Disclaimer: Thank you to Janet Evanovich for creating wonderful characters and letting us play. Not mine.

A/N: Friday fun-day! To each of you, who amaze me with their passion and interest in this story, I'm so grateful for your views, conversation, and kind words. Thank you!

I have to say it every chapter, and I think it's increasingly true each week. Thank you, misty23y, for your investment in the quality and success of this story.

Chapter 36

Date/Time Stamp: Wednesday, 19 SEP 1500-2000

Ranger POV

Steph falls asleep almost instantly, and I stay beside her, letting her presence ground me. I'm extremely impressed with the way Steph handled everything today. She didn't bury her feelings, but she didn't let them take over either. It's fitting that her cleverness is what will ultimately lead to Morelli's demise.

This incredible woman seems to have no limit to her ability to surprise me. Suspecting Morelli was behind the destruction of Steph's apartment and seeing it is two different things. I found myself fixated on the screen, my anger barely in control. When I glanced over and saw Steph's face, I immediately paused the feed, and I wish I had done so sooner. She excused herself with grace, but she looked stricken. I'm touched again by her newfound trust in me that she accepted my presence in the hallway rather than push me away when she feels vulnerable as has happened so often in the past.

I glance at my watch and see it's a little after 1500. I steadily extract myself from the bed and tuck the blankets around Steph before kissing her curls and silently leave the room. I meet Lester in the kitchen.

"How's Beautiful?" he asks, concern written across his face.

"She's handling everything. Resting now," I reply. "Gather everyone up and meet me in my office."

I settle into my desk again and pull up the camera feed for the kitchen toward the hall to the master and minimize it in the corner of my screen. I don't have a camera in my room, but at least I'll know if Steph gets up.

I'm reading the latest surveillance reports from Tank as Lester, Bobby and Hector settle into chairs before me. Hector surprises me by speaking first.

"I finished watching Steph's security camera footage," he begins in Spanish. "It's incriminating, and we don't need to watch any more of it right now to gain any additional information. I packaged the incident into a single video file and added it to the investigation folder."

I nod in acknowledgment at his foresight and efficiency, locating the video on the share drive.

"Steph's hacking of our network gave me an idea," Hector continues. "I downloaded Morelli's phone records for Monday evening. He called Mooch at 9:46 p.m. and surveillance observed Mooch arriving at Morelli's house at 10 pm. I downloaded a record of all Rangeman monitored properties in the Burg and narrowed the list down to those between any conceivable route between their two houses with the dog park Estefania mentioned as a stopping point. We have the government contract for security monitoring of all city-owned properties in Trenton. Open that file," he finishes, pointing at my screen.

A black and white video plays of Mooch recklessly driving into the park and knocking over a trash can with his truck before stopping. He stomps out, leaving the engine running. The video feed switches to a new camera, and we see him entering from a corner of the screen and emptying the animal waste pail into a duffle bag. He repeats the same actions at a second pail before getting back into the truck and careening out of the parking lot.

"I'm going to do the same thing to track Morelli and Mooch's movements between his house and Estefania's apartment. It will take longer for me to track the footage between Morelli's and Estefania's then it took for me to track Mooch since the distance between the two locations is greater," Hector states.

"Good work," I say, impressed at how quickly Hector put this data together. I send a quick e-mail to Tank with the video information.

"I don't know how you are going to keep Tank from killing Morelli once he sees that video," Lester states, his eyes flashing. "The only reason I haven't done it myself is geography."

"Tank knows the endgame," I say evenly, and Bobby nods his head in agreement. "I'll be contacting Juniak shortly, and I expect step one of our plan will wrap up faster than expected due to Steph's ingenuity. Dismissed."

I take out my cell phone and call Tank once the door closes behind me.

"Ranger, so help me, I'm running out of reasons not to kill the son of a bitch tonight," Tank answers on the first ring. "How did we get this video footage? We don't have cameras in Little Girl's apartment."

"Steph installed the cameras herself and hacked our network to store the data," I say and smile to myself at Tank's silence.

"I'll be damned," he finally says, dumbfounded.

"Hector spliced the second video together from various surveillance feeds we have contracted around town. It shows Mooch gathering the shit from a local dog park. He's working now to track their movements to Steph's apartment," I report.

"Little Girl cracked the case," Tank says, his voice an odd combination of anger at the video I can hear in the background and amazement at Rangeman's Wonder Woman.

"Any developments today?" I prod.

"None I haven't reported, but I assume we are turning this data over to Kovacs," Tank replies.

"Yes, but first I'm going to speak with Juniak," I state.

"Good. I'll be standing by," Tank affirms, and we end the call.

I dial Juniak immediately. "Good afternoon, Ranger. I was just about to call you with an update," he says quickly, his ordinarily jovial voice serious.

"Good afternoon as well, Senator. Why don't you go first?" I reply.

I hear Juniak sigh heavily. "I joined Chief Kovacs in interviewing Detective Morelli yesterday. I'm certain he didn't say one truthful thing. Of course, Morelli denied knowing anything. The interview was drawn out to be unnecessarily long. Multiple members of the department had already informed us that Morelli maintains the betting books and cash. The Deputy Chief and Officer Gazarra searched his office. They discovered the books and cash as well as a journal in a hidden compartment he created in a locked desk drawer," the Senator reports, then stops to take a deep breath. When he speaks again, I hear his anger loud and clear despite the steady volume and cadence of his words.

"The journal is what is keeping the investigation open," Juniak continues heavily, and my heart sinks. "The book appears to be a detailed written record of every person he has had sexual contact with, beginning with Stephanie at age six." The Senator pauses, and I know when he continues, I'm speaking with Steph's godfather. "I had no idea, Ranger. And to think Stephanie's mother has been pushing that bastard on her all this time. I can't imagine what she is going through."

Morelli kept a record of his deeds? The man is stupider than I thought, and I can't believe I once considered him a decent cop. "I know," I reply, my voice even but serious. "It's part of the reason we are in Miami now. She is going through a rough time, but she is a strong person with a great support network. Steph will be okay."

"You're a good man, Ranger. Thank you," Juniak replies. When he continues, his voice simmers with anger. "The journal indicates, that among others, he has been having relations with two women in the TPD. Those relationships, as you know, is fraternization and gross misconduct. The women involved have interviews scheduled for today. The investigation and related consequences will be subsequently forthcoming."

"Rangeman has, as you know, been conducting surveillance on Morelli since Sunday evening. We have documented him with Officers Kathryn Ricci and Robin Russell at a motel and cataloged physical evidence. Tank will be turning the evidence over to Kovacs in support of your case," I state professionally with my hand balled into a fist as the only sign of my anger and frustration. "We have also made a break concerning the culprits who broke into and vandalized Steph's apartment," I transition.

"Good, good. What did you discover?" Juniak presses.

"Stephanie installed cameras to create private security of her apartment independently. The video feed clearly shows Morelli causing the damage. As you might be aware of, Rangeman passively monitors all City of Trenton properties. One of my employees combed the feed and created a second file showing Morelli's cousin, Mooch, raiding the dog poop pails at a local park. We are currently reviewing other files to track their movements, although the evidence we have is sufficiently strong for a warrant," I report with pleasure, knowing Morelli won't survive the week.

"Damn!" Juniak spits out. "Stephanie is one brilliant woman. I'll head over to Rangeman after this call to review evidence myself. There's something else. Does Rangeman also monitor TPD facilities?"

"Yes," I confirm. "We signed the contract last month. Kovacs was concerned about corruption on the force, and he discretely partnered with us to passively monitor the facilities and be a secondary on certain law enforcement actions," I reply, wondering where this is going.

"In Morelli's interview yesterday, he attempted to deflect responsibility for his actions to Officer Eddie Gazarra and yourself. Of course, Kovacs and I think it's a load of bull, but we let him believe we think his suspicions are reasonable. Morelli is known for spending more time out of the office than in, and it piqued our interest when he spent the majority of his day at his desk. He left after Kovacs pulled Eddie aside to ask him to partner with Rangeman on investigating Stephanie's apartment discretely. When Eddie returned to his desk, he observed something placed in his bottom drawer. He immediately secured the area. In the end, we discovered the betting books and cash bag planted in Eddie's drawer, and the only fingerprints on the books and bag as well as separately planted key are Morelli's. Morelli's prints are also on the desk. We'd like you to pull video feed from the station showing him planting the evidence against Gazarra," Juniak requests, his voice hard.

"It will be done today," I reply. Eddie is one of Steph's best friends, and it's a low blow Morelli would attempt to take down a good man as cover for his shit.

Morelli POV

I'm at Pino's getting a pizza a beer when I get a call from Chief Kovacs demanding I come into the station. These meetings with the Chief are getting old. Doesn't he have anything better to do? I mean, damn it; it's 6 pm, I'm off the clock, and this bullshit is getting in the way of my plans with Joyce. I take my time, finishing my beer and pizza. I'm not wasting my hard-earned money on their nonsense.

When I decide to go into the office, I saunter in all swagger and confidence. I stop outside the Chief's office, and I'm surprised to see Abigail still at her desk. Why is she working overtime? "Hey, Abigail," I say with my patented panty-melting gaze. "Mmm… that shirt hugs you in all the right places," I continue with a low voice, letting my eyes travel slowly over her body. It doesn't, but in my experience, activating a woman's sex drive loosens lips. "The Chief called me in. Be a good girl and tell me what's going on. I'll give you a surprise later on that I know you'll enjoy." I say suggestively to this butt-ugly woman.

Abigail doesn't return my smile. "Take a seat, please. I'll let Chief Kovacs know you are here," she says briskly. My look darkens as she turns her back. When did she start being such a bitch? I was willing to show her a good time, take her for a spin in exchange for information, but if she's going to be frigid, she can stay unsatisfied and sexually frustrated.

Chief Kovac steps out immediately, and by the stern expression on his face, I begin to regret taking my time getting here and the second beer. I know better than to let any apprehension show. "Detective Morelli, you seem to have forgotten you work for me and not the other way around. When I say come into the office, I mean now and not when you Goddamn well feel like it," the Chief barks.

I don't say anything in reply and sit immediately in the seat across from him. Deputy Chief Thompson is seated beside him. "I'm going to keep this simple and straightforward, and it's in your best interest to answer my questions honestly. Things will be a lot worse for you if you don't. Understand, Detective?" Kovacs says, his eyes boring into me.

I evenly return his gaze. I'm not going to let him threaten me like some school-child. I am Detective Joseph Morelli, and I have more clout here in Trenton than this outsider from Newark will ever have in this city. "Yes," I say flatly, deliberately not adding a sir or Chief to my response. I only offer respect to people who show me respect.

"Did you ever engage in a betting scheme against Stephanie Plum?" he launches at me directly.

"We've gone over this already. No. I would never hurt Stephanie like that," I say firmly, feeling my blood pressure rising. When that good for nothing bitch gets home, I'll show her.

"Have you ever participated in a single gamble concerning Ms. Plum?" Kovacs presses.

"No," I reply confidently. These idiots have nothing on me, and I'm immune to the Bad Cop ploy.

"Have you even encouraged others to participate in a wager regarding Ms. Plum?" the Chief continues.

His line of questioning is getting old. "No, and I'd happily help you look into whoever did," I say evenly, trying to keep my temper under control as I feel it start to waver beneath the surface. I'll have to funnel my excess energy into an even wilder night with Joyce than I originally planned.

Chief Kovacs shakes his head slightly and glances at Deputy Thompson, who presses his thin lips together.

"Have you ever engaged in sexual relations with any member of the TPD?" Kovacs demands.

I'm taken aback at the sudden change of questioning. What the hell is all this? "Absolutely not," I immediately reply. "I'm in a committed relationship with Steph, and further, I would never undermine my integrity as an officer of the law," I respond, trying to interject as much disdain as I can into my voice at his line of questioning.

Chief Kovacs leans back in his chair and silently stares at me. The silence stretches for more than a minute, but I match his steely eyes evenly. I know I'm untouchable.

"You're fired, effective immediately. Turn in your badge and gun," Kovacs orders. What did he say? I didn't hear what I thought I heard. There's no way that he can fire me. I'll go straight to Juniak. After all, he is Steph's Godfather. He'll do anything to make sure his precious Stephanie is happy.

"On what basis," I challenge. "I'm the best Detective you've got. My record is flawless, and I close more cases faster than anyone else in the department."

Kovacs nods at Thompson. Thompson slides the betting books and cash bag on the table, each in an evidence bag. Then I spot another book. Mother fuckers. They broke into my fucking office. The union will never stand for it. They have no case, and when crime rates go up, they will be begging for me to return.

I keep my gaze level. "I've never seen that before in my life," I spit out.

"Fingerprint analysis and surveillance tape prove otherwise. We collaborated that evidence with interviews from twenty of your former colleagues, including Big Dog. They all talked. Every. Single. Person. It seems everyone is tired of your manipulation and coercion," Kovacs states. "For their honesty, integrity, and remorse, unlike you, they will keep their jobs."

The Chief then pushes my journal so that it stands alone from the betting materials. "We take fraternization seriously. This journal collaborates interviews as well as surveillance and physical evidence," he continues, his intense gaze never leaving mine.

"Again, I've never seen that before. It would appear that you have someone planting evidence to cover their tracks. As your best Detective, I would be happy to investigate it for you," I say smoothly, although I'm furious. How the fuck did they get that book?

"Joseph Morelli, you are no longer a Detective for the TPD. Badge and gun, now," Chief Kovacs demands as he stands. "The official cause for your termination of employment will be available through HR by the end of the week. I assure you, any attempt to repeal the decision will be a waste of time and money. At this point, you should consider yourself lucky not to be in handcuffs."

I never waiver in my hard gaze as I slam my badge and gun on the table. I turn and leave without a second glance. Mother fucking Stephanie. My current unemployment is her fault, and I will get my revenge. As I step into my truck, I call Joyce and tell her to meet me at the motel in an hour. She's a freak in bed, and I need to let out some of my anger for the absolute bullshit of the past hour. I begin to plan my punishment for that pathetic prude, that waste of tits and pussy, that lousy lay, Stephanie Plum. By the time my punishment is over, no one will want her ever again, especially not that thug Manoso.