Chapter 14

Stephanie sat on the couch in her apartment. She had her Rangeman laptop on her lap, running searches for Eddie Gazarra, Carl Costanza, Robin Russell and Denzel Carter Jr, AKA Big Dog. Stephanie learned that Big Dog went by his high school nickname when he joined the force. His dad, Denzel Carter Sr, was a detective at TPD.

Tears ran down Stephanie's face when she dove into Robin's past. Her mom was the same type of woman as Helen. Stephanie finally understood why Robin was empathic and tried to stop the guys from betting on her mistakes during captures. She didn't get the chance to say goodbye when her mother died from bladder cancer during the previous year. When Robin's parents divorced twelve years ago, her mother moved back to Boston. Robin didn't get the opportunity to visit.

"Why are you crying, Steph?" Julie asked.

"Oh. I was reading a sad story," Stephanie replied. Julie knew that Stephanie was running background checks on the TPD applicants. Someone's background contained something to make Stephanie cry. She couldn't ask for information because it would be a breach of confidentiality.

"I'm sure everything worked out," Julie reasoned.

"Probably. I love you, Jules," Stephanie said.

"I love you too, step-mama," Julie automatically replied. Julie laid on the couch, putting her head on Stephanie's lap, closer to her knees, silently offering comfort. Ranger smiled and brought Stephanie a tablet to use. He placed a pillow on Stephanie's lap for Julie to put under her head. "Thanks, dad."

Stephanie ran her fingers through Julie's silky hair until she finished reading about Robin's life. She entered the information to search Carl Costanza, leaving Eddie Gazarra for last. Carl and Stephanie shared a lot of firsts throughout elementary and high school.

They took their first communion together. He took Stephanie to her first high school dance. Carl was the first boy she kissed. Her face blushed when she saw the details in writing on the screen.

Ranger noticed the colour on Stephanie's cheeks and asked. "Who are you researching, Babe?"

"Costanza," she replied. He tipped his head back and laughed. "What's so funny?" Stephanie asked.

"Your reaction to the details in his file," Ranger replied.

"How did you get this information?" Stephanie asked when she read that she and Carl got caught half-naked in his basement. "I was still wearing my panties. Nothing happened." Her hormones were running rampant at the time. Both of them were crazy, curious and rebellious. Luckily, they got stopped from going further.

"The men gathered intel when we opened the Trenton branch. It helps to know who you can trust," Ranger replied. "Costanza said your panties were pink with black Batman symbols. I would love to have seen them."

"I'm sure we can find a sexier pair somewhere," Stephanie stated.

"You still owe me the story about the tattoo," Ranger said. She was surprised he found the tattoo.

Stephanie shrugged and returned to her searches. The rest of Costanza's background check didn't reveal anything scandalous. What happened in the past needs to stay in the past.

She knew what to expect when she ran the search on Eddie. Her life got intertwined with Eddie's life. They had been best friends since birth. He lived two houses down from her home. Stephanie was surprised Rangeman had Eddie's marksmanship awards in his file. "I bet Eddie can give Ram a run for his money," Stephanie mumbled. "Hey, Carlos. How did you find this photo?"

He leaned over her shoulder to see the image. Stephanie was around fifteen, and Eddie had his arms wrapped around her. A gun got held in their joined hands as their cheeks pressed together. "Eddie's father. He hoped you would marry his son," Ranger replied.

"I didn't like Eddie in that way. We kissed a few times, but it felt like kissing my brother," she confessed. "I still don't like guns." He kissed Stephanie's cheek and let her finish the search on Gazarra.

Ranger knew when Stephanie stopped the background checks on the new applicants. He gently lifted Julie from the couch and carried her to bed. When Ranger returned, he sat beside her. "Babe?" Ranger waited for her to respond. "Babe?" he asked again. He ran his fingers along her jaw.

"Oh, sorry. You should hire the TPD gang. There's no point in conducting interviews unless it's part of Rangeman protocol. I'm looking for information on Anthony Bianchi, Don Juan Brando and his coworker," Stephanie answered as she dove into the search.

"Bianchi's dead. He killed himself before the rest of us had the chance. His mother passed away after Abruzzi's death," Ranger stated. "The men are watching Brando and Thompson."

"Bummer. I was hoping to repay Bianchi back in kind. According to the police files, Brando and Thompson are FTA as of this afternoon," Stephanie added. A flash of anger crossed Ranger's face before he slammed down his blank face. Stephanie grabbed Ranger's hand, placed the tablet on the table and pulled him towards their bedroom.

"Excess energy, Babe?" Ranger asked.

She giggled, "You could say that, Carlos. Are you complaining?"

"Never," he replied. He closed the door with his foot before stripping Stephanie. She was writhing on the bed beneath him within seconds. "Babe," he groaned as he emptied into her.

"Thanks, Batman," Stephanie said, cuddling into his side. They woke up a few times during the night to make love.

Julie woke up in the morning to the sound of her dad and Stephanie in the shower making love. She opened the door to Ella and laughed. "What's funny?" Ella asked.

"Dad and Steph. They can't keep their hands off each other. I hope Stephanie gets pregnant," Julie said. "I would love to have a brother with her blue eyes and curly hair."

"Me too," Ella confessed. "They will make beautiful babies. I made waffles for breakfast."

"Yum. Stephanie's going to love you," Julie joked.

"I made them for her. April said you're staying in Trenton."

"Yup. My mom said living with dad and Steph is good for my mental well-being. We'll get them to visit during the summer. I'm happier here," Julie added.

Ella hugged Julie. "I'm happier with you here too," Ella stated.

Julie heard the washroom door open. "Don't look," she whispered to Ella. Stephanie and Ranger tumbled from the bathroom. Ella ignored Julie and caught her nephew and Stephanie streaking to the bedroom. "I told you not to look," Julie giggled.

"I'll ask Luis to add an ensuite bathroom to their bedroom," Ella stated.

"Where would Luis find the space?" Julie wondered.

"There's an empty storage area behind the closet. We could push the closet through to the space and put the washroom in between," Ella suggested.

"Why not redo the room layout? Like this?" Julie asked, drawing out a layout to create a washroom for her and a sibling. An ensuite for her dad. "I'll talk to dad and Steph to see what they think."

"It's always wise to consult your parents," Ella stated. She kissed Julie's head and exited the apartment. Julie grabbed another piece of paper to redo the drawing.

"What are you drawing, Jules?" Stephanie asked, taking a seat across from Julie at the table. She watched Julie's hand move across the paper.

"Morning, mom. I'm redesigning the Rangeman apartment. When we stay here, this layout should give you and dad privacy for your shower olympics," Julie replied.

"Shower olympics, princess?" Ranger asked.

"Yes. Your bedroom is soundproof. The bathroom? Not so much," Julie replied. "Mom's loud." Stephanie buried her face into her hands. "Don't be embarrassed, mom. It's not like I had never seen you naked before."

"What? You saw me naked?" Stephanie whisper-shouted.

"Yup. The next time you use the washroom at 3 am, can you please wear the robe on the back of your bedroom door?" Julie sweetly asked.

Ranger stifled a laugh. He grabbed the drawing from Julie. "We could get this to work. I'll ask Luis to measure out the space," Ranger said. He disappeared from the apartment to meet with Luis.

"I'm sorry, Julie. I wasn't thinking," Stephanie said.

"No worries, mom. At least I haven't caught you and dad having sex," Julie stated before going to her bedroom. Stephanie got left in the dining room with her chin resting on her chest.

"Julie?" Stephanie called from outside her bedroom door. "Who did you catch having sex?"

"My mom and Ron," she answered. "They forgot I got home from school early that day." Stephanie wondered if she caught Ranger with another woman. "I've never seen dad with another woman."

"How did you know what I was thinking?" Stephanie asked.

"Mom, from the day my dad met you, it has only been you. He loved you the second you sat across from him in that diner," Julie replied. "I loved you the moment your name put a smile on dad's face."

"I'll see you later, Jules. Robin, April and I have a date in the gym," Stephanie announced before leaving Julie in the apartment.

Carol Morelli dropped Joey off at Valerie's house. "I appreciate your help, Val. Joey got his morning dose of antibiotics. Hopefully, I won't take too long," Carol said as she passed Joey to Valerie.

"Take your time, Carol. I know what you're going through. My ex-husband ran away with the eighteen-year-old babysitter. They got married last year and have two children. You deserve better than Morelli. Can you do me a favour?" Valerie asked.

"Anything," Carol replied.

"Do not do what Angelina Morelli does. She keeps remarrying Anthony," Valerie stated.

"No chance of that happening. I've got a nursing job lined up in Pittsburg. Mom and I will move with Joey after I see the lawyer. I want to make sure Joseph can't charge me with kidnapping," Carol said. Carol kissed her son before leaving.

She drove a few blocks to a lawyer just outside of the Burg. He assured Carol that he did not represent any of the Morelli family. "Do you have proof of infidelity?" Wes Barker asked.

"I have affidavits and photo evidence," Carol replied as she gave her lawyer the documents. "My mom hired a private investigator a few months ago. The documents are from him."

"Are you aware your mom hired Donny Puckett?" Barker asked.

"No. I did not know. My mom also had Mr. Puckett follow me to make sure I was faithful to my husband," Carol answered.

"Why would she do that?"

"To prove that I wasn't the one screwing around in my marriage," Carol retorted. "I wouldn't put it past my husband to say I was unfaithful."

"Is there a reason you think he would file that claim?" Barker asked.

Carol laughed sardonically. "Have you ever heard of Stephanie Plum?" Wes nodded, understanding the point Carol was attempting to make. "They had an on-again-off-again relationship for years. During their on-times, he would screw around with other women. I heard him claim that she cheated on him first, so he paid her back. Neither of them classified kissing as cheating, as long as they didn't cross the line to sex. He got caught and blamed her. I've heard a lot of stories about Joe and Stephanie while I worked at the hospital. Every person said the same thing to me. Joe will cheat on you. I asked about Stephanie cheating on Joe, and they got mad, claiming she never cheated on Joe. If she was irate when her first husband cheated on her, why would she cheat on a boyfriend?"

"She wouldn't," Wes replied.

"Oh. I also have a paternity test. Joseph Anthony Morelli is the biological father of Joey Jr.," Carol said, handing him the results.

"Why did you get a paternity test?" Wes wondered.

"To protect my son's best interest. I don't ever want to hear Joseph saying Joey wasn't his son. Joseph can keep the house, his car and the police pension. I don't want spousal or child support. All I want is full custody of my son," Carol stated.

"We could petition for custody. I'm not sure the courts would rule in your favour," Wes honestly replied.

"You don't know if you don't try. Would it help to know that Joseph is a homicide detective and he drinks excessively?" Carol asked.

"It could help prove he's not reliable as a caregiver. I'll work every angle," Wes promised.

"I have one more question. I've got a job lined up in Pittsburg that starts in a few days. Would I get charged with kidnapping if I take Joey with me?" Carol asked.

"Not if you inform the father," he replied. "It wouldn't hurt to notify the police chief."

"Thank you. Please send the bill to my email address," Carol said, passing Wes Barker her contact details. "I'm keeping my phone number."

Carol left the lawyer's office with a spring in her step. She was going to move to a new place with her mother and son to start over. Joseph Anthony Morelli Sr. could find someone else to relieve his boys and keep Bob company.

She picked up her son from Valerie's home and called the chief of police, informing him that she was moving to Pittsburg with her son. "Why are you providing me with this information?" the chief asked.

"My lawyer said it was the responsible thing to do," she replied. "I don't want to get charged with kidnapping." Carol gave him her address in Pittsburg before ending the call. A few hours later, Carol, Joey and her mom packed the car and moved to their new home away from the Morelli family.

Wes Barker called the TPD to see if Joseph Morelli was in the building. The officer announced that Joe should be at home since he didn't have an active case. He drove to Joe's house and knocked on the door. "What do you want?" Joe drunkenly asked.

"Are you Joseph Morelli?" Wes asked.

"Ya. Now, what do you want?"

Wes handed Joe the envelope and replied, "You got served. Here is your divorce petition."

Joe slammed the door and screamed. Wes could hear Joe smashing everything in the living room. He called his friend at the police station and requested for someone to check on him.

Eddie, Big Dog, Robin and Carl got hired after their interview with the core team. They went to see the police chief to resign. "Why are you here?"

Each of them dropped their letters of resignation on the desk. "We quit," they replied as they dropped their badges on the desk. "Since we paid for our service weapons, we're keeping them."

"The guns are property of the TPD," the chief snapped.

Ranger entered the chief's office. He dropped a stack of documents onto the desk. "Ownership of their service weapons got transferred to Rangeman. If you have any questions, feel free to contact our lawyer," Ranger said. "Good day, sir." The recruits followed Ranger from the building.