Chapter 36

As I turned off the alarm Steph was still fast asleep, it was 0500 and I would hit the gym before breakfast so slipped quietly from the bed, as Steph moaned in her sleep I tucked my pillow where I had been watching as she pulled it to her face. I had never really noticed that the smell I carried was so enticing to her, but I made sure that Ella always kept a stock of Bulgari in the storeroom. I took my kit with me and changed in the bathroom thinking how well the things that Steph had brought with her seemed to fit in so well, and where before I would be insane with how tidy things had to be, there was something so familiar with the clutter that seemed to grow across the counter. Once down in the gym I started on the treadmill and then moved across to the weights, noticing that Tank had come in. He looked more somber than usual which I put down to the funeral today so I wasn't about to interrupt his thoughts. As I finished my weights he nodded toward the mats, it had been a few months since we had had a bout and I had to say I wasn't looking forward to it. Tank's mood seemed to improve as we moved around each other, each attack was defended and so far we were well matched, while Tank had the strength I still had the speed and stamina so I knew after fifteen minutes I was slowly gaining the upper hand, as he moved toward me I feigned a move to my left and then I had him, a leg behind his, a shoulder to his and he fell with me holding him down.

"Shit Ranger I thought with you missing your morning sessions you'd have slowed down a bit"
"No chance Tank, though I had to work hard to get there in the end"
I rolled to my back and looked up at the ceiling, Tank still laid out beside me.

"Steph and I found some links yesterday"
"Enough to give us some answers?"
"I think so, we just need to work the how, when and where now"
"What do you think his plan is"
"Revenge on the bosses"
"Wrath, one of the seven deadly sins then?"
"Probably and a mix of some of the others"
"What next?"
"Get through this morning and then start planning our next move"

"We'll need some cover today"
"We will"
"Santos is coming with me so I'll sort out a couple of teams as shadows"
"Thanks Tank"
"It's not for you, it's for my Little Girl"
I laughed as he got up and pulled me to my feet. We went our separate ways, I went up to my office to use the shower there and decided I might as well dress in a suit now, and seeing as it was nearly 0900 it was time to wake Steph up. I was surprised at how deep in sleep she was and did what I knew she would enjoy, I started to pepper her face with kisses and like I hoped she smiled before opening her eyes.

"I should sleep in more often"

"You slept well Babe"

"Yes I did, I said I would"

"Te amo Querida"
"Te amo Carlos"

"I like the sound of that"
"Me calling you by that name"
"Yes, it feels more intimate than Ranger"
"Then if you want that's what I'll call you"
I nuzzled my face into her neck and sucked the skin into my mouth feeling her respond by pulling me tighter to her.

"You need to get up and maybe Bobby can take those stitches out"

"That sounds like a plan to me. What time are we leaving this morning?"
"10.30, so you have time, I'll call him to come up while you get some breakfast"
She moved from the bed and took my robe from the back of the door, I'm sure she was the only one who ever wore it, I certainly didn't and I liked that she wore my things. Bobby was expecting the call so came up straight away and sat with Steph as she ate a bagel and cream cheese.

"You're eating better Bomber"
"I am, and I'm getting used to the healthy stuff, you know I haven't had a doughnut for what seems like weeks, I used to call at the Tasty Pastry every morning for Connie and Lula"

She stopped talking and tears welled up in her eyes, I saw Bobby lean forward and give her a hug, this morning was going to be hard on her.

"Lets get those stitches out shall we?"

"Please"
"Go lay on the couch, it won't take long"
I watched as she undid the robe and pulled up her T-shirt, the wound was healing and I knew she'd feel even better with the stitches out. As soon as he finished on those she sat up and pulled down the collar to reveal her shoulder.

"Brilliant, every where looks good"

"Do I need to wear the sling?"
"No, but if it starts to hurt pop it on to take off the pressure from your shoulder"

An hour later we were ready to leave, Steph had chosen dark grey trousers and a black roll necked sweater. I passed her the jacket from the back of the couch and helped her get it on, then with a small bag over her shoulder we made our way down to the garage. I'd sent two teams out to the small chapel that Connie had chosen to scout out the area and inside, when we arrived we'd use their parking spaces close to the door and they would then keep a watch on the outside. Tank, Santos and Ram were waiting for us, all dressed in dark suits, they each expressed a desire to be there if only to protect Steph. I could tell that Steph was feeling distraught but there was something else that seemed to be bothering her, as I helped her into the back seat of an SUV and fastened her seat belt I lifted her chin to look at me.

"Something's got you on edge, what is it?"

"I don't know if it's just thinking about Lula and where we're going but I have a horrible feeling creeping through me"
"We don't have to go"
"No, I do, but please stay close to me"
"Always Babe"
I saw that Tank was concerned and as I got in to drive shook my head, somehow I needed to alert everyone to be extra vigilant but I didn't want Steph any more worried than she already was. Her sense of an impending disaster were usually right though so in the end after a look in the rear view mirror and seeing that Steph was absorbed in her own thoughts I quietly whispered to Tank.

"Steph has a feeling something is going to happen"
"Shit, she's not usually wrong. I'll message the others"

I watched from the corner of my eye as he took his phone out to let all men know to be on high alert then focused on my driving and getting us to our destination. It wasn't a long journey and as we arrived two SUVs backed out of parking spaces allowing us to park close to the door.

"That's how you do it"
I smiled at the reflection of Steph in the mirror.

"Secret's out Babe"

I moved out of the car and helped Steph out and then almost in a formation walked toward the entrance way, Tank leading, with Santos on Steph's left, me on her right an arm around her waist and Ram following behind. Once inside Steph moved forward and into the arms of Connie, both were now shedding tears and spoke quietly to each other. Connie made to move into the main area where the service would take place so again we took up our positions around Steph. I was surprised at the number of people who were here, friends of both Lula and Steph and each one seemed to feel the need to come up to her and hug her saying something in whispers that only she could hear. Sally Sweet dressed as only he could, Mooner who for once looked sober and Dougie, hell even Briggs had turned up. There were women I didn't recognize obviously from the neighborhood where Lula had lived and possibly some street girls she had known, I recognized Jackie, a ho who had worked the streets with Lula and then there were an assortment of men that I had no idea who they were. There were even some officers here, Eddie and Big Dawg but my blood ran cold when I saw Morelli step out from a seat and approach us and I felt Steph move in closer to me but she didn't say anything.

"I'm sorry Cupcake, I know you and Lula were close"

Still she never spoke and I could see that Morelli had no idea what to say next, but as the seconds ticked by I could see him getting agitated.

"Well at least say something"
"What is there to say?"
"Would you sit with me for the service?"
"No Joe"
She turned away from him and began to talk to Mrs Bestler and a group from her building leaving Morelli staring at her back, he wasn't happy about her shunning him but fortunately Eddie came over and stood between us.

"How's Steph doing Ranger"
"At the moment coping"

"I'll move him outta your way, but tell Steph to talk to me later"

He turned away and took Morelli by the arm, pulling him back to where they were sat and as some music had started to play I took that as our cue to find a seat. Santos had already sat down so I guided Steph to sit next to him and then sat down beside her, as I'd taken my seat I saw Ram was behind us and noticed Detective Mason at the back of the hall. Tank was sat with Connie so for now I sat quietly but kept a constant watch around the room. The coffin holding Lula was placed at the front and I have to say the format of the service wasn't what I was expecting, the songs were from the heart just the way I imagined Lula would like it and it did present as a joyous event, focused on the life of Lula and the returning of her soul to God. Various people spontaneously stood up to share with everyone a positive memory they had of Lula and I felt by the end of the service that the mood wasn't as somber as it was at other funerals I'd been to. I could feel how Steph reacted to the on going service and where she would normally be a blubbering mess she was caught between crying and laughing. It was as the coffin was moved for it's journey to the crematorium that she eventually broke and all I could do to comfort her was to pull her close into me, she wasn't the only one feeling that way as I noticed Tank do the same for Connie. I nodded my head at Santos and then Ram as I moved to bring Steph away from her seat and then we joined the crowd that was now leaving, each going back to the lives they led. I was about to open the car when my phone vibrated in my pocket, not once but twice meaning that I had two messages to look at. Once Steph was in the back of the car and Santos was sat next to me I read the messages.

"Shit"
"What's wrong Ranger?"
"Ramos, he says they've been called to a meeting"

"Did he say where?"
"No"

I opened the second message, this one was from Jemerez and he was a little more informative.

"Jemerez saying the same thing but he also says it's where we talked about"
"Why send cryptic clues?"
"I think they feel that any electrical devise is being monitored"
I engaged the engine and set off for Rangeman much more aware of traffic around me.

"Santos tell Tank to go to level two and to meet us back at Rangeman"
Santos used his fob to open the garage doors but I had to come to a stop when they didn't open, I looked at Santos as he kept clicking the fob but in the end I turned off the engine and got out of the car.

"It's a trap, get help while I get Steph inside"

I ran to the door as she was getting out and we both ran toward the front entrance with Santos and Ram now behind us, what I couldn't understand was where were the men who were supposed to be backing us up. The answer became ever so obvious as we got inside, men were laid down on the floor, not from injuries that I could see. Steph bumped into my back as I came to a halt.

"What the hell happened to them?"
As she said that the realization hit me, gas, there was gas in here and it had knocked everyone out.

"Outside now"

I could already feel the effects, my movements became sluggish and my vision started to blur, I saw Santos go down on his hands and knees before he collapsed over onto his side, I made a grab for Steph holding her tight as I sank to the floor. Was I seeing things, had someone made it through to help us? Men with gas masks on came over to us and then were taking Steph from my arms? Without her I too collapsed to the floor trying to fight the darkness but getting weaker by the second until the blackness took over.