Big Jobs and Big Bangs Part One
Post TS, still in Ranger's head.
Spoilers: Through PL
Warnings: Language, violence, sexual situations.
Rating: A nice solid R.
Alas, if you recognize them from JE's series, I don't own them. I get nothing out of this other than the satisfaction of getting Ranger & Steph together.
Early March, About Five Months After the Wedding…
The envelope from RangeMan Boston had been sitting on my desk for three days, untouched. I'd been avoiding it, fully aware of what its presence meant. I didn't even need to open it. Its color was a dead giveaway.
We use colored envelopes to indicate the importance and priority of the contents, as well as the danger potential.
This envelope was red.
Blood red.
The color indicated several things. High priority and very important. A big paycheck – over a million dollars. A team will be required. It's in-country. The danger potential is high – the highest for a job in the continental United States. Plenty of action. High stress factor. No boredom factor at all.
All in all, a mixed bag of blessings and curses.
I wanted to open it up and find out what the job entailed as much as I didn't want to open it up.
I sighed. No matter how long I ignored it, it would wait. If I didn't deal with it soon, another would arrive.
I pulled the envelope toward me. I picked it up. I opened it. I pulled out the contents and flipped through the papers.
Fuck.
I lifted the handset to my office phone. I needed to talk to Steph and Hector before I spoke to anyone else – including Tank.
A half hour later, I hear them coming down the hall to my office. Steph is talking a mile a minute, as usual. She sounds excited, so I think it's safe to assume their bust went well.
Inside, I smile to think of all she's accomplished since she came to me. She's got Hector as a partner. The man that my entire staff – myself included – feared, and she's got him following her around like a puppy. He accomplished what no one – myself included – managed: Steph carries weapons and is in shape. They go to dance classes twice a week, and they run together every day now, too. When they run early in the morning, I usually join them. Hector armed Steph with non lethal weapons. In return for an armament she felt comfortable carrying every day, she learned to love a 9 millimeter Sig. She makes good money between her RangeMan salary and the money from the mid-range bonds. While she was on light duty following her surgery, she sat down with my accountant and my lawyer to set up education funds and trust funds for her nieces, as well as Holly and Jakey. All five children will be able to attend any school they want and not have to hold a part time job or struggle.
When they walk into my office, I've got the paperwork for the Boston job spread across my desk. I look up as they enter and watch all the color drain from Steph's face. Hector catches her around the waist as her knees buckle and he pulls her to him for support.
"Babe…" What the Hell just happened?
"Is this where you tell me you're leaving and can't tell me where you're going, how long you'll be gone, or even if you're coming back?" Her voice is hoarse and her eyes are glittering with tears.
So that's the problem. I smile at her and shake my head. "No, Babe."
I can see the relief in her face as her body sags. Hector lowers her into a chair and I walk around my desk to her. I crouch down in front of her. Her eyes meet mine. "What's going on then, Ranger?"
"RangeMan Boston has a request from a city in Massachusetts. The city has financial problems, and they are trying to encourage businesses to move there. The problem is that the city is one of the most dangerous in the country because they can't afford adequate law enforcement. The business owners in the Entertainment District have pooled their money to hire a private security force, and they want RangeMan. Boston doesn't have the manpower to cover the job. They contacted us for additional staffing."
"Are you sending people to the Boston office or to the job?"
"The job, Babe."
Her voice drops to a whisper when she says, "You're going, aren't you?" Her eyes have dropped and she's no longer looking at me.
"Only if you and Hector are, Babe."
Her head snaps up and her eyes meet mine again. "You're willing to take me with you?"
It doesn't escape my notice that she said nothing about me not going. "Of course. And if you don't want to go, then I'm not going." No way am I leaving my wife of less than six months for a job with a one year contract.
Her face lights up with a brilliant smile. "We're going. You love this stuff. You haven't left town for a job since we got together."
She's right, I haven't. I never told her how many jobs I turned down to stay with her. I also never told her that my marriage to her voided several outstanding government contracts. She'd only feel guilty. I smile at her. "Maybe we should ask Hector if this is okay with him first."
A guilty look settles onto her face as she turns to Hector. He's grinning like he just won the lottery. He's been remarkably restrained since he began working with Steph regularly. Although being her partner is exciting, I'm willing to bet he'd like a little violent mayhem right about now. "What do you say, Hec?" She's the only one who could call him that without being killed.
His face is about to split in half, his grin is so big. "I'm in, Hermana."
"What about Juan?"
"We can see each other in Massachusetts. It's not like we're going across the country."
Steph nods once and turns back to me. "We're in. Now when are we going?"
"I need to talk to Tank. I'll call a meeting for one this afternoon. I'll brief everyone then. I'll announce who's going then, too."
She nods again. "Who are you going to take?"
"I'm not sure yet. Do either of you have any preferences?" I'm not about to make any promises, but I'd rather take guys she and Hector feel comfortable with.
They both think for a few minutes. "Cal and Lester would be my top two choices," Steph finally says.
Hector nods. "I agree."
Damned if they didn't both pick the same two guys I was thinking of taking. "Good choices. I'll add them to my list."
They both get up to leave. I pull Steph into my arms and kiss her. "See you at one, Babe." Her eyes are slightly unfocused as she follows Hector out of my office. She has a big smile on her face, though. For that matter, so do I.
Tank is the next person I need to speak to before the meeting. I've arranged for him to meet me in the office at eleven. He's on time, as usual.
"Hey." Tank drops himself into a chair as he greets me.
"Got a request from Boston."
"I know. And I can't go."
What? I hadn't been planning on taking him as I wanted him to run the show here, but why would he flatly refuse to go? "Why not?"
Tank sighs and looks at the floor. "Lula."
That doesn't sound right. Lula would let him go and would tag along, not wanting to miss anything. "What's wrong?"
"Nothin'."
"Tank."
He heaves another sigh. What the fuck is going on with them? He fidgets, but remains silent, his mouth opening and closing several times. "She's pregnant," he finally mumbles.
"Congratulations, man." I push off my desk and hug him. I'm happy for him, and for Lula.
He's grinning now. "I'm gonna be a dad!" I think he's a little excited. I know he's happy.
"Sounds that way. Anybody else know yet?"
Tank shook his head. "We just found out yesterday. Lula wants to tell Steph and Hector herself."
I nod. "The guys need to know since you'll be on mandatory office duty for a while."
Tank grimaces. He hates to be stuck in the office. "I know. We're going to get married. We want you and Steph there."
"Consider it done. Where and when?"
"This weekend in Atlantic City."
"Not Vegas?"
"Lula doesn't want to fly right now."
I should have known; it's not like Lula to pass on Vegas. "We'll be there."
"Thanks. You gonna stand up for me?"
"Of course."
"Thanks."
"No problem. Now, about the Boston job…"
We go over he basics of the job. He'll be left in charge of the Trenton office until the baby is at least a year old. That leaves me to take his place on the streets when this job is over. I've missed being out there full time, and I find myself looking forward to the next two years or so. I'll add myself to the Hector and Steph mix. That combo guarantees excitement.
One O'clock Meeting…
I can tell by the matching grins Steph and Hector are wearing that Lula has told them about the baby. Steph is all but dancing in her chair. Hector has his hand on her arm in an effort to keep her still. I shake my head. There's no controlling her.
When Tank walks into the room, Steph is out of her chair before Hector can stop her. She throws her arms around him and he picks her up, hugging her right back. She whispers something in his ear, making him grin. He whispers something back, making her smile, then he puts her down and they both take their seats.
They're both getting curious looks from everyone except Hector and me.
I decide to let Tank share his good news before we get down to business. I suspect that it'll be easier to keep everyone's attention on business that way.
"Tank will open the meeting," I announce.
Every head in the room swivels toward Tank, who turns purple. Sort of.
"Uh.. Got some news."
The guys wait expectantly. Steph is squirming in her chair. Funny how a woman who doesn't want kids of her own is so excited about this one. But then, she won't be the one putting on weight, going through labor and delivery, changing diapers, breast feeding, getting up in the middle of the night and potty training. Makes more sense to me now.
"Well?" Lester demands after the silence goes on too long for his taste.
"Lula's pregnant!" Tank finally spits out.
The room is filled with congratulations, catcalls, and cheering. Tank is buried under a pig pile of guys congratulating him. I hope they don't do that to Lula. She'll shoot them.
Eventually, everyone settles down again. Every person in the room is smiling. It's time to get down to business. I hand out copies of the paperwork from Boston so that everyone can look it over.
"The contract calls for a team of six to twelve people. The job is in the Entertainment District of Springfield, Massachusetts." I press a button on a remote and an enlarged map of the area appears on the wall behind me. "Our primary function will be security. We can expect to deal with the chemically impaired, the violent and the armed. The city has a gang problem, so that will also be an expected variable." Nods around the room as they flip through the paperwork detailing the operation. "This is a one year contract with a one year extension option. Team members can expect to be gone for a minimum of one year. They will get combat pay." More nodding. This is standard for jobs like this. "I have chosen a team of nine to begin with. We will be leaving in thirty days. As always, you have the option to refuse." I always make that option available. I'd rather not take someone who doesn't want to be there.
Most everyone is still smiling. Tank, knowing he is stuck here, isn't. Neither is Hal. I'm not surprised; I didn't think he'd want to leave Heather. That's why I didn't choose him. He doesn't know that yet. Lester looks at me. "Who gets to go play?" he wants to know.
"Hector, Steph, me, Cal, Junior, Zero, Ram, Bobby, and Lester." I saved his name for last just to make him squirm. "Tank will be in charge here with Hal as second-in-command." Nods all around the room. "I'm going to try to hire a few of our contract workers as regular employees until this job is over. Any questions?" Negative responses across the board. "OK. Everyone except the team, Tank and Hal are dismissed."
On the way out the door, most of the guys pound Tank on the back. He's grinning like mad again. When it's down to the eleven of us, we get down to business. We plan patrol routes, schedules, and teams. We decide to take my F150, the Navigator and one Bronco. We plan to take both the lethal and non-lethal weapons.
We will need to be highly visible. A deterrent as much as enforcement. We plan for additional training sessions as a group. We don't all work together closely enough to leave without doing so. In addition, most of us need to get into the habit of going for non-lethal force first. Steph is the only one for whom this is automatic, but Hector is actually pretty good, too. Steph looks annoyed about the increased training. No surprise there.
We discuss uniforms. In an area filled with night clubs and bars, black will be all too prevalent for us to wear standard RangeMan uniforms. We want to stand out and be noticed, not blend in. Most of us are at a loss in this case. We usually try to blend in or disappear into the shadows. Standing out is not in our training. In the end, Ms. Fashion Queen gives us the best possible idea. Urban camouflage. Apparently, she saw it at the sporting goods store in the mall during hunting season.
Who knew that her mall addiction would be helpful?
Finally, we make arrangements for a meeting with the business owners the day after our arrival, before we begin the job.
"Any questions?" I get negative responses across the board.
"Comments?" More negative answers.
"Suggestions?"
Steph raises her hand. "What, Babe?"
"Where are we staying?"
Good question. I flip through the paperwork again and find what I need. "A house has been rented for us. It's at the edge of the city near the highway. A dozen bedrooms, four bathrooms, open floor plan."
"Who's cooking?" Should have known that would be her primary concern. Judging from the looks on the faces of the rest of the team, she's not alone.
"Don't know. I'll hire someone." Everyone looks relieved.
We break up the meeting after arranging to meet at six the next morning to run. The next thirty days will be filled with things we will do as a group. It will be practice for the next year.
Everyone but Tank leaves the room. "Problem?" I ask him.
"Possibly."
"What?"
"Got a call from The Dick."
The Dick is Steph's ex-husband. He handled some legal work for a woman we arrested at a security job last year at Steph's request. "What did he want?"
"Georgia will be released next week."
"That's good, isn't it?"
"Good for her. Good for us. Bad for Morelli."
"Why?" I must have missed something.
"Morelli works vice."
"I know."
"Morelli spends a lot of time working with hookers."
"I know."
"Morelli spends a lot of time with hookers personally."
"I know."
"Georgia is one of the women he likes to see. Lately, he's been seeing none of them. Except her. He's been visiting her a lot. Putting money in her commissary account. Brining her kids to visit."
"Shit."
"Yeah. Shit. And the Chief found out."
"Fuck."
"Morelli's been told to stay away or lose his job."
"Why now?"
"Dunno."
"What do you think?"
"I think he really cares for her. I think he'll risk his job."
Until Steph came along, Morelli and I got along well. We had a good working relationship. When she came along, our working relationship became strained. When he lost her to me, things got downright ugly for a while. In the end, he realized he'd rather have her a friend than not have her at all. He'd made amends and things had gone back to pre-Steph days. He's a damned good cop. It took me only a moment to make my decision. "Hire him."