A/N: Sorry for the longer delay with updates, but apparently life happened and I was caught up in a few things for a while...
The plan for this chapter had been to write the wedding chapter. Well... that didn't seem to be on my muse's mind. She got sidetracked :) Next chapter maybe?
I really need a break, I found myself thinking for the hundredth time this very chilly, rainy and grey Monday Morning late August. My meeting was running longer than anticipated and, in all fairness, I had stopped listening a good twenty minutes ago. I wasn't even certain what the point of this meeting with Legal had been about until I realized the little issue, I had found myself facing last week.
Instead of the meeting my thoughts had been focusing onCarlos. And the fact that I had just spent another weekend by myself. And most likely the week ahead faced that same destiny. Since a few weeks we had all of a sudden become incredibly busy and side-tracked by several things. He was off putting out fires at the other offices as well as down in DC to talk about some contracts the government was handing out. Both explaining his absence, though I'm certain, had he been around, I wouldn't have had a lot of time.
Between my renegotiations of contracts as well as dealing with demanding customers I had learned about a smear campaign targeted against RangeMan last week. Which was the reason for this meeting right now. I wasn't really thinking of taking legal steps, but liked to be aware of my options and what could be used as a scare tactic.
The smear campaign itself wasn't really a big deal, just a tad annoying and would at best only scare away potential new clients. Not that we depended on them, seeing that I had my hands full with the ones we already called clients. But I also wanted to nip this right in the butt before it became and issue or a thing.
"Given your history with both I'd suggest you don't get personally involve as such," I heard one of the lawyers say and that got my attention again.
"History?" I asked confused and saw a few heads look confused my way. Guess they had probably explained that already when I wasn't listening.
"Well, what else would you call your previous connections to Joseph Morelli and Joyce Barnhardt?"
My first reaction was an eyeroll and an annoyed sighing until I realized what had just been said.
"What?" I asked confused, but not surprised come to think of it. It was Morelli and Barnhardt, so of course their idea of past time activity was making my life harder.
"The stories that were 'leaked' and the supposedly disgruntled customers all can be traced back to HardCore, the security company started by Morelli and Barnhardt," Binkie explained, sliding a file my way. When I had heard about the stories and a loose connection to a company called HardCore I had asked him and Slick to look into it.
"Did you just say Morelli and Barnhardt started their own security company? As…partners?" I asked surprised.
Binkie just nodded uncertain, before speaking. "Generally speaking, being an ex-cop, it isn't an unusual path to follow. Can't comment on his choice of partner, but well."
I looked at Binkie first of all, then at the file he had slid my way over the table and then at the lawyers.
"So, let me get this right... He is applying for a job at RangeMan and after we reject his application, he goes and starts his own security company, picking Joyce as his unqualified partner?"
Binkie nodded while the lawyers seemed to have not heard that bit of information before.
"He sought employment with RangeMan?" one of them asked – I believe his name was Luke.
Instead of replying I just nodded and saw them look at each other.
"Would you describe Joseph Morelli as vindictive?"
"You clearly never have met him because that could be the best word to describe his character as of lately. Well, the past few years anyway."
"In light of that new information, we suggest you definitely stay out of this to avoid further conflict and potential for a lawsuit. Let us handle the legal ramification and do not engage in contact with HardCore."
"Trust me, nothing could keep me further away from them. And I have already enough on my plate to deal with, without Morelli and his companion adding to my stack. So, do your thing and keep me in the loop," I said, realizing that this really needed to be dealt with, despite how small and ineffective their actions had been.
After the meeting was finished and the lawyers packed their things, getting ready to leave I asked Binkie to stay with me for a few more moments. The panic in his face was hard to cover.
"Steph, I… was under the impression that you knew about the owners of HardCore and that's why you asked me to look into it. Had I known that you weren't aware of Morelli and Joyce being …competition, I would have told you right away," he said, sounding slightly worried.
"I'm not mad that you didn't tell me. As a matter of fact, I actually don't care much about what Joyce and Morelli get up to these days. It just hit me out of the blue, that's all," I explained, before another thought hit me. "Does Ranger know?" I asked Binkie and he nodded warily, probably fearing for the worst.
"What did he say?" I asked, surprised I hadn't heard from my man about that already.
"I think he was confused for a moment, when he heard that Morelli and Joyce started a company competing with RangeMan."
I nodded understandably. It really was not just an odd combination, but also very unexpected in regards of the field of work. Being a cop, his main motivation was probably of course a need to stay connected with his past. He had been working for the PD for years and I wasn't sure whether he actually knew how to actually do anything else really, but also couldn't help whether his motives had been driven by another force.
"And after the confusion settled, he just said to let you handle it anyway you seem fit."
"Did he seem worried?" I asked and Binkie shook his head.
"Not really, and looking at the file in front of you, you'll see there is no real need. They hardly have any clients, not because of competition but rather due to their…unprofessionalism and unreliability."
"So, they started their little campaign, making up bogus clients we never had that complain about our services as well as make up crazy stories about us and our work ethic?"
Binkie moved his head uncertain from side to side. "It might sound odd, but I actually think their lack of clients was their motivation. I actually believe Morelli's long grudge against RangeMan is the prime reason. The lack of clients and maybe them coming flocking from us to them would have been just a side bonus."
"At least he has his priorities straight," I mumbled, thumping through the file. "It states in here their main source of revenue is their PI work?"
"Yes, everything else seems to be at some sort of standstill. Neither their bonds business nor their private security business seems to be really successful."
"Do we know with which bonds office their work?" I asked confused and was almost certain of knowing that answer before Binkie could answer.
"Vinnie."
Of course, my cousin. Seeing his and Joyce rather special relationship, it was already just too obvious.
Pulling the phone from the middle of the conference table in my direction I called Connie, who picked up after just two rings.
"Vinnie Plum Bonds office. You make bail, we make money. How can I help?" I heard her cheery voice coming from the speaker.
"Connie, it's me."
"Oh hi, Steph. Haven't heard from you in a while."
"Yeah, I've been buried under work it seems. And I figure that won't change for the foreseeable future."
"That sucks. We still on for Friday or you want to reschedule?"
"Trust me, if today is any indication how the rest of this week will go, I'll be in desperate need for a girls night out."
"That well of a Monday, hu?"
"You have no idea. Part of it is actually the reason why I'm calling. I just heard Morelli started his own company and is working for you as BEA?"
Instead of a reply, I only heard Connie groan and sigh for a moment. "The biggest headache I ever had. And it doesn't seem to stop."
"That well?" I asked amused.
"I'm starting to reach a point where I'm willing to pay RangeMan a fee out of my pocket, just so you take all the bonds and therefore get rid of Morelli. So far he had three cases and managed to screw each one up royally. You know he kept telling you, that you needed a new job and one you were capable of doing? Well, if you were incapable in his eyes, I'd sure as hell like to know what he thinks of his own work, because he sucks. And he hasn't managed to bring in one single guy yet. All the bonds expired and Vinnie had to pay quite a hefty fee. But does he learn out of his mistakes? No. He keeps pushing cases towards Morelli – or rather Joyce. And if you think he is bad, Joyce is even worse. But at least, with her I never had much hope to begin with, seeing as her first time around as BEA was already proving to be less than stellar. Good thing I keep a close lid on the high bonds for you guys, otherwise Vinnie would have given those to the unsufferable two already as well. If I'm not chasing after Vinnie, telling him to grow a paid and tell Barnhardt to fuck off, I chase after Joe and Joyce, trying to get them to do any kind of work. My job somehow turned into nonstop babysitter it seems. If RangeMan needs new recruits, let me know, at this point I'm willing to do almost anything."
"I'll pass it on to Ranger," I replied, understanding where she was coming from. Vinnie had always been tough to work with, but adding Morelli and Joyce into that mix and it became an entirely new drama. I felt really bad for Connie, who usually was a force to be reconned with. But even she had her limits and it seemed she was approaching them fast.
We exchange a few titbits of gossip, before Connie had to go and hung up a second later, making me wonder whether Connie wasn't even more in need of a girl's night out than me come Friday. I dialled down to Lester or whoever I could get a hold off and was surprised when Zero picked up. Wasn't he on vacation?
"Has anyone collected the files from Vinnie yet?" I asked curious.
"Not as far as I know, but Lester should get there any minute now. He called a few moments ago, letting us me know there was a hold up on the way."
"How is staffing this week? Can we spare a few guys or are you swamped in work?"
Zero didn't even seem to bat an eyelash at my question since he carried on as normal and seemed to think about my question for a moment. I heard some distant mumbling on the other end, sounding like he was covering the receiver with a hand and asking around.
"If you need someone for a side project we can manage," he said, laughing.
"Careful what you wish for," I replied smiling, before hanging up and dialling Lester's number. He picked up after a few rings.
"Are you at Vinnie's yet?" I asked and heard him snicker.
"Keeping tabs on my, Beautiful? Missing the boss too much?"
"No to either, well…. The missing part is probably true, but… that's not why I call."
"I'm just pulling into the parking lot. Why? Need me to pick you something up along the way back to the office?"
"Actually, yes and no. I need you to pick something up, but it doesn't require a stop between Vinnie's and RangeMan. I need you to pick up all the files Connie has, regardless whether they are RangeMan's usual price range or petty cash compared to other FTAs."
"Okay, um… are you by any chance bored?" he asked amused, and I heard the doorbell above the entrance of Vinnies.
"Not really, I have enough work, trust me. But I'm trying to help Connie," I admitted and saw Binkie next to me smile. On the other hand I heard Lester speak to who I assumed was Connie.
"As per Steph, I'm supposed to pick up every single FTA file you have, whether they are our usual high bonds or just worth a few bucks."
I heard an almost excited squeal come from Connie and knew my work was done, so I hung up.
"That was nice of you," Binkie said. "But I would advice you to not let legal know what you just did. They would probably read way more into this than just one friend helping another one. And Morelli would probably find plenty of reason for bitching as well."
"Morelli can go and kiss my ass for all I care. Same can be said about Joyce. But I know what you mean with keeping that from legal. You won't rat me out, will you?" I asked and saw Binkie smile widely at me.
"Why would I?" and with that our meeting was finished as well.
About half an hour after my meeting Tank called my office.
"Is there a reason you had Lester pick up every single file from Vinnie's? I mean… there are the usual RangeMan files and a few that sound interesting, though are rather midrange on the money. But I fail to see why we are going after a guy whose bond is less than 200 dollars. It will cost us more paying the guys going after that guy than what we'd actually make on the bond."
Crap, I of course had not thought about the fact that some bonds were so low that there would hardly be any money made at all. And if you were RangeMan with its extremely well-paid employees, a few of these less then 500 dollar bonds would actually mean, RangeMan would pay out of pocked in a way, spending more money on the salary for the guys going after the FTA than what the FTA was worth.
"Connie is low on …um…qualified BEAs and to add to it, her newest BEA duo is Barnelli - Morelli and Barnhard who seem to be a disaster and make her life unnecessarily hard. And I checked with Zero and he mentioned that you guys aren't completely swamped."
"What do you mean Morelli and Barnhardt? What do they have to do with FTAs?" Tank asked, sounding confused. Okay, seems like I am not the only one who had no clue. Good, to know.
"They started their own security consulting company, HardCore. And apparently try their hands on BEA which according to Connie is a disaster."
"What? Why have I not heard of that before?" Tank asked.
"Well, if it helps, I hadn't known until my meeting with Legal either. But you can ask Binkie about the details, since he looked into HardCore for me and found out. And since they suck at their job and Connie is slowly losing patience – and probably money, I figured I help."
"I would have preferred that you would have called me rather than Zero."
"Would you have said yes?" I asked cheekily.
"Little Girl, you know that Zero has no say in this," he said, sounding amused.
"Do you think Carlos will be pissed that I accepted a few jobs on his behalf so to speak, that actually won't make him money, but rather cost him?"
"We both know that Ranger doesn't care one way or another, and most likely would have done exactly the same had he spoken to Connie or had you mentioned your conversation. We also have plenty of room to accommodate the rather large stack of files. And the guys could need to get out in the field a bit more."
"Then why call me?" I asked amused and heard him smile.
"I like yanking your chain every once on a while, Little Girl. It is just too much fun."
"You are not nice, Tank," I replied pouting, despite the fact that I knew he couldn't see me.
"I would disagree," and then he hung up.
Two minutes later Connie called me back, ecstatic about what I had just arranged. At least one of us had no longer a mountain of work. It was a start.