I pulled up to Vincent Plum's bail bonds office and sighed a little before I walked in the door. Lula was looking out the window at my car, smiling. "A purple Camaro? I think I know the pimp that used to own that car."
"I bought it last night at a used car auction. It was dark, okay? I thought it was a black car" At the time, a black car seemed like a good idea, since all the Rangeman vehicles were black and I occasionally worked for Rangeman now. I should have been suspicious when most of the respectable looking buyers dropped out of the bidding early.
Connie was staring down at her computer screen, but I could see her shoulders shaking in silent laughter.
"I didn't know it was purple until I woke up this morning!" I explained, "I've already called the auction company but they said all sales were final."
I heard a snort, and looked over to catch Lula grinning. "Girl, you'll fit right in down on Stark street now!"
I was ready to change the subject, "Any new skips?" Connie handed me three new files while she wiped tears from her eyes. I looked the files over. There was Adam Pritchett, who had been arrested for punching a Teeny League umpire during his 8-year old son's game, Mandy Lenotti, a hot-check writer, and Mooner. All three had failed to appear for court, and were now on the Plum bail bond's wanted list.
While I looked over the files, I heard Lula make a quick intake of breath and watched Connie lean around me to get a better view of the front door. A few seconds later, a hand curled protectively around my neck and I smelled warm Bvlgari as Ranger leaned in to me. His hand snaked around me to drop body receipts on Connie's desk.
"Babe."
I stepped back and turned to look at Ricardo Carlos Manoso, otherwise known as Ranger. He usually wore black cargo pants tucked into Bates boots and a black t-shirt, but today he was wearing faded blue jeans and a tan light-weight sweater with the sleeves pushed up to expose well sculpted forearms. You could see the outline of every muscle through the thin fabric of the sweater. His dark hair was pulled back into a short pony tail.
He took some files from Connie. Ranger got all the FTAs that were over my head. Of course some people, like Joe Morelli for instance, would argue that they were all over my head. Ranger looked my way and made an almost unperceivable nod toward the door. So I followed him outside.
His dark eyes immediately locked onto mine and I felt a jolt shoot all the way to my toes.
"Tank says you were a no-show this morning."
I was supposed to take my new car by Rangeman first thing this morning to get it out-fitted with GPS, so that I could be tracked for safety reasons. I was officially a part-time employee and received a regular check which helped my expense account, because skip chasing had frequent dry spells. I knew the GPS was good for my health, especially with my track record, but part of me still didn't like it.
I tilted my chin back and tried not to look defiant. He was my boss, after all, among other things.
"I got busy."
"And."
"I don't have a car yet," I lied.
It had been a while since some psycho had tried to kill me. I thought I could probably go without GPS for a little while. I might even be able to buy some time to get a new paint job. Ranger had once said that I provided "entertainment" for him and the crew at Rangeman. It was a memory that still rankles me a bit. Well, not this time, I decided. I wasn't about to drop this purple gift horse into their laps.
He looked around the lot. "So, where's big blue?"
"Dad dropped me off this morning," I looked down at my toes out of guilt. "I'll ride with Lula today," I said as I looked back at him. At least that part was probably true.
Ranger's eyes narrowed. "Stephanie..," he began.
I nervously cut him off, "What's up with the clothes today? Ella get behind on laundry?"
"Today is a travel day. I'm catching a flight in an hour," he said unsmiling. "And I don't have time for games."
"Do I get to know where you're going?" I asked. His face was impassive. "Okay, then can you tell me when to expect you back?"
He grabbed my jacket sleeves and pulled me against his chest. His lips crushed mine in a punishing kiss that forced my mouth open and allowed his tongue to take possession. I had my hands splayed flat against his tight abdomen. Before things got out of control, he pulled back and rested his lips against my forehead.
"You really think you can keep secrets from me?" His mouth was moving against my skin.
"Who, me?" I said in a voice husky from the feelings he had ignited.
He pushed away and gave me the 200 watt smile before turning to walk toward his sleek black Mercedes. "I expect you to check in with Tank every day while I'm gone," he called back over his shoulder.
Then through his open window before driving away, "A purple Camaro?"
Eye roll time.
I turned and walked back to the bonds office. Connie tried to look busy. Lula was not as discreet. "Damn skippy!" she said with eyes bulging. "I wouldn't be able to work for the rest of the day after that!"
Connie looked at me and sighed, "You've gotta be the luckiest girl in the world! It was nice to see that perfect behind in something other than cargo pants."
I ignored them both and picked up my skip files. I flipped through the paperwork then looked up in surprise. "I am the luckiest girl in the world!" I declared. "Mandy Lenotti works at Tasty Pastry."
I looked over at Lula, "Are you up for some doughnuts?"
"Is the Pope Catholic?" She asked as she grabbed her purse.
