Disclaimer: Not mine, too bad!

Notes: So this chapter is later then I wanted but I had some health issues. Sorry. I have a platelet (bleeding disorder) and when my system crashes I feel like crap, and have no energy. I seem to have self corrected this time, I have blood work again tomorrow but I'm feeling better so hopefully no Hospital stay and transfusions this time! YAY!

This chapter I thought would be close to 10k in word count-but it was already at 7,000-something and I still had a ways to go so I found a good place to cut it short and I'm hoping to get the rest out as Chapter 26 now. A little excitement here and the classic Stephanie ability to land in the worst situation possible without trying! ; )

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Huge thanks for all the fave/follows and reviews! Over 300! You guys make me feel awesome!

Chapter Twenty-Five

I changed into a pair of quarter length Yoga pants after Tamsin left just long enough to cover my bruised knee and pulled on a stretchy knit t-shirt over my sports top. I wasn't expected at class today thanks to my bruised body and Tamsin having mercy on me. So I thought I'd go ahead and take advantage of the early afternoon and visit Central Park. It looked like a beautiful autumn day outside my window.

I had to dig through my plastic drawers to find the back-up jacket I'd brought from Jersey with me…I didn't wear it normally because it didn't fit me and I was also afraid something would happen to it and I'd feel terrible. It didn't fit because it was a man's sized XL black zip up hoodie that pretty much swallowed my small frame, especially now; and I didn't want anything to happen to it because the man I'd filched it from was Batman himself. It was obviously old, it had faded from its original crisp black but still plainly displayed a white crest on the left breast with some kind of winged shield, and a grinning skull in a floppy hat. The skull had a sword through its head which I thought was rather morbid considering the leering smile. There was a lightning bolt splitting the whole shield behind it's head.

I didn't know what it stood for but I didn't think it was random—and considering Ranger keeps nothing of sentimental value, that I know of at least, (beyond a Navy SEALS cap) I knew it had to be important. There was no other reason for him to hang onto a faded, black jacket when he had at least five crisp brand new ones with the Rangeman Logo on them hanging in his closet.

I hadn't noticed the emblem when I first stole it. It had been raining and I'd needed a jacket after taking a shower at Haywood. I'd had a really shitty day failing at bounty hunting and life in general that meant my clothes had been ruined and I didn't want anyone from the Burg to accidently see me and spread more rumors about my life. I was at my wits end as it was without the phone blowing up over my latest tiff with Morelli and my Mother screeching at me. I had spare uniforms on seven but no jacket, and the temperature outside was fast dropping from cold rain to sleety yuck so I'd borrowed one out of the back of Ranger's closet. It didn't say Rangeman and I'd assumed it was just an old black jacket he wouldn't miss since it was hidden in the back.

When I'd noticed the emblem after my Mother washed it for me and folded it very carefully, almost reverently, leaving it prominently displayed at the top of my basket so the emblem showed I'd immediately returned it to his closet realizing it was probably something to do with his Army Ranger training and I didn't think he'd want me wearing it. He hadn't been home when I'd taken it or returned it and I'd hoped he wouldn't notice, but that was ridiculous considering this was Ranger we're talking about.

Not even two weeks later it had been hanging in my closet again—right in the front and it smelled like either Ranger had worn it recently—for long enough that his scent still lingered in the soft fabric when I held it to my nose, or someone had found a way to wash his clothes in Bvlgari. The scent faded a week later but the jacket remained soft and comfy and my go to bad day therapy wear when I wanted to sit on the sofa and eat a pint of Ben and Jerry's in one go.

He never mentioned it and I never wore it out of the house so Joe wouldn't have a cow—I didn't wear Joe's jackets, I didn't think he'd handle seeing me wearing Ranger's for the same reason I kept the plain black t-shirts hidden in the back of my shirt drawer. Admitting I slept in Ranger's stolen t-shirts would certainly cause Joe to go straight past red to purple right before the top of his head exploded. They'd probably measure it on the Richter scale in Connecticut. When I went through my things to pack for this trip and I'd just thrown it in my bag without thinking about it, Joe was no longer a concern and it brought me comfort.

I pulled it on, grabbed my messenger bag and headed out the door. My knee was a little sore—but not so bad I couldn't walk. Walking might even help. There had been plenty of mornings after my workouts with Tamsin where I thought all I wanted to do was lie in bed curled in a ball and moan, but stretching out and moving actually helped then, so I was hoping it would do the same now. I didn't still want to be stiff and sore tomorrow and I'd already slept enough with Ranger on the phone this morning that I didn't want to waste a rare afternoon of freedom.

I exited the front doors of my building and just paused a moment breathing deeply and taking in the crisp fall air and the sun beating down on the bricks. The air felt clean and fresh, and for a weekday there seemed to be a surprising number of people just milling around on the sidewalk. I guess the great weather was enough encouragement for some of my fellow New Yorkers to play hooky from work or leave their apartments in droves on a free afternoon.

I started towards the subway entrance figuring I'd take the line to the Park since it really is huge and I was going to do a ton of walking there. New York is staggering in size if you've never been and Central Park itself feels like another world, if you didn't look up and see the skyline of high rises beyond the tree line you'd never know you were in the heart of the city.

I'd just hit the Subway platform when my phone started ringing. Shit. I still hadn't called Ranger this morning! I fished it out and hit the button without looking at the screen in my rush to answer before he could call out the National Guard or send half of Rangeman to get me. "I'm so sorry!" I blurted in lieu of my normally teasing 'Yo' as a greeting.

"For what Steph?"

Not the voice I was expecting at all—and I couldn't immediately identify who it belonged too; which for me is usually not a good thing. Too many whackos over the last few years have gotten my phone number—and into my apartment. "Who is this?"

"Uh, it's Alex." He added hesitantly after a pregnant pause.

Fuck. I never called him back either—I'd just kind of avoided it—or even thinking about it, and then with everything else going on I'd forgotten completely. "Alex, Uh… I'm sorry I thought you were someone else."

"Who's that?" He asked inquisitively.

"Not important right now."

"You sure? Other dudes are calling my girlfriend, I'd hate to have to fight someone." He teased.

I was speechless for a split second then snorted at the thought of Alex trying to fight Ranger. Yeah right.

"Ouch, that almost makes me question my manly-ness, but I remember the size of your Angry Ranger friend!" Alex laughed in my ear.

I guess I said at least some of that out loud.

"So I know you're busy," Alex continued. "But I wanted to know if you could make it next weekend?"

Next weekend?

"The beach? Atlantic City? You me, bathing suits in the sun?"

"Uh…"

"Come on Gorgeous, help a guy out here my confidence is plummeting." He wheedled.

"I have to work." Which I did. The weekend at least; those were the busiest days.

"You don't have off the weekend or Labor Day?" He pointed out dubiously.

"Uh, No. I work a lot of weekends." Like all weekends, what were weekends really? I had no friends to shop with, and I made the most money on Friday, Saturday and Sunday—all the incentive I needed to ignore the traditional work week schedule.

He exhaled, "I could come to New York …"

"I don't think that's a good Idea…" I jumped in to cut him off, familiar with this kind of blitzkrieg from Joe and my Mother's standard play book.

"Look Steph, I'm really trying here. I want to get to know you better, but you're a seriously difficult woman to pin down."

Guilt filled me. "I'm sorry," God, why was I always apologizing for things? "It's just not a good time." I tried to explain, hoping to put him off so I could deal with this later, much—much later hopefully. "I'm trying to get a handle on this huge project at work…"

"Does this project have a name?" Alex snapped suddenly cutting me off.

"Uh…" The sudden change in demeanor threw me for a loop.

"Just tell me his name Stephanie. I should at least know who you're seeing."

What? "Excuse me?!" I snapped feeling the guilt flip over to irritation faster than a released rubber band. "First off—I'm not seeing anyone." Not that that was any of his freaking business! "And Second, even if I was—we've only been on one date. That does not give you the right to dictate my life!" I should just hang up, the nerve!

"You're right," Alex let out in a rush. "I'm sorry. I over reacted. Let me make it up to you please Steph…give me your address I'll take you out Friday, anywhere you want…I'll send you something today flowers, chocolates anything to show you how sorry I am…Please baby?"

My skin was crawling, and it wasn't just the last word that hit me like a punch to the gut twisting my insides into knots. "No. You know what this isn't working for me. I have to go."

"Stepha—" I hit the end button cutting him off and blew out a breath. The creepy sensation still tickling the back of my neck.

Ugh. I have the worst luck with Men!The phone started ringing in my hand and I let it go to voicemail. He didn't call back again, I noted with relief. Trying to shake off the last call I hit speed dial and waited knowing I couldn't put this off any longer.

"Babe, I was about to drive to New York and drag you out of bed."

Hmm. Visions of me dragging Ranger into bed instead danced in my head leaving me with a hot flash that brought a stupid grin to my face and wiped away the last of the icky feeling talking to Alex had left me with.

"Too bad you don't know where I live," I shot back pulling the Tiger's tail just a little and then rushed to add "I've actually been up for a while, but I had some things I had to take care of first thing this morning."

"Anything you'd like to share?"

I didn't see a reason not to, "Filing a report on last night."

"And?" Ranger prompted when I went silent.

"Nothing really, hopefully they pick the guy up quickly before he can hurt someone else."

Ranger made a noncommittal humming noise into my ear I didn't know how to interpret then added "what are you doing now?"

"Are you staring at your lap top again?" I teased laughing at the ridiculous thought; it wasn't like Ranger spent all day in his office with my tracking screen pulled up just watching a little dot bounce around New York! He had a multi-state company to run!

"Always Babe,"

I couldn't tell if he was being serious without searching his face—maybe not even then, Ranger is a hard guy to read and often left me in the dark guessing as to whether he was teasing or serious. I waited but he seemed to be finished sharing. "I'm going to the Park." I informed him, If he was really tracking me he'd know soon enough.

"Central?"

"Yes."

"Be careful and stay in the common areas near other people. Do you have pepper spray?"

"Rangeeer! It's the middle of the day! It's not a vacant alley at midnight it's a Public Park!" I think I'm capable of walking through a park, what's the worst that could happen, I trip on the sidewalk and twist my ankle?

…Actually that sounded exactly like me, I frowned.

"It's a big Park with its own police force for good reason Steph. Please be Careful."

I guess that was true, I'd never really thought about it, still I felt Ranger was being a tad over cautious even if I was a magnet for disasters. "I'll be careful." I agreed. Ranger rarely said Please for anything. Besides, I'd had enough life threatening situations this week. I was well past my quota and tapped out.

"Okay, Call me later." And just like that he was gone.

I stared at my phone in my hand before tucking it into the inside pocket of my messenger bag. That was almost a Goodbye in Batman terms—weird.

As soon as I put away the phone and started walking towards the closest Subway station entrance down the block the sensation that someone was watching me returned. I stopped and turned, swiveling my head up and down the street trying to pin point the source but found nothing. No one was looking at me that I could see; no creepy men with scraggly hair that looked like my driver turned attacker last night and no black Rangeman SUV creeping down the street or parked inconspicuously on the curb. Probably I was just feeling sensitive and a little paranoid after last night knowing that jerk was out there somewhere—I'd certainly be paying closer attention to my cab drivers before getting into any more cars. A day late and a dollar short but Lesson learned!

I tried to shrug off the feeling and kept walking certain I was imagining it. It was a truly gorgeous day and I planned to take full advantage of the breeze and sun shine. The temperature was perfect and everyone seemed to be uplifted by the great weather.

I pulled out my MetroCard for the subway as I went down the same stairs I'd taken early this morning talking to Ranger. The train should arrive in just a few minutes so I hurried to swipe my card at the Turnstile and stood waiting beside a few other scattered Passengers already on the platform. A few more commuters drifted down the stairs while I waited. One lady was making a fuss over getting a small fluffy dog dressed in a blue sweater and matching hair bows into her bag so they could board the train when it arrived.

I tried to picture wrestling a Hamster into a tiny sweater and was glad Chic Hamster Clothing had never been a trend. I'd probably get my fingers bit off, Rex had been a pretty chill dude but even he would probably draw the line at Hamster fashion.

The prickling sensation crawled up the back of my neck again, setting all the tiny hairs on my skin standing on end. I looked around trying to be casual—just a lady on a subway platform taking in her fellow passengers. Still no one stood out to me with obvious warning bells. The sixth sense of being watched was starting to make me feel paranoid and jumpy. Maybe I really was just over sensitive after last night, after an experience like that it was understandable right? I'd been fine in the city for Month alone—clearly not everyone in New York was a deranged maniac just looking for their next mark.

No one standing on the platform was dragging an axe behind them, or staring me down with creepy dead eyes like Ramirez had possessed. I was clearly just freaking myself out for no good reason. Ranger would laugh at me if I told him I was afraid to stand on a subway platform all by myself in the middle of the day. Ranger regularly went to Stark in the middle of the night, which was way scarier!

Get a grip Steph. I chided myself as the train arrived and the doors slide open allowing the passengers to exit the cars and the rest of us to board.

I took a seat near the rear of the car farthest from the doors sliding down the seat to put my back against the wall channeling my inner Ranger—or trying to immolate him at least. The ride to Central Park would take me thirty minutes and I'd have to change subway lines halfway. The tone sounded and the doors slide shut on the station as we departed down the track.

The lady with her little dog was in the same car I'd entered and her furry travel companion wasn't happy with the noise of the subway or the flashing lights that went by outside as we slid through the tunnel. She was trying to shush him unsuccessfully and casting apologetic glances to the other passengers for his intermittent piercing bark. The little bow covered head sticking out of her bag was practically vibrating with agitation as the rest of the passengers rolled their eyes in annoyance. I felt bad for her, I'd been the center of unwanted attention before, it sucked. The poor dog couldn't help that he was freaked out by the subway ride, and she was clearly trying to quiet him down.

That said, after twenty minutes I was just as desperate as everyone else unfortunate enough to be sharing the same metal cylinder echoing and his sharp yaps to escape. The longer he'd yowled on the more each piercing sound they felt like ice picks to the brain.

I practically leapt off the train at the next station glad that when she exited in the same place she didn't stand next to me to wait for the next train with the other passengers but instead hurried up the stairs clearly embarrassed and still toting her furiously yapping handbag.

I'd considered getting a dog after Rex passed away months ago—but considering my unpredictable schedule, and the number of thongs I'd lost to Bob I'd quickly nixed that idea. The fact that hamsters don't bark and didn't need to ride the subway to go places with me had just been added to the list as major positives in the future roommate debate.

The next train arrived and I climbed on board with the rest of my fellow commuters still lost in my thoughts about Rex and Bob, and there was even a little Joe in there too…I did miss him sometimes—we'd spent a lot of time around each other over the last three years, and not all of it was bad. A lot of it was comfortable and relaxing looking back on our time together I think what we honestly did best was hanging out on the couch eating greasy pizza and watching hockey. If we'd been a couple of dudes, or Sex had never entered the picture I think we could have been great friends. The problem was me and Joe just had so much history muddying the waters between us and the lines were always blurred. No wonder we'd been a hot mess from the beginning.

I didn't even want to analyze my relationship with Ranger. I wasn't feeling anywhere near brave enough for that train of thought and the heartache that would certainly go with it.

The ticker sign rolled to announce the next stop and the car slowed as it pulled into the station. I climbed to my feet and took the stairs up to street level and immediately could see the giant green wall that was the edge of Central Park. The green stretched on as far as I could see from here and I practically skipped to the cross walk pushing the button and waiting for the crosswalk to change so I could cross the street. Finally the light changed and I hurried across the intersection with a group of people and into the park.

The sun was shining, the grass was vibrant green and looked softer then carpet. People were biking, pushing strollers and walking dogs. The leaves hanging over the sidewalks and narrow streets were a wash of green with hints of yellow, red, gold, and purple creeping in. In another week or two they would be a riot of color and breath-taking. I wandered down the sidewalk onto a cobblestone walking path past bronze statues, fountains, and trees so tall they quickly hid the skyline surrounding me. It really was like another world here.

I meandered down paths, picking my direction at random—just enjoying being outside in the fresh air and nature. I might be a Jersey girl that loves beaches and can't live without a decked out mall but there was something equally appealing about his beautiful green wonderland surrounding me. Around one I found myself on a tree lined sidewalk edging one of the two lane streets that cut through the park and allowed vehicle traffic the occasional yellow taxi cab carting passengers in and out of the park. The curb was packed with horse drawn carriages of various colors their engines at parade rest; back legs cocked half asleep as they waited for someone to take a ride.

They were vaguely reminiscent of Ranger and me waiting for hours on end on a stake out for something to happen. One of them opened his mouth and let out a huge jaw cracking yawn as I walked past and I couldn't help laughing. Okay, so maybe they were more like Meon stakeout. I don't think I'd ever seen Ranger yawn—Ever. Batman didn't get bored; Batman just went to the Zone.

The scent of Hotdogs drifted to me on the breeze suddenly so distinct and intense it made me weak in the knees. God I was starving! How did I not realize I was famished until this moment? Guess I really had been absorbed in taking in the sights and sounds around me.

Way to be aware of my surroundings! I snorted at my inner Ranger and hurried to stand in line at the food cart digging through my bag to pull out a folded twenty. My mouth was watering and my stomach was growling in anticipation of slow basted ball park perfection smothered in sauerkraut and slathered with honey mustard. I was so hungry I felt like I could eat a horse, but I'd settle for a foot long instead.

God the jokes Lester was missing! He'd cry if he knew.

I paid for my lunch trying not to snort and laugh out loud like a crazy person at my musings wondering if Lester would simply waggle his eyebrows at me suggestively if he'd heard me order a foot long, or if he'd be bold enough to offer me one of his own. I had to bite my lip to keep in the laughter not wanting to alarm the other lunch customers. Would Ranger slap him in the back of the head like I'd seen Bobby do when Les threw innuendos at me in front of the other guys or would he just scowl and order Lester to the mats?

I didn't have to wonder about my own reaction; I'd probably blush and try to hide it by rolling my eyes, no surprise there. Even working at Dom's the last few months it seemed I was still capable of blushing like crazy in the most unflattering manner possible.

I took my paper crimped hot dog and cut across the grass to sit on one of the gigantic rocks scattered throughout the green spaces beside the road. The sun was beating down here and had warmed the surface to the point it was hot—but not enough to burn skin. It was a little awkward to climb with only one hand so I didn't go very high, unlike some of the college students reading or studying higher up, stretched out and enjoying the sunshine. I picked a relatively flat spot I didn't think I'd slide or fall from—that would be embarrassing! I plopped rather ungracefully down on the smooth sun warmed surface legs stretched out in front of me, bag beside me and leaned back on one hand taking my first bite of Ball Park bliss.

Dear Lord. This was the best damn hot dog ever!

Either there was some secret ingredient in the cooking, or I was so hungry my taste buds were biased. I moaned and closed my eyes savoring the burst of flavor across my tongue with every bite. Screw whatever Lester might say, next time I wanted a hot dog I was driving to New York and eating one of these—maybe two or three.

I polished off the hot dog way too quickly and was seriously considering buying another one when my phone started ringing in my bag. I blew out a breath hoping it wasn't Alex but fished it out anyways. If it was Ranger and I didn't answer he'd probably deploy troops.

I glanced at the screen. Not Ranger, Tamsin.

"Yo," I greeted her clearly still thinking about Ranger.

"Cheeky." She shot back then launched into her reason for calling. "So I have information on your Taxi driver."

"Alright."

"His name is Travis Muchnik, 43; employed with a private cab company that contracts with the city. Employed for less than a year—not exactly a stellar employee but the owner didn't have any reason to suspect he'd assault his fares. Julian gave him a pretty hard time about it and he seemed pretty upset and was very cooperative. Guy picks his checks up at the office, but the owner pulled his W-2 from their files and we got an address in Queens and we're sending a squad car over to check it out. According to the owner a Mr.…Almere he didn't come back last night at end of shift to return his cab. Probably because of his busted up face, that would have been hard to explain if you broke his nose. Mr. Almere's been calling his phone but he hasn't answered and he was about to report the Cab as stolen to the police. Julian had him file the form while they were there so we can add Grand theft to the charges of assault."

"So you have enough to hold him if you pick him up?" I'd been around the system enough to know you needed a good reason to hold someone or they'd be out in a matter of hours; and a court date didn't mean jack to most criminals. My former employment proved that daily.

"Absolutely the Grand theft makes it even better. I should know in less than an hour and then I'll need you to come down and make a positive ID for the record."

"It's pretty nifty that the NYPD lets you just run around their office… open door policy for night club managers?" I was fishing, hoping she'd clue me in to which acronym she worked with because I knew she had to be a Cop or FBI, I just didn't know which. I fished with Ranger a lot over the years even if it rarely yielded any information beyond a raised brow and a 'babe'. I'm nosey, it's a product of being Burg raised I'm sure of it, and it's helped me solve cases before.

I could hear the grin in her voice when she answered. "Damn straight. These boys need a little management." Which wasn't really admitting to anything was it? Darn. I heard someone talking in the background and her tone became all business again. "I'll call you back when you can come down."

"'Kay." We hung up and I stuffed the phone back in my bag and pulled Ranger's jacket off balling it up and stuffing it behind my head before leaned back on my elbows closing my eyes and tilting my face back to relax planning to soak up the sun while I waited with any luck there'd be one less whacko in the City to worry about by tonight. After a few moments I gave up the pretense of being aware of my surroundings and just laid back on my makeshift jacket pillow feeling the sun soak into my skin warming me like a human lizard. It wasn't the beach, but I could make do; Ahhhh Bliss!

When my skin started to feel a little too warm I decided I'd had enough sun bathing and figured I should continue my walk around the park in the shade. I didn't have on sunscreen, and unlike Ranger's perfect Mocha latte complexion my pasty white skin liked to burn.

I glanced at my phone to catch the time and was shocked to see it was nearly 3 o'clock! The day was just flying by, it also meant I'd been sunbathing for close to 45 minutes though it felt like ten and Tamsin had yet to call me back. I hoped that didn't mean there was a problem picking up Muchnik the Taxi driver—but I'd been through this mess with my life and general luck too many times before. I was betting he wasn't home, and they'd just be on the lookout for him or his license plate while he took off for parts unknown. If I was him I certainly wouldn't stick around waiting to be arrested!

I pushed myself up from my sunbathing spot brushing off anything that might have stuck to my butt grabbed Ranger's jacket and my bag sliding it over my head and onto my shoulder again before climbing to my feet and carefully making my way off the Rock and back to the grass. I tossed my crumpled hot dog wrapper into the trash and continued down the cobblestone path that should lead me back towards where I'd first entered the park.

Turned out is was more of a long way around then I expected because I ended up in a sort of wide open lawn, and could see a body of water up ahead large enough I'd consider it a Lake. There were quite a few people on the paths around the lake, and siting on the grass—but I noticed that most of them were giving the lake a wide berth and as I drew closer I realized why when I witnessed a gang of five geese fly at a jogger that obviously got too close to the water beating their wings and honking up a storm. One of them landed not twenty feet from me and his snake like neck swiveled around and his beady eyes fixing on me as he let out a threatening HONK!

Oh, Hell No.

Visions of my experience with the Attack Geese at Trenton Park coming after not just me but poor dopey defenseless Bob flited through my head. Yeah, so not happening.

There looked to be about a hundred menacing geese scattered around the edges of the water and floating in the middle—I was not interested in reenacting Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds. Not today, not ever. I learned my lesson that day in the park! Geese despise me more than Grandma Bella does—instead of the Eye though they just flew at you flapping their wings, honking like lunatics and tried to peck your eyes out!

Being almost mauled to death by birds was a once in a lifetime experience I didn't care to repeat so I changed course and chose to follow a path up a steep hill moving away from the pond that quickly disappeared into a shadowed tree line and seemed to wind its way through a thick stand of man-made woods for quite a ways. The shade was nice after the open sunshine, and the woods were filled with the sounds of birds less likely to kill me so I shrugged off the nagging voice that sounded suspiciously like Ranger in the back of my head reminding me I was supposed to stay near other people.

It was still the middle of the day, and I was not getting attacked by Geese.

The woods were bigger then I originally thought and soon I could no longer see the lake, or anyone else. The skin prickling sensation that I was being followed, or watched slithered up my spine and I found myself glancing behind me, and around me at the dark shadows under the trees more than really enjoying the quiet scenery.

Just a nice stroll through the woods. Nothing to freak out about. But the feeling didn't go away, it only intensified until I'd convinced myself that somehow the Taxi cab driver from last night or a mugger or someone else with sinister intentions must be following me. I sped up my steps hitching my bag closer to my side and fisting my hands over my jacket. I could always throw it or swing it at someone's head; if I whipped it hard enough they'd be distracted enough to flinch and take a step back and could use that moment to get away right, or at the very least get a head start? That was my plan. I marched on, too convinced someone was following me to risk turning back. Why didn't I grab a freaking Map at the entrance to the park? I had no idea where this path lead to, and clearly no one else was using it; what if it was a dead end or something and I had no choice but to turn around and go back the other way?

The trees started to space out to a thinner, younger wood and the path dropped steeply down into a gulley that had water trickling through it. Just across the short wooden bridge to the other side of the path was a tunnel that loomed dark and ominous in a virtual wall of vines and thick underbrush and rock. The single unlit lamp post at its mouth did nothing to improving it's dark interior or foreboding appearance.

My footsteps hesitated as fear slithered up my spine giving me goose bumps. The tunnel was long enough that I could see the other side through it, but not short enough that it was well lit in the center—it was just dark enough to send my wild imagination dancing with gleefully wicked images from too many B movies and episodes of SVU. I considered pulling out my cell phone and Dialing Ranger—but what could he do really? Laugh at me for being afraid of the dark? Remind me that I'd agreed to stay in crowded areas and like a dope here I was staring at the mouth of a dark tunnel in the middle of the woods. Probably talking on a cellphone wouldn't help me if there was someone following me, probably I should appear alert and ready to defend myself against attack—and not distracted and babbling away on my phone.

I gripped the jacket in my right hand so hard my knuckles turned white. Behind me I swear I heard a twig snap and I shrieked and plummeted into the tunnel at a dead run. Probably it was a squirrel, or a bird, or a random Jogger finally coming down the path enjoying the quiet woods. The mouth of the tunnel was only a few feet away now and I started to slow my pace feeling ridiculous for running from what was probably a squirrel.

Until I tripped over a body lying on the ground and slammed into the asphalt so hard I saw stars. I had just a second to think, Jesus Christ Not again! When the body jerked upright and a hand locked around my ankle.

I shrieked and kicked out blindly and the person clinging to me hollered something undecipherable as another hand came out of no-where and grabbed my purse…the purse that was still over my shoulder and firmly connected to my body.

"No!" I twisted onto my butt and got an eyeful of a disheveled man, his skin was covered in thick discoloring patches of filth, and the ratty appearance of his jacket and pants gave the instant impression of either homelessness or drug addiction, maybe both with the nonsense he was spewing.

Probably I'd just stepped on this poor man and scared the shit out of him while he'd been sound asleep or high, but he was still pawing at my bag and yanked at my ankle trying to drag me closer, and the wordless babble coming from his was terrifying. I swung my other arm out in an arc and the Jacket whipped across his face making him screech in alarm. He hollered again as an angry red line bloomed across his cheekbone from the bottom clasp of the zipper striking him. He let go of my purse and ankle as I whipped the jacket at him again shouting for him to let me go.

Unfortunately he grabbed the jacket on its next pass and yanked hard enough that I almost fell over. So there was a serious flaw in my self-dense plan. He was still yelling like a madman—and I was shrieking like a horror movie victim; certainly someone would hear the commotion we were making and come investigate. When his bony fingers locked on the jacket with both hands and he yanked again I decided I wasn't going to wait for someone to come talk sense into both of us, I just wanted to get the hell away from here.

I let go of the Jacket sending him sprawling backwards, he bellowed a slurred "Bitch Get back here!" but I was already up on my feet and running away from both the creepy tunnel and the homeless guy still yelling after me.

He didn't' appear to be following me but I ran until I was out of the trees, and back into a greenspace that once again featured a scattering of college students and young families—all completely oblivious to the fact that I'd just assaulted—or nearly been assaulted by a homeless man living under a bridge like a troll.

I was never telling Ranger about this!

And then I realized with a stab of loss and a twist of guilt. I'd just left Ranger's jacket with the homeless guy in the woods. Shit. I dropped onto a bench in defeat fighting tears and took a few deep breaths. Try to think about this rationally Steph—you blew up and flattened a Porsche Boxster and Ranger's only concern had been whether I was alright. Certainly some old Jacket couldn't be as important or cost as much as a Boxster!But somehow the Jacket felt more important, Ranger let me keep it when it was obviously important enough that he'd held onto it long enough for it to fade—and I'd lost it.God I was such a disaster.

My phone started ringing in my bag and I nearly jumped out of my skin with a squeak. A guy that was jogging past noticed and shot me a saucy grin and I blushed furiously.

Apparently I just amuse people everywhere I go!

I sighed as he jogged further down the sidewalk and fished in my bag trying to find the phone that had shifted in either my fall or my flight to escape the guy I'd stepped on. Probably I really had just scared the shit out of him and completely over-reacted.

I finally found my phone at the very bottom of my bag but not before I missed whoever was trying to reach me. It had just started ringing again as I pulled it out and glanced at the screen.

Ranger.

Crap. I tried to slow my frantically beating heart and control my breathing. He'd called twice in less then a minute—I got the feeling not answering the phone wouldn't end well for me. Maybe if I pretended everything was fine I could put him off long enough that I could replace the jacket. My mom might know what the crest stood for—Or my dad even, he'd been in the Army. I didn't think going back and asking the homeless guy I'd upset for the jacket was a great idea—even if it was a huge misunderstanding he'd been pretty riled up and I'd scratched his face when I swung the jacket at him, probably he'd just hit me if he saw me again. He was probably pissed!

I hit the button to accept the call and offered what I homed was a casual "Yo," into the receiver.

"You sound out of breath." Ranger pointed out immediately. "Am I interrupting something?"

What the hell would he be interrupting that was worth sounding so dare I say…pissy? "No, just running through the park." I wasn't lying.

Ranger was silent for a few heartbeats while I tried not to breath too loudly into the phone. "You're running?"

Jeeze, he didn't have to sound so incredulous! I could run! Especially if I thought someone was after me! "This park is Huge," I pointed out defensively. "If I walk the whole way it will be midnight before I make it home!"

"Call me when you get there." He hung up not sounding convinced—but at least he didn't outright accuse me of lying. I blew out a breath and slumped against the back of the bench. I could put off telling him about the jacket for a little while at least—he wasn't going to show up expecting me to have it so I had time to figure out what do tell him or how to get a replacement one. I was so tired of destroying and losing his stuff—one day he was going to realize I was way more trouble than I was worth.

I dropped my phone back inside my purse only for it to start ringing again. Crapballs. Maybe Ranger actually had a tracker in his jacket and he'd just pulled up his laptop program and realized that I was broadcasting from two different locations. I fished the phone back out with a sick feeling in my stomach I'd definitely label as dread and breathed a sigh of relief. Tamsin.

"Hello?"

"Bad news."

"Not what I want to hear right now."

"Muchnik's address on his W-2 belongs to his brother—who hasn't seen him in two months."

"We sure about that?" I'd had plenty of friends and family of skips lie when I'd shown up to take them in, swearing they hadn't seen them in days, weeks or months—even when they'd been the person to put up collateral for the bond.

"He let them in to search and said his brother was sleeping on his couch for a few months but he asked him to leave because he was seeing a women and Travis kept making her uncomfortable."

I could imagine.

"We've got an unmarked car at least for the night sitting on the street, so if he shows up they'll grab him."

"And if he doesn't show up tonight?"

"Can't waste man hours." Tamsin announced, sounding annoyed. "Budget cuts. Hopefully we get lucky and he shows up or someone reports the cab."

Great. So we'd basically gotten nothing. There was a serial killer on the loose in the city—possibly following me around as his next victim, and we couldn't even stop one perverted taxi cab driver. And now there was a crazy homeless guy with my jacket.

"You wanna explain that last one because that didn't sound like a declaration of charity."

Looks like I was still thinking out loud. I sighed. "I'm in Central Park, I was running and tripped over this guy he was lying in a tunnel on this path and it was so dark I didn't even see him. He freaked out, was yelling total gibberish and he grabbed my jacket when I swung it at him to keep him away from me. We fought over it for a second but he was freaking me out so I let it go and took off. I think he was on drugs."

"What were you doing running in the park? I thought I told you to take it easy." She sounded annoyed.

"I was! I was walking and I felt like someone was following me; there was no one around and I got freaked out so I started running—and that's when I tripped over the guy."

Tamsin blew out a breath into the phone. "I can't decide if you've got the best luck of anyone I've ever met, or the worst."

I snorted. "Remind me to tell you about the Porsche Boxster Pancake sometime."

"That does sound intriguing. I'll call you I we find something. Make sure you're out of the park before dark." She hung up. She did that a lot. I wonder if she and Ranger could be related.

I dropped the phone inside my bag again this time it stayed silent.

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To be continued...

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I hope you enjoyed it!