Part 4
The Next Morning
After breakfast, Louisa talked Buck into going riding with her. She looked over each horse carefully, trying to ignore Zach's muttered remarks about her ability to judge whether or not the animals were sound. Finally, her patience ran out and she turned to stare at him, her eyes flashing. “If you say one more word, I'm going to knock your teeth down your throat,” she hissed. “What the Hell is your problem anyway? Afraid I'm gonna make you look dumber than you already are?” she taunted.
Ludlow 's cheeks darkened and he stepped forward. “Now, wait just a damn minute!” he snarled. “Don't you dare use that tone with me, missy! Everybody else might think you're something special, but to me, you're nothing but a smart-mouthed little bitch!”
Before Buck could intervene, the young woman threw a punch, her fist slamming into the ranch hand's jaw and sending him sprawling. “Get up and fight like a man!” she yelled. “I've had it up to here with your attitude! It's time someone brought you down a few pegs!”
Zach scrambled to his feet, blood running from his lip. “You're crazy,” he breathed. “You outta be locked up with the rest of the nuts.” He walked out of the barn, shaking his head in disbelief.
Louisa's face twisted with rage and she started after him. “Get back here, you coward! I'm not through with you yet!” The foreman grabbed her from behind, stopping her in mid-lunge. “Damn it, Buck! Let go!” she screaming, struggling fiercely.
“Not until you cool off!” grunted Buck. “What's the matter with you?!?”
The young woman sagged in his arms. “I'm sorry. I guess I lost my temper a little, huh?” she asked sheepishly, her cheeks flaming.
“I'll say you did,” he muttered. “If you still want to ride, saddle one of those nags. I'll be right back.”
Phillip and Dorothy stood on the front porch, listening to Zach as he told them what had happened. “She just turned around and decked me!” complained the man. “If I didn't need this job so bad, I'd quit in a second!”
“Why don't you tell the whole truth? said Buck. “Louisa hit him because he drove her to it, Phil. You know how she is about horses.”
The rancher looked at his employee. “Is that true, Zachary?!?” he barked. Ludlow scraped his boot in the dirt, muttering under his breath. “I'll give you a choice, boy. Either apologize to Mrs. Stanley or pack your gear and get the Hell off my property. What's it gonna be?”
“Fine, I'll tell her I'm sorry,” grumbled Zach. “What about me? She socked me right in the face! Shouldn't she apologize for that, too?”
“He's got a point,” said Louisa from the farm yard. “I'm sorry I hit you, Mr. Ludlow. I normally don't fly off the handle like that. If it'll make you feel better, you can hit me back if you want,” she added with a chuckle.
The ranch hand grinned at her. “Sounds fair to me,” he joked. “Just kidding, Mr. Johnson. If it's all right with Buck, how about if I go riding with y'all instead? I'd rather stay on your good side, honey. You've got a mean right hook!”
The young woman giggled and elbowed the foreman in the ribs. “Guess that means we can't be alone, Bucky,” she teased. “Wait a second; why am I complaining? Two handsome men is better than just one! Saddle up, cowboy!”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Later That Afternoon
When they returned to the ranch, Louisa went straight up to her room to bathe and change her clothes. Phillip watched until she was out of sight, then turned to Buck expectantly. “Before you ask, she didn't mention Hank once,” said the foreman. “It's like he never existed. She's not even wearing her wedding ring.”
Johnson sighed and dropped into a chair. “I noticed that, too,” he replied. Well, I guess Louisa will talk when she's ready. It won't do any good to push. I just hope she doesn't get upset when her friends get here.”
“Which should be any time now,” put in Dorothy. She bent to peer out the window when a car pulled up outside. “Don't just sit there, darling. Invite them in.”
“You know, you're getting bossy in your old age, dear,” teased the rancher, kissing his wife's cheek. He pushed open the screen door and waved. “Howdy, fellas. How was the trip?”
“Long!” called Marco. “Where's my sister?”
“Upstairs taking a bath. Make yourselves at home. Dinner will be ready in about an hour.” The men followed him into the house and smiled at Dorothy. “How's the most beautiful woman in Montana ?” flirted Chet, giving her an affectionate hug.
Mrs. Johnson turned red and giggled like a schoolgirl. “Better now that you're here,” she laughed. “I was really upset to hear about Hank and Roy . How is Joanne holding up?”
“It's been rough, but she's doing okay,” answered Johnny, his face sad. “I've been helping her out with chores and stuff. Chris and Jennifer are taking it pretty hard.” He started to make a comment about the Stanley children, but closed his mouth with a snap when footsteps sounded in the hall.
If Louisa was surprised to see the men, she hid it well. She greeted them with a broad grin and leaded against the door frame, folding her arms across her chest. “Can I give you a hand with supper, Dorothy?” she asked.
“Phillip, why don't you show the boys Hildy's new colt? I'll call you when it's time to eat.”
Chet rolled his eyes dramatically and headed for the door. “I think someone's trying to get rid of us, guys,” he joked. “Well, I know when I'm not wanted.”
“I've been telling you that for years, Kelly,” needled Johnny, “but you never take the hint.”
“I love you, too Gage,” grunted the Irishman.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
“So, this guy says he can handle the bull, ‘cause he raised him from a calf and knows its moods,” Phillip was saying, his eyes sparkling with amusement. “He jumps over the fence and starts walking across the pasture with the rope to lasso the critter. He was about halfway across the pasture when that ornery beast let out a snort and charged at him like a runaway freight train. I swear I never saw anyone run so fast in my life ! He got away, but not before the bull tore a hole in the seat of his britches, leaving him standing there with his shorts flapping in the breeze!”
The men burst out laughing. “It could have been worse,” grinned Stoker. “Lou, whatever happens to that steer your neighbor had? You know, the one that was always getting his horns stuck in the barn door?”
“He butchered him last Fall,” she answered in a near-whisper. “May I be excused, please? I'm not very hungry. I think I'll just go to bed.” The young woman pushed back her chair and went upstairs to her room, closing the door behind her. “Damn it!” she grumbled. “Why did they have to show up? I won't be able to go anywhere without a babysitter!”
Mike glanced around the table, his cheeks turning red. “Did I say something wrong, Mr. Johnson?” he asked.
“No, Michael; Louisa has been moody ever since she got here,” answered Phillip.
“Maybe coming after her was a mistake,” murmured Johnny. “She didn't seem very happy to see us.”
Marco put down his fork and shrugged. “Well, that's too damn bad,” he said. “My sister had no business taking off the way she did! She's going to have to face the fact that Cap is gone sooner or later. Her children need her more than ever now.”
“I know that, but shouldn't we let her deal with it her way?” questioned Chet.
“The way I see it, all Lou's doing is running out on her family,” said Mike. “I don't expect her to act like nothing's different, but she has responsibilities back home.”
The others voiced their agreement, unaware that she was standing in the hall. The young woman had come downstairs to get a notebook she had left on the kitchen counter and had overheard the engineer's comment. “I know that, big brother,” she thought. “I'll go home as soon as I finish what I came up here to do. I can't believe you think I would abandon my kids.” She tiptoed back to her room and sat on the bed, tears welling up in her eyes.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Louisa held her breath as she crept through the sleeping house on moccasined feet. She jumped when the mantle clock chimed twice, then fell silent. The young woman stepped out onto the porch and closed the door behind her, a small, cloth bag in one hand. She looked up at the sky, then dashed across the moonlit yard and disappeared into the trees on the northern edge of the Johnson's property. “If I'm lucky, I'll be able to do this and get back to the ranch before anyone notices that I'm gone,” she whispered, a brief smile curving her lips.
When she reached her destination, Louisa opened the bag and spread its contents on the ground in front of her in a distinctive pattern. After making a few adjustments, she nodded in satisfaction and settled back to wait for sunrise.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The Next Morning
John Quincy, the Johnson's neighbor, froze with his hand on the door of his truck when he heard a faint wail off in the distance. He cocked his head and scanned the horizon, trying to locate the source of the haunting cry. A breeze stirred the treetops, muffling the sound. An instant later, a brownish-gray animal streaked into the rancher's line of sight and vanished into the brush. “Just a stupid coyote,” muttered Quincy . “I must be getting paranoid in my old age.” He raised his voice. “Margie, I'm heading into town now! I'll stop by Phil's on the way and pick up the hay he promised me!”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
“Morning all,” said Marco as he walked into the kitchen. “Where's Lou? Still sleeping?” he asked.
“Are you kidding?” answered Johnny with a grin. “Doesn't she get up before the sun? Knowing your sister, she's probably out in the barn helping the hands muck stalls. Ask Mr. Johnson when he comes in for breakfast.”
“Ask me what?” questioned the rancher. “If you boys are talking about Louisa, I haven't seen her yet this morning. Did you check her room?”
Just then, Dorothy burst in, her face pale. “She's gone!” she panted. “I've looked everywhere and nobody's seen her since last night!”
Mike peered out the window and breathed a sigh of relief. “The Mustang is still here, so she's couldn't have gone too far,” he said. “We better go look for her.” Marco, you and Chet go West and Johnny and I will go East. We'll meet back here in an hour. If we haven't found her by then, we can call the Sheriff.” They left the house just as John Quincy drove up. “Howdy, boys. Is Phil around?” He rolled his eyes as the keening wail he had heard earlier started up again. “That damn coyote is howling again,” he muttered. “He better keep away from my chicken coop if he wants to stay healthy.”
Chet's mouth dropped open. “That's no animal,” he gasped. “It sounds like somebody in pain.” He stared at the others in shock. “Are you guys thinking what I'm thinking?”
Johnny closed his eyes and concentrated hard. “It's coming from near the caves,” he said finally, pointing to the North. “Follow me; I know a shortcut. I just hope we get there in time.”
“In time for what?” hollered Kelly, running after the paramedic.
“I've got a bad feeling about this,” whispered Marco, fingering his rosary nervously.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Louisa's head shot up when the Heavens changed from black to pearl gray. The young woman knelt on the ground before the crude altar she had set up and turned to face the rising sun. She raised her hands to the sky and began to chant in Lakota, her body swaying in rhythm with her keening voice. “Great Spirit, hear my words,” she sang, picking up a bone-handled knife and touching it to the inside of her left forearm. “I offer you my blood as a symbol of my grief. Hear me, oh Great Spirit, and ease the pain in my heart.” Her voice rose to an anguished shriek as the metal sliced into her flesh. She shifted the blade to her other arm and made a second cut, repeating the chant as blood dripped onto her deerskin tunic, staining it bright red.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Mike's eyes widened in horror when he saw what was happening. “What in the Hell ?!?” he exclaimed. “Am I seeing things or did Louisa just cut herself on purpose?!?” He took a few steps towards his sister, whipping around when Johnny grabbed his arm and hauled him back. “What do you think you're doing?” he growled. “We have to stop her before she slits her throat!”
The paramedic shook his head. “She won't,” he answered sternly. “If you interrupt her now, she'll have to wait for the next sunrise and start all over again.”
“What exactly is she doing ?” Chet wanted to know. “What's all that stuff on the ground?”
“It's a Lakota mourning ceremony, Kelly” hissed Johnny in a low voice. “When someone dies, his or her surviving relatives express their grief by cutting their bodies and offering the blood to the Great Spirit. The sacrifice assures that the dead person's soul will have an easy journey to the Afterlife.”
“So, it's a way to say goodbye,” said Marco. “Is that why Lou didn't wear black to the funeral?”
“Could be,” chuckled Gage. “To the Lakota, death isn't just an ending; it's also a beginning.”
Stoker nodded slowly, biting his lip thoughtfully. “Makes sense, I guess,” he admitted. “Uh, John? Do you think you could teach me some of your, I mean, our people's customs?”
The paramedic grinned and slapped him on the back. “I thought you'd never ask,” he laughed. He turned to look over his shoulder at the young woman, who had resumed her mournful song. “It won't be long now,” he commented. “Her ceremony is almost complete.”
Lopez removed his shirt and began to tear it into strips. “For bandages,” he explained when the Irishman raised a questioning eyebrow.
Louisa's chant grew softer and softer, finally dying away to nothing. She wiped the blood from her arms with a rag and bowed her head, her lips moving in silent prayer. She collected the objects she had laid out and placed them back into the cloth bag, then got to her feet. “Goodbye, Hank,” she whispered, tears sliding down her cheeks. “Until we meet again, my love.” A cold gust of wind sighed through the trees and blew her hair back from her face. The young woman shivered and walked towards the path leading to the ranch. At the last minute, something made her stop and stare up at the morning sky, her eyes wide with fear. Johnny followed her gaze, gasping harshly when a shooting star blazed overhead and landed on the hillside several yards away, sending up a thin stream of acrid-smelling smoke. An icy chill ran up his spine as the impact shook the ground. Louisa lost her balance and dropped to her knees, a primal scream rising from her throat.
Marco scrambled forward and pulled his sister to her feet. “Lou, stop yelling and come on!” he bellowed. “You can explain this little stunt of yours after I get you to a hospital!”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Two Hours Later
“All right, one of you start talking,” demanded the Latino fireman, his eyes blazing. “Why are guys so upset about a dumb meteor?”
Louisa touched her bandaged arm with trembling fingers and glared at her brother. I doubt you would understand!” she retorted. “Just drop it, okay?”
“No, I won't just drop it!” he yelled. “It obviously means something and I want to know what!” He knelt in front of her chair and squeezed her hands. “Come on, Lou. Tell me what you're thinking,” he pleaded.
“Fine, have it your way,” she muttered crossly. “But if you laugh at me, I swear I'll punch you in the nose! Seeing a shooting star immediately after the ceremony was a sign, Marco. To anyone else, it's nothing more than a falling piece of rock, but to me, it means that Hank's soul was rejected and denied a place in the Afterlife.”
“But why?” asked Chet. “Cap was a great boss and a wonderful human being. I don't get it.”
The young woman swallowed hard before replying. “He was far from perfect, Kelly,” she answered. “A person's spirit can be turned away for a number of reasons. He or she could have lived an unworthy life or….” She paused and chewed on a fingernail. “Or they're not really dead.”
“Are you saying that you think Cap is still alive?” exclaimed Stoker. “That's not possible! He died in the fire, Louisa!”
Johnny raised a placating hand. “You're forgetting one important detail,” he said quietly. “His body was never found, and neither was Roy 's, just their helmets. Don't you think that if they burned, there would have been some physical evidence left behind?”
“Not necessarily,” the engineer shot back. “The fire destroyed everything in its path. How could they have survived?”
“Mike, it may be a long shot, but what if they did?” challenged Louisa. “Part of me never accepted that Roy and my husband were really dead. If there is one chance in a million that they made it out alive, I won't rest until I know for sure. As soon as we get home, I'm going to comb every square inch of the area in and around Jawbone Canyon , no matter how long it takes! I'll won't believe Hank and Roy are truly gone until I see it with my own eyes!”
Part 5
One Week Later
“Would you mind saying that again?” asked McConikee, staring at his visitor incredulously. “I don't think I heard you correctly.”
“I want to see where my husband and Roy Desoto died,” Louisa repeated. “Don't give that look; I'm not crazy.”
“Just what do you expect to find up there?” replied the Chief.
“I'm not looking for their bodies, if that's what you're thinking,” she answered, avoiding his eyes. “I need closure, Pat, and this the only way I know how to get it.”
“I can tell nothing I say will make you change your mind, so I won't bother to argue,” he sighed. “If you want, I'll take you there myself.”
“No, this is something I have to do on my own,” said the young woman. “But I appreciate the offer.”
McConikee got up and walked over to the map hanging on his office wall. “It was right about here, in Jawbone Canyon ,” he said, pointing. “I'm afraid there's not much left, except ashes and charred trees. Are you sure you don't want me to go along?”
Louisa smiled laid her hand on his arm. “Positive,” she murmured. “I'll call you in a few days.”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The Next Morning
“I want to go with you, Mama,” said Matthew, after learning his mother's plans. “It could be dangerous. What if you fall down and get hurt?”
Louisa stroked her son's cheek affectionately. “I'll be fine, sweetheart. Your Uncle Marco and Cousin Johnny will be with me in case anything happens. Besides, it's a school day, little man. Get going or you'll miss the bus.”
After the children had left, the young woman turned to her mother with an apologetic smile. “I hated having to lie to him, but I didn't want to give him false hope,” she explained. “What if it turns out that I'm wrong and Hank really is gone forever? The kids would have to go through the pain of losing their father all over again.”
Maria poured herself a cup of coffee and sat across from her daughter. “The way I see it, you're setting yourself up for further disappointment,” she said sternly. “Have you told Joanne about this?”
“No, and I don't intend to, unless I find something concrete,” the young woman replied. “God, why are you fighting me on this?!?”
“Because it's become an obsession with you!” shouted Mrs. Lopez. “All you think about it proving that Hank and Roy are still alive! Don't get me wrong, dear; I would be thrilled if they were, but it's highly unlikely! Why can't you get that through your head?!?”
“I told you why, Mami !” Louisa retorted sharply. “I have to know for sure! Please try to understand!”
“I have been,” answered the Latino woman softly. “I just think it's a waste of time. Your husband is dead and nothing you do will bring him back.”
“Believe what you want, but my heart is telling me he's out there somewhere, waiting for me to find him.” She jumped up and ran from the room, meeting Johnny and Marco at the front door. “Let's go, I want to get this over with.”
Jawbone Canyon , Thirty Minutes Later
Johnny stopped his Rover and got out slowly “Gil picked us up right about here,” he muttered, overwhelmed by memories. “I found Cap's HT over there,” he added, pointing to the spot.
Louisa didn't reply as she stared at the fire-ravaged landscape around them. She squatted under a blackened tree, tears streaming down her cheeks. “Spirits, show me the way,” she whispered. “Give me a sign.” She jumped when an eagle swooped down from a branch overhead and landed a few yards in front of her. The majestic bird gazed at her for a minute, then unfolded its wings and flew away, screaming loudly. The young woman watched until it was out of sight, then began to climb the steep hill. Halfway to the top, she tripped over a root and fell, her hands coming to rest on a scrap of charred cloth. “I think I found something!” she called over her shoulder. “It looks like a piece of a turn-out!”
“Let me see that!” said Johnny, snatching it out of her hands. “You're right, it is,” he answered. “And this looks like part of a name, but I can't read what it is. Can you make it out, Lou?”
The young woman bit her lip and studied the letters intently. “No, it's too burned.” She dropped the scrap and sighed in defeat. She about to stand up when a faint gleam of metal caught her eye. “What's that?” she gasped, brushing away a thick layer of soot from the object. “Oh my God,” she breathed, her face white. “This is Hank's badge!”
“Come see what I found!” shouted Marco, waving his arms wildly. Johnny and Louisa jumped to their feet and ran to where the Latino fireman was standing. “Footprints!” he exclaimed. “They go off in that direction, towards the woods! Didn't McConikee say no one searched this area? Well, someone was here after they left!”
“What are we waiting for?” grinned the paramedic. “Let's see where they lead! Good going, Marco. I think you're on to something, pal!”
They followed the trail as it wound though the trees, ending in a small clearing. A small, run-down cabin stood on the edge of the space. Louisa approached the building cautiously and squeezed through the half-open door. She ducked when the eagle she had seen before sailed past her , a runner of white cloth fluttering from its beak. The young woman grabbed the scrap and held it up to the light, her jaw dropping when she saw that the fabric was stained with blood. Her eyes scanned the room and came to rest on a mound of soiled bandages scattered across the floor. A black pouch peaked out from beneath the pile and she picked it up, a broad smile on her face. “Do you recognize this, Johnny?” she asked, handing it to the gaping man.
“It's Roy 's equipment holster,” he replied with a gasp. “I'll be damned, Lou! You were right!” He hugged his friend, laughing joyously. “They're still alive!”
“I don't believe it,” whispered Marco, his eyes wide with shock. “Okay, we know Cap and Roy were here, but where are they now ? And why haven't they contacted us?”
“That's the $64,000 question,” answered his sister. She screamed when a man burst in, a double-barreled shotgun in his hands.
“What are doing in my cabin?!?” he demanded, raising the weapon. “There ain't nothing left to steal! The damn looters cleaned me out!”
“Take it easy, sir,” said Louisa. “We're not thieves.”
“Oh, yeah? Then why are you sneaking around up here? Well, speak up, lady! Who the Hell are you?”
“My name is Louisa Stanley and these gentlemen are John Gage and Marco Lopez. Will you stop pointing that thing at me? We mean you know harm, Mr.…..”
“Anderson, Gus Anderson,” grumbled the man. “That still doesn't explain what you're doing up here.”
“We're looking for someone,” said Johnny. “We have to reason to believe that they may have been in the area recently. Have you seen anyone else hanging around besides us?”
“No, I ain't been up here since the fire,” growled Anderson . “My neighbor might have, though.”
“Can you show us where he lives?” questioned Marco. “Please, sir. The people we're searching for may be injured.”
“Won't do no good,” muttered Gus. “He left to visit his daughter in Maryland two days ago.”
Louisa ground her teeth in frustration, but wasn't ready to give up just yet. “Do any other people live around here?” she asked. “If not, are there any medical clinics in this area?”
“You sure ask a lot of questions, missy,” smirked Anderson . “The closest doctor is over in Gorman. As for other folks, there ain't no one but me and Dutch.”
“Then we'll go there,” she replied. “Thank you for your time, sir.” She shoved past him and ran back to the trail.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Gorman, Three Hours Later
The receptionist looked up when the trio entered the small clinic and approached her desk “Good afternoon,” she greeted. “What can I do for you?”
“We need some information. Is the doctor available?” said Louisa.
“He's with a patient right now. Perhaps I could help you.” She batted her eyes at Johnny and flashed a coy smile. “I'd certainly like to.”
The paramedic grinned and leaned over to wink at her. “I would really appreciate it,” he flirted, putting the Gage charm to work. “My name's Johnny and these are my friends, Louisa and Marco. What's yours, pretty lady?”
“Tanya,” she answered with a giggle. “What would you like to know, handsome?”
“Did you treat any victims from the brush fire a few weeks ago?” he asked. “Two men who came in together, maybe?”
“Technically, I'm not allowed to give out any details about our clients, but I suppose I could bend the rules just this once. That would have been around the 11 th and 12 th , right? I'll go check our records. Be right back, cutie.”
“I'll be waiting.” The minute she was gone, Louisa burst out laughing. “Got any waffles to go with that syrup?” she teased. “Talk about laying it on thick! You should have gone into politics!”
Instead of looking for the files Johnny had asked for, Tanya went to speak to the clinic‘s nurse, Heather Macy. She explained the situation and asked for the older woman's input. “Should I interrupt Dr. Barnes?”
“No, I'll do that,” responded Heather. “Have them wait in his office while I tell him what‘s going on.”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Dr. Jeremy Barnes leaned back in his chair and folded his arms across his chest. “I can‘t discuss a patient unless you‘re a family member or have a court order,” he said. “It‘s unethical, not mention illegal.”
“I work in the medical field myself, so I understand your dilemma,” answered Louisa. “I would never ask you to violate anyone's privacy, but one the men we're looking for is my husband. It's possible that he came here for help. I promise that nothing you say will leave this room. In fact, I'll deny that this conversation ever took place.”
“It goes against my better judgment, but I'll tell you what I know,” sighed Barnes. “Two men came into my clinic on the 13 th of last month. I remember the date because it was my daughter's fifth birthday and my wife was throwing a party for her. It had been pretty slow that day and I was thinking about closing early. Anyway, Heather, my nurse, showed them to a treatment room and started the usual paperwork. You know, name, address, past medical problems, and the like, but every time she asked a question, they just gave her a blank stare, like they didn't understand. I was on the phone with another patient, so I wasn't able to see them immediately. By the time I was free, they were gone. I questioned my staff, but no one saw them leave.”
Just then, Heather spoke up. “I checked the other rooms, but it's like they vanished into thin air.”
The young woman handed the nurse a small photograph of Hank and Roy , taken at the Fireman's Picnic the year before. “Are these the men you saw?” she murmured hopefully. “Do you recall how they were dressed?”
“I think so,” replied Heather. “They were both wearing what looked like some kind of uniform, dark blue trousers and light blue shirts. Oh, there was a patch on the blond man's sleeve. I didn't see any name tags, though.”
“That's okay,” beamed Johnny. “What you just said confirms that they didn't die in the fire after all. Ma'am, may I use your telephone? I think Chief McConikee needs to hear this for himself. Boy, will he be surprised!”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
“Surprised?!? Try flabbergasted!” bellowed McConikee. “You're where? Yeah, I know how to get to the Gorman Clinic. Stay put, Gage; I'll be there in an hour.” He cradled the receiver and shook his head. “Either that boy's telling the truth or he's completely lost his marbles,” the Chief muttered. “How in God's name am I going to explain this to Houts?”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
“He's on his way,” grinned Johnny. “I got the impression he thought I was out of my mind.”
“I have that feeling every day, sweetheart,” joked Louisa, her eyes sparkling. “I think it's a little too soon to break out the champagne,” she added soberly. “Hank and Roy are still missing.” The young woman gasped and covered her mouth. “I just thought of something. How do we tell Joanne that her husband is still alive? She's gonna freak!”
“We'll cross that bridge when the time is right,” counseled Marco. “You look a bit shaky yourself, little sister. You sure you're okay?”
“What you really mean is, am I going to go screw loose bozo on you, right?” she chuckled. “Don't worry about me; I feel better than I have in weeks.”
“I kind of figured you'd say that,” grinned the Latino fireman.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Three Days Later
“We'll concentrate our search in this area,” said McConikee, pointing to the map. “I want you to knock on every door and look in every barn, shack, and outhouse, no matter how small they are, is that clear? If you find anything , radio in immediately. All right, let's get moving.”
“What about her?” asked Rick Collins, hooking at thumb at Louisa, who stood on the edge of the group. “Is she going with us?”
“Just try to stop me, buster,” retorted the young woman, her chin set at a stubborn angle. “If you find my husband, I want to be there.”
Rick's partner, Miguel Sanchez, guffawed. “Don't argue with the lady, Collins. She has as much right to be here as anybody else. Lord knows she's been through Hell and back.”
“I'd rather you didn't accompany us, Mrs. Stanley, but it's your choice,” interrupted the Chief. “It was hard enough convincing Gage to stay home.”
“Actually, you didn't,” admitted Louisa with a blush. “I asked him to take the kids for the day, just in case this doesn't turn out the way we hoped.”
Four hours into the search, McConikee was about to recall the men when one of the teams struck pay dirt. “Team Five to Base. We found them. Repeat, we found them!”
The Chief snatched the HT off his belt with a yank. “Copy, Team Five. What is your location?”
“ 10582 Palmdale Road ,” came the reply. “We're in a gully on the southeast corner of the property. Better send the paramedics. They're in rough shape.”
Louisa lifted her radio to her lips, tears streaming down her cheeks. “Team Five, this is Mrs. Stanley. Are they conscious?”
“Affirmative, Mrs. S. Conscious and responding to verbal stimuli. Anything you want to say to them?”
The young woman rolled her eyes and burst out laughing. “What do you think?” she snickered. “Hang on, sweetheart. I'm on my way. Oh, by the way, I love you, hose jockey. That goes for you, too, Desoto. I'll save the lecture until you're both feeling better. Did they hear that, Team Five?”
“Loud and clear. Captain Stanley says to tell you he loves you, too. Desoto requests that you notify his wife personally, ma'am.”
“Consider it done. Anything else?”
“Uh, yeah, and I quote: thanks for not giving up on us. Team Five out.”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Rampart General, Later That Night
Joanne Desoto entered the ER and saw Louisa standing by the nurse's station, a broad grin lighting up her face. “I got a message asking me to meet you here,” she said. “What's going on?”
The young woman squeezed her friend's arm and guided her into Brackett's office. “You better sit down, Jo,” she replied. “You're not going to believe it, but Hank and Roy are alive ! Don't ask me how, but they managed to escape the fire. Kel and Joe are with them as we speak!”
The petite brunette gasped and began to cry. “I don't understand,” she sobbed. “The Department said they had been killed. We held a funeral and everything. How can this be true?”
“Let me try to explain,” answered Louisa. “A few weeks ago, I was out in the barn, talking to the horses, and started thinking about Gray Eagle. Now, when a Lakota dies, a ceremony is performed to help his or her spirit enter the Afterlife. I don't know why, but I got it into my head that I should do the same for Hank. Most of the time, the person's soul is accepted without too much trouble, unless they have lived an unworthy life or are still alive. If the Great Spirit rejects them, he gives a sign indicating the reason He has denied them entrance. That's what happened in this case. Lord knows Hank has his faults, but when it comes down to the nitty-gritty, he's a good person at heart.”
“He'd have to be, to put up with Chet and his pranks,” smiled Joanne. “But you were talking about some kind of ceremony and getting a message. What did you mean?”
“It involves making a blood sacrifice, but I won't go into that right now,” answered the young woman. “As for the sign, well, let's just say it was pretty cosmic, even earth-shaking,” she chuckled. “I had finished my ceremony and was getting ready to go back to the Johnson's when a meteor fell out of the sky and landed a few yards away from where Johnny and I were standing. Needless to say, it scared us more than a little.”
“And that led to you to believe Hank was still alive?” questioned the other woman. “Forgive me for being dense, but I don't understand the significance.”
“In the old days, none of my people knew that shooting stars were comets,” said Johnny from the doorway. “They thought they were bad omens or a sign that something important was going to happen to the tribe.”
“Exactly,” grinned Louisa. “It's no wonder that white people thought we were heathens after they heard that! Anyway, the meteor reinforced my feeling that my husband wasn't really gone. I'm sure I don't have to tell you, but I have a tendency to follow my gut instinct more often than not. I talked Johnny and Marco into helping me do a little snooping, which led us to the clinic in Gorman. We took what Heather Macy and Dr. Barnes told us and ran with it.”
Joanne sniffled and wiped her eyes with a tissue. “In the future, remind me to trust your judgment, no matter how delusional I think you are,” she teased gently. “Now, tell me about Roy and Hank. What kind of injuries did they have?”
“I saw some minor burns and Roy has a bump on his head, but they'll be fine, at least until I get finished with them,” said the young woman with a giggle. “I'd like to know why they didn't try to contact us.”
Part 6
“Uncle Marco, why are you taking us to the hospital?” asked Matthew. “We're not sick.”
The Latino fireman grinned and ruffled his nephew's shaggy, dark hair. “It's a surprise,” he answered.
The boy made a face and stuck out his tongue. “That's what Mama always says before we get a shot,” he grumbled.
“Not all the time,” argued Emma, his twin sister. “Sometimes we go and visit Doctor Kel and Nurse Dixie. Is that what we're gonna do today?”
“You'll see,” replied Marco. “But I promise no one will try to jab you guys with a needle.”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Louisa sat at her husband's bedside, watching him sleep. On the other side of the room, Roy and Joanne Desoto talked quietly. “If it wasn't for Cap,” the paramedic was saying, “I wouldn't be here right now. He kept telling me that someone would find us eventually. I can't believe the Department gave up the search so quickly.”
“I can't either. Miguel Sanchez told me that Louisa had more than a few choice words for the Chief after you were found,” answered his wife, glancing at her friend. “If Vince Howard hadn't stepped in, she probably would have torn McConikee to pieces. I know exactly how she felt.”
“Louisa Stanley, please call Extension 127,” blared the intercom. “Louisa Stanley, 127.”
The young woman rose and picked up the telephone in the corner of the small room. She dialed and listened for a moment, then cradled the receiver. “Jo, the kids are here. Why don't we go down and give them the good news?”
“I'll be back soon, honey,” said the petite brunette, kissing her husband's forehead. “See if you can wake Sleeping Beauty while we're gone.”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Twenty Minutes Later
Emma clung to her father, sobbing loudly. “I knew you'd come back, Daddy,” she cried. Hank wrapped an arm around his daughter and hugged her tightly, reaching out to pull Matthew, Hannah, and Robert close. “It's okay, baby,” he whispered in a husky voice. “I'm here now.”
In the other bed, Roy was sharing a happy reunion with his own children. “I've missed you so much,” he rasped, his throat tight. “I never thought I would see you again.”
Chief McConikee watched through the open door, a broad smile on his face. He cleared his throat and entered the room. “How are you feeling, boys?” he asked.
“I'd be a lot better if someone had found us right after the fire,” growled the paramedic. “No offense, but Cap and I would like to be alone with our families.”
“Of course. Please excuse the interruption. Um, Mrs. Stanley, could I speak to you outside?”
“I don't have anything to say to you, sir,” she hissed, her eyes glinting with rage. “I made my feelings very clear before.”
“Yes, I know that, but it's important. I won't take up much of your time.”
“Fine, but not here,” replied the young woman. “Let's go into the lounge.”
Matthew watched as his mother stormed out of the room, his face puckered with confusion. “Dad, why is Mama so mad at the Chief?” he questioned.
“I don't know, son,” answered Hank. “Why don't you ask her when she gets back?”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Louisa stood near the coffee machine and folded her arms across her chest. “You've got five minutes, so start talking,” she muttered.
McConikee rubbed his hands together nervously and took a seat at the table. “I want to apologize for calling off the search so soon,” he said quietly. “It was wrong and I'm sorry.”
“You're sorry ?!?” the young woman shot back in disbelief. “Do you have any idea what you put us through? Joanne and I had to tell our children their fathers were never coming home again! Can you imagine what that was like?!? If you've come here looking for sympathy, you can forget it! I'll never forgive you for the pain you caused!”
“Good, because I don't deserve it,” whispered the Chief. “You were right when you said I was unfit for command. On Monday, I'll be handing in my resignation. I wanted you to be the first to know.”
Louisa's mouth dropped open in surprise. “What will you do then?” she asked, her anger evaporating into shock. “Firefighting is your whole life.”
“Take early retirement, I suppose,” replied McConikee. “How can I continue to do my job if I can't trust my own instincts? I'm the one who believed Hank and Roy had been killed.”
“I don't know what to say,” admitted the young woman. “What did your wife say when you told her you were quitting?”
“I haven't discussed it with her yet,” he answered sheepishly.
“Maybe you should get her input first,” said Louisa, her cheeks turning red with shame. “I may be furious with you right now, but I would feel terrible if you quit the Department because of what I said.”
“Don't beat yourself up about it, lass,” answered the Chief with a faint smile. “You have every right to be angry. But, I'll take your advice and think about this a little more before I make a final decision.”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
One Week Later
Louisa walked into Station 110, carrying a paper sack in her arms. “Hey, guys. How's it going? Miguel, here are the magazines you wanted.”
“Thanks,” muttered Sanchez, giving her a strange look. “Excuse me; I have to finish mopping the bay.”
“I'll give you a hand,” said Rick Collins, laying aside the newspaper he was reading. “I'm sure you're very busy, Mrs. Stanley, so we won't keep you.”
“All right,” answered the young woman. She sat down on the sofa beside Gil Robinson and smiled. “Studying for the recertification exam?” she asked pleasantly.
“Something like that,” replied the paramedic, avoiding her gaze. “Uh, I think I left my notes in the dorm. Thanks for stopping by. Tell Captain Stanley hello for me.”
“I will. Good luck on the test. I guess I'll come back another time.” She got to her feet and headed to her car, confused by the men's odd behavior.
After picking up her husband's prescription, the young woman stopped at a local bakery for some fresh pastries. Squad 116 was parked out front when she arrived. She spotted Tom Wheeler leaning against the counter and waved a greeting, frowning when he turned away, his mouth twisting in disgust. “I'd like two dozen assorted cannolis, George,” she said to the clerk. “Do you have the chocolate ones today?”
The baker grinned at her. “I just made a fresh batch, Mrs. Stanley,” he answered. “I was real happy when your husband turned up alive. How's he doing?”
“Much better, thanks,” beamed Louisa. “He goes back to work on Monday.”
“At least someone still has their job,” commented Wheeler, just loud enough for her to hear. “Not everyone is so lucky. Everything checks out just fine, Mr. LaSalle,” he added, moving towards the front of the shop. At the doorway, he paused to stare at her, his eyes cold and unfriendly. “Always a pleasure to see you, Mrs. Stanley,” he muttered sarcastically.
“That'll be $18.36,” said LaSalle. “What did Wheeler mean by that little remark?”
“Got me,” replied the young woman. “Maybe he's having a bad day or something. See you later, George.”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Rampart General Hospital , One Hour Later
“Hey, Dix,” called Louisa as she came into the ER. “You like you could use a cup of coffee.”
“More like two or three,” responded the nurse with a smile. “What's in the box?”
“A dozen espresso cannolis. You know anybody that would enjoy a treat?” she joked.
“Yeah, me! Hand them over and no one gets hurt,” teased Dixie . “The caffeine and sugar in these will keep me going for the next two hours or so. Carol, I'm taking a break.”
Joe Early looked up from the chart he was reading when they entered the lounge. “Good morning, Louisa,” he greeted. “Are those LaSalle's pastries I smell?”
“No, it's my new perfume,” giggled the young woman. “Eau de Coffee Custard. Guaranteed to bring unsuspecting hose jockeys to their knees at twenty paces.”
“In that case, I recommend that you stay away from their habitat for a while,” laughed the neurosurgeon. He reached into the carton and snagged one of the sweet confections. “Absolute heaven,” he said, licking crumbs from his fingers.
Sharon Walters stuck her head in the door and gestured. “Dr. Early, Squad 36 just brought in Mr. Dobson. I had them take him to Treatment Two.”
“I'll be right there,” answered Joe. “No rest for the wicked,” he chuckled.
“I should be going, too,” sighed Louisa. “I have to stop at the butcher's and pick up something for dinner. Hank said he's getting tired of casserole.” She paused in the doorway and winked at her friend. “Look on the bright side, Dix,” she smirked. “Your shift will be over in five hours, thirty-five minutes, and twenty-seven seconds. Then you get to go home and cook dinner.”
“Thank you so much for reminding me,” mumbled the nurse with a grimace. “I'm glad I have you to point out the obvious.”
“Since you're a preferred customer, I won't even charge you,” she snickered. “Anything else you want to know?”
“Yeah, what will it take to get you to stop torturing me?” chuckled Dixie . “Would a custard facial do the trick?”
“It might, but my brother has cornered the market on bathing with pie fillings,” grinned the young woman. “His favorite is banana cream.” She ducked out of the room and bumped straight into Dr. Brackett. “Excuse me, Kel. I wouldn't go in there if I was you. Your wife is armed with cannolis and ready to defend her stash.”
“I'll take that into consideration,” smiled Brackett. “Her aim isn't very good anyway.”
“I heard that!” called the nurse. “Get out of here before I call security, young lady!”
“Hey, I might enjoy that! I can't resist a man in uniform! See you later, Kel.”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Station 51
Johnny looked up when Louisa's car pulled into the parking lot. “Well, look what the cat dragged in,” he teased. “Have you met Shawn Tyler? He's filling in until Roy comes back. Shawn, this is Louisa, Captain Stanley's extremely charming wife.”
“Why, thank you for the compliment, kind sir,” smiled the young woman. “Pleased to meet you, Shawn. How do you like working with the biggest flirt in the Department?”
“It's been interesting,” answered Tyler . “Wish I could say the same about Chet Kelly. That guy is a royal pain in the backside.”
“I guess you've met the Phantom then? If he gets out of hand, let me know and I'll take care of him for you. I have ways to keep him in line.”
“So I've heard,” chuckled Shawn. “Gage told me about some of your best pranks. My favorite was the fake vampire stunt.”
“I'm fond of that one myself,” she grinned. “I think I scared ten years off old Chet's life when I chomped on Desoto's neck! The expression on his face was priceless ! Ask Johnny to show you the pictures he took sometime.”
“I already did,” laughed Gage. “I'm thinking about publishing them in a book. I could call it The Phantom Gets Taken Down a Few Pegs .”
“Sounds like a bestseller to me,” giggled Louisa. “Don't forget to include his unplanned visit to Greaseball Land .”
Tyler 's eyebrows shot up when Johnny burst out laughing, tears poring down his face. “Are you telling me that Kelly does an Elvis impression?” he asked quizzically. “With or without the sequined jumpsuit?”
“Not quite,” snorted the young woman, her eyes twinkling with amusement. “Chet was working on his van and ended up bathing in motor oil after he forgot to drain the pan before removing it.”
Just then, Station 51's temporary Captain emerged from the office. When he saw Louisa, he stopped in his tracks, his jaw hanging open. “Nicki?” he gasped. “Is that really you ?”
She turned around, her eyes widening in surprise. “Spike O'Keefe? I'll be damned! What are you doing here?”
“I'm filling in for a while,” he answered. “I could ask you the same question. Last I heard, you were working on a ranch in Montana . Did you come down to visit your family?”
“In a manner of speaking,” chuckled the young woman. “Mike Stoker is my half brother and Johnny here is my cousin.”
“You're kidding me!” grinned O'Keefe. “Talk about a small world. What have you been doing all these years? Are you married?”
“Yeah, to a very special man. We have four wonderful children, but the count goes up whenever Johnny and Chet drop by,” she joked, poking Gage with her elbow.
“I love you, too, Mother ,” retorted the paramedic. “She's kidding, of course. Her kids are a lot better behaved than Kelly.”
“Some days I wonder,” smiled Louisa. “What about you? Anybody special in your life?”
“Not right now; my wife and I split up a couple years ago,” replied Frank. “I moved back to L.A. after the divorce. What does your husband do for a living?”
Muffled laughter erupted from the dayroom. “Go ahead, little sister,” smirked Mike. “I, for one, can't wait to see his reaction.”
“He's a Fire Department Captain,” said the young woman, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. “Actually, you, uh, kind of took over for him.”
“You're married to Hank Stanley?” exclaimed O'Keefe. “So you're the lady every guy in the Department is bitching about, huh? I guess things really haven't changed all that much!”
“What is he talking about, Michael?” she demanded.
The engineer turned red and looked down at the floor. “There's a rumor going around that McConikee resigned because you threatened to file charges against him unless he quit,” he mumbled.
“Are you serious?!?” Louisa exploded. “I would never do something like that! In fact, I tried to convince him to stay! Who told you I asked him to quit?”
“A nurse at Rampart saw you and the Chief talking and told Ed Marlowe about it,” answered Stoker reluctantly. “He started the rumors after hearing what you said after Cap and Roy were found.”
“I bet I know who was eavesdropping,” growled the young woman. “So, that's why Sanchez couldn't get away from me fast enough this morning. It explains the comment Tom Wheeler made, too. Is Marlowe on duty today?”
Johnny shook his head. “No, he's at home with the flu. I know that look, Cousin,” he said. “Please tell me you're not going over there.”
“Of course not,” she replied with a falsely-sweet smile. “Are you familiar with the expression ‘don't get mad, get even'? That's exactly what I plan to do. If you gentlemen will excuse me, I need to make a phone call.” She went into the office and dialed a number. “Pat, it's Louisa Stanley. You won't believe what I just heard.” After ten minutes, she returned, a cat-like grin on her face. “Hold on to your hats, boys. The spit is about to hit the fan in a big way! I'll fill you in later.”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
L.A. County Fire Department Headquarters, Half an Hour Later
Chief Houts leaned over his desk to glare at the man sitting before him. “I cannot believe what I am hearing!” he barked. “Is this true, Marlowe?!?”
Ed slid down in his chair and studied his hands. “Yes, sir,” he whispered. “I was there when Hank and Roy were found and witnessed the confrontation Mrs. Stanley had with Chief McConikee. She made it clear that she wanted to make him pay for his mistake.”
“I was too angry to know what I was saying at the time,” snapped Louisa. “When Pat informed me that he was going to resign, I begged him to reconsider.”
The paramedic bit his lip. “Anne didn't tell me that part,” he admitted.
“I doubt she stuck around long enough to hear the rest of our conversation,” snorted the young woman. “If she had, it wouldn't have gone this far. My God, I stood up for you when McConikee tried to wash you out of the paramedic program! I did you a favor and this is how you repay me?!?”
“Calm down, Mrs. Stanley,” advised Houts. “Pat, how would you handle this situation?”
McConikee rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “For starters, I think a public apology is in order. As for disciplinary action, I'll leave that up to you. What do you think is a suitable punishment, lass?” he asked, his eyes twinkling.
“How about a full week's suspension without pay?” questioned Louisa. “Ed, let me give you some advice. The next time you hear a juicy piece of gossip, stop and consider the source before passing it along. Anne has a long history of sticking her nose into other people's business. A few years ago, she started a rumor that Dr. Mike Morton was in financial trouble because the bank denied his loan application. Do you see where I'm going with this?”
Marlowe grinned and nodded. “Anne is a busybody and I shouldn't believe a word she says,” he said. “There are two sides to every story and get your facts straight before you open your big mouth. Am I getting warm?”
The young woman shook her head and laughed. “I make a point and he responds with clichés. If I didn't know better, I'd swear the Academy has added Smart Ass 101 to the curriculum.”
“No, we only teach that to our Captains,” joked Houts. “It comes in handy when dealing with probies and other low-ranking personnel. When a man has mastered that skill, we know he's ready to be promoted to Chief.”
“That's when the advanced classes become available,” grinned McConikee. “We learn how to make statements to the press that sound important, but don't reveal a damn thing. The unofficial name for that lesson is ‘Big Words and BS'.”
Louisa giggled and winked at the men. “I took that course, but under a different title. It was called ‘Medical Terminology', subtitled ‘Impress Laymen With Your Vocabulary'.”
“Brackett must have done well in that class,” snickered Ed. “Half the time, I have no idea what he's talking about and I'm a paramedic!”