Ok, guys – I think that I finally have the hang of this…However, I have lost my muse. Any suggestions would be great to get me started again. I posted this a second time differently than the first. Also, I kinda got disinterested because I couldn't find my post and then had no idea if anybody had even read my story and if I was on the right track. Then….all of sudden today I found it and found my reviews and now I am a certifiable review slut. So…..I have to get started again because I have to have reviews!! I will try to get the ball rolling again tomorrow. Thanks guys for the encouragement.

Babealltheway

Chapter Ten

"Snooping"

Once in the truck, Ranger turned to me and asked, "Are you sure your Ok? We can go back to Haywood if you are too shaken up. I can go snooping by myself." Aww, how sweet Ranger was worried about me. I thought about that for a minute and got a squishy feeling in my heart. However, I was not about to be left out of the loop. Ranger's company was in trouble and I knew that I could help. It was the least I could do after all he had done for me. "No, way. You're not leaving me out of the loop just because you are feeling all protective of me. I am fine Ranger. It was just a shock that's all. I want to help with this and I know that you will be with me so, quit worrying." He just looked directly in my eyes, searching. I guess when he felt satisfied with what he saw, he nodded and started to roll out.

"We'll start with Hal and Binkie since from our research today that they seemed to have the least to hide and they share an apartment." I just nodded. Hal and Binkie had been friends since high school and shared an apartment on Anderson street and both had monitor duty. I saw Ranger flip open his cell phone, "Stephanie and I are offline". Whew, we are definitely going to have to work on his phone skill. I saw Ranger working with something under the dash. Then he reached over and took my hand. I was struck by that simple act. He was in his zone, disabling the GPS tracker and all the while trying to comfort me. Hmmm was this man wonderful or what?

We reached Anderson street and Ranger angled the truck into an alley. Ranger grabbed to Kevlar vests from the back and laid them in my lap before getting out to come around to my side. When he opened the door, I asked "Expecting trouble?" with raised eyebrows. He just shook his head, "No, being prepared for the possibility of trouble." That made sense. We helped each other strap into our vest. Now, this may seem like just an everyday act, but for Ranger and I it became sensual quick. Touching each other and strapping the vest as our hands roamed down each other's sides and arms. I was shaking a bit by the sexual tension. Ranger reached up and tucked a curl behind my ear and then ran his finger down my cheek. Then he leaned down and brushed the softest kiss across my lips. "For luck", he replied huskily and then hugged me to his chest. Then he pulled back and had his blank face back on, "You ready to do this?" I shrugged my shoulder and replied, "Ready as I'll ever be."

Forty minutes later we were back in the truck both of us relieved with what we found. "Ok, obviously they have nothing to hide. That was the very essence of a bachelor pad. I don't really think they could both be involved and there's no way that being in that close of quarters that one could hide something like this from the other." Ranger just sat silently as I rambled through my thought process. He inclined his head just slightly and smirked. "My thoughts exactly. We make a pretty good team. Proud of you Babe." I just slapped his arm and smiled, "Thanks. Where to next?" "Tanks and then Lester's. Tank is with Lula and Lester is out trolling bars. I think we have plenty of time to go to places. Tank won't come home at all and Lester always waits till the Bimbo's are plastered." I just rolled my eyes at that last comment.

Tanks house was pretty much what I expected. Plain and sturdy. His rescued kittens were wandering around the house or climbing their tree house. It was sweet really. You could tell that Tank really cared about his kittens. He had created an entire room for their climbing pleasure. I was a bit surprised at how clean the house was. I was also glad that Lula had decided to start taking allergy shots. She made my life miserable when her and Tank were not together. She griped and grumbled about my time with the Merry Men and was always surly to them when they had to come to my rescue, which was pretty often.

Ranger came back into the room and looked relieved. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. "Ranger, I'm not getting any vibes. I don't think you have to worry about Tank." "Yeah, that's what I feel too, but I had to check it out. Let's get to Lester's before its' too late and he come back with some hook-up." I nodded and headed out the door. Ranger, helped me back into the truck squeezing my ass in the process. My panties went wet just by that little interaction. As I was trying to get myself under control, Ranger climbed back into the truck. I glanced over at him and noticed him adjusting himself.....guess I wasn't the only one affected. He just glanced at me and shook his head. "Working with you definitely has some advantages, Babe" I just let out a little sigh, oh yeah, there were advantages.