Louisa there? I see; I'll try to reach her there then. No, I just wanted to see how she was holding up. Thank you.” He left the trailer and collided with Mike Stoker. “Your sister is at Rampart helping with the casualties. I'll be heading over there as soon as I tell Houts I'm leaving.”
The engineer's jaw tightened. “We're going with you, Chief,” he said, glancing at his shift mates. “Why don't you have Joanne meet us there, instead of driving out to her house?”
“Good idea, Stoker,” he replied. He made the call, then climbed into his car. “God, I hate this part of the job,” he muttered.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Dixie looked up when the men entered the Emergency Department and stopped in front of her desk. “Hi, fellas,” she greeted. Her smile froze when she noticed their somber expressions. “What's wrong?”
McConikee swallowed hard before replying. “I need to speak to Louisa Stanley,” he whispered hoarsely. “Where can I find her?”
At that moment, Joanne arrived. “Okay, I'm here,” she gasped breathlessly. “What is this all about?”
“Follow me, please, Mrs. Desoto,” answered the Chief. “Mrs. Brackett, you better come, too.”
Five minutes later, they were seated in Kel's office, waiting for Louisa to join them. The young woman breezed in, her face drawn and tired. Her eyes widened in surprise when she spotted McConikee and her husband's crew. “What's going on?” she whispered.
Marco guided his sister to a chair and stood behind her, his hands resting on her shoulders. He stared at McConikee expectantly, waiting for him to speak. After a brief pause, he did, looking at the women sorrowfully.
“Ladies, there is no easy way to say this, so I'll just come out with it,” he began. “I'm sure you've seen or heard the news reports about the brush fire up on Bear Mountain . Well, it was very bad. I ordered a general evacuation of all companies in the area. During the confusion, your husbands were separated from the rest of their crew. I have reason to believe that they were trapped in the blaze. No far, no bodies have been found, but we presume that they were killed in the line of duty. I'm very sorry.”
Joanne's face turned white and she burst into tears. Louisa bit her lip and shivered. “In other words, Hank and Roy were left to fend for themselves, is that what you're telling me?” The young woman nodded as if answering her own question. “Of course you are.” She scanned the room, her gaze resting on each person for an instant, ending with Mike Stoker. The engineer watched his sister's jaw clench as the news of her husband's death sunk in. Her eyes glazed over as a single tear slid down her cheek.
In the corner, Dixie leaned against Kel's chest and wept. The doctor hugged his wife tightly and stared a the Chief with a look of stunned disbelief on his face. “Maybe they found a place where the fire couldn't reach them,” he said quietly.
“Don't you think I considered that possibility?!?” barked McConikee, his voice rough with emotion. “I know that ridge all too well, Doctor. Stanley and Desoto would have had absolutely no place to go! If I had paid more attention to what was going on, I never would have sent them up there in the first place!” he sobbed. “This is all my fault!”
Sharon Walters poked her head into the office. “Dr. Brackett, pardon me for interrupting, but there's a bunch of reporters in the waiting room asking a lot of questions. Grant Saxon is one of them.”
“I knew that slime ball would pull something like this!” growled Stoker. “Come on, Marco. We better tell your Mom and the kids about Cap before they see it on the news.” He knelt down and reached for Louisa's hands. “Lou? We're gonna take you home now, okay? Can you stand up for me?”
The young woman stared at him for a second, then got to her feet. “Home? Yeah, I have to get home. My babies need their Mama.”
Joe Early stepped forward and slid an arm around her waist. “If there is anything I can do, please don't hesitate to call me, day or night,” he murmured. “Take the freight elevator to the basement and I'll bring my car around. The press probably have the other exits staked out. With a little luck, we can sneak past them before they know what's happening.”
Sharon tapped Mike on the shoulder. “When I called her earlier, Louisa told me that she was going to ask her mother to watch the kids while she was here.”
“Thanks for letting me know,” answered the engineer. “We'll stop there first then.”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
“Did Mama have to go work ‘cause of the fire, Grandma?” questioned Emma.
“Yes, dear,” answered Maria with a smile. “She might not get home until very late, so you'll be spending the night with me.”
“Can we bake some cookies and them to Daddy?” piped up Hannah from the backseat. “He likes chocolate chip best!”
“We'll see, Pumpkin,” she replied, trying to think of an excuse to keep the children outside and away from the television. “Why don't we take Buddy to the park for a while instead? It seems a shame to stay inside on such a nice day. I'll make some sandwiches and we'll have a picnic. Doesn't that sound like fun?”
“I'll bring my ball and glove so we can play catch!” grinned Matthew. “Dad says I gotta practice if I wanna make the team next year!”
“Your mother played softball in high school,” Maria told him. “Why don't you ask her for some pointers?”
“Aww, girls don't know nothing about baseball, Grandma,” complained the boy.
“Mama does,” argued Robert. “She watches all the Dodgers games and says bad words when they lose.”
The Latino woman smothered a laugh and glanced over her shoulder. “I used to wash her mouth out with soap when she did that, sweetie.” She turned into the driveway, her breath catching in her throat when she saw Chief McConikee's car parked in front of the house. “ Madre de Díos ,” she whispered.
The children scrambled out of the car and burst into the house. “Uncle Marco!” shouted Emma, throwing herself into his arms and hugging him tightly. She pulled back and stared at him curiously. “Why do you look so sad?” she asked. “What's wrong?”
The Latino fireman sighed and gently stroked her soft cheek. “Come and sit down, baby,” he said quietly. “I have to talk to you about something. You, too, Matthew.” He looked up at Maria with red-rimmed eyes. “We have to tell you something very important.”
Mike dropped into a chair and pulled Robert and Hannah into his lap. “Go ahead, Chief,” he said.
McConikee nodded, his hands tightening into fists. “I'm not sure how to begin,” he muttered. “Children, earlier today, your father and his crew were helping fight a very big fire. It advanced faster than anyone thought it would and I ordered everyone to evacuate the area. In the confusion, Hank and Roy Desoto somehow got separated from the others and were trapped by the flames.”
Maria gasped and covered her mouth in horror. “They weren't able to get out, were they?” she cried. “You're here to tell us that they…..” She trailed off, unable to continue.
“I'm afraid so,” answered the Chief in a raw voice. “Until we find evidence to the contrary, we have to assume that Hank and Roy were killed. I'm so sorry.”
Emma launched herself at him, screaming at the top of her lungs. “ No ! My Daddy isn't dead! You're lying! I hate you!” She ran from the room, sobbing wildly.
Matthew sagged in his uncle's arms, tears rolling down his face. “I wanna see him,” he moaned. “I wanna see my Daddy!”
“Where's my daughter?” Maria demanded. “I must go to her.”
“She's upstairs, Mama,” said Marco. “Chief, thanks for bringing us home, but I think it would be best if you left now.”
“Of course. If there's anything I can do, let me know.”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The Desoto Home
Joanne unlocked the door and entered the house. Dixie and Kel followed, watching sadly as she wandered aimlessly through the quiet rooms. “Joanne, would you like us to be here when you tell Chris and Jennifer about their father?”
The petite brunette didn't reply, her eyes focused on a framed photograph sitting on the mantle. In the picture, her husband and his co-workers stood in front of Station 51, clad in their dress uniforms and grinning proudly. She reached out and slid her fingers over the glass, tears streaming down her face. “Oh, God, Roy!” she wailed and collapsed in a heap.
Chris ran down the stairs, his sister close behind. “Mom! Is that you?” he called, stopping short just inside the room. “Mom, what's the matter? Why are Dixie and Dr. Brackett here? Did something happen to Dad?”
Joanne got to her feet and held out her arms. “Sit down, kids. I have something to tell you.” She dragged the back of her hand across her wet cheek and shuddered. “Your father and Hank Stanley were killed fighting a fire today,” she croaked.
Jennifer burst into tears and clung to her mother. Chris's face paled and he stared at Brackett, his lips trembling. “Are they at Rampart?” he asked. “If they are, I want to see their bodies.”
Kel swallowed hard and squatted down, taking the boy in his arms. “No, Chris, they never made it to the hospital,” he murmured softly. “Hank and your Dad got caught out in the open, according to Chief McConikee. They got separated from the rest of the crew and didn't make it out.”
“But how does the fire department know if my Dad is dead if they haven't found his body?” persisted Chris.
“Because there might not be anything to find,” interrupted Johnny from the doorway. “He deserves to know the truth!” he added when Dixie frowned. He crossed the room and wrapped his arms around his best friend's wife. “I wish it had been me who died instead of Roy ,” he croaked. “I should have stayed behind to look for him and Cap. This is all my fault!”
Joanne shook her head vehemently. “If you had, we would have lost you, too,” she said sternly. “ Roy died doing what he loved, Johnny. You're not to blame for that.”
“She's right and you know it,” put in Dixie . “What happened is tragic, but there is no way you could have prevented it.”
Part 3
Chet brushed a speck of lint from his sleeve and tugged at his jacket. He stood in front of the full-length mirror and studied his reflection. In the week since Hank and Roy had died, the Irishman had been unable to eat or sleep. As a result, he had lost almost ten pounds and his dress uniform hung on his stocky frame. Dark shadows surrounded his red-rimmed eyes and his sunken cheeks gave his face a haggard cast. Kelly glanced up when his girlfriend, Rachel Potter, entered the room, dressed from head-to-toe in black. “I don't know if I can do this,” he whispered.
The redhead laid a slender hand on his arm and squeezed. “I know, baby,” she answered. “I can't believe Hank and Roy are really gone. “But we have to be there for Louisa and Joanne. They're going to need our support to help them get through this.”
“Marco thinks his sister is having some kind of mental collapse,” said Kelly sadly. “He says she's been acting really weird lately.”
“She just lost her husband!” exclaimed Rachel. “Louisa may be one of the strongest people I know, but even she has a breaking point!”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Lady of Lourdes Funeral Chapel
The first thing Gage saw when he entered the church was a sea of dark-blue uniforms. Firemen from all over the county had come to pay their last respects to their fallen comrades. Johnny nodded a greeting to everyone he knew as he escorted Joanne and her children to a front pew sat down beside her, holding Jennifer in his lap. The petite brunette's eyes scanned the small chapel, coming to rest on the framed portraits of her husband and Hank Stanley that had been set up on each side of the altar. Their partially-melted helmets sat on the altar itself, a vivid reminder of the danger the men faced every time they responded to a call.
A collective gasp rose from the mourners when Louisa arrived, flanked by her brothers. The young woman was clad in heavily-beaded white buckskin, her dark hair braided and decorated with feathers. A black headband was tied around her forehead, contrasting sharply with her pale skin. In her hands, she carried small, leather pouch adorned with dyed porcupine quills and tiny bells. A necklace fashioned from bone and small, silver beads completed her outfit.
“My God, what the Hell is she wearing?” whispered Miguel Sanchez to his partner, Rick Collins. “She looks like she just stepped out of a history book!”
“Lopez told me he thinks she's flipping out,” replied Collins. He watched as the young woman passed, her face as blank as an empty canvas.
The low hum of conversation stopped when Father Daniel Young, the Fire Department Chaplain, entered the room and took his place behind the pulpit. “We are here today to celebrate the lives of Captain Henry Stanley and Fireman/Paramedic Roy Desoto,” he began. “I met Hank almost twenty years ago. He was fresh out of the Academy and more than a little nervous about his first job as a public servant. You see, some of the more experienced men in the department had told him that his boss was the reincarnation of Attila the Hun and ate probies for breakfast! Now, I've know Hookraider for a very long time and can honestly say that he prefers bacon and eggs! Anyway, Hank managed to survive the wrath of Captain Hook and transferred to another station after passing the engineer's exam. That promotion brought him into contact with a man who would play an important role in his life, Chief Patrick McConikee. Back then, Pat held the rank of Captain, but was still a force to be reckoned with. I'm sure everyone present has a favorite story about the run-ins he and Hank had during their careers, but one particular incident always stood out from the others. To this day, I have no idea whatsoever why , but Hank purposely set fire to McConikee's hat! Practical jokes have always been an unofficial tradition in the Department, but that one really takes the cake!”
Father Young looked down at the four Stanley children and smiled. “In recent years, Hank's life underwent a dramatic change. He was promoted to Captain and took a job at Station 51. Some might call it fate, but I think he was just damn lucky to get the opportunity to work with men who he came to think of as his family.” He chuckled softly, his eyes settling on the four remaining members of Station 51. “It's fitting that he was so close to these gentlemen, considering his wife is related to three of them, in one way or another! You see, folks, his first wife, Sarah, died not long before someone very special came to visit. I'm referring to Hank's widow and the mother of his children, Louisa Martin Lopez Stanley. I got to know this young lady very well and had the honor of presiding when they got married. Hank and Louisa had their ups and downs, as all couples do, but their love remained strong and they had many wonderful years together. I've been informed that their eldest daughter, Emma, would like to say a few words.” He stepped back as the girl got up to speak.
“Most people don't know this, but my father enjoyed reading classic literature, especially poetry,” she said, her voice quavering. “This was one of his favorites.”
“Death, be not proud, though some have calléd thee
Mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so;
For those whom thou think'st thou dost overthrow
Die not, poor Death, not yet canst thou kill me.
From rest and sleep, which but thy picture be,
Much pleasure; then from thee much more must flow;
And soonest our best men with thee do go—
Rest of their bones and souls' delivery!
Thou'rt slave to fate, chance, kings, and desperate men,
And dost with poison, war, and sickness dwell;
And poppy or charms can make us sleep as well
And better than thy stroke. Why swell'st thou then?
One short sleep past, we wake eternally;
And Death shall be no more: Death, thou shalt die.”**
Emma wiped her eyes and smiled. “My father believed that even after he was gone, his spirit would live on in me and my brothers and sister,” she murmured. “He wasn't afraid to die, because he knew that it would only be a physical death.” She reached out to touch his portrait, her face sad. “Goodbye, Daddy; I'll never forget you.”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Johnny rose and walked to the front of the chapel, pausing to salute his fallen comrades one last time. He cleared his throat and looked out over the congregation. A wry chuckle bubbled up in the paramedic's throat and he smiled. “Every speech I tried to write ended up sounding corny, so I gave up and decided to just wing it. I didn't know what a paramedic was until I met Roy Desoto. When I heard about the program, I thought it was a joke. I mean, why should I spend three months training for a job that didn't even exist at the time? Obviously, my opinion changed, or I wouldn't have had the opportunity to work with one of the finest men I've ever known. Roy wasn't just my partner; he was my best friend and I loved him like a brother.” He looked at Chet and smirked, his dark eyes twinkling with amusement. “You should thank your lucky stars Roy was around, Kelly, because he kept me killing you every time I fell for one of your stupid pranks!” Johnny's face sobered and he reached up to brush away a tear. “Goodbye, Pally,” he whispered huskily. “You'll live on in my heart forever.”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Station 51, Two Weeks Later
“I'm telling you, we have to do something and soon !” exclaimed Marco, pounding his fist on the counter. “Louisa's behavior is getting weirder with each passing day! It's like someone sucked all the emotion out of her and left behind an empty shell. The kids are starting to ask questions and I don't know how to explain it! Their mother is slipping away from them and I can't do a damn thing about it!”
“Cap's only been gone three weeks, man,” said Chet. “She's still in mourning. Give her time to come to grips with it.”
The Latino fireman shook his head. “This goes way beyond grief, amigo ,” he replied. “I'm beginning to fear for her sanity.”
“Pretty strong words,” retorted the Irishman. “What makes you think she losing it?”
“For starters, she's been spending every waking minute in the barn, talking to the horses,” answered Lopez. “Normally, that in itself wouldn't faze me, because she did that before Cap died. It's what she says to them that bothers me.”
“I know what you mean,” put in Stoker with a nod. “The other day I overheard Lou tell Samson they would be joining the rest of the boys for a big cattle drive soon. She said they were taking a herd of longhorns to the railroad in Abilene so the folks back East would have beef.”
“Nobody's done that in almost seventy-five years,” interrupted Shawn Tyler, Gage's new partner. “Is it possible she was just kidding around?”
“Not likely,” said Johnny. “Lou mentioned the drive to me, too, and I could tell she was completely serious, especially when she made a comment about ‘the Colonel' hiring a Lakota scout named Gray Eagle.”
“What's odd about that?” questioned Frank O'Keefe, their new Captain.
“Under ordinary circumstances, it wouldn't be,” answered Gage. “But, he's been dead for almost two years. She's talking like he's still alive.”
At that moment, the telephone rang. Since he was closest, Mike answered it. “L.A. County Fire Department, Engineer Stoker speaking. What?!? Are you sure?!? Yeah, I understand. Thanks for letting me know. Okay, see you soon.” He cradled the receiver and turned to his shift-mates, his face pale. “That was Maria,” he said faintly. “She went to the grocery store and when she got back, Louisa was gone, along with the Mustang and half her wardrobe. But that's not all. Mrs. Lopez found her wedding rings lying on the kitchen table.”
Marco covered his face with a shaking hand. “I had a feeling this was coming,” he groaned. “We better call the police.”
“Your Mom already did,” replied Stoker. “Vince and David should be here shortly.”
“Ten to one she's headed for Montana and the ranch,” concluded Johnny. “We better contact the Johnsons and tell them to let us know if she shows up.”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Maria entered the station fifteen minutes later, followed by a tall, sunburned man. “Boys, this is Mark Kramer,” she said. “He lives a few houses down from my daughter's place.”
The man nodded a greeting. “I was out getting my mail when I saw Mrs. Stanley's car go by. I waved to her, but she just kept going. From what I could tell, the backseat was full of luggage.”
“When was this?” asked Vince. “Was she alone?”
“Couple hours ago, give or take,” replied Kramer. “I didn't see anybody else, so I guess she was.”
“Robert was with me and the other children are in school,” supplied Mrs. Lopez. “What happens now?”
The African-American officer glanced at his partner before answering. “The California Highway Patrol has been told to keep an eye out for any vehicles matching her car's description and we've got men canvassing the airport and the bus stations. If Mrs. Stanley is in the city, we'll find her.”
“And if she's not??!” demanded Chet.
“We expand the search area,” replied Howard. “It would help if we knew where she was going.”
“We're not sure of that ourselves,” grumbled Mike. “It's difficult to predict what my sister is going to do when she's in her right mind. The state she's in now makes it close to impossible.”
Johnny laid a hand on the engineer's shoulder and squeezed. “Maybe not,” he said encouragingly. “Louisa took off right after Gray Eagle's funeral, too, remember? Well, I guess you wouldn't, because you weren't there. Anyway, there's a place not far from the ranch that holds special significance for her. Lou always went there when she needed to be alone or wanted time to think. I haven't been there in a while, but I'm sure I could find it if I had to.”
“What are we waiting for?” exclaimed Marco. “Let's go!”
O'Keefe chuckled. “I hate to burst your bubble, Lopez, but we're on duty,” he reminded gently.
“Then right after our shift! I have to bring my sister home before she hurts herself!”
“I'd shave off my mustache before I'd let that happen, pal,” teased Chet with a grin. “Lou can be a royal pain in the butt, but I've gotten used to matching wits with her. Besides, I adore every crazy bone in her body. I won't give up until we find her.”
“That goes for the rest of us, too,” smiled Vince, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “I'd never make my traffic violation quota without her.”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Two Days Later
“I can't believe we had to wait an extra day,” grumbled Mike crossly. “If we had driven, we'd be halfway to Montana by now.”
“Flight 47 to Billings , now boarding at gate 12,” blared the loudspeaker. “Please have your tickets ready.”
“That's our cue,” said Marco, leaning forward to hug his mother. “I'll call you as soon as we land, Mama. If Lou comes home before then, leave a message with the Johnsons.”
“Good luck, querida ,” answered Maria. “Have a safe trip.” She waved until they were out of sight, then turned to leave. “Please don't let them get there too late, Lord,” she whispered, tears welling up in her eyes. “Help them bring my daughter home safe and sound.”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The Johnson Ranch, Later That Day
Dorothy laid aside the dough she was kneading when she heard a car pull up outside. By the time she reached the front door, her husband, Phillip had dragged Louisa out of the vehicle and was hugging her tightly. “It's so good to see you, sweetheart!” he whooped. “It's been way too long between visits!”
The young woman laughed and returned the embrace. “You're telling me,” she replied. “Seems you lost a little more hair since I saw you last,” she joked. “You're starting to look like Mr. Clean. All you need is the earring.”
“So lend me one of yours,” chuckled the rancher. “Put on the coffee pot, honey,” he called to his wife. “We've got company.”
Mrs. Johnson extended a welcoming hand and stared at the visitor, shocked by her haggard appearance. She hid her reaction behind a happy smile and took Louisa's arm. “Come right in, dear,” she said. “You must be tired after your long journey. Would you like to lie down for a spell? We can catch up later.”
“Why not now?” asked Louisa. “It was a long drive, but the only things I need are a cup of strong coffee and a slice of that bread you've got in the oven. The smell is sending my salivary glands into flood mode.”
The older woman shook her head ruefully. “Nothing wrong with your appetite,” she commented. “Phillip, why don't you put her bags in the guest room?”
“Right away, love,” grinned Johnson. He scooped up the suitcases and left the kitchen. Once he was out of the young woman's line of sight, he detoured into the den and picked up the phone. “Maria, this is Phil Johnson. Your daughter just arrived. Sure, I'll keep her busy until they show up. No, we won't mention Hank unless Louisa brings him up first. Yes, I noticed that. All right, I'll tell Dorothy. Good bye.”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
“The place is exactly as I remember it,” said Louisa, liberally smearing blackberry jam on her bread. She lifted the slice to her mouth and took a huge bite. “Mmm, delicious, as always.”
Phillip returned, a small wire-bound notebook in one hand. “I'm going into town for a while,” he said. “Anything you want to add to this, honey?” he asked, giving the pad to his wife. On the first sheet, he had written, “Called Mrs. Lopez. John, Chet, Marco, and Mike will be here tomorrow evening. Don't say anything about Hank unless Louisa does. Not sure how she'll react.”
“Can you stop and get me a couple spools of heavy white thread?” she responded. “I ran out yesterday.”
“Certainly. I'll be back before supper.” He left the house and met Buck coming out of the barn. “Tell the boys I want to speak to them in private,” he ordered the foreman.
“What's up, Mr. Johnson?” questioned Zach Ludlow, one of the newer hands. “Did we do something wrong?”
“No, son,” answered the rancher. “Louisa Stanley, a young lady who used to work for me, showed up for a visit today. A few weeks ago, her husband and one of his crew were killed fighting a brush fire. According to her family, she is having a hard time coming to terms with his death. I talked to her mother a few minutes ago and she told me that her daughter left home without informing anyone that she was leaving.”
“That's not like her,” interrupted Buck with a frown. “Come on, Phil. What aren't you telling us?”
“Mrs. Lopez told me that, emotionally, Louisa is extremely fragile right now,” said Johnson. “One wrong word could set her off. I know most of you aren't acquainted with her, but as long as you just act respectfully, we shouldn't have any problem. Buck, since you know Louisa better than most of us, myself included, it's gonna be your job to watch for any sign she might pick up and run. Come on up to the house and chat with her for a spell. I'll bet she'd be pleased as punch to see your ugly mug.”
“In other words, be polite and mind our own business, right?” laughed Dutch Bunker.
“I knew you was smarter than you looked,” joked Phillip. “That's it in a nutshell. I suppose I should warn you, though. Mrs. Stanley has very strong opinions when it comes to the horses. She might come out here and tell you boys how to do your jobs.”
Buck snickered. “Have you ever known a women that didn't try to order her men folk around?” he smirked. “Hell, Louisa might even be able to teach these greenhorns a few things about ranching.”
Ludlow rolled his eyes. “The day I let a female boss me is the day I hang up my spurs!” he grumbled.
The foreman glared at him. “That female, as you call her, knows more about horses than you could learn in a month of Sundays ,you dang pup!” he growled. “Watch your mouth around her, you hear? Louisa may be a tiny little thing, but she could give you a thrashing without breaking a sweat!”