Disclaimer: I don't own them, I just have fun with them.
This one was a request that kind of took on a life of it's own. I didn't intend for it to come out so sad in the end, but it did. I hope you enjoy it.
Thanks Margaret.
'Pictures'
I had heard quiet murmurs for a few days, but wasn't quite sure that I believed them. After all, for certain people I had hoped that they wouldn't be true at least. Who knew this could actually be true? I like to listen to what people say, but believing and seeing were two different things. How could someone have everyone so snowed with their true nature? I guess that saying is true, 'the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.' The Morelli family was not known for its men being saints, but Joe had managed to avoid the curse, or at least that is what most people thought.
As I pulled into the Motel parking lot I saw his SUV in the back along with a silver BMW. Although neither car was seen from the road it didn't seem like they were trying to hide that they were here, together. I had spoken with the desk manager of the motel and gotten the room number and that they had already been here for a few hours. A little intimidation goes a long way. I pulled out my camera and walked quickly, but very quietly, to the door. The curtains were open slightly and I was able to get a few good shots. Their faces were clearly seen and the fact that they didn't have on any clothes was clear as day. No one would be able to deny this, not even his own mother.
A little while later I heard some of their conversation as they exited the room making plans to meet up later that night with someone else. Something seemed off about this. I had heard some things that I had dismissed, knowing what a good cop he was, no matter how much of a piece of shit he was personally. He had always seemed like a good cop.
Heading back to my usual job I thought about the implications of, not only what I had seen, but heard as well. His 'relationship' with Steph was a cover. Since she was constantly in the middle of whatever drama was happening it was easy for people to focus on her and not him. Well, as far as a cover and distraction it was brilliant, but it wasn't something that I was going to let happen any longer. This son of a bitch was going to pay for using her.
XXXXXX
After work, and after quite a bit of thinking I made my way to the location I had heard earlier so that I could be in place before any of the people involved were to arrive. Pulling out my camera again I added an extra lens so I could get a clearer view of what took place. The longer I sat there the more I prayed what I knew was going to happen would all be a dream. So many people were going to be hurt over this, mainly Steph though. I hated being responsible for having her find out. I didn't want her to hate me, as well as him. No matter what people thought of me I would do anything for her.
With cars pulling into the lot I rolled down my window so that I could get a better view with the camera. I had placed a few microphones around so I could listen as well, and made sure to push the ear buds into my ears one last time. I knew I couldn't make a sound, and had made sure that I was well hidden from anyone's eyes. I saw them exit the vehicles and noticed that Vito had a briefcase. Morelli, Gillman and Vito approached each other taking in their surroundings quickly before conducting their business. I saw and heard the conversation and was completely stunned by what I was learning.
The exchange took only minutes, but the view of what was really happening was truly horrific. Morelli took the briefcase shook hands with Vito, kissed Terry and then walked back over to his car to leave. The pictures were bad enough, but the conversation that was overheard was what really made me think that no one really knew the true Joe Morelli. Well, that was all about to change.
XXXXXX
After printing the pictures on my home computer I separated them into several different piles. Stuffing them into the pre-addressed envelopes with prepaid postage I was all set to get this done. I couldn't watch her be hurt any more, and I wouldn't allow it. A short walk to the post office and I dropped the envelopes off that would start a ball rolling that would not soon be stopped. Each envelope would change the person or person's views for good. The envelopes were addressed to Steph, Helen Plum, Angie Morelli, Chief of Police, TPD at large, and Rangeman Inc. The only one that weighed more than the rest was to the Chief since it contained a copy of the conversation that I heard.
Life around here would be changing that was for sure.
XXXXXX
(One week later)
The Burg' grapevine has been on fire today, and everyone was up in arms. 'How could something like this have happened and no one know about it?' 'How was it that a prized cop with the TPD could have turned bad?' they all asked. Morelli was arrested yesterday from his home and right in front of Stephanie. From what I heard she had just arrived and they were about to have some kind of talk on his front porch when the cops arrived to take him into custody. The Merry Men arrived at the same time and whisked her away from his house before anyone could ask any questions.
The grapevine was letting rumor fly that Stephanie was the one that took the pictures, that they were fakes and his name was being dragged through the mud. However when word that the pictures were dated and Stephanie had been working at Rangeman when the photos were taken had calmed them down some. The talk then turned to what a disgrace Morelli was to his family and community. No one had seen Angie or Bella Morelli since the arrest and I would be surprised if they would come out in public anytime soon. The phone at the bonds office was absolutely ringing off the hook, and none of it was about business so far today.
I watched as Stephanie walked in the door to the bonds office in the middle of the afternoon and could tell that she had not had a good nights sleep no matter how much make up she tried to put on to cover it up. She had no donuts, or fried chicken containers in her hand, sun glasses firmly in place, dressed in black Rangeman wear and went directly to the couch without a word.
I knew I had to do something about this. I grabbed my purse from the drawer, stood up and walked over to Stephanie and held out my hand to her. Without saying a word she took my hand and we walked to my car. I noticed that she was driving the Cayenne, rather than Big Blue, so I knew she was at Rangeman last night.
We drove to the mall in complete silence, which for us was completely unusual. I knew what the burg' was saying. No one understood how they could have missed it. How could such a good cop go so bad, and how could his girlfriend not know it? Her answering machine had probably long since exploded from the amount of calls that she received. I know her mother had called the office trying to reach her several times. The only message that she left was, "tell her I'm so sorry." I was floored by that. Helen Plum never apologized for anything or to anyone, least of all to her daughter.
There had been a few flower arrangements that had arrived for Stephanie at the office, but I wasn't interested in reading the cards. Nothing mattered but Stephanie right now, and I was going to be there for my friend.
To my surprise, walking to the food court, we passed by Angie Morelli on the way, and she completely ignored everything around her as if nothing was wrong, eyes straight forward, a smile on her face as usual. The woman was in complete denial that her son was in prison. Her precious little Joey was just as bad, if not worse, than the rest of his family. I guess if it works for her, whatever, but eventually she would have to face the reality that her son would be in jail for a good long time. I had also heard the rumblings from the 'families' that they wanted to know who took the pictures. They were worried that they had an internal problem that needed to be taken care of.
When we finally reached the food court we got some of our usual food and sat down right in the middle of the seating area, nothing like hiding in plain sight.
"Thank you." Stephanie said while looking at her food.
"You needed to get out of the office." I said with a shrug of my shoulders.
"That's not what I meant." She said and then looked at me. "I know it was you that sent them to me." I nodded to her. "But what I don't understand is why?"
I looked at her for a minute. "I couldn't stand to see you hurt like that. You're my friend Steph, and I would do anything for you, and I know the feeling is mutual." I explained.
"Yes it is, but you put yourself in danger with the 'families' for me." She stated looking at me.
"You put yourself on the line for others all the time. Why wouldn't I be willing to do that for you? I have connections, I'm part of the 'family', but I also consider you part of my family Steph. That ass hole hurt you and I couldn't stand back and watch once I found out. No one hurts my family and gets away with it." I explained. "And don't worry about retaliation from the 'families' they won't find anything to lead them to me."
She looked at me for a few minutes, and then seeing something that must have satisfied whatever she was looking for turned her head to look around us, just taking everything in and noticing some of the heads turning to avoid making direct eye contact with her. A small sad smile crossed her face, "Thank you for everything Connie. I don't know how I'll be able to repay you for this."
"Just continue to be my friend and we'll go about things as we always have." We looked at each other for a few minutes. "So what are you going to do now?" I asked her.
She shrugged her shoulders a bit and then sighed, "I don't know. But I do know that I won't be going home anytime soon."
I nodded, "You staying at Ranger's?" I asked.
"At Rangeman, but on the 4th floor, Lester is lending me his apartment for the time being. He's bunking with Bobby for now. They want me to work there for a while till things calm down, and try to stay out of the public view some." She answered.
"Well, maybe the mall wasn't such a good idea then." I stated flatly.
She laughed a bit, "Actually this is where I figured we would end up and told them so. I told them I had to talk to someone about everything that would understand a bit better than they would. Cal is standing over near the entrance to the food court if you hadn't noticed." She said without looking that direction.
I looked and sure enough, there was Cal, trying to look unobtrusive. We both laughed a little since the flaming skull tattoo on his head made him stick out like a sore thumb here. If it wasn't the tattoo then his muscles certainly would attract a lot of attention in that painted on black t-shirt.
"Let them take care of you Steph. You need someone to help you get through this. All the guys at Rangeman love you and will support you, just like me. I promise what ever you say will stay between the two of us." I explained and she nodded in acceptance.
A while later, we finally made our way back to the office. I gave her a quick hug, before walking through the door and she said, "Thanks again for everything Connie." I squeezed her hand again and she walked off to the Cayenne to make her way back to Rangeman.
I knew that this had to hurt my friend, but better to find out now rather than later. She'd be okay. She was a strong woman, the strongest that I know.
I hope you enjoyed this one. Let me know what you think. I love to hear from you.
