***Your response to my last chapter was overwhelming and wonderful, thank you so much! I apologize for not getting this up on Monday, darn paper kicked my butt. Since turning it in though, I feel less stressed (for another three weeks) and was able to refine this for you! I'm excited about the developments in this chapter and I have to admit I'm getting pretty excited fro the next few chapters, I hope you don't hate me too much!

For the record: SA- Special Artillery. And WP- White phosphorus.

Also, please be warned of the use of strong language in this chapter. Ranger and Joe can't help it when they get around each other.***

Previously....

"You think I don't know that? This person is good, Santos. Do you think it's Pinkie?"

Lester shook his head. "No, too sloppy. Unless he has some secret military background or training we don't know about. We still need to find him though. What do you think?"

"I think we need to find the connection with the bitch, double time."


The incessant pounding on the door stirred Joe from his slumber. He squinted at the clock and swore under his breath as the pounding continued. He looked down at the red hair sprawled across his chest and smoothed the hair off her porcelain face. Placing a kiss on Paige's temple, he grumbled as he pulled on a pair of pants and walked downstairs. The pounding got louder and he shouted he was coming as he pulled a t-shirt over his head and opened the door.

"Fuck, don't you ever sleep?" Joe said giving the man on his doorstep a scowl.

"Depends."

"I see. Single word answers at anytime of day. What the hell do you want? Do you know what time it is?" Joe shook his head to clear the cobwebs and motivate himself for the sight before him. A figure stepped into view behind Joe's shoulder at the bottom of the stairs. Paige was wearing a worn TPD shirt and panties. Her long milky legs carrying her into the entry.

"0500." Ranger cocked his head slightly and his face darkened at the sight of Paige. "Rough night?"

"That's none of your damn business, Manoso!" Joe sized up Ranger and crossed his muscular arms over his chest. Clanking from the kitchen drifted through the doorway followed by the sound of running water. "Now what the hell are you doing on my doorstep at five in the morning? As usual, you look like your dressed for a fucking funeral."

"I am." Joe's face blanched as realization sucker punched him in the gut. Ranger continued, "I see you're as sensitive as ever. You're on security detail with RangeMan for Eddie's burial motorcade. We're clearing the streets in thirty minutes to begin vehicle and barricade setup. Obviously you had…other things on your mind."

"Why wasn't I notified?" Joe burst.

"You were."

"The hell I wasn't! If I was, you wouldn't be standing here." Joe's Italian temper was surfacing and he straightened in the doorframe.

"It was my understanding that messages were left for you yesterday informing you of the arrangements. If you hadn't," Ranger cleared his throat, "been fucking your partner all day, you would already be at your assigned post."

Joe's right fist swung for Ranger. In one fluid movement Ranger pulled him through the door as he deflected the fist, securing him to the ground with a knee to his back.

"Fuck! You're assaulting a police officer, you bastard!" Joe winced out as his arm was pulled back into an Aikido and the sharp pain of Ranger's knee intensified.

Ranger dropped his lips down to Joe's ear and kept his voice at a barely discernable whisper. "Listen up, Morelli, I'm not going to repeat myself. Don't fuck with me. You don't deserve to know shit from us. All you need to know is that I'm going to pin that bitch parading in your kitchen. And when I do, I'm going to bring you down with her. You fucked over Stephanie for the last time."

"What the hell, Manoso?" Paige yelled from the open door.

Ranger released Joe and shoved his face into the dew sodden grass, stepping on his back as he walked to the front step, standing inches from Paige. "Check your messages." Ranger turned and walked back to his Cayenne parked at the curb. The engine roared to life and the black car was gone.

"Joe, what was that?" Paige held out an arm to Joe as he stretched his shoulder and walked into the house.

"We got security detail with RangeMan for the procession to the cemetery."

"Oh, shit. I forgot." Paige handed him a mug and poured the coffee. "However, I suppose that memory loss could be a side effect of sex with you, hmmm?"

Joe smirked and clanked his cup to hers. "We've got ten minutes, honey."

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By ten to nine, Trenton's work commuters were over their aggression at being diverted and the sun was peeking through the thick clouded sky. RangeMan vehicles, police motorcycles, and red and white striped gates lined the street. Joe and Paige stood on the opposite side of an intersection glaring at Lester and Bobby.

"Hey, Brown." Lester and Bobby turned their attention to Hal who just stepped out of a black Escalade. Stephanie was sitting in the passenger seat, fiddling her hands nervously.

"What's up, Hal?" Bobby asked.

"I'm here to relieve you."

"Relieve me? It's only been four hours."

"Yeah, you're gonna take Bomber to the grave site."

"And?" Bobby gave Hal a raised eyebrow.

"I got word from the boss that uh…well," Hal scratched his bald head and shook it, "uh, you and Santos are not suppose to be on duty together for the next week."

"Ah, shit! Are you serious?" Lester threw his hands in the air.

Hal nodded.

"Ranger found out about us jacking with his voice monitor making him sound like Mickey Mouse over the radio this morning, huh?" Bobby asked.

Again Hal nodded a huge grin spreading. Lester and Bobby high-fived.

"Shit! We were just getting to the good part of shadow!" Lester exclaimed.

"Shadow?" Hal asked.

Lester and Bobby exchanged smirks. They did a handshake and chest bump and Bobby walked to the open driver door. He exchanged morning pleasantries with Stephanie and gave her a peck on the cheek, pulling away from the barricade.

"Why are they glaring at us?" Hal asked as Lester.

"Bossman paid them a little visit this morning." Lester said with a smirk.

"Man, I miss all the fun. So what's with shadow?"

"See the happy couple over there? We mimic all their stances and gestures and they get even more pissed off at us! It's really quite entertaining!" Lester proceeded to mock Joe and his folded arm closed stance. "You want to be Walker or Morelli?"

Hal thought for a moment then gave Lester a serious look, "I won't have to kiss you or anything will I? 'Cuz if that's the case, I'll be Morelli."

Lester quickly changed to Paige's stance and Hal Morelli's while they waited for the signal of the approaching motorcade. At 8:59 a voice spoke through their earpieces. They snapped into RangeMan mode and made a signal to Joe and Paige.

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For the melancholy atmosphere, the weather cooperated with a few clouds and a bright sun that warded off the chill that would have otherwise been present. Tears stained every face turned towards the casket elevated above the deep void. Children and their parents visiting graves of loved ones strolled peacefully across the grounds. Some sat silently on stone benches, others stopped briefly to observe the graveside service, bowing their heads knowingly and silently moving forward. Eddie "Big Dog" Rogers reached his final resting ground. A flag lay stoically on the lone amber colored coffin. Not married, his parents received the folded flag in memory of their son. A young man stood at the foot of the coffin and raised the cool metal to his mouth. The mourners of Big Dog bowed their heads and wiped their tears. As the clear and familiar bugler's melody of Taps began, strangers and cemetery visitors alike stopped their activities and stood solemnly across the cemetery, paying homage to a man they did not know through a song they understood. The last notes hung on the trees and resonated through the air as the coffin lowered into the ground.

Stephanie appreciated the warm embrace of Ranger as he stood behind her, comforting her through the service. Funerals in general were emotional for her, but this memorial meant something more as she reflected on her fond memories involving Big Dog. They stood slightly off from the rest of the attendees so Ranger could keep surveillance during the service. Her soft sobs would be stifled by his broad chest and his thumbs wiped her tears. Nearly every officer of Trenton stood at attention honoring their friend and colleague. If one were to commit a crime, now would be the time. Ranger's eyes darted around the cemetery as updates came in from his men. Startled by the first gun shot, Stephanie jumped and instantly calmed as Ranger squeezed her shoulders as the 21-gun salute completed.

The patrons fanned out and proceeded to their respective vehicles. As the remaining people straggled behind, Stephanie focused on a stony face. Joe was walking with pissed off purpose in their direction. A rarity, he was dressed in his police uniform. Stephanie rubbed her eyes and dried her cheeks as she turned to face Ranger.

"Joe's coming this way." She said slightly agitated.

"It's okay, Babe. You're fine."

Stephanie ran her hands down her black stovepipe pants to tidy her appearance and pulled at the hem of her new black boat neck cashmere sweater. Knowing that Stephanie would be uncomfortable going to the funeral, Ranger gave her the sweater as a gift. Amidst her objections, he insisted she accept it to "dress up" her typical RangeMan uniform. Stephanie pulled her hair off her face and turned to face Joe.

"We're finished here, Manoso." He glared at both of them and made a point to linger on Ranger's arm draped over Stephanie's shoulder. Ranger didn't say anything; he only gave a curt nod. "I was…informed that I needed to "check out" with you once security detail was over." Joe shot Stephanie a look and scowled as the sun caught the brilliance of her earring.

"Your cooperation noted." Ranger dismissed him with a wave of his hand and Joe turned hastily walking to his SUV parked on the far end of the cemetery entrance.

"Ranger…I'll be just a minute." Stephanie placed a hand on Ranger's chest and pushed off after Joe. "Joe, wait!" She grabbed his shoulder and he stopped, catching her with both hands on her arms.

"What is it, Cupcake?" Joe continued to scowl.

"I don't understand why you're copping the attitude with me when you were the one screwing around. I thought we were friends, Joe?" Stephanie furrowed her brow.

"Well, things change. I see someone hasn't wasted time moving in on you."

"What's that suppose to mean?" Stephanie crossed her arms and gave her PMS look.

"You know what? Never mind, Steph. I have things to do. It's already been a shitty day, I'm not ready to talk about this with you. I'll see you around." Joe threw his hands up Italian style, "Nice earrings," and jogged to his car where Paige was waiting.

Stephanie thumbed her ears and smiled to herself. "Jealous bastard." Stephanie waved to Ranger and he quickly arrived at her side and steered her towards the Cayenne.

"Everything okay, Babe?" Ranger opened the door for her.

"Yes. In fact," Stephanie put her sunglasses on as she slid into the leather seat, "everything is perfect."

Ranger closed the door and stole a glance at the SUV that peeled out of the cemetery. "Ella's prepared a luncheon for RangeMan at noon."

Stephanie gave Ranger an incredulous look.

"It's going to be a long work day in the office, and we just buried a friend."

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"Good thing we had Ella's cooking for this afternoon huh, Beautiful?" Lester was flipping his pen through his fingers and chewing thoughtfully on another helping of macaroni and cheese a la Ella.

"Les, that's your fourth bowl for dinner and you didn't even bother to heat it up." Stephanie watched him shovel another cold forkful into his mouth as he shrugged.

"You take what you can, and I take Ella's cooking hot, cold, cooked, raw. Frankly, as long as it's not sticks and granola, I'm a happy man. Besides, you're the one to talk. You're on your third."

"Yes, but mine is melted warm cheesy goodness."

Lester pushed his bowl to the side and leaned over to Stephanie's screen. "Anything good?"

"Not really. I'm feeling governmented-out. I've been looking through these databases for so long, I don't even know where I am anymore." Stephanie sighed and leaned back as she shoved another Rice Krispy treat in her mouth.

"Well, we have a few more hours. It's only six. I'm going to run Pinkie through the system next. Who you working on?"

Stephanie brought up another screen and a picture flashed up, "Donald Creto. Apparently he is originally from Venezuela.." Stephanie continued to click on the keyboard and write information on a yellow note pad.

"Venezuela's good. I mean, that's south and all. More southern than Florida. We know the weapons are coming from somewhere south, so that's a good start."

"So, what exactly are we looking for, Lester?"

Lester leaned back and placed his pen on the desk. "Here's the deal, Steph. The whole reason were doing this is first, your safety, and second, it's all going back to the guns. With Vince's idea of all your skips being involved in the SA shit, we need to know where the guns are coming from. It's sort of like, 'follow the yellow brick road.'"

"We're going to find the wizard?" Stephanie asked curiously.

"In a way yes. We don't know who the ringleader is. We have no idea why these guns have been such a problem or why the government can't find shit. Like we've said before, whoever is involved with this, they are covering their ass so well, we don't even know what the ass looks like."

"So maybe Venezuela really is a start?"

"Yes. If we can find a name or group or specific location, it's going to be huge. Zero finding the link to white phosphorus and the recent weapons drop was huge."

"Well, I'll see what else I can bring up on this guy. All their names sound a little foreign to me so maybe they are all from Venezuela." Stephanie suggested.

"That could be true. And if it is, we can search specifically within Venezuela. Heaven knows there's a shit load of bad people down there. How about quitting time at ten?" Lester wagged his eyebrows.

"Ugh. That's so long, but I suppose." They fell into a working silence and occasionally murmured to themselves.

An hour later Stephanie jumped as Lester broke the silence. "Where'd you say Creto was from?"

"Oh, uh…it's right here." Stephanie ran her finger down the paper, "Venezuela."

"Oh, nuts. Well, Pinkie's from our favorite location of Colombia."

"Don't they have good coffee there?"

"Coffee nothing, the women…" Lester faded off and Stephanie rolled her eyes. "I wonder why nothing came up on them when they were run through TPD?"

Stephanie shrugged, "I'm not sure." She stared at the picture of Donald on her screen and shook her head.

"Probably because it's TPD and they suck." Lester and Stephanie chuckled.

"I'm following some information on Donald from the initial hit, but that's about it."

"Hey, who's on your screen?" Lester sat up in his chair and turned his interest to Stephanie's monitor as he glimpsed the picture in front of her.

"Um, Donald. Gee, Les, don't you pay attention to me? I just said…"

"No, shit. Look at this." Lester pointed to his screen and a similar pose of Pinkie holding a sign.

"That's odd." Stephanie commented as they looked between the two screens.

"Look at their ID signs. Obviously not a coincidence." Lester hit 'control p' as did Stephanie and they looked at the pictures side by side.

"Do you think they are related, you know, family?"

"Unlikely. And they aren't the same person, look at the hair line. One's from Colombia and the other Venezuela. However, I think we might be on to something. This is the could be a solid lead towards finding the SA's." Lester ran his fingers down both papers and fingered the series of numbers and letters strung together on their identification signs: AX4D78SA29V3. "Maybe it's a cross-reference number of sorts. Shit. I don't know. I'll keep looking, but seriously, Steph, the women…" Stephanie slapped him on the head and Lester turned his chair and attention back to his screen as they fell back into silence.

Though the information was helpful it was nothing ground breaking. Stephanie read files and searched for Venezuela and Columbia information producing very little results. Stephanie really didn't see any real connection between the two, but continued to follow folders and view files from the depths of the government systems. Security messages kept popping up and Stephanie continued to enter information to bypass the government firewalls. For being concerned about security, RangeMan was sure amazing at breaching it. As she entered another access code, the screen flashed red and a cursor blinked in the middle of the screen as the background returned to black. Startled, Stephanie typed in the RangeMan secret information and nothing happened. The code was deleted and the cursor continued to blink.

"Shit," She whispered under her breath. She leaned forward on the desk and clasped her hands together at her mouth. She tried typing again and nothing happened. She flipped through her information from Tank and began entering more sequences producing the same result. Glancing over at Lester, he was in his zone. Stephanie tried the first scenario again and the cursor continued to blink. Looking at the papers scattered on her desk, she bit her cheek thoughtfully. Peeking out under several sheets of paper was a print out from earlier. Stephanie placed her ring finger on the photo of Pinkie and pulled it out from under the other sheets, dragging it across the table until it was in front of her.

"Fucking Cloak and Dagger." She whispered as she typed in the series of numbers and letters on Pinkie's photo. She held her breath as she hit '3 enter.' The screen cleared and pulled up another security window. She proceeded to go through the RangeMan sequence and brought up a new screen with several folders lining the left side of the screen. Clicking on a folder, she began reading the information and opened more screens bringing up a pdf document with a message in the middle of the screen. It seemed out of character for a government file as the message was flanked by two filled in silhouettes resembling the gals on trucker mud flaps. She shook her curls and realized it was in Spanish.

"Hey, Les, what's this say?" Stephanie poked Lester in the side, startling him. He followed her finger to the screen and Lester cocked his head and let out a laugh.

"What are you looking at, Beautiful? Some type of Colombian porn? I know that told you the girls were amazing, but I never took you for that kind of girl."

"What's that suppose to mean?" Stephanie said defensively.

"Steph, it says, 'For a good time click here.'" Lester got a huge grin on his face.

"Come on, Lester! I'm serious. I can't read it." Stephanie whined.

"I'm telling you the truth! I swear!"

"Then why would this be in a government file?"

"What?" Lester leaned over and ran the mouse of the message clicking over the link.

"Holy, shhh…." Lester put a hand over his mouth. Stephanie skimmed through the report and picked out a few English phrases, countries, and a name, regardless of English or Spanish, which she knew. Lester pressed 'control p' and Stephanie ripped the paper out of the printer.

"Ranger? Oh my, god, Lester!" She grasped the paper to her chest. "Ranger!"

"Uh, Steph, I…" Stephanie shot up so fast her chair hit the wall, she ran across the control room to Ranger's office, followed by Lester, where Ranger was already standing in the door.

"Ranger. The SA's…I mean…You are, well, Colombia-Venezuela cartel…You!" Stephanie held up the print out. "I mean, it's in Spanish so I can't really read it, but..."

Ranger took the paper from her hand and began reading. He took a sharp intake of breath, startling her. Ranger sighing is the equivalent of someone walking out in front of a semi truck, however, Ranger audibly breathing heavy? "Fuck," He barely whispered. His eyes snapped up. "Where did you find this?" His voice came out like that of a deadly mercenary.

"Uh…..I…" Stephanie felt short of breath and sort of whimpered.

"Santos, what the fuck is this?" Ranger's features went stony and his voice barely audible.

Lester shook his head and pointed to Stephanie.

"Santos, get the others." Lester complied and signaled Tank and Bobby.

"Babe," Ranger settled a hand at her neck and shoulder, "where did this come from?" His tone was less hostile and he sensed the fear Stephanie felt from his voice.

"On, um, on a link." Stephanie stammered out. Ranger guided Stephanie into his office and signaled for Bobby, Tank, and Lester to follow. They all complied and formed a wall of muscle. The door clicked as the lock turned and Ranger walked around to stand in front of his men.

"What is it, Boss?" Bobby frowned.

Ranger eyed the three men in his office and took in Stephanie's pallor look. His blank face slammed on and he visibly calmed, preparing to continue.

"We've been compromised."

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So, don't hate me. I've been trying to be more consistent with not leaving you hanging, but this one isn't too terrible (I think?) and it was necessary this time, I swear! As a result, I'm working on the next chapter as you read. Hopefully, since I don't have a large paper due this week I'll have it up much quicker. Let me know what you think and perhaps it will go quicker! Thanks for reading!