Purple

A tall black man. Not as large as Tank. Older. But quick. And strong. She can't stop shaking. She finds it hard to take her eyes off him. The stink of death and gunpowder lingers in the air. He's the one that saved her life. He's the one that killed them all. Somehow she knows this man knows how to drive a Porsche. His eyes remind her of Ranger.

"Stephanie Plum?" His voice is smooth. His smile is bright.

She nods.

Blood oozes out from a dead man's wound. The carpet is very soft.

"Let's go." No time to explain. Big firm hand grasps hold of her arm. She tries her best to keep up. They go through another door. She hears shoutings. Spanish. English. From a distance. A lot of voices. Suddenly she feels unsure. Hector. Jeanne Ellen. What happened? Where are they? Her head is empty. The details of their plan. They are in this together. What will happen to them? Who is this man? Was he expecting her? Why does he know her name? They are now on a narrow street. She stops and tries to pull out of the tall man's grasp. A black car comes out of nowhere and pulls to a sudden stop. The doors open. A calm-looking slender Hispanic man is at the wheel. The beautiful black man turns to look her in the eyes. What he says shakes her whole world and the universe.

"Ranger sent us."