Chapter 12—Mary Lou and the Mugger

Monday, March 15

Stephanie's POV

I was so excited. Mary Lou had asked me to spend the day shopping sans kids. I hadn't had a 'girls shopping day' in months. We were meeting at noon at the food court in the mall. Of course, I was running late.

I'd been cleaning Rex's cage and temporarily put him in the sink. I guess he'd decided to meet the cute little girl squirrel he'd been flirting with through the patio door. How he got out of the sink I didn't know, but when I finally found him he had the satisfied look of a hamster who'd got him a piece of tail, so to speak. I guessed, as his mommy, we were going to have to have that talk. Well, at least one of us was getting some.

As I approached the food court, there was a crowd of people milling around the falafel stand. I could see policemen and paramedics hunched around someone lying on the floor. The crowd parted to allow a gurney through and my heart leapt into my throat.

Mary Lou was lying on the ground and she had blood dripping down her cheek. I shrieked and elbowed my way through the crowd.

"Mary Lou, what happened? Are you OK?" She reached for my hand and I knelt beside her.

"Steph, it happened so fast." She'd been crying and hiccupped.

"He grabbed my purse and tried to run, but I had the purse crossways over my shoulder and body. He dragged me until I fell, then he kicked me in the stomach and ripped my purse over my head. Oh, Steph, it was awful." I held her in my lap as she sobbed.

The paramedics were trying to separate us, but I shot them my death glare and they backed off. When Mare quieted down, I motioned for them to bring the gurney over. The rest was a blur, speeding behind the ambulance and answering all the questions in the emergency room, and of course, calling Mare's husband, Lenny, and her mother, who was watching the kids.

Grace was on duty in the ER and examined and treated Mary Lou. After Grace sedated her and left her in the care of Lenny, she came and reported on her condition.

"She's got some cuts and contusions, but no broken bones. If she wants to go home in a few hours, I don't see why she couldn't." I thanked Grace for taking such good care of my best friend.

She looked concerned, "Stephanie, this is the fourth mugging from the mall that we've received in the last two weeks. One of the victims was one of my nurses. Both she and your friend were hysterical when they told me how helpless they felt when they were being attacked. It's a devastating blow to a woman's psyche to feel so vulnerable. I know I feel less safe since this mugger has started attacking women in public places."

I was getting really worked up. "We should be able to defend ourselves from scum like this cowardly mugger. A well placed knee to the groin or smash to the nose should be part of every woman's skill set, just like putting on a pair of false eyelashes or getting out of a low slung car in a tight dress," I smiled grimly.

"If I set up a series of self-defense classes at the Center, do you think some of your nurses and other female staff would participate?"

Grace grinned widely, "That's a great idea. I know I could guarantee at least a dozen women who would jump at the chance. None of us like feeling too scared to go out and shop."

Now, to find the right instructor for the job. He had to be someone who could quickly gain a woman's trust and be sensitive to her fears. Confident in his skills but not too arrogant. Ranger? Phuffff. At his first fierce glance, women would run screaming from the class or they would melt into a puddle when he turned his dreamy bedroom eyes on them. Besides, he was still mysteriously out of town.

No, it needed to be someone a little more approachable. I'd ask Tank this Saturday.

Saturday, March 20

I dragged Tank aside immediately after Saturday's breakfast (actually, I waved him over. I couldn't drag Tank an inch even with a running start). "I'm calling in my favor, Tank." His face was blank.

"You know…you said you'd owe me a favor if I helped you with Bobby." His face was still blank. I plunged ahead.

"I want to start a women's self-defense class and need just the right instructor for it." I told him about the women getting mugged and their fears and explained the type of man I was looking for.

"Is this something you might do?" I asked.

A smile crossed his face, but it had a touch of mischief in it. "I'm not the right man for the job; I think most women find me a little too…intimidating. But I have just the guy and he owes me a favor. When do you want to start?"

I answered, "As soon as possible."

Tank made a quick call and told me my new self-defense instructor would be here in a half hour.

0o0o0o0o0o0o

Lester Santos was not what I'd expected.

He was good-looking and incredibly charming. He was tall, lean and muscular, but I didn't feel intimidated by him. His light brown hair was spiked up with sun-bleached ends and he had a couple days growth of facial hair—scruffy in an incredibly sexy way. His ever-present smile was disarming and there was a mischievous twinkle in his unusual amber colored eyes.

I told Lester what I'd explained to Tank about the recent muggings and women's fears. Lester thought a beginning self-defense class for women was a great idea.

We discussed options, developed a course outline and set dates. Lester gave me a list of equipment we'd need, such as mats, protective headgear and padding for instructors, and personal defense items. The first class would start Monday. I had to get on the phone and spread the word. First on my list would be the female vets I'd talked with at the blood drive.

I knew Sunny would like this project. It was in keeping with her tribal philosophy 'we are in one nest.'

I walked Tank and Lester out to the front thanking them for agreeing to take on this project. As the guys were climbing into their vehicles, Lula pulled up to the front steps. I'd forgotten I'd invited her out to the Center for a tour before we headed out to the afternoon matinee.

As she got out of her car, she was gesturing wildly and talking a mile a minute, "This place is a freaking mansion. You didn't tell me you were living in a mansion, girl. I want the $5 tour and I want it complete with some of those soldier hunks you promised me."

I waved goodbye to Tank and Lester and led Lula into the house.