The Past Returns

Disclaimer: I don't own High Mountain Rangers, not making any money, just cheap thrills.

Warnings: Angst, Disturbing themes

Rating: FRT

The Past Returns
Chapter 11


Roy left the liquor store, a fifth of vodka sitting in the seat beside him. He couldn't believe this was coming back to haunt him now, after all these years. Everything had been going so well for him, then his sister's frantic call came, changing everything. Damn that little brat, he'd caused trouble since the day he was born. Well if the boy was going to start talking, he'd just have to give it some thought, come up with a way to make him pay. Hell, maybe he could even get some fun out of it. Yeah, he smiled, he had that cabin his friend had left to him up in the Cascades and it was still in his friend's name. That would be the perfect place for the plan that was beginning to form in his twisted mind. "Goddamn it!" he cursed as he approached Jackie's place, the sight of the police cruiser in her driveway leaving him with no choice but to continue past the house. At least the locals didn't know what he was driving, yet, he was sure it wouldn't take them long to figure it out.


Mike McBride had left his office only moments after Jesse Hawkes, his first stop had been at the office of the local prosecuting attorney. By the time he'd laid out the details of the accusations, the D.A. was only too happy to approve a warrant for Roy Kern's arrest. Normally McBride would send a deputy to make the arrest, but in this case he wanted to make sure that every procedure was followed correctly. There was no way he was letting Roy escape punishment because some deputy forgot to read him his rights, or some other mistake was made. Twenty minutes after obtaining the warrant, he was standing at Jackie's door, the warrant in his hand, ready to be served.

"Hello Mike," Jackie smiled. "What can I do for you?"

"Mrs. Hawkes," Mike's greeting was cold and formal. "I'd like to speak to your brother Roy Kern."

Jackie gave him a puzzled look, "My brother? Roy lives in San Francisco."

"We know he's in Tahoe," Mike calmly informed her.

Jackie shrugged, "I haven't seen him sheriff."

"I have a warrant for his arrest, if you interfere I can charge you with obstruction of justice," he warned her.

"You're welcome to come in and look for yourself, but I haven't seen him." Stepping back, she opened the door wide for him. As he stepped past her and made his way up the stairs, she silently thanked God that Roy hadn't brought his suitcase inside yet. Stepping into the kitchen, she busied herself in preparing supper, wanting to appear innocent, as the sheriff searched the house.

Internally Mike sighed as the door was opened for him. He was sure that if she were letting him in this easily it could only mean that her brother wasn't currently here. It didn't take him long to search the house, confirming that Roy wasn't anywhere in the place.

"Satisfied?" Jackie asked as the sheriff reappeared in the kitchen.

"When do you expect him back?"

"I don't," Jackie replied. "As far as I know he's still in Frisco."

"Uh-huh," Mike doubtfully acknowledged. Without another word, he left the house and climbed back into his car. Pulling out of the drive, he parked the car across from Jackie's house while he radioed the office. Ordering a deputy to be dispatched to watch the house for Roy's return, he switched the radio to another channel. Sighing heavily, he keyed the mic, "This is Sheriff McBride calling Jesse Hawkes, come in Jesse."

Jesse glanced out the window at his boys. The sound of a voice coming over the radio drew his attention away from the scene outside. Turning away, he walked to the radio and keyed the mic, "This is Jesse Hawkes, did you get him Mike?"

"I'm sorry Jesse, not yet," Mike reluctantly replied.

Jesse bit back his anger, it wasn't Mike's fault that Roy had hurt Cody. "What happened?"

"I went to Jackie's to arrest him but he wasn't there. Before you ask, I searched the place, there wasn't any sign that he'd been there."

"What did Jackie say?"

"She says he's in San Francisco and no I don't believe her either," Mike added, knowing that would be the next question.

Jesse chuckled, he should've known that Mike knew him well enough to guess his next question. "What are you doing then?"

"I'm going to have her house watched 24/7 until he either returns or we catch him somewhere else. We will find him Jesse, I promise you that."

"I know you will Mike, thanks for letting me know what's going on, over and out." Laying down the mic, Jesse walked back to the window. How was he going to tell Cody that Roy was still free? He could only imagine how the boy would feel about that news. Reluctantly he walked to the door and pulled it open, "Boys, could you come inside?"

Matt and Cody looked at each other, both wondering what was going on. Moving as one, they marched into the house, though it was Matt who took the lead once they were inside. "What's up Dad?"

Jesse threw his arm over Cody's shoulder, leading the boy to the couch and gently lowering him. "Mike called, he got a warrant to arrest Roy."

"But?" Cody asked.

Jesse sighed, damn he hated this, "But Roy wasn't at your mom's."

"So he's still out there?"

"Yeah, they will find him though," he quickly assured his youngest.

"What did Mom say?" Cody asked. He was almost afraid to know the answer, but he needed to find out where his mother stood now that she knew Roy was being charged. Would she support him, helping the sheriff to arrest Roy, or would she support Roy instead.

"She claims he's in Frisco."

"She's lying," Matt growled.

"Of course she is," Jesse confirmed. "Mike knows it too, he's having her place watched while they search for Roy. Cody there's something else," Jesse softly spoke.

Cody looked at him, his eyes wide, "What?"

"I don't want you to go outside alone until he's caught."

"You mean I'm a prisoner?" Cody dejectedly asked.

"I know it feels that way son, but it's the best way I can think of to keep you safe."

"What about Matt?"

"What about me?" Matt asked.

"Are you going to be staying here too?"

"I don't think so Cody," Matt replied. "I need to be out there, I need to find him," he explained with steel in his voice.

"What if he decides to go after you, like he threatened?"

Matt sank down on the couch, next to his brother, "We talked about this Cody, he won't come after me."

"You don't know that," Cody argued. He knew Matt didn't believe he was in any real danger, but Cody couldn't stop the chill that ran through him at the thought of his brother being out there with Roy on the loose. "Wouldn't it be better if Dad had help?" he asked, hoping that if Matt wouldn't stay for his own sake, he'd stay to protect his brother.

"Boy's got a point," Jesse quietly offered. He understood what Cody was doing, knew that Matt probably did too, but it was still valid reasoning. If Roy did come up to the cabin, he'd have a harder time getting his hands on Cody if they were both there to protect him. "I think maybe you should stay," he added.

Matt sighed, he could see the sincerity in his father's face. Looking into his brother's frightened blue eyes, he felt his resolve slipping. As a tear slipped from the younger boy's eye, Matt folded, "Alright I'll stay."

"Thank you Matt," Cody whispered, throwing his arms around his older brother.

Matt was looking for his brother, he knew he had to be somewhere in the cabin, but he hadn't had any luck finding him yet. "Cody," he called again, trying not to worry. "Get a grip Hawkes," he scolded himself. He knew there was no way Roy could've gotten to his brother without them knowing. But what if, no, he shook his head, there was no way that Cody would step outside the cabin, no matter how much he was chafing at the confinement. Then again maybe he would, Matt mused as he glanced up. Climbing to the attic, he smiled grimly when he saw that the small door leading to the roof was open. Poking his head through the opening, he glanced to the side, not really surprised to see Cody laying flat on the roof. "Wondered where you were?"

Cody had heard him climbing the steps into the attic, just as he'd heard him calling his name, so the sound of his voice so close didn't surprise him any. "Wanted some air."

"You could've told me or Dad," Matt admonished.

Cody shrugged, "Sorry."

"Cody, I know it's hard..."

"I'm a prisoner Matt," Cody interrupted. "I didn't do anything wrong, isn't that right?"

"Yeah, that's right," Matt confirmed.

"Yet, I'm the one locked up while he's out there running free," Cody complained, waving his hand to encompass the vast world around them.

"It's temporary Cody, they'll find him soon and then you won't be the one who's confined," he assured him.

Cody frowned, staring out over the mountains he loved, "Is it?"

"It is little brother, I promise we will find him. Why don't you come inside now?"

"I need to be alone Matt," he nearly whined.

Matt studied his brother, he supposed he did need to be alone. "I guess as long as you stay laying flat it'll be safe enough."

Cody smiled, "Thanks Matt."

"You're welcome Toad," Matt grinned, ruffling his hair. "Just promise that you won't run off anywhere?"

"I promise," Cody solemnly swore.


Two miles away, Roy stood on the trail, studying the map his sister had made for him. Of course he hadn't told her what he really planned to do when he found Cody. She might not be willing to see him arrested or to testify against him, but that didn't mean that she'd hand the boy over to him. Oh well, what she didn't know wouldn't hurt her...too much. After making sure he was on the right path, he put the map in his pack and hefted his rifle onto his shoulder. As he walked towards Jesse Hawkes' cabin, his mind wandered to what he would do to Cody once he had him someplace private. Then again maybe he wouldn't wait to take him away from his dad's cabin, maybe he'd take him right there within sight of his father's body. He could just imagine the whimpers and screams that would come from the young boy as he plundered his body, finally claiming him in every way possible. Just the thought of it was bringing a response from his body, making him more eager than ever to reach his prize.

He imagined his arrival at the cabin, already he could hear Jesse threatening him. Not that it would do him any good. He couldn't decide though, should he kill Jesse outright, or should he make it slow. Maybe he should let him live long enough to watch his youngest boy being raped. Roy grinned, yeah that's what he would do. First though, first he would tell the retired ranger of his plans to turn Cody into his slave. In graphic detail, he would describe the many degrading things the boy would be forced to do and endure in his new life. His grin blossomed into laughter as he imagined the look of horror and impotent rage on Jesse's face as he realized he was helpless to save the boy.

TBC

Hope y'all liked it, please feed the muse with reviews.