Blinky, Pinky, Inky and Clyde
This takes place after "It's a new day, it's a new dawn, it's a new year"
A/N Thank you so much for reading along and for all your wonderful reviews. They really do keep me going. :) Thank you :)
M rating
Thank you Margaret for reading ahead as my Beta. :) I much appreciate :)
Chapter Four—Honesty is the Best Policy
I was so upset that this 'seer' took the maybe two dollars in change Ranger kept in the well between his front seats that as soon as I was parked in front of the Bond's office, I dug into my purse and found some quarters to replace the missing coins.
I wasn't sure I wanted to tell Ranger about this little episode yet and maybe he wouldn't notice that a few quarters were missing while I decided what I was going to do.
Oh well, I had some time to think.
I got out of the Cayenne and made my way to the office door when it opened and Lula stepped out.
"Hey girlfriend, where's the donuts you promised us? Let's get back in that big ol' car of yours and go over to Tasty Pastry before they sell out. I understand you got some good stories to tell us and I'm always a better lis'ner on a full stomach. Know what I'm sayin'?"
Lula and I got back into the Cayenne and headed over to Tasty Pastry to pick up a dozen donuts.
"What's this I hear about you and Joe?" she asked making the throat slash gesture.
"I only want to go through this once, I'll tell you and Connie when we get back."
"So did Ranger give you a ring, or is he cheap-skate too?" she kept on.
"Lula, I'm serious, I only want to go through this one time. It's complicated and it's hard for me."
"What's that on your finger? Holy shit, that's the biggest diamond I've ever seen from someone who ain't dealin'. You sure he ain't messing with the brothers?"
"Once, Lula," I said again.
"This better be good."
"Let's just get the donuts. Here," I said handing her a twenty, "just get whatever you want, I need to call Ranger."
Lula got out of the car to pick up some donuts and I placed a call.
"Babe?"
"Maybe you should pick me up sooner. Lula's all over me. I'll be ready to go in ten minutes. I just sent Lula in to Tasty Pastry. I'm done. Cooked. Burnt. Fried. Why does everything have to be so hard?"
"Babe," he said through what could only be laughter, "I can't leave yet. I'll be over as soon as I can. Just hang in there."
Lula came back out with two bags.
"I thought this might be more than a dozen kind of story, so I got extras. I guess the only way I'm gonna get anything out a you is if we go back to Vinnie's and you tell me and Connie together. I'm ready," she said buckling in.
I drove back, parked the Cayenne and we both got out. Through the corner of my eye I noticed Lester approaching the Bond's office from the other direction. I assumed Ranger called him in as a means for a quick escape if things got too difficult.
"Beautiful?" Lester asked, the concerned look on his face visible as we got close enough to talk.
"I'm ok. I have to do this, but are you going to be around?"
Lester nodded yes and I knew my hunch was correct. Ranger sent Lester…just in case.
I went in with Lula and as I turned to shut the door, I noticed Lester was standing outside at parade rest. I didn't know how long he'd stay like that and I'd feel much more comfortable if he came in, but I didn't necessarily want him to hear what I had to say. I guessed he was dressed warm enough and Ranger did say he'd be by as soon as he could.
"Ok girlfriend, give," Lula demanded once we were settled around Connie's desk and we each had a donut in hand.
I usually like to keep my personal life as personal as I can, but they did need a little explanation. After all when the office closed for an extended Christmas break close to two weeks ago, I was on with Joe and Ranger was out of the picture. Well as much out of the picture as Ranger ever is. You know, just a little left of center.
"Ok," I said taking a bite of my Boston Cream, "you know I hadn't seen Joe in a while because he was deep in some undercover assignment…"
"Yeah you were grouchy because you weren't getting any," Lula interjected.
"Anyway he was able to get away on Christmas Day for dinner at my parents. Only somewhere between the baked ham and the pineapple upside down cake he got called back to work, well it wasn't work exactly, but he got called away and I went home by myself…"
"So you still didn't get any." Lula said, serious.
I ignored her and went on. "Well I was sitting in my living room having a mini pity party when Ranger came by. He had a Christmas present for me. Well, it wasn't exactly a Christmas present…"
"White girl, will you get to the point," Lula broke in again, annoyed.
"And then he showed me a video feed of Joe and Terri in a compromised position."
"I knew he was doing it with Terri, I just knew it," Lula interrupted again.
"Do you want the story or not?" I asked, this time it was me that was getting annoyed.
"Yes," both Lula and Connie said in unison.
So I gave them the abridged version of Joe the stalker, Joe the earring ripper and Ranger the savior. Since I was sure they already knew about the house, I added in how Ranger asked me to marry him and now we were hoping to buy this house…only it was haunted. Whew. I was pretty sure I was caught up.
"Step back girlfriend, you buying a haunted house?"
"Well Lester's mother is going to help me unhaunt it and then we're going to tear it down." Now I was sure I was done.
"The outside Lester? His mama into that kind of stuff?"
Thankfully Ranger opened the Bond's office door at that moment and both he and Lester stepped in. Whew, saved by Rangeman.
Ranger came over to me, wrapped his arms around me and bent down to kiss me on top of my head.
"Babe, you ready to go?"
"Where you guys going?" Lula asked.
Ranger flashed her a look and Lula shut up. Connie handed me the two files she had saved for me, and the three of us left Vinnie's together.
Ranger had his turbo with him and he fobbed open the car and helped me in…but not before pulling me to him in an effort to kill any space between us and kissing me thoroughly. Lester grinned evilly, saluted us goodbye and walked off towards the Cayenne. I guessed it was getting back to Rangeman safely after all.
We drove the short distance to Ewing and Ranger parked in front of a Real Estate agency. Elsa's desk sat perpendicular to the window and she waved to us once she caught sight of Ranger helping me out of the turbo.
We waved back and entered the office, hopeful for any news she was able to learn in the last few hours. She was smiling broadly, so I got a feeling this was going to be good.
"I spoke with the law firm that handles the Sweeney estate and have good news. They've agreed to lower the price on the property $300,000 which is what they estimate the cost of the demolition to be. You're also cleared to come and go as often as you wish so that your architect can draw up plans and for you to measure whatever you were going to measure. They do want to know if you're jerking their chain though and if you're not they'd like to close on the place as soon as you can get financing."
"I don't need to get financing and I appreciate their good will and price reduction. I can close as soon as I can get my lawyer to meet with them…"
"Ranger," I interrupted, "can I talk with you in private for a minute?"
"Of course Babe. Excuse us Mrs. Kennedy. Is there someplace we can be alone for a few minutes."
"Elsa please and yes, take the conference room over there."
Once we were safely inside and the door was closed, I brought up my concerns again.
"I'm not sure I want to buy the place if we can't get rid of the spirits. I can't live in a place where something I can't see keeps grabbing my ass. I'm serious Ranger, can we make that a stipulation?"
"Stipulations are in writing from your lawyer. Do you want me to have Patterson write 'ghosts' into a list of things that will make the contract null and void?"
"Yes." I stood firm.
"Ok Babe, but he's going to laugh his ass off."
"I don't care. It's his ass or mine."
"Understood. Let's go back out and bring this up with Elsa. She'll need to let them know to look for some odd stipulations from our lawyer."
"Non-negotiable. I'm serious."
Once we were again seated in the two chairs in front of Elsa's desk Ranger spoke honestly with her.
"Stephanie wants a stipulation added to the contract that they might balk at. She felt the presence of…well for arguments sake let's say 'spirits' in the house and wants us to be able to get out of the contract if we can't get rid of them in a timely fashion. We've already contacted someone to come out and smudge the place and will try a few other methods, but if the place is truly spirit infested, we'd like an out."
I couldn't believe he said that with a straight face.
Elsa didn't laugh. She looked from Ranger to me and then spoke.
"This house was under contract about three and a half years ago. The people looking to buy didn't care that the building didn't pass inspection; they were going to restore. I don't think the beams were as severely damaged then as they are today and the inspector at the time agreed with their decision. Unfortunately the couple, who resided in New York City, spent a night at the house so they could get an early start with their architect the next morning and were scared off the premises in the middle of the night.
"A different law firm is handling the estate now, but I'm sure there is mention of that incidence somewhere, since unfortunately the couple had to sue to get out of their contract. I don't think this will be a problem."
"I don't want this to just be between us," Ranger continued. "I'm going to have 'spirits' specifically added in as a stipulation. Stephanie's welfare is first and foremost in my mind."
"Understood. I will let them know what you propose. I'll get back to you as soon as I get an answer. When are you going to do the smudging?" she asked, like smudging was an everyday occurrence.
"Tomorrow," I said, almost wishing I'd find a way to get out of it.
"Ok. Stay safe."
We left and drove by the property one more time on our way back to Trenton. The sun had already set, but I wouldn't say it was dark out.
"Want to go in, Babe?" Ranger asked taking my hand in his and bringing it to his lips, a gesture that normally would have me following him anywhere.
I shook my head no. "Tomorrow in the daylight will be soon enough."
"Can I take you dinner then?"
"Are we dating again?"
"I told you I wanted to take you places and show you things."
"Yes, but now we're engaged."
"So what does that have to do with anything? I want to take you to dinner and…"
"I thought that romancing stops once you got engaged."
"My romancing you never stops Babe. You are important to me and I want the world to know…Mexican or Mediterranean? The Mediterranean place has soft lighting and music. It's quite romantic. The Mexican place is casual but it has good food. I'm partial to the Mediterranean place, but the choice is yours."
"Mediterranean it is then. Have I told you today that I love you?"
"Good to know. I love you too Babe."
Ranger drove maybe a mile or so and parked in front of a beautiful little place with small lanterns evenly spaced across the front. He opened my door for me and helped me out of the car, kissing my lips when he pulled me up to my full height. He led me inside where a waiter seemed to be expecting us. He nodded to Ranger and then to me and ushered us to a very private table in the back.
The place was beautiful.
I noticed a dance floor near the bar and couples were dancing while they waited for their food to arrive. I had learned on our trip to Florida that Ranger liked to dance, so I wondered if he would ask me after we ordered. It would be nice to be holding him close, chasing away all those scary thoughts.
"Babe?"
"I'm sorry, I noticed the dance floor and I got carried away thinking about Florida."
"Would you like to dance Babe? Let's place our order and then I'd love to take you into my arms."
"Mmmm."
Ranger ordered a bottle of red and some stuffed zucchini blossoms as an appetizer. We also placed our order for our main courses at the same time: shrimp scampi for Ranger and eggplant parmigiana for me.
Our waiter brought the wine and our appetizers right away. After professing his love for me over the wine and taking a few bites of the sumptuous zucchini blossoms, Ranger asked me to dance. He came over to my chair, helped me up and onto the dance floor. We weren't particularly dressed for an evening of dancing and my jeans were nowhere near as sensual as a dress might be, but I enjoyed myself none-the-less. We noticed the waiter bringing our main courses over to our table so Ranger ushered me back to our seats with his arms around my waist and his lips to my neck. He was as romantic as the place, and we could always dance more after dinner.
Somehow the night slipped away and when we finally left the restaurant it was after ten. Ranger had been attentive and seductive the whole evening and I couldn't wait to get back to Rangeman so we could continue with "dessert."
"If we lived on the estate I could be making love to you already," Ranger said as we turned onto Hamilton.
Oh God, doesn't he know what he does to me when he says these things? Actually, I'm sure he does and he was probably counting on it. So I reached over and put my hand on his very muscular thigh and let my fingers inch upwards.
"Babe?"
"Mmmm?"
"You keep doing that and we may have a little problem with the cameras."
"Mmm hmm." I mumbled and just kept inching. Two could play this game.
Ranger fobbed us into the garage and took his usual spot by the elevator. I noticed him adjusting himself as he got out of the car. Tee hee. He opened the door for me and helped me out. Probably it was as much for camouflage as it was to make physical contact with me.
Once we were in the elevator he pulled me against him and just held me as he leaned against the back of the car. Yep, he was using me as a distraction. Hopefully whoever was on monitor duty would stop watching now and we'd be able to sneak off on seven.
Just as Ranger fobbed us into his apartment his cell phone rang. He took it out of his pocket and showed me the display. It was Lester.
I knew he didn't want to answer, but it might be important so he hit his reply button.
"Yo."
"Sorry to disturb you, I asked Erik to let me know when you came back into the building. Do you have a minute?"
"What's up?" Ranger answered his question with another question.
"My mother was able to get in touch with her shaman. She thought it might help to bring her tomorrow just in case we'll need to use her services. I wanted to check if that was ok."
Ranger looked at me and handed me the phone.
"Hi Les. Yeah sure, do we have to pick her up too?"
"No, she'll be at my mother's. I just need to tell her yes or no. So…yes?"
"Yes, that's ok. I'll see you tomorrow at eleven."
Ranger took his phone out of my hand and ended the call before I even got the last of my words out. He put it down on the credenza with his gun belt and my bag; then he pulled me to him.
His eyes were dilated black and I knew I was in for it.
His hands went under my shirt and he was hard against me. He lifted my shirt over my head as he picked me up and carried me into the bedroom, shedding clothes along the way.
He threw me onto the bed. His voracity seemed insatiable as he kissed his way down my body. His hands were everywhere and his mouth followed. Ranger knew exactly what he was doing; and he was getting even for my teasing in the car.
Then very abruptly he slowed the pace down. Way down.
He started nibbling on my ear and just my ear. Then by using his mouth and his tongue he made his way to the sensitive area where my neck meets my shoulder, sending goose bumps throughout my entire body. God did he know what he was doing to me?
Once he was satisfied that my neck couldn't give me any more goose bumps he moved lower and took a breast into his mouth while he played with the other one. He was going to be the death of me. I was so ready for him; I couldn't stand it any more.
"Ranger."
"I'm busy now Babe."
He moved lower down my body and circled my belly button with his tongue, then French-kissed it before moving even lower. He turned me over, bit my ass and then kissed it before moving his tongue to one of my inner thighs. I was going crazy.
"Ranger I need you now."
"I told you, I'm busy."
He was absolutely making me insane, so I reached for his very erect penis in hopes he'd get the message. But somehow he was faster than me and moved out of my reach.
"Patience Babe. I need to taste you first," he said as he moved his mouth right over where I wanted him. God. And that was the last I thought about ghosts and shaman and crazy people.
XXXxxxXXX
I woke up to the alarm going off. God it was too early. I rolled over to snuggle into Ranger in hopes that the incessant buzzing would go away…but Ranger wasn't there.
I threw a pillow at the clock, but it just kept buzzing, so I got up to turn it off and check the time. It was 8:15. I needed to get up now anyway if Les and I were to meet his mom at eleven.
I put on Ranger's T-shirt that was on top of the laundry basket and I padded out to see if I could find him. I smelled coffee in the kitchen and there were whole grain bagels on a plate, but no Ranger. I padded back to his office to see if he was maybe doing some work from home this morning, but it was dark and empty. He was either at the gym or he got an early start.
I checked my phone for a text message and what I saw brought a big smile to my face: 'I ‹3 U. Coffee made, Ella brought breakfast. I'm in my office. Come down b4 u leave.'
I texted him back: 'I ‹3 U 2. Thank U. B down later :),' and went off to shower and get ready for my day.
I wasn't sure what you wore to a smudging party, so I threw on a pair of black jeans and a T-shirt. My quasi-Rangeman uniforn. I did my hair as best I could and put on an extra coat of mascara for courage. I'd need it today.
I went back to the kitchen and poured myself a cup of coffee. I took a look in the refrigerator and decided the low-fat cream cheese and smoked salmon Ella brought would be fine, so I toasted up a bagel made myself breakfast.
I made sure to take my birth control pill and the multi-vitamin Ranger left out for me, while I checked my email and the weather report on my phone.
When I couldn't stall any longer, I put on some lip-gloss, grabbed my bag and headed down to five.
Ranger was in his office and he looked up when he sensed someone was standing outside. He got up and walked towards me…and I walked towards him. He pulled me to him and kissed me. Thoughts of last night crept into my head, so I kissed him back and gave him a little tongue. I hoped that would keep him until I got back.
"Hey you two," someone called out from the hallway. "Can't leave you alone for two seconds." I turned around to look and saw Lester standing there, grinning like a fool and fanning himself with whatever it was he had in his hand. Showoff.
He needed to be taught a lesson, so I broke away from Ranger and went over to the door, and closed it in his face. Then I went back and snuggled into Ranger's arms.
"Beautiful, was that nice?" I heard from the other side of the door, along with laughter that wasn't Lester's. "I'll be in the break room when you're ready to go, but just so you know my mother's impatient. She won't wait all day."
I kissed Ranger goodbye one more time then headed out to find Lester. I couldn't come up with any more excuses and the sooner we got this over with, the better.
I still had the keys to Ranger's Cayenne, so we took that for the drive to Hopewell Township to pick up Les' mom and the shaman lady. And like the macho Rangeman Lester is, he put himself into the driver's seat once again. We took 295 North to 95 West and were at her house in about twenty minutes.
I had never met Lester's mother before and I was surprised that with a name like Elena she didn't look Latino at all. In fact she had red hair and green eyes. Guessed that's where Lester's green eyes came from.
"Where's the shaman?" I asked after Lester did introductions.
"She's in the powder room," Elena said. I heard a door open and turned around to see the 'seer' woman enter the room. Oh my God.