It was a cold January morning.
Walker and Trivette had drawn back up duty for a stake out now in its 3rd day.
Walker was stretching his cold, still limbs trying to regain some circulation.
They were hoping the deal would go down this morning.
They were in an old abandoned schoolhouse about 3 miles from where the meeting was to take place.
“Are you sure it’s suppose to go down clear out here.” Trivette complained.
“Yes Trivette, our snitch has been right on the money so far.” Walker answered rubbing his hands together to keep them warm.
A noise catches Walker’s attention. He peered out the 3rd floor window.
DEA agents Will Reynolds and Ted Harper are assigned to be with Walker and Trivette.
They knelt by some bushes waiting for the all clear. Walker waved and they headed for the building.
“I hope this goes down soon.” Trivette complained.
“I don’t know how much more of this cold I can take.”
“I know what you mean.” Walker agreed.
At that moment they heard a twin engine Cessna. They crouched down by the window. Trivette looking through the binoculars. Walker saw that Will and Ted had dove back behind the bushes and were relaying information to the commander. Walker switched channels trying to pick up the conversation between the pilot and the dealer, Harlan Driskell. The pilot had just radioed that one of his engines had failed and he had to make an emergency landing. Minutes later the pilot came over the radio again.
“I’ve lost the other engine. I’m not going to make it to your location.” Looking around he spotted a dirt road.
“There’s a dirt road below me. I’m a few miles east of you. I’m gonna try and put her down there.”
“Give us a landmark.” Yelled Harlan in the radio.
“There’s an old building. It looks empty. I think it will be safe there.”
“Ok, we’ll be there in 2 minutes.” Harlan replied.
Walker watched the crippled Cessna. One engine motionless and the other turning listlessly. He should be able to make it. Walker thought. But suddenly the plane veered. Something was wrong. The pilot was losing control. He was headed right for them.
“He’s not going to make the road Trivette. RUN!!!”
The plane hit the structure with such force the old building began to buckle.
Walker had shoved Trivette ahead of him and out into the hall. Trivette just able to grab a beam as the floor gave way beneath him. He hung and watched in horror as Walker and the plane crashed to the first floor.
When the dust cleared Will and Ted stumbled inside. Trivette had managed to pull himself to a sitting position on the beam. The old building rumbled.
“Be careful.” Trivette said.
“This place could collapse at any moment.” Will and Ted glanced at each other. Will motioned for Ted to help Trivette while he went to look for Walker.
“WALKER! Walker, can you hear me? Hang on Walker I’m coming.” Trivette called as he ran to the plane and started digging.
“Walker where are you?” Trivette stopped, listening for an answer, for the slightest sound or movement.
“What’s that?” Ted asked. Trivette listened.
“Sounds like we got company. Go see who it is.” Will and Ted climbed out of the building. A black truck was coming up the road.
“Ted, I think these are our men.”
“I agree.” Said Will.
“Let’s tell Trivette.” The truck pulled in the drive and four men got out.
“This has got to be it. There are no other building around here for miles.” Harlan walked around the side of the building.
“Its here, come on you guys. Damn fool hit the building.” The three men came running.
“Lets get our stuff and get the hell out of here. MOVE IT!” The building looked shaky and Harlan knew it wouldn’t be standing much longer.
“Texas Ranger FREEZE!” Trivette yelled as the three lawmen appeared with guns drawn.
“Fire!” Harlan yelled.
The four men started firing at the three officers. Trivette hit the first two killing one. Harlan hit Will wounding him in the side. Ted shot at Harlan missing. Another shot at Trivette hitting him in the chest. Ted fired another shot, wounding the man who had shot Trivette. Harlan fired at Ted hitting him in the shoulder.
“Come on boss, let’s get the stuff and get out of here.” One man yelled.
“It aint safe in here.” Harlan, frustrated with his men and worried more cops would show up dug through the rubble until he cleared enough away to open the door of the plane. Sliding the door open he retrieved the three bags of contraband.
“Here, everyone carries a bag.” He stops and listens.
The faint sound of sirens could be heard in the distance.
“Shit, it’s the cops. Lets go.” As the two thugs bolt to the truck Harlan turns around and puts a bullet through the pilot’s head. He jumps in the passenger side of the truck. Their heads spin around as the West Side collapses to the ground. They laugh and speed off down the road with the drugs.
CD and Alex enter the bar laughing and smiling. Their arms full of department store bags.
“This is going to be so great CD. I can’t wait to see Walkers face.”
“I’m right anxious to see that myself honey.” Mabel comes out of the back room. A dish towel over her shoulder.
“How’d everything go you two? Looks like you bought the store out.” Seeing how empty the bar is CD jumps at the chance to give Mabel a hard time.
“Dadgumit Mabel, you done run off all my customers.”
“If you had any, ya old coot.” Mabel replies.
“Alright you two that’s enough. I’m going to call and see if Walker is back yet.” Alex tries her cell phone.
“Shoot, my battery is dead.”
“Listen honey them fellas been out there for three days. Ya never can tell how long these things will take. I’m sure Cordell will call you when he and Jimmy get back.”
“I know CD, it’s just that I will feel better if I call.”
“OK darlin.” CD reaches under the bar and hands the phone to Alex.
“Texas Rangers, Company B” The secretary answers the phone.
“Hello Miss Cahill. How is the surprise coming along?"
“So far so good. Is Walker back yet?”
“No, Miss Cahill. But I don’t think it will be much longer. Something has happened. Half the company left for the stake out about an hour ago. If everything went well it shouldn’t take them long to rap things up.”
“I hope you’re right. Thanks, bye.” Alex hangs up the phone.
Disappointment written all over her face.
“Not back yet, huh.” CD said patting her on the arm.
“Listen honey, hand me those bags. Now you go on home and relax a little. I’m sure the boys will be back by this evening. These things usually don’t take more than a few days.”
“You’re right CD” She slides off the barstool.
“I’m going to get freshened up. I’ll see you later. Bye Mabel.” She waves as she leaves.
Perfect timing. Alex thinks stepping out of the shower as the teakettle starts whistling. She pours herself a cup and sits on the sofa staring at the phone. Of all the men she dated Walker was the last one she thought she’s fall for. A smile crosses her face. Maybe Walker is at home getting cleaned up himself. She hopes as she calls the ranch. No answer. A feeling of uneasiness creeps upon her. She calls Jimmy’s apartment. No answer. She gets up and gets dressed. As she opens the door to go back to CD’s she glances at her watch. I’ll try one more time. She dials the ranch. Still no answer. Maybe they’re on the way home. She dials the truck phone. No answers. As fear starts to take hold she Calls CD. She would go there and wait as she has so many times before. In the company and with the support of friends.
His brain screamed an alarm. Before he could shout a warning a cloud of confusion smashed into him. Tons of debris pummeled him with such force. Its power incredible. The noise was unlike anything he had ever heard. It was the sound of death. The next time Walker opened his eyes pain permeated his entire body. He was freezing, the cold penetrating through his bones. His hands and feet were numb. Beginning to collect his thoughts, he knew he was Cordell Walker, but he was uncertain about other details. In a flash it started coming back, the fall. He looked around. Groggy, he peered up and saw a glimpse of starlight and it was starting to snow. He couldn’t believe he was still alive, but when he tried to move, he felt a sharp, breathtaking pain in his left shoulder. His leg ached, and his neck was so immobilized with pain that he couldn’t turn his head. To look around, he had to rotate his upper body, Which generated even more pain. His mind raced. Life-and-death questions for which he had no answers to passed before him. He was in bad shape and knew he had to focus on what was necessary to survive.
“Uh hu, well what are you doing about it?” CD was on the phone when Alex came blowing in the door. The wind had picked up and it was snowing heavily. Seeing the look on his face Alex waited impatiently for CD to get off the phone.
“Something’s wrong.”
“Yes.” CD replied slowly.
“It looks like the stake out went bad. Trivette and the two DEA agents are at the Hospital. We don’t know their condition yet. A plane, apparently carrying drugs, but we aren’t sure, crashed into the old abandoned school house where they had surveillance set up.”
“Where’s Walker?” Alex shouted.
“They didn’t find him. They searched the schoolhouse and the surrounding area. They found the truck, but not him. Their guess is that Driskell and his men took Cordell for some reason.”
“But you don’t think so.” Alex said. It was more of a statement than a question.
At the hospital CD is wearing a path in the waiting room carpet. Alex hangs up the phone and sets on the sofa.
“I just don’t see why they would take Cordell and not Jimmy too.”
“I know, I have the same feeling CD. Unless they didn’t want to take Jimmy because he was hurt. Anyway the Captain assured me they thoroughly searched the school house and the surrounding area.”
“Everyone is calling in markers, trying to get a lead on where they could have taken him. I’m afraid all we can do is wait honey.” CD stops pacing as a doctor approaches them.
“Hello, I’m doctor Bracket. I was told you were here for the Ranger.”
“Yes, that’s right.” CD says. He shakes the doctor’s hand.
“How’s he doin? And how are the two other fellas?”
“Your Ranger will be fine. He was very lucky. If the bullet would have been a little more to the right he wouldn’t be here right now. The two DEA agents are going to be fine too. The bullets passed through and missed the vital organs. Your friend will be in recovery for at least an hour. Even though visiting hours are almost up I’ll tell the nurse to let you see him for a minute. But don’t stay long. Ok?”
“Ok, thanks a lot doc. That boy means an awful lot to us.” CD said. Again shaking the doctor’s hand.
Loose snow blew around him in freezing winds. Walker’s head pounded. The pain in his neck signaled to him that he had a serious injury. His left shoulder, he was certain, was fractured. The extreme discomfort in his left leg continued even if he didn’t try to move it and he suspected more broken bones and possible internal injuries. He stared up through the crack at the night sky. The stars no longer visible through the clouds and snow. Somewhere up there was his best friend looking for him.
“Trivette!” His shout was little more than a whisper. He shouted again, but there was only the sound of the wind. He closed his eyes trying to rest on his uncomfortable bed. Finally exhaustion overtakes him. By morning the wind had died down and Walker had warmed himself sufficiently so that he was no longer shivering uncontrollably. The slightest movement radiated pain. He desperately needed to stay warm. He clung to the forlorn hope that his friends would find him. But right now he was on his own. He decided he had to survive, not only for himself but also for Alex. She meant everything to him. She had always been there for him. Now she became the focal point for his survival. She had never let him down. He wouldn’t let her down now. He made a vow that he would get out of this alive. But it would have to be soon. Pain and fatigue clouded his thoughts and darkness fades in and out as he tries to get some rest.
As morning dawned Alex and CD straighten themselves after a night sleeping in the waiting room. A nurse entered with two cups of coffee. “I thought you might need these, and wanted to let you know that Ranger Trivette is awake now. As soon as the doctor gets through looking him over I’ll come back and you can see him.”
“Thanks darlin.” CD said as he takes both his hands and straightens out his neck.
“Boy that sure is good, Here honey drink this. It’ll make you feel better.”
“The only thing that’s going to make me feel better is finding Walker.” They finish their coffee in silence.
The nurse returns and they go down the hall to Jimmy’s room. As they near him it is obvious he is in pain. They look to the nurse who assures them that the painkiller the doctor just gave him will start working in a few minutes. She smiles and shuts the door as she leaves.
“How you feeling son?” CD asks.
“Walker. Where is Walker.” Trivette asks slowly.
“Jimmy, they couldn’t find him.” Alex says with tear filled eyes.
“They think Driskell took him son, would you have any idea why?”
The drugs were starting to kick in and Trivettes eyes became heavy.
“Didn’t take, Big Dog..still there.”
“Where is there Jimmy? Please tell us.” Alex pleaded.
Jimmy fought to stay coherent.
“Ft Worth..north of Stockyards...30 miles. old school house.”
That was all they would get from their friend. The pain on his face replaced with peace and sleep. Alex and CD rushed out of the hospital heading for Ranger Headquarters. When they arrived there were no rangers around. The secretary informed them the Captain was in a meeting across town and wouldn’t be back for at least another 30 to 45 minutes.
CD told the secretary what Jimmy had said. She asked them to wait and she would try to get through to him. CD turns to Alex.
“We can’t wait around on this. I saw Jim down the hall when we came in. Let’s see if he’ll give us a lift on that whirly bird of his.”
“The Captain isn’t going to like this CD.” Alex says as they walk out the door.
“I don’t rightly care at this point. We’ll holler at him when we get there.” They speak briefly to Jim and all three head for the roof and the helipad.
“It should be around here. Keep your eyes open.” Jim instructed them. Alex looked off to the west. She caught sight of something. Casting his shadow over an old building was a magnificent eagle. Walker’s animal spirit.
“There, there’s an old building over there.” When they arrived two Texas Rangers were waiting for them. Jim put the chopper down in the field next to the old building. Jim said he’d wait on them. CD recognized the Rangers.
“Tom, Charlie. What are you boys doing here?”
“Tom and I got a call from Tami. You know her, our secretary. We can’t let you go in there.”
“Listen up Charlie. It’s gonna take more than the two of you to stop us.”
“Alex, CD. We’ve been through that building with a fine toothed comb. I’m telling you he’s not in there. We can’t take a chance of that building falling in on you. There’s a wrecking crew scheduled to come out here tomorrow and take the place down.”
“Let me ask you something Tom. If Cordell is in there and he’s alive. If you don’t let us go in there and look for him. If they bulldoze this place to the ground without us being 100% sure he’s not in there. Are you gonna be able to live with yourself knowing that you could have helped save his life. Are you gonna be able to look Alex in the face every morning with her knowing you were partly responsible for Cordell’s death. Ask yourself and then tell me we can’t go in there and search for him.”
With a look of defeat on his face Tom gives in and the four cautiously enter the building to search. Several hours into the dark Charlie tells CD and Alex they have to stop searching for the night.
“Not on your life.” CD yells.
“Listen CD. We don’t have enough flashlights to keep looking. We’ve been at it all day. We’re tired and cold. If we keep going like this even if he is here we’re gonna miss something. Please CD Take Alex home. Put her in a hot tub. Look at her, she’s not even dressed properly to be out here searching.” CD looks over at Alex. She’s shivering, her face and hair smudged with dirt and her dress tore.
“As much as I don’t want to stop looking honey, he’s right. We can’t do this in the dark with just two flashlights.”
“I know you’re right CD, but I just can’t leave. He’s here I know it.” Tears begin to fall down Alex’s cheeks. Charlie takes Alex by the hand.
“If it will make you go Tom and I will stay and keep searching for a little while longer. You go home. Get warm and get a few hours sleep. Come back in the morning with better-suited clothes. If he’s here we’ll find him.”
They all walk back to the chopper. Alex and CD get in. Charlie and Tom continue to search, but after a few hours of not finding anything they call it a night.
By the next morning he realized he was weaker. The pain, lack of food and the sleepless night were all taking its toll. Thirty-six hours had passed since his world was turned upside down. For a moment he lay listening to the sound of his own breathing as he clung to the hope he would be found soon. His body radiated deep, debilitating pain. He tried to move. As he did so, his neck exploded in agony. The pains in his neck, shoulder and leg were relentless. He lay for hours, unable to sleep. He was battling dehydration and he knew hypothermia was setting in. He looked up through the crack. The weather had cleared. Yes today. Surely they will come today. As he drifted in and out he suddenly heard a familiar sound.
Whump, whump. A chopper. His spirits lifted. Reaching deep inside, he summoned new reserves of willpower. He had made it this long, he was determined to beat the odds. Alex walked up to the car. Inside Tom and Charlie were asleep. She kicked the side and jolted them awake.
“How come you’re not looking.” She said angrily. She didn’t wait for an answer. Alex and CD entered the building. They entered the west room where the plane had hit. It looked like the aftermath of war. Alex and CD stopped dead in their tracks. On one side of the room near a very small opening in the floor stood an eagle. His eyes almost pleading that they look there first. As if some understanding was passed between them the eagle took flight and was gone. Trembling Alex neared the spot where the eagle stood. She asked for a flashlight and looked into the small opening. She gasped at the sight before her. His body was lying motionless at the bottom of what seemed to be a basement.
Waiting for doctors had become a routine, but it was something they would never get use to. They waited in Trivette’s room for the report on Walker’s condition. The doctor entered with a somber face. Alex felt a wave of tears coming, her throat tightened.
Finally she managed. “Is he going to be alright?”
“It’s too early to tell.” Was the doctor’s reply. How she hated those words. That’s not what she wanted to hear. Her guard broke down and so did she. Taking her in his arm CD said.
“Give it to us straight doc.”
“Ok, He has a broken shoulder blade. His left leg is broke in 3 places. He has multiple internal injuries, a lot of scraps and bruises. But our big concern is his neck. It’s my opinion he has some vertebrae damage. He’s as stable as we’re going to get him right now. We’ve immobilized this neck and he’s going into surgery for his other injuries first then we’ll take him down for a CAT scan to pinpoint the damage to the neck. I’m sorry I can’t offer better news. I’m afraid it’s a waiting game at this point."
The minutes seemed like hours while the trio waited for word on their friend. After the 5th time of Jimmy beating him at chess CD decided to go and get some coffee. Several more hours pass before the doctor returns to Jimmy’s room with encouraging news.
“Your friend has a lot of will to live.” Stated Dr. Bracket.
“I’m sorry it took so long. But after the surgery he was doing so much better than we expected that we went ahead and had a cast put on his leg. The CAT scan shouldn’t take long. I’ll see you when they’re through."
“Then he’s gonna be alright?” CD asked.
“Yes I believe he’s going to make it. Whether or not he’ll been fine, we’ll just have to wait and see.”
“Are you suggesting he may not be able to walk again?” Alex asked with a tremble in her voice.
“I’m sorry I can’t give you any guarantees.” About an hour later the doctor returned with a smile on his face.
“He’s being taken to his room now. If you’ll follow me I’ll take you to see him.” The doctor explains in more detail of Walkers condition.
“He has three cracked vertebrae’s. But we have his neck and shoulder immobilized. As long as he stays still and quiet we’re hopeful he will make a complete recovery. I know of Ranger Walker’s reputation of leaving hospitals, so I’ve got him on a pretty heavy dose of medication. Don’t be surprised if he doesn’t recognize you. He’s out of it. We’ll see how he does in a couple of days, but if he starts to give us any trouble we’ll put him out again. I know that sound terrible, but it’s for his own good. A neck injury is nothing to play around with. He’ll be walking again, but if he doesn’t do as he’s told he may not walk right. He may have a permanent limp or a long leg. That’s what we call it when you walk and drag a leg.”
“You do what ever it takes doc. Even if you have to tie him down.” CD halfway laughs. “If he gives you any trouble you just let me know.”
As they approach Walker’s room Dr. Bracket extends his hand to CD. “I’ll keep that in mind. He’s right in here. If you’ll excuse me I have rounds to do now.”
They thank the doctor again as he leaves and they enter the dimly lit room. They have a thermal blanket on him and are giving him warmed fluid intravenously to bring his body temperature back up.
What they could see of him, he really didn’t look that bad. The wing of the plane had covered the hole when the floor collapsed shielding him from further debris.
The next few days Walker was in and out of it.
On the fourth day the doctor lowered the dosage of medicine and he was finally able to focus his eyes.
The joy and relief on Alex’s face when he said her name and reached for her. Words could not describe her feelings at that moment.
For a long moment they embraced wordlessly, savoring being together again. CD and Trivette entered. Trivette being discharged a few days earlier.
“Well look how’s come back to the land of the living.”
Walker tried to speak but the lingering affects of the drug caused him to stumble over his tongue.
“Don’t you talk now Cordell. Man we sure are glad to see you awake.” Trivette took Walker’s hand in his.
“A lot of people were praying for you man. Down stairs in the chapel. At church on Sunday the preacher said a prayer for you with the congregation. We thanked God you were alive and we prayed.”
A single tear fell down Trivette’s cheek. “You saved my life man.”
There was a moment of silence.
“Hey isn’t there some kind of Japanese or Chinese custom when you save someone’s life you’re responsible for them. I guess that makes you responsible for me Walker.”
Walker gently shook his head and said in a raspy voice. “Oh great. That’s all I need.”
Laughter was heard down the corridor. They had made it through yet another crisis. All was well or soon would be. Things would be returning to normal.
3 months later...
The bar was crowded. More than usual. CD and Trivette are setting at the bar.
“This is going to be great. Does he suspect anything?” Trivette asks CD.
“No I don’t think so. This is only the 3rd time he’s been off the ranch since he got home from the hospital. Alex has gotten her whip out and has him walking the straight and narrow.” They laugh.
Walker and Alex enter the bar.
Walker is using a cane due to a slight limp, therapy is coming along well though and Walker insists he doesn’t need it.
As they get to the bar Walker notices a table filled with packages.
“CD, what are all the packages for?”
“Guess it must be someone’s birthday.”
“Oh, I’m sure glad you guys didn’t throw me a birthday party.”
“I don’t think they would have let us have a party in your hospital room Walker.” Jimmy said winking at Alex.
Two more people enter the bar and CD nods that everyone is here.
Everyone yells. “HAPPY BIRTHDAY WALKER!”
Laughs, slaps on the back and congratulation are given. CD, Alex and Trivette are laughing the loudest.
The surprised look on Walker face turns to a grin as the three friends say in unison. “GOT YA!”
Thing had returned to normal. The next morning at the ranch. Alex is in the kitchen drinking coffee. Walker comes in and flips on the radio.
The news has just started.
Early this morning DEA agents along with 2 companies of Ranger brought down one of the biggest drug labs found in years. They apprehended 30 felons and seized over 95 million dollars worth of drugs. In all their efforts the officers were not able to bring in the headman, Harlan Driskell, still at large is on our most wanted list. We’ll be back with more details after this commercial break.
Alex takes Walkers hand.
“I’m sorry Walker.”
“There’s nothing for you to be sorry about Alex. He’ll be back and I’ll be waiting.” They embrace.
Picture fades to black.
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