clues2

Alex couldn't let go of the nightmares of LaRue. Some days she had to fight those thoughts. Days when she smelled cologne similar to his or when she would see a man looking similar to him. She would see LaRue in all his evilness; and she would eventually seek out Walker for comfort. He had rescued her from his evil not once but three times.

Her mind released itself to relive the last encounter with LaRue. The day in the court room. A judge had been killed and so were others. LaRue had tortured a family, had Jimmy shackled, and had forced Alex to sit on the stand. Forcing her to sit on the stand was nothing compared to the nightmare she had to face as he forced her to kneel before him. He had promised her he would have his way with her before killing her and to make Walker watch. He had forced her to unbutton her blouse, "Nice and slowly," she heard his voice echo in her mind. Then came a thunderous crash as Walker kicked through the court room door, she hung her head in shame as Walker shot LaRue. Walker had never said anything about her state that afternoon. She could see in his eyes he harbored anger for LaRue's sadistic acts and that there was no remorse for having to kill the man who forced Alex to do what he wanted. Walker had come to the rescue at the last possible moment that day. He would do the same today? She knew in her heart he would find her in time.

********

He picked up his cell phone and called Trivette. He read the message slowly enough for his partner to type it in the computer.
"You and CD come up with any ideas yet?"

"No. We are still working on it though. One question Walker? What is the color of the new message?"

He opened the map to page twenty as he talked to Trivette.

"Blue. Why?"

"Just getting all of the information on each of the messages. We don't know what might trigger an idea for clues."

"Trivette, Betty's Flower Shoppe, I need the address and phone number. Can you pull it up?"

Jimmy relayed the information Walker requested. "What's next?"

"I have a five mile ride to the flower shop, I am heading there now. Then I will figure out where in the heck Alex is in this block on page twenty. Call if you and CD come up with anything."

"Will do pard."

********

The fears Walker had tried to shake away refused to leave. His mind wandered into territory he did not want to go. He pictured Alex's wrists and ankles tied to the bed at his ranch with LaRue hovering over her; and Alex's eyes filled with terror as she knelt before Victor LaRue in the court room. He remembered how she looked kneeling there unbuttoning her blouse with LaRue wearing an evil smile and his gun pointing at her. His anger roared and his adrenaline coursed his blood as the image of LaRue's face remained in his mind.

He remembered entering Alex’s house finding her strapped to a chair with a bomb attached to her. Her fear showed in her eyes and features. His fear had filled his being. Her remembered the kiss. He thought of the unspoken words left between them. The love that had never been shared. All the thoughts and feelings he had that day replayed in his mind now.

'Stop it! You can't think that way. Alex is fine. You'll find her. You have to find her. You Love her. I can't go through this again...like Ellen...losing another...I can't lose Alex! I have to figure this out. There has to be something. Anything! There's a clue in these messages, somewhere. There just has to be!"

Over and over in his mind, he kept willing her to hold on. She had to hold on. No matter how many times he told himself this, all Walker could do is think about other times that Alex had been in danger.

Walker was driving on auto-pilot. His mind was completely on Alex and the nightmares of the past. He didn't realize with his rage he had his foot all the way down on the gas pedal. He almost passed Betty's Flower Shoppe he was driving so fast. His eye caught sight of the sign just as he began to pass the store. He slammed on the brakes causing Ram to skid and pull to the left. His automatic pilot skills corrected the skid without causing him to withdrawal from his world of thoughts until he got out of the truck and headed into the store.

A very young woman, wearing a bright yellow shirt and hunter green pants, was fixing a vase of flowers behind the counter.

"Excuse me, ma'am," Walker said politely.

"Oh, hello. What can I do for you today?" she said in a extremely happy voice as she approached him.

"I need six yellow..."

"You need six yellow roses and eight white roses," she interrupted. "You must be Ranger Walker. I will fetch them for you right now."

She turned and headed toward the back of the store without giving him a chance to ask any questions. Walker stood in surprise. How did she know what he was to pick up and who he was?

The young woman returned carrying a large vase of long stemmed roses, six yellow and eight white roses, and two red roses.

"There are two red roses in that bouquet," Walker stated.

The young woman said nothing but handed him an bright orange envelope.

As Walker reached for it, he began firing questions at her with great impatience. "How did you know what I needed? How did you know I was Ranger Walker? Who gave you the order?"

The young woman looked at his face. His tone was not as it was when he came in and his eyes were frightening. "Ranger Walker, I just filled the order, I didn't take it. I remember the number of flowers because it is unusual to get a request like that," she said nervously. She took a breath and thought for a brief second, "Now that I think about, your name was on the order form and they are paid for."

"Find me the order please," Walker stated wearing a frown.

The young woman searched the order file. She pulled the file marked "Walker" and handed it to him. The order was marked with his name and paid in cash.

"Where is the person who took this order?"

"She went on vacation two days ago. The order was placed a week ago. See," she said pointing at the order date.

Walker was exasperated. He handed the woman back her slip, picked up the bouquet, said thank you and returned to his truck. After securing the flowers so they would spill water all over the inside his truck, he pulled out the bright orange envelope. He opened it quickly.

You are so close, yet so far
I wonder how close you really are.
If your reading this note, your on the right track
Continue straight ahead and don't look back.
Your Cherokee instincts and heart will lead the way
Watch as the sunsets this day.
I am wondering if you figured out my clues
There is a message in them for you.
Read the letter clues again
And think about them.
A connection you will make
Will help keep you sane for your sake.
Hurry, hurry Ranger dear
The time for the bell to ring is very, very near.

Walker sighed. The notes were beginning to get on his nerves. The rhymes and the riddles were taxing his mind. And what were the two red roses for? The kidnapper had said nothing about two red roses. His patience was now gone. He picked up the cell phone and called Trivette.

"Trivette."

"It's me Walker, there is another note. This time orange," his tone of voice showing his exasperation.

"Read it and I will type it in."

Walker relayed the message as he had done before to Jimmy. Watching the road and thinking about what the message said.

"I have it Walker."

"Any ideas yet?"

"No not really. None of these messages make sense. CD and I noticed that the kidnapper knows a lot of personal stuff about you and Alex. Whoever is behind this knows both of you well."

"Keep at it," he said and quickly disconnected the call.

Walker pounded the steering wheel with his fist in frustration. Every time things seemed to be going their way, something would happen to one of them. Now this had happened. She was missing, being held by someone and he didn't know where.

"I Love you Alex! Hold on! I'll find you! I promise!"

He read the note again. This time dissecting it. "If your reading this note, your on the right track, Continue straight ahead and don't look back. Your Cherokee instincts and heart will lead the way, watch as the sunsets this day." Okay, I keep going straight. "Watch as the sunsets this day." Hmmmm? I wonder if this is another clue. He picked up the map book, turned to page twenty looked at the highlighted block in column “E”. There was only road off that broke off to the west about five miles from where he was. Walker closed his eyes for a moment. His instincts told him he was on the right track. Walker made a mental note of where the road broke off, placed the map book open on the passenger seat, started the truck, and headed straight out of town.

********

Alex was back to pacing again. She couldn't sit still. She kept watching the small antique clock on the mantel of an old empty fireplace. It was growing late and the sun was nearly setting. The warmth of the late afternoon sun had taken the chill out of the room; but now the room grew cold with the night air as it settled around the old abandoned house. She rubbed her arms bringing warmth to her cooled body. Soon, she thought, he will be here to warm me. He will be here soon, she thought trying to convince herself the wait was almost over.

"Walker, where are you?" she spoke aloud looking out the window for a sign or for his silhouette. "I know you are near by. I can feel it." She stood thinking about her words for a minute. "I can feel it," her inner voice spoke again. Walker's presence was something she never missed. She just realized she always knew when he was near. As long as that feeling was with her, she knew everything was going to be all right.

********

CD had to take a break. He and Trivette had read the messages a thousand times and picked apart every word. They had come up with nothing. CD was pacing like a caged animal.

"Dag gummit Jimmy! No one is that smart. The kidnapper said there were clues! What clues! We have been over and over these messages and have come up with nothing! If something happens to that little darlin' those kidnappers will have to deal with me as well as Cordell!"

Jimmy looked up and watched CD rant and rave. He knew he loved Alex like a daughter. He had never seen him this upset over her being in danger. He let CD continue his yelling without interruption. He knew he had to do something to release his anger. He continued to work on the clues at hand.

"CD!"

"What is it Jimmy?" CD snapped, hurrying to his side.

"Take a look at this," Jimmy said pointing at a his laptop.

CD walked over to where Jimmy sat. He looked toward Jimmy's screen. He blinked several times. "Oh My! Good LORD, Jimmy!"

********

The ride was longer than he had anticipated. Walker's mind was warring as he fought off the negative thought that he was going to be too late. There were no exact times given to him. He had his eye continuously on his clock. Time seemed to race and he seemed to be standing almost still. His foot was all the way down on the gas pedal and his truck was shimmying from the speed.

He spotted the dirt road that headed west and almost rolled his truck trying to turn right, still at top speed. He had to slow his speed down due to the fact the road was unpaved except with gravel and was causing his truck to slide as if he were driving on ice.

"Your Cherokee instincts and heart will lead the way, watch as the sunsets this day," his mind echoed as he drove. The road suddenly vanished and Walker slammed on the brakes. He was in the middle of nowhere and there was no longer a road for him to travel. "Damn!" he exclaimed as he hit the steering wheel fiercely with his fist again.

He got out of the truck and closed his eyes. "Your Cherokee instincts and heart will lead the way," his mind repeated. Walker focused all his energy on Alex. He pictured her in his mind searching and longing for the feeling he got when she was near. He tried to be patient and focus on Alex; but, his mind kept hearing bells ring?the bells that would only give her 25 minutes. His heart pounded against his chest and he took a deep breath.

********

Frustrated Walker hopped back in his truck and pulled out the messages. He pulled out and looked at the bright orange message first. "I wonder if you figured out my clues, There is a message in them for you. Read the letter clues again, and think about them. A connection you will make. Will help keep you sane for your sake." Clues? What clues? He thought about the clues that had lead him this far. "Read the letter clues again, and think about them," he read again. Walker read each clue carefully again. He didn't see the clues except for those he had already figured out. What is the kidnapper talking about?

********

Alex has resolved herself to curling up in a tight ball on the lone piece of furniture to keep herself warm and feeling comforted. Exhausted from the day, sleep consumed her. She hadn't slept long when the antique clock began playing music. The broke silence startled Alex and she sat upright. She started to shake. The bells had begun to ring. Only 25 minutes left, she thought, and the game will be over.

********

Suddenly Walker sensed fear. "Alex!" he called out. Still holding the messages in his hand, he jumped from the truck and began running into the woods letting his Cherokee instincts guide him through the darkness.

Walker's pace was that of a race horse. His feet barely touching the ground as he traveled through the pitch black woods searching for the woman he loved. He let his Indian instincts guide him through the forest; dodging fallen trees and stumps that tried to block his way. His heart pounded hard and fast in his chest, not only from the fierce running but from fear that he would be too late.

Walker didn't know how long he had been running or where he was but something had forced him to stop. His heavy breathing and the pounding in his ears were the only things he could hear. He wasn't sure what had made him stop, but he stood in the silence listening and waiting for his invisible guide to lead him onward. The one note had said "Let your Cherokee instincts and your heart"...this was strange. How did the kidnapper know he was part Cherokee; only his closest friends knew that. The mystery of Alexs' disappearance was getting more baffeling by the minute.

His eyes now accustomed to the darkness of the forest he could see the silhouettes of trees and brush. He could see nothing resembling a place for Alex to be hidden unless, she had been buried. He looked around. He would never be able to find her buried in the night. Please, he prayed, please help me find her. He sunk to his knees, offering the spirits above his silent prayer.

********

"Walker, please hurry," Alex prayed silently as she moved through the darkness of the room. She knew time was growing short. "Walker, I love you, I need you! Please hurry," she repeated.

********

It had only been a few moments since his knees had touched the cold damped earth. His eyes filled with tears. The fear of losing Alex was still with him and stronger than before. It was with the realization that he may lose her forever this time burning strongly in his mind, that Walker began to sense someone was near. He listened. There was no noise; but he sensed someone. He rose from his knees gauging the direction he should travel. He headed in the direction his instincts had guided him to go with long, purposeful strides. The sense grew stronger and suddenly he knew?he knew it was Alex. His pace increased yet he was very careful not to make any sound.

After several minutes, he noticed in the darkness an outline of what appeared to be a small building. He stopped dead in his tracks. He carefully looked at the outline. It indeed was a small building. Scanning the surrounding area, Walker looked to see if there were any movements in the woods near it. None. He surveyed the area again to see if he could pick out any hidden traps that would set off an explosion or anything else that would harm Alex. His mind raced through the endless possibilities.

Suddenly he recalled the messages. "DAMN!" He was supposed to bring the roses with him. He had left them in the truck. They didn't seem important right now, Alex's life was what was important. Time was growing short, he could feel it. He would have to handle the kidnapper with or without the roses. He would get Alex back...one way or the other.

********

Several miles away, the phone was ringing in Walkers' truck.

Trivette looked wearily at CD, "He's not answering Big Dog. Wonder where he is? Do you think he figured out the clues? Do you think he found where Alex is yet?"

"I don't know Jimmy. But I sure hope he did figure out the clues. If he did, everything will work out just fine. If he didn't, he is going to be madder than a scalded dog. Jimmy, if he didn't figure out the clues by now, well, it is just too late now to warn him." CD said shaking his head.

********

Walker moved close enough to the house that he could see the details of it. He stepped behind a tree and watched for a moment. There was no sign of movement. No lights. Nothing. He decided to move toward the house and did so as a predator would do, sneaking up on his prey.

There were no windows on the east side of the house, nor the front or back. No wonder the kidnapper chose this place, he thought. He approached the west side of the house and found one barred window. He cautiously peered in but could see nothing, the inside of the house was pitch black. He sighed.

He moved back around to the front of the house, pulled his gun out, and walked quietly towards the front door. He carefully stepped up on the porch and stepped up to the door. He placed his hand on the handle; but, he stopped. "Please don't let there be an explosion when I open this door," he prayed in a soft whisper. He closed his eyes just for a second, took a deep breath, and then opened the door slowly.

********

The sound of the door made her stop in her tracks, as she had been pacing about the room. He is here, she thought. Thank you, she said silently as a brilliant smile crossed her face. She stepped back into a corner to wait.

********

Walker slowly stepped into the room, ready for whomever and whatever was awaiting him. He could sense someone. His adreline was pumping as fast as his heart. He heard nor saw anything. He looked around the room with his gun ready in hand; his finger on the trigger. He could barely see an outline of a large box or piece of furniture. He couldn't see anything else. He moved slowly toward the large object wondering if Alex had been trapped inside.

He placed his hand on the top of the object. It was soft and cushioned. He pushed down on it carefully. It moved with him. He grabbed a handful of the material he felt, leaned over closer to it, and lifted it to his nose. He could smell Alex's perfume. She had definitely been here. He stood up looking around letting the material fall.

Still standing in the dark hollows of a corner she was suppressing her urge to speak. She stood motionless trying to control herself.

"Alex?" he whispered, still not being sure if the kidnapper was still here or not.

She remained silent and motionless.

"Alex?" he called out louder this time.

He leaned over the object again and started feeling around. He felt nothing other than the soft, satiny fabric. He knelt down to see if she was under it. His hand meet with something solid all the way to the floor, probably wood.

As he stood up he called her name again, "Alex?"

With no answer, he decided to search the room further. He holstered his gun and using both hands started at the door he had entered. He felt the walls looking for a closet. He found a handle and quickly opened the door praying he would find Alex there. All he found were thick cob webs. He continued feeling the walls around the room searching for Alex or some kind of clue in the pitch blackness. Suddenly his hand touched something soft, warm, and very familiar.

"Alex?" he said softly as his hands found a face. He placed his fingers on her mouth looking for tape or a gag. Neither was found. "Alex?"

Without speaking a word, her hands slid up his chest and found his face. She pressed her body against his and began kissing him. He frowned as confusion consumed his mind. For the briefest of seconds he wondered who was kissing him, then he realized the woman kissing him was indeed Alex. They both allowed the kiss to deepen and become more passionate. Walker was so relieved to find her alive that all thoughts of her abduction left his mind. He let his hands caress her face gently, before letting them slide down her neck, to her shoulders, before stopping them on her upper arms. The kiss lingered for a moment before Walker realized that this really WAS Alex. When that realization hit him, questions began to scream in his head, demanding immediate answers. He pulled away abruptly, wrapping his hands around her arms holding her away from him.

"Alex!"

Alex let out the giggle she had been suppressing since he had come through the door. She could feel his anger and that wasn't exactly unexpected; she knew he would have been extremely worried about her. Obviously his anger proved he hadn't figured out the clues she had left behind. She would have to share that secret with him later. Now, she knew her task would be to reassure him she was fine and to get rid of his anger.

Walker held her away from him, his mind filled with confusion and his face showing a deep frown. "Are you all right? Where is the kidnapper?" he asked anxiously.

"Kidnapper?" she started to giggle again.

"Alex!"

She pulled him to her tightly and kissed him passionately. He found a sense of relief in losing himself in the kiss momentarily; but, then realizing she had been laughing at him brought him back to the matter at hand and he pulled away. He stood in silence waiting for her answer.

He is really angry, she thought, as she felt his body tense before he pulled away. This could call for some extra loving, she thought as a smile crossed her lips, not realizing the true deepth of his anger.

She moved away from him and approached the old fireplace. She felt around the mantel and found the matches she had placed there. She struck one of the matches and lit the array of candles she had so carefully placed there. The candles illuminated the room gently. She turned around and saw the look on Walker's face. He stepped closer to her looking her over making sure she was all right.

He didn't even notice. He is still angry. He'll notice soon enough. Now, I have to get rid of his dark mood, she thought. Smiling and trying to lighten his mood, she stepped closer to him and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling his body tightly against hers.

His eyes were squinted through a deep dark frown. "Alex, what is going on?" he asked in a usual tone of voice. She couldn't help but to giggle. He was still worried even though she was trying to prove to him she was fine and to forget his fears. The giggle forced his anger to suddenly grow even more and it showed in his eyes. Alex didn't back away from him; she stood facing him staring into his eyes. He suddenly unleashed all the fear, frustration, and anger that had built up inside him throughout the day; and, it was all directed right at her.

"Alex!" he shouted pulling away from her, "What is going on? I thought you had been kidnapped? Jimmy and CD, they have been working on figuring out who kidnapped you, where you were, and what the messages meant! We were all worried that you were it great danger! I have been frantic all day! I have driven half way across Texas! I attacked a young man! I almost attacked a clown and florist! Alex! I want to know what is going on and I want to know now!"

Alex's eyes showed shock. She knew he would be upset finding her in no danger; but, she had no idea he would be this upset. He was actually shouting. Walker never shouted. His eyes were warning her that he was close to the breaking point.

"Okay, Walker. Just calm down. I'll explain everything to you." Alex started quietly, "I wanted you to myself today, so I cooked up this little idea to get you out of Dallas and get you alone. I just wanted to spend some time with you...ALONE."

"What! All of this running around! Making me believe you had been kidnapped! Making me believe you were going to be killed!"

Alex interrupted, "Nothing ever said anything about a kidnapping or me being killed."

Walker pulled a ball of colored paper from his jacket pocket. He pulled out the red message. "It says right here," he said pointing, "Your love is tucked away, Less than 8 hours away. You are the one who must come, To rescue the one whose heart you have won.The sound of bells will fill the air, Leaving only 25 minutes to find her there."

"It still never says anything about a kidnapping Walker. And the 25 minutes, well, that was how long I was going to give you from 9:00. I have to be in court tomorrow morning. It is a long drive back to Dallas you know," she replied.

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