Rodeo - Chapters 4 - 6

Part 4

The Frontier Motel looked like something out of one of those bad horror movies made in the late 60's. Units were side by side in a horseshoe shape around a big parking lot with the office sitting smack in the center. Each unit opened up to the parking lot. Most rooms already had a variety of beat up trucks parked in front of them.

"Dang Chris, ya aren't trying to spoil us are ya?" Vin was looking around. "I mean this is pretty fancy don't ya think."

For a minute Ezra thought Vin was serious then he realized that the long haired man was almost glowing he was in such a good mood. "We definitely have to get you a new residence, your current domicile is corrupting you."

"Ah, Ez, it's not so bad, I've slept in lots worse." Vin hopped out of the truck and reached in the bed to pull out his bag and saddle.

Ezra took a deep breath and got out of the truck. As he looked around the parking lot he noticed that the whole place had an almost a party atmosphere to it. Several people had grills going and the smell reminded him that he had been too tense to eat lunch. Children were playing tag among the vehicles, lawn chairs, grills and people scattered around. Every once in a while someone would grab a kid as he or she ran past and give them a hot dog. If there was a system to the whole process he couldn't see it. Shaking his head he retrieved his gear and turned to follow Vin into the room.

Chris watched Ezra with a concerned frown, he was beginning to really worry about the other man. Normally Ezra was the outgoing one, Vin the quiet watcher but now the roles were reversed. He had known the southerner would feel out of place which is why he had put Ezra where he could keep an eye on him. Chris just hoped he wasn't asking too much of the man. He worried about all of his men but Vin and Ezra were his special worries. Of all his men JD, Vin, and Ezra, in that order, were the most likely to get shot, beat up or in some sort of trouble. He figured that Buck worried enough about JD for 10 normal people so he made it his job to keep an eye on the other two. He had wondered at first about the rapport that Vin and Ezra had. On the surface they seemed to have nothing in common but when you dug deeper there were a lot of similarities. He knew they had found some sort of connection when Vin had let Ezra start helping him with his reports. Something he had been trying to figure out a way to do himself. If only Ezra would let Vin return the favor on this assignment. <Sometimes I think I'm getting too old for this.> Chris sighed, grabbed his own stuff and headed into the room.

The room was actually two rooms, a small living room/bathroom and a bedroom with 2 double beds. Vin had already opened the connecting door and was listening to JD.

"So anyway, Buck told the guy if he ever saw him abuse an animal like that again he was gonna deck him."

Chris caught the last of JD's story. "What are you talking about JD? Did Buck get into a fight already?"

"It's nothing Chris, this guy was beating a horse and I told him to stop. I think he works for one of the stock contractors." Buck had entered the room and replied for himself. "I'd also bet on him being one of the guys we're after. He seemed real shifty to me."

"Your sure your not just saying that because you don't like the guy?" Nathan had moved into the room and gave Buck a wry look as he finished buttoning his shirt.

"The guy is scum. He also had real expensive alligator boots. Now how did he pay for those on a cowhands wages?" Buck grabbed JD around the neck, "Come on let's go eat, I'm starving. Aguy told me to try the Hitching Post, supposed to have the best steaks in town. JD and me will wait outside, it'll give us a chance to check out the ladies."

"I'll see if Josiah is ready, we'll meet you guys outside" Nathan went back through the connecting door headed for his room.

"Dinner sounds real good, ya ready Chris?" Vin looked to the older man.

"I have to check my messages first, should only take a minute. Why don't you and Ez go wait with the others."

"Oh my Lord, would you look at what just moved in next to Laura. If I was 10 pounds lighter and not married honey, I'd give you a $100 to trade rooms with me." The woman speaking was one of four women sitting in a half circle across the parking lot from the agent's rooms.

"Kathy's right, that is a prime grouping of male buns. Laura, I'm broke but I'll trade you my new Navaho saddle blanket for your room.

"Now Anna, no matter how fine they look, and those six men do look mighty fine," the speaker, a brunette paused to fan herself with her hand, "you know what they say, don't call em a cowboy until you've seen em ride"

The three women dissolved into laughter, which caught Buck's attention. He smiled and waved. The brunette waved back as her two year old daughter climbed into her lap. The little girl seeing her mother waving raised her arm and waved too. Buck, ever the gentleman swept off his hat and bowed. This caused another wave of laughter among the three watching women.

"Laura, you had better take a look at your new neighbor's. Another one just came out and it oughta be illegal to look that good in jeans."

The fourth women had been leaning back in her chair cowboy hat pulled down over her eyes. At the blonde's words she slowly pushed the brim up a bit and looked over at where Chris and the others were discussing how they were going to get to dinner. She had to admit, there wasn't a ringer in the bunch. Smiling she shook her head at the other women.

"You three ought to be ashamed of yourselves. Your all married with children. Your not supposed to be looking any more."

"Laura, honey, I'm married not dead, and that is a prime herd of tight butts and broad shoulders. Now if I were you I'd go over there and say hello."

Laura sat up a bit and gave the men a closer look. "And just which one should I pick? That's the problem with a large group of fine choices, it's hard to decide which one you want to throw your rope on. No thanks, ladies, I'm here to work, not chase cowboys, I can do that in Dallas."

"Well, I know which one I'd pick, the guy in the red shirt, he looks like a cuddler to me." Anna replied. "I mean just look at him."

Laura grinned good naturedly and turned her attention back the seven men. Just then Ezra removed his hat and ran his fingers through his hair. "Ezra?" the word was whispered so softly it was almost a breath not a word. <Nah, it can't be him Laura, you're just tired, worried, and feeling lonely. Seeing things that aren't there. The last place Ezra would ever be is in Cheyenne at a hole-in-the-wall motel like this. He's probably Vice President of some big corporation now, just like Maude had planned for him. No, it can't be Ezra … but what if it is? I can't let him see me, he'll ask too many questions. And I am so not up to dealing with that.> Laura watched the seven men pile into their vehicles and leave.

"I'll see you ladies tomorrow, think I'll turn in for the night." <Dang girl, stop worrying, even if that is Ezra, you don't look anything like you did at 16. Nothing is gonna go wrong, you'll take care of business just like always."> Still giving herself a silent lecture, the red headed woman headed for her room.

Part 5

Chris awoke suddenly, it took him a second to remember where he was. Quietly he turned his head to look across the room. The sight of the two men asleep in the other bed caused him to let out a breath he hadn't even know he was holding. Rubbing his eyes he tried to figure out what had woken him up. In the dream Ezra was being trampled by a bull while he was powerless to help. <Just a strange dream, that's all it was. Ezra is going to be alright.> Looking at the sleeping men again, he sighed. <Those two look so young and innocent asleep, you would never know looking at them that they're two of the best agents in this business.> Very quietly Chris got out of bed and moved into the other room. He turned back for one more look at the two sleepers. <Dang, it never fails to amaze me how young Vin looks when he's asleep. And Ezra, looking at him now I realize just how tense he's been since this thing started.> Pulling on his jeans, he opened the door and headed outside. Dropping the tailgate of the Dodge he sat down and looked up at the sky. The night and the place putting him in a reflective mood. <So Sarah, here I am again. I hope I'm making Adam and you proud of me. … When you died, so did I…..for a long time. Now, thanks to this team, I'm being pulled back into the living. I just wish it wasn't so scary to care again. Course, you always told me anything worth having was worth suffering for.> Chris paused a moment to get his emotions under control. <Sarah, if you can hear me and you have any say up there, please help me protect these six men. Wish you were here but I promise to keep trying to live and make you proud of me …. and to not let my grief control me anymore.> Chris wasn't sure how long he had been sitting there alone with his memories when he heard a door open and close behind him.

"Hey buddy, you alright, what are you doing out here?" Buck's voice was soft and slightly worried. "Thinking about the case."

Chris turned to regard his oldest friend with a smile that transformed his face so that he looked actually happy. Buck smiled back, not sure what was going on but pleased to see a glimpse of the old Chris.

"Actually, Buck I wasn't thinking about much just enjoying the night. I guess being here reminds me of when you and I were fresh out of the academy. Remember, we would bust crooks all week then hit the road for whatever rodeo was close."

"I remember, those were good times. But now is 'good times' as well you know. We've got a pretty nice thing going here with this team." Buck was cautious not wanting to spoil Chris's rare mood, but wanting to reach out to the other man.

Chris shook his head and gave Buck a wry smile. "Yeah, if JD, Vin, and Ezra don't turn our hair gray with worry. Is it because they're the youngest members of our little group that they seem to attract the most trouble?"

Buck ignored the question and countered with one of his own. "I knew you were worried about something, it's Ezra isn't it? He'll be okay Chris, that man always lands on his feet." He paused looking into the other man's eyes. "Wait a minute, he's got to you, just like Vin did. You old dog, next thing you be telling me is that Josiah is delicate."

Chris threw a mock punch at Buck's head and for a moment the two wrestled like a couple of teenagers. Two questioning voices behind them caused both men to break apart.

"Uh Buck?"

"Chris?"

Buck grinned at Chris, "Oops, looks like the youngins caught us, I'll see you in the morning stud." Walking over to JD Buck wrapped him arm around the younger man's neck and pulled him toward their room.

"But, Buck what was that all about? Where you and Chris ….." The rest of JD's question was cut off by the closing of the door.

Chris turned to see Vin regarding him with a puzzled look. "Ya okay?"

Still smiling Chris clapped the other man on the shoulder and steered him towards the room. "I'm fine, just needed some fresh air. We'd better get some sleep, tomorrow will probably be a long day."

Ten o'clock the next day found Ezra in a dressing room/tent getting ready for the afternoon rodeo performance. <Maybe Mother is right, I must be crazy to work in a job that requires me to dress like a cowboy fashion emergency. I'm sure Mr. Wilmington is somehow responsible for this shirt.> Ezra finished his makeup and stood back to survey the result. He was dressed in bib overalls that would have probably fit Josiah perfectly. The shirt was white with loud red and blue splotches all over it, again a couple of sizes too big. The outfit was finished off with a floppy cowboy hat, oversized bandanna and tennis shoes. The running shoes were Ezra's. Vin had told him to pack his oldest pair and now he was glad to have at least one familiar thing in this whole mess.

"Ezra, son you ready?" Bill had entered the tent and was checking him over. "That looks fine, nervous? Don't be, I'm assigning you to help one of our entertainment acts today. Laura Greyhawk is a trick rider and horse trainer. Her regular helper hasn't shown up and she needs someone to help with props and other stuff. She'll explain it better than me, come on, I'll introduce ya."

Bill led the way through the maze of contestants, horses, trailers, and vehicles to a big silver horse trailer with the words "Greyhawk Enterprises, Stock Contractors" written on the side. "Laura, I got ya a new helper here, this is Ezra Simms. He can help out as long as you need him. Ezra meet Laura Greyhawk, she's one of the entertainers here and her family supplies some of the best bucking stock around. Well, good luck with the show." Bill turned and moved off towards the bucking chutes.

Ezra studied the woman, who still had her back to him. He thought she had stiffened slightly when Bill had introduced him but maybe it had been his imagination. From the back she was a lovely woman, dark auburn hair fell almost to her waist, her figure was trim, but rounded just the way a man would want. When she turned to face him only years of controlling his expression enabled him not to react. <It can't be, how in the world did she end up here? I figured she would be married to one of her father's vice presidents by now with 2.5 children.> Green eyes met green eyes and though no words were exchanged they were both transported back 17 years to a country house in up-state New York.

"Ezra, darling I want you to meet your new step-sister Laura. Laura, this is my sweet boy, Ezra. He is so looking forward to having a little sister." Maude turned to the man standing behind her. "Darling, I'm sure they'll be fine. We really should be going. Don't want to miss our plane now do we?"

"Of course my dear. Laura make your new brother welcome. We should be back in two weeks." Charles Ames escorted his new wife to the waiting limo.

At sixteen the last thing Ezra wanted was a step-sister 3 years younger than him. <Great mother, now what do I do.>

"Your mom is wife number three for my dad, what is he for you?"

"Your father is my mother's fourth try at matrimonial happiness."

The girl had giggled, then replied, "sucks don't it, wanna bet on how long it lasts?"

Ezra had looked into green eyes so like his own and the start of a deep friendship had been born. Now as he looked into those same eyes, he wondered if she ever had any of the same memories. <I don't think she's recognized me, in this outfit my own mother wouldn't know me. Should I tell her who I am? No best not until I talk to the others. I wonder how she went from debutante to cowgirl.> Just then he realized Laura was speaking to him.

"Mr. Simms, Mr. Simms," <Dear Lord, please don't let him remember me, please. I can't deal with the past right now. Man I wish I had listened to the guys when they told me this was a stupid idea.>

"Please, call me Ezra." <And whatever you do, don't remember me.>

"Fine, …Ezra, this is what I need you to do."

Vin wasn't scheduled to ride until the next day and the cutting horse competition was not until later that week. This left Vin and Chris with plenty of free time to poke around. The first thing both men did was feed and groom the horses. Then they saddled up and headed over to a nearby field where other cowboys were exercising their horses. The two men split up and tried to visit with as many of the different riders as they could looking for any clue. After an hour they headed back to the stables totally frustrated. They were tending to their horses when Buck found them.

"You guys have any luck this morning?" Buck rested his arms on Peso's back and gave them both an inquiring look.

"Nope, I don't think any of the contestants have any idea something is going on. You look awfully pleased with yourself, you find out anything?" Chris threw a curry comb at Buck who caught in and began to groom Peso.

"I think I did, I've been checking out the various contractors to see where their last rodeo was. Guess who just came from Dallas." The tall man paused for emphasis.

"Buck" it was one word but Chris made it sound like a threat and a question all at the same time.

"Greyhawk, Enterprises, and it gets better I was checking out their trailers and that guy I had the dust up with yesterday got really bent out of shape. He told me to stay away from their stuff or I might have an accident." Buck tilted his head and arched his eyebrows. "Now that sounds like a guilty conscience to me, what do you think?

"I think ya have something there Buck. Might be worth a little midnight reconnaissance, don't ya think so Chris?" Vin looked at the older man.

"I think you just want to play indian to all these cowboys. Nobody goes off by themselves do I make myself clear. Is this guy who threatened you Greyhawk or just one of his underlings?"

"An underling, according to one of the other contractors, Greyhawk isn't here. He had an accident while they were in Dallas. His daughter-in-law is acting as the company rep, she's also one of the entertainment acts. And you won't believe who got assigned to help her with her act today." Buck paused and glanced at the other two men.

"Ezra." Vin moved over to Chris, "That could work in our favor. Maybe he can get close enough ta her ta get some information."

"Well, if Ezra don't want to do it I'll be glad to volunteer." Buck offered

"That must mean she's a looker." Vin grinned and nudged Chris with his elbow.

"Yeah, that's good ole Buck for you, always willing to make the ultimate sacrifice. I think we better get a look at this woman. Do you know where she is right now?" The last comment was directed at Buck.

"Yep, if we hurry she should be in the arena right now performing. You oughta see Ezra in his clown suit. I'll say this for the man, he gives his all for this team.

The three men walked over to behind the chutes. They were just in time to catch the end of Laura's trained horse act.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, Concho, Chance and I want to thank you for your kind applause. And we would also like to thank our new assistant, Chance say thank you to Ezra." At a signal from the girl the bay horse stuck his muzzle out and gave Ezra a kiss on the cheek. The sight was too much for Buck, he had to hold onto the fence to keep from falling to the ground laughing.

Chris gave him a disgusted look and motioned for Vin to follow him around to the gate the foursome was now exiting. They were barely in time, Laura was thanking Ezra for his help.

"Thank you Mr. Simms, you were a big help. I had better go tend to these two." She indicated the black and white paint and the bay. She turned to leave but found Chris and Vin blocking her way.

"Ma'am, that was some performance, you even made Ezra here look good. Ez, introduce us to this talented lady." When Chris wanted to he could lay on the charm better than Buck.

"Of course, Miss Greyhawk, my cousins, Chris and Vin Latham. Chris, Vin may I introduce Miss Laura Greyhawk."

"Actually, it's Mrs. but please call me Laura. Ezra is very good help, I was lucky Bill let me borrow him. Well, if you will excuse me I need to get these two babies back to their stalls." Laura knew she was babbling but she wanted to get away from Ezra before she did something to trigger his memory.

"They're beautiful animals, I'd be glad ta help ya get em settled." Vin quickly offered. He could tell that for some reason Ezra wanted nothing more than to get away from the attractive redhead.

"Thank you, but that's okay, they really don't take much to strangers." As if on cue the paint swung his head at Vin and snorted a warning. "Concho, that's enough, come on….. gentlemen." Laura moved off as fast as she thought wouldn't look suspicious followed by the two horses.

"Whoa, not very friendly was she? What do ya think Chris?" Vin turned to the other men.

"I think she gave that horse a signal to do what he did. Ezra what do you know about the lady?"

"If you had asked me that question 14 years ago, I would have has said everything. Now, I have no idea what to say."

"What do you mean by that statement? Do you know her or not?" Chris never reacted well to riddles, they just irritated him.

Ezra motioned them over away from the crowd milling around the gate. He took off his hat and started playing with the brim, when he spoke his voice held a mixture of confusion and sadness. "The lady in question was my step-sister for 3 years, I haven't seen her since she was 16. I don't think she recognized me and I have no idea what she is doing here. Her father is a very rich man, a prerequisite for marrying my mother. He would never allow her to be here in this place doing what she is doing. Beyond that I do not know what to tell you.

Part 6

By six o'clock the rodeo atmosphere was being replaced by a concert one. A big stage had been set up for the evenings concert and that's nights performer was doing his sound check.

Chris, Buck, and Vin were waiting for the others to finish up and join them.

"Here comes Ezra. Buck do not harass him about today's performance, you hear." Chris's voice had that listen to me or you'll regret it tone to it.

They watched the other man approach, he face was pale and worried, emotions none of them had ever seen him show except in an emergency waiting room.

<Oh lord, there they are waiting for me. I know Chris wants more of an explanation than I was able to give him but I just don't know what to say. I can't believe that the sweet innocent girl I knew could be involved in smuggling guns and drugs. Yes Ezra, but she also had a worse childhood than you did. At least your mother claimed to love you. Maybe this is her way of getting back at Daddy. No, I won't, can't accept that, even after what the others told me today. I need to get a look at those stock trailers myself. Of course I have no idea what I'm looking for. I need someone to come with me, maybe I can get Vin to help. We'll need to figure out a way to ditch big brother first though.> "Good evening gentlemen, where is the rest of our little band?"

"Here they come now." Buck motioned to where JD, Nathan and Josiah were headed toward them.

Someone stopped Josiah, who was wearing his security jacket, to ask him a question. Nathan paused to wait for him, JD said something to Nathan and headed to where Buck and the others were waiting. To reach them he had to cross an open area between the corrals and the stables. Just as he reached the center of the open area they heard yelling and the sound of running cattle. Someone or something had scared the roping stock enough they had busted loose and were now headed straight for JD. Normally this wouldn't have put him in danger, but the open area wasn't that big and the running steers filled it to capacity. In their panic they would run the young agent over at the very least causing him serious injury.

"JD!!!!" Buck screamed, "RUN!!!"

Even though they knew they wouldn't get there in time to do any good all four men started towards JD in a vain attempt to help.

JD looked at the stampeding cattle and froze for a moment. Then he turned and started running back toward the fence. JD had almost made it to the fence when the first steer struck him a glancing blow in the side. The blow left him a little dazed but he knew if he fell he was in big trouble. <Got to make the fence, if I don't survive this Buck will kill me.> JD smiled at the silliness of that thought just as he felt the rough wood of the fence beneath his hands. Gritting his teeth he started to climb. The steers didn't make it easy on the young man. They had started milling around in a circle right where he was. Every time he tried to climb higher on the fence one of them would hit the back of his legs. Several times he almost lost his grip completely. Finally he just wrapped his arms around the top rung of the fence and hung on. <Come on guys, somebody get me out of this.>

The others were trying to get to JD but the milling cattle made it almost impossible. Buck was frantic and kept calling to the kid. Occasionally between the steers they would catch a glimpse of him still clinging to the fence. Despite their efforts, the steers were too tightly packed and men on foot didn't do anything but panic them again.

"A horse, we need a horse." Chris was trying to keep Buck from physically attacking the cattle in an attempt to reach JD, so he directed his comment to Vin. Vin nodded and started to run back to the stables to get Peso. "Buck! He's alright, just relax and you'd see that." Chris knew if Buck would calm down, he'd see that JD was in no real danger anymore. But they would need a horse to push through the crowded steers.

Just then, from the direction the running steers had come, a rider on a black and white paint began working their way towards JD. The others watched as horse and rider moved steadily through the nervous herd.

"Grab on kid," the rider leaned forward and stuck out her arm. JD grabbed the offered hand pulled his leg over the paint and wrapped his arms around his rescuer. The big horse started working back the way he had come. "Hang on, just take us a minute to get out of this."

"Your're a girl!" JD stammered as he realized that what he had thought was a guy had breasts.

The rider turned her head and grinned as she took off her hat. Auburn hair cascaded down her back and green eyes twinkled at JD. "Well, thank you for the compliment but I passed 'girl' stage a few years ago. Were some of those men I saw running friends of yours?"

"Uh yes mi.. ma'am." JD was trying to adjust to the fact he wasn't flattened so he was still a little rattled. "My…my brother Buck is back there."

"Well, let's get over there so he can see your okay." By now the paint had worked his way through the steers and at a signal from the redhead sped up. "And the name's Laura, Laura Greyhawk, but just call me Laura."

"Thanks m… Laura my arms were getting tired of holding on. My brother will be real grateful too."

The others watched as Laura and JD worked their way back toward them. By now Nathan and Josiah had joined them.

"Loose something cowboy? You'd better teach your little brother to stay out of the way when men are working" Two riders had come up behind them, the blond who Buck had already had trouble with, was the one who had spoken.

A worried Buck is an explosive Buck and he had just found something to take his frustrations out on. Buck didn't even hesitate, he grabbed the rider off his horse and threw him against a nearby horse trailer. "Was that your idea of a joke mister because if it was I didn't find it funny. If my brother has one scratch on him I'm gonna pound you into oatmeal."

"I might have known your were involved Morgan." At the sound of Laura's voice everyone turned to look.

"JD are you okay?" Buck grabbed the younger man by the shoulders as he slid off the horse and started looking him over.

"I'm fine Buck really."

"See, the little boy is just fine, no harm done mister."

Morgan probably wished he had kept his mouth shut because it was Chris who now found an outlet for his worry by throwing the man against the trailer again. "I don't get your humor, Morgan was it, the kid might have been badly hurt. If I ever see you do something like that again I'll make it so you never walk straight again." After throwing him into the trailer once more for emphasis Chris let the blond go and turned to his partner. "And that goes for you too.

Morgan remounted his horse somewhat shakily and the two men moved off. Six men now turned their attention to JD.

Nathan had JD sit down on the wheel hub of the recently abused horse trailer. He started checking the scowling youth over and asking him questions. "Are you having any trouble breathing, how many fingers am I holding up, where does it hurt the most."

"No, three, doesn't hurt, I'm okay really" JD's tone was resigned. He knew he wouldn't get any peace from the others until Nathan was confident that he would be okay.

Nathan tugged up JD's t-shirt and started pressing on his ribs where a beautiful bruise was starting to form. "I don't think it's too serious, nothing seems to be broken. He's gonna be stiff and sore in the morning but, for a change, it doesn't look to bad.

"See, I told ya so, I'm…"

Buck cut of the rest of his sentence with his hand. "Don't use that term kid, I'm starting to get superstitious. Every time you say that lately you collapse at my feet."

JD shook off Buck's hand and stood up. He directed his attention to the woman who had been sitting on her horse watching the whole exchange. "Buck, I want you to meet Laura Greyhawk, you should be thanking her for her help instead of picking on me." JD noticed that the relaxed friendly expression she had had on her face when they rode up was gone replaced by one of those fake smiles that people use when they don't want others to know what they are thinking. JD started pointing to the others and making introductions. He didn't know that she had already met some of the group earlier. "Laura this is my brother Buck, the guy checking me over is Nathan Jessup, this giant is Josiah Smith and this is Chris..."

Laura cut him off. "I've met the Lathams, JD." I like the way you get a point across cowboy," Laura tilted her head at Chris. "Morgan and Fowler give stock contractors a bad name. But a rodeo this big means you have to take the good with the bad." She shifted slightly in the saddle and tightened her grip on the reins. "I'm glad your okay JD, I'd better go put this big fella to bed."

Chris reached out and grabbed the paint's bridle reins. He was determined to make another attempt to get information out of this woman. He had seen Ezra's eyes and he wanted her to be innocent for the sake of the southerner. "Your always running off to take care of your horse." He said in a jesting tone of voice. We want to thank you for saving JD's life. Let us buy you dinner tomorrow night."

"I'd like to Mr. Latham, but I can't" Just then the big horse reared up ripping his reins out of Chris's hands and knocking his hat off. "I'm sorry, he's getting agitated, I'd better go, goodnight gentlemen." She sent the horse at a run for the stables.

"Dammit, she did it again, one of these times I'm gonna catch her without that blasted horse and she IS going to give me some answers." Chris picked up his hat and took some of his frustration out on it by beating the dust off.

By the time they got back to the motel it was late. Nathan had decided, backed up by Buck and Chris, that JD needed to have his ribs x-rayed. After a trip to the hospital, which took four hours and pushed Buck's patience past the breaking point, they had gone to dinner. That meant it was almost midnight when they all pulled into the motel parking lot. The first thing they noticed was a small bag hanging on the doorknob to Buck and JD's room. Buck opened the bag and removed a jar and note. The jar he passed to Nathan who opened the lid and took a whiff of the contents. Buck unfolded the note and read it out loud.

JD,
Something for your cuts and bruises.
Apply twice a day until healed.
Laura

"Now how did she know where we're staying? What do you think Nathan, is she trying to poison him with this stuff?" Buck had now grabbed the jar of ointment and was looking at it suspiciously.

"It seems to be some sort of herbal remedy. I smell lavender, mint and a couple other things I can't identify. I don't think it will harm him, but I'm not sure how effective it will be." Nathan took a small dab of the ointment and rubbed it on the back of his hand.

"Well, he's not using it, I don't know where that woman fits in all of this but I don't trust her." Buck was getting ready to toss the jar when JD snatched it from him.

"She didn't leave it for you, she left it for me and I AM going to use it. I like Laura, I don't think she would hurt any of us. She's Ezra's sister after all." JD screwed the lid back on and held the jar behind his back.

"I would not use that as an assurance of the lady's dependability JD." Ezra's voice was subdued and tired.

"I want the answer to Buck's first question, how did she know where we're staying. More importantly, did she know this was JD's room or did she guess?" Chris continued the rest of his thought to himself. <And how much will it affect Ezra if it turns out she is on the wrong side of this whole mess.>

"I think I can tell ya how she knew where to leave it." They all turned to look at Vin who was standing between Chris's Dodge and a white Ford Ranger.

"How?", "You can?", "Find something?"

The different questions were asked over the top of each other. Vin ignored them and pointed to the Ford, "Her hat's on the seat and it has Texas plates."

"Damm, okay everyone Josiah and Nathan's room now. We'll continue this discussion inside." Chris glared at the innocent truck before he followed the others.

An hour later they had gone over everything they knew for the third time. Ezra had retreated to a corner, distancing himself from the whole thing both physically and mentally. Vin was sitting on the floor nearby watching him with a worried frown. Buck was stretched out on one of the beds keeping an eye on JD as Nathan helped him apply the ointment to his various bruises. Chris was pacing restlessly as he tried to decide what they should do next. Josiah had turned his chair around and was resting his arms on the back, he too was watching Ezra.

"I think that's all of them JD, now be sure and tell me if anything starts to sting or burn or you just feel funny, okay."

"I will Nathan, but right now it feels good, kinda warm. Um Chris, I had an idea, I don't know if it makes any sense or not though."

"At this point JD, I'm willing to listen to anything."

"What if we contacted the Texas Rangers and asked them about Laura? I mean her truck's got Texas plates and Buck said that her father-in-law was injured down there. I just thought……." JD let his voice trail off as six pairs of eyes were suddenly trained on him. "Bad idea huh?"

"No, JD, I'm just kicking myself for not thinking of it. If she is involved in this, the Rangers will probably know. At the least we can have them check her out to see if she has a police record in Texas." Chris smiled at his youngest agent. "I'll contact them tomorrow. Let's get some sleep everybody."