I am having so much fun writing this story! I have some ideas for future chapters, just trying to work out how to get there from here! ;)
The reviews and private messages you guys write are so encouraging! Thanks so much! I also appreciate the ones that give me some factual info on what's going on- like trhodes9 with her wealth of dashcam knowledge. I know this is fiction, but if I have the facts about dashcams- they are welded shut, you need a key to open them, etc., then I can address that in the story and make it sound more realistic. So, in short (too late!), thank you, thank you, thank you! :)
And to Jen, thanks for the encouragement, Babe! You are awesome at coming up with plot twists and turns, and your line by line commenting cracks me up! I love seeing that I have a PM or e-mail from you! You rock! ;)
Previously…
Eddie quickly wrote down the information about Ranger's 3:30 break-in call and had us sign the statements. "I'm assuming that if there are any further questions about Steph's alibi for last night, you would be willing to release the name of your client and any other documentation that supports your statement."
Ranger nodded. "Whatever you need."
Eddie reached over and shook our hands as Ranger's phone started ringing. He looked at the readout and raised his eyebrow at me. "Report!" he barked out and put the phone on speaker.
"Uh, Boss." Hal stuttered. "I think you're going to want to see what we found on the dashcam."
"We're leaving now. Be there in 10." Ranger ended the call and turned to me. "Let's go, Babe."
I nodded. I was so ready to blow this pop stand!
Tom shook Ranger's hand. "I'm going to wait here for the copies I asked for. I'll give you a call tomorrow and schedule an appointment to look everything over."
Ranger nodded. "Thanks, Tom."
Ranger placed his hand on the small of my back and guided me out the door. As we walked through the halls and towards the back exit, I couldn't help but notice the amount of cold stares we got. Well, Ranger got. I got mostly pitying glances. I wondered how inappropriate it would be to climb up on the docket lieutenant's desk and announce that Joe was the one who did this to me? Or maybe turn a few cartwheels and hold up a sparkler while I tap danced and sang that Ranger was innocent? Hmmm…. Too bad I quit tap dancing when I was 6.
We walked through the doors and into the parking lot. I took a deep breath of toxic Jersey air. Ahhhh…. It felt good to be out of that damn station!
We climbed into the Turbo, and Ranger started it. "What do you want Ella to make you for dinner, Babe?"
"Anything Ella makes would be fine, but would you mind taking me back to my apartment first?" I asked.
Ranger frowned. "Why?"
"Well, my car is there. Plus I need to grab some clothes and things." A thought flew through my mind. What if he doesn't want you to stay on 7? He asked you to stay last night, but now you're kind of inviting yourself. "That is, if you want me to stay with you. Or you could just drop me off at my place now."
"Of course I want you to stay with me, Babe. Especially until all of this is settled with Morelli. You're not safe there. In fact, pack most of your clothes. The case may take a while."
When we got to my apartment, we saw Joe's Blazer parked in the lot next to the dumpster. It was empty, and the lights were on in my apartment.
Ranger gripped the steering wheel so hard I thought he was going to snap it off the steering column. "And this is why you'll be staying with me until further notice." He growled.
I raised my eyebrows at him. "Excuse me?" OK, I wanted to stay with him. But did he just order me to stay with him?
He smirked. "Fine. Babe, I forbid you to stay with me."
Jerk! I crossed my arms across my chest and pretended to be huffy. After all, I had an image to uphold!
Ranger looked at me. "How do you want to do this? Do you want me to just go in and get your stuff?"
I shook my head. "I don't think it's a good idea to leave you and Joe alone."
Ranger nodded. "Probably not, Babe. He might end up dead."
I chewed my lip. "What if we call Tank or Lester to come over? Just so that we have more witnesses in case something happens."
Ranger pulled out his phone and sent out a quick text. Ten minutes later, 2 SUVs came tearing into the parking lot. Tank, Bobby, and Lester climbed out of one. Cal, Junior, and Vince climbed out of the other.
"Geez!" I gasped. "We're just going to get some clothes, not invade the city!"
Ranger smirked. "I was a Boy Scout, Babe. Always prepared. And when it comes to you, there's no such thing as overplanning."
I wasn't sure whether I should be flattered or insulted by that remark. Hmm…. I was going to go with flattered just so I didn't have to waste more time being pissy.
Tank pulled out communication devices for everyone, passing around earpieces and throat mics. Junior and Vince put theirs on and stayed by the cars in the parking lot. Cal, Tank, Lester, and Bobby followed us into the lobby. Cal stayed in the lobby while the rest of us walked up the two flights to my apartment.
Tank unlocked the door and walked in first. Lester and Bobby followed him in while Ranger and I waited in the hall. I heard Morelli growl, "What the hell?" from the living room as they worked to clear the apartment.
Bobby came back to the door. "Morelli is in the living room with Lester and Tank. The rest of the apartment is clear. What do you want us to do?"
Ranger looked over at me.
"We might as well see what he wants." I sighed. I really didn't want to do this right now. I just wanted to pack up some clothes and go back to Haywood to relax. I was hoping that Ella was making something fattening for dinner. And dessert. Please, God! After the day I've had today, let there be dessert!
Ranger wrapped his arm around my waist, and we all walked into the living room.
Joe stood up and glared at all of the guys. "Cupcake, can I talk to you privately?"
I shook my head. "I don't think that's a good idea, Joe."
"We need to talk. This is between you and me. It has nothing to do with them." He started, reaching out towards me.
We were all wearing mics and earpieces, though of course Joe didn't know that. Even if they went in another room, they were going to hear everything he said. Whatever. If he wanted to think he was only talking to me, what difference did it make?
"Fine." I agreed. "They can wait in the kitchen. But you need to stay on that side of the room."
Joe nodded. He pushed a chair against the outside wall and sat down.
I could tell the guys didn't want to leave me alone with Joe, but they all walked out of the living room and into the kitchen. Before Ranger left, he pulled me in for a hug and a searing kiss. I was breathless when he pulled back, smirked at Joe, and walked into the kitchen. I lifted my hand up and touched my lips. Damn! OK, I know that was Ranger's version of peeing in a circle around me, you know, marking his territory, but still! That was hot!
I sat down on the couch and stared at Joe. This was his show. I waited for him to start, but he just sat running his fingers through his hair. "What did you want to talk about, Joe?"
He let out a deep breath. "Cupcake, I know I've been an ass." he started.
No arguments here.
"But for once, could you please consider my point of view?"
Excuse me? Is he trying to play the victim here? I just raised my eyebrows at him.
"I came over last night planning on pizza and sex with the woman I love. Instead, I find her dressed like a hooker, ready to go out with another man. The same man who frequently drags her into alleys to stick his tongue down her throat and feel her up. Even while we're dating."
I swallowed hard. OK, maybe that wasn't my finest hour.
"I knew she was in love with both of us, but I hadn't asked her to choose for years now. I figured that eventually she'd come to her senses and quit playing around with him, but she didn't. So finally I ask her to choose between me and him, and she picks him. The girl I've loved since we played choo choo in my father's garage when she was 6. The girl who gave me her virginity when she was 16. The girl I always thought would be my wife and the mother of my children picks someone else. Then the next morning I find out that not only is she sleeping with the other man, but she might be pregnant. I've been trying to get her to have my children for years now, and she won't. She says she doesn't want to have kids. But four months after we break up, she's pregnant by another man. Can you understand why I might be a little upset? Can you understand why I might be a little angry? My whole life, my whole world, my whole future was crashing down around me." He looked at me with a defeated expression on his face.
I sat up straighter. "Fine. Now consider my point of view. I was 6 years old, and the neighbor boy invited me into his garage to play a new game. Instead of an actual game, he fingers me and then sends me home. When I tell my mom about it, I get smacked and grounded to my room for weeks. Too dumb to learn from that mistake, I let the same boy take my virginity on the filthy floor of a bakery after hours. As soon as he's done, he pulls up his pants and walks out. Instead of calling me, taking me out for dinner, going to the movies, he spends his last hours in New Jersey writing about me on bathroom walls all over town. That got me grounded for the entire summer." Joe at least had the decency to look embarrassed.
I continued. "Somehow, the stupid adult version of me can't stay away from this train wreck of a relationship either. Instead of running in the other direction, I end up in an on-off relationship with the guy. The same guy who tells me on a regular basis that I am an embarrassment and that I give him heartburn. The same guy who, instead of supporting my career, tells me that I'm terrible at it, a disappointment, and a failure. Evidently the only thing I'm good for is to spread my legs because all he wants from me is sex. He only calls when he's horny, and he hounds me constantly to have his kids. Despite the fact that I've told him repeatedly that I don't want to be a housewife and stay at home mom. This guy who loves me, wants to marry me, shows up at my apartment and tells me that I'm dressed like a hooker. He forces me to choose between being his girlfriend and someone else's whore. Because all women like to be called a whore. He grabs me and shakes me and tries to slap me. Then the next morning he pulls me over and actually does slap me. When I try to defend myself, he handcuffs me, throws me in a police car, and takes me downtown. He tries to drag out my questioning so that I have to spend the night in jail. He presses charges against me. When I finally get out of the station, he is sitting in my apartment and wants to know why I won't give us another shot." I looked at him incredulously. "Are you kidding me?"
Joe looked in my eyes, pleading. "I'm sorry, Steph. Give me another chance. Let me make it up to you."
"How can you ask me to do that after everything that's happened the past two days?" I snapped back at him.
He blew out a frustrated sigh and ran his fingers through his hair, agitated. "I never meant to hurt you! I love you! I'm begging you, Steph. Come back to me! I'll do whatever you want! You don't have to quit your job. We don't even have to get married right away. We'll wait as long as you want. Just, please give me another chance!"
I shook my head. "I can't do that, Joe."
"Why?" he asked anguished. "Is it because you think you're pregnant with Manoso's baby?" I heard gasps in my earpiece. "I don't care, Cupcake. You know I want kids. We'll work it out. Just promise me that the next one will be mine."
"That's not going to happen. I'm with Ranger now, Joe. You're the one who wanted me to choose so badly. I made my choice."
"Are you crazy? You know he's not going to stay with you! The guy is a fucking murderer for hire, for crying out loud! He's not going to settle down into any kind of committed relationship! Half the time he's not even in Trenton. Is that what you want?"
I looked down at my hands. "He's what I want. However much he can give me. If he leaves, I'll go with him if I can. And if I can't, then I'll wait for him to come back."
"Jesus, Cupcake, be reasonable! You're going to raise a kid in the office of a fucking security company?"
I crossed my arms. "Where I decide to raise my children is none of your concern, Joe."
"He doesn't want you. You're just a conquest to him. Once he gets tired of you, he'll toss you out and move on."
I swallowed hard and shook my head no. "No, he won't!" I hated that my voice sounded shaky instead of firm.
"Come on!" Joe chided. "He probably has a woman at every RangeMan branch. Maybe he even calls them all Babe!" I felt like Joe had just slapped me across the face. I just stared at him, stunned.
He kept going, "What do you think a guy like that wants with a Burg girl? What makes you think he'll keep you? A guy like that needs variety, Cupcake! Especially in bed! And I hate to break it to you, but you're pretty restrictive when it comes to those activities."
I blushed. Oh. My. God! Was he saying that I didn't satisfy him? That I couldn't satisfy him or Ranger? And all of the guys were listening to this! "If I'm so terrible, then why on Earth would you want me back?" I asked in a strangled voice.
"Because you're mine. You've been mine since you were 16." He grinned at me seductively. "Well, really since you were 6, huh, Cupcake?"
I sat frozen in place, horrified. I couldn't believe that he was saying this stuff out loud! If I didn't kill him, Ranger surely would!
"I think we're done here." I said, standing up.
Joe rushed across the floor and wrapped his arms around me before I could say or do anything. He was pressing kisses across my face and murmuring, "Please, Cupcake. Give me another chance. I love you!"
I tried to get out of Joe's arms, but he was crushing me to him. "Joe! Let me go!" I gasped. That was all it took for four Army Rangers to come running out of the kitchen.
Ranger ran to grab Joe, but Tank held him back. "Let Lester and Bobby do it, man. You don't need any more headaches right now." I could tell that Ranger wasn't satisfied with that plan, but he let Tank restrain him without too much of a fight.
Lester and Bobby pulled Joe off of me, and he was looking at me, tormented. "I'll do anything, Cupcake! Please!"
"Drop the charges." I told him.
He just stared at me, stunned. "Cupcake!" he managed.
I held up a hand. "Don't, Joe. I don't have the energy to discuss this anymore. Obviously we're not what each other needs. I need to go grab some clothes. If you've ever truly loved me, ever truly cared about me, drop the charges. You do that, and maybe someday we can try being friends again. But it won't be now, and it won't be soon. Let yourself out." I walked into my bedroom and closed the door. I made it a few steps into the room and then I fell apart.
Ranger opened the door. "Babe," he said gently, kneeling down beside me. He gathered me into his arms. "You know that none of what he said is true."
I searched his face for answers. His eyes were dark and concerned, worried wrinkles forming on his brow.
"So you don't have a Miami Babe, a Boston Babe, and an Atlanta Babe, then?" I asked, trying to be lighthearted.
He cupped my face in his hands and grinned at me. "I can only handle one Babe in my life."
I buried my head in his shoulder and turned off our comm units. I didn't want the guys to hear the next part. "You'd tell me if I didn't… you know… satisfy you, right?" I asked softly.
Ranger stroked my hair. "You more than satisfy me, Babe. You're like a drug. I'm addicted to you. All I have to do is think about you naked, and I'm hard as a rock. Whenever you're in the same room as me, all I want to do is drag you to the floor and rip off all of your clothes. You feel like heaven. Like you were made for me. If I could, I would stay in bed with you all day, every day."
I smiled against his neck. "Quite a speech, Batman." I teased.
He growled back at me. "Now let's grab some clothes so I can get you back in my bed!"
I wiped the tears off my cheeks and sat up, smiling. "You promised me a lunch date on 7, you know. I'm going to expect you to deliver on that!"
Ranger gave me a wolf grin. "Definitely, Babe!" He kissed my lips firmly, then pulled me up and helped me grab some clothes.
When I had two huge duffel bags full, we walked back out into the living room. I was glad to see that Joe had left.
Tank, Lester, and Bobby stood waiting for us. Tank spoke up. "Cal watched Morelli get in his Blazer, and Vince and Junior confirmed that he left the parking lot."
Ranger nodded.
Tank continued. "Hal called. He has the footage cued up and ready for you when you get back to RangeMan." Tank moved his head a fraction of an inch, and Ranger followed him into the kitchen.
I started to follow, but Bobby put a gentle hand on my arm. "You think you're pregnant, Bomber?" he asked.
I blushed and shrugged my shoulders. "If I am, it would be just barely."
He nodded in understanding. "If you need anything, you know to come and see me, right?"
I gave him a hug. "Thanks, Bobby. I won't know for sure for another couple of weeks, though."
He grinned. "I guess I should brush up on my OB skills. It's been a while since I did that rotation."
I punched his arm, and my stomach let out a horrendous growl.
Lester jumped in mock surprise, clutching his heart. "The beast has spoken!" he declared. "I can't wait to see how loud it growls if you really are eating for two!" he teased.
Hmmm…. That would be one advantage of being pregnant! Twice as much dessert!
Ranger had called ahead and asked Ella to have dinner ready in the conference room so that we could all eat while we watched the video.
She had really outdone herself. The table was piled high with salad, pasta, and garlic bread. She had also included a veggie tray, but I predicted that Ranger would be the only one munching on that. For dessert, there was a pineapple upside down cake, chocolate brownies with chocolate fudge icing, and a fruit tray. Yum!
Everyone piled their plates full of food and sat down facing the projector screen. Hal cued up the footage, and we watched as a blurry image appeared. The screen became snowy as the image came in and out of focus. Suddenly, a sharp image of a dark street filled the screen. The lighting and timestamp in the bottom corner showed that it was recorded in the early morning hours. We tried to make out the buildings or signs, but the quality wasn't great. It seemed like the car was making a loop up and down the same few streets. We had recognized that a few buildings appeared in the video more than once.
We had watched about 5 minutes of the video so far, and nothing had really happened. The car was just driving up and down mostly deserted streets. You could occasionally see a few people on the sidewalk next to the car, but there were no other cars on the street. The driver wasn't saying anything, and the angle was tilted so that you couldn't see the driver's face or profile.
Suddenly, a car came squealing out of an alley, swerving in front of the car we were "riding" in. Gunshots rang out, and you could hear people screaming. The cameras showed people scattering off of the sidewalks and into nearby buildings or alleys. "Our" car slammed on the brakes and backed in between two buildings covered with graffiti. It sat there for about a minute, watching as a black SUV came speeding down the street, spraying the buildings with another shower of bullets. More screaming and gunshots came from the sidewalks. The driver still didn't say anything. They didn't seem to be part of the shooting.
The car and the SUV vanished from view, and shortly after you could hear sirens in the distance. The footage became distorted and then went snowy altogether. We sat and watched the snow for about a minute. I looked at Hal, wondering why he didn't just turn it off. Wasn't this the end of whatever was recorded? Figures blurred in and out of focus, and I could tell that it was the recording of Joe pulling me over. His face would be sharp for a short while and then blur back out of focus. Our voices were muffled for most of the recording, but you could make out snatches of the conversation. I saw myself get ready to climb back in the car, and my stomach clenched. This was when Joe had slapped me. He walked over to my door, and I almost screamed as the footage became blurry. The picture got sharp again just as I lunged at him with my stun gun. We all watched as Joe handcuffed me and shoved me into the back of his car. The camera continued recording as Joe's car pulled away. Hal stood up and stopped the feed.
I just sat in shock. "What was the first part of the recording?" I asked, numb.
Ranger's mouth was in a thin line. "If I had to guess, Babe, I'd say that was the drive by shooting on Stark at 3 am."
"But why would it be on the SUVs dashcam?"
"I think someone was waiting for you to pull the footage to prove what happened with Morelli was self defense."
"But how did it get on there?"
"That's a good question, Babe." Ranger said looking over at Hector and Hal.
TBC
Well? What do you think? How did it get there? Review and let me know your thoughts/ideas, please! :)
