Disclaimer:
This story will describe the life of Robert David Mathews from his time as a teenager, through prep school, and into military service. If stories involving sex between consenting teenagers, including both straight sex and gay sex, offends you, go back to the Archives and pick a different story for your reading pleasure. There has been minimal research for this story therefore, names, places, dates are mostly fictitious and similarities to real life are coincidental. Some companies and organizations mentioned actually exist, but references to the activities, policies, programs and procedures are fictitious. I was not a SEAL and have limited knowledge of the force. I am writing this story from imagination and a little research, not from personal experience.
My editor, Bill, is a dedicated friend. His improvements in my writing style are greatly appreciated.
Correction to information in previous Chapters: One reader corrected me on my references to Sign Language. ASL (American Sign Language) is NOT an international language. The reader said "I just think that its basically impossible to learn sign language in a few months. Most countries have their own signing language. It is true that those who are deaf from different countries could eventually make out what the other person is saying, but not with any ease. Sign language from different countries are as different as different languages. It is true, like in speaking languages that sometimes some words are similar or taken from the same root word, but this doesn't mean its the same language. Another tid bit, the signing language that is most different from ASL is British Sign Language. ASL has its origins from the French Sign language." I appologize for any confusion that I have created for my readers. Jacob_latson@hotmail.com
Washington Academy Chapter 20 Football Success and Disaster
When the Thanksgiving Break arrived, the Eagles football team was undefeated and scheduled to play for the State Championship at the Pontiac Silverdome early in December. Robbie was still seeing Dr. George Mathis, the psychiatrist who had helped him cope with the loss of his parents, and for the first time in his life, Robbie was enjoying the month of November without any emotional problems.
All classes were canceled for an entire week, and most of the cadets left the campus to spend the holiday week with their families. Drew was taking Keith home for the long week and had invited Robbie and Tracker to join them, but the younger cadets had other plans. David and Marie Mathews were taking a 10-day Caribbean cruise, and Robbie was flying to Kansas City, Missouri to spend the vacation with Tracker Whitestone and his family. For David and Marie, it was the first vacation that they had taken without Robbie, and Marie was still concerned that her nephew might need them. Her fears would prove to be correct.
Robbie and Tracker were wearing their dress blue uniforms when they left the campus to head for the Traverse City Airport. They were both excited about going to Kansas City to spend time with Tracker's family and friends. They had changed their flight plans to arrive a day early to surprise the Whitestone family, but had kept their plans a secret. They had to change planes in Chicago, but didn't expect any problems.
An early snowstorm had hit the Midwest, another major storm was headed into the Northwest states, and flights out of O'Hare Airport were being delayed or canceled. Robbie and Tracker went to the Southwest ticket counter to check in for their flight into Kansas City, and waited in the ticket line. The ticket agent looked at the two handsome young men wearing the Academy uniforms, and gave them their seat assignments. While they were leaving the ticket counter with their tickets, they saw two Navy SEALs waiting to talk to the ticket agent. Robbie was impressed with the two sailors in their Navy blue uniforms with the distinctive SEAL insignias, and dreamed of the day that he would wear a similar uniform. He wanted to talk to the two sailors, but was embarrassed and decided to just look at them and listen to what they said to the ticket agent.
"We're trying to get to Washington State", the first SEAL said to the ticket agent. "We've been traveling for two days and only have five days left on our passes. If there's any way that you can get us on flights to connect to Seattle, we'd really appreciate it."
The ticket agent recognized that the two men were in the Navy, and tried to find a way to get them home in time. She was determined to do everything she could when she learned that the younger looking man's wife was pregnant and due to deliver her first baby at any time. "The weather's really bad in Washington, and the airports might have to close," Karen Jackson, the ticket agent, told the two sailors. "If we can get you on Flight 287 to Kansas City, I can get you on a flight to Los Angeles and then to Seattle. Flight 287 is booked solid, but I can put you on standby. I'll do everything I can to get you home in time for the birth of your child. We already have five people on standby for that flight."
The two Navy SEALs were very polite, and thanked the ticket agent for her efforts. Robbie and Tracker were impressed by the manners of the two sailors, and talked about how they might be able to help them.
Karen Jackson was trying to accommodate all of the travelers, and knew that people were already upset about delayed and canceled flights. She was tested to the limit when a man who was obviously drunk pushed his way to the front of her line.
"I demand that you get me on Flight 287 to Kansas City and then on Flight 892 to Los Angeles!" William Walker yelled at the ticket agent. "I have a critical meeting tomorrow morning that I ABSOLUTELY must attend! My company will go out of business if I don't make it to Los Angeles for that meeting, and over 300 people will lose their jobs! Don't give me any of your bullshit! Get me on that flight or I'll sue Southwest Airlines."
Karen Jackson was accustomed to demanding customers, but she knew that William Walker had missed his earlier flight because he was in the airport bar, and had been more interested in drinking than watching the airport monitors or watching the clock.
"Mr. Walker, you're already on the standby list for Flight 287, and we'll do whatever we can to get you to Los Angeles on time for your meeting," Karen Jackson said. "When we start boarding Flight 287, we'll know if we have any seats available. It's unfortunate that you didn't board your scheduled flight, but we'll try to accommodate your desires. Please take a seat and we'll make an announcement if any seats are available."
Robbie and Tracker listened to the drunken man and were appalled. He was staggering around and cursing at everyone in the waiting area. The man grabbed his cell phone and was standing near the two cadets when he made a phone call.
"I'll be in Los Angeles tonight," William Walker said. "I bitched at the ticket agent and threatened to sue Southwest if she doesn't get me on a flight to Kansas City and then to Los Angeles. I'll be there in time for our golf date and then we can screw those bimbos from the escort service!"
"That bastard!" Robbie said to Tracker after he heard what the drunk had said on his cell phone. "He lied to the ticket agent, and those two Navy SEALs won't get home if we don't do something!" He pulled Tracker aside and explained what he wanted to do. He and Tracker weren't expected in Kansas City until the next day, and he had a plan.
After Tracker agreed with Robbie's plan, the two young men went up to the ticket agent.
"Excuse me," Robbie began when Karen Jackson's line was gone. "We heard what those two Navy SEALs said to you, and we'll give up our seats and take a later flight if you give our seats to the two Navy guys. Can you do it?"
William Walker and the two Navy SEALs heard what Robbie was saying, and things happened quickly.
"That's a wonderful thing for you to do!" Karen Jackson said to Robbie and Tracker. "I think we can make an exception to our policy so we can take care of our military people! Can I please have your tickets?"
When Robbie was handing his ticket to Karen Jackson, William Walker staggered up to the desk and tried to grab the ticket.
"FUCK THOSE NAVY BASTARDS!" William Walker shouted. "I'LL TAKE THAT TICKET!"
The two Navy SEALs were ready to take action, but they weren't fast enough. Robbie refused to let go of his ticket, and ducked when William Walker threw a sloppy punch at his face. With a series of defensive maneuvers and blows, Robbie knocked the drunk against the wall and then out cold on the floor of the Waiting Area.
The waiting area erupted with cheers from the waiting passengers who had witnessed the drunken attack and how Robbie had nailed the drunk. Karen Jackson had called for Airport Security, and was shocked that an adult would attack a teenager.
Robbie was furious at the drunk, and had to be restrained by Tracker and the two Navy SEALs from resuming the beating when the man regained consciousness.
"Where in Hell did you learn to fight like that?" Carl Jenkins, one of the SEALs asked Robbie. "We were ready to jump in to protect you, but it looks like we'll have to protect this drunken jerk instead!"
"Let the jerk up!" Casey Miller, the other SEAL said. "I dare him to try to attack this young man again!"
"You guys are from the Washington Academy!" Carl Jenkins said after looking at the uniforms that Robbie and Tracker were wearing. "One of our former SEAL trainers works there! Do you guys know Derrick Harmon?"
"DO WE?!!! Mr. Harmon is our Martial Arts Trainer and coaches football and basketball!" Tracker said excitedly to the two Navy SEALs. "Please give me your names so I can tell him that we met you! My name's Tracker Whitestone, and my cadet buddy is Robbie Mathews."
The Airport Security officers rushed into the waiting area, and were confused about what had happened until Karen Jackson explained the events. The waiting crowd cheered when William Walker was led away by the security officers.
"On behalf of Southwest Airlines, I apologize for this terrible altercation," Karen Jackson announced on the public address system. "Please return to your seats in the waiting area until we begin boarding Flight 287 to Kansas City."
"You need to come with us," Jerry Zambroski said to Robbie. "Karen told us what happened and the security cameras will have a recording of the events, but we'll need you to give us a statement. Are you traveling with an adult?"
"I'm 17 and traveling with my friend, Tracker who's 16," Robbie replied. "I'd like to make sure that those two Navy SEALs get our tickets before I go anywhere."
Carl Jenkins and Casey Miller were thrilled when Karen Jackson told them that they would have seats on Flight 287. They thanked Robbie and Tracker profusely, and wished that there was some way to repay the two cadets for their generosity.
"I need to get our carry-on bags and then I want to go with Robbie," Tracker said to the two SEALs. "My buddy's a lethal weapon when he gets pissed, and I hope he doesn't kill that drunken ass!"
"Did Derrick Harmon train him to fight like that?" Casey Miller asked Tracker. "He was awesome!"
"Have you ever heard of Navy Captain David Mathews?" Tracker asked the two SEALs. "He was a SEAL too!"
"Everyone who wears the SEAL insignia knows about Captain Mathews!" Carl Jenkins replied. "Derrick Harmon said that Captain Mathews was the best SEAL ever!"
"My buddy was raised by David Mathews," Tracker said to the two sailors. "Robbie's David Mathew's nephew, and Robbie's the Martial Arts Champion at the George Washington Academy! David Mathews trained him!"
"HOLY CRAP!" Casey Miller exclaimed. "No wonder your buddy could take a grown man apart like that! He's fantastic!"
"I hope you make it home in time for the birth of your baby," Tracker said to Casey Miller. "Good luck!"
Tracker shook hands with the two SEALs and ran to catch up with Robbie and the Security Guards. He hoped that Robbie wasn't going to be in trouble that would prevent them from going to Kansas City to visit his family.
"Park your ass in that chair!" Jim Taggert, one of the Security Officers, ordered the obvious drunk. "We've called the Chicago Police, and you'll be charged with Public Intoxication and Assault and Battery on a minor! Read him his rights!"
Robbie was still pissed at the drunk, and was pacing back and forth in the conference room. He wished that Tracker was with him, and asked if his buddy could come into the room.
"I'm gonna sue Southwest Airlines and all of you!" William Walker yelled. "Those fucking sailors can go to Hell! Anyone stupid enough to join the military is a worthless piece of shit! No one joins the military unless they can't get a REAL job!"
"If you say another nasty word about any member of the Armed Forces of the United States, I'll kick your ass!" Robbie threatened.
The four Security Officers were all former Marines, and were furious at the comments of the drunk. They wanted to kick his ass, but they knew that the security cameras would capture any activity in the Security Office.
"SHUT YOUR FUCKING MOUTH!" William Walker screamed. He jumped up and took a swing at Robbie. It was the biggest mistake of his life!
Robbie was furious! He blocked the sloppy punch and knocked William Walker against the wall. Before the Security guards could intervene, Robbie made a perfect spin move and kicked William Walker in the face. The drunk crashed against the wall and fell to the floor, unconscious. He wanted to go after the drunk and kill him, but the four Security guards jumped into action!
"HOLY SHIT!" Tom Scott exclaimed. "CALM DOWN!"
Tracker ran into the room and grabbed Robbie to help keep his buddy from killing the nasty drunk. He screamed at Robbie to back down, and was terrified that Robbie would kill the man.
"DON'T DO IT, ROBBIE!" Tracker screamed. "HE'S NOT WORTH IT! USE YOUR MIND CONTROL, AND CALM THE FUCK DOWN!"
Robbie was like a coiled spring, and fought to get control of his anger. He still couldn't believe that anyone would make such nasty comments about military people, and was ready to kill. He finally calmed down after Tracker hugged him and pushed him into the next room.
The Chicago Police had just entered the Security Office, and were shocked to see the overturned furniture and the unconscious man on the floor. They quickly learned that the man had attacked the teenager in the next room for the second time, and now the man needed an ambulance.
"We've got a real fucking mess on our hands now!" Tom Scott said to his friend, Bill Carmody. "When we called you, we never expected him to attack that boy again. There were nasty words exchanged, but that drunk initiated the physical confrontation. I've never seen a kid take a full-grown man apart like that! If his buddy hadn't jumped in, you'd need a body bag to haul that guy's drunken ass out of here! Let me tell you what that jerk said about military people, and you can watch the security videos before you haul him out of here!"
"All of us are former Marines" Larry Maxson said to Robbie and Tracker. "We were honorably discharged before we joined the Security Force here at the airport. That jerk pissed us all off with his rotten comments, but we couldn't kick his ass without losing our jobs! You did us a BIG favor, and we'll take care of the details with the Chicago Police. Bill Carmody is one of the Chicago Police officers, and he's a former Army Ranger and close friend of Tom Scott and mine. Our Captain's coming here to oversee the legal issues, but I want to thank you for doing what we all wanted to do! You're a real ass kicker!"
"Am I in trouble?" Robbie asked when he had calmed down. "My uncle will be pissed at me for losing control. I'm sorry for nailing him, but I couldn't listen to him degrading men who are serving our country!"
"Your uncle must be a really special guy!" Larry Maxson said to Robbie. "Is he the one who trained you? All of us are impressed with your Martial Arts skills!"
"His uncle was a Navy SEAL," Tracker offered.
"I bet you know that there is a strong rivalry between Marines and SEALs," Larry said. "Both Corps are part of the Navy, but we seem to get in a lot of disagreements over which branch is the best. Just know that you impressed all of us, and I've already talked to our legal representative to give you advice. Bill will take you to the Chicago Police Precinct, and Walter Thomas said he knows a lawyer who graduated from the George Washington Academy. Walt already contacted his buddy, so you'll have a lot of support when they take your statement."
"Thanks a lot for your help," Robbie said. "I hope that no one calls my aunt and uncle. They're on a Caribbean cruise, and I sure don't want to screw up their vacation."
Robbie and Tracker were taken to the Chicago Police Station where they met Walter Thomas, the legal representative for O'Hare Airport. Soon after they met Mr. Thomas, another man came into the Booking Room.
"My name's Jim Pearce, and I happen to be a lawyer and personal friend of Barry Howell," Jim Pearce said to Robbie and Tracker. "Do you guys know Mr. Howell?"
"I sure do!" Robbie said. "I was in BIG trouble last year, and Mr. Howell saved my butt!"
"Those uniforms look great on you two young men!" Jim Pearce said. "Look, I still wear my class ring! Class of 1972!"
Robbie and Tracker were surprised to see that Mr. Pearce was an alumna of the George Washington Academy, and were relieved that he was at the police station.
"I need to talk to Robert Mathews alone," Jim Pearce said. "If Mr. Mathews interviews me and pays me a retainer, I can represent him during any questioning."
Robbie was concerned that the lawyer would want a lot of money to be his legal representative. He knew that he had about $100 in his billfold, and also had his American Express card, but he knew that lawyers charged a lot of money.
"I think I can help you get through this mess and back on your way to Kansas City," Jim Pearce said when he and Robbie were alone. "To make things legal, you have to decide if you want to hire and then pay me for my services. I charge $400 an hour for most of my clients, but since you're a cadet at the finest military academy in the nation, my charge will be a total of one dollar to take care of all of your legal issues. Are you interested in retaining me?"
"You bet I am!" Robbie said with a big smile. "I have to admit that I was scared of what you might charge me, but I know I need advice so I don't screw up. Please don't let anyone try to contact my aunt and uncle. They're my legal guardians, but they're on a Caribbean cruise for the first time since I started living with them. I don't want their vacation screwed up!"
Jim Pearce smiled and took the dollar from the handsome cadet. Just seeing the two cadets in their uniforms brought back great memories of his days at the famous academy.
Two hours later, Walter Thomas and Jim Pearce drove Robbie and Tracker back to O'Hare Airport. The two lawyers took the teens to the VIP Lounge for supper and conversation before the flight to Kansas City.
"I've never been in a VIP Lounge!" Robbie said excitedly.
"O'Hare Airport and Southwest Airlines are fighting about who can pay for you guys to have a nice meal," Walter Thomas said. "You can order anything that you want, and Jim and I can too!"
"I'll have an ice-cold Budweiser, please," Robbie said to the waitress. "I'm hungry for a big steak, so please bring red wine with my meal."
The two lawyers and Tracker laughed at what Robbie had ordered. "I should have specified that you could order anything that you want that's LEGAL!" Walter Thomas laughed.
Robbie changed his order to Coca Cola and joined the two men and his buddy in laughter. They had a great meal together before it was time to leave for the boarding gate. Robbie was relieved that no one had tried to contact his aunt and uncle, and that Jim Pearce had been so helpful. He learned that he might have to return to Chicago in the future to testify in court, but he and Tracker were free to fly to Kansas City. Robbie and Tracker thanked the two lawyers for their help and the fantastic meal and walked to the gate shown for Flight 292.
A new ticket agent was at the counter near Gate 21, but she had been expecting the two cadets wearing the blue uniforms. Karen Jackson had told all of her co-workers about the handsome cadets, and everyone wanted to meet them. Ticket agents and security guards had been watching the videotapes of the fights between Robbie and William Walker, and they were all awestruck by Robbie's martial arts skills.
"I've been waiting to meet you guys!" Sue Nyquist said to the handsome cadets. Karen told me what happened, and we all watched the videotapes. You two have first class seats on Flight 292, and we've made arrangements for a limousine to take you from the airport to wherever you're going in Kansas City. All of the ticket agents have been celebrating how those two sailors are headed to Los Angeles and will make their connecting flight to Seattle. It's something we always try to do for anyone in the military, but your sacrifices made it all possible. Thanks from everyone connected to Southwest Airlines and O'Hare Airport!"
It was a short flight from Chicago to Kansas City, but the flight attendants gave Robbie and Tracker the "Royal" treatment. When they arrived at the Kansas City International Airport, they were surprised to see a man standing in the terminal with a sign that had both of their names displayed.
"Welcome to Kansas City," the man said to the two cadets. "I have an electric cart to take you to the baggage area, and then I'll take you to the limousine service. You guys are celebrities!"
Hunter Whitestone was shooting baskets with a friend when the stretch limousine pulled into the driveway of his home. He was impressed with the beautiful vehicle and wondered who was inside. He'd been bragging to his friend about the visit from his older brother and friend from the George Washington Academy, but didn't expect the visitors until the next day.
"ROBBIE!!" Hunter screamed when he saw Robbie and Tracker being let out of the long, white limousine. He dropped the basketball and ran up to give Robbie a big hug.
"Hey, I'm your big brother, not him!" Tracker yelled at Hunter.
Hunter loved his older brother, but he was also very attached to Robbie Mathews. After hugging Robbie, he hugged Tracker, and then returned to Robbie for a second hug. The front door of the home opened, and River and April Whitestone, Tracker's parents, came out with their daughter, Crystal. They all ran up to hug the two handsome cadets and wanted to know how they got to their home a day early.
"You won't believe what happened today!" Tracker said to his family. "We had supper in the VIP Lounge at the airport in Chicago, had first class tickets to fly here, and then got to ride in that limousine!"
"I smell alcohol on your breath!" April Whitestone said to her son. "Explain yourself, young man!"
Hunter was in heaven. He was always the one to get in trouble with his mother, but now Tracker was going to feel the wrath of April and River Whitestone. "You're busted!" Hunter teased Tracker. "I love it!"
"It's my fault," Robbie admitted. "That was the first time I can remember riding in a limousine, and I found some small bottles of champagne in the cooler. It was too big of a temptation, and I opened one of the bottles and we drank it."
"After you hear what happened in Chicago, you'll understand," Tracker offered. "Please let us explain before you ground us!"
River Whitestone was shocked when he listened to the story about what happened at O'Hare Airport in Chicago. He convinced his wife to let Robbie and Tracker slide on the champagne drinking and wondered if he should call the Academy to report the incident. He didn't know at the time that even more terrible events would happen before the week was over.
"Will you sleep in my room?" Hunter asked Robbie. "I want you to teach me Karate so I can kick Tracker's ass!"
"I'll always be able to kick your butt!" Tracker said while tackling his younger brother. The two brothers had always "roughhoused" together, but their parents knew that they would never hurt each other. They ordered their sons to break up their physical activity and wanted to hear the story again before deciding whether to call the Academy or not.
Robbie didn't want anyone at the Academy to know what had happened, but he remembered that Jim Pearce had said he would talk to Barry Howell. He correctly guessed that Mr. Howell would call the Academy to report the airport altercation, and he hoped that he and Tracker wouldn't get in trouble when they returned to the campus.
Robbie and Tracker had three enjoyable days in Kansas City with the Whitestone family. On the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, things changed for the worse. Tracker and River Whitestone left the home to visit their minister, and Robbie had suggested that he and Hunter go to the nearby park to play baseball.
Hunter loved the special attention from Robbie, and was thrilled to introduce Robbie to his friends at the park. He made sure to tell all of his friends that Robbie was a Martial Arts expert, had won 2 National Junior Karate Championships, and was the Martial Arts Champion at the famous academy where his brother went. He told his friends that he was going to Michigan in December to watch Robbie and Tracker play for the State Championship in football at the Pontiac Silverdome. All of Hunter's friends were impressed with Robbie and were jealous of Hunter for being able to visit the famous military academy.
After playing different types of games at the park, Robbie and Hunter decided to walk back to the Whitestone home to shower before supper. Robbie was carrying the aluminum baseball bat when they walked in front of Mickey's Party Store.
"I'm thirsty," Robbie said to Hunter. "How does a Coke slush sound to you?"
Hunter was thrilled to spend time with Robbie, and would do anything to extend their time alone. He quickly agreed and followed Robbie into the store.
Robbie was standing at the self-serve machine where the beverages were dispensed, and noticed two men walk into the store. Something about the two men didn't seem right, mainly because they seemed nervous and were whispering while he and Hunter filled their cups. Robbie paid for the two drinks and realized that the store clerk was a foreigner and could barely speak English.
The two teens left the store and sat on a retaining wall in front of the store to enjoy the drinks and talk. A few minutes later, all hell broke loose.
A police car screeched to a halt in front of the party store. A lone officer jumped out of the cruiser and pulled his pistol out of his holster. At the same instant, the two men ran out of the store and saw the police officer.
"GET DOWN!" Robbie screamed at Hunter. He pushed Hunter down behind the retaining wall and held him there to keep him safe.
Gunshots rang out, and Robbie saw that one of the robbers had fallen down on the sidewalk. He also saw the police officer slump against the side of the cruiser and fall to the concrete parking lot. Robbie knew that the police officer had been shot, and he was terrified. The first man out of the party store had run away, but after hearing the gunshots, he ran back and aimed his pistol at the injured police officer.
Robbie was holding the aluminum baseball bat, and sprang into action. He knew that the robber was going to shoot the police officer, and he had to do something. The police officer had lost his weapon when he slammed against the cruiser, and was trying to reach for it when the robber took aim. Robbie swung the baseball bat up and shattered the arm of the robber. The gun in the robber's hand discharged, narrowly missing Robbie's hand and arm.
With a continuous motion, Robbie spun around and swung the bat as hard as he could. The aluminum bat hit the attacker in the face with a sickening crunch of splintering bones and crushing flesh. The impact of the baseball bat threw the attacker against the brick wall, and then two more gunshots echoed through the neighborhood.
Robbie was terrified that someone else was shooting and that Hunter could be hurt. He looked up and saw the store clerk standing at the door of the party store, holding a pistol. The store clerk looked terrified, and then grabbed his chest before collapsing to the concrete.
Robbie quickly saw that the robber's chest was ripped open before he slumped to the ground. He grabbed the pistol that the robber had dropped, and held Hunter down behind the retaining wall. When he didn't hear any more gunshots, he turned to Hunter and yelled, "GO GET HELP!!"
Hunter was terrified and ran away from the store to get his parents.
Robbie was standing in front of the store when three police cars screeched into the parking lot.
"DROP THE GUN AND PUT YOUR HANDS ON YOUR HEAD!!" one of the police officers ordered Robbie. GET DOWN ON THE GROUND!!"
Robbie obeyed the orders of the police officers, and knew he was in trouble.
He knew that he had killed the man by hitting him with the baseball bat, and tried to stay conscious. His head was spinning, and he felt the police officers pulling his arms behind his back and putting handcuffs on him.
"I KILLED HIM!" Robbie screamed. "I KNOW I KILLED HIM!!"
Things happened very fast. Robbie was shoved into the back of one of the police cruisers and heard one of the officers reading him his Miranda Rights. "You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided to you."
The police officers had responded to a silent alarm from the party store, and took aggressive action when they saw Robbie standing in front of the store with a gun in his hand. They saw their wounded fellow officer, and believed that Robbie had shot him.
"OFFICER DOWN!" one of the officers screamed into the police radio. "SHOTS FIRED! MICKEY'S PARTY STORE! WILSHIRE AND SECOND STREET! PERP IS IN CUSTODY! WE NEED PARAMEDICS AND FOUR AMBULANCES!"
Hunter was terrified, and ran home to find his parents. No one was home, and he screamed for the neighbors to help him. People ran out of their homes to find out what was wrong and tried to calm Hunter down.
Tracker and River Whitestone drove into the driveway and saw Hunter in hysterics. They jumped out of the car and ran to find out what was wrong.
"WHERE'S ROBBIE??" Tracker screamed. "WHAT'S WRONG?"
Hunter was so upset that he couldn't catch his breath to tell his brother and father what he had witnessed. Tracker hugged Hunter and joined his father in trying to calm Hunter down. When they heard bits and pieces of what Hunter could finally get out, they shared in his terror.
"ROBBERS!! ROBBIE!! SHOT!!" Hunter finally was able to blurt out.
Tracker wanted Robbie to enjoy his visit to Kansas City, but now he feared that his best friend had been shot and could be dead! His head spun and he was afraid that he would pass out.
It took several minutes for Tracker and River to understand the magnitude of the events at the party store. Hunter had wet his pants and was gasping for air to give the details, but they were still confused and terrified. They left Hunter with the neighbors and jumped in their car to go to the party store. When they got near the store, police cars blocked the street and several ambulances were in front of the party store. Police officers refused to let them get near the store, and they saw a police cruiser leaving with Robbie in the back seat.
"THAT'S MY BUDDY!" Tracker screamed at the police officer.
"WHERE ARE YOU TAKING THAT BOY?" River Whitestone demanded of the police officer.
"YOUR FUCKING BUDDY SHOT A POLICE OFFICER!" the irate cop said to Tracker. "WE'RE HAULING HIS ASS TO THE 14TH PRECINCT FOR BOOKING!!"
River knew that there was no use in arguing with the police officer, and had all he could do to drag Tracker away from the scene. "Let's go to the precinct to find out what really happened!" he said to his son. "You and I both know that Robbie would NEVER shoot a cop!"
The vacation in Kansas City had turned to disaster for Robbie and Tracker!!