Eyes to Remember

Chapter 5

A Job at Rangeman

Stephanie has standing in the middle of a large, dusty open space that was once a Fire Station on Haywood Street in Trenton. The front three large windows, two slightly smaller than the middle one facing the street, were smudged so the bright morning sun wasn't so bright.

"Matt, do you think it would work making into a large loft?"

A man about her age was looking around the space. His dark strawberry blond hair and beard had some dust in it along with his ripped jeans from investigating the building.

"Stephanie, if anyone can make this livable, it's you, but are you sure?"

A big smile on her face reaching to her blue eyes.

"Could you find out how much the city wants for this, Uncle Joe? I know the city slated this to be demolished, but they can't. This is related to one of the most famous buildings in history."

"How so, honey?" the Trenton mayor asked, curious what his best friend's daughter, who was just like his niece, had discovered.

She walked over to a wall rubbing her fingers over red, rough bricks. "See this mark," pointing to lettering on an exposed brick. "These bricks were made by the same company who provided the bricks for Independence Hall in Philadelphia. The foundry no longer exists, but this is a piece of history that would be lost if it was torn down."

"Mr. Mayor," Matt spoke up, "there are many buildings in Trenton which could be restored. This could be the start right here. The Governor supports the historic restoration initiative if that bears any weight with you."

"Well, then I need to consult with the building inspector and the council to get this project moving. I'll try and get back to you with the information in a few days."

"Thanks, Uncle Joe," Stephanie hugged the older man. "Please don't tell Daddy yet. He's still adjusting to my somewhat unconventional life."

Hugging the young woman back, "I glad you're back. It's been boring with out you."

The mayor locked the door of the old fire station before heading down the steps to the street below.

"This side lot and the small back yard would give Allie enough room to play and Sparky could run around if I fenced it. I guess I should try and find a regular job."

"Steph, I have enough work with restoration projects to use you."

"Thanks, Matt, but I have children, so I need a steady job with benefits. I'm going to be limited in Trenton on opportunities, but I'll help you if you need me."

"You know, Honey, the pay won't be what you were making," Joe Juniak reminded Stephanie, "unless you look in New York."

"I know, Uncle Joe. I saved money and I made a large profit on the sale of my house in Denver. I can sell the motor home, and if I get really desperate, I'll sell the Ferrari. If worse comes to worse, I commute to New York, but I would like to raise Katie and Allie here. I want the chance to be home with Katie and Allie. If I buy something outright and have no mortgage, that's one less monthly expense. I could always go live in the cabin."

"I'm heading back to my office and I'll call you, Stephanie," the Mayor called getting into his SUV.

Her and Matt were on the sidewalk looking up at the fire station. A black Hummer pulled up to the curb. Tommy stepped out.

"Stephanie?"

"Tommy, How are you?" jumping in his massive arms for a bear hug.

"I was going to call you for dinner since the banquet last week, but my boss got called away on a government job so I've been dealing with the new office myself."

"I understand. Do you remember, Matt, from school?"

"How are you, Tommy?" shaking each other's hands.

"I saw the Ferrari when I was returning to Rangeman. What are you doing in this neighborhood?"

Stephanie started to laugh, "Looking at my possible new home."

"This?" pointing to the brick building.

"Yeah. I want to restore it and turn it into a loft. Before I do that, I should find a job."

He got a big grin on his face, "What kind of job?"

"One with benefits so I can support the girls and stay here in Trenton."

"Like an office manager of a bunch of misfit ex-Army security guys who need to be kicked into shape. The job has benefits and is in the next block."

"Really? That would be a perfect commute."

"How about coming down to the office and look around before you accept my offer."

Matt was putting on a helmet as he was straddling his Harley to head back to New York, "Call me when you hear from your Uncle Joe and if all goes well, I'll start drawing up some plans."

"Thanks, Matt. You're the best. Tell Pete 'Hi' from me. Lead the way, Tommy," Stephanie got behind the wheel of her sports car to follow her college friend.

They got off an elevator on the fifth floor. Tommy was showing her his office which was a long metal folding table with a computer on it, files in boxes. The control room had monitors sitting on tables, cardboard boxes, and apple crates.

"This is supposed to be the conference room," Tommy showed her into a room with wooden folding chairs and folding banquet tables. Two men she had met at Pino's were working in front of monitors on the tables.

"This isn't even close to an office. It's depressing. No, beyond depressing."

"I can't organize this office, go to client meetings, fulfill our bond contracts, and hire security workers. Ranger, I mean Carlos left so suddenly on a government job, everything is on me. Ranger is the street name he goes by. I think you were introduced to Bobby and Lester."

"Yes, I did meet them. How are you?"

They got up to shake her hand. Lester was limping over to her.

"What happened to you?" Stephanie asked.

"Twisted a knee going after a skip."

She looked at Tommy, "Lester was chasing someone who skipped a court date that Vincent Plum put up bail money on."

"Great, that my Dad's sleazy cousin, Vinnie. We don't talk much about him."

"I'm hoping Stephanie will agree to be the office manager and get this place up and running for me."

"Ranger, will love that," Bobby Brown was smirking.

Stephanie curious now about Carlos Manoso, who might be her boss. "Why?"

"Ranger doesn't hire many women because of the nature of the work, but I'm in charge here. He's based in Miami."

"Do you think you could help me, Bomber?"

"No one has called me that since college."

Lester was smiling at the attractive woman, "Why, Tank?"

"She threw a wicked water balloon at my head and one hell of a darts player. Let's go to my inner sanctum and I'll see if I can twist your arm to take this position."

"That's more like a dungeon," Stephanie laughed sitting in a plastic lawn chair across from him.

Tank had laid out his job requirements, talked salary, benefits, the nature of the security business the office would eventually perform. He was surprised Stephanie didn't flinch if Ranger insisted she be able to fire a pistol even if she was the office manager.

"Ok, Tommy, what time do you want me here in the morning?"