New
Arrivals
Author-Amanda
Titles
Horses for Courses
by Amanda
Disclaimer: Not mine. All Sentinel character belong to Pet Fly Productions.
Although I would like the horses.
Rating: PG-13
Thank you Carikube for checking it.
“Ellison.”
“Jim! How’s it goin’Man?”
Ellison smiled at his young partner’s greeting. He glanced across the bullpen watching his Captain approach. The tall, dark man parked his hip on the edge of detective’s desk, happy to wait for him to finish his phonecall. Sandburg had been away for a week now and Ellison had heard not so much as a peep.
“Quiet. Nice and quiet.” He was sure Sandburg could virtually hear his grin through the phone. “Been having too much fun, then, to call your old partner and tell him how it’s going?”
Sandburg laughed. “Sorry. It’s great up here. So peaceful. Kinda wet though. Man, you should see these horses. They are beeeautiful.”
“Anything with long hair, eh Sandburg.”
“Very funny. Ha ha it is to laugh. Listen, when you coming up? You should all try and get the weekend free. All of you. Henri, Joel and Simon. Murray said he’d love all of you to come.”
“I’ll run it by them. I was planning on driving up this weekend but I’ll ask the others. I think they could do with a break. The quiet of the past few days is deafening.”
“Yeah, I bet Simon attributes it to a certain observer being absent.”
Jim grinned, “Of course not. Simon would never say that,” Jim looked up smiling at Simon who raised his eyebrows at the conversation of which he could only hear one side, “Are you saying you attract trouble, Sandburg?”
“Others say it for me. Listen, gotta go, gotta feed the dogs.”
“OK, I’ll call the day before I leave.”
“Seeya in a few days, then,” his young Guide finished.
Connection severed, Jim smiled up at Simon again.
“Kid having fun?”
“Yep, sounds so peaceful there. What’re you doing this weekend?”
“I was hoping for another quiet weekend,” Simon saw the question on his detective’s lips, “sans Sandburg.”
“Theeerrre’s fishing.”
“Peace and quiet,” Simon looked off into the distance.
The Sentinel knew he was getting to his captain. The hesitation in Simon’s voice obvious only to him. Simon Banks wasn’t annoyed with his detective. He knew he could hide nothing from this man’s abilities. Jim had probably already picked up the jump in his heart that would have happened at the mention of fishing, even if Simon couldn’t feel it himself. He had watched his detective trudge through his daily work routine but he knew the man had to be missing the kid. The detective complained when the kid was present but the Sentinel complained when his Guide was missing.
“Come on, Simon. It’s been months since we’ve had any trouble involving Blair. And it’s usually because of his observer status, not him personally.”
“Months? That means we’re about due for some more.”
“He said old Murray would love to have all of us there for the weekend. Blair was including Brown and Taggert.”
“Taggert’s got a wedding this weekend. We can ask Brown though.”
“Great. I’ll leave that to you. We’ll take my truck, the ground can get pretty rough up there.”
Simon shook his head and went back to his office. He couldn’t believe he’d just agreed to a weekend away with Sandburg again.
**********
Blair ruffled the ears of the large, old Doberman sharing the porch with him. Silas leant into him butting his hand when it fell neglectful of its task. The dog’s female companion, Missy, lay sleeping nearby and Murray’s cat Sam lay curled up his lap. Since day one the animals had taken to him, much to Murray’s amusement. Blair had come for peace and quiet and forever had a entourage following him around. Even the old wolf, a local for some 15 years, watched him. Murray had taken to feeding the old man, as he called him, when it started approaching the cabin years before. The Doberman’s and the cat had taken the wolf in their stride, all too old to really care about territory anymore. Blair had tried feeding it but only Murray could approach the old man.
Murray was an old friend of Jim’s. And Blair had settled into his own friendship with the man just as easily. When Murray had given the student the opportunity to spend a weekend with him on the property he’d jumped at it. Semester had ended and it was a month until the new semester started. Blair figured he could get in a week of rest before having to even look at the next semester’s curriculum. His idea of peace and quiet was late mornings and wall to wall animals.
Jim needed some time away, too. Even if it was only a weekend. The man could relax and take in the scenery. He hoped Simon and the others would come up with him. A lock of curly hair fell in front of his face and he pushed it back behind his ear. A weekend being called Hairboy. Brown loved to tease him about his hair. But Blair took the big man’s teasing with the humour with which it was intended. It was good to get everyone away from the office for a while. The relationships that prevailed at the police station differed slightly when away from it. Jim and Simon, of course, still treated him like a young, clueless little brother but Blair secretly wallowed in it. He coveted having someone care enough about him to demand things of him, even if those demands were behavioural demands. Blair couldn’t contain his natural exuberance sometimes. God knows he tried, but sometimes it just overflowed. He knew that the others found his energy out of place in their serious world but he couldn’t help it. He also knew why their world was so serious. But this weekend he didn’t intend to curb his enthusiasm. He had been resting for almost a week now and he was all geared up for their arrival. If they wanted rest he would honour that. But if they wanted a weekend of fun and hiking and fishing, and he hoped so, he had his energy reserves all stored up.
It had rained the night before and Blair smiled as he looked out into the wilderness surrounding the property. He watched as Murray was returning from the stables. It was midday and he was hungry. He’d fix Murray some grits. He didn’t have a clue what grits were but he liked saying it. It suited the area. Paradise.
It was around two in the afternoon that paradise turned into hell.
**********
Ellison opened his door to a detective grinning like a maniac. Brown.
“Come on in.” He stepped back to allow his friend access. Simon had already arrived, sitting on the lounge, he waved as Brown entered.
Brown dropped his pack on the floor near the door and joined Simon.
Simon frowned at him, “There’s something unnatural about a man who can smile like that at 7am in the morning.”
Brown laughed, “I haven’t had a weekend away anywhere for over a year. Can I help it if I’m looking forward to this one? Besides, I’ve heard about these famous Ellison/Sandburg jaunts and I want to experience one first hand. Should I have packed the kevlar?”
Jim graced him with a small smile, “Funny, Brown, you planning on riding in the cab or on the back of my truck?”
Brown raised his hands in mock defeat to Jim, laughing, “No, really, I’m looking forward to this. I love camping.”
Jim placed his hands on his hips, “Camping huh? We’ll be in a cabin. On beds. You’re the one whose idea of roughing it is late room service aren’t you?”
Brown shut his mouth and chuckled to himself.
Simon shook his head, smiling, “Jim, you manage to raise Sandburg this morning?”
“No, he could have been out hiking yesterday when I tried. I couldn’t imagine old Murray going with him though. Couldn’t get either of them this morning. They know we’re coming today so they should be ready for us. OK”, he rubbed his hands together, “let’s get this show on the road.”
Simon and Brown jumped to their feet, grabbing their packs. Ellison also carried two sleeping bags in case they needed the extra warmth or there weren’t as many beds as he thought. He eyed the amount of baggage they all carried, “Just as long as we leave room for Sandburg. He’s coming back with us.”
Brown smiled, “He doesn’t take up much room. He can sit on my lap.”
Simon pointed to the door for Brown to precede him, “I don’t think that’s high on Sandburg’s list of thrills.”
It was a good four hour drive to their destination and, to the others appreciation, Brown had packed snacks for their trip.
**********
Old man wolf sniffed the air before approaching the cabin. He hadn’t seen his humans for a few days now. Trotting around to the back door he scratched at it hoping to attract attention. His scratching solicited some shouting from inside. One of his humans was in there but why didn’t it come out to see him? The wolf swivelled its ears to the sound of a car engine. More people he didn’t know and didn’t care for were approaching. With a speed belying its age the wolf disappeared back into the treeline to watch.
“Blair!”
Ellison shouted the name from the truck as he and the others removed their gear. Simon looked about the place.
“I was at least expecting the dogs he told us about to check us out,” the tall man looked in the direction of the stables. The doors were swinging open. Unusual when he knew about the expensive stock Murray kept. Ellison placed a hand on his Captain’s chest stopping him from proceeding. Simon immediately fell quiet. Sentinel ears gathered in information. He could hear a heartbeat from the treeline. An animal of some kind. He looked in its direction, discounting it. Another could be heard within the cabin. He could also smell blood.
“Shit, Simon. I can smell blood,” he said no more due to the proximity of Brown. Ellison dropped his pack and sprinted for the cabin, Simon close on his heels. All eyes picked up the evidence of the small arms fire that pock-marked the wall and front door.
“Ellison! Wait!”
The Sentinel threw himself into the door, managing to keep his footing as it gave way into the cabin’s interior. Despite the daylight hours the interior was darkened but his eyes soon adjusted and he could see there was no threat. Simon and Brown stood either side of the door, their backs pressed to the walls.
“Jim!” came Bank’s whispered call.
“It’s OK, Simon, there’s nothing in here.” he approached the room at the back from where the heartbeat still came steadily. Picking up a discarded baseball bat he hefted it as he opened the door. But, even before opening it, he could tell that the heartbeat came from someone unconscious. He could also tell it wasn’t his Guide’s.
Murray lay trussed up on a bed. The man’s dark skin making it difficult to see the head wound. Ellison knelt next to him and proceeded to untie him calling to Simon to get some water. By his estimation the old man could have been this way for more than a day. A quick inspection told him that there were no internal injuries but the man moaned as he tried to sit up and aching limbs protested at the treatment of being finally released.
“Oh, for god’s sake.”
“Murray, it’s Jim Ellison. Where’s Blair?”
The older man looked into the worried blue eyes. He then took in the other two men standing in the doorway.
“Gone I hope. Far away.”
“Where?” the question was gentle but firm causing the older man to glance at him again.
“Help me up.”
Jim, holding back his exasperation, helped the man up. Simon took hold of his other arm and they eased him off the bed and towards the front door. Murray shrugged them off and walked out onto the porch. He looked at the stable doors swinging.
“Good boy.”
“Murray, where is Blair?” Ellison blocked his view of the stable.
“If he did what I told him to he should be up at the old house by now.”
Simon placed a placating hand on his detective’s shoulder, “Maybe you should come inside, Murray, and tell us everything.”
The old man nodded and allowed himself to be steered back into the cabin. Brown patted Ellison on the back in sympathy. He knew how protective Ellison could be of Sandburg and he had a feeling he was about to see just how protective the other could be. Murray took the offered water and drank greedily as if only just realising how thirsty he was.
“When did this happen?” Simon cajoled.
“Not long ago....what day is it?”
“Saturday.”
“God in heaven, it’s been two days. They came on Thursday.”
“Who? Who came?”
“They wanted my Akhel Teke’s.”
“Your what?” Banks and Brown said in unison.
“My horses. Akhel Teke. Arabians. Worth more than you can imagine. Rare blood line. A mare and a colt.”
“Who’s they?” Ellison interjected.
“I don’t know. Really. Only the breeding register knows I have them. They’re rarely allowed outside their home country but there’s been successful breeding....” Murray trailed off rubbing his arm, “I told Blair to take them and my dogs up to the old house. They came on Thursday at around dinner time. Three of them. Very threatening. One was blonde, he seemed to be in charge. The other two were just muscle. Both big with brown hair. Told me they were here for the horses and if we didn’t give them any trouble they’d leave us alone. I couldn’t believe it, how dare they. I paid good money for those animals and they thought they could just waltz in and take them!”
Murray shook his head sadly, “One of them took a real dislike to Blair. How do you figure that? He’s the most easy going kid I’ve ever met. Smacked him right in the mouth. The one in charge tore out the phone line and disabled the car, said they’d be back in a half hour with the float and would appreciate us having the horses out and ready.” Murray shook with suppressed anger. Simon patted him on the shoulder. Ellison paced angrily.
“I told Blair to saddle the mare and take them and the dogs up to the old house and wait for me. He’s one stubborn boy, Ellison,” the old man looked at him, “he wouldn’t leave me. I told him they wouldn’t dare harm me and once they found the horses gone they would go away. When they came back I told them the direction of the house was north. I knew they’d know I was lying and they’d know it was south.”
Simon looked at him alarmed.
The old man grinned, “It’s west. People always think of the exact opposite when they think you’re lying.” Murray looked very impressed with himself.
Ellison bounded to his feet and left the cabin at a run, Brown followed him. Outside the sun had reached its peak and the tracks were easy to see in the soft ground.
“Fuck it,” Ellison swore.
“What?” Brown queried.
“One must be able to track, they knew he went west.” Ellison ran for his truck and retrieved his gun. Brown wasn’t all that surprised to see it, in fact he had packed his own. Kevlar jokes aside he wasn’t really the outdoors type and like having the security just in case. There were no kids with them and he knew the others wouldn’t shoot their hands off so he saw no harm in bringing one.
“Simon!” Ellison ran back into the cabin, “They know his direction They’ve probably got him already.”
“Don’t sell the kid short,” Murray said angrily, “he had a half hour start on them and he’s got me rifle.”
Simon rolled his eyes, “Oh, shit, can it get any worse?”
“Simon, we have to go.” Ellison ran outside with Brown and jumped into the truck.
Simon eyed the old man, “You OK?”
“Yeah, m’fine. Go and get me kid. Simon....” Murray paused until he got the others full attention, “I am worried about him. One of the big ugly ones really didn’t like him. I could tell. If they do get him ordinarily he wouldn’t be in too much danger, they’d just relieve him of the horses, but that big guy had me worried.”
“It’s OK, Murray. We’ll find him.”
“Me dogs’ll help him. Like him they do.”
Simon smiled and hurried out to the truck where Ellison was gunning it impatiently. Murray stood up painfully, looking around, “Where’s me cat then?”
**********
Two Doberman’s, two horses and one very bedraggled human stopped in the thick wood to rest. They had avoided the easier track and kept within the trees. What was difficult going for them would also be difficult going for their pursuers. The colt lowered its head in tiredness. Luckily it was past a year old and had strength to continue. The dogs took advantage of brief rest and lay down. Blair unlaced the water bags from the mare’s saddle and set a bowl on the ground. Filling it he allowed the dogs to drink, then the colt and lastly the mare. He himself took a gulp from his canteen. They had been fortunate to find a creek to refill. It had been almost two days and Blair’s hunting skills had been put to the test. He only managed to snare two rabbits for himself and the dogs, building a small fire to cook his meal the dogs having to eat theirs raw. He immediately doused the fire in case it could be seen from the road. That had been yesterday and they were all hungry again. The horses were probably confused too. Used to being hand fed they had to resort to grazing but they at least remained fed despite being on the move continually.
Blair knew it was only a days travel to Murray’s old homestead but he wasn’t heading for the house. He hoped the men would head for the house. Blair was hoping he was turning a large two day circle and heading back to the cabin. He knew Jim had to have arrived by now and hoped to meet them there. His pursuers would know what hit them when he found Jim and Simon.
He removed some dried beef from his pack and gave it to the dogs. If found, it would be the dogs he’d have to rely on the most and he intended keeping their strength up. Hopefully in a few more hours he’d find some shelter and they could settle in for the night. All five were exhausted. He wished Jim and Simon were with him now. He really wished he were back home. The mare nickered softly, jarring him awake, as if saying it was time they moved on. Hauling himself to his feet he grasped the reins and led his small party on.
**********
“Dammit, Jim! We’re of no use to him if we kill ourselves!” Simon bellowed at the narrowly missed tree. It had been four hours of hair-raising driving through trees that were too close together for himself and Brown’s comfort zone. Brown had remained silent the whole time but Simon could hear his sharp intake of breath every time they had a close call. Ellison ignored them, too intent on the tracks before them and avoiding the offending trees. The daylight was fading and he thumbed on the truck’s searchlights.
Henri wiped his mouth, “I wished we’d thought of bringing water.”
“Under the seat,” Ellison said quickly, one of the few sentences he had uttered since they started. He concentrated on not zoning while maintaining his concentration on the ground ahead. A zone out could see them into a tree. A quick glance at the lowered sun told him they were heading in the right direction. But how would Blair go? He couldn’t tell direction from the sun could he? The young man got lost driving through town for pity’s sake. What if the bastards had him already? He had heard Murray’s last words to Simon from behind the wheel. One of them had taken an exception to his guide.
Simon stole a glance at their driver. Jim’s face was fixed in a rictus of concentration. Simon knew the man to be nearly out of his head with worry. The young man they were hopefully closing in on meant a great deal to his detective. And to them all, Simon thought. Even though Sandburg could annoy him to the point of wanting to throttle him, he thought of the student as one of his friends. It had been a year since Ellison had wedged him into Major Crimes with that cock and bull story about him being family. Sure, Simon had thought, the family resemblance was amazing. If they didn’t catch up to Sandburg soon......
“Jim! Tree!”
“I see it.”
**********
Blair snuggled into Silas and Missy. The mare still stood but her exhausted colt lay stretched out at her feet. The two dogs afforded a good deal of warmth which was just as well because Blair had no intention of lighting a fire. The rock overhang provided protection if it rained and he could still see as the near to full moon illuminated everything around. He hoped his pursuers would also stop and rest. Surely they couldn’t track him in the dark. He’d tried to keep off soft ground but the rain wasn’t making it easy. Today had brought with it a constant drizzle. Enough drizzle to wash off the dirt and grime he’d rubbed into the horses coats. Their trademark shine was showing again so he’d have to rub more dirt into their coats before they started off again come morning. Murray would have cried if he had seen his prize animals in this condition, but their coats shone like a gold beacon when the sun hit them and Blair was worried they could be more easily seen. The dogs were naturally camouflaged being black and brown and he was covered in more mud than he could ever remember encountering before. He defied even Jim’s Sentinel sight finding him like this. He smiled as he thought of his friend and drifted off to sleep thinking of the safety of home and listening to the mare finally lower herself to the ground.
It was barely dawn when growling from the dogs jerked him awake. He was wondering what the dogs were doing in his bedroom when he suddenly remembered where he was. Scrambling to his feet his threw the saddle on to the, thankfully, already standing mare. They had been asleep for some 9 hours which didn’t surprise him, exhausted as they all were. The dogs had obviously heard someone drawing near and Blair decided to trust their instincts. Their hearing and sense of smell would easily pick up someone’s approach and his heart beat a frantic rhythmn at the knowledge of who it would be.
Securing the packs onto the saddle he led them out from under the overhang. Watching the dogs he determined the direction of the threat. Swinging into the saddle he urged the mare into a trot, the tired colt, and presently the dogs, following. He could hear shouts further down the mountain and knew his trackers had finally caught up. A rifle shot sounded and one of the dogs yelped when the bullet hit a tree near its head. Blair shouted and urged the mare into a canter. They would be able to go where a car couldn’t and faster if those that chased them were on foot. He smiled a small smile of satisfaction when he heard the shouts receding further and further behind.
**********
Ellison slammed on the brakes, skidding the car to a muddy halt and Brown into the back of his seat. The man swore loudly. He had been asleep and, even though he had loosened his seat belt to lie down, he still managed to kiss the back of the driver’s seat. Simon spared him a quick glance but the scanned the area around them for threat. Ellison had stopped for some reason.
“Gunshots,” was all he said and tore the steering wheel around for a slight change in direction.
“Where in hell is the kid headed?” Simon asked tiredly. He was amazed at Ellison’s stamina. They had been driving all night and Jim had refused Simon’s offer to take the wheel. He had conceded that the only reason they were still on the right track was because the Sentinel could still see the tracks in the truck’s spotlights. Jim had dialed down the pain from the incredible headache that had hit him hours before.
“He’s going in one big circle. I think he’s headed back to the cabin.”
“What the hell for?” Simon couldn’t believe the kid’s stupidity.
“Wouldn’t you head back towards safety if you knew it to be there? He knew we’d be here by now. He hasn’t headed for the house like Murray told him to. I think he’s sensibly accredited a bit more danger to these guys than old Murray did.”
Simon wasn’t surprised the young man didn’t listen to Murray and make his way to the house. Sandburg seemed to make it his mission in life to defy every order or suggestion given to him. They had found the areas that he and his entourage had spent the first night. Simon respected the fact the kid hadn’t lit a fire. They had found animal bones that Jim had determined to be chewed by human and dogs. The spoor left by the dogs also informed him that their diet included dried beef. Brown had watched in horror as Ellison had pushed the spoor apart. He had refrained from announcing that Blair was feeding the animals at his own expense but he had told Simon later out of earshot of Brown. Simon had thought it a smart move considering the horse would be the one to carry him out of trouble and the dogs would be the ones to offer greatest protection.
Now, back in the truck and bouncing in between trees again, Ellison focused his eyes on the ground that rapidly disappeared beneath the truck. Blair’s hunters were also in a car, by the tracks a jeep. Luckily they had stopped at night when it grew too dark to follow the hoofprints. This had enabled them to make up some much needed hours in their pursuit. He knew Blair would be close to dropping, the animals close behind him.
Simon exchanged a few frantic words with Brown, every now and then, interrupted by the careening truck. He trusted Ellison’s sight and driving but he knew he would have to be almost spent. Brown watched their driver tiredly. He couldn’t believe the strength he was seeing. Ellison didn’t cease. He was almost psychotic in his determined chase of Blair. Brown had managed to grab a little sleep here and there but the hair-raising ride jolted even him awake. Simon looked equally dazed. The captain had been intent on not falling asleep himself while his detective remained driving. He took in Ellison’s grim visage again and sighed. He wouldn’t stop until he had Blair, one way or another.
Ellison estimated they were only a few hours behind both quarry.
**********
Blair eased the mare back into a walk. He knew enough about horses to know that, although possessing the amazing stamina of an Arabian, her inordinately long legs posed her a danger in such soft, uneven ground. The last thing he wanted was to break the leg of the animal he sought to protect. Dismounting he considered allowing the mare and colt to graze but his fear of the men behind them spurred him to keep walking. He chose the most difficult path, easy for a man and animals on foot but difficult for men in a vehicle. Little did he know he was also making it a chore for his partner as well.
He knew, also, that the moment Jim found out about his little jaunt he’d cop it. Logic would have dictated letting them take what they wanted. But Blair had the uncomfortable feeling that these men wouldn’t have wanted witnesses left behind. Murray had assured him that he was going to leave the cabin and retreat into the woodland when the thieves returned that night.
Blair shivered in the mid morning air. His clothing couldn’t be given time to dry. The thick coat he had grabbed before leaving Murray only came to his butt which now felt like a popsicle. It was wet through as much as the rest of him. He hated the cold! Thoughts of the nice warm loft when the fire was going came to mind. He closed his eyes a moment in pleasurable remembrance of times safe within the confines of home. Safe with his Sentinel.
As luck would have it they came to a small river. Leading the horses into the cold water he cajoled the dogs into joining them. If they could mask their tracks for a few miles at least they might lose those following. The dogs didn’t like the cold water but they co-operated anyway. The colt only tolerated it because he wasn’t about to leave his mother’s side. Blair flinched at the cold water sluicing through his hiking boots. Another pair ruined and, to top it off wonderfully, I now can’t feel my feet.
**********
“Clever, Blair,” Ellison murmured. They left the truck on the bank of the small river. Brown could have sworn Jim was sniffing the air. He looked like a wolf. He had waded into the water to check the river bottom for tracks. Banks and Brown stayed on shore and walked beside Jim but slightly back while the tall detective walked in the cold water mirroring his partner’s slight tracks. The water had washed most of it away but he could still see where a rock was overturned by its mossy covering, or a stick newly pressed into the muddy bottom. Although Blair and the dogs didn’t weigh much, the mare was a sizeable animal. He decided they would have to abandon the car as Sandburg was deliberately taking the most difficult path to throw off those tracking him.
“Clever,” Ellison muttered again, “he knows water makes it difficult to track him.”
“That doesn’t help us much,” muttered Brown.
Simon glowered at him, “The bad people are more likely to catch him first unless we can catch up to them,” he’d added a lilt to it as though talking to a child. Brown shrugged it off, not taking offence. They were all tired and irritable and Brown’s good nature allowed his Captain a cheap shot every now and then.
Gunshots that even the other two could hear brought them to an abrupt halt. With a growl Ellison took off at a run, the other two struggling to keep up.
**********
Blair hit the ground, grasping his forearm. The bullet had entered and exited cleanly but the sob that escaped him drove all thoughts of luck from his mind. His fall from the mare’s back not helping his pain.
“Oh shit, shit shit shit.”
Missy whimpered and licked at his face. The mare stood quietly, too exhausted to take fright and run off. Blair forced himself to his feet and unlatched the saddle roll exposing Murray’s rifle. He emptied his pockets of the bullets and loaded the gun. Nervousness and pain caused his fingers to fumble but he didn’t drop any. Taking the reins again he led the horses into some thick brush and tied the mare. He knew the horses wouldn’t be harmed by the men but the dogs would be killed outright and he didn’t want to think of what that thug would do to him when he caught him. He had probably pissed them off well and good now. Turning a fairly easy horse stealing operation into a two day pursuit. By his calculations they were only a few miles from the cabin. Only a few miles from Murray and, hopefully, Jim. He may get lost driving through the city but he had always known how to navigate by the sun and stars.
Emboldened by not hearing anything he waited a few minutes before cautiously remounting the mare and leading his little band on.
**********
“They’ve shot him,” Ellison’s voice hissed in the quiet that surrounded them. At this distance he could hear everyone’s heartbeats and smell the blood that the wind had thoughtfully carried his way.
“They can’t be more than a mile away, Jim!”
Ellison took off at a run, Simon and Brown slogging after him.
After ten minutes of running headlong, Ellison leaving the others behind, he came to a crest and could down into the valley. Panting for breath he bent over and clasped his hands to his knees trying not to fall to the ground. He could hear the other two bringing up the rear as he caught sight of something in the valley below. Banks hauled himself to a gasping halt next to Ellison and followed his gaze.
“Who is that? Is that Sandburg?”
On the valley floor below came sight of a man astride a horse, another in tow and two dogs. The group was travelling at breakneck speed towards the cabin they had all set out from. Simon leapt in spite of himself at Ellison’s bellow.
“SANDBURG!”
The man astride the horse would have needed Sentinel hearing to have heard his name shouted from that distance. Ellison zeroed in on his partner and could see Blair was riding one handed, the other arm hanging uselessly at his side.
Not a half mile behind them appeared the jeep, bursting from the treeline in a leap. It gained but Ellison could see that Blair would reach the relative safety of the cabin before the three men. After that they would probably kill him.
**********
Murray heard the staccato of hoofbeats from inside his home and ran outside. He nearly choked when he saw Blair and his prize horses cantering toward him. No, not toward him but past him. The frantic fear in the kid’s eyes being something Murray didn’t care to see again.
“What the hell you doin’, boy?! Why’d you bring ‘em back here for?!”
Blair didn’t spare him a glance as he galloped past and into the stable, old Murray hot on his heels. By the time Murray reached it his horses were in their stall but the kid was gone. He stroked his mare lovingly, despairing of the mud and dirt that marred her perfect coat. The colt had immediately dropped to the ground exhausted. Murray jerked his head up expecting to see Blair but instead saw the threat that had followed him. One man. Covered in as much grime as the mare but extremely pissed off. The gun in the blonde man’s hand was on a direct bead to his heart.
“Well, here are my horses, but where’s that little bastard!”
“I....I don’t know. He’s gone.”
“I’ve been chasing that little runt for two days and we end up back here. I can’t tell you how insanely irritated that makes me!”
“Then tell me.” Murray smiled at the sight of Simon Banks and his gun against the other’s head.
“Drop it and drop it now,” Brown added his two cents worth to the conversation.
“Only if you drop yours,” Brown flinched at the gun at his temple. A gun belonging to the second man he had thought was around the far side of the stables. He doubted even a rookie would have made that mistake, his self recrimination only tempered by the fact that his Captain had done it too.
Murray raised his hands again, sighing. The third man joined them helping his boss to usher them further into the barn.
“What a merry little chase we’ve all been led. That little, long haired bastard is going to wish he’d never started this,” the man looked pointedly to what seemed to be his second in command, a large, tall man who was probably as hard as he looked.
Simon knew this was the one Murray mentioned as taking a dislike to Sandburg. He hoped the kid had run far away. Simon watched Ellison calmly walk into the stables. The man holding them at bay didn’t flinch.
“I think your friend will see the logic in dropping his weapon. I’ll think nothing of putting a bullet in the old man here. That’ll still leave me with two hostages.”
“Take your horses and leave,” Ellison hissed. Murray opened his mouth but shut it again. He wasn’t too addled just yet to know they were better off giving them what they wanted and tracing the horses later.
“Love to. But I think my colleague here would be disappointed in leaving his little friend behind.”
Guns pointed in every direction. Simon and Brown had yet to lower theirs and everyone had a bead on everyone else. The stand-off was broken when the apparent leader took a chance and shot Simon. The large man bellowed in pain and his gun went flying. Brown’s was knocked from his hand as he froze from the shock of seeing Simon shot. And the gun on Ellison never wavered. Seeing his advantage gone he lowered his own weapon.
Minutes later saw the three detectives tied to a stable door. Murray was left free, being seen as not much of a threat. The larger man was sent outside to bring the horse float around to the stable.
The tall, blonde man stood before Ellison and smiled, “We’ll just take horses now and be on our way. That little guy a friend of yours, is he?”
Ellison refrained from answering.
The man smiled benignly again, “No matter. I think he is. So finishing you all off should be an imaginative revenge on him. Funny, he was so resourceful, I would never have thought he would run off like that. Why put us to all that trouble and then....just leave?”
“Because it would easier to contain all of you in the barn, you cretin.” Sandburg stood in the doorway, rifle trained on the two men, flanked by the two large dogs.
Ellison nearly choked at the sight he presented. Their saviour was a sorry looking mess indeed. His partner looked close to dropping. The blonde man smiled his ingratiating smile at him.
“Come now, little boy, you don’t look the type to shoot a man.”
Little boy! Blair thought, I’m probably older than him for Christ’s sake! “I’m tired, pissed off, sore.....believe me when I say I’ll be happy to shoot you.” Blair saw the man peer around the barn as if trying to look through the slats.
“No, your big, ugly friend won’t be joining us. He’s sleeping the past few days off.”
No one in the stable failed to see the blood seeping from Blair’s arm down onto his jeans. It was enough of a weakness for the man holding the gun to press his luck.
“I say again, you don’t look the type to want to shoot a man. We both have guns. I have mine pointed at your partners head and my colleague here has his pointed at you.”
“But, I’ve thought of something you haven’t,” Blair smiled tiredly.
The blonde man raised his eyebrows and then frowned, not able to think what it could be.
“You’re the first one I shoot. Then your friend shoots me and then my dogs kill you both.”
As if on cue, a grey form made itself seen at the side door. Head down, growling, it presented the final argument better than Blair ever hoped.
Brown swivelled his head around to see what everyone was looking at. “Fuck, who owns the wolf???”
The old man wolf stalking him was enough to force the blonde man to re-think their situation. He had a clear shot at Ellison. Then he’d be shot by the kid. Chambers would shoot the kid but by then the Dobermans and the wolf would have them both. This deal got worse with every passing moment. Where the hell was Burns? He found it hard to believe that the kid could have taken him out. The growling wolf caused him to jump and his gun jerked in Ellison’s direction.
Misreading his intentions Blair fired. Chambers fired at Blair and the two Dobermans launched themselves at Chambers. The blonde man fell, the gunshot wound in his side knocking him out of the game. Blair’s scream was cut off as he slammed into the wall by the force of the other’s shot. Chambers fell screaming beneath the two dogs. It all happened in a matter of seconds.
“Blair!” Ellison tore at his bindings furiously but couldn’t loosen them, “Blair!”
“What?”
“Where are you hit?”
Simon thought Ellison was going to dislocate a shoulder at this rate.
“I don’t know. I think I’ll sit down now.” The young man slid down the barn wall to sit in the straw.
“Murray! Get me free!” the old man jolted out of his shock and ran to Ellison.
Blair’s tired voice came again, “Missy! Silas! Stop it.” The two Dobermans reluctantly released their now unconscious prey.
“You realise,” Blair muttered to the oblivious man, “the only reason I’m stopping them is I don’t want them destroyed for killing a man. Otherwise they’re so hungry I’d let them have you”
“Sandburg!” Ellison knelt beside him, feeling him all over for the new wound he knew to be there. He hadn’t been shot after all. The bullet had struck the rifle in Blair’s hands but with enough force to knock him off his feet. Luckily the man had been too preoccupied with the dogs and the wolf to aim properly.
“Jim! You came! You’ll love it here. We can go fishing....and....and....why can’t I stand up?” “Just keep quiet. Stay calm.”
Ellison was joined by the Captain and Brown. All three looked at him, drinking in the sheer sight of him. “Hairboy, we’ve been looking all over for you.”
Blair smiled up at Brown, “You should have just waited, I got back eventually.”
The two Dobermans pushed past the three men and curled up next to the young man. “Hey, guys....” Sandburg’s head fell forward.
Simon gasped, “Jim!”
“It’s OK, he’s sleeping.” Ellison picked him up carefully and left the stables. Banks and Brown checked on the blonde man. Dead. The man attacked by the dogs remained unconscious and the large thug Blair had encountered outside was still out to the world.
Leaving the dead man where he was they collected the other one and followed Murray back to the cabin. When the two survivors were handcuffed to the front porch they joined Ellison inside. He sat on the lounge, his head back and mouth open, asleep. Sandburg lay next to him, his head on his partner’s shoulder, also asleep. At the entrance of the others Ellison jerked awake. For an irrational moment he thought the threat still existed but then he caught sight of Banks with hands raised.
“It’s OK, Jim. Just us. He OK?”
“Mmmm. I’ve dressed his wound. The bullet passed right through....He’s just exhausted.” Ellison’s head dropped back. Having the added safety of his Captain nearby lulled him back to sleep. Missy lay on the lounge, her head in Blair’s lap. Silas lay beside them on the floor quietly regarding the other men. Simon, Murray and Brown shook their heads and smiled.
Walking to the window, Brown could see the wolf sitting at the treeline watching. “And all’s right with the world,” he muttered to himself.
**********
Four days later Simon returned to the cabin to collect his two men. He had left the next day with Brown, taking the body and two live men with them. Blair still hadn’t awakened and Simon agreed it best that Ellison remain behind.
“Jim.”
His detective smiled up at his captain as he approached the front porch. Banks took in the sight of a fairly relaxed Ellison lounging in the old rocking chair. Simon lowered himself to sit on the step.
“Where’s Sandburg?”
Jim indicated with his head, “Over there.”
Simon followed his line of sight to see the young man in question walking quickly through one of the paddocks. He had obviously seen Simon arrive and was coming over to greet him. The two dogs leapt along beside him and the two prized Akhel Teke’s strode alongside too. As Jim and Simon watched the two horses threw up their heads and snorted, cantering away. Blair looked in the direction of the treeline and sat in the grass. Presently a grey shadow peeled away from the trees and loped toward him. Old man wolf paused and looked in their direction before continuing on its way to Blair. The two dogs settled in the grass and watched as the wolf touched noses with the young man.
Simon looked at Jim, “I never would have believed it if I didn’t see it.”
“That’s why I haven’t wanted to bring him home yet. He’s getting better therapy from the animals than he could get from the department shrink.”
“How’s he handling it?”
“As good as could be expected. He never intended to shoot, let alone kill that guy. He’d hoped his bluff would be enough.”
Simon shook his head slightly, “He’s not one to kill easily. Hell, it’s not easy for any of us but you and me....we understand that sometimes it can’t be helped. Blair....he’d give his life before taking the life of some scum. Luckily yours was more important.”
Jim nodded in agreement, “That’s what worries me sometimes. He still has this damn innocence and he wouldn’t be the same if he changed but shit....his psyche can be so damned fragile. He agonises over everything. I wish he would toughen up a bit sometimes.”
“Maybe that’s not such a good thing, Jim. Just think, if he was more confident, stronger than he is even now he’d be dead in a week. He wouldn’t have the natural caution he has now. His nature, his size, they all prevent him from doing really stupid things because he knows he may not necessarily get himself out of trouble. A lifetime of conditioning.”
“Rock and a hard place, Simon. He still manages to get himself into pickles.”
“Nature of the beast, Jim. He’s a very stubborn young man. And he cares very much about you.”
Both stopped talking as Blair stood and continued his way toward them. The wolf stayed where it was watching.
“Hi, Simon.”
“You look a lot cleaner than when last I saw you.”
Blair grinned, “Pretty grotty, wasn’t I. Mud’s good for the skin.” he sat next to Simon. Missy and Silas dropped next to him and presently the cat joined him, too.
“What is it with you and animals, Sandburg?”
“Kindred spirits,” quipped Jim.
Blair threw him a look. Simon chuckled. The young man’s face grew suddenly serious.
Simon cleared his throat, “Our thieves were home grown. Middle men for a breeding ring. All they had to give us was an account number and a name that will probably end up being false.”
“I didn’t mean to shoot him, you know,” came the quiet voice.
“What?” Simon almost missed it.
“It was an accident. I thought he was going to shoot Jim.”
Simon sidled up to him and placed an arm around the slim shoulders, “We know. You had a tough choice. Jim or him....”
“No contest. It would have been Jim every time. But why do these stupid bastards provoke people?”
“Over-confidence, Blair.”
“Yeah.”
“Ready to go home now?” he clapped Blair on the knee.
Blair smiled at the police captain, “Yeah,” he stood slowly and went into the cabin to gather his bags.
Simon looked back at Ellison, still sitting in the porch chair, watching him, “What?”
“Once a Dad, always a Dad.”
“You better believe it,” Simon grinned. He looked up as Murray walked out onto the porch. The old man levered himself down to sit beside Simon.
“Feel like some fishing next weekend, you two? I promise not to invite the crminal element this time.”
Jim laughed, “They do put such a damper on the fun, don’t they?”
Simon chuckled, “Love to. We should try it again. If anything, just to prove there’s no jinx on our little jaunts into the countryside.”
Jim waved at him when he heard Blair approaching the door to join them. Simon’s comment about jinxing would be taken wrongly by his Guide. Simon shut up.
Murray smiled broadly at Blair, “Your friends have consented to coming again next weekend.”
Blair returned the smile hesitantly, “That’ll be great. Maybe Joel can come this time?” Blair sat beside Murray.
“Of course,” the old man hugged the young man to him.
**********
Blair was knocked from feet to land on the hard ground with a grunt. Two sets of doggy tongues slid up his face and he tried to save his little remaining dignity. Jim laughed and hauled his Guide back up. Missy and Silas jumped around him like puppies. Murray walked out from the cabin wiping his hands on a dishcloth.
“Just in time! Lunch will be ready in a minute or two. Hey, Blair! My mare’s been missing you, why don’t you go and see her.”
Blair looked toward the barn. Jim watched him closely.
“Uh, maybe later, man. After lunch, I’m starved.”
Joel and Henri’s car pulled up behind them and they followed the others inside, leaving their bags until later. Simon had mentioned to them about Blair’s avoidance of the barn since the shooting. Taggert reasoned that the young man would deal with it in his own time, or not at all if it suited him. The big man tried to reason with Ellison that if the kid didn’t ever go back into the barn what would it hurt?
Ellison believed in facing your fears. He told them he intended to get Blair to face it. Henri and Joel were dubious and went to Banks. Simon told them again that Blair was a civilian and it was up to Ellison but he would make sure it wasn’t done in the usual Ellison fashion. They knew Ellison would cut off his arm before he hurt the kid but Blair was easily bullied. Simon was determined to get in as much fishing as he humanly could but he would also keep an eye on one of his best teams.
Murray served up lunch and they all talked about everything except what had happened the other weekend. Blair listened intently to Murray’s talk of his beloved horses and his plans for them. Jim noticed his Guide was moving his food about his plate, but not actually ingesting any of it. Simon and the others relished the atmosphere of the place, intending to head for the river that afternoon before night fell.
Blair remained in the cabin wanting to help Murray clean up, promising to join them all later. Jim was pushed out the door by Joel and taken with them to what, according to Murray, was the best fishing spot. Blair waved them on from the front porch. Henri tried to coax the dogs to join them but they wouldn’t leave Blair’s side. Blair again promised to be a half hour, at the most, behind them.
Peace reigned near the water. Henri was content to sit and watch the other two. He was looking forward to doing as little as possible that weekend. Let the others catch dinner. Ellison kept an ear out for his Guide. A half hour had passed and Blair had yet to appear. Simon caught the signs of impatience and saw Jim packing up his gear. He laid a hand on the man’s arm.
“Let him be, Jim. Let him deal with it in his own way.”
Jim felt vaguely annoyed at being read so easily. “His way is not to deal with it at all, Simon.”
Henri roused himself from his doze to see his captain and Taggert trying to calm Ellison down.
“Then, that’s his way. We’ve already talked about this, Jim. I’m not going to let you bully him into facing some fear you seem to think he has.”
“Bully him? My god, Simon, you should know me better by now. He’s avoiding the barn because of what happened there.”
“You don’t know that....”
“You try.”
“What?”
“You try getting him in there.” Jim crossed his arms, ending the argument.
Simon frowned, “OK, I will. When we get back.” The police captain turned his back on his detective. Ellison had managed to turn this weekend, too.
**********
“Sandburg.”
Blair’s head shot up. He clutched his book reflexively and the captain’s bark. “Yeah?”
Simon walked over to him, “Show me these horses, will you?”
Henri and Joel concentrated on their poker game with Murray and Jim. The young man looked at them to see if they were watching and was relieved when they weren’t.
“Umm, it’s a bit late, Simon.”
“I have a torch, Sandburg. You can explain their finer points to a layman like myself. I don’t feel like playing poker tonight.”
Blair though quickly, “They’ll be asleep....”
“C’mon, kid. Humour an old man.” Simon smiled, but leaving a hint of steel in his voice.
This only made Blair suspicious. Murray looked up from his losing hand.
“Hey, Blair, it’s OK. I forgot to tell you, I got another horse this week.”
“Another Akhel Teke?”
“No, nothing so fancy. A run of the mill quarter horse. A stallion. A real beauty. Watch yourself around him, though. He doesn’t like strangers that much.”
Murray turned back to the game, a smile on his face. He had piqued the kid’s interest. Blair looked toward the front door, and then at Simon. The big man grinned at him. Blair shook his head and left the cabin with him, Missy and Silas on his heels. Jim’s mouth dropped open. Simon and Murray had succeeded where he had failed. He made to stand but Murray stopped him.
“Leave him. Let the animals deal with it.”
Blair stopped in his tracks. The barn loomed like a behemoth in the darkness. Simon’s torch lit the ground in front of them in crazed arcs with every step. Simon felt the young man wasn’t beside him anymore and swung the torch around to hit Blair straight in the eyes with its beam.
“Whoa, Simon.”
“Sorry. What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. You go on ahead. It’s late and I’m tired.”
Come with me, Sandburg.”
Blair began to back away, shrugging. He laughed nervously. Simon purposely shon the torch in his face again. Blair threw his arms up, but was already blinded. He felt Simon grasp his arm gently and lead him. He rubbed his eyes but the torch had done its short lived damage. By the time the brightness cleared he found himself in the barn. He refused to look at Simon, shrugging off the big man’s touch and crossing his arms, stubbornness seeming to exude from his very pores.
Simon walked quietly to one of the stalls. The mare and colt were inside, the colt asleep, the mare laying beside him but alert. She watched Simon with big, shining eyes. His breath shortened as he saw the big head poke through the barred stall further along. The stallion. He pushed the light switch and illuminated half the barn. Blair still stood at the door, the anger from him almost palpable.
“Look at him, Blair.”
Blair looked at what Simon was talking about. His anger dissipating at the sight of the black horse. Simon acknowledged the beauty of the animal. Blair joined him.
“He’s incredible.” The young man was struck by the large, kind eyes that watched him. He walked slowly up to the stallion, his hand outstretched. The warm breath tickled the hairs on his hand sending a thrill through him.
“Careful, Blair. Remember what Murray said.”
Blair nodded, not really listening. He concentrated on sliding his hand up the silky nose. The stallion threw its head up. That was enough for Simon. He was as close as he felt comfortable with.
“Blair, I wouldn’t get any closer....”
Blair again stroked the nose when it lowered to his level. The stallion snorted gently and snuffled the human’s hair. Simon watched silently as the anthropologist made yet another friend. Blair wrapped his arms about the stallion’s neck and buried his face in its warmth. Simon saw evidence of tears when Blair turned his face toward him, his head still resting against the stallion. The horse closed its eyes and rested its full weight on Blair’s shoulder. Simon wondered at Murray’s statement about the stallion being antisocial. He suspected it was to get Blair’s attention. It had worked.
Simon smiled at the sight of a very trusting young man who dwelt on his imagined fears but who gave no second thought to wrapping himself around horse probably ten times his weight he had only just met. He almost missed the quiet question.
“You think Murray’ll let me ride him tomorrow?”
FINIS