I was sitting in Pino's when it happened. It was a normal day and after coming off shift I had gone into Pino's with the guys to get a pizza and some beers in. Me, Carl, Big Dog and Eddie were oblivious to everything until Steph's Grandma mazur came running in. This was usual for two reasons and no not because she was running that was a normal occurrence when she was excited. The first reason was because Steph had left around four months ago with just a few notes and only one person knew where she was, Ranger. The second was that Grandma Mazur was never this excited unless Rangers men were here which they were not.
She ran up to Mr Pino with everyone watching and spoke loudly but too fast for most people to hear although I did catch Stephanie's name which made it even more interesting. Thinking she was back I stood to ask but stopped when the television in the corner that was never used for anything but Ranger's Hockey games switched on and Mr Pino turned it straight to the celebrity news that teenagers thrive on.
"Today it seems there is a new breed of celebrity, the professionals." The reporter started smiling at the camera. "Earlier this morning as they exited the White House came a stunning example of the new and improved celebrity. Mr Ricardo Manoso and Miss Stephanie Plum were visiting the White House on unknown business which has launched the question would you mind getting caught by these Bounty Hunters? Here is Cathy reporting earlier today."
The scene changed from the office to the white house entrance where the doors were visible. Within seconds they opened and all the air in Pino's left the room as every one sat stunned.
Out walked a confident woman wearing short heels, a tight black skirt and white shirt with a tight black suit jacket on. Her hair was up in a tight yet elegant bun at the back of her head and her eyes hidden behind black aviators as she walked calmly yet efficiently down the few steps. Even the reporters were stunned into silence although if not by her by the man at her side.
There stood Ranger Manoso the same blank face as usual partially covered in black Ray Bans, danger seemed to scream from him in waves as he walked side by side with Stephanie who for the first time I saw that same dangerous element lurking under the surface. He too was in a black suit with the white shirt underneath although instead of a tie he had the top two buttons undone.
They descended the steps and I could picture teen girls all over the world doing exactly what every woman in Pino's was, drooling and panting over Manoso. I could also imagine teen boys doing exactly what every man in Pino's was doing, giving Stephanie a once over and staring open mouthed at the screen.
They certainly looked the part as the camera man followed them to a Porsche cayenne and they climbed in, it almost looked like a movie.
You could picture the two of them ending a film as they drove into the sunset. The slow motion run that followed cemented them as a gorgeous yet dangerous and very smooth pair.
The doors swung slowly open for them as they walked in sink perfectly together arms swinging slightly by their sides, their suit jackets blew to the side slightly in time and although both had their hair tied back small rebel strands had escaped and blew across their faces almost in sync. Their stepped measured and equal were perfectly in time even when Manoso took bigger strides to reach the drivers side so that they arrived at the car in perfect mirrored images and both slid in closing their doors in perfect synchronization. In fact it was a bloody film especially when Manoso planted his foot on the accelerator and the Porsche rolled forward before rolling away.
As soon as the Porsche disappeared the reporter came out of her stunned silence with a sigh and turned to the camera. I didn't hear what she said, in fact I doubt anyone did because as soon as she gathered herself together so did the rest of Pino's.
"Wow." Was the only word I heard for about five minutes as I walked unsure back to our booth and sat down a confused look on my face.
"Wow." Big Dog finally breathed, the first at our table to utter a word. Yeah Wow.