Chapter 8
"You have got to be fucking with me!" I yelled at nobody in particular. I seemed to be attracting all the crazy assed sickos in the Trenton area. Too many people seem to want a piece of me. Joyce is convinced I did something so inexcusable that she has tormented me given the opportunity. I really need to deal with her soon. Ya, I know I keep saying that... but this time I actually mean it. The scofflaws attempt to break into my apartment. Thank God I have a kick ass security system and lots of muscular, sexy ex-military men protecting. Ramirez decided to execute his very own brand of torcher and now his crazy manager is after me? I haven't even met the guy. Tank and Ranger interviewed him.
Eddie sent me a copy of the bomb forensic analysis for my car. One of the skips I helped capture for Rangeman was bonded by Vinnie the day my car exploded. He was remanded into custody as he claimed Jimmy Alpha paid him to plant the bomb. What on earth did I ever do to him? He's Ramirez's manager and likely knew about his propensity to mutilate women. I knew Ranger would insist on having more of his men on 'guarding Stephanie' duty. However, I would enforce the same rules if his life was on the line.
First, I had to handle the pressing issue, I was running out of time to capture Morelli. His bond expires in a few days. Through Vince and my research, we uncovered a drug operation linked to Ziggy. Mr Kulesza worked for Ramirez. According to his statement, Morelli suspected Ziggy was directly responsible for cleaning up Ramirez's crimes. DEA was heavily involved in the drug case, but we were the ones to connect the two investigations.
At this point, I knew Morelli was as innocent as he claimed to be. In his official statement, he mentioned investigating assault cases involving the boxer Benito Ramirez. He was attempting to get a statement on record when he ended up being in the wrong place at the wrong time. We still needed to find the 'smoking gun' and Carmen. None of her hooker friends had seen her since the day Ziggy was murdered. It's as though she vanished into thin air. She has to be out there somewhere. Eventually her body will surface.
Hal and Cal are my partners today. We followed a lead to Sal's butcher shop and hid behind the garbage bin as we observed his activities. A refrigerated truck was running and parked out back. During our investigation, one of Carmen's neighbours mentioned a noisy refrigerated truck fitting this description. I knew we were on the right track. My spidey sense told me these men were heavily involved. A man with a flat face, Sal called him Louis, was loading the refrigerated back with large barrels from the butcher chop walk-in fridge. Sal locked the shop and hopped into the passenger seat beside Louis.
Hal was driving our SUV and followed at a safe distance, attempting to stay off their radar. The truck drove down a deserted road leading towards the docks. As we passed a gas station, I recognized the sports car but I couldn't see the driver. An attendant was pumping gas. The car belongs to the boxer Bonito Ramirez. He was a tall, scary dude who enjoyed beating, raping and cutting women. Last week, he tied a hooker named Lula to the hood of my car. She managed to tell the police Ramirez was responsible before losing consciousness. "Did you see that car at the gas station?" I asked Cal.
"The silver lowrider with specialty plates?" he answered using terms I'd understand.
"Yes. It belongs to Ramirez. Why do you think he's out here?"
"Not sure," Hal replied, "But it's probably bad news. Every woman to accuse him of assault were found dead within a few days."
"He's the one who mutilated Lula. She said his name before they loaded her into the ambulance. He used her as a warning directed at me. I really hope Lula uses this chance to turn her life around. If she survives, I have no doubt she would give up her way of life. She is very friendly and cared for her hooker friends."
"It's a rough lifestyle," Hal said as we turned around to follow Ramirez's car. I visited Lula in the hospital daily. As she lay in a medically induced coma, I got to know her friend Jackie. I painted her fingernails and her toenails.
Ranger didn't have to ask why I visited Lula. I felt responsible for the assault and she didn't have any family. He said it was because I'm the light in the darkness of the world. I see the good in everyone I meet. Everyone in turn can't help but love me for the thoughtful, kind and generous woman I am. He even said he knew I paid her rent for the next few months. If our roles were reversed, I hope she would do the same for me.
Ramirez drove down a few blocks before turning around and following the road to the marina. I couldn't understand why somebody posted his bail. He was charged with aggravated assault, rape and attempted murder. I thought he was in jail. Having Hal and Cal with me today put me at ease. They'll make sure nothing happens to me.
We arrived at the marina where we found the truck and a boat tied to the dock. I noticed the back of the truck was open. When Cal and I peeked in, we found Morelli standing over a very dead Louis. Hal was searching the boat.
"I told you I could capture you!" I yelled, slamming the truck door and locking it with the padlock. Cal laughed as we heard Morelli hitting the door with his fists and swearing up a storm.
"Congrats. You caught him on your own. I would never believe the story of how you caught him if I hadn't seen it for myself." Cal pulled me into his arms and kissed my forehead. "Do you want me to drive the truck back?"
"Nope. I would like that honour. Where's Hal?" I asked.
"Watching the boat until the DEA arrive," Cal answered. "There's enough evidence on board to close down the drug smuggling operation. He detained the boat owner. Hopefully he sings like a canary."
I carefully drove to the TPD, mindful of Morelli in the back. If he gets bumped around, it really wouldn't be my fault. As far as I'm concerned, he deserves everything he has coming to him. I parked behind the TPD in one of the visitor spots.
Eddie watched me jump down from the cab. "Did you bring us some frozen treats?" he asked.
I laughed. "In a manner of speaking. Before I open the back, you will need backup. Morelli is likely to jump out and kill me. He's very angry I locked him in there with 2 dead bodies."
He doubled over laughing as he attempted to call Big Dog and Carl. They brought more reinforcements with them. I was hiding behind Cal when Eddie used the padlock key to open the lock. He hollered, "It's Eddie, Joe. I'm going to open the door to let you out. Carl and Big Dog are here, so don't even think about escaping."
Both Carl and Big Dog had their weapon aimed at Morelli. He slowly stepped out so Eddie could restrain him. "I'm going to get you, Cupcake."
"What's that horrible smell?" I yelled. As I moved towards the truck, I noticed one of the barrels was missing the lid. Curiosity once again guided me to look. I climbed into the truck to look in the barrel. It was the most disgusting thing I have ever seen. "There's a... b b b body in there."
"We know," Carl stated. "We can see them from here."
"Not them. In the barrel," I stammered, as I tried to stop myself from throwing up. Nope, it didn't work. I quickly turned around and threw up, just missing Carl's shoes.
"That's just nasty!" Carl exclaimed. "I was trying to give you the body receipt." He gave me a receipt for Morelli, Sal and Ziggy.
"Why so many?" I asked. "Morelli was my only FTA.
"Ziggy and Sal missed their court dates this morning. Take their body receipts to Les Sebring. He bonded them last month," Big Dog explained. I shrugged before placing them into my wallet. My bank account was going to be nicely padded. I'll use the bounty from Morelli to buy a new car. I had no idea how much Ziggy and Sal were worth.
"We'll split the money Cal," I offered. "You and Hal deserve your fair share."
"We have lots of money. You keep it. After all, it was your hard work and research guiding us to the capture. You did all the heavy lifting. Hal and I were only around for the ride."
The forensic team arrived to collect the evidence. They found the missing, jammed weapon in the barrel containing Carmen's remains. All the evidence discovered confirmed Morelli's account of the events. He was immediately taken off suspension and received both an apology and back pay.
A few nights later, Morelli had the audacity to arrive at my apartment with pizza and beer. I heard rumours he was hoping to have a relationship with me. I was not remotely impressed. I've met my romantic soulmate. Besides, Cuban Adonis trumps the Italian Stallion in more than just looks. After sending Ranger a quick SOS message, I greeted Joe. "Hi Joe. What brings you by tonight?"
"I wanted to thank you for proving my innocence," he said as his eyes seductively undressed me. I barely suppressed a shudder from his intense gaze. Being the proper Burg girl, I allowed him access to my apartment. I led him to the couch to get comfortable. From the predatory look in his eyes, I knew he was hoping to have me for dessert. My spidey sense was tingling. There's more to the story around his arrival tonight.
"I'll grab some plates and napkins," I called over my shoulder while heading towards my kitchen. He wisely sat on the couch to wait. I only had a few plates since I eat most of my meals at Rangeman in Carlos' apartment or in the break room. Joe was lucky to find me at home tonight. I dropped by to grab more jeans and tops before Daddy arrives for our talk. "You're lucky to find me here," I said as I returned to the living room.
Joe had placed the pizza and beer on the coffee table. He was nearly finished his first beer. I placed 3 mismatched plates on the coffee table beside the pizza box. "Expecting company?" he sexily asked. I loaded a slice of pizza onto my plate. Just as I took a bite, he said, "Any chance of having a threesome?"
"Not likely," I mumbled. He moved closer, pressing his leg against mine. I felt his arm sneaking across the back of the couch. "Back off Morelli!" I yelled as Ranger entered my apartment. Ranger pressed a finger to his lips, the standard sign to remain silent. I guess he wanted to see how far Morelli would push his boundaries. I was unwilling to play that game. "Joe, I have a boyfriend. In fact, he's my romantic soulmate, aren't you Ranger?"
I honestly have never seen Joe move that fast to get away. Not even when I caught him sneaking from Terry Gilman, nee Grizolli's bedroom window when I was 15. Ranger picked up the spare plate and added 1 slice of pizza. My eyes glazed over as I remember his 'my body is a temple' comment. I licked my lips as he took a bite.
We ate until the pizza was gone. Joe has always been a reactive man. I stupidly thought he wouldn't respond to my announcement regarding Ranger. "That thug is your romantic soulmate? Helen is really going to love this," Joe shouted. "She belongs to me. I had her first." There it is... the missing puzzle piece. Mom really should not interfere. I wouldn't be surprised if she contacted Joe, telling him I'd be home tonight.
Ranger moved with catlike speed. Joe was pressed against the wall, held up by the mocha latte arm. "She's mine," Carlos growled. "What you did to her in the past was nothing short of sexual assault. It's time for you to leave."
I quickly agreed, "Thanks for the pizza and beer. I'm truly glad you're innocent of murder, but I'm not interested in having any type of relationship with you. Even if you were the last man on earth and human civilization depended on our procreation, I would still say no. Goodbye Joe."
We watched Morelli grab the remaining beer and leave the apartment. "I need to move," I mumbled after locking the door and floor bolt.
I found myself pinned against the door. Carlos had his hands under my shirt, feeling my soft smooth skin along my abdomen and chest. He pulled me into a panty melting kiss. "Move in with me Babe."
"I can't. My lease doesn't expire for another 18 months," I panted.
"I'll take over the lease. The guys can use this place to decompress." He pressed his forehead to mine. His hands continued moving along my body. I lifted my knee as he shifted his hands to my thighs, helping me wrap my legs around his waist. "Please," he whispered. I could feel his hard length pressed against me.
"Yes to everything," I replied. "We need to stop." I really didn't want to stop, but Dad was due to arrive any minute.
"I can be fast, if that's what you need," he huskily growled. He obviously wanted to celebrate our new living arrangements. I started rocking into him before I remembered why I was in my apartment.
"It's not what you're thinking. I need you so bad it hurts, but Dad should be here soon." A loud knock behind my back startled me. Carlos shifted our positions to look through the peep hole. He gently unwrapped my legs from his waist, then placed me on the floor.
After I refastened my bra, I opened the door. "Hi Daddy."
"Hi Pumpkin," he greeted. He noticed Carlos standing behind me. "We can reschedule for another time. I wasn't aware you had company."
I was hoping Carlos could stay, but I got the impression Dad needed some privacy. "Thanks for coming to my rescue," I whispered to Carlos as my lips were pressed to his.
"Babe. I'll be in the lot waiting." He gave me a chaste kiss before turning his attention to Dad. "General Plum, it's an honour to see you again." I nearly laughed when he saluted Dad.
"It's Frank, son. Are you taking care of my daughter?"
"Yes Sir." They exchanged a few looks. Carlos nodded at Frank before he pulled me into another kiss. "I'll wait for you." With a final salute, Carlos left the apartment. I quickly engaged the locks. After securing the floor bolt, I heard 2 quick knocks. It was ridiculous engaging the floor bolt, but I humoured Carlos.