Chapter 30
I was restrained when I came to. My hands were tied behind my back and my legs were chained to a metal chair. Leaning over, I could see there was no way for me to break the chair to free myself. I used my fingers to see if I was still wearing my watch or bracelet. Both wrists were bare. My wedding band was missing too. Flexing my facial muscles, I realized my hair was still braided. I was relieved to still have my picks in my hair. Now I need to figure out how to grab them.
The door opened and a voice I haven't heard in such a long time pierced my ears. "Stephanie Michelle Plum. How dare you come back here and embarrass me? Strutting around town with that black child," Helen Plum yelled.
Could this day get any worse? I just had to ask because yes it could get much worse. "What do you want?" I asked.
"You need to divorce that thug and marry Joseph Morelli. That abomination will never be accepted in this city," she kept ranting. I stopped listening. She realized I stop listening so she hit me across the face, cutting my cheek with her ring. Blood poured down my cheek as she continued her verbal abuse.
I honestly thought I was finished with this vapid woman. She threw me away like yesterday's trash just over ten and a half years ago. Why is she suddenly interested in my life? My daughter is likely the reason for her interference now. "Are you finished?" I asked with boredom.
"Why me?" she asked. "If you were a good girl like Valerie, you wouldn't be here now."
"Seriously? Saint Valerie was pregnant when she walked down the aisle. How does that make her a good girl?" I honestly wanted to know.
"She never prostituted herself then cry rape when she got caught. You need to marry the father of your son," she insisted. "It's the only way to start redeeming yourself." Is this woman serious? She honestly believes that tripe she spewed all those years ago?
"When can I go home?" I had no patience for this woman.
"Never!" she yelled. "Your home is with Joe. I'll let you go if you sign these divorce papers." Wow. She sunk to a whole new low. In order for me to divorce Carlos, he'll need to sign the papers.
"Let me think about it," I said. She nodded and left me to come up with a plan. Carlos and I used to leave a message with each other during our missions. If I signed the document and added the message, he'll know it's false. I need to let him know who has me too. That will take a little longer for me to do.
"I'm leaving to get dinner ready in time. You can sit here to think about your decision," she smiled sweetly before dropping the papers on my lap and leaving.
"Well Cupcake, we're finally alone," Morelli chillingly said. He hasn't changed much from his lecherous teenage self. I honestly thought being a cop would have made him a better person. "It's been awhile." Joe trailed his finger down my throat to my left breast. He gave it a squeeze before giving my right one the same attention. I fought back a shudder as he started unbuttoning my shirt. His breaths got heavier as he bared more of my chest. He moved the papers off my lap before he used a knife to cut my bra open. Joe's breath hitched when he looked at the blue teddy bear. "Our son," he whispered before leaning in to kiss the tattoo.
When he sucked my nipple into his mouth I sternly said, "Stop!" He bit me hard before releasing me.
"You're mine," he yelled. "I had you first. It was my child you gave birth to. According to the church you are married to me." I shook my head disagreeing with his words. He backhanded me across the face. Pain registered seconds after I heard the telltale crack of my nose breaking. It's not the first time I broke my nose and I doubt it would be the last. Blood poured from my nose and covered my breasts, concealing Morelli's bite mark. Carlos is going to kill him. I didn't give him the satisfaction of knowing how much it hurt. Crying or getting angry wasn't going to stop Morelli from assaulting me. I could only pray Carlos finds me soon.
Meanwhile back at Rangeman...
Ranger returned to Rangeman from his client call. He discovered quickly it was merely a distraction... one of many for him and his staff. Somebody purposely orchestrated his separation from Stephanie. The client he visited confessed to purposely calling Ranger and Lester away from the office. A few more Rangeman clients were also asked to call men away from Rangeman, causing them to be temporarily short staffed. It meant nobody was available to accompany Stephanie.
He asked Jeanne Ellen and Hector to stay with Julie and Robbie in his apartment. "Don't let them out of your sight," he ordered before kissing both kids goodnight. Julie was trying to be brave and hide her fear from her papa, but when Hector pulled her into his arms, she started crying.
There were a few people who may know where his wife is located. Joseph Morelli, Frank Plum and Helen Plum. Stephanie told him the story around Helen's promise to Morelli. If Steph wasn't married by twenty-five, she was to marry Joe. They've been married for eight years already. Ranger put word out on the street asking if anyone saw what happened to Stephanie.
Cal, Junior and Zip dressed in street gear to canvass the area around the mall. Ram and Hal were processing the area around the SUV. They noticed a few fingerprints on the hatch. Using a top of the line military camera, Hal steadied his hands to take a few pictures. Ram passed him the white fingerprint powder to lift the print. Rangeman had access to the military database. If the print belonged to any personnel in any of the military branches, it will produce a hit.
Everyone returned after a few hours to report. Cal started, "Word on the street says Mrs Plum is furious her daughter returned to Trenton. Nobody was willing to offer any useful information."
"Junior," Ranger barked.
"Interviewed Mr Plum. He hasn't heard from Stephanie since the letter he received in October 2003. I asked to see the letter. Mr Plum searched the area where he hid the letter, but it was missing. Only Mrs Plum or Mrs Mazur would have found the letter," Junior reported.
"Mrs Mazur or Mrs Plum?" Tank asked.
"He thinks his wife likely found it."
Zip had more information. "Witness saw a woman wearing a long black jacket, low black heeled boots and dark scarf covering her hair approach Stephanie. She was pushing a shopping cart. When she passed the SUV, Stephanie leaned forward. The woman stopped for a few seconds before proceeding to a silver Buick."
"Anything else?" Lester asked.
"A man approached the car. He was wearing a black leather jacket, black jeans, shoes and black hat. Too much facial hair to get an accurate description. He appeared to be helping her load the car."
"Hal, report," Ranger ordered.
"Ram and I processed the SUV and immediate area. We lifted prints from the SUV hatch. Running them through the system. Should have results soon. Keys were locked in the SUV with her purse, watch, bracelet and rings. Taser leads were found under the vehicle." Ram's phone pinged as Hal wrapped up his report.
"Prints came back. Palmer and officer Morelli," Ram reported.
"Ram, contact TPD. Ask to speak to Chief Juniak. Lester, call Stephanie's cousin Eddie Gazarra. Tank, contact Rangeman lawyers. Hal, bring Mr Plum to Rangeman. Cal and Zip, keep an eye on Mrs Plum. Manny, Junior and Zero locate and follow officer Morelli. Dismissed," Ranger barked.
Chief Juniak, Eddie Gazarra, Carl Costanza, Mr Plum and the Rangeman lawyers were directed to the conference room on the third floor. Evidence was ready to be presented to the team of men gathered. Cal and Zip sent notification the Plum residence was secure. Both women were in the house. Officer Morelli was located in his apartment. There was no sign of Stephanie anywhere. The men were watching Morelli. If he leaves his apartment, they will follow him and hope he leads them to Stephanie.
A blond woman entered the apartment building. Zero had planted a bug outside Morelli's apartment door. His apartment was on the second floor and didn't have a fire escape. The bug detected a knock on Morelli's door. He called the woman Terri and led her into his apartment. They listened as Morelli and Terri had sex. Unfortunately they didn't hear any mention of Stephanie. Morelli said Cupcake was at her uncle's warehouse. Manny asked, "Why are they storing cupcakes at her father's warehouse?"
"We should still report everything we hear to the boss," Junior said. "Maybe something he's saying actually means something to Ranger." They watched the blond woman leave.
Manny contacted Rangeman to run the plate on the car she was driving. Within twenty minutes he was informed the car belonged to Terri Gilman. Her uncle is Vito Grizolli, one of the old mafia bosses in Trenton. They say he's out of the business, but nobody could be certain. He did run some legitimate businesses, but they could also be a front for money laundering.
"Stephanie has been missing for several hours," Ranger told the team in his conference room.
Tank laid out the evidence gathered, "She was last seen at Quaker Bridge Mall at 1500. A woman pushing a shopping cart approached her, but didn't make contact. The witness, who was on her dinner break, saw a man approach Stephanie to offer assistance. When she determined Stephanie was likely safe, she returned to work. Stephanie hasn't been seen since. Her tracker was left in her SUV with her purse, jewelry, weapon and keys. Several fingerprints were discovered on the SUV hatch. Some belong to Stephanie, the other prints belong to Detective Joseph Morelli."
Carl jumped to his old partner's defence. "He probably helped her load the purchases in her car." Mr Plum agreed. "Detective Morelli is a respected cop and wouldn't be responsible for Stephanie's disappearance." Carl even suggested Stephanie planned her own kidnapping. Ranger was not impressed. He looked towards his lawyers before approaching Carl and Mr Plum.
"My wife hasn't interacted with Stephanie since she left home in 2001. I doubt she would have anything to do with Stephanie's disappearance," Mr Plum stated.
"Carl, please escort Mr Plum from the room. I have private information to share," Ranger sternly stated. He was absolutely furious. His instincts told him both Mrs Plum and officer Morelli were responsible for Stephanie's kidnapping. Joe Juniak backed Ranger's order. Tank and Lester escorted the men to the main lobby. They watched the men until they received further orders.
Ranger was too furious to speak. Bobby took over the meeting. "Taser barbs were located underneath the SUV. She was stunned prior to her disappearance."
"If Morelli is responsible, the department will hold him responsible," Juniak promised.
Eddie Gazarra was concerned for his wife's cousin. He often called himself her cousin by marriage. "Sir," Eddie addressed Chief Juniak. "I think Morelli is responsible. Since he became detective, he's been more difficult to work with. He's been saying all Rangeman employees are criminals and he will singlehandedly run the company out of town. They've been working with the bonds offices to help get criminals off the street."
"We are mostly military or ex-military. Very few employees would be classified as ex-gang or ex-cons. In fact, we only have one ex-gang staff member at this location," Bobby stated.
"Stephanie needs to be found," Ranger insisted. "Our daughter needs her mother."
"I'll put a detail on Morelli," Juniak offered.
"I already have men watching Morelli and Mrs Plum." Juniak was both angry Ranger is following one of his best cops and happy he's doing everything possible to find his wife. Ranger and his men are an asset to Trenton.
"Contact me when you locate her. You need TPD on your side," Juniak requested. Juniak gave Ranger his personal number. "Call regardless of the time." Ranger nodded.
After all plans were finalized, Juniak and Gazarra were escorted from the building. Before Eddie left he turned to Ranger, "I'll call if I hear anything." Ranger nodded and passed him a business card with the phone number.
It was 2350 when Ranger quietly entered his apartment with Lester at his heels. They wanted to see their children before returning to the conference room. Hector was sitting in the chair reclined back. Julie was tucked into his side. Both were covered with her blanket. He opened his eyes and quietly said, "She refused to sleep in her bed until her momma came home." Hector pointed to Jeanne Ellen and Robbie sleeping on the couch. "He wanted to stay too." Lester and Ranger left the apartment and returned to the conference room.
"There has to be something we're missing," Ranger stated as he reviewed the evidence.