Winter's Storm

By Patricia Rose

Embroiled in the conflict of World War II, the fledgling OSS enlists the unique talents of 4 exceptional young men to fight behind enemy lines. Trained from infancy in every conceivable form of martial arts and fluent in several languages due to their polyglot upbringing, these 4 extraordinary men excelled first as artists, giving them the means to pursue their dreams. Now caught up in the global conflict, they must battle the Nai threat before those dreams can become reality.
Sean Winters studied to be a Veterinarian, but now leads a trained cadre of men deep into Nazi Germany, disrupting supply lines and trains loaded with innocents being transported to concentration camps.
After a stint airborne gathering intelligence, Nicolo Amato returns to Italy where he studied to be an architect. In Florence, he thwarts the planned demolition of a building housing priceless works of art. Later, he leads a group escorting the Italian ambassador on his failed mission to seek peace with the British.
Dr. Antonio Cadena barely finishes Medical school in time to lead a medical team at Anzio Beach.
And Chen Li works feverishlywith other lawyers to free Japanese Americans incarcerated simply because of their heritage.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: May 14, 2012
• ISBN: 9781468581003

Patricia Rose

Patricia has a medical background having been a practicing nurse for many years. Her love of the countryside gives her many opportunities to photograph landscapes and animals by using one of her hobbies. Patricia is also a keen lover of musical theatre.

Book preview

Winter’s

Storm

Patricia Rose

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© 2012 Patricia Rose. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 4/10/2012

ISBN: 978-1-4685-8099-0 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4685-8100-3 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2012906524

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

Acknowledgements

California

London

California

California

California

San Francisco

South Dakota

California

California

South Dakota

England and Europe

South Dakota

Gibraltar and England

South Dakota

France

Baltimore, New York and Washington D.C.

Poland

Europe

Italy

Washington D.C.

Spain

England

Italy

England

Washington D.C.

England

Italy

England

France

Italy

Italy

France

Italy

England

France

England

Italy

France

England

Italy

France

Washington D.C.

Poland

Northern Italy

Austria

Acknowledgements

While the characters depicted in WinterStorm are a product of my imagination, the settings are very real and I would like to acknowledge them:

There was no group of scouts entitled Winter’s Storm. There were, however, thousands of people, men and women, of many nationalities, who fought behind the lines, and whose efforts and bravery, while unheralded, were an important part of the war effort.

The wholesale slaughter of the Jews is an unassailable truth, as is the fact that there was a brave handful who did what they could to hide them or rescue them from certain death. At first some Jews were herded into ghettos, which were later systematically destroyed and the occupants either murdered or sent to the camps for extermination. The 50,000 people of the Warsaw Ghetto decided to fight and were slaughtered, every man, woman and child. Many other people were sent to concentration camps, including many Polish men who were impressed into forced labor.

When the Italians decided to sue for peace they did send General Castellano to Spain and then to Portugal to speak with the British Ambassadors. His mission was clandestine and ended in failure, and the Italians were forced to surrender.

General Patton did place the Lippizan mares under his protection.

We are all aware of the attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese fleet on December 7, 1941, but few are as aware of the incarceration of Americans of Japanese descent. The camps were real; the dedication of the lawyers trying to free the people was real; most of the people so interred lost their livelihood and their possessions; young men in these camps were recruited by the Army and served with distinction; the 442nd, comprised solely of men of Japanese ancestry, lost over 800 men in the Vosges Mountains rescuing 211 Texans of the Lost Brigade.

Bill Utsunomiya played a mean hand of poker until 2006.

Spring 1941

California

They looked like young gods as they moved surely and gracefully through the intricate steps of their morning drill. Tanned and toned, not an ounce of fat among them, the four men followed the dictates of Chinese martial arts that Old Wen had taught them as children. As the first rays of the sun gilded their bodies, they took on the essence of the immortals of Olympus, elegant reminders of a higher power. All first generation Americans, they each epitomized the ideal male in the lands of their forefathers.

At six foot three inches, Sean Winters, eighth child of his Irish immigrant parents, could not have hidden his heritage. His fiery red hair was now faded to a sandy shade by the harsh California sun, but his wide Irish smile and piercing blue eyes proclaimed his lineage to one and all. A veterinarian by trade, a hugely successful sculptor in practice, he was the owner and driving force of Wintersong, the vast ranch they had all called home for a brief time as teenagers.

Nicolo Amato owed his wavy brown hair and honey brown eyes to his Italian parents. To their Roman ancestry also went credit for his architectural skills and the intense, dark and brooding paintings that had given him the income necessary to pursue his studies in the art capital of the world, Florence. Just under six feet tall, he was broad at the shoulder and lean at the hip, and his body exuded barely contained power. He had given up his budding career in architecture to fly intelligence gathering missions for the Royal Air Force in England, the artistic Roman giving way to the fighting spirit that had helped Rome conquer the world.

The only word for Antonio Cadena was beautiful, although he would blush at the idea. Tall and lean, dark and dangerous, he had spent the last five years protecting his deceased grandfather’s estates and business enterprises from destruction during the upheaval of the Spanish Civil War. The courage with which he had faced those hardships had forged his will into steel and his heart into gold. His strength of character had allowed him to turn the family hacienda into a haven of safety for hundreds of civilians, men, women and children fleeing the violence of the war. The tenderness he had acquired was evident in the intimate, delicate pastel drawings he did of those same people.

Chen Li, whose grandfather had taken four toddlers and turned them into a fighting force like no other on earth, was the smallest of the four but no less lethal. Li was the only one not married, although his daughter by the Jewish photographer, Leah Stein, was the center of his universe. The years he had spent in Germany protecting Leah while she recorded Nazi atrocities had made him determined to do whatever necessary to end the political exigencies that had allowed a madman like Hitler to climb to power. He approached his study of law as he did his art: with oriental wisdom, precision and determination.

Their art had given them the funds. Their early tutelage had made them educated and worldly. Their training had made them lethal. Their friendship had grounded them. Only their scars kept them from perfection.

Four other men watched, waiting for just the right moment. Owners of four very successful fine art galleries, they were also fathers-in-law, friends and agents and they had a proposition to put forward. Each had been instrumental in the introduction of the four talented artists and each had reaped the benefits of their fame and fortune. While they waited, they would take this opportunity to spend time with their own family members, including those daughters who had linked their own lives with those of the four and the grandchildren that had been the inevitable result.

They waited until all the children had been reclaimed by their various mothers, Sean’s older sister, Moira, taking charge of tiny Ruthie, before approaching the guys en mass. It took a while to corner the four of them at one time, each bounding off here and there to see to the needs of their families. Finally, they got everyone seated in the big living room, allowing Rick to take the floor as spokesman for the group.

We have a proposition for you, Rick Winnett told them. The four of us have an opportunity to open a gallery in San Francisco, and we’d like to start it off with a big gala opening like the one Charlie had here. We’d especially like to be able to start with the same four artists who have given this gallery its biggest boost. Trouble is, we haven’t been able to gather enough pieces of any of the four of you to use as a centerpiece. Is there any way we could get you four to produce enough without putting them on the immediate market to be able to use you as featured artists? We’d need somewhere between ten and fifteen pieces each.

Don’t you already have twenty or so of mine? Sean asked.

Not that aren’t already spoken for, Charlie Winnett answered. I guess I should have put a few back, I just wasn’t thinking far enough ahead.

When are you planning to open this gallery? Li wanted to know.

We were hoping for an October opening, Rick answered. The building is already being used as a museum. It won’t take much to get it into the right setup for a gallery. We’re trying to get a certain old gentleman to give up his place in South Dakota and come down here to run it for us.

Certain old gentleman? Nick laughed, glancing at Rick’s father. Looks like he’s already in on the whole enterprise.

Not quite, Gary Winnett smiled. Sarah doesn’t mind the idea of California. It’s just that she would rather be here than in San Francisco. I was sort of hoping to get Charlie to take over the one there and let me run the one here.

That’s the first I’ve heard of that, Charlie grimaced. I doubt I could get Meghan to make that move. She and Suzanne are talking about setting up some sort of clinic. They already have two or three other doctors involved, and a dozen or more nurses. She’s not going to want to leave that behind.

I didn’t know about the clinic, Sarah added her two cents to the conversation. You’re right, she wouldn’t want to leave now. Oh, darn!

The men all snickered at her use of a mild expletive. It was about as close to swearing as any of them had ever heard her come. It wouldn’t be so bad, Sarah, Nick said. You’d still be lots closer to the rest of the family.

No, Sarah said. It would be one thing to uproot us from our home to be this near, but San Francisco is just too far away. No, I really don’t want to, Gary. Unless you can think of something else, no, I won’t move. That said she left them to their discussions. She would do whatever Gary decided, they all knew that, but she could make life pretty uncomfortable if she wanted to.

Okay. That leaves plan three, Rick said.

What’s plan three? Dan Yamatsu wanted to know.

I’ve got a really good manager working for me now. She doesn’t have enough down payment to buy me out, but she and I could probably come to some kind of agreement. You know, work out a schedule of payments. Only trouble is that I wouldn’t have the investment capital to bring into the deal.

I get it, Sean teased, his wide grin showing that he was kidding. You guys don’t care about the four of us as artists, you’re looking for up front money.

The protests were long and loud. You have to believe me, Sean. We’ve been talking about this long distance for several months. Asking the four of you to allow us to showcase your work is the only reason we approached you at all. Now that you’re all established artists, it would only take the commission on a few pieces to make the gallery a success. We’ll worry about the financial end of it some other time. Besides, if we wanted to borrow the money, we’d just ask, Charlie answered for all of them.

Do you realize just how that sounds? Tonio asked, his handsome face taking on an incredulous look. Think about it. If it hadn’t been for the four of you, we wouldn’t have any kind of artistic careers. Wintersong got its start with the money earned from the sale of Sean’s sculptures. How much money do you think he’d have if he hadn’t had good reputable galleries to represent him? Or honest men to deal with? How many galleries have the Asian clientele like those who are so enamored with Li’s drawings? How many would represent an artist whose main market is half a continent away, like Charlie does for Nick?

He’s right, Li spoke up. The four of us have you to thank for starting us on very lucrative careers, so ask away. I’m up for whatever you need. Holding a finger up to make his point, he added, within reason.

Just so no one gets the wrong idea about who did what for whom, Gary said. Everyone of us is far richer for having represented you guys than we were before. We didn’t return our commissions, in case you hadn’t noticed. Not to mention that two of you are married to my granddaughters, one who happens to be Rick’s daughter, and one of you is married to Dan’s daughter.

It’s getting way too complicated, Li said. Look, I have eight or nine finished works at the framers now. I can probably get you a few more by October. That answers your question, right? You can discuss your own arrangements when I’m out of earshot. I’ll be glad to help in any way I can.

I have seven crated up to ship out, Nick offered, and four more I’m working on. Whether I can get any more by then will depend on what schedule I’ll be flying, and on when Carrie decides to deliver our newest offspring.

I used up the last of my pastels over a year ago, Tonio apologized. Maybe, now that we’re here, I’ll have time to go back to working on them. I’ll sure try to get you a dozen or so pieces for your new gallery, though.

There are a dozen or so of my carvings in the loft right now, waiting to be crated. There’s no reason you can’t use those and however many I can get done between now and then, Sean added to the others. But if I hold all of them for the new gallery, Charlie won’t have any for his. It’s up to him, since he’s my primary agent.

Thanks, all of you. You’ve answered the biggest questions for us. The rest we can work out for ourselves, Charlie said. We’ll work out the arrangements and get back to you with the details. How’s that sound?

With agreement all around, the men wandered out to where the women were waiting, holding their own little hen party on the flagstones in the evening shade. It had been wonderful, seeing everyone again. It didn’t happen often enough, although many of the Winnetts lived and/or worked on the ranch. It was going to be great to have Tonio and Lizzie and their brood living in LA while he attended UCLA. That meant that at least three of them would be living in the area.

Nick, Carrie, and Lizzie’s brother, Matt, were still living outside London at present. They had had to do some real finagling to allow them to all be on hand for this reunion. Nick and Matt flew Mosquito reconnaissance aircraft over hotspots on the continent, collecting photos and data for both British and American intelligence services. Carrie taught art history at Cambridge, close to their air base. Her contract was almost up, and they had decided she would stay home with the three children for a while, as soon as the next made his or her appearance. They were looking for a small house a little farther from London, away from the terrifying nightly bombings by Nazi aircraft.

Matt’s wife, Sandy, was enjoying the vacation, as well. A native of Los Angeles, she was taking the time to visit her family while they were home. Also due to deliver Winnett progeny sometime in the near future, she glowed as only an expectant mother can.

While none of the people gathered at Wintersong ranch that week mentioned the war raging in Europe, they all were aware that America would not be able to stay out of the fighting for much longer. Many of the workers on the ranch were at the right age to have had to sign up for the newly initiated draft. A few had already left to join the military, and a couple, namely Sean and Li, found themselves with special occupations within the intelligence community. All knew that they would be affected, in one way or another, by the storm clouds gathering over Europe and Japan. And they all realized that they, as a family, would have to find a way to weather the coming storm.

Two days later, Tonio walked with Li to the Administration building on the sprawling UCLA campus to sign up for the classes he would be challenging over the next weeks. Li would be finished with his undergraduate classes in two weeks, graduating at the top of his class, just as Sean had before him. He was acting as a surrogate guide for Tonio until his professor/ advisor could finish with his classes and could take the time to administer the tests and to guide Tonio through the paperwork necessary to finish his first three years of college without having to take the courses involved. It was easier for Dr. Santora to make all the arrangements this time. After having worked with Sean and Li, he knew what to expect from this newest student, or so he thought.

After talking with Tonio in each of the four languages they had in common, he commented on the fact that Tonio’s command of Spanish was superior even to his own. That’s probably because I’ve lived in Spain for the last five years, Tonio replied. I’ve added a few expletives, that’s for sure.

Laughing, Dr. Santora found himself drawn to the young man sitting across from him in his office. Like Sean and Li, he was respectful, polite and absolutely charming, but there was something more. It took him a moment to realize that Tonio was talking to him man to man, unlike his friends, who had been younger, more naïve. All three had a confident air about them, knew what their capabilities were, but Tonio’s self assurance came from deeper within. Here was a man who had met fate head on and triumphed, and it showed in his demeanor, his posture and in his eyes.

I received a letter from a Dr. Monteña, who has high praise for your knowledge and capabilities as a doctor. Yet you have had no formal training. Is that correct? Dr. Santora queried.

That’s correct. For most of the last four years, my home became one of the few places where people could find medical treatment in central Spain. Dr. Monteña transformed it into a sort of clinic. My wife is a nurse. Most of what I’ve done has been under the most extreme circumstances, both of civil war and lack of medical supplies. Many of the people who came for treatment had horrendous wounds, some missing limbs, some with festering sores. To say I treated them wouldn’t be the whole truth though. Dr. Monteña told me what to do, at first. After a while both my wife and I were able to assess what treatment was needed for many of the people who came to us for aid.

Was there no other doctor available? Dr. Santora wanted to know.

Most of the doctors and medical personnel in Spain were executed as enemies of the state. Few survived. We were outside the political arena, and tried to stay away from any fighting. Sometimes we weren’t successful, but most of the time we were allowed to go our own way. Most of the supplies we did have came from Sean Winters, Chen Li and Paul Hostettler. I believe you know all three.

Of course Dr. Santora knew all three. Five years ago, it had been he who had introduced then seventeen-year-old Sean Winters to Paul Hostettler in the first place. Obviously, he had recruited the other young men as well. He was aware also of the fourth man of their group, Nick Amato, who had graduated through UCLA’s extended school of architecture in Florence. Paul had never mentioned his association with the four of them, but that was to be expected. It was better not to know too much about the intelligence services, whom they employed, or what they did.

Yes, I do, was all he said. So, you want to challenge your first three undergraduate years, as Sean and Li have done, is that correct?

Yes, and no, Tonio replied. I want to challenge every course I need to start the summer courses available to medical students. Is that possible?

"You have less than two months to accomplish that task, but, yes, I’ve already talked to all the professors involved. While the challenges usually are not available for the fourth year, your experiences make it such a unique circumstance that they’ve all agreed to allow you to attempt the impossible. Also, they’ve agreed to allow you to double up on those courses you actually have to take. The only thing you will not be able to push to that extreme will be the clinical courses at the third year level, although they’ve said you can take those while enrolled in some of the classroom studies.

Personally, I believe you’re asking too much of yourself, but that’s just my opinion. If, at any time, you feel you can’t fulfill any of the requirements, you need only say the word, and we’ll be only too happy to allow you to take a step back and slow down. You have to realize that your three friends have all greased the way for you. The professors all understand that none of them needed as much time to complete their course of study, as we required. That you’re being allowed the attempt is the result of our experiences with them as well as the letter of Dr. Monteña.

Turning to Li, he asked, do I understand correctly that Dr. Harris is willing to sign off on Antonio’s completion of her classes if he performs as brilliantly as you have? That’s pretty unusual for her, isn’t it?

Guess she figured she might as well, since everyone else was. Especially since Tonio agreed to help us teach some of our self-defense classes. You might call it a bribe. We’re due over there as soon as we’re done here.

I’ve watched you and she fence in demonstration. Impressive, to say the least. Did you know she’s going to go back to competitive fencing after this year?

She said that’s what she wants to do, but she’ll still be in the area part of the year, Li responded, wondering where this was leading.

May I ask why you’ve never gone that route? Dr. Santora wanted to know.

Too many other irons in the fire. Right now, I just want to finish my law degree. After that, who knows? Li answered, relieved that that had been the direction he was heading. While they had always been cautious, it was entirely possible for someone to have figured out that he and Sandy were lovers. It could mean her job, if the school found out, or his expulsion should they feel the need to pursue him for their infraction. As it was, there was no emotional attachment for either of them, and they both liked it that way. Neither was bothered that she would be leaving town to compete, there would be no sad farewells.

Dr. Santora turned back to Tonio, now all business. There were papers to sign, schedules to work out, other teachers to meet. By the end of their meeting, they had the next year mapped out for Tonio. Dr. Santora simply shook his head, knowing that what he was about to attempt had never been done before, and would probably never be tried again. If he succeeded, by this time next year he would need only his clinicals and internship to be able to take his board exams and become a full medical doctor.

After the meeting with Dr. Santora, Li and Tonio walked over to the field house to meet Dr. Sandra Harris, the fencing instructor. It took Tonio less than a minute to realize there was more to the relationship between Li and Sandra than crossing blades in the practice room. However, that wasn’t why he was here, so he kept his own council. What two adults did in their free time was none of his concern

Nice to meet you, Sandra said. You guys want to get a cup of coffee and discuss anything, or should we just get down to business?

Tonio’s on a tight schedule, Dr. Harris. His wife keeps him on a short leash, Li answered with a wink. Why don’t you go over all the terms, see what you have to teach him, then go from there.

That’s okay, Tonio said. I’m pretty well acquainted with the terms. Dueling is one of Spain’s pastimes, and one of the few we were able to enjoy the last couple of years. There was one man who stayed with us for a couple of years who used to compete. I think you know him, Dr. Harris. Alfredo Ramirez? Ever heard of him?

Oh, that’s rich! Sandra said. He’s the reason I quit competing! I never could beat him, no matter how many times I tried. You’ve been fencing with him? I might as well sign off on your grade right now.

Tonio’s face lit with a heart-stopping, brilliant smile. I think we’d better get in at least one session, don’t you? Both Sean and Li have told me how good you are, don’t you think I should get a shot at you, too?

Hey, you’ve already got a wife, Li teased him.

Yeah, but she can’t fence, Tonio shot back. Do we have to get dressed, or do we just get it on?

Oh, my God. Does everything you say have a double meaning? Get some protective gear on, please.

I always wear protection when Sandy and I go at it, Li said then grinned hugely.

Oh for goodness sake. Are you both going to be like this all day? she laughed. I don’t think I can take two of you at the same time.

Good, Li interjected. I’m not into having a threesome.

Stop it! Sandy said, now angry. You knew what I meant!

How about I go get suited up while you two work it out, Tonio said, heading for the locker rooms.

That was mean, Li. There was no reason for you to say anything to him about us, she said when Tonio was out of earshot.

Look, Sandy, we were all three kidding around, and it was fun, nothing to get your knickers in a knot about. If you think Tonio isn’t aware of what else you and I have in common, think again. He probably had it figured out within the first two minutes. The four of us are pretty good at reading each other, as well as the other people around us.

But I don’t know him, he doesn’t know me, it wasn’t a very good first impression, she answered.

What do you care what he thinks? Li asked, now a little angry himself. Are you worried he’ll go running to the dean and tell on us?

No, that’s not it. Oh, shoot, I don’t know what’s the matter. I just didn’t like having my, our, personal lives opened up in front of a perfect stranger.

Tonio may look perfect, but he’s not. And he’s not a stranger to me; I’ve known him since I was a baby. There isn’t anything he wouldn’t do for me, or vice versa. If you’re worried about him judging us, think about what happened when Suzanne came in that morning and found us. You were the only one who was upset about it. She certainly wasn’t, neither was Sean. When we’re with one of my friends, you can afford to be yourself. That’s the kind of friends I have. You should know that by now.

You guys ready? Tonio called from the doorway, interrupting on purpose. There weren’t many who understood the relationship the four men shared. They knew each other as well as they knew themselves, understood what was going on in each other’s minds. Trying to explain that to someone else could take all night and still not get through. Let them try to sort it out when they were alone.

Sure, Sandra called back, still more than a little hurt. She took her stance at the center of the long mat, signaling to Tonio to stand opposite. He had a surprise for her, though. He leaned over and took her sword, then handed her the one he had brought with him, a beautiful black and gold epée of Toledo steel. When I told Alfredo that I was coming here, he asked me to bring this to you. Said you would understand. Do you?

Tears threatened as she looked at the marvelous weapon, just like one she had seen many years ago. This is his, isn’t it? she asked.

Yes, Tonio answered. He said you’d wanted one forever, and he wanted you to have it.

He’s given up competing? she asked.

He died last week, Tonio said quietly. He knew he wasn’t going to make it, and asked that you continue the sword’s tradition.

It was his father’s, then his uncle’s, then his. Always winners in competition. They always used this sword. But what about his family? Wouldn’t he want one of them to have it?

There isn’t anyone left, Dr. Harris. The entire family was wiped out during the war.

How horrible. They were wonderful people. I can’t begin to tell you what this means to me.

Well, let’s see what it can do, Tonio challenged. En garde. He allowed her time to gather herself, following her lead, feinting, parrying, giving her a modicum of self-assurance. Always graceful, his cat-like movements only holding her off, never on the offensive. Well, he asked after a few minutes, what do you think? Ready to do it for real?

That wasn’t for real? she gasped, knowing she had done as well as she ever had, only now realizing he had been toying with her, allowing her the time to get the feel of the new sword. Why don’t you and Li fence while I watch. I can get a better idea of your capabilities that way? she offered.

Tonio looked over at Li. Up to you, he said.

Nope, said Li. I know better. She thinks I’m great now. I’d just as soon not be humiliated in front of her.

Huh? she managed. You think Tony can beat you?

Absolutely, he answered. Any time he wants. He’s too quick.

What? she almost choked, knowing she couldn’t beat either Sean or Li partly because of their speed.

Go ahead, Sandy. Attack, Li challenged.

Nodding, she took her stance. En garde, she said. And it was over just that quick. She never saw the blade, barely saw him move. That didn’t just happen, she denied it. How in the world did you do that?

Don’t ask, Li told her. He’s the fastest thing on two feet. Even Dan Yamatsu can’t keep up with him.

But I thought Sean had Dan’s swords. How come you don’t?

We weren’t fighting with swords when we faced each other, Tonio explained. We were using sticks. Besides, Sean can beat me.

No! Really? she was aghast.

If he decided he wanted to, he could. Usually, he doesn’t try that hard, just keeps going for the workout.

Like Li does with me? Sandra wanted to know, looking at Li as she asked.

Li just grinned, knowing anything he said would be the wrong thing. When she smiled and nodded, he knew he was off the hook. So, any problem giving Tonio a final grade? he asked.

No, none at all, she agreed.

Good, Tonio said. Why don’t you come out to Wintersong tonight for our farewell cookout. Nick and Matt are leaving day after tomorrow. It’ll give you the chance to meet Nick, the last of the four of us. Their wives are staying until after their babies come. Dr. Franklin won’t let them make the trip back. Says they shouldn’t have made the trip here. Anyway, it’ll be the last time we’ll all be together for a while. Come on out with Li.

I’ve been trying to get her to come out to the ranch with me for a long time, Li said. How about it, Sandy. Now you have an official invitation from some one besides me.

Oh, why not, she agreed. What time?

Pick you up at 5:00, okay?

She nodded then excused herself to go to the office to finish the paperwork that would give Tonio full credit for two years of fencing classes.

As Tonio reached the end of the long winding driveway leading to the main ranch house on Wintersong, he sensed that something wasn’t right. Before he could turn the off the ignition, the front door opened, framing Moira. Don’t even get out of the car, Tonio, she said. Everyone is alright, but you need to get over to University Hospital. The girls were in an accident on the way to Dr. Franklin’s office. Lizzie called. They all have bumps and bruises, but they’re okay, but Sandy went into labor while they were waiting for the police to show up. Where’s Li?

At his apartment. He went to pick up Ruthie. Are you sure they’re alright? Tonio asked, anxiety roughening his already deep voice. What do you need Li for?

The sheriff’s office called right after you left this morning, looking for searchers to find some missing climbers. Sean, Nick and Matt are over at Strawberry Peak trying to track them down. I was hoping Li could go find them. Even though the girls are fine, they want their husbands with them.

Try again, he should be there by now. Is everything okay here? he asked.

Of course, Tonio. Go ahead. See to your wife. But be careful.

He slammed the car door and took off down the driveway with a roar, dust flying, making the turn onto the main road without pausing for traffic.

Moira went in to try calling Li again, shaking her head, thinking that at the rate he was driving the only way he would make it to the hospital would be in an ambulance. This time Li was home. After explaining to Li what was going on, she asked him, can you get up to the campsite at Strawberry Peak and try to find the guys?

Wait. Then he turned to Mrs. Peterson, can you stay late? It seems I have to go over to Strawberry Peak and try to locate Sean and the others.

Sure, Li. I’ll call Hal and have him come over here for dinner. Ruthie and I’ll be just fine. You go ahead. He made another call, this one to Sandra. After explaining what was going on, he let her know they were going to have to break their date.

How about I ride up there with you? she offered.

Super. I’ll pick you up in five minutes. Wear a coat, it’ll get cold up there, he said, glad he wouldn’t to have to make the ride there alone. He pulled up in front of her house four minutes later, but she was already out on the curb, waiting, a heavy jacket over her thick sweater and denim pants. She jumped in and he took off, filling her in a little more as they drove. It took him almost an hour to get to the campsite once they were clear of town, another fifteen minutes to find the assembly point. By then it was pitch black, the moon hidden behind threatening black clouds

Approaching the officers who were directing the search, he asked, can you tell me which sector Sean Winters and his group are in?

Who are you? One of the officers wanted to know.

My name is Chen Li, this is Dr. Sandra Harris from UCLA. There’s been an accident involving their wives, and we need to locate them.

Extending his hand, Officer Kendrick introduced himself while Officer Konovski spread the topographical map out on the hood of his police car. Shit, they’re up on the ridge. Only way to get to them is on horseback, or afoot.

Is there a spare horse around here? And a flashlight? Li asked.

You can use my horse. I have to stay here, Konovski told him, nodding toward a sorrel mare tied to a nearby tree, handing him a powerful flashlight.

Turning to Sandra, Li apologized. You don’t mind staying here, do you?

No, that’s okay. You go ahead. Maybe I can help out with something here, she said.

If the lady wants to stay with Dale and help coordinate things, I’ll ride up with you, Officer Kendrick said, going to his own horse. I don’t know how you’ll find them up there, though. There’ve been ten different search teams through here.

We’ll track ’em. There can’t be that many with a wolfhound and a wolf. They leave pretty distinctive footprints, he said heading off at a lope, keeping the beam of light focused on the ground ahead of him, following the tracks of the wolf and of Sunfire, the Sean’s huge bay stallion. It only took them half an hour to find where they had gained the high ridgeline, but in that time the wind had begun to pick up. Another fifteen minutes brought them to the place the others had left their horses, the ridge narrowing too much to allow their passage. Bandit and Rufus bounded up to greet them as the first burst of rain spat icy globules upon them.

They could see where the men had gone, a narrow strip of rock, sheer drop to one side, high rocky incline to the other, and they dismounted to follow them. Tying their horses to the scrub trees that were all that grew on this slope, they began the treacherous path along edge of the dizzying drop.

They hadn’t gone far when they had to stop and back up as Sean came toward them, the path not wide enough at that point for two to pass. He was headed for the horses and the gear stowed in the voluminous saddlebags. Hey, good to see you, Sean said when he saw the ranger. You can help us get these guys back up the mountain. He paused, and looked through the rain at Li. What are you doing here? he asked.

Moira sent me. Holding up his hands, he went on, the girls were in a traffic accident. They’re okay, but they want their men and you’re one of them. Where’re the other two?

Wait! Are they hurt? What happened? Where are they? Sean’s worry furrowed his scarred brow, making him scowl.

They’re at University Hospital. Sandy went into labor, and they took her there. Lizzie called the house and told Moira. Tonio is already on his way there. Did you say you’ve found the missing hikers? Good we can all get out of here.

Not exactly. They’re about eighty feet down the mountain and they’re stuck there. Nick is belaying Matt down the cliff face, setting bolts to give them a secure line to help them make the climb up here, he answered. I was on the way to where we left the horses to get the rest of the rope and some blankets and rain ponchos. Are you sure they’re alright?

That’s what Moira told me. Let’s get that gear and see if we can’t get those guys up and out of here. Li had been on enough rescue missions with Sean to know the drill. They returned to the horses, slinging coils of rope over their shoulders, hefting the heavy saddlebags on their backs. Were you planning to scale the whole mountain? Officer Kendrick asked. You sure carry enough rope.

We’ve had to pull a few climbers up or climb up to them ourselves and lower them down, so we try to come prepared, Sean responded. We need to hurry, though. The wind is getting nasty and it’ll blow whoever is on the face of the mountain all over the place. They hurried along the path, careful of their footing as the water gathered and flowed around the rocks, making miniature waterfalls for them to wade through, the mud slick and sticky at the same time, making their footing unsure, sucking at their boots.

If we had had this much rope to start with, we could have rappelled the cliff, Nick said, seeing the coils of rope over Sean’s shoulder. Matt has set three bolts on the way down. It’ll help secure them on the way up. Hi, Li, Officer Kendrick, what’re you two doing here?

Thought we’d help get those guys off the ledge. What do you need me to do? Li asked, knowing better than to tell Nick what had happened while he was belaying the rope that kept Matt from falling.

Sean made the knots that would secure the second rope, then threw the free end to Matt, who snagged it on the second swing past him. A few more feet brought him to the ledge where the three bedraggled kids huddled. Assessing which was in the worst shape, he made a sling from the rope to tie through the boy’s legs and under his arms with the free rope. He realized he was going to have to scale the cliff beside the boy to keep the wind from scraping him across the rocky mountain face. Making sure the line was secure he signaled to Nick to pull him up, surprised at the speed with which the boy ascended, not realizing there were now more people on the other end. He had to scramble to keep up, only having to steady the boy a couple of times, using the rope he had secured with bolts and carabiners to hold them both to the wall. In a short time they were both being hauled over the top, now a slippery, gooey mess covering the slick rocks.

While Officer Hendricks helped the boy out of his rope harness and led him away from the edge, Li began to untie Matt. Wait, Matt protested. There’re still two of them down there.

I know, said Li. I’m smaller, and I’ve done this a few of times before. You stay and haul on the ropes, I’ll go down. He had another reason he didn’t voice. Matt had a wife waiting, one who was in labor and desperately needed her husband right now. Li also knew it would go much faster with him on the end of the rope.

Making sure his harness was secure, Li stepped off the edge, descending to the ledge swiftly, using Matt’s line through bolts to keep the driving wind from blowing him away from his goal. This time they threw two more ropes to him, one for each of the other hikers. He made quick work of lacing the ropes around each of the boys, signaling them to haul away on the first, while the second remained on the narrow ledge. He did as Matt had done, scaling the cliff face next to the boy, steadying him when he lost his grip on the guideline, righting him so that he could use his legs to push away from the rocks.

As soon as they got to the top, he slipped back down the rope, reaching the last boy in a matter of seconds, but the wind chose that moment to gust fiercely, blowing him beyond the ledge as he dropped the last few feet. Swinging, he gained the narrow shelf, his agility and balance landing him safely beside the last hiker. This is going to be a hell of a ride, he told the trembling boy. Are you ready.

The boy shook his head. I can’t do it, he said. He knew he wasn’t experienced enough to stay upright if the wind blew him around as it just had his rescuer. He was too terrified to move.

You don’t have to do anything, Li answered. Just hold onto the rope that’s secured up the wall, don’t worry about the one holding you. The men at the top will take care of that one. Try to keep your feet planted on the rock on either side and it will be like a walk in the park.

No, I’ll wait until the wind stops. I can’t get up there like this.

Sure you can. Your two buddies already did. Come on, Li turned the boy around to face the wall, showed him where to put his feet, got him going in an upward movement, then signaled. As the rope tightened the boy began to rise, his feet slipping. He grabbed the rope that held him, twisting and screaming in fright. Li tried to get him turned around, but he began to fight. Like a drowning man who grabs onto the lifeguard, he threw himself around Li, making it impossible for them to do anything but swing with the wind, which whipped them around, spinning them on the ends of their tethers, winding the two ropes around each other.

As Li tried to keep the boy from smacking into the mountain, his own head connected with a protruding stone, starring his vision. Another buffet banged his elbow into the wall, then his shoulder. He realized there wasn’t any way to get them both safely to the top as long as terror overcame the teenager. It only took a light tap on the jaw to render him unconscious, allowing Li to get them into position, his legs planted on either side of both the boy and the guide rope. The rest of the climb was accomplished in minutes, as the others manhandled the ropes as fast as they could, dragging the two of them over the edge to safety.

Well, that was fun, Li said, gaining his feet and shedding the harness. He leaned over to free his leg from the noose he had made in the rope when a bout of light headedness almost made him fall, stopped by Nick’s supporting hand from pitching head first back over the ledge. Shit, he grimaced, realizing that his arm wasn’t working quite as it should. Shaking his head to clear it, he again lost his balance, but this time Nick wrapped him in a rain poncho, holding it in place with his arm as he escorted Li off the slippery ledge to where the others were gathered around the horses.

Aren’t you glad you’re smaller? Matt asked, joking with Li as he secured a pad of gauze to the cut on his head with adhesive tape. Head wounds always bleed more, and the rain makes it look worse. You’re probably going to need a few stitches. Can you stay on a horse long enough to get down from here?

I’ll make it. Who’s going to carry our buddy here? he asked, indicating the unconscious boy Sean was covering with a poncho.

I’ll put him up in front of me. Sunfire can carry double without a problem. How about Matt riding with you, Li? Sort of help you stay upright. You don’t look so good, Sean gave his friend a worried look. The other two can ride Midnight. She’ll follow Sunfire no matter what, so we won’t have to lead her. Let’s get down from here. He started gathering up gear and equipment, helping the two hikers up onto the back of the coal black mare, then mounting Sunfire. He reached down for the unconscious boy as Nick held him up, easily lifting the boy’s dead weight up into Sean’s waiting arms.

The descent from the ridge in the dark was a watery nightmare, the horses slipping and sliding, the icy rain pummeling them unmercifully. Their flashlights barely making a dent in the darkness, they had to move slowly, unable to see more than a couple of feet in front of them, careful of the loose rocks and mud that flowed like water.

Thoroughly drenched, covered in mud, the valiant horses finally deposited their weary, equally soaked and mud spattered riders at the assembly point. Only then did Li and Sean tell Nick and Matt why Li had been on the mountain with them.

Why didn’t you say anything before? Matt fumed.

Why? So you could tear off down the mountain in the rain, maybe slip and break your neck? Nick interjected. Thanks, Li. It would have been worse than it was if I’d known before this. Let’s see about getting Li here to a doctor and getting to the hospital to see the girls, Nick understood why no one had said anything before, and was thankful they hadn’t. It would have been worse if he’d known. Worry about Carrie might have made him careless.

Sandra’s concern was very real, but pragmatic. You four take Li’s car. Go on to the hospital. I’ll have Officer Konovski help me load the trailer and drive it back to the ranch, she offered.

Calling Rufus and Bandit, Sean put them in his truck and handed Sandra the keys. He ran Sunfire up the ramp into the trailer. I don’t know if he’d go with you. Running Deer can get him out of there. You sure you know how to drive this rig?

Of course. Now go! Your wives are waiting.

They needed no more urging. Li handed Sean the keys to his car, crawling into the passenger seat. I think you should drive, he said. I need a nap.

Nick threw a warm, dry blanket over Li, then settled in the back seat with Matt, beginning the mantra, the Zen chant they had done every morning since they were barely a year old, the singsong sound soothing, calming, comforting, helping Li center and focus, blocking the pain in his head and arm. In front first Sean then Li picked up the chant, a just audible murmur heard above the sound of the overworked heater.

It seemed to take a week instead of a little more than an hour for them to get to the hospital. Once in the city they had to detour twice because of accidents caused by the heavy downpour. When they arrived, Tonio and Lizzie, who sported a violet bruise on her forehead, were in the lobby waiting for them. Thought you’d never make it, Tonio said. Lizzie directed Sean and Nick to the room where their wives waited, then took Matt up to the delivery room where Sandy was in the final stages. He would have needed a full shower to be allowed in, so sat in the father’s waiting room anticipating word of his wife and child.

Tonio took one look at Li and dragged him to the emergency room, turning him over to the nurse in charge who immediately paged the resident, leading the bedraggled man to one of the curtained off beds. We’ll need to get you undressed, she said. Can you do it, or would you rather we cut your clothes off you once you’re on the bed? She smiled as she handed him a hospital gown, leaving for a minute to give him some privacy.

Want me to help? Tonio snickered.

Don’t touch me, Li said. You’ll get mud all over your clothes. He shed his jacket, dropping it on the floor. The pants followed, but the shirt was beyond him, he couldn’t lift his arm to pull it over his head, couldn’t undo the buttons. Tonio stepped over, unbuttoning it for him, peeling it down his arms. Seeing the wince on Li’s face and the angry bruises on his shoulder and arm, he asked, you and Sandra have a fight? If you did, she won.

Very funny, ha ha, Li retorted, trying to slip the gown up his arms. Again, Tonio stepped in to help. This time he gently ran his hand over Li’s elbow. Broken, just below the joint. Bet that hurts, he said as the curtain was pulled aside and the resident entered.

You! Out there, the man said to Tonio, pointing to the waiting area. Not even bothering to make sure Tonio left, he turned to Li. Get up on the bed, he said. Let me see that head of yours.

He’ll need x-rays of his left arm, Tonio offered.

Wheeling on Tonio, he ordered him out of the area, pointing again to a chair in the waiting room. I’m perfectly capable of making a diagnosis without your input, he said, turning back to Li, taking him by the arm, almost shoving him onto the bed. The pain hadn’t been too bad until the man grabbed his arm just above the break, but it shot through his whole body at the rough touch.

That’s it, Li gasped. His right hand curling into a fist, his swing as much in reflex as intentional, he rapped the doctor on the chin, sending him to oblivion. Life’s too short to put up with such an asshole, he reached for his pants, stumbling, ready to leave.

Wait, said the nurse, barely containing her glee. I’ll get someone. Most of us here have wanted to do that for a long time. Thank you. With that she stepped over the inert body of the doctor, going to the desk to page another physician. Calling an orderly, she had him drag the resident to another cubicle and place him on a bed in different part of the emergency room. He’ll be just fine there. Too bad he had such a fall when he tripped, she said with a wink.

Li and Tonio both stared in amazement, watching her go about her business without so much as a lifted brow at the temerity of a patient who would knock his doctor senseless. Coming back to where Li stood, she gently guided him to the side of the bed, pushed him so he was seated on the edge, then knelt to remove his boots and socks. You’re our hero, Li, she whispered just loud enough for him to hear. Don’t worry about a thing. We’ll take good care of you. She helped him turn to lie down, covered him then propped his injured arm on a soft pillow. A doctor will be here in just a minute, she said as she closed the curtain.

It was all the two of them could do not to burst into laughter after she left. As Li watched her move across the room, something nagged at him, but he was too tired to be able to quite put a finger on it. Remind me to ask Suzanne about that doctor, he said. He should be in research, where he doesn’t have to come into contact with patients. But I’ve gotta admit, I feel better already.

The nurse wasn’t bad to look at either, Tonio added with a wink. Believe me when I say that nurses know things that can make life very interesting.

Is that why you had three kids in less than two years? Li joked.

No, it’s why there aren’t more, Tonio laughed.

Sean wandered into the emergency room while they were waiting for the new doctor. Where’s the doctor? he asked. It sure shouldn’t take that long to get some one attended to around here.

Taking a nap, the nurse said as she came back behind the curtain. Dr. Webb is on his way. Shouldn’t be but another moment, she patted Li on the shoulder, fussing with the bedclothes, picking up his discarded clothing.

Hi, Merry, Sean said to the nurse. What’s going on? he wanted to know, a smile lighting his face as Tonio related the events of the past few minutes. Must be some kind of a record for you, Li, he said when Tonio had finished his recital. Popping two different people in one day.

Who else did he hit? Tonio asked, curious that Li would actually hit one person, let alone two. Sean told him about the rescue on the mountainside. It’s not a very tactful way to solve a problem, but it sure seems to be effective. The nurse about fell over herself trying to make Li comfy after he clobbered the resident. Seems none of the nurses think much of him. Merry? Isn’t she the girl friend of Carrie’s who was at Charlie’s gallery opening?

The curtain once again parted and an elderly physician entered the limited space. Would you two gentlemen mind waiting in the waiting area until I can examine this young man?

Be glad to, sir, Sean said turning to go.

He won’t say anything, sir, but you might want to check out his left elbow. I think he has a fractured ulna just below the joint, Tonio said as he turned to leave.

Well, let’s see what we’ve got, Dr. Webb said, gently probing Li’s arm. Looks like your friend is absolutely right, but we’ll have some pictures taken just to be sure. Now let’s have a look at that scalp wound.

Is Suzanne still fuming because they won’t let her up? Tonio asked Sean when they settled into the only two unoccupied chairs in the crowded waiting room.

She seems okay with it now, Sean answered. Dr. Franklin explained that sometimes a trauma like the accident could bring on early labor, pretty much what happened to Sandy. He wants the two of them here for twenty-four hour observation. Might be good for her to get a little rest. With the clinic she’s trying to open, she’s been working fifteen hour days.

Lizzie told me about that. Seems they’ve been trying to recruit her for their clinic, too. I think she’s about ready to sign on, Tonio said. It’s a pretty big undertaking. Are you footing the bill?

Mostly, although she’s talked four or five other doctors into helping, and they’ve offered some money. If she goes to the state, they’ll tell her what she can and can’t do with it. She’d rather be able to offer free medical services to indigents without government interference. The others are willing to volunteer their services and time. The most expensive thing will be the drugs and supplies. The building is one of the ones Hal Peterson is renovating for me.

I can probably help with some of the expenses, Tonio offered. Maybe repay some of the medicines and supplies you paid for to keep our little hospital going in Spain during the war.

That’s not necessary you know. You don’t owe me anything. It’s not as though you and Lizzie haven’t done enough for your fellow man. But if it makes you feel better, I’m sure they can use the dough, Sean answered.

They passed the time talking of many things, the end of the Spanish civil war, the new gallery, Germany’s recent invasion of Greece, the ranch and its fine wines, Japan, FDR’s new Lend Lease. They were just about to go in search of some coffee when Matt ran down the hall. It’s a boy! he said, all but jumping up and down in his excitement. Seven pounds two ounces, brown hair, Sandy’s doing fine, gotta go! And he ran off, jumping into the elevator, back to the maternity ward.

He doesn’t seem too excited or anything, does he? Sean laughed. Looking toward the curtained off area where Li was, he asked, "wonder what’s taking them so long.

Do you think they’ll admit Li, or send him home? Tonio pondered aloud. And where’s Nick? I thought he’d be with you.

"He