Several days later, the dogs started barking and woke us up. Then they started growling! Momma, yelled plan "A", and Carol grabbed the baby, and told me to follow her. She opened the closet door, moved some clothes over and pushed open a hidden panel. The three of us slid inside and she shut the panel behind us. Adam wiggled a little but made no noise! We could hear the dog's, they were making a ruckus and then, we heard a popping noise. One of the dog's cried out. After that we heard someone cry out and the sound of a gun shot was heard. The dogs suddenly calmed down, with the exception of one, it was whining. About a minute later Momma's voice rang out, "all clear!"

We appeared from our hiding place and found Momma on the phone, "I have a body in my back yard, someone tried to break in and I am a licensed gun carrying Security Guard. He shot one of my dogs and then came after me. Yes sir, I shot him.. I was protecting myself, and my family. My daughter, her husband and my new grandson live with me. Okay thank you." She hung up and told us that the Sheriff would be here shortly and to stick to the burglar story. Offer no more information than that. Then she said she needed to go and check on the guard out front. When she came back in the house, she was distraught. The guard was gone! She called Tom and reported a possible breach in the system!

The next thing she did was call an Emergency Veterinarian. It was almost midnight and Neeko needed a Vet! Tom and Ellie were on the seen within forty five minutes, which was fast considering where they lived! The Sheriff had been deposing Momma for only a few minutes when Tom and Ellie arrived. She stopped for a few minutes to ask Tom to take Neeko to the Vet, and gave him the address written on a sheet of paper. Tom knew how to handle Neeko. He agreed without any hesitation. Neeko was a wonderful dog and a great asset.
Then Momma gave her attention back to the Sheriff.. A few minutes later an ambulance arrived, shortly after that, they called a Coroner. Momma was a dead shot!

It was nearly 2:30 in the morning before everyone was gone and we could sit back and relax. Tom was back and said that Neeko was going to be fine. He had a close call, but no major organs were hit and after removing the bullet and stitching him up, all he was going to need was some antibiotics and healing time. No one had heard anything from the guard who was supposed to have been out front, so his status was still in limbo! Tom and Ellie said they would stay the night out front and finish the night shift, and asked Momma for a thermos of coffee and then they bid us goodnight. Just as we were headed back to bed Adam woke up! Bless his heart, he had slept through everything! Ah, to be a baby!

We woke up with Adam at about 4:00am He needed a diaper change and bottle. Momma was up already, as the kitchen light was on, that was unusual as it was so early. Carol said she was going to go see if there was any Coffee made and to make a bottle! I stayed behind to change Adam. A few minutes later I heard her scream. I left Adam in his bassinet and ran to the kitchen, Carol was being held at gun point by a man wearing a black ski mask and Momma lay dead in the kitchen floor with a knife in the back of her neck. Another man was standing over her, he also wore a ski mask and carried a gun. The front door was slightly ajar. I wondered where Tom and Ellie were? I hoped they weren't dead too! Carol begged them to let me go since I couldn't identify them. Adam had started crying in the bedroom. "Please let him go take care of the baby. Please!" She entreated. One of them pointed at me and then down the hallway, I shook my head no, but Carol said, I had to take care of the baby. It killed me to leave her with them. I didn't know if I would ever see her again. She yelled down the hall to me, " I love you Clifford, tell Adam I love him too." I could tell she was crying. I yelled back, "I love you, too honey." Through the tears in my own eyes. I picked up Adam and held him tight. Once I heard the front door close, I called the Sheriff and reported that my wife had been abducted and that her mother had been murdered! Then I opened the front door to see if Tom and Ellie and been murdered too! Their Expedition was gone!

I was having a hard time understanding what was going on. And then, I started thinking like a Lawyer! Oh, my God, it was Tom and Ellie, they were behind it all the time. They had my wife! I called the CAGC contact I had in Sacramento and told them what had just happened and what I suspected and why I suspected Tom and Ellie. They said, they had other contacts in the area who they trusted, and they would get on it right away!

All I could do was pray! It took the Sheriff thirty minutes to get to our house, I gave them Tom and Ellie's names and their descriptions, as well as the description of their Expedition. I told him that they may be using aliases'. And that they may change their appearances. I was still trying to protect Carol's true identity so I didn't tell him why I suspected they might do it! He got on the radio and put an APB out on them and the vehicle, while waiting for the ambulance and Coroner. Within a few minutes of my call to the CAGC they had sent the daytime security guard to take his place in front of our house! He honked twice to let me know he was there. Adam and I were still being protected!

The Sheriff finished questioning me and had investigators come in and take pictures, fingerprints etc..., the Coroner removed Mommas body and Adam and I were left alone in the house. A few minutes later Ellie called me on my radio! Michael, I only have a minute, we're on Carol's trail. We had to make everyone think that we are involved. I assure you, we are not! The night body guard, and someone we can't identify yet have Carol. But, someone at CAGC headquarters has been bought out and we have taken a place as double agents to find out who they are! I'm sorry we couldn't do anything to save Momma, if we did, Carol would have been killed for sure. Right now we are on a secure frequency but we will be out of range in just a few miles. They are headed for New Brunswick. Right now they believe we are meeting with them to dispose of Carol! But Michael, we will free Carol and bring her back to you. Then we will have to move you and change your identity again." "Oh no Ellie, I really thought it was you and Tom who had Carol when I saw that you were gone. I gave the Sheriff your descriptions and names. I told them about the Expedition too." I told her. "That's all right Michael, we changed vehicles and we will be careful, we will change our appearances as soon as possible." Ellie said. "Ellie, I told the Sheriff that too." Michael admitted. "Honey, is there anything you didn't tell the Sheriff?" She, grunted, cynical at best! Michael replied, "Well, I didn't tell them anything about the court case and the CAGC." "Well, that's something to be thankful for!" Ellie replied! Then she said she would let me know what was happening as soon as possible and our radio reception began fading out!

I was so distressed I could hardly function. Adam was the only thing keeping me sane at all. I wanted to talk to my parents so bad, I really needed their support right now, but I knew I couldn't take that chance. I could imagine what they must be going through. I had disappeared on them. They didn't even know they were grandparents. I had put the boxes from the baby furniture out in the shed, I put Adam in his bassinet and went to get them. I might as well start packing!

Adam slept soundly while I took the baby furniture apart again and packed it away back in the boxes it came in. I packed the babies clothing in his diaper bag and in two of my suitcases and put them in our room next to the window where we could easily get to them. I packed my two suitcases full of accessible clothing for Carol and I, and then packed my over night bag for the two of us. I found several other boxes broke down in the garage and began taping them up and packing the rest of our clothing in them, as well as linens and towels. I left only enough towels out for one shower each. When all the boxes were full, I waited. That was all I had left to do. About 30 minutes later Ellie hailed me on the radio again! " Michael, we have Carol. She is distraught, but unhurt. Tom has been shot though. He isn't doing well, He is bleeding pretty bad, Carol say's she thinks the bullet has hit his femoral artery. I have to take him to St. Ignatius Medical Center. It is about 10 minutes away from where we are now. I will call you again when he is back with the Doctor. The two perps are dead. We had to hit them and run, Michael. We may end up needing your services! Got to go!"

I was so relieved to know that Carol was all right, but worried about Tom. I couldn't believe that I had wrongly suspected him and Ellie after all they had done for us. I felt terrible! A few minutes later I got a call from the Lighthouse Mortuary asking questions about Mommas arrangements. I told them that I wanted the best of everything for her. We discussed a few options and he gave me their address. I sat down and made a check out for $21,000, put it in an envelope, put a stamp on it and went outside to place it inside the mailbox and raised the flag! She was worth every penny of my money, she gave her life protecting my wife.

When Ellie summoned me on the radio this time, she let me talk to Carol. I was comforted to finally hear her voice. She said, she had been immeasurably scared the entire time she had been held, but had never stopped praying that Tom and Ellie would be able to get her away from the people holding her. She knew that they were following them and that they were supposed to be disposing of her but, she had remembered something that Ellie had told her one day, when Momma and Ellie took her for an OB appointment, the doctor had just told me that Adam was going to be a boy, he made a mistake the first time when he said he was going to be a girl, the previous month, "Honey, things aren't always what they appear. I want you to remember, always know, that no matter what it looks like the first time, I'm on your side!" That's when I knew, Tom and Ellie, were going to double crossing them!

Tom was being given blood, and had to have micro-vascular surgery to repair his gunshot wound. It looked like he would be fragile for a while and then probably end up using a cane. He would live to fight another day though!

Ellie brought Carol home and a Moving truck pulled up right behind them. They were both surprised that I had already begun packing! I smiled and said, "I ran out of boxes" Carol threw her arms around me and kissed me. Then she took Adam from my arms and held him close to her. Ellie said, "grab your bags honey, its time to go." I told them what I had packed in the suitcases and diaper bag. They were even more surprised! I had bottles made in the refrigerator as well. All we had to do was to put the bottles in the diaper bag, grab the suitcases and walk out the door! Which is exactly what we did, the movers did the rest!

Our first stop was a business complex. We parked in the back and entered through a door that said, "employees only." Inside was a room much like the one I visited on the outskirts of Sacramento. I told Carol she could have her hair done first! I would hit the tatoo parlor! Ellie cared for Adam while we were changed! The tatoo artist changed my tatoo into a Dragon. It completely covered everything else! Lisa was getting her new contacts, this time hazel, her hair was red now. It was my turn in the dye chair now! My hair had grown out some, so this time it was permed and I was given brunette hair with green eyes. They took the glasses away. We were fingerprinted, they were fed into a master computer just like last time, with our new names and faces, we were issued new Social Security Cards again, new Drivers Licenses Again, new Birth Certificates, again, a new Marriage License and new Credit Cards. I was given new Legal Credentials. And Adam was given a new Birth Certificate and Social Security Card. We were, Jonathan Ray Thomas Attorney AT Law, Sharon Kay Thomas RN, and baby Josiah Adam Thomas. Ellie had to go through the process too. She was now, Peggy Liz Martin, PHD, I told Carol. I had no idea that she had a PHD. "Remember the members of the CAGC come from all walks of life!" " Peggy has a PHD in Criminal Psychology. Tom has one in Criminal Law!" Sharon answered back. "Both also have licenses to carry concealed weapons! They are very intelligent and deadly!" Sharon went on to declare!

When we left, it was in a new vehicle. This time we were in a Hummer! It had smoked windows and lots of room! Peggy said we were driving out of state so we needed to sit back and enjoy the ride! She said we had the daytime Security Guard behind us and he would be there until we crossed the state line and then we would pick up another. When I asked Peggy where we were going she said "cold country!" and laughed but then told me we were headed for Colorado. We have a safe house there." I thanked her for the information and put my arm around Sharon and pulled her closer to me! I looked at Ad–Josiah and he was sound asleep in his car seat. We were all safe again! At least for now!

It wasn't long before both Sharon and I had fallen asleep. We awoke to Peggy pulling into a Sonic Burger. I was hungry and I certainly could use a cup of coffee! I liked the fact that you could order from your vehicle and they brought the food out to it! We all ordered and while we waited, Sharon changed Josiah's diaper and gave him a bottle. She amazed me. She was such an awesome mother, even under these conditions. I gave Peggy money for lunch. When we were done eating, I gave her a wad of cash. I told her to use what she needed for the trip. It was about $1000.00. She said, "thanks, Jonathan, every bit that the CAGC doesn't have to pay for by itself really helps. It means we can help that many more people." I hadn't thought about it before, but I imagine they already spent a staggering amount of money on Sharon and. Me.

We picked up our new Security Guard tail just inside Iowa. We were on Interstate 35. Peggy said she would need me to take over in Des Moine, Iowa where we would get on Interstate 80.Then Sharon needed to take over in Grand Island, Nebraska where she would stay on Interstate 80 and then shoot down Interstate 76 . Then Peggy could take over again in Denver, Colorado on Interstate 70 and take us on down towards Grand Junction to the safe house there! We would be picking up a new Security escort in each state! Sometimes two! We were going to have a long few days! We were only stopping to go to the bathroom and pick up food!

Whoever wasn't driving or taking care of Josiah when he was awake was doing their best to sleep. Everything was going fine between Minnesota and Iowa. Then between Iowa and Nebraska there were no incidents. We stopped just inside the border of Colorado and our Security Guard did not show up. We waited for an hour in case he had traffic or car trouble but he was a no show! Peggy called our present tail and told him that we had a no show! This was another possible security breach. There was something wrong! He told her we needed to adjust the route to plan (B). He said he would stay with us until an alternate could be sent. Peggy got behind the wheel headed for the Interchange to take the 385. She told us that we would be going to Springer, New Mexico instead! She said the exit was about Five miles ahead. There was a car parked at the side of the road ahead of us and a man had his trunk out and was taking his spare tire out and a jack. Peggy pulled over into the left lane to go around him. As she did, I noticed he didn't have a flat tire! I was just about to tell Peggy when she said hold on everybody and hit she stepped on the gas! Our Security Guard had pulled over in front of him and had gotten out of his car with his gun drawn, and that was the last thing we saw behind us! Peggy hit the interchange so fast I was afraid we were not going to make the curve, but she hugged the outer corner like a race car driver and when she came out of hit her foot was on the ground! We got a call about an hour later that our guard had been flown to a hospital in Colorado with major injuries including a gunshot wound to the head, and the other guy was dead! We would be picking up a new tail in a Red,Cherokee, Jeep in about 15 minutes. Peggy said, "make it about 7 minutes since I am going 90 miles an hour and have no intention of slowing down until I see our new tail!" Sharon was holding on to me tightly with one hand and Josiah with the other! I could see she was worried!

We found our new tail and everything was smooth again! Peggy slowed down and Sharon loosened her grip on me! Our bad dream seemed like it was never going to end! Peggy pulled into a Hamburger stand and said it was time for a pee stop! The girls went in first while I stayed with Josiah and then I went in after them. The Hummer was too large for the drive through so I ordered food for us also. When I came back out, I found Sharon in the drivers' seat! After the ordeal we went through earlier I was worried what would have happened had she been behind the wheel? I had to shake it off. Peggy couldn't drive the entire way herself, and if I said something to Sharon, she would just get upset!

I couldn't sleep thinking about what had happened earlier, so I offered to drive about two hours into Sharon's shift. I told her I must have drunk too much coffee. She pulled over and we switched drivers. She said she was pretty tired any way! I drove until dawn. I pulled into a gas station, the Hiummer was running on fumes! So was I. I needed coffee now. Everyone woke up. We were in Lamar, Colorado. I went in and paid for the gas, went to the bathroom, washed my face, and returned to the Hummer. I pumped the gas while the girls went in to do their things! When I was done, I gave Josiah his bottle, Sharon had just changed his diaper. He was being a champ through all of this!

Soon we were all back in the Hummer again and this time Peggy was at the wheel again. She drove down the street to Denny's and sent me in to get three breakfasts and three coffees to go. We were all tired of drive thru food! He was back in a flash and we were happily eating! Sharon suddenly started crying and I asked her what was wrong, she said, " She missed Momma." I leaned over and kissed her and told her I did too! She leaned over and rested her head on my shoulder for a few moments, before she began eating again.