Familiar is JE's. Mistakes mine O/C mine.

Chapter 3. The take down

Lester arrived back at Rangeman for the meeting. He was all smiles. Tank asked him were he had been and who had he been with. Lester reminded him of Amanda, and that they had gone to lunch at Pino's. Somebody shouted, Did you sleep with her? "NO!" He shouted back. Another said, Where is Lester and what have you done with him? Everybody laughed. Ranger walked in and everything went silent. Stephanie was right behind him. "Gentlemen, we just received a tip on Martin Long. As you know, we have been having trouble catching him. He has been staying one step ahead of us. Intel says he will be at this new club Stages tonight. We will be using Steph to get him out." They finished up the plans for the take down and returned to their cubes or offices.

Lester was lost in his own world and not aware of his surroundings. Stephanie walked up. "Who is she?" Lester jumped or fell out of his seat depending on who you asked. What do you mean? "Not aware of your surroundings, Lester. I never sneak or walk up on you." There is nobody. "He went to lunch with a woman named Amanda." Hector told Stephanie. "Amanda, humm, how did you meet?" Lester explained the circumstances on their meeting. "Aren't you a gentleman.? Do you like her? Are you going to see her again?" Beautiful, you sure are nosy, but to answer your questions. Yes, Yes, and I do not know. I told her I would call her. "Lester Santos, did you sleep with her? You must have since you gave her your famous 'I'll call you'." She said as she put her hands on her hips and furrowed her brow at him. I will have you know I did not even try...yet. He snapped back. "Where is Lester and what have you done with him?" She shook her head and walked off.

The team got to the club at 1900 hours or 7PM for normal people. Hal and Manny were at the door. Woody was working the bar. Lester and Junior were mingling in the bar area. Stephanie came in and looked to the bar. Woody gave her a nod towards the FTA (Failure to Appear). He was sitting at the bar. Martin Long was a good looking man, not Rangeman good looking. But, he could hold his own in the looks department. Since Woody was working the bar Stephanie placed an order and got water in its place. Martin looked at her She started making her usual small talk about her boyfriend standing her up and ending with asking the FTA outside to go somewhere more private. It worked like a charm as usual. Out the door. Ranger and Tank took over. Once in cuffs, Martin was loaded into the waiting truck where Tank and Manny took him to the cop shop. Steph told Ranger she would like to stay for a while longer since the club was nice and it was Friday night. Time to blow off some steam, Ranger agreed. Martin Long was a good payday for Rangeman. He was out on a million dollar bond for drug trafficking. Not everybody stayed, but Ranger, Stephanie, Lester and Woody did. They were in the back of the club near the restrooms. Lester and Woody were putting some moves on a couple of girls. Ranger and Steph, well not much else needs to be said about them.

Lester and Woody walked to the bar to get drinks for themselves and the girls they were trying to pick up. Amanda was there talking to the bartender. Lester nudged Woody. "Man I have got to get rid of that girl back at the table." Woody asked why. "That girl over there is Amanda. The one I had lunch with today." Yeah, so. "I liked what I saw when I was with her today. I would like to spend more time with her." Lester, you just want to get in her pants. Lester glared at him, will you help me or not? "Yes Lester I will help you but you will owe me. Especially if you get laid and I don't." Woody, just make it happen and for your info it won't happen tonight.