Disclaimer: All the characters belong to Janet Evanovich. I make no money, and am not trying to.
A/N: I wish to thank Diane for helping me with my atrocious spelling and grammar. I couldn't do it without your help.
Part Three
He had been in search of someone new, when he first spotted her camped out in her car. His first thought was 'investigator'. Why else would she be in this neighborhood. He started to panic.. Had they found out about his lovelies? He started to watch her. After a while, it was apparent that she was looking for someone, but not him. When the Porsche pulled up he decided it was best to leave. It was better for his health not to be caught by Ricardo. Everyone knew of Rosa's Ricardo. Inside his car, he noticed as they talked. Even from a distance, he detected her face turn red as she blushed.. Cute. They both got in their cars and left. She followed Ricardo in her car. Were they going to her home? He couldn't help but follow. He heard nothing about Ricardo dating a white woman, and that would have made rounds here. Ricardo was considered a primo catch.
He followed them to Los Fornos. Ricardo led the woman inside, with a hand on her back, in an intimate gesture. Does Ricardo's sister know this woman? Surely, Ricardo wouldn't expect this to be kept quite. His sister is the head chef here. If she was not here tonight, her staff would tell her by morning. He really wanted to know what Ricardo's interest in this woman was, but everyone would recognize him there. No, he could not go inside. He planned to wait for them to leave, then follow the woman. What ever happened inside could be easily learned tomorrow. Gossip of this nature would spread fast.
When they left, he saw Ricardo pause, then kiss the woman by her ear. This really raised his interest. It wasn't a kiss meant to brush off a woman, nor did it look merely friendly. It was intimate, but he also didn't kiss her on the lips. When he was younger, his step-sister had gushed about a kiss she received from Ricardo. He would never expect Ricardo not to take advantage. Her expression showed she clearly expected to be kissed, she braced for it. He followed her to Trenton. He knew that was' where Ricardo spent most of his time. Interesting, very interesting…
After the lights inside her apartment turned off, he crept onto the fire escape to get a better look. She was different from his other specimens. Mama would never approve of her. No, he could not use her, she just isn't right.
Climbing back down, he heard her call out in her sleep. 'Raaanger.' That was defiantly a call of passion. She even dreamed of him. Is this woman why no one heard about Ricardo seeing anyone? He had to find out about her, if the rumors were true, and Rangeman was going to be contacted by the FBI about him, then she could be very helpful indeed.
He smiled as he went to find a place to stay in Trenton. He hadn't found a new beauty, but, maybe, today wasn't a total waste.
When I woke up the next morning, I still felt confused. Ranger had been so different last night. He had asked me not to look for his grandmother. That's the second time that he has said he doesn't want me to meet her. Is it possible she's grandma Bella scary or something? He also seemed really relaxed while we were at Los Fornos. There were people watching him, mostly women, but he didn't pay them any attention. He must have been there before, he knew the location of the restrooms.
I looked over at the clock, it was ten already. Better get to the office, the last few months have been slow, the cold weather keeps people inside. With the weather warming up, business should pick up soon. People don't want to be locked up when they can be out before it gets too hot.
I made a quick stop at the Tasty Pastry, and strolled into the office at 10:45.
"Hello Connie"
I looked around, and noticed that Lula wasn't here. She's usually late, but not this late.
"Good morning Steph, Lula isn't here. She went out get something for Tank's birthday." Connie said as she grabbed the box of donuts from my hands.
"Do you have any files for me today?"
"Got three for you, Mooner, Clarence Sampson, and Gregorio Lopez." I took the files. I could always count on Mooner to come easily. I wondered what TV marathon I'd have to watch with him this time. Clarence Sampson was my first successful apprehension. Vinnie bonds him out often. I haven't had to pick him up in a while though. Last time I tricked him. Maybe it would work again. If not, then I could always get Lula to help me. I looked at the last file. Gregorio Lopez was only nineteen and he was up for a 100,000 bond. His charges listed Grand theft auto, robbery, kidnapping, and resisting arrest. Wow… Why did he go to me? I looked at Connie questioningly.
"I bonded him out, it's not as bad as the file makes it sound . His mother put up her house for the bond. She will probably be helpful. She was yelling at him the whole time I was doing paperwork."
I read the address. His mom lived in Newark. He was worth ten grand for me, that would really help pay the bills until people start skipping again. If Connie says he's not so bad, I would take a look. "Do you know when Lula will be back?"
"Probably not today, she wants to find something to surprise Tank. , She also mentioned practice for The What."
"Ok. Well I am going to lure Simpson, and chauffeur Mooner."
After that, I would go to go to Newark to talk to Gregorio's mother. See if she has any ideas on where to find her wayward son. "I will see you tomorrow."
I grabbed another Boston creme donut and headed to Mooners' house. I was about to knock on the door when Mooner flung it open and gave me his goofy smile.
Mooner and I went to high school together. Years of doing recreational drugs have pretty much fried his brain. He's harmless, and forgetful like a puppy dog. He was caught smoking pot in the theater, again. "Dude, you're just in time for I love Lucy. They are having a back- to- back marathon today on TV Land. You must be psychic!."
"Hey Mooner, you forgot your court date again. We need to get you scheduled, but I got some time. How 'bout I watch two episodes, then we will pick up lunch on the way to the station?" He nodded his acceptance, and rushed back to the couch so he wouldn't miss anything.
Morelli once called me and Lula 'Cagney and Lacey'. I am glad he never called us 'Lucy and Ethel', at least not to my face. I was watching Lucy try to disguise herself so that Ricky didn't recognize her. It was a little scary how some of our methods were similar. Ranger was right. I needed to work on my techniques.
After the second episode, Mooner and I stopped by Cluck in a Bucket for lunch before going to the station. Afterwards, I dropped Mooner back home and convinced him I didn't have time to hang out right now. Then, motored off toward Stark Street.
Clarence Sampson lived near Stark Street, and was one of the few fat white men in the area. He spent his days pickling his liver. This made him so drunk he would do stupid things. The last time I picked him up, he stole a cop car and ran it into a liquor store, literally. This time, he was arrested for soliciting, and public drunkenness by Officer Pickey. I don't want the details for that one. Could someone be so drunk as to mistakenly hit on Pickey? He was worth a few hundred bucks to me, and I hoped he was drunk and gullible this afternoon.
As I pull up to his house, I noted he wasn't home. His car was missing from the driveway. Being a little after two o'clock, I had two choices. Wait for him to come home or check out a few of the bars he liked to hang out in. Well, I didn't want to go to a bar around here by myself. So, I locked all my doors and waited for Clarence to come home.
About an hour later, he came swerving down the road. I got out and rushed to intercept him before he entered his house. "Clarence, Clarence Simpson is that you?"
He stopped and turned to look at me. "Do I know ya?" Perfect, he didn't recognize me.
He eyes were glazed over and his breath smelt of whiskey and garlic. I tried to breath through my mouth only "Yeah I'm Stephanie, I work for Vinnie, I am here to give you a ride. Don't you remember him telling you I would pick you up?" I crossed my fingers and hoped he fell for it.
His brows scrunched together while he tried hard to remember. "The judge did say I wasn supposed show up driving and drinking to my DUI hearin. But I don't remember talking to Vinnie.. "
"Well he did send me out, you ready to go?" I added another smile.
"Sure, just let me get my nice coat. Can't visit the judge like this. He wasn't happy when I came wearing nothing last time."
I didn't doubt that for a minute.
I followed Clarence to the living room. Cans of beer and empty liquor bottles were everywhere. Someone could get drunk on the fumes alone. My eyes watered from the stench of old beer. He stumbled out wearing his a pair of surf shorts, a green button-down shirt with a orange tie. He put on a Black suit jacket to complete his look. "Is my tie straiten? My lawyer said to wear it when I go to see the judge."
I felt a quick stab of guilt about tricking him, but most likely he wouldn't remember it tomorrow anyway.
"Yeah it looks good" I told him even though it was really crooked. I was afraid he would need help to straighten it.
A few block away from the station he passed out, just like last time. He wasn't a bad person, he just spent way to much time drinking.
With two body receipts, I stopped by the office retrieved my checks before I headed out to Newark again.
