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Shrink Wrapped

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Chapter 10

Dr. Marilyn Sanders, PhD : dictated session notes/ unedited

Today my client JM (Julie Martine) came for her session with, get this—her biological father, HIS partner/ girlfriend, two so called back-up guys, a friend and the friend's two Secret Service style bodyguards. So—what is that, seven people? Oh and her mother came too, to introduce everyone. Geez.

Five PM, my red light went on. I opened the door to my waiting room to welcome Julie and her father. Much to my surprise the tiny space was crammed full with huge men, all of them broadcasting testosterone fueled "armed and dangerous" body language. Mrs. Martine was at the front, holding Julie's hand.

Julie smiled at me, separated herself gently from her mom, and said, "Dr. Sanders, this is my biological father, Ranger."

Rachel Martine said, ''My ex-husband. You wanted to meet him…? And um, these are his…''

Julie said, ''Guys.''

The guys all nodded and stood at parade rest. One man stepped forward, said, ''Thank you for seeing us, Doctor. I'm Carlos Manoso.''

I thought, Omigod, yes you are.

He didn't offer to shake my hand because his right shoulder and arm were heavily bandaged and in a sling. He had gauze taped to his neck and I thought his torso was also bandaged. He wore a black La Coste golf shirt, black raw silk trousers, and an unstructured pale honey colored linen blazer, sleeves pushed up. Then the sling. The clothes, the Italian shoes, the Rolex watch, the diamond ear studs-everything about this man shrieked money. I wondered if he was armed despite the injuries.

Ranger Manoso looked pale and tense and very, very ill, but even the pain etched on his face couldn't detract from his looks. The young handsome soldier from the TV bulletins was here in the flesh so to speak, a few years older, and even more gorgeous in person. He looked more like the CNN shot that Julie had showed me, all dark hair, dark wonderful Latino eyes, stunning white smile, body to die for, to undress and lick all over…oooops. Let's not save that bit, when we transcribe, okay?

His smile got a bit wider, I hope he couldn't read my mind! I said something polite and ushered him and his girlfriend and Julie into my inner office. Rachel Martine had excused herself and left. The entourage stood and glared. Scary, I thought.

We sat down and I took another moment to examine Mr. Manoso. As Julie had said, the two of them looked exactly alike, despite the fact that one of the pair was a tiny 10 year old girl and the other a big, masculine adult male. Adult but not very old I noticed. Manoso looked younger than his ex-wife, maybe late twenties, early thirties. He looked too young to be the father of this child, I thought. Then my eyes caught his and I shivered. Oh my, intimidating as hell, despite being so young and so handsome.

The amazing thing about Manoso's looks, since he resembled his doll-like child so vividly—he was not pretty at all, not effeminate or girly-looking. They shared the flawless mocha skin, the thick silky hair, the black almond shaped eyes. They had the same mouth, nose, even eyebrows. But on him, it just looked hot and sexy and amazing, he almost didn't look real. No wonder Julie said he looked like an action figure.

The three waited patiently for my appraisal to end. They must be so used to it that they just tolerated it in amused, superior silence. Huh! I turned my gaze to Manoso's companion, a beautiful dark haired young woman, about his same age. She had pearly white skin, very fair, and big blue eyes. Not Latina. She smiled at me now and extended her hand.

She said, ''I don't think we were introduced, I'm Stephanie Plum.''

I said some pleasantry and gathered my thoughts, asking Julie how she felt today and so on. Then my questions to the adult, just some routine intake questions! Like who they are, what do they do for work, nothing intrusive. Routine, really, as I said.

But oh, it was like pulling teeth. Ranger said as little as possible, Stephanie a bit more but it was confusing, out of my realm of experience. What do they mean by saying they are partners? I wondered. Is that so they don't have to say they are lovers in front of Julie? But no, they said it meant On the Job. They spoke like policemen. Yet I was sure they were lovers, the closeness they exhibited—mostly physical, touches and glances—gave them away.

Lucky girl I thought.

Then, not so lucky.

Stephanie tried to describe the final event of the kidnapping, but she fell apart entirely, just disintegrated. Julie and Ranger watched her without much expression, their reserve seemed astounding. As yet I have no idea how I will break thru this wall to reach my client JM.

And yet…at one point R told S, No price for what we give each other, my life for yours, babe. He said this in his low calm voice, not casually but no inflection.

And of course I caught his use of the affectionate pet name. Silence, as something huge and vivid and wordless passed between them. And then she tried to finish her account of the shooting, ending in collapse and tears, her voice high and frightened and loud.

This time R did react, instantly crouching by her side, trying to hold her in spite of his injuries. Julie hugged Steph from behind, dark heads bent together. The door burst open and the men from the waiting room stormed in. Lots of yelling and cursing and angry black eyes flashing reproachfully at me.

The huge black man leaned over Ranger, who looked on the verge of collapse. I briefly regretted insisting he come here, he obviously should have remained in the hospital. The big man's hands were gentle and his voice soft as he eased Ranger away from Stephanie, helped him back to a chair. And the blond man who resembled Ranger and Julie took Stephanie in his arms, drawing her away from her lover and holding her, murmuring softly in Spanish, kissing the side of her face, like you'd soothe a beloved child. And he held his hand out to Julie, wrapping her in his arms also. His beautiful black eyes met mine in a death glare, I gulped in sudden fear, glancing at the exit. Another young Ranger clone loomed in the doorway, gun actually drawn.

The MIBs didn't do anything, just stood, arms folded on their chests. I suppose their only job was to protect the man who was holding Stephanie and Julie.

I was conflicted, I felt I should help Stephanie, but she was not my patient, Julie was.

Ranger cleared the room with a look and a one word command, and silence reigned again. How does he do that, I wondered.

So then, just Julie and Ranger remained in my office. Julie looked quite calm, maybe a bit worried about Stephanie. And I noticed she took a good hard look at her father, making sure he too was okay, or as well as could be expected. Then her brown eyes swiveled to me.

I wondered momentarily about the young blond man—boy? And the tangible aura of warmth and safety and calm that he had projected. I shook off the impression as silly and refocused on my clients. I asked Ranger (for Julie's sake) what he was telling them when he entered that room.

He looked at me like you'd look at a bug in your salad and he said, "None of your business." Then, "Chica, did you know." To Julie.

He has a beautiful low voice but no inflection, always deadpan. No question marks in his voice either, no "up" as Julie says.

To my amazement Julie just said yes and smiled at him. He said, ''Good.'' Then the obnoxious phrase I soon came to know well, he said, ''Move on.''

But we were interrupted again and I gave up for the day . I said calmly, to show I was in charge, that we'd continue next time.

Manoso and his cohort looked at me in amazement, they didn't need or want my permission. And I could see that much as Ranger loves Julie, in this case he chose to address the needs of his so-called partner, Ms Plum, first.

I thought again of his words, No price, my life for yours. I shivered. Maybe I am being overly fanciful, but to me, the phrases sounded like wedding vows from the dark side.

...

''End session notes/ edit before transcription," Marilyn's voice said. Then silence.

...

tbc

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