Disclaimer: I don't own anything, I'm not making any money, and all the wonderful characters belong to JE. This story takes place 9 weeks after TS ends. It was my thought for Lean Mean Thirteen. I took the Lean and Mean to heart. I'm sure most people have read this, but if you haven't, I hope you enjoy it. This was my very first fan fiction. I've since went back and did a lot of work on it. Same plot, but I've added and deleted and just all around cleaned it up.
Rating: R
Warnings: Violence, foul language, and sex
Thanks to Stayce my fabulous editor.
***Completely and seriously reedited***
Learning Thirteen
Chapter Thirteen
Text messages from my psycho big bad wolf did not rank on the list of what I wanted to happen today. I scrolled down through the message looking for the number it came from. Blocked number. Nice.
"Bobby, my text message was from the psycho fuck stalking me," I said, walking out into the living room.
Bobby jumped off the couch and Van was on his phone. Calling the Batcave I'm sure. I handed Bobby my phone and watched him read the message. His eyes widened and he took the phone from Van.
"Not good, man. He knows she's renting under Michelle Stephens and she's in apartment ninety," Bobby said, and listened. "Blocked." He handed me back my phone and listened to orders from Ranger. He nodded his head occasionally and then handed the phone to me.
"Hey," I said.
"It's going to be alright, Babe. I won't let him get to you. Remember he still has to be announced. He won't get past the gate. Just for added security, Tank is on the phone with Hector as we speak. He'll be over today to install an alarm on both your doors," he said, in a calming voice.
"I forgot about the announcement part. That makes me feel slightly better, but still," I said.
"Yeah, but still. Just a sec," he said. I could hear muttering, but couldn't make out what anybody was saying. I think it was time I installed my own panic button. I walked into my bedroom indicating for Bobby and Van to follow me. I opened my closet and entered in the code for my safe. I took out my black handgun carrying case and a leather bag. I sat them on the bed just as Ranger came back on the phone.
"Babe, Hector will be there in an hour," he said. "I have a favor to ask."
"A favor? What is it?" I asked, utterly confused. Ranger didn't ask for favors, he gave orders and expected them to be followed.
"Wear a vest under a sweatshirt, please. Anytime you're out. Lula, too. The guys already have their orders to wear one."
"I promise. And you don't have to ask twice. I'm freaked. He's accomplished his goal. If I wasn't determined to figure out who he is, I'd be hiding in my apartment all day until he's found. I just have a feeling me hiding won't help. I have to be visible if we're to have any chance on catching this guy," I said, returning to my safe for more stuff.
"I agree. I'd like nothing more than to have you safe in your apartment or mine, but that won't help. You need to be visible," he said, with a sigh. "I'm relieved you're not arguing with me on the safety measures."
"We had an agreement. If somebody found a way to get to me, we do things your way. No arguments. I'm scared, Ranger. I want to be safe. I moved here so I would be safe. I'll let you do anything you want to help make me feel safe again," I said, slumping down onto my bed.
"I did have another suggestion to making you feel safe," he said, his voice dropping an octave.
I raised an eyebrow and grinned. "Oh yeah, what'd you have in mind, baby?"
"Me, in your bed every night with you wrapped up in my arms."
"Mmm, I like that. Are you naked in my bed?"
"Babe," he said, amused.
"Hey we're still in the room you know," Bobby said, disgusted. Ranger and I laughed.
"What are your plans?" he asked
"I have some things I need to do here, so I'll be missing my range time. I still plan on going to the range though. I want to see that tape. You and Tank want to meet us there and watch it, too?" I asked.
"Yes. Call me when you get there. I need to get back to my meeting," he said and disconnected.
I pushed three on my cell and called Lula. She answered after two rings. "Gotta text from the big bad wolf. There are some new security measures I'll explain later in person. I need to take care of some stuff, so I'm ditching our range time. I still want to watch the tape, though. You interested?"
"Uh huh. Pick me up on your way," she said and hung up.
I put my phone on the nightstand and opened my handgun case. Five handguns were positioned inside. I heard a funny noise and looked up. Bobby and Van were staring at my selection with open mouths.
"You have five guns in there, Hon," Bobby said, looking at me.
"Six," I said taking the Glock 29 out of the small of my back.
"What are doing with six handguns?" Van asked, looking them over.
I pulled the Glock 19 9mm out and slipped it into a cloth case, adding extra ammunition. I pulled Velcro strips out of the bag and attached it to both sides of the case.
"I've bought most of these after completing a training class. I have three that I use the most, but I guess I wanted pack ups," I said.
"What are you doing?" Bobby asked, eying the 9mm in the case.
"Panic button," I said, taking the Sig Saucer P239 .389 out of the case and slipped it into another cloth carrying case, adding extra ammunition.
"What do you mean by panic button?" Bobby asked, as I placed the Velcro strips on the back of the case holding the .380.
"Extra security. I don't want to be caught off guard. Ranger can't always be here. And security alarms only go so far."
I took the S&M 9mm out of the case and placed it in an individual case with an extra magazine. I put the Velcro strips on the back and pulled my mattress back a little. I pealed the back off the Velcro and stuck it to the headboard and pushed the mattress back into place hiding the gun.
"I was given that gun by my instructor after completely my first assessment of a room. I shocked the hell out of him and myself," I said, grabbing the two other guns and leaving the room.
Bobby and Van followed behind me as I stepped into the kitchen. I pulled the backing off the Velcro strips on the Sig and attached it under the table. I left the kitchen and went into the half bath by the front door. I attached the case holding the Glock to the back of the toilet tank and left the room.
"I use the Glock 29 and the HK the most. Glock 22 only gets brought out when I'm carrying two guns. I have a taser too. Do you think I should put that in the living room by the balcony door?" I asked, while walking back to my bedroom.
"I'm getting a hard on," Van said, smiling at me.
Bobby chuckled and smacked him in the back of the head. "I'm glad to see you're being active in keeping yourself alive," Bobby said, with a grin. I nodded my head as I came out of my bedroom with the taser. I attached it to the side of the book self in the corner next to the door leading to my balcony.
"Does Ranger know how much arsenal you have in this apartment?" Bobby asked me.
"Nope." I slipping my Glock 22 into the small of my back, and the HK 9mm into my ankle band. "Do you think he'd be impressed?" I asked, with a grin as put on my Kevlar vest and a sweatshirt over the top.
"Do you have to ask?" Bobby said, on a grin.
I clipped my cell to my hip, grabbed my equipment bag and my pocket book, and walked out the door. Bobby locked up and we took the stairs to the parking lot. I beeped open my car and angled in, depositing my bags in the back seat. I removed my cell from my hip, clipped it into the hands free unit on my dash, and speed dialed Lula while pulling out of the parking lot.
"What up?" Lula said into the phone.
"On my way. Make sure you have a vest on before you come out," I said and disconnected.
I arrived at Lula's fifteen minutes later with Bobby right on my bumper. Lula was at my car before I even came to a complete stop. She climbed in and I handed her my phone. She opened the text message and sucked air in through her front teeth.
"How does he know that shit?" Lula asked, putting my phone back in place.
"I don't know. That's what's been bugging me. He knows too much. I can see him knowing my schedule. I do the same thing pretty much every day at the same time. Doesn't take a genius to figure out my time frame," I said, with a sigh. "I can understand him knowing the kind of wine we drank. He's obviously following me around, and I don't know who he is. Easy to blend."
"Uh huh, but this shit you've kept real quiet. How does he know what name you're using?"
"That's the thing. And I'm not sure I like what my instincts are telling me," I said. "Carolyn told us there are three of them. I don't think the delivery man is the main guy. I think he's just that, the delivery guy. Then I think there is a driver. I think the main guy is the one watching me, but he's doing it from a distance. He's controlling. I've felt that from the beginning. He seems to have to be in control at all times. He was pissed about Sarah. That wasn't part of his plan. Killing Sarah was a punishment to me. But I don't think he knows everything about me on his own. I think one of the other two is close to me, or somebody I know. They are feeding him all he needs to scare me. We're like his puppets right now. He's pulling strings and forcing us to do what he wants."
I pulled into the parking lot at Marksman's Pistol Institute and parked next to the Explorer holding Zero and Landon. I shut the car off and stared out the front window. After a minute I looked to my left at the Merry Men watching me. I stared at them for a moment and then looked to my right at Bobby and Van. They were looking at me curiously, waiting for a sign of what I was doing.
"The scariest part of all this is the fact that you know psychos too well. You've been stalked too much, Steph. You seem to understand them more each time this happens," Lula said, watching me. "I also don't think I like what your instincts are telling you either. Warn me before you drop it on Batman. I want to have my gun in my hand before you open your mouth," she said, opening the door. I followed her with my eyes. Ranger was not going to like what I was thinking at all. I looked at Bobby again. He was talking with Lula and keeping an eye on me. He came around to my window and tapped on it. I slid it down and looked at him.
"Are we going in, Hon?" he asked, brushing some hair off my face.
"Did you call Ranger?" I asked, undoing my seat belt.
"He's on his way. Let's get you inside," he said. I nodded my head and swallowed hard. I wanted Ranger to take me inside. I didn't like what I was feeling.
"You can trust me, Steph. I would never betray you, Honey. I would never betray Ranger. I know what you're thinking. Van and I talked about it all the way here. I guarantee you, if I'm feeling it and you're feeling it, Ranger's feeling it too," he said, brushing a stray tear off my cheek.
"He's going to be mad when I tell him what my instincts are screaming at me," I said, sniffing and wiping my nose on my sleeve.
"No he's not. He loves you, and he also happens to think you have the best instincts of anybody he knows," Bobby said, trying his damnedest to reassure me. "Come on. Let's get inside. He'll be here any minute."
I climbed out of the SUV just as Ranger and Tank pulled in. He was driving the truck. He parked on the other side of Zero and Landon and jumped out joining us walking in. He put a protective arm around me and guided me inside. I felt better instantly. I was dreading the conversation I needed to have with him, but I still felt safe in his arms. I always felt safe in his arms.
We walked in and approached the security check station. We weren't entering the range, so we just needed to present our weapons and we could have them back. Thomas Kelly was the security guard in the station. He was tall with a lithe build. His skin was china-white. He had wide chestnut eyes, straight midnight black hair cut short, and an upturned nose.
"Hey Thomas, we're not shooting today, but we'd like to talk to Jeffery or Quintin," I said, while placing my 9mm on the tray to be cleared. "We need four passes as well. They are all with RangeMan and armed."
"ID and place all your weapons in the trays," he said. "Jeffery and Quintin are both in class right now, Steph. Can I help with something?"
"I was curious if you guys gave the police the original tape from the parking lot yesterday?" I asked, smiling as I watched the guys unload all their weapons into four trays.
"No, we have the original. We gave them a copy of two hours before you arrived until everything was cleared away. You haven't seen the tape?" he asked, and started checking the weapons before him.
"No I haven't that's why I'm here. I wanted to see it. Is that possible?" I asked.
"Absolutely," he said, finishing the weapons and grabbing the radio off his hip. "David, I'm sending Stephanie Plum and Lula to you. They want to see the tape from yesterday."
"Sure thing, Thomas. I'll get it set up," the man replied.
"Down the hall," he said, pointing to his left. "Second door on the right. It's the security room. David will help you with whatever you need. He can make you a copy if you'd like too."
"Thanks, Thomas," I said and took Ranger's hand as he guided me to the security room.
David was holding the door open for us when we arrived. He showed us in and got us seats. The room was impressive. It had a massive flat screen monitor with thirty-two camera spots. There was all these buttons, switches, and knobs. David punched in a bunch of numbers and the exterior of the building and parking lot appeared in front of us. There were seven large camera spots to watch.
"I've keyed it up to just before you pulled in the parking lot, Stephanie. Let me know if you need me to do anything," David said, and hit another button to play it.
Less than a minute into watching the tape, I pulled in followed by Lester. We ended up parking in perfect view of a camera. Lula and I got out, and Lester and Tony rushed us inside through the rain. The parking lot had a few people running inside after us and then it was empty of moving bodies. I watched all the screens for any movement. After about ten minutes of nothing I caught movement in the bottom right spot. It was the right side of the building. The camera picked up the tip of a white car. After a minute our man in black appeared, face down and dressed in all black. His hood was up hiding his hair, and he wore gloves to cover up knowing a skin color. He was carrying a big blue hockey style bag over his shoulder and two five gallon buckets. I could see his muscles straining with the weight of the buckets. I watched how he walked, and memorized his shape. He walked around the corner of the building and into view of a different camera. I saw his head lift just slightly.
"Freeze," I said.
David hit some buttons and the screens paused. I got up and moved closer to the monitor. I pointed to the frame he was in.
"Can you zoom in?" I asked, staring at the figure.
David clicked a few times and the camera started zooming in. His face was covered with a black mask and he was wearing black sunglasses. I shook my head. Damn.
"Go ahead," I said, staying where I was.
He turned right after lifting his head. It was almost like he wanted to show us he was smarter than us. He walked to my car keeping his head down. He sat the buckets down on the driver's side and had my door open in seconds. That made my stomach even more uneasy. He popped the trunk and moved back there to unload the bag. With the trunk open we couldn't see what he was doing. None of the camera angles could pick it up. He shut the trunk after a few minutes and moved to the five gallon buckets. He opened one at a time and started pouring the blood from them. We couldn't see the blood come out, but obviously that's what he was doing. After he finished the first bucket he lifted his arm to his face and pulled his coat back to look at a watch. I caught a flash of skin.
"Stop. Go back a little and zoom in on his arm," I said, leaning in. David punched in a bunch of keys and got me where I wanted. I smiled and pointed to the tiny strip of skin he revealed by looking at his watch. "Our man in black is white," I said.
"Good eyes, Babe," Ranger said, from right behind me. I was so attentive to the screen I didn't realize he was that close. I leaned back into him, and he wrapped his arms around my waist. We watched the man dump the second bucket into my car and gather everything before hurrying away. He retraced his path back to the car that was still in the same spot. He disappeared off the screen, but the car remained. We watched the screen for twenty minutes, and there was no movement anywhere. The car stayed in the same place until I walked out the front door next to Lula. The car backed up and moved from the camera's view.
"Somebody told them to leave. Somebody else was watching too. Why would they sit there for twenty minutes and then leave right when I came out? It doesn't make any sense," I said. I watched all the camera spots but the one I was on. I knew what I was doing. I wanted to see the car or a person. Something out of place. Somebody was watching what was happening. I knew it when it happened, and I was convinced now after watching the tape.
"Stop," Ranger and I said at the same time. He smiled with his lips on my temple and gave me a little kiss
"Uh, camera four, David. Rewind and play it back slow," I said, snuggling into Ranger's embrace.
David hit a bunch of keys and turned some knobs. I had no clue what he was doing, but he got the job done. He made camera four double in size and we watched the white car with smoked out windows drive along the left side of the building. The camera angle never gave us a view of the license plate of course, but the passenger window came down just slightly and a hand gave a finger wave. He was mocking me. Once the car was out of reach of the cameras, David turned it back to all the cameras and we watched for another twenty minutes. We didn't see anything more.
"Thanks, David. I really appreciate this. Can you make me a copy starting at six am until one pm?" I asked.
"Sure, I'll have it ready for you tomorrow morning," he said, writing down what I wanted.
"Thank you so much," I said, smiling as we all filed out of the security room.
"A finger wave?" I gritted out as we left the building.
"Somebody knows you pretty well," Ranger said, with his hand on the small of my back.
"Maybe."
"You want to tell me what you're thinking?" he asked, as he waved Landon and Zero on.
"Not particularly," I said, looking at my shoes.
"But you're going to tell me anyways, right," he said, tipping my chin up forcing my eyes to meet his.
"It's just this feeling I've got," I said, not really answering. Delay, avoidance, denial, all my good friends.
"Do you know who delivered the package this morning to the apartment?" I asked, changing the subject.
"Let me call the control room and get it for you," Ranger said, grabbing his cell off his hip.
"No, it's okay. I'll just figure it out some other way," I said.
"And what way would that be? I was calling Lester. Do you at least trust him, even if you don't trust the rest of my men?" he asked, with a slight bite to his voice.
"Don't you dare make this about me not trusting them, like I don't have a reason," I said, squaring my shoulders and lifting my chin. "I don't know who I can trust anymore, but I know I can trust Les."
He clenched his jaw and let out an uneasy breath. "What exactly do you mean by that? Are you saying you don't trust me? Are you honestly implying that I would ever put you in danger?" he asked.
"Jesus no. I wasn't talking about you at all. I didn't think I needed to clarify my trust in you. All I meant was that I don't know who I can trust out of the guys at RangeMan. It's killing me to think that one or more of them are apart of this," I said, tears burning my eyes.
Ranger pulled me into his arms and hugged me to him. He nuzzled my face with his, brushing his cheek against mine. "Tank and I already considered what you're feeling. You're not unjustified for feeling unsure. There are very few people that know the information this guy has outside of RangeMan. The people you've trusted the information with would never tell anybody. I'm angry that I think you're right, but I'm not angry with you. I need you to tell me who you trust. I will change your guards to make sure only the guys you trust are with you, and I'll make it very clear that nobody is to discuss you in the presence of those you aren't sure about. Be honest with me, Steph, because this is serious. I won't hold anything against you, and I won't try to persuade you to trust anybody. This is all your choice. I'll change my schedule so I can be with you when Lester or Tank can't if that's what it takes. I want you safe and comfortable. I also must tell you that when I find out which one of my men has put you in danger and is fucking with you, he's going to wish he was never born," Ranger said, in my ear.
"Can we move this talk into my car? I feel kind of exposed out here," I said, looking into his eyes. "Me, you, Lula, Tank, Bobby, and Van." He nodded and we all piled into my SUV. It's a good thing I opted for a seven seater.
"I don't know who to trust, but I have a funny feeling that the one responsible for filling my psycho in on my life isn't actually at the RangeMan building on Haywood," I said, getting a few curious looks.
"Explain," Ranger said.
"I don't know the guards at Woodbrook House. I don't know any of their names, and I've never met any of them. But they all know me. They have the information this guy has. If they didn't have it, it would be easy to get. All they would have to do is ask one of their co-workers. Everybody at the RangeMan building knows about all my stalkers, and various information regarding my life. I really think it's one of the guys at Woodbrook House. My problem is I don't know who he's friends with on Haywood Street. I don't think any of the guys I know would do this. I also don't want to tip anybody off that I might be on to something," I said.
Ranger watched me for a minute or two. "I get what you're saying, so tell me who you trust. Like I said only the people you trust will be around you or know anything that's going on with you."
"I don't know Ranger. I could trust somebody that is friends with the guys from my apartment and then I'm fucked," I said.
"I'm friends with two of the guys at Woodbrook House, Steph. I'll tell you now your safety is more important to me. If you say you don't trust the guards there then that is all it takes for me. Your name, your life, your business is from this moment on a taboo topic. That's all you have to say, and any of us will comply," Van said.
"Thanks, Van. I really hope it's not one of your friends," I said to him.
"Don't worry about it. If it is, well," he said, leaving the rest unsaid.
I didn't need him to finish the sentence to know what was going to happen. These guys are not the type of men to betray, and even though the betrayal was technically to me, all the RangeMan guys would feel betrayed.
"Who is guarding me today?" I asked thinking that way would be easier than coming up with a list.
"Bobby and Van with Landon and Zero as backup. After four it's Woody and David with Snake and Eddie as backup. Tonight is Cal and Alex with Junior and Ram as backup," Tank said looking at his phone.
"I don't know about Snake, Eddie, and Alex. The rest are fine," I said.
"Switch Snake and Eddie with you and me as backup," Ranger said. "Then for tonight do Junior and Ram and have Roy and Pat do backup."
"I feel like I'm being a pain in the ass. It's not fair to the guys that expected to be in the field to get pulled. It's not their fault I don't know them well enough to have complete trust in them," I said, leaned my head against the window.
"Life isn't fair, Babe. Do you want that address?" he asked, and I nodded. He opened his phone and speed dialed the control room. "Put Santos on," he ordered. "Go to my office." He waited thirty seconds. "There's a note sitting next to my phone with a name of a courier service. What's the name and address?" He scribbled down the information and disconnected.
He handed me the paper, kissed me lightly on the lips, and got out. He held the door for Lula and closed it after she got in. Bobby and Van got into their Explorer, and I left for a quick stop off to get doughnuts before getting to the bond office.
Connie was guarding her sanctum when we walked through the door. In other words she was filing her nails at her desk. Melvin was busy filing, and Vinnie's office door was shut thank God.
"Nice article this morning. Guess that blew the low profile thing right out of the water. What now?" she asked, not taking her eyes off her nails.
"Added some security and subtracted some people from the equation. Not much we can do about it. The damage is done, now we deal with it," I said, dropping onto the couch next to Lula. Bobby and Van took up positions next to the door so they could keep our vehicles in sight and watch over me.
"I figured we wouldn't see you two. Thought you'd be out there hunting this loony toon," Connie said, lifting her eyes to me.
"We are, but we have a job to do as well. We can multitask," Lula said, yawning.
"No new files, so find the ones you got and catch the sick bastard," Connie said, going back to her filing.
My cell started ringing and all I could do was shake. I was so scared it was him. I unclipped the phone and stared at the readout. Morelli.
"Yo," I said, unfeeling.
"Read the paper. When do I get your new address?" Joe asked, laughing.
"What are talking about? What new address?" I asked, raising my eyebrow.
"Well you're a victim in your own apartment again, so I figured it must be time to relocate. Maybe you should cut the list down of people that know your address even further this time. I'm guessing it wasn't your family that let slip where you live to the psycho stalking you."
"Did this phone call have a purpose?"
"Yeah where's the note that went along with the article?"
"What note?"
"Tsk, tsk. You shouldn't lie to a cop," Joe said.
"It doesn't concern you," I said.
"The hell it doesn't. This is an on going investigation into a murder. Any notes you get from the killer is evidence."
"The note wasn't about your case. It was about me."
"It doesn't matter. He could have written something that appears to be insignificant, but could be the one puzzle piece we needed to catch the guy."
"Right, cause you have so many puzzle pieces already."
"Where are you, I'll come get the note," he said, completely ignoring my comment. He wasn't going to tell me about the tape. Scum sucker.
"Why the hell would I have the damn thing on me, Morelli?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.
"I'll pick it up from your apartment tonight. What time will you be home?"
"I'll give you a call when I'm in for the night," I said, smiling evilly.
"Uh huh, and if you don't call me by seven, I'll just swing by. See you later, Cupcake," he said and hung up. Jerk.
"Morelli's going to swing by and see Ranger and me tonight," I told Bobby, grinning.
"Ranger will like that," Bobby said with a broad smile.
"Yeah," I said, chuckling.
"He's still pissed about the tape, Honey," he said, with a raised eyebrow.
"Yeah," I said again, laughing. Bobby shook his head and chuckled a little.
I was ready to round up Otto, so I got up, grabbed a doughnut for the road, and nodded my head to the door. Lula got the hint and followed me out the door hollering a see yah to Connie and Melvin and carrying two doughnuts to go. We got in the SUV and left for Windy's house. I figured we could start there and pray she was a complete moron and went back. I drove up Garfield Avenue and shook my head in disbelief when Windy's red Jetta was parked on the corner. I dialed Bobby's cell and told him to park behind the Jetta. I drove pass the car and blocked it in. I took the back of the house with Bobby and Lula went to the front with Van.
Bobby and I took up positions on both sides of the back door and waited. We heard the door bell and some movement. After a second the movement sounded like it was getting closer to us. I flattened myself against the house just as the back door opened. Windy ran out onto the back porch, and before she could get down the steps, forcing me to chase her, I grabbed her by the back of the shirt and sat her ass down. Firmly.
"Don't move. If you make my ass chase you again, I'll shoot you in the foot and claim it was an accident," I said, stepping closer to her. "Raise your hands and place them behind your head."
She let out a loud sigh and raised her hands. She slowly placed them behind her head, and I slapped the cuffs on one wrist while bring it down to the middle of her back. I brought her second hand down to join the first and stood her up. I walked her back to my SUV and let Lula patted her down. We got her loaded up and drove to the station. Lula hauled her in, while I waited in the car. I really didn't want to deal with running into Morelli. I was afraid I might punch him in the nose if I had to hear one more comment.
Lula came out ten minutes later and let out a full body shiver. She still wasn't real happy about going into a police station, but she sucked it up and dealt with it. At least she stopped breaking out in hives over entering the building. She still claimed it gave her the runs every so often just to get me to go in without her.
"Should we check out the courier company now?" I asked, while digging the paper out of my pocket.
"Yeah. I'm definitely ready to find this psycho," Lula said, keying up the volume on the CD player.
I left the parking lot and headed to Golden Express at 912 S. Broad Street. I parked in front of the building, and Bobby parked behind me. We waited until the guys were out and had surveyed our surroundings before getting out and going inside. There was a lady to greet us from behind a long counter that separated the business from customers. There were a few younger men running around behind the woman gathering packages for delivery.
"Good morning, and welcome to Golden Express. How may I assist you," she said.
She was a short woman with a leggy build. Her skin was tan. She had deep-set brown eyes that looked like two acorns. Her chestnut hair was framing her face in a very Connie like style, in other words teased within an inch of its life. She had a large mouth that was smiling at us, showing off every perfectly white tooth.
"Hi, we were wondering if you might be able to tell us about a package this company delivered to me this morning." I asked, flashing my best smile. It always worked for Ranger.
"I can try. What's your name and where did we deliver the package?" she asked, keying up her computer.
"My name is Stephanie Plum, and you delivered it to 865 Lower Ferry Road in Ewing," I said, leaning on the counter.
She typed the information into the computer and paused blinking. She looked at me, expression neutral and blinked. I raised my eyebrow at her waiting for an explanation. She blinked some more. I was getting annoyed.
"You're going to need to speak up about that package," Lula said, from beside me.
"I don't know anything about that package," she said, diverting her eyes to packages waiting to be delivered.
I slammed my hand down on the counter, causing her to jump and look at me. I leaned in closer fixing her with a glare. She blinked at me some more, and I lost it. I removed my gun from the small of my back and rested it on the counter. She looked kind of antsy and looked at the phone.
"Go ahead," I said, nodding to the phone. "Ask for Detective Morelli. Let him know that before he gets here he'll need to have a warrant with him to search your computer system. I'm just the tip of the iceberg lady, so pull your brains out of your ass and tell me what you know. Then start printing everything that you know, because the police will be here tomorrow asking the same damn questions."
"Look I don't know anything. I don't even want to be involved in this. The entire delivery was weird, and I get the idea whoever was sending the package to you didn't want to be known. The computer says a package was to be delivered to Stephanie Plum at 865 Lower Ferry Road at five in the morning," she said, shaking slightly.
I sighed and put my gun away. Scaring her wasn't getting me anywhere, but I needed to know about the delivery. I counted to ten and cracked my knuckles.
"Why did it seem weird?" I asked.
"I don't want to be involved in this. Which part of that did you not understand," she said. Clearly she forgot I have a gun.
"Guess what, I don't give a shit. You think I want to be involved in this? I was aiming for semi-normalcy. I didn't think that was too much to ask for, but some sick, demented, whacked out freak felt semi-normalcy was overrated. Now you need to start talking, because in case you haven't noticed you're already involved. You accepted the delivery. You delivered the package. How much more involved could you possibly be?" I asked.
"This request came by the Internet. The order was for us to pick up a package that was on the bench in front of the basketball court at Cadwalader Park off of North Lenape Avenue. From there we were to take it to your apartment and specifically say it was for Stephanie Plum," she said.
"How was the service paid for?" I asked.
"Credit card," she said, looking at the computer monitor.
"Seriously?" I asked, smiling. I pulled my cell off my hip and speed dialed Ranger.
"Babe," he said after one ring.
"Can you trace a credit card number for me?" I asked.
"You can't be serious. They charged the delivery to their credit card?" Ranger asked.
"Yeah, and here I thought they were smart," I said to him. "What's the credit card number?" I asked the lady behind the counter. She wrote the number down and slid the paper to me.
"I'm going to put you on with Lester," Ranger said and a second later Lester was on in his place.
"Give it to me, Sweetie?" Lester said. I read him off the visa number and expiration date and he told me to give him a few minutes and he'd get back to me. I hung up my phone and clipped it back on my hip.
"What name and address was used on the account?" I asked.
"Michelle Stephens 1266 Hamilton Avenue for a physical address and a PO Box 90 for an alternate," she said reading the screen.
"Thank you, you've been very helpful," I said and walked out. I leaned against my SUV and closed my eyes. He knew I would track down the courier company. He knew I would get the information about the delivery. He used my assumed name, the bond office address, and my apartment number as a PO Box number. The visa number was probably stolen. I needed food. Happy food. Cake, I needed cake. I climbed into my SUV and drove to Pino's. A meatball sub was an excellent substitute for cake. It didn't quite handle the sugar needs, but it was a comfort food. And I was in serious need of comfort at the moment.
We walked through the door and every eye in the place landed on me. The four of us walked to a table in the back, so the guys could sit with their backs to the wall. Just as I sat down my cell rang.
"Yo," I said.
"You're never going to believe this," Lester said. "The visa was a gift card."
"Huh?" I asked, bemused.
"The number wasn't pulling anything up for me, so I called Visa. It's a gift card number. You can buy them pretty much anywhere and it works just like any gift card, except it acts just like a visa, but it's not traceable back to the user," he said.
I banged my head against the table. One step forward and three back. I disconnected, ordered my food, and relayed the information. We ate quickly and jetted out the door. We got in our vehicles and drove over a few blocks to S Olden Ave. I parked in front of Herman and Elizabeth Coleman's house. We walked up the walkway and rang the bell. We waited a full minute before heading back to her cars.
"Where too, Hon," Bobby asked as my cell rang.
"Newspaper. We need to talk to the editor," I said getting in my SUV. I clipped my phone into the hands free unit and answered it.
"Yo," I said, while putting my seat belt on.
"What the hell are you doing at the Coleman's house?" Morelli asked.
"I was going to ask them a few questions. I really like their car and was curious where they got it," I said, smiling.
"Stay out of this, Stephanie. The case may have started with you, but it's my case. Go chase your skips and leave the police work to the professionals," he said. Lula sucked in some air, and I gave him the middle finger before disconnecting the call.
I drove down the street for a few blocks and parked in front of The Times. We got out and went inside. The place was like zoo of caged animals. It took a full five minutes before anybody realized we were standing at the counter.
"Oh my God everybody, Stephanie Plum is here!" a woman shouted.
I closed my eyes and prayed for patience. I counted to ten and rolled my neck around a few times. I opened my eyes and suddenly felt like I was the zoo animal. They were staring at me like I was required to entertain them. I was hoping it didn't come down to jabbing me with sticks.
"I wanna talk to the editor," I said.
"What can I do for you Ms. Plum," a squatty man asked, while coming out of a room.
"I want to know about the article this morning," I told him.
"We got the information from a source, and sources are protected. If any of the information was incorrect then we will happily do a retraction," he said.
"Your source's right to stay anonymous is invading my privacy. He's also stalking me, and is wanted for questions regarding a murder," I said. "You still want to protect him?"
"I'm a firm believer in the bill of rights, Ms. Plum, but even if I didn't want to keep my source's identity protected, I couldn't help you. I don't know who he or she is. The information and photos were sent to us by a courier service. That's all I can or will tell you. I'd love an interview though," he said, grinning.
"The day I give this paper and interview, is the day I'll hand you my own gun and let you shoot me," I said, smiling and walking out.
"At least tell us about you and Mr. Manoso," somebody shouted at our backs. "Is that his men guarding you?" I gave them the middle finger over my shoulder and kept walking out. I got in my SUV and drove to my Parents' house. I needed to check on my mother. Lula gave me a sideways look, and I shrugged. My family wasn't high on the list of places people wanted to visit, but it was a necessary evil.
I parked out front and the guys were at my door just as I got my seatbelt off. Bobby opened my door and the ushered me into my parents' house. It was quite so that meant dad and grandma were gone and mom was ironing. I walked into the kitchen with the guys and Lula following me. Mom had the ironing board up and was ironing curtains. I cringed.
"Hi mom," I said, when she didn't even look up to acknowledge my presence.
"Stephanie," my mother said back.
Great she'd been reduced to one word responses, and I wasn't even sure what I did wrong. Sure the article was annoying, but it was true so what was the big deal. I wasn't dating Joe any more. She had to know that even if I hadn't spelled it out for her. She had to know I was with Ranger. It was obvious when we were together.
"Mom, look I know the article was slightly annoying, but …"
"Slightly annoying? Slightly. Annoying. Do you have any idea what I've been put through this morning. Angie Morelli called me. Grandma Bella called me. That woman threatened to put the eye on me for allowing my daughter to embarrass and shame her grandson," she said, spitting her words out.
"How is that my fault? Joe should have told his family that we broke up. And it's none of anybody's business that I'm having dinner with my man and friends, so I didn't feel the need to have it announced over the burg grapevine," I said back equally snappish.
"So Carlos is your boyfriend, now," she said a little softer.
"No," I replied getting three lifted eyebrows and a confused look from my mom. "Boyfriend doesn't seem like the right term to use when describing Ranger. I don't feel like I need a term. He's mine and I'm his. It's as simple as that." I saw Bobby and Van visibly relax and my mother smiled slightly.
"So are we talking," she started to say but tapered off.
I narrowed my eyes at her. She was never going to give up. "We're not getting married, Mom. Neither of us wants to ever get married again. We don't need to get married to be committed. We are committed to each other. We are exclusive. All I want is him, and all he wants is me. Neither of us is going anywhere any time soon," I said.
"But if you were to get married, then it would …"
"Would what, Mom? Nothing would change, but how I sign my name. Things could still go bad and end just as easily as they could if we weren't married. Marriage isn't a guarantee to anything. Our words to each other and how we feel about each other is what matters. Those words and those feelings aren't going to change simply because I become Stephanie Manoso," I said and my chest tightened.
My mother smiled slightly and nodded at me. "Yes I can see how nothing would change simply because you became Stephanie Manoso," she said, putting her ironing board away.
"I have to go Mom," I said, suddenly feeling quite shaky.
"Why don't you and Carlos come by for dinner?"
"Not tonight. Maybe this weekend. I'll talk to him about it and get back to you," I said, and walked out the door. I got in my SUV and stared out the window.
"I'm going to go home and take a nap," I said to Lula, and started up the car.
"Yeah I can see you need a nap," she said, and we dropped into silence on the drive to her apartment.
I was in deep shit. I couldn't possibly want to get married to Ranger. I didn't want to get married. Marriage wasn't the answer to a commitment. Ranger is committed to me, and he wasn't going to suddenly become more committed just because we sign a marriage license. Besides he didn't want to get married at all, even to me. I couldn't suddenly tell him I changed my mind, and that I do want to get married. That won't end well.
"What changed?" Lula asked, startling me.
"Huh?"
"I've seen you discuss marriage with regards to Morelli and you looked like you might get the runs, but when you said Stephanie Manoso your face changed. You looked like you were in deep shit. Something happened inside you when you said Manoso. That much was clear to the entire room," she said, while picking at her nails.
Clear to the room? That meant the guys could tell I wanted to marry Ranger. Would they tell him? Of course they would. They have to report their entire day to him. Would he say something to me about it? He was probably thinking of a way to leave the state without me knowing about it.
I stopped in front of Lula's apartment and she looked at me for several minutes before getting out. I needed to find a way to wipe my emotions from my face. I'd always just worn them for all to see. Like a display window at Macys.
I drove home on autopilot. I muttered a hello to Rex and dropped him a snack. I told the guys I was taking a nap and went to my bedroom dropping everything on the way. I dropped on the bed face down in my t-shirt and underwear. My last coherent thought was of marrying Ranger.