Author's Note: Good evening, y'all. It's time to head towards the climax of this little ditty and I'm so looking forward to this. My goal is to finish this story before September (because I'm supposed to be starting college…in theory) and I think I can make it, barring unforeseen occurrences. Wish me luck.
Disclaimer: "Honestly, it's not mine!"
Helen's POV
The last few weeks have been hell on Earth. Sadly, Joseph (and the Burg Ladies) had confirmed what that girl had said in Pino's and now, that Barndhart hussy was looking to marry my son. It was absolutely out of the question! The proper wedding plans were mercifully done, no thanks to Valerie and that Mary-Lou. According to Vincent (and Ms. Turner), both of them were out of town on a joint family vacation. No one knew exactly where they were in the South but they weren't going to be back until the day after the wedding. How dare they? They know how important this event is going to be and instead of standing up and fulfilling their responsibilities to the Burg, they had skipped out! Well, no matter! Asking them had just been a formality, anyway. If (when) they had interfered against Joseph, they would've been out immediately, despite the protests Stephanie would raise.
Anyway, it had been very easy to replace them with Louise Erickson's twin daughters. Their good Nordic looks would balance out the inevitable disaster that Stephanie would look like and the wedding photos would be gorgeous…
"We need to see Stephanie Plum, now! I know she's around here somewhere with your boss!" Joseph demanded with full proper Italian male dominance.
The interior of the Thug's building was actually quite tasteful, far from the images that the Burg had put in my head of X-crosses, camouflage and barbed wire. The floors were a shining black marble, the walls were a soft shade of blue and even with no windows, the Lobby was open and almost relaxing.
The blonde henchman at the reception desk looked at Joseph coolly and replied, "Do you have an appointment?"
"I don't need a fucking appointment! I'm a detective in the police department!"
"I'm fully aware of who you are and what you were to Ms. Plum, Detective Morelli but unless you have an appointment or a legitimate warrant, I can't allow you to enter the building any further."
Legitimate warrant? Why would that be a concern? Joseph was one of the most valued cops in Trenton. His word was as good as gold!
"Well, where's Manoso or those other guys that are always around him?"
Never looking away from us, the boy typed on his computer quickly and a shiver went down my spine at the flat ice in his dull brown eyes.
"Ranger, the Core Team, and Ms. Plum for that matter are all out of town on an extended assignment. I have no information on where they are or when they'll be returning but if you would like to leave a message, I'll be sure to pass it on to them as soon as possible."
Joseph's face became a rather frightening shade of red and I put my arm out to stop him from saying anything else. Fine. If this thug won't respond to the authority of a police officer, then he will certainly respond to mine. I am Helen Plum, a pillar of Chambersburg and my influence could ruin his reputation for life…
"Listen, you! It is very important that I speak to Stephanie immediately!", I cut in.
"And just who are you?" he asked with a bored look on his face, like I was a wayward child, a nobody! How dare he…?
My jaw dropped at the child's audacity and replied, "I am her mother!"
As much as it made me sick to claim her aloud, it was imperative that Joseph and I get inside to see for ourselves that she was not here. Stephanie was just that childish enough to lie and with her abhorrent liaisons with these monsters, they would easily lie for her in exchange for her attentions …
The boy's calm facade broke and his face visibly darkened as he typed something else into his computer.
"Helen Plum?", he asked brusquely.
"Yes! Where is my daughter? What have you all done with her?"
The thug took a deep breath and I was shocked to see barely contained rage in his eyes.
"I've already explained to your companion where your daughter is. Ma'am, there is a standing order from Ranger himself that you are not to be allowed on any of his properties without the express permission of Ms. Plum or himself. Any failure to follow this order will result in immediate termination and since I have a wife and 4 kids to feed, I'm going to have to ask you to leave immediately. Please take the detective with you."
"You can't speak to me like that!"
"I'll have you arrested for…" Joseph began.
He stood up and I swallowed thickly as the "secretary" towered over both of our heads as he stood. Of course, he was armed…
"You have no authority here, Detective and any attempt to arrest me will be construed as an abuse of power and since the Police Department is quite disgusted with your recent behavior, I'm sure they'll skip straight to termination and save the reprimands for the mailbox. You and Mrs. Plum will leave now or I will be calling security…RangeMan Trenton, how may I help you today?" he greeted pleasantly as he answered the phone, showing just how psychotic these RangeMen were.
How else could he switch from foaming at the mouth to civilized in so little time?
With a disgusted huff, I grabbed Joseph's arm and ushered him out of the Fortress.
"Extended assignment…Joseph, do you think you can figure out where she is?"
"Knowing Manoso, he's probably dragged Cupcake off to Uzbekistan." he replied sullenly, making me bury my face in my hands.
I need my medicine.
/
Stephanie's POV
"Stephanie!"
Before I could even blink, Julie had leapt fearlessly from the wraparound porch and nearly sent me to the ground in a Hobbes hug. Cracking up, I hugged her back fiercely and watched as she bounced like Tigger on the grass as everyone got out of the trucks. As soon as Carlos climbed out, she did the same thing to him and yelped as Carlos lifted her off the ground in response.
"Ranger!" she cheered.
"Hola, hija. Where's your mom?"
"Out back with Ron. Oh my god, you're getting married to Stephanie, your Babe…and without the zombie apocalypse happening first. I'm so proud of you!" the 13 year old declared before sticking out her tongue.
She was certainly her father's child: a complete smartass. She had Carlos' coloring and the wavy texture of his hair. At 13, she stood at a solid 5'8 and was skinny as a runway model. She was a honey blonde and big green eyes, eyes that held no fear or sadness sparkled in the Miami sunshine. She had on a pair of black jeans and a red shirt with white Batman logos all over it as well as mismatched pink and green socks.
"You're not funny. Go say hello to your uncles.", he grumbled with a fond smile.
Jules nodded and ran to the trucks, tackling an unaware Lester and prompting Tank to pick her up and take off running for the backyard, promising to protect her from the wrath of "Rico Suave". Cal, Hal, and Bobby took off after them and Hector just shook his head with amusement, a rare smile lighting up his face. Wow, there must be something crazy good in the air here…
"There's nothing in the air, Babe. They're just excited. I am too. I get to marry you in less than 2 weeks."
I blushed at his sweet words and looked down at my bare feet, marveling at all the green grass underneath. While it was getting colder and uglier in Trenton (when we left, the first snow of the season was beginning to fall), Miami was warm and beautiful. The colors of the buildings, the blue of the sky and water, the sun…
"I don't get how you ever left here."
"You were in Trenton, Babe. Miami can't hold a candle to you.", he replied simply before capturing my lips in a deep sultry kiss, outdoing the heat around us and buckling my knees.
Be still, my heart.