Chapter 47
SPOV

That the meatballs and spaghetti had to be reheated didn't affect the taste for me. I hadn't realized just how hungry I'd been. Now we were once more sat in the conference room but this time to plan what we were going to do. I was sat between Les and Ranger as the last man, Tank came through the door, but couldn't shake that he looked, pleased? Not an expression that I was used to seeing from him. Him closing the door and sitting down brought quiet to the room, everyone's attention now on Ranger.

"We believe that there's going to be an incident at JFK that will look like a terrorist threat. The incident is a decoy while four people will be opening a secure cargo shipment and stealing a large quantity of priceless diamonds"

"Ranger"

I looked over to Tank now worried that he was about to say something that maybe we weren't expecting.

"Fin just called. He managed to find Sarah Heap, alive and well. She'd fled down to Key West after she landed in Miami. They caught up with her father who had Barnes locked up tight. Seems Barnes was due to fly up to New York in the morning"

"What was his role in all of this?"

Yeah, I had to admit that he was someone that I couldn't fit into this.

"Seems he discovered the plan that they had before they were caught and charged, the one him and Jerry were investigating. Fin is almost sure that Barnes knew who killed that kid"

"Why go along with investigating them for cyber fraud?"

"Jerry called in the FBI so other than have evidence go missing there was nothing he could do"

"He blackmailed them?"

I said out loud. Sheesh, I'd never even thought about that. So Barnes would have known their original plans and presumed that they were still intent on the robbery. He probably threatened to turn them in if they didn't include him in the payout.

"Seems he got wind that Parker and Andrews were up to something again and assumed it had something to do with their original plans"

"He was a member of Devils Delight so maybe he saw them there"

I remembered seeing his name along with Randall's not surprising as they seemed to be co-owners of the place. I suppose he may have followed them and even been aware that Tasha, no Beth, and Sophia were involved. I wasn't surprised that Barnes had disappeared and was probably hiding out in Florida. But.

"Why was Barnes in Yemen where Sarah was?"

"He suspected that Jerry was digging through the file and trying to find the evidence so apparently went looking for her with the intention of threatening Jerry with hurting her"

"So her being in Yemen with Barnes turning up was a total coincidence?"

I couldn't believe it. I was so sure that it had something to do with what Ranger had suspected was happening out there. Maybe as coincidences went though it had been something that had triggered off so many things. I mean I wouldn't have researched Yemen and Ranger wouldn't have told me his story and we wouldn't have tied everything together.

"I know what you're thinking Babe. Somehow that brought a lot to the front and had us joining dots together"

Ranger's whisper had me smiling knowing that he was thinking exactly the same as me. It also meant that Barnes had no idea about the distraction that was being planned.

"Okay. At least now we know that Barnes is out of the picture and that Sarah Heap is safe. What's Fin doing next?"

"He says that he's gone dark with his handler Garcia and is going to stay with Jerry and keep Barnes locked up tight"

Okay, maybe I'd misjudged Fin. He seemed to have changed his perspective of what was happening which made me wonder why. Ranger had never really told me about that conversation he'd had with him after he turned up at that cabin in the woods. I tuned back into what was being said around the room, it seemed there were various suggestions as to what the distraction could be.

"Explosion"

"Hostage situation"

"Shoot out"

Each one was dismissed as quickly as it was suggested because as Ranger said.

"They need the airport up and running in order to get away"

I was wondering what they could do when Isaac suddenly came into the room. He wasn't quiet as he slammed the door which had everyone going quiet and looking at him.

"Sorry, but we have a situation. The FBI were sent a video, I'm sorry Steph, but it's the one from the farm with Shane"

"Demands?"

"Threats. They used the execution of Shane as an example of what they can do and that they intend to do far worse"

What I couldn't work out was why were they sending that video now, surely, they'd know that the security everywhere would be ramped up? I turned to Ranger with a frown on my face trying to articulate what I was thinking and how it might play into their distraction.

"Babe?"

"Well, if they warned the FBI then won't that put everyone on alert? They'll increase the security, especially at public places like airports"

I was looking at Isaac as I said that sure that he'd be the one who would know.

"Already happening Steph"

"Beautiful, you're a genius"

I just looked at Les, wondering what the hell he meant, was it something I said or was he being sarcastic to me.

"No, don't you see. They can use that; they could blend in as extra security. They don't need to actually blow something up, they just need to have a threat made public"

"You mean like a bomb threat?"

I was following what Les was meaning but didn't think a bomb threat would be enough, not if Calhoun wanted something big enough to cause a stir, to shake opinions.

"No. Calhoun will want a big statement. He wants it known that terrorists are a real threat and that we have to continue being proactive"

I was aware that maybe I was getting a little loud and stopped to see everyone looking at me. I felt Ranger take my hand under the table and squeeze it. Okay, I needed to be quiet, I knew that, but it was so hard for me to do.

"Isaac, can you put more discrete surveillance at the airport?"

"It's already in the plans"

"Okay, let's focus on the heist. Hector, the schematics"

I never really fully appreciated what was involved in planning out an operation like this. Ranger went through what each man would be wearing in order to blend in yet be fully protected. Exactly where each man would be positioned and what they would do when and where. It became blatantly obvious as time went on that I wasn't included in any of the plans. I knew that I couldn't be seen by any of those four people, they'd recognize me straight away, but I was beginning to feel that I just wasn't important enough to do anything, not even a menial task.

As the plans went into more detail, I put my head down on the table, zoning the voices from my head. Though I actually felt like just getting up and walking out I thought that might draw too much attention to myself.

I woke with a sudden jolt expecting to still be in the conference room. As I looked around, I realized that was laid down in bed, in the apartment on seven. I knew I was alone as the bed felt cold next to me and a look at the clock told me it was nearly 9 in the morning.

Getting up I walked into the bathroom aware that I was wearing my panties and just a T-shirt. As I showered, I felt melancholy, I know, a big word for me before even having a coffee. I dried my hair into lose curls and dressed in a clean pair of black jeans and a black thin sweater. Looking out of the window the weather seemed to reflect my mood. I walked through the lounge and came to a stop when I saw Ranger sat at the table working on his laptop.

"Babe?"

"Sorry, I didn't expect you to be here"

"I wanted to be here when you woke up"

"Everything sorted for tonight?"

Okay, maybe I sounded a bit short, but I felt that I had to be polite and ask. I went to the kitchen counter and poured myself a coffee, adding cream and sugar before spending probably longer than necessary stirring it. When I turned Ranger was still sat at the table, but he was watching me, so I turned away again and started opening cupboards looking for something to eat. I felt as Ranger came up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist.

"You missed some of what was decided last night"

"Oh?"

Wondering if I was even interested. The only thing that would be important to me about tonight was everyone coming home uninjured.

"Yeah. Isaac is going to be keeping an eye in the main entrance and it was suggested that maybe if you were with him it would help him blend in better"

I looked at Ranger wondering if that was his idea of letting me be there but being somewhere that should be safe.

"Whose idea was that?"

"Isaac suggested it and I knew that you would want to be included"

I suppose being with Isaac was the only way that I'd get to be included. I knew there was no way that I'd be allowed anywhere near where the diamonds were going to be, too dangerous, and to be honest I knew that the teams of men with Ranger would be focused on capturing the thieves.

It made me wonder who would actually open the container and who would then transport them out of the country. I was thinking that maybe Sophia would take them when she flew out to Dubai. I could be totally wrong though because we had no idea what the others were going to be doing. Looking back at Ranger I smiled as I realized he was waiting for me to say something.

"Thank you for that. Yes, I do want to be there, and I do know that I can't be where the action is"

"Good, I need to know that you're safe"

I suppose if he knew that then he could focus on what he was doing without having me as a distraction.

"What time are we planning to be at the airport?"

"The first team will be there at midday to establish themselves and the rest of us will be heading out not long after"

That meant that I had the rest of the morning to prepare myself, stupid idea really because I wasn't exactly needing any preparation.

"I'm heading down to make sure all the men know where they'll be and to make sure that we have all of the equipment organized. I'll be back here for lunch"

I felt a kiss to my head and felt as he moved away, hearing the door close as he left the apartment.

The things that Gloria had said were eating away at me now that I was on my own, so I decided that maybe I needed to talk to someone who would have a better idea of what the gossip was in the Burg. Sitting down on the couch I brought my phone from my bag and hit the contact for Mary Lou. I felt a bit guilty really because I hadn't really spoken to her for a while and so much had happened since then. Though there was no way I was going to tell her.

"Hi Lou"

"Steph, I was just thinking about you"

"Oh, why was that?"

"I was in Giovanis this morning and your mother happened to be there"

"Oh?"

Not knowing if I was at all interested in that piece of information or especially at hearing what she was saying about me.

"Hell, she really got it from some of the women in there. Most of the shop had us mothers who'd just finished the school run"

"What was said Lou?"

I had to ask because even though I didn't want to know I knew Lou would tell me anyway. I tried to keep my voice upbeat so as to appear that I wasn't concerned with what was being said.

"She started going on about how disappointed she was with you. That dear Joseph was only trying to do his job, but that as usual you turned up and did something stupid"

"Do people believe her Lou?"

"Hell no Honey. Everyone knows you two were finished weeks ago, plus it seems his neighbors are just as nosey as she is, so stories of women at his house are all over the Burg"

"Women?"

"Yeah, I know you know about Terry, but it seems he's had this dark haired woman calling around as well"

Okay that I knew about because he'd admitted that he was seeing Beth. Before I could continue Lou was already talking.

"Seems that your mother doesn't know it, but your father and some of the men from the club have been setting things straight. We all know that dear Joseph was suspended for interfering with an FBI case and wasn't doing what he was supposed to be doing. We also know that it was him who was harassing you and caused you some grief"

I didn't know what to say to that. Did that mean that my Dad knew what had really happened? Then it came to me, my Dad knew Chief Watson from the club, they were probably good friends.

"Steph, are you still there, Honey?"

"Sorry Lou, I was just thinking through what you'd said"

"Anyway, everyone in that shop had a go at your Mum for not supporting you"

"I don't know why she thinks that about me"

"Yeah well, even Val had a go at her. Telling her that she hated how she'd always treated you. Honey, everyone's on your side. Ignore her, I know she's your mother but maybe she'll come around"

Maybe, but I couldn't see it. She'd been on my case for as long as I could remember. It was almost as if she regretted ever having me. Maybe if I'd been a boy then it might have been different, but I still couldn't get my head around why she was so defensive of Joe. What was it about him that she thought he was who I should marry?

"I talk with my Dad and Grandma regularly, and they've even been here to visit"

"I take it you're at Rangeman?"

"Yes"

"I hope the two of you are on the same page then"

"What do mean Lou?"

"Honey, he's in love with you"

"I know"

I said quietly, because that thought had my heart speeding up. He really was and it was only saying it out loud to Lou that I truly believed it. I knew I'd loved him for a long time, but these last few weeks was different. I was in love with him.

"I'm so happy for you Honey, you deserve your happy ever after"

"Thanks Lou. Thanks for the talk"

"Okay, gotta go. The boys forgot their gym kit for school, so I have to drop it off"

"Speak soon Lou"

Ending the call, a look at the time told me I still had some time before lunch so on the spur of the moment I called Lula. I hadn't seen or spoken to her in an age and felt ever so guilty about it.

"White girl, you aint forgot about me then?"

"Sorry Lula, life's been a bit hectic"

"I heard. Man I'm glad you got shot of that two timing piece of . ."

"Lula! I know about him and what he's been doing"

"Hell, Steph. I'm sorry"

"Why?"

"I saw him with that Gilman woman, but I didn't dare say anything"

"It doesn't matter now. When did you see them together anyway?"

"You remember that date I had, the night you were going after Guillope? Well he insisted we went to this motel. He made me feel like a ho again. I suppose he was too good looking for me"

"Don't say that Lula"

"Yeah well, wham, bang and he just left me there"

"I'm sorry Lula"

"I aint. I'm still seeing that other man and he aint embarrassed to be seen with me. He loves my apartment and my king-sized bed"

"I get the idea Lula. So how are things otherwise?"

"The bonds office is really quiet. I've been picking up some of the regulars, but I've been helping my man out"

"What doing Lula"

Because I had no idea what this new man of hers did for a living.

"He has his own studio, so I started to expand what was on offer"

"Lula, you've lost me. What does this man of yours actually do?"

"Tattoo artist. So I'm offering hand and foot massages and manicures and pedicures"

"That sounds great Lula"

"Yeah, it is, and we're getting on great. You'll have to come see us"

"I will Lula"

I felt so much better for having taken time out to catch up with my friends and was in the right frame of mood to prepare myself for what was about to happen. I showered and dressed, choosing black hipster jeans a black sleeveless T-shirt and a light blue checked shirt. I decided to wear trainers, just in case I needed to run, but knowing they'd be comfortable for wearing if I was walking around. I'd decided to French plait my hair, mainly to keep it tidy, but also because it looked so different to how I normally wore it. Once finished in the bathroom I collected a shoulder bag from the closet, one that was large enough to carry what I needed but not too heavy.

I'd thought that hanging around at the airport could be a bit boring so decided to take my e reader, hoping to maybe finish my book. I also put my camera in the bag along with my phone and wallet. Okay, there were a few other things as well, some lipstick, a nail file and of course my mascara. I had a light jacket that I hung over the back of the chair and on an impulse went back through to the bedroom. I found what I needed on Ranger's side of the bed and hoped that he wouldn't mind if I borrowed a gun and a knife. Back in the lounge the gun went into my bag and I just stood looking at where I could hide the knife.

I turned as I heard the door opening and watched as Ranger came in, though his eyes seemed more focused on the knife in my hand.

"Babe?"

"Where can I hide this?"

I looked at it again, thinking that maybe the blade was too long and sharp and that I'd probably end up cutting myself. When I looked back up to where Ranger had been stood, he wasn't there, and he surprised me when he came out of the bedroom.

"Try this instead"

Was what I was told as he carefully removed the knife from my hand and replaced it with what looked like a handle?

"Hold it in your hand and squeeze the button"

As I did that a blade whizzed straight out. I was impressed with how it worked but then struggled at how to get the blade back inside.

"Squeeze the button and push the end against something solid"

I squeezed the button and pushed the blade against the sole of my trainer. Okay now that I knew how that worked, I slipped it into the side pocket of my bag. I was all set as far as I was concerned and was ready for something to eat.

"What are we having to eat?"

Not seeing anything obvious where Ella would usually leave us something made me wonder what Ranger had in mind.

"Santos is collecting an order from Shorties. We're eating downstairs in the breakroom"

I hooked my arm through his and turned him around toward the door. I could almost smell those pizzas arriving. I was sure Ranger was close to laughing as we entered the elevator.

Considering there were a few us eating the mood was somber which had me feeling on edge. I wasn't sure if this was normal for the men before they went on an assignment, maybe I needed to ask Ranger later. The pizzas were good, but I have to admit I didn't eat as much as normal, hell, their mood was rubbing off on me.

I noticed that Les and Ram were first to get up and leave, without saying anything to anyone and assumed that maybe they were on their way to the airport. That had me thinking that maybe I wanted to know who was going to be where and when. I wiped my hands on a paper napkin and went through to the conference room. The papers on the wall had been re arranged and in the center of the wall was a schematic of the airport with a larger one next to it of the terminal we were focused on. There were photos surrounding it, of the actual areas that were seen as important and also photos of the four people that we were looking for.

I read carefully the names of the men and where they were going to be, trying hard to commit it to memory, though I wasn't too sure why. I checked where Ranger would be and could see that he was going to be in the area where the trucks called dollies brought the baggage from the airplane into the terminal building. It seemed from there the dollies were emptied onto a conveyor belt that led to the carousel upstairs ready for passengers to collect their belongings.

I wasn't surprised when I was aware that Ranger was stood behind as I felt that tingle go down my neck.

"Special cargos are brought here, where customs check them, before someone can officially claim them"

"When do you think they'll try to open it?"

"After customs, but we don't know for sure"

"But you'll have eyes on that safe all the time"

"Yes"

"When are you leaving?"

I turned as I asked that, knowing that it would be soon. Ranger had changed since we'd eaten, and he was now wearing black cargos and a black long sleeved T-shirt with a vest fastened securely around his chest. I could see the utility belt that he was wearing all loaded up with guns, knives and magazines and was suddenly looking at a very sexy mercenary. I was in his arms instantly, my face finding his neck, rubbing my lips along his chin to his ear so that I could whisper to him.

"You look sexy dressed like that"

"That wasn't the impression I was going for"

I stepped back as I thought of him being in that loading area.

"Ranger, what if people see you and think that you're the terrorists?"

He moved away from me and turned around, showing the large yellow letters, FBI, emblazoned on the back.

"They could be wearing the same thing, or they could be pretending to be baggage handlers or ground crew"

Maybe I was getting a little hysterical because the next thing I knew his hands were holding my shoulders as his eyes looked right into mine.

"We know that Babe, that's why we'll follow that safe and watch anyone who goes near it. We can't do anything until they break into it and remove the diamonds"

"Okay, I'm sorry"

"Don't be. Those are things that we have to constantly remind ourselves of. I have to go. I want you to wear this"

In his hand he was holding a small mic and in the other a piece of tape. I tried to raise one eyebrow but knew I failed miserably as he approached me. I closed my eyes as his hand pulled my sweater up and over my breasts and then as his thumb brushed over my nipple. That simple touch sent tingles throughout my body and caused my nipple to harden. The tape was attached to the underside of my breast but on the return journey as he cupped my breast, he bent down to swirl his tongue over my now exposed skin nearly sent me over the edge. Then suddenly he was gone, the door closing behind him as I heard him say.

"Later Babe"

I switched the mic on, not knowing if he was listening or not, but needing to have the last word, because he hadn't heard me say it before he left.

"Don't get shot"

Two hours later I was sat in an uncomfortable chair in the departure area with Isaac. We'd travelled here in his car, a large black SUV with tinted windows in absolute silence. Not like me at all, but from the moment I got into that car with Isaac my nerves began bouncing. I'd tried to talk to him, ask questions and fill in the emptiness with idle chatter until in the end his one word answers were driving me nuts. What was it about men who drove that they couldn't talk at the same time? In the end I'd plugged in my ear buds to my phone, chose some music to listen to and read my book.

Sat now in the departure area I felt that I needed to at least look as though I was watching what was going on. In the end I started to try and guess where people passing us were going. I'd look at the departure board and the clothes they were wearing along with the bags that they were pulling behind them. It passed the time for a while until I saw a departure heading to Hawaii.

It had seemed so long ago that it had been me dragging a case behind me heading on my own to that destination. I thought back to how I was feeling at the time and remembered feeling relieved. Glad that at least I got the tickets for free and also a freeing feeling that Joe couldn't get off work to come with me.

That week had been like a dream come true, not because of where I ended up but because Ranger had turned up when I'd called him. I never really thought at the time, but he'd dropped everything that he was doing to be there with me. Maybe that should have told me something about how much he cared for me.

I'd been so nervous, ridden with guilt at first that he'd booked us into the resort as husband and wife. That was where The Rug, a high bond FTA, was staying and the intention was that we'd be catching him and taking the Rug back to Trenton. Though as the week progressed, I allowed myself that time to enjoy us being together. It was as though we were in another dimension, no worries about what was happening or what we were doing. My mantra was that I'd have a week with Ranger so to enjoy it because after that week I'd be back home as Stephanie Plum. Joe turning up was a shock, not a surprise and I realized then that given the choice I would always choose Ranger. The problem was that he never gave me that option and when I next saw him it was if Hawaii had been a distant dream.

Isaac moving his arm caught my eye and I almost rolled my eyes at him looking at his watch again.

"Isaac, is something wrong?"

He turned and looked at me as though he were surprised at me looking at him.

"No, just checking the time. I have a call to make, I won't be a minute. Just need to check in"

I watched as he walked away from me, his phone in his hand as though using the touch screen to choose the numbers. Strange because he never brought the phone to his ear. When he returned, he stayed standing in front of me instead of sitting back down.

"Let's walk around a bit, stretch our legs"

I shrugged my shoulders, not minding what he was suggesting, but was surprised when he took my arm and linked it through his. Okay maybe he thought we needed to appear as though we were a couple, but his touch sent a cold shiver down my back. I knew that I'd felt edgy, maybe nervous when we'd set off, but I'd put it down to being worried. Now though it felt very much like my spidey sense was humming.

He walked us past the different check in stands, down one side of the departure area and was about to turn us to walk across to another airline check in when suddenly the lights went out. In fact everything went out. The departure board was blank, the belts carrying luggage from the check ins stopped and the noise of people shouting suddenly became very loud. I could see security guards huddled together and then there was the sound of murmuring that grew in loudness as different people heard and repeated what they'd heard.

"A bomb's gone off"

That's all it took for people to become hysterical, shouts and screams echoed in the darkness and all of a sudden, I felt myself being pulled toward a door.