What can I say. I don't own the characters.
Is There a Meeting Room in Hell?
Stephanie rushed through her morning ritual. She was dressed and made up and out the door before 8:30. Something was going on.
Driving through the Dunkin Donuts drive thru she cradled the coffee in one hand, and a Boston Creme in the other. Steering was difficult but she didn't take the time to stop and free one hand. Something was seriously wrong and she wanted to get to work as fast as she could.
Pulling into the garage, she noticed that there were fewer vehicles than normal. Taking the elevator she walked out on five and headed for another cup of coffee from the break room. Powering on her computer, she pulled the first file to her and started to work. As her work continued, she noticed an odd quietness to the floor. Normally when Ranger was not in attendance the floor was noisier.
Everyone was talking in whispers and the odd glance was sent her way. She was starting to get very nervous.
The elevator dinged and Ranger and Tank stepped out. With them were two strangers. It was so quiet that a pin drop could be heard. Ranger walked over to Stephanie and quietly asked, "Babe, can you meet us in Conference Room C?"
Stephanie nodded and stood up. For some reason, the two strangers seemed to escort her from her cubicle to the door. She entered the room. Normally, in any meeting she attended, she would sit on Ranger's right hand side. This time, she was asked to sit in a chair in the middle of the room. One of the strangers closed the door behind Tank and Ranger.
She had a feeling that she was not going to like this meeting one little bit.
Tank stayed by the door. Ranger and the two moved to the table and sat across from her. Stephanie looked at him with a questioning glance. He had his blank face on. She swallowed and started to fidget in her chair.
One of the men started to speak. "Miss Plum, my name is Harold Matlock from Homeland Security. This is my partner, William Puttick. We would like to ask you some questions. I am authorized to tape record this conversation. Do you understand?"
Stephanie looked at Harold in alarm. "I guess so, but why would you want to talk to me?" Harold said nothing, but put a small recorder on the table in front of them. "Please for the record, state your name, your whole name." Stephanie gulped, and replied, "Stephanie Michelle Plum." William had taken a notepad out and was making notes. Harold asked her for her date of birth, her birthplace, her parent's names, her sister's name and her Grandmas name. Stephanie quickly gave all the information. What was going on here?
The questions continued. Where had she gone to school? Had she been married and to whom? Who was she seeing right now? How long had she lived in her current residence? Had she taken any trips lately? How much money did she have in her bank account? The questions went on and on.
There was a knock at the door. Tank opened it, and took a folder. He passed it to Harold Matlock and returned to stand by the door. He refused to look at Stephanie. Ranger was handed the file after both Harold and William had read the contents. His mouth tightened and his eyes closed for an instant. His face became blank once again.
After two hours, Ranger whispered to Harold. He called Tank over and whispered in his hand to him. Tank nodded and left the room. He reappeared minutes later with a tray with bottles of water and sandwiches. Carefully placing it in easy reach for everyone he stepped back to the door. Stephanie asked with her eyes if she could have something and Ranger nodded. She took a bottle of water only. The others took water and a sandwich. Stephanie picked at her bottle. She drank a little, then put the top on again. It was all nervous signs and noticed by all. She finally placed the bottle on the table and looked at them.
The questions continued. What occupations did her parents have? Her grandmother? Did they receive many visitors? Did they like to travel, and if so, where? Had they bought anything new lately? Had they done renovations to their house? Did she ever stay overnight there after she moved to her apartment? Did they speak other languages? Did she?
Becoming very confused over the new line of questions, Stephanie asked, "What's going on?" Instead of answering, William and Harold looked at each other and nodded. Harold turned off the recorder and put it in his pocket.
"Miss Plum, pending a formal investigation, I am placing you under arrest as an accessory to commit treason. You will be taken to a holding cell in the FBI building in New York for further questioning. I hope that you will continue to co-operate. Anything you say from this point may be used against you. I have already contacted Homeland Security and you are being declared a flight risk. Your name has been added to the Restricted Travel List. Do you have anything to say before we take you away?"
Stephanie could only gulp. What was going on here? She looked to Ranger for any explanation. His face was blank. She looked at Tank. He had his arms folded over his chest. He had a look of disgust on his face. She felt all the blood drain from her face. Her heart felt like it had fallen to the floor.
She never even felt it as they stood her up and cuffed her hands behind her back. Tank opened the door and she was escorted to the elevator. Everyone on the floor had stopped talking and looked at her. Their faces were also blank.
As they waited for the elevator, Stephanie looked at Ranger. "Can you get Mary-Lou to look after Rex? He likes it there." Ranger nodded. The doors opened and Harold, William and Stephanie got into the elevator to go to the garage. Woody was waiting in the garage and watched as they loaded her into the car. He pushed the button and the gate rose. The car drove out of the garage. The gate closed. She was gone.