They don't belong to me. I am just borrowing them for a while. A sequel to Christmas Eve Visitor and Starting Our Life Together. This story is fiction, any people, places or events that happen are not actually real or factual. Enjoy and please review.
Holy Matrimony, Batman!
By JayCee08
Chapter 29
Jensen Meeting
I put Ricky to bed and got myself ready for bed myself. I knew Ranger would be calling.
I just got myself situated in bed with the pillows fluffed up behind me when my cell phone rang with the Batman theme.
"Yo."
"Yo, Babe. How are you?"
"I'm missing you, but other than that I am doing fine." I said.
"Babe, I miss you and Ricky too." He said. "Can I ask you a question?"
"Sure." I said not sure where this was going to go.
"Why did you agree to stay home tomorrow when Billy Jensen comes for the meeting?"
"You asked me too."
"Babe? I've asked you to do a lot of other things and you would fight me on them. Why is this different?"
"No. Other times you told me or you demanded or you suggested. You didn't ask. You also said 'please'. And I have Ricky to think about now. And the baby. And you aren't rushing back up here to handle it yourself, so you are taking care not to get hurt too." I finished softly.
"Babe."
"So, what happens after tomorrow? I am I going to be able to leave the house?"
"I don't know yet. Depends on what happens tomorrow. If it looks like he is just looking for a security company, then yes. But if he is trying to get information about the company or about us then probably no."
"Great. How are things down in Atlanta?"
"Things are going well. I've done a few employment reviews. Checked on a few accounts. Things are moving along. How is Ricky?"
"He is good. I think he is going to be walking soon. He tried a few steps but that is only in between furniture. He still is holding onto things. But he may take the first steps to independence soon. I wish you were here to see it happen."
"I know Babe. But the time just isn't right. Maybe I will be there for the next one."
I smiled at the thought. And put my hand on my belly. I yawned just then.
"Babe, I will let you go so you can get some sleep."
"You know I don't sleep well without you."
"I know, but you are obviously tired. Get some rest. I'll talk to you in the morning like usual. I love you."
"I love you, too. Talk to you tomorrow." I sent a kiss over the phone. I heard Ranger chuckle and then he hung up. I situated myself in the bed. I took Ranger's pillow and hugged it and tried to get some sleep. Tomorrow was going to be an interesting day.
__________________
Ranger and I talked in the morning. We discussed what may happen at the meeting as well as what needed to be done for the wedding. We ended our talk when Ricky announced he was hungry.
Bobby was downstairs already when I came down with Ricky. Miranda was making breakfast.
"Morning Bobby. Is everything O.K.? Where's Hal?" I asked.
"Morning Steph. Everything is good. Hal is checking the perimeter."
"Morning Miranda. Ooh. French Toast. I am starving."
"Morning Stephanie. Ricky. I thought French Toast would be nice for Ricky. I can cut them into strips for him."
"That would be nice. I think I will strip him down to his diaper. Then I can just put him in the bathtub after he is done." I said. I removed Ricky's pajamas and put him in the high chair. I got him some juice in a sippy cup. Hal walked in.
"Morning Hal. Everything O.K.?" I asked.
"Yep. You can let control know." He said talking to Bobby. Bobby was on the phone with RangeMan.
"O.K. I'll let her know." Bobby said as he hung up.
"Hector will be here shortly to get everything set up for the meeting. I don't think it is a good idea to be outside today. Granted we have the new security in place but that isn't going to help if there is a sharp shooter out there."
"Can one of you bring in Ricky's slide and swing. We can put it in the family room. He really likes that. I don't want the sandbox in or the pool."
"Ool." Ricky said.
"Not today, Sweety. No pool."
We all sat down and ate French Toast with bacon and sausage. As predicted Ricky was a sticky mess. I took him upstairs and put him in the tub. I got him cleaned up. Miranda came upstairs with a load of towels. She took Ricky back down with her as I jumped in the shower. I got dressed and decided there was no need to do anything with my hair so I just left it to dry. I went downstairs just as Hector was finishing up the hook up.
"Hola, Hector. Como esta usted?" I asked trying out my Spanish.
"Bueno, Estefani. Bueno. I have everything hooked up. You should be all set. This is the speaker. Everyone can hear meeting. This is microphone. Only Tank will hear you. You can control camera with this." He showed me what to push on keyboard to zoom camera in and out and turn from side to side.
"Is Ranger going to be watching in Atlanta?"
"Si."
The phone rang then. Bobby answered. He nodded a few times and disconnected. "Looks like the meeting is just about to start. Feds are there. And Jensen just entered the lobby with six of his goons."
Hector hit a couple of buttons and the lobby came on the screen. We all sat down at the dining room table. Miranda took Ricky to the family room to play so he wouldn't interfere.
We watched what was happening in the lobby.
Jensen was preceded by two men. Then he came in followed by four others. Lester was in the lobby. Jensen was dressed in a very expensive suit. Tailor made by the looks of it. Silk shirt and tie. He carried himself well. Hair just cut and styled.
"Excuse me, but you all can't come upstairs."Lester announced.
"These are my body guards." Jensen said, pointing a few of the men. "And these aremy assistants." He said pointing to two other men.
"I am sorry. But only you and one other person can come in." Lester said.
"Can't the rest of my men wait in the cafeteria?" Jensen asked.
"Sorry. This is a secure building. No unauthorized people can be in here. We can't have people roaming around." Lester said.
"Very well." Jensen said. He motioned to a few of them and they left the building. It was just Jensen and the guy he said was his assistant.
Lester called upstairs. "Someone will be down to escort you to the conference room."
The elevator opened and Vince stepped out and motioned for the two men to get in the elevator. He gave Lester some hand signal and joined the men in the elevator. Lester got up and walked to the door to see where the other five men went. He locked the door and went to sit back down at the desk. He gave the impression that he was just idling away the time. But he was on full alert.
Hector pushed a few more bottons and the hallway by the elevators came on the screen. We watched as Vince escorted the men down the hall to the conference room. You could see someone standing at the stairwell door. I couldn't make out who it was.
"Contract worker." Bobby said.
O.K. that explains why I didn't recognize him. Hector pressed some more buttons and the conference room came up.
"Bobby, what happens if Jensen recognizes the FBI Agent that will come in with Tank?"
"We'll deal with the situation if the time comes." Bobby answered.
Vince was just telling them that someone would be with them shortly. He left the room but I am sure he didn't go far from the door.
Tank entered followed by Agent Nelson. "Hello." Tank said as he came to shake the other men's hands. "Welcome to RangeMan. Please have a seat gentlemen. I'm Mr. Dupree. This is Mr. Johnson." Tank said indicating Agent Nelson. "I understand you would like RangeMan to provide security for your home and office building."
"Excuse me. But I thought I would be meeting with Mr. Manoso." Jensen said.
"Mr. Manoso was called away on business. You can discuss this with me. I am in charge when Mr. Manoso is away."
"What about his lovely woman? Ms. Plum isn't it? Or did she go away on business with him?"
"Ms. Plum is unavailable." Agent Nelson said.
Why did he want to see me? I have only done a few meetings with clients. Granted I was going to meet with him today, but he didn't know that.
"That's too bad. They have a son together, don't they? I hope nothing happened to their little boy. Maybe I can reschedule when they are both available." Jensen said.
I didn't like it that he mentioned Ricky.
"I don't know when that can be arranged. They are pretty busy people." Agent Nelson said.
"Ah, yes. They are getting married soon."
How did he know about the wedding? It hasn't been published anywhere. Of course if he had Burg connections he could have found out through the Burg grapevine.
Jensen suddenly reached in his pocket and pulled out his phone. Tank and Agent Nelson reached for their guns. "Excuse me, gentlemen." Jensen said as he pointed to his phone. He got up from the table and opened his phone. He walked to the corner facing away from Tank and Agent Nelson and talked briefly and put the phone back in his pocket.
I turned to Bobby. "I don't think he got a call, I think he made a call. To one of his goons."
"I think so too." Bobby said. He got up and made a call. Probably Lester. I turned back to the meeting.
"Sorry for the interruption. I'm sorry that I won't be able to meet with Mr. Manoso or Ms. Plum. I was so looking forward to it. Well, then can I get a tour of company? I would like to know if I will be getting my money's worth if I do decide to use your company for the security I need?"
"I am sorry, but we can't do that. This is a security business. We pride ourselves with keeping the identity of our clients confidential. It wouldn't be good business practice to have people walking around seeing other people's homes and business being monitored.
Bobby came back to the table. "Lester said that a car pulled out from across the street. He could make out two men. I told him about the phone call from Jensen. He gets the same feeling and we do, that Jensen is sending someone out here to check on things. Lester is having a few of the guys head out here too." Hal got up and headed over to check the control panel for the front gate.
"Did you hear that Tank?" I said. We saw Tank nod his head on the monitor.
O.K. so we know that Jensen wanted to meet with Ranger and me. He know about Ricky, not a good thing. He knows about our up coming marriage. And he is sending some goons to check things out here. Is Jensen trying to locate us?
Just then my phone rang with the Batman theme. "Yo."
"Babe, is everything O.K. there?"
"Yeah. We don't think Jensen received a call. We think he made a call to one of his goons. Lester confirmed that a car left about the same time with two guys. Hal is monitoring the control panel for any surprise visitors. And Lester is having some more men sent out here."
"I got the same feeling. Glad to know you are on your toes. Proud of you. Jensen wants both of us for something."
"We have been in this mess from the beginning. I think he is tying up loose ends. I don't think he is done yet with Joe either. And I don't like that he knows about Ricky."
"I got the same feeling. Call Morelli when the meeting is done and inform him. I was afraid something like this would happen. One of the reasons I didn't want a family. But we can't go back. We just need to be alert. Keep Ricky inside."
"Already done. I had the guys bring in his swingalong."
"I'm glad you are taking precautions. Talk to you soon. Love you." And he hung up.
I turned back to the meeting.
Tank was explaining some of the package options and prices that RangeMan offers.
We all knew Jensen was on a fishing expedition to obtain information about Ranger and me and RangeMan.
"A car just drove by the entrance real slow." Hal said.
Bobby got on the phone again.
"We have company." I said to Tank. Again Tank gave a nod that he heard.
Bobby came back. "Lester says that there are a couple of our guys in a red pickup truck parked near the driveway on the street. They are pretending to have engine problems and are looking under the hood. Another couple of guys in a white car pretending to be looking for an address. Driving up and down the street."
Back at the meeting, Jensen was standing up. "Well, gentlemen. It has been a pleasure to speak with you. I will call and hopefully set up a time to meet with Mr. Manoso and Ms. Plum. Hopefully, I will be able to meet with one or both of them soon."
"Do you think he suspects that we have been monitoring the meeting?" I asked Bobby.
"Maybe. Depends on how much he knows about security."
"Bobby? Do you think it would be O.K. if Ricky and I go and stay at the apartment? I think I would feel better knowing there are more people around. I feel a little isolated out here. And then this way there can be more guys at one location."
"I think that can be arranged. I would still keep a few guys here just in case. We would probably sneak you and Ricky out. That way if they are watching they will think you are still here."
I quickly phoned Ranger. "Yo. Everything O.K., Babe?"
"Yeah, so far so good. I talked with Bobby. Ricky and I are going to move back into the apartment. I feel isolated out here and I am not afraid to say I'm scared."
"Babe."
"Maybe if you were here I would be fine. But the thought that they know where we live has me on edge. I'm not sleeping as it is. I would just feel more secure knowing there is a building full of guys to protect me."
"I'm glad to know that you feel secure enough with just me if I was there, but you need a building full of men when I'm not there. Let me talk to Bobby."
"Bobby, Ranger wants to speak to you. I'm going to start packing some stuff for Ricky and me." I handed Bobby my phone and went upstairs.
TBC Chapter 30 - Back At RangeMan
