CHAPTER EIGHT
Frank Plum sighed, rose from his recliner and went to the kitchen in search of his wife. He usually didn't interfere with Helen's relationships with their daughters; but that was about to change and he wasn't looking forward to it. Normally, quiet acceptance was the better part of valor in his household. Between Helen and her mother, Edna, stress was the order of the day – Helen because she took her status in the "Burg" seriously as a wife and mother; and Edna because she seemed to believe such status lessened her own life so she was making up for lost time in her later years now that her husband was dead.
Finding his wife in the kitchen preparing dinner, Frank asked for a cup of coffee and that Helen join him. Efficiently, Helen complied with his requests.
"We need to talk about Stephanie's condition and care." Frank began.
"Was that phone call from the hospital?" Helen asked.
"No, it was from Ranger's second in command, Tank. You know, the great big fellow that often helps Stephanie with her job?"
"You mean that big black man who is always around with Ranger?"
"Yes. Ranger was on a job and severely wounded. Right now he is in a coma and in critical condition at an air force base hospital in Texas. Tank said that as soon as he can be moved the team will fly him back to Trenton to a private hospital."
"What does that have to do with Stephanie?" Helen asked, looking confused.
Frank Plum looked at his wife, adopted a grim demeanor, and answered gruffly, "Our little girl and Ranger are very close and all of their doctors, nurses and friends feel it would be best that she also be moved to that hospital. I agree."
Helen's looked at Frank in astonishment and said, "Frank, this makes no sense. Stephanie is Joseph's fiancée. What does he say about moving her to another hospital?"
"I haven't spoken to Morelli. Tank will be speaking with him. First of all, the man that shot Stephanie is still at large. She is going to need protection. Tank felt that providing the necessary protection to both Stephanie and Ranger would be better accomplished by placing them in the same facility. You know Ranger's company holds her medical insurance policy and Ranger is listed as her next of kin. Tank told me that Stephanie is listed as Ranger's next of kin as well."
Helen erupted, "What! That's ridiculous! I know Stephanie thinks of him as a friend; but he is nothing but a criminal and a murderer! Joseph told me so!"
Frank sighed. "Helen, when are you going to wake up and see what is going on around you? You succeeded in making Valerie into your image. The daughter you berate every damn day will never be what you want her to be! She is Stephanie; she is not you! You have pushed her unmercifully for over thirty years and she has fought you all the way. Why do you have to be in constant combat with your own daughter? Helen, she is loved by all her friends and two men love her; she is vibrant and alive. Except when you and Morelli harangue her all the time, she is happy. Her happiness does not lie with you."
Her husband had never spoken to her like this before and, although Stephanie was his daughter, too, Helen was not going to change her mind about her stubborn daughter's future. She looked at him with a withering stare and announced, "Stephanie doesn't know what is right for her. She is Joseph's wife-to-be but all she thinks about is criminals and thugs. Except for Mary Lou, none of her 'friends' are Burg quality. After this last disaster she just needs to settle down."
Frank frowned at his wife, squared his shoulders and declared, "Helen, I only have two more things to say to you. One, I have already agreed to her being moved whether you like it or not. Two, why don't you go to church and examine why you will not let your child live her own life? She is an adult! While you're at it, maybe you should ask God to let her recover so she can live it!"
CHAPTER NINE
After hanging up the phone with Stephanie's father, Tank took a deep breath and punched in the private number for Joe Juniak, Mayor of Trenton. When Mayor Juniak answered the call, Tank explained the situation and asked for his help in convincing Joe Morelli to accept Stephanie's removal to a private hospital.
"Mayor, RangeMan holds Stephanie Plum's medical power of attorney as well as her medical insurance policy. As you may know, the man that attempted to kill her has not been apprehended. We can protect her and Ranger, when he arrives, much better in one place." Tank said.
"Tank, what do you want me to do?"
"Well, sir, Morelli has always fought Stephanie, Ranger and RangeMan over what he sees as his rights and responsibilities when it comes to her. The night she was brought into St. Francis he did it again. I have already spoken with Frank Plum and he agrees that she should be moved. Could you talk with either Joe or his supervisors about RangeMan being responsible for her safety?"
Joe Juniak smiled knowing full well what the problem was between Joe Morelli and Ranger Manoso. Trenton was a small city and, as such, enjoyed gossiping about what it saw as the "players." Not much had been missed regarding Stephanie's life and loves as well as Joe Morelli's life and activities. Although he liked all three of the individuals in question to varying degrees, he had his own opinion on who was best for the Bombshell Bounty Hunter.
"Tank, I will do as you ask and call the Chief of Police right away about RangeMan's responsibilities on providing protection for Stephanie Plum."
"Thank you, Mayor, for your help. When Ranger recovers, I know he will want to thank you personally," Tank replied with a smile.
"Oh, and Tank, I want to be kept informed about both Ranger's and Stephanie's conditions," the Mayor said as he concluded the call.
Tank immediately called Frank Plum. They compared notes on each of their discussions and agreed to keep in touch.
CHAPTER TEN
RPOV
I hear Stephanie's voice. I wonder if I can handle the pain enough to get to my feet. Yeah, what a struggle! Is that my Babe coming up the beach toward me? Where are we and why are we naked? The last thing I remember is being in Mexico with the team. Is this Mexico? And why is Steph in Mexico? God, I'm tired…maybe she's a vision.
SPOV
Ranger looks different. He's sort of pale…maybe he's a dream. Maybe all of this is a dream…but all my nightmares and dreams that I remember didn't feel like this, if you can call this "feeling." At least I don't hurt so bad…just so tired…think I'm going to sit down awhile…
Edna Mazur had been eavesdropping on Helen's and Frank's conversation. When Frank walked out of the kitchen he nearly ran her down trying to get to the den. Before he could say anything, Edna looked at him and smiled. "Frank, I'm proud of you for trying to make Helen realize what she is doing to Stephanie."
Frank looked at her in shock. "Edna, please don't repeat what you've heard."
She just continued to smile, shaking her head, "Don't worry I won't; but if you need any help, just let me know. I love Stephanie and she deserves to be happy. Ranger supports her and makes her happy. Joe just berates her like Helen. Frank, I love my daughter but I don't like her much sometimes, especially when it comes to how she treats her youngest daughter." With that she pushed open the kitchen door.
Helen picked up the kitchen telephone and was calling Joe Morelli when her mother's finger slammed down to disconnect the phone. When Helen turned to yell at her, Edna snarled, "Put the phone down now, Helen, and stay out of this! Do what your husband said – go to church! You've done enough damage."
Meanwhile, Eddie Gazzara was reading a memo as he watched Joe Morelli race up the stairs at the police department. He had already heard that Joe was summoned to the Chief's office. After reading the new memo regarding RangeMan taking protective custody of Steph, he could pretty well guess what that summons was about. Eddie was related to Stephanie by marriage and he was a friend of Joe's; but there was no question that their combative relationship wasn't good for either of them. Joe thought of the Bombshell as his property, and Stephanie believed she didn't "belong" to anyone. Therefore, Joe drank antacids and Stephanie did what she damn well pleased. The screaming matches were legendary.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Lester and Bobby were following an ambulance containing Ranger and Tank to the East Shore Hospital outside of Trenton. They were flown in from San Antonio on a military transport so that Ranger's doctor and nurses could oversee the transfer to the private hospital's staff. Hal authorized the St. Francis administrator to send Stephanie to East Shore accompanied by a team from RangeMan.
Lester looked at Bobby behind the wheel and muttered, "Man, I am so glad to be back; but I wish there was better news about Ranger and Steph. You're the one that knows about this stuff. What do you think are their chances?"
Bobby just shook his head, saying, "Les, I don't know much about comas – just know they're hard to call. I think Ranger is strong enough to pull out when his wounds have healed. With Steph, I'm more worried about the potential brain damage right now."
Glancing at his partner, he grinned. "When Tank first called East Shore, he told them he wanted both of them in a large private suite. At first the administrator didn't want to go along with it until she received a few influential phone calls."
Lester smiled. "Great, that will make coverage and oversight a lot easier for us! Do you think the boss and Bombshell will know they're together?"
Bobby shrugged. "I don't know, but we should learn more after the neurological expert Tank called in arrives."
SPOV
Okay, I need to go see if that's Ranger. I'll feel so much better if he's here with me. The closer I get the more it looks like him but maybe it's just a wishful dream…
RPOV
Okay, Carlos, let's climb up on your feet, man. Whew, not too bad. Babe, is that you…are you really here with me? Come to me, Babe, just let me hold you…
Lula arrived at the hospital with Stephanie's ambulance. Later, she joined Tank, Bobby and Lester in the VIP suite to finally spend some time with Ranger and Stephanie. As they stood watching, the sleeping couple softly smiled. Turning to Bobby, Lester whispered, "I guess they know."
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