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Thirteen Coins

Chapter Ten: Home is Where the Broken Heart Is

Stephanie's POV

Less than a week ago I'd flown first class from Newark to Miami. Ranger had flown separately to perpetuate the myth of lovers flying away to an illicit rendezvous. We'd met in Miami and began our charade of a secret liaison.

We'd boarded a private jet and flown directly to San Cristobal. I'd enjoyed champagne and chocolate covered strawberries. Ranger had a bottle of water and had ignored my questions as to the ownership of our ride.

Now I was exiting the economy class section of a commercial airliner and making my way through the throng at the Newark airport, with pseudo-hubby Juan at my side. Our trip had started at midnight on a puddle jumper that took us to Caracas. After a short delay in Caracas we boarded a Venolanza jet to Miami.

I was nervous as we deplaned at Miami. My passport and new ID read Stefani Diaz, but I still felt like Stephanie Plum. My 'husband' stayed close by my side. I knew a brief moment of terror when the customs agent began searching my purse. Hector leaned forward and whispered in my ear.

"Ranger has your original passport and ID, Chica. It's safely hidden at the monastery."

I'd looked up at him and smiled. Apparently Ranger wasn't the only one with ESP. I liked the close connection Hector and I had. We made it past customs and onto our connecting flight for Newark without incident. Once I was seated I relaxed enough to let my head rest against Hector's shoulder and get some sleep.

It was a good thing I'd managed to get a little nap, as the day was already in full progress in New Jersey, and I had much to accomplish in a short time. I expected someone from RangeMan to be at the airport to pick us up, but I was unprepared for the wall of black in front of me. Tank, Lester and Hal stood side by side watching us approach the luggage carousel. They were all wearing the trademark blank face of RangeMan Security, but I saw Tank's eyes widen, momentarily, as they lingered on me. Suddenly, I realized the colorful outfit that had helped me to escape Venezuela undetected by de Franco's men, now made me look as though I was getting ready to dance the lead in the Ballet Folklorico.

I gave them a little finger wave as Tank approached me. "Stephanie, you're coming with me. Hector can wait for the luggage, and then Lester and Hal will take him to RangeMan. We've planned a debriefing after lunch, and then there will be a meeting with the DEA taskforce later in the afternoon. Are you up for all that?"

I turned to give Hector a hug, and he wrapped his arms tightly around me. He bent his head to drop a quick kiss on my lips.

"Thank you," I said simply. He smiled as we both noticed the flicker in the blank faces of all the men.

"No era nada, mi querida esposa." (It was nothing, my dear wife.) He turned to walk away with Lester and Hal, and I turned my attention to Tank, answering his question about the day's plans.

"Yes," I said. "Are you taking me to my apartment? I need to shower and change before I do anything else. But I have to talk to Joe, soon. Before the DEA meeting. I assume he'll be there."

"He'll be there," Tank replied. "He'll also be at the debriefing. You can talk to him then."

"No, I need to speak with him, privately," I insisted. "I want to go to my place and shower, and then I'll call him and have him come over."

"I have orders," Tank said. "You're not to be left alone."

"Why?" I questioned, "de Franco is in custody. Ranger told me that much before I left. I'm not in any danger."

"Maybe not, but I won't be leaving you unguarded. Ranger seems convinced de Franco had more than a passing interest in you, and we have strong suspicions Roy Higgins may be playing both sides of the fence. You won't be staying at your apartment. Will you stay with Morelli?"

We'd been walking as we talked and were getting ready to enter the parking garage. "I will be staying at Haywood." I said, offering no other explanation. I didn't know what Ranger had told Tank. I didn't know what I was going to tell Joe. But I knew that by the end of the day there'd be no question of me staying at Morelli's.

As we drove into Trenton, I began to rethink my plan to talk with Joe at my apartment. It was clear Tank was going to be my shadow for the foreseeable future. I reached into my purse for my phone and realized it was missing. Another casualty of our quick departure from the resort in San Cristobal. Most of my cosmetics, my blow dryer, and my flat iron had all been left behind as well. I'd be okay until I could replace my personal items. While it was true my A-team toiletries were gone, I was from Jersey. The B-team set was hidden at the back of my vanity. I was going to miss the red pumps, though.

I turned to Tank. "I need to use your phone. And I'm going to have to do some shopping. Everything I took with me was left behind when Ranger and I left to climb the mountain."

He handed me his phone and I dialed Joe, conscious of the fact Tank was listening.

"Morelli." His voice sounded curt and businesslike.

"Hi, it's me," I said. I waited for the flush of warmth to hit my stomach; the familiarity of his voice to welcome me home. There was nothing. "I need to see you," I continued.

"Where are you? Are you okay?"

"I'm tired, but otherwise fine. Tank picked me up at the airport and is taking me back to my apartment. I need to see you."

"I have something to finish up, but I can be at your place in an hour."

"Joe, I…" I turned to look at Tank. "I'll have Tank drop me off at your place. He's stuck with babysitting me, but I'm thinking he'll entrust you with the task. We'll have some time together, and then you can bring me to the debriefing." I looked at Tank as he nodded his acceptance of the change in plans. "He doesn't want me to be alone. Even though de Franco is in jail, he thinks I could still be in trouble."

"He's right. The DEA solicited our help with half-assed intelligence, and now we have strong suspicions that one of their agents is playing one side against the other. This thing isn't over yet, even though de Franco is off the streets. Come over. I'll be waiting. I've missed you; we need to talk about that."

"Okay, I'll be there. You're right, we do need to talk." I disconnected and handed the phone back to Tank. He waved it back toward me.

"Call Ella," he said. "She'll have everything you need at RangeMan. That woman lives to shop. Tell her to pick out an apartment on four for you. There are a couple empty right now."

"I guess I didn't make myself clear, Tank," I said. "I'm staying at Haywood, but I'm staying on seven. I don't know how much Ranger has shared with you, but he isn't in a good way right now, and I'm not talking about his shoulder wound. There is some internal struggle going on with him, and I'm not going to make it easier for him by disappearing. I'm going to be in his face until he tells me not to be. Since he isn't here, I will be in his space for now. When he comes back, if he wants me to leave seven, then I will."

"Call Ella." Tank hesitated. I knew there was more he wanted to say, but we were pulling into my apartment parking lot, and he'd apparently decided now was not the time.

I called Ella and gave her a list of the things I thought I couldn't do without. I asked her to place them in Ranger's apartment, and she agreed to do so with no hesitation. Tank re-pocketed his phone as we made our way to my apartment.

It only took a half hour. I'd showered and pulled my hair into its usual ponytail. My closet held exactly what I needed. Courage came in the form of black cargo pants and a black t-shirt. I was going to see Joe with the RangeMan logo over my breast.

Tank was waiting patiently; looking uncomfortable perched on the middle cushion of my sofa. "C'mon big guy, I said. I'm ready to head to Morelli's. I'm about to end this thing with Joe. I told Ranger I was going to."

"Are you sure that's wise?" Tank asked.

"Don't you think that's my business, Tank?"

"I do, but we need Morelli's help to bring in Roy Higgins. Maybe you should wait a few days."

"There's no waiting," I told Tank. "I had plenty of time to think on my way up the mountain and while I was at the monastery. Ranger and I have a connection that needs to be defined. I love him, and I need him in my life, and I'm working hard on making that happen. Joe belongs to my past, and he's the only one who doesn't know it. I have to tell him now." If Tank was uncomfortable with my reply, he didn't show it. I wasn't used to sharing such personal information with him.

We left the apartment and made our way to the SUV in the parking lot. Tank beeped the locks open and made his way to the passenger door to open it for me. I stopped short in surprise, not being used to that type of chivalrous behavior. My surprise grew even greater and escaped my lips as a small squeal, as Tank's big hands wrapped around my waist and lifted me up into the seat. He leaned in and buckled me in place before rounding the vehicle to pull himself up and in behind the steering wheel.

A large black hand reached to turn the key in the ignition, but instead of leaving the parking lot, he let the engine idle as he twisted in his seat to face me. His stare was easily as intimidating as Ranger's. I sat still, waiting for whatever was percolating in his brain to spew out. It was obvious Tank had something to say. Moments passed and I began to fidget. Tank took the hint.

"Stephanie, I trust your instincts. My instincts tell me you shouldn't walk into Morelli's house and break-up with him and expect him to cooperate with us afterwards. If you think the time is right, then do what you think is necessary."

I started to respond, but he held his hand up. "Let me finish," he said taking a deep breath. "You are not one of the core team. You haven't shared the experiences we've had which bond us together as something closer than most flesh and blood brothers." He glanced at The RangeMan logo on my shirt. What was going on here? Was Tank breaking up with me, telling me I wasn't part of RangeMan anymore? My confusion must have shown on my face because he reached out and enveloped both my hands in one huge paw.

"Ranger affords you the same respect he gives every member of the inner circle at RangeMan. You said you'd be staying on seven with such determination I thought you were expecting me to say no. I won't do that. I don't know what's between you and Ranger, but I don't need to. He wouldn't have you involved in this operation if he didn't think you were trustworthy to be part of the team. I do know he is very protective of you, and it was clear in what he said, you are not to be left without protection as long as he is out of the country."

"That's fine," I said. "But I don't see why it's necessary. My job and Ranger's is done. The DEA wanted evidence to put de Franco in jail, and he's off the street. I know they won't let him be bonded out. He has dual citizenship and he's a huge flight risk. He'll be behind bars until after his trial, and then he'll be behind bars until he dies."

"That's true," Tank said, "but there is more to this than we originally knew. Ranger found pictures of you on de Franco's desk. That means de Franco has been watching you for some time. And then there is the other matter. Ranger's idea that de Franco is linked to something that happened when Ranger was in Venezuela years ago. We didn't talk much on the phone, but I know he was staying down there to sort that connection out."

"Wait a minute," I said, the little hairs on the back of my neck standing on end. "What do you mean he is staying to sort that out?"

"I don't know much about it," Tank said. "It was before RangeMan was formed. We were both doing, uh…contract work, for the government at that time and we weren't in daily communication. Ranger was trying to get funds together to pursue an idea he had…an idea that is now RangeMan. All I know is he had a FUBAR mission in Venezuela that almost cost him his life, and something he's learned makes him think de Franco could be connected to that mission."

I sat in quiet introspection as Tank left the parking lot and began the short trip to Morelli's. I thought of our talk during our night on the mountain, and Ranger's attempt to distract me. He'd told me of his mission gone wrong, of how he'd met Father Armando. He'd shown his need for me, although it hadn't been in his plan to do so. Both he and Father Armando had led me to believe he was looking for spiritual comfort at the monastery. I really thought I was going to have a place in his life. And now I'd discovered there was a hidden agenda. I'd no doubt that Ranger was on some mystical, spiritual journey. Father Armando wouldn't lie about that, but I'd known there was something Father Armando wasn't saying.

Ranger had told Tank there was more to the de Franco situation, but he hadn't told me. I'd naively believed Ranger had some big emotional crisis to work out, and I'd left Venezuela with real hope for our future.

Now I was on my way to Joe's to tell him it was over. I could honestly tell him I wasn't breaking up with him because of Ranger, because I knew Ranger didn't trust me completely. He hadn't shared the entire reason for his stay at the monastery. The slow burn of temper had to stay deep inside, because there was no place for temper over Ranger's lack of trust in me when I talked with Joe.

Although Joe lived outside the Burg, he'd been raised inside the borders, and he had the peculiar Burg instinct of knowing when company was coming. He and Bob were standing on the porch when Tank pulled up in front of the house.

"Debriefing at 1400 hours," Tank said, as I slid from my seat. He turned to look at Morelli. "If you need anything, including a ride to RangeMan, call me." I smiled at him as I closed the door and walked toward Morelli and Bob.

Bob was straining at his leash, so I bent down to receive his enthusiastic greeting.

"That's not a good sign," Joe said. "I get second billing to the dog." I stood and wrapped my arms around him for a hug. His lips found mine, and I thought I sensed searching from him rather than passion. I pulled back.

"Let's go inside," I said. "I want to tell you about Venezuela."

"If you're going to confess that you had your face in Ranger's crotch, I already know," he said holding the door open for me.

My mouth flattened into a straight line. I made an attempt to let the tension go before I spoke. "I'm not confessing anything," I said. "I'm going to tell you what happened, now, before we go to the debriefing. My face, as it happens, was in Ranger's crotch. How'd you know?"

"Higgins called. The bastard couldn't wait to rub my face in the news that your mouth had been wrapped around Ranger's dick."

"That's not true," I said. "But how would Higgins have that knowledge?"

"He said he had an informant," Joe said. "The stupid jerk-off was so eager to tell me you'd cheated on me, he didn't realize he was blowing his own cover."

"What cover?"

"He's DEA. If he had an informant he wouldn't have had to use Ranger to infiltrate de Franco's South American operation. If he has an informant, it's because he's playing both sides of the fence, and the idea behind the debriefing is to make sure everyone is on the same page when we meet with the DEA later today. We're going to 'out' this idiot."

"Ranger found pictures in de Franco's office of you and me," Joe continued. "It looked as if they were taken immediately after the last strategy session at RangeMan. The one the day before you and Ranger left. The only person that could have taken those pictures was Higgins."

"Joe," I said, a puzzled note in my voice. "How do you know this?"

"Tank," he replied. "Tank called me to let me know the mission was completed and that Ranger had been shot. He wanted me to know you were okay and on your way home. Tank said Ranger didn't like the idea of de Franco being so interested in you."

Yet another thing Ranger had neglected to mention. He'd told me about the pictures, and he'd told me he suspected Higgins was involved, but he'd neglected to mention his concern that de Franco had an unusual interest in me. I'd been a major player in the operation, and yet, I was possibly, the least informed person in Trenton as to what had really gone on. I gave myself a mental head slap and concentrated on the task before me.

"Okay, Joe." I said. "I'm going to start at the beginning and tell you all about my trip." I did so, telling him almost everything, except of the stolen moments of passion I'd shared with Ranger.

"The thing is, Joe," I continued. "My face was in Ranger's crotch, only in an attempt to save our lives. We didn't want to be gunned down by de Franco and his men."

"So you're saying you didn't cheat on me?" he asked. I ignored his question. I hadn't cheated on him, but it was mostly due to Ranger's restraint. It wouldn't do any good for Joe to know that.

"Joe, this isn't working anymore. For a long time I've had feelings for both you and Ranger, and…"

"And you here to tell me Ranger won," Joe interrupted.

"No!" I stomped my foot, my temper threatening to spill. Joe on the other hand seemed calm, maybe too calm.

"Joe, there is no Ranger and me. It's true I have strong feelings for him. I love him. But there is no commitment between us. I don't know if there ever will be. I just know I can't stay in a relationship with you if I feel that way about him."

"It's the last time, Stephanie." Joe looked at me with sadness dulling his brown eyes. "Make sure you're good with everything you say," he said, "because it's the last time. If you walk away from what we have, it's really over."

My heart skipped a beat. Not because I wasn't sure. I was. But because I'd never seen this utterly calm side of Joe. I stared at him, looking for a sign of the Italian temper getting ready to erupt. It wasn't there. He took my hand and pulled me to the sofa. We sat next to each other and his arm went around my shoulder.

"Before I left for the Navy, I was a punk kid," he said flatly. "I was out to screw every woman I could, and you were at the top of the list. I regret little of what I've done in my life, but I regret treating you as I did. I came home a changed man with plans for my future. I've made a good life for myself, and it's the life I envisioned. When you and I met up again, I knew you were the one. You were the woman I could put my plan into place with. I picked you, but you didn't pick me."

"I picked you, Joe. I never picked your life plan. I may be from the Burg, but my life plan never included me being the Burg version of a housewife. I just can't do it, Joe."

"I can't go on this way either, Steph. If you give up on us, then I will too. I'll find someone else to share my life with, and I won't look back. Is that what you want?"

There were tears running down my face as I nodded my head. His thumb reached out to brush the tears away, and I looked to see him blinking back unshed tears.

"We won't be friends," he said. "I can't do that. I can be polite and cooperative if we meet professionally. I can be cordial if we meet socially, but I can't be friends. We've shared too much to water down our relationship to an occasional meal together or a hug when we bump into each other on the street. Can you live with that?"

Again, I nodded my affirmation and burst into tears. I'd broken his heart. I expected temper and threats, and I'd gotten cold, calm logic. It was much harder to deal with the damage I'd done than I'd expected. His arms went around me in contradiction to what he'd just said. I heard his softly mumbled "Cupcake," as his body trembled with silent sobs against me. I'd broken his heart, and mine was cracking around the edges. I knew I'd done the right thing, and I hoped he'd find happiness.

Joe stood abruptly, and left me sitting on the sofa. I found a box of tissues and blew my nose. I wiped away the inevitable mascara trail. When Joe entered the room a few minutes later, his cop face was firmly in place. He didn't quite meet my eyes as he said, "Let's go. I'll take you to RangeMan before Tank comes calling. We're going to put our heads together and get this asshole Higgins."

Tank's POV

The sat phone rang within five minutes of the time I'd originally placed the call. Patience is not my strong suit and I'd been pacing the confines of Ranger's office waiting. I didn't like dealing with a middleman, but I had to, as long as he was at that monastery. The ringing phone was at least proof he gotten the message.

"Yo," I said, as I answered the phone.

"Report," he said simply. It was only one word, but I knew him well. I heard fatigue and could visualize the tense expression on his face."

"They made it fine. No problem at all. Hector had her dressed in some native costume, but she pulled it off. When are you coming back? We're going to try to get to Higgins this afternoon. De Franco is off the streets; your job down there is done."

"Maybe, not," Ranger said. "Something isn't right down here and I might be in a position to do some reconnaissance. I'm starting to wonder if we've been given all the information available regarding de Franco and his organization. I need you to do something important for me, and soon."

"No problem, what do you need?"

"There is a small hand carved wooden box in the wall safe of my apartment. You still know the code?"

"Yeah," I replied.

"Get it. And get it down here quickly. Overnight it, but don't send it to me. Send it in care of Father Armando. He'll see that I get it. I don't want it traceable back to RangeMan. I don't care what route you use to get it here, but I want it soon." His voice was low and it sounded as though each word was an effort to get out."

"Consider it done," I said. "You okay? You don't sound too good?"

"If I don't get some sleep I won't be functional much longer," he told me. "I just needed to hear she got out of the country okay. She is not to be left unguarded."

"You said that yesterday," I reminded him. "She's with Morelli now. He's bringing her over here for the debriefing. She said she's ending it with Morelli. I said her timing might be off, but she didn't appreciate the comment." There was silence and I wondered for a moment if we'd lost the connection, and then he responded.

"I trust her instincts. You should, too. Call me tonight after the DEA meeting. I need to sleep now," and he disconnected. Something was off, but I wasn't sure what. Ranger wasn't acting like a man in control of the op. I pushed that thought to the back of my mind while I started getting things lined out for the rest of the day.

TBC...