Disclaimer: If you recognize the character as a J.E. character, they are hers. The original characters are mine and I take full credit for them. They are part of my imagination.

Spoiler Alert: I could use anything from the 18 books that are out.

Special thanks to Deanna - AKA RampsAngl for helping me to remember my two trips to Seattle and tweaking my facts so they are more accurate. I appreciate all the assistance and suggestions you gave me on these chapters that take place in Seattle.

I would like to thank all of you who have reviewed. I try to respond to every review, but there have been some guest reviews as well as those who have PMing turned off. I want to let you know that I read all the reviews and appreciate all of them. There's a part in here with you in mind Knitter. This is just the start, the real fun will come later in a chapter or two.

Chapter 38: An Explosive Day

Stephanie's POV:

I set the last search in the out box and stood, stretching to get the kinks out. I was about to shut my computer down when I had a sudden thought. I sat back down and quickly put in the information. I couldn't believe my eyes when the information came up on the screen. I fished my phone out of my purse and called Hector. I was hoping Casey was with him. He picked up on the second ring and said, "Stephanie?"

"Hi Hector. Is Casey with you?"

"Si."

A second later Casey was asking, "What can I do for you Stephanie?"

"I need some information from you. Can you and Hector come up to my cubicle on 5?"

I heard Casey say something but it was muffled. A moment later he was saying, "No problem. We'll be right up."

I didn't have long to wait. I saw Hector's eyes harden as he looked at my computer screen. Casey's eyes widened at the picture on the screen. Isn't that…"

I nodded, "Yes. But I need to get some information to know if I'm on the right track."

"Sure. What do you need to know?"

Nearly two hours later I had all the information I needed. I sent an email to Tank and Ranger and within seconds both men as well as Rand were at my desk looking at the monitor in front of me. Rand's jaw muscles were clenching. "Whoever did the Intel on this case needs a lesson in how to do their job."

I bit my lip and Ranger's eyes narrowed, "What are you thinking Babe?"

I hesitated, "I'm thinking it might have been deliberate. Can you give me the name of the person who gathered the information you were given?"

Rand sighed and ran his hand through his hair. "It was Sheila Jones. A real, first class bitch that everyone would love to toss in the Pacific. She's always given great Intel before, that's the only reason she hasn't been terminated."

I typed in some information as the guys around me talked more about the case and the new development. When the search came back I quickly read the information I received on Sheila until I hit the line of family. Wanting to make sure I had found what I thought I did, I checked the other search and sure enough. There it was in black and white. I looked up at Rand and grinned, "I think I found the reason your Sheila Jones gave you the information she did. Look where it says family members of interest."

The guys were all looking over my shoulder reading and as they read the information I could hear there muffled swearing. Rand's eyes narrowed, "I need to call Heather and get her set up."

"Did I hear someone call my name?"

Just then Ram and Heather joined us. I was slightly surprised to see Ram holding Heather's hand. I was even more surprised when I saw the rings on their wedding fingers. My eyes widened and I asked, "You two have an announcement to make?"

Heather grinned and looked up at Ram with loving eyes, "We got married in Atlantic City."

There were congratulations all around and then Heather noticed the screen on my computer. "I'll be damned. So the cold bitch pariah is related to her huh?" She turned to Rand, "How are we going to do this?"

Rand tilted his head to each side in a barely noticeable motion and then his eyes narrowed and he replied, "I say we call the Seattle office and tell them we found information on the real head of the Stewart operation. We can tell them we are putting a sting in operation that will take them out as well as Alexander Ramos and Vito Grizzoli. I'm betting it will be too much for Sheila to resist. She'll arrange to come here and "help" us get Intel."

Heather nodded, "You could be right. Now we just have to get Ramos and Grizzoli to go along with the sting."

All the guys except Casey looked at me. Heather and Casey gave them puzzled looks but it was Casey who spoke up first, "Why are you guys looking at Stephanie that way?"

I shrugged, "Alexander won't be a problem but I'll have to see if I can get in to talk to Vito."

Heather raised her eyebrows in surprise, "You aren't seriously thinking of letting a civilian get involved Rand?"

Rand laughed, "Stephanie isn't your ordinary civilian. I believe she can help us with this part of the plan."

Heather turned to me, "Nothing personal, but I just don't think it's a good idea. I mean, we are grateful that you found the information" she paused and turned a speculative look at Ranger before continuing, "and it makes me wonder just how you were able to find the information so quickly, but talking to these guys just wouldn't be a good idea. They are both bad news."

Rand, Ranger, Tank, Ram, and Hector were all silently laughing as Heather finished talking. She turned to them and folded her arms, narrowing her gaze on Ram she demanded, "What is so damn funny?"

Ram lost it and his laughter was no longer silent. He bent over at the waist and was laughing so hard that several of the other guys came over to see what was going on. Lester was grinning at seeing Ram laugh so hard, he just shook his head and asked, "What's up with Ram? Care to let the rest of us in on the joke?"

Heather started tapping the toe of one foot, "I don't call it a joke to be concerned for a civilian's safety. I don't think it's a good idea for Rand to let Stephanie talk to Alexander Ramos and Vito Grizzoli is all. They are too dangerous!"

Heather's eyes opened wide as several of the other Merry Men started chuckling. Lester slapped Ram on the back and said, "Ram old buddy, I think its time you introduce your lady to the Bombshell Bounty Hunter."

Ram had finally gotten control of himself and nodded. He chuckled again at Lester's comment and nodded, "Come on Heather. Let's go on down to the apartment and I'll tell you a story."

They left with Heather promising to get even with Ram if he didn't stop laughing and tell her what was so damn funny. I looked up at Rand and asked, "Who would you like to talk to first?"

"I already know you have pull with Ramos, let's set up a meeting with Grizzoli."

I nodded. I took out my phone and called Joe. He answered on the second ring, "Morelli."

"Hey Joe, its Stephanie."

"Whatever it is I'm not interested."

"Now Joe, surely you can't still be upset."

"Your mother destroyed my hair Cupcake! I had to get my fucking head shaved!"

I winced, "Well, this doesn't involve my family. As a matter of fact, it has to do with Terry's uncle Vito."

I could hear Joe sit up and take notice. He had on his cop voice as he asked, "What do you need with Vito?"

"I need to set up a meeting. I'm fine if you or Terry want to be there."

I could tell from the way he was hesitating that he wanted me nowhere near Vito. "You're going to do this whether I help you or not, aren't you?"

"Yes. Its important."

"Alright Cupcake. I'll talk with Vito and get back to you."

"Thanks Joe."

I disconnected the call and looked up at the guys, "That's all we can do for now. Joe will get back to me."

Ranger nodded, "I'm available whenever the meeting gets set. Hector, Tank, Rand and I will go with you when the meeting gets set." Ranger turned to Tank, "Rearrange whatever you need to make it happen."

My phone started to ring and I pulled it out of my purse to answer the call. It was Lula and she sounded like she was in a panic, "Stephanie…I'm at the Cluck in a Bucket and Avril Downey is here getting chicken. She's in line ahead of me. Get yo skinny white ass down here so we can catch this bitch before she runs."

I disconnected and tossed the phone back in my bag. I stood and said, "Lula has one of my skips in her sights and I need to get to the Cluck in a Bucket before the skip leaves."

Rand winced but bravely followed me. I thought I heard him mutter, 'At least I have all my clothes clean so I'll have a couple changes when disaster strikes.'

I sent him a glare but he just gave me an innocent look. We got into the elevator and headed down to the garage. We stopped on 4 and Heather and Ram were at the elevator door. Ram was bent over laughing and Heather was standing there with her hands on her waist. When the doors opened she turned to us and rolled her eyes. She stepped into the elevator and said, "I'll see you later." When the doors closed she muttered, "There's no way all that could possibly happen to one person."

I had an idea Ram had tried to tell her about some of my more notable skips. I gave a mental shrug and looked at Rand. He winked and I knew he was aware of what I was thinking. I bit my lip as I thought about it, but decided to go ahead, "I have a skip I need to pick up. Would you like to come with us Heather? It might give you a better idea of what I do."

Heather paused but I could see the look in her eyes. Finally she nodded and said, "Sure."

I got into the Cayenne on the driver's side, Rand rode shotgun and Heather got in the back. We made it to the Cluck in a Bucket in good time and made our way inside. I was momentarily taken aback at my first look at Lula. She was wearing a barely there lime green spandex dress and a hat that fit snuggly on her head. The part that gave me pause was the Peacock feathers that cascaded from the hat in all directions. Lula's head looked like a Peacock with its feathers spread open. I noticed Heather's deer in headlights look at her first glimpse of Lula. The minute I entered the room, Lula was booking it in my direction. She grabbed my hand and pointed to where Avril was sitting eating her chicken.

Avril Downey was 6' tall and weighed in at a whopping 495 pounds. She chose that moment to look up from her meal and our eyes locked across the room. Her eyes widened and she grabbed her bucket of chicken and stood. I took a step towards her and she bolted. I muttered, "Shit!" and Lula and I were racing after her. Avril barreled behind the counter and wove her way in and out of the machines frying chicken. As I followed her I could feel the grease clinging to my hair and clothes. It brought back memories of my brief stint at working at the place before the fire. I had almost caught up with Avril when I slipped on the greasy floor and fell on my ass. I felt myself lifted by strong male hands and turned to see Rand grinning at me. We continued after Avril and managed to get to the drive through window which at the moment was blocked. Avril had decided to try making a break for it out of the building through the drive through window. She was half in and half out, and totally stuck.

The manager glared at me as if her trying to go through the window was somehow my fault. At that moment I heard the first of the sirens. The guys from the fire department came in grinning, and when they saw exactly what was going on they doubled over with laughter. The cops weren't far behind. Carl and Big Dog were the first on the scene with Morelli not far behind. Morelli was grinning ear to ear at the sight we were making and I could see him saying something smart that had Carl and Big Dog laughing. Joe started to laugh but it was cut short as he slipped on a spot of grease and went forward into a pot of cooking chicken and knocked it over. The boiling oil splashed onto the floor just as one of the workers was lighting the candle on a birthday cake. She was so startled she dropped the lit match and the grease instantly caught fire. Everyone stopped joking and started booking it to the exit. The firemen got behind Avril and pushed her through the window before jumping through themselves. All the customers and workers got out to the parking lot and fortunately the building was empty save for the chicken parts when the explosion rocked the block.

Carl grinned at me and said, "Man Steph, now Joe's burning down the town. What did you do to him to transfer some of that karma of yours onto him?"

"Yuck it up Carl. Can you take Avril in to the station for me? I'll be down for my body receipt later."

Carl nodded, "Sure."

We headed back to the Cayenne. I went to get the keys out of my purse and realized I had no purse. "Shit!"

Rand asked, "What's the matter Sweetness?"

"My purse. It must have dropped when I was chasing Avril."

Heather frowned, "What's the problem?"

"I don't have keys….or a phone….and"

At that moment I saw the three black SUV's in the parking lot. Ranger, Tank, Hector, Casey, Ram, Vince, Woody, Binkie, Hal, Lester and Bobby were wall standing there smiling in our direction. Hector walked over and patted my shoulder. He unlocked the back and pulled out a blanket and set it on the front passenger seat once he had the door unlocked. He helped me in and then went around and opened the driver's side door and hotwired the Cayenne. Rand got in the driver's seat and Hector told us he'd see us back at Rangeman. Rand asked Heather if she was riding with us but she shook her head and said she had some apologizing to do to Ram. We headed out and in no time we were back at Rangeman and I was in the shower washing off the grease from Cluck in a Bucket with some help from Rand.