Thanks for your wonderful reviews! Guess it came as a shock that I could kill off the wonderful Lula. Don't forget thought, it's only a story and next time I might let her stay in the plot a bit longer!
Anyway, here's to the next installment. Lots of nasty things happen so if dark and nasty isn't your thing, then I suggest you don't read any further...
Ranger stood holding the limp body of his best friend, cradling him gently as the EMT's rushed to Lula's side. Even from this angle he could see Steph rocking back and forth cradling the failing body of the love of Tank's life. His heart broke at the pathetic sight of Steph futilely trying to coax life back into her.
Time stood still as he watched an EMT prize Steph gently from Lula's lifeless body, he gulped hard and suppressed a shudder. Tonight they should have all been celebrating the forthcoming nuptials. Additionally, his plans to tell Steph how he felt had flown straight out of the window, instead he'd be trying to hold it together for the sake of his best friend.
He watched as Steph was gently led away to be cleaned up, she responded woodenly and looked like little girl lost as an EMT started to open a cleaning kit, the poor man had quite a job on his hands. Blood was smeared across her cheek where it mingled with the tears that ran in rivers down her beautiful face. Her once white t-shirt was now mottled with dark, violent red and her jeans and sneakers were patterned to match.
He mentally howled but as he could see she was safe he turned his attention to the man in his arms and he wondered how on earth he was going to tell him that he was a widow before he'd even gotten married. He felt Tank shift and suddenly became aware that he was beginning to stir.
"Boss" he heard Santos whisper in his ear. "Let's get him outta here." Ranger nodded imperceptively and the two men gently removed Tank from the scene they knew would break his heart.
Once he was buckled into the back seat, Ranger stunned Tank again to prevent him from freaking out or escaping. Jumping up behind the wheel he quickly pulled away from the scene with Lester riding shot gun. He gave Santos a look and immediately Les pulled out his cell phone and made a call.
"ETA 5 minutes..."
"Yeah, it's not good news..."
"I know..."
"Stunned. Will need sedating..."
The rest of the journey was spent in silence and as they pulled into Haywood and parked next to the elevator, Bobby rushed to the passenger door and opened it. He was holding a syringe which he sank into Tank's neck. "Sleep, Tank, you're going to need your strength for later, Big Man." He whispered as he slowly undid the seatbelt and began to drag Tank from the car. Other hands came to join him in his task.
o0o0o0o0o
Steph trudged onwards, her arms hanging limply at her side. She had no idea where she was and quite frankly she didn't care.
One of her two best friends was dead.
Lula was DEAD!
Oh! Mi! God! Her inner voice screamed. She turned a corner and vaguely realised she was in a park. She staggered forwards and reached the shade of a tall elegant willow. Suddenly she could go no further and her legs gave way under her and she slid down its trunk in a puddle of tears and heartache.
She could hear a phone ringing but didn't register it. After a couple of minutes the ringing stopped and silence descended over her like a dark black cloud.
This is how she remained until Jacob Himinez, a small time pimp, found her.
o0o0o0o0o
"What the fuck?" Vinnie screamed as he slammed the phone down. It couldn't be true? Lula? Dead? Someone was having a laugh, surely? He stormed out of his office and blanched as he looked at the back of Connie, kneelig down in front of the file cabinets, sniffling and hiccupping, filing as fast as her hands would let her. Crap! It was true.
Holy fuck, his life was over, he'd given his cousin the green light to take Lula with her. Tank would see it as all his fault! Where the fuck was Steph, anyway? He shut the door to his office softly and bolted the door before sliding into his desk and putting his head in his hands.
After a few minutes he picked up the phone and called Rangeman. He needed to know where Tank was just in case...
o0o0o0o0o0o
The mood was tense mixed with confusion as Ranger called an emergency meeting in conference room 4, the largest of all the meeting rooms. All personnel, whether working or not were gathering quietly, knowing that they were about to be told something profound. Ranger had only once called such a meeting and that was when he'd discovered a breach at the Boston office and needed to make emergency personnel changes. Only a handful of people were aware of what he was about to impart but as Tank was so loved and respected Ranger felt the need to fill everyone in on the terrible events of earlier.
A few people silently questioned the fact that Tank, Bobby and Steph were missing but judging by the look on Ranger's face they weren't about to voice their findings.
"Gentlemen" Ranger started as silence descended on the room. "Thank you all for coming in at such short notice. Those of you who've come in from home, I appreciate you giving up your free time. I'll keep this brief as some of you will be desperate to get back to your surveillance or monitor duty." A slight low chuckle rumbled round the room. Ranger almost smiled before he continued, wishing he could keep the tone light.
"Unfortunately, I have terrible news. Tank will not be attending his bachelor party tonight and will not be getting married next week." As soon as he said it he could hear rumbles of confusion. He held up his hand and immediately silence descended again.
"At 2.37 this afternoon, Lula went with Stephanie to pick up a skip and unfortunately the skip turned out to be armed and dangerous. I'm sorry to have to tell you that Lula was shot. I regret to have to tell she didn't make it."
The room erupted in muffled horror and outrage at what Ranger had just said. He held up his hands again and apruptly all noise stopped again. "We have to look after our own, men. Tank is currently under sedation and Bobby is monitoring him but Stephanie is missing and we need to find her. Lula died in her arms and she is probably in deep shock. I don't need to tell you how vulnerable she will be right at this moment. I need volunteers to help locate Miss Plum. If you are willing to help then please let me know before you leave. Dismissed."
No-one moved. Ranger looked puzzled "Dismissed." He repeated.
"Looks like you've a whole room full of volunteers" Ram said quietly looking at the men standing still, expectantly. Ranger nodded in silent thanks.
"To work then boys" he stated just before he left to go and find Bobby. "Hector will split you into teams. I'll be back in 10. I need to go check on Tank. Les, you're in charge."
o0o0o0o0o
"What do you mean she's missing?" Vinnie hissed at the man at the other end of the phone. "Where the fuck could she have gone?" He ground out, all his frustrations aimed at the Merry Man who'd taken his call. "She can't just have disappeared. Didn't someone think to check she was OK?" He ran his fingers through his greasy hair and let out a big sigh. "Yeah... I'll break the news to her parents" he said as a peace offering before hanging up.
Crap, crap, crappity crap! Of all the stupid things to his cousin had done, Vinnie ranted, this move had to be up there with the best of them.
He mentally pulled his act together and did some breath calming exercises. After Harry the Hammer and Edna Mazur, Ellen Plum was probably the most scary person he knew. He picked up the phone and began to dial her number.
o0o0o0o0o
"Hey, Baby" Himinez slurred as he looked down at the crumpled blood stained woman lying under the tree. She looked vulnerable and even in his drug filled haze, his mind and body reacted. He hadn't had a fuck in a while and this looked like his lucky day. The woman was filthy but he was used to that, but the state of her jeans did little to hide the fact that she had mile long slim legs. He smiled again, definitely his lucky day being that he was a 'leg man', an all.
He licked his lips in anticipation and knelt down to caress the woman's hair. It was curly, brown and... Holy Crap, it was Manoso's woman! He felt like he'd hit the jack pot! He licked his lips again and stroked his crotch as he realised that she was all alone, in deep shock and seemingly unaware of her surroundings.
His mind snapped back into some semblance of cohesion as he bent down and picked her up bridal style. She barely registered that she was being moved. "Ranger?" she whispered, in confusion.
"No, just a friend" he replied as he leered more closely at her. She seemed to believe him as she snuggled into his arms and switched off from reality.
Himinez quickly carried her to his beaten up bright orange Mustang and strapped her into the passenger seat then he grabbed a pair of cuffs and secured her to the door handle. She didn't register what was happening and his cock twitched in anticipation. He was going to fuck her good and then give her up to the highest bidder. He ginned at how much better his day was getting and pulled away from the park and into the steady Trenton traffic.