Hey, it's me again. Now that I know where Ram and Gayle are headed (and thanks to a not so gentle nudge from Margaret) I thought, Who's next? What other woman of Joe's needs to find some Merry Man Happy? Actually, the thought has been spinning in the back of my mind ever since she mentioned it. Here's one of the choices. I'll post the other two within the next few days. Let me know which one you think should follow Carma... Enjoy! :-)
BTW - All Characters you know and love come from the Brilliant mind of Janet Evanovich. All mistakes are mine. The only thing I make from this is the warm fuzzy feeling I get when I read the reviews.
"I can't frigging believe this!" I heard him yell and looked up from where I was currently talking to Carl Costanza and his partner Big Dog. There was Trenton Police Department detective Joseph Morelli with his hands on his hips, looking like he was going to pop a vessel at any second. I looked at Carl, and he nodded at me.
I ran to Joe and wrapped my arms around his waist. I really needed a hug. "It's not my fault." I sobbed into his chest. His reputation has taken a few nasty hits lately, but I knew he would always be there for me.
I know what you're thinking and Eww. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Cathy Salvino, and Joseph Morelli is my big brother. We were currently standing in front of my lawyer's office, watching the remains of my Dodge Caravan as the flames are being tamed by the Trenton Fire Department.
Joe pulled me away from his chest and looked me over from head to toe to make sure I wasn't hurt. "What the hell happened, Cathy?"
I got a tissue from my purse and tried to wipe off some of the snot I seemed to have spread across his shirt. He was going to need to change that, soon. "I was inside talking to my lawyer about getting a divorce from that PIG I married, when her secretary called and said the police were here asking for me. I went out to the lobby, where Carl told me that my car was on fire out front! I know that bastard did this Joe."
Joe looked shocked. "What do you mean you were talking to a divorce lawyer? What's going on, Cathy?"
I really didn't want to go into it out in the middle of the street, but he wasn't going to let up. "You know that redheaded waitress at Pino's?" The glazed look in Joe's eyes when he thought about the curvy young girl in question made me want to toss my cookies. "Well, guess who came to my house to tell me that she was knocked up." My eyes started to tear up. Pauly and I have been trying to get pregnant for almost a year now. I guess the problem wasn't with his little swimmers. "Anyway, he told me that he would never divorce me. I think he did this to scare me away from talking to an attorney."
Joe looked like he was about to kill his brother in law. Part of me was really glad my big brother would look out for me like that. Another part realized that he couldn't afford another departmental reprimand right now. "Joe, promise me you're not going to do something stupid? I don't want you to get in trouble on my account. If he torched my car, Carl and Big Dog will put him in jail. I just want to divorce him."
Joe brushed a kiss to my forehead. "I won't go looking for him, Cathy. If he causes you any problems, though, then Anthony and I are going to have some words with him. I have to go undercover for a while, so I can't be here to keep you safe." He ran his hands through his hair and looked like he just took a big bite of something sour. "I know I'm going to regret this, but would you mind if I got you a bodyguard for a while. I know someone who owes me big."