A Random Life

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a/n: for those who always want R & S interaction here,lol. For A who isn't into perfection, for R who, like me, believes that at times Ranger is, well, cute. enjoy.

CUPCAKE WARNING-I don't think I harmed Morelli, but you know, in my world he will NEVER get The Girl….Be Advised.

38 . He's Perfect but I Love him Anyway…

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[Joe]

It was intended to be a joint operation between the DEA and Trenton police department. I was the detective in charge of the investigation and had been given the role of TPD liaison for the taskforce. Then Captain Henderson, my Chief of Detectives called me into his office.

"Have a seat, Morelli."

I sat.

He said, "We have a meeting with DEA personnel today at Rangeman, the offices are located on Haywood Street downtown."

"What?"

"Yes, it seems that the drug investigation you've been working on has turned up a child pornography ring. The DEA has called in Rangeman to facilitate the extraction of the children before the rest of the bust goes down."

"Jesus!" I couldn't picture Ranger Manoso facilitating anything, but….

The captain said, "You have problem with that?"

Not that I wanted to share with my boss, um, no.

"No sir," I said. "I'll keep you in the loop."

"See that you do, Morelli. I want TPD to come out of this smelling like an effin' rose. Got it?"

"Yessir."

…. …. … …

Now I entered the high tech, low profile building known as Rangeman. I was greeted politely and ushered to the meeting by a black-uniformed escort, a man whose face was familiar from my days as Stephanie Plum's boyfriend—all of Ranger's men have guarded her at some point, I think—but whose name I didn't know. Contrary to what I used to tell Steph, Ranger's employees are as low profile as he is and they didn't make a habit of being regulars at the local cop shop.

The man passed me off to a face I did know, the big African American guy called Tank. He said, "Ranger wants to see you in private before the taskforce meeting." He used a key fob to access the penthouse floor. I'd been here once or twice before—can't say the location brought back fond memories.

Tank knocked on the carved mahogany door and then opened it to let me in. He said, "Ranger will be here shortly, make yourself at home."

How—trusting, I thought.

I walked into the spacious loft's living area, abstractedly admiring the serene atmosphere while deploring the extreme perfection of the space. It was so...so—clean! No grubby sneakers or dirty socks under the coffee table, no beer cans or pizza boxes on its gleaming surface. No lint on the carpets, no dust on the shelves. I sat on the black leather sofa and wondered what it would be like to live here—with Stephanie. Not the most cheerful of thoughts, either.

A voice called, "Ranger—did you…?" and the curly haired form of my ex-girlfriend popped around the archway to, I supposed, the rest of the living quarters. "Oh! Joe! I guess Ranger got held up with something, can I get you a drink? Coffee, a coke?" She came into the room and kissed my cheek casually, like we were old friends. She looked wonderful, I thought sadly. Slim and toned and well-cared for, good haircut, expensive jeans. Big diamond rings. Wide, easy smile—Stephanie Manoso was obviously a very happy woman.

I said, "Do you know why Ranger wants to see me?"

Stephanie handed me a can of Diet Coke and said, "I think he wants to be sure you are okay with the DEA giving part of the contract to Rangeman. It is your investigation and bust, after all."

"My boss said take it or leave it."

"Oh. So?" Her smile dimmed a bit.

I said, "Yeah, go on."

"Well, I will be part of the initial infiltration when we go in to extract the children. The thinking is that they have been traumatized enough—even if it has only been still pictures being taken. Unfortunately, Ranger's techs are finding evidence of paid webcam sites too. It is really horrifying, Joe…and we feel the children need to see a woman or two, not just an armed response team. Probably Lula will be with me, too."

"Uh huh," I said. Lula?! I added, "And so…?"

"And so—are you okay with that, Morelli?" said Ranger who had silently entered the room behind us.

I tried to hide the nervous jump of my muscles and said, "I can do whatever needs to be done, Ranger. You're not the only professional here." You just get paid the most, damnit.

"Fine." Ranger stopped next to Stephanie and gave her a fast hug and kiss. She hugged him back, looking starry-eyed. It made me slightly queasy. Ranger added, "I have to change, I'll be right back." Ranger disappeared into the hallway where Stephanie had emerged minutes before.

"I've never seen him in jeans and a regular shirt, I don't think, " I said, thoughtfully.

She smiled. "He can be low profile if he must. It just isn't his usual style."

"No, it's not, is it? He's more like this apartment, all cold and high tech and spit-shined perfect."

She laughed. "Perfection! I love that in a man, that's so cute!"

Cute! Ranger was many things, I was pretty sure cute was not one of them.

I said, "Is this what you left me for? For some fantasy?"

"No, Joe, I left you because I love him, because I always loved him, right from the start—all those years ago, remember?" She watched me closely, blue eyes serious and caring. "I do love him. Even though he is annoyingly...perfect!"

Ranger, now dressed in a very expensive-looking black suit (black shirt, black tie, black gun…), said, "Good to know," and I startled again, my moment with Stephanie shattered.

Geez, my nerves are shot already, I thought, hoping I still had an extra-large Maalox stuck in the trunk of my car.

the end series tbc

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