Chapter 20

I had Julie sit in my lap as I pointed Scrogg's gun at him. "Are you okay, hija?" I asked her.

"Si," she replied. "I'm so glad you found me, Steph." She shifted her position to wrap her legs around my waist. I felt her bury her face into my neck.

With one hand, I gently stroked her back as I felt her body shake from crying. I let her cry into my neck as her dad did a few days earlier. She relaxed and her body suddenly felt heavy in my arms. Julie was sleeping in my arms.

We waited for almost an hour until the men arrived. Ranger entered the trailer first. He saw me holding his daughter with my gun focused on a very angry Edward Scrogg. I could see the rage in Ranger's face. Edward paled when he saw Ranger's expression.

They took Edward back to Rangeman to interrogate him. Julie refused to leave my arms. "Hija, you're safe now. I've got you."

She held my hand tightly. My fingers were going to turn blue if she didn't release her grip. "What if he escapes again?" she asked.

"Your dad would never let him escape," I reassured her. "Would you like to meet my children?" I asked her. I sent Lory and Curt a text asking them to stand by for a video call.

"You have children?" she asked, surprised.

"I do. They will be sixteen in a few months," I replied. I led her to my apartment at Rangeman so we'll have some privacy. Lory and Curt answered after the first ring.

"Hey, mom," they answered.

"Hi, babies. I would like you to meet Ranger's daughter, Julie."

"Hi, Julie," they greeted her simultaneously.

"I'm Mallory, but everyone calls me Lory," my beautiful daughter said.

Curtis took his turn. "I'm Mallory's twin brother, Curtis. Everyone calls me Curt."

Julie blushed when Curtis talked to her. "Hi, Lory and Curt. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"We heard you were kidnapped. I'm so sorry that happened to you. Are you okay?" Curtis asked.

"I was scared nobody would find me. Your mom risked her own safety and was captured. She saved me," Julie replied.

"Did he break my mom's nose?" Lory asked.

"I don't think so. Her eyes were already black when she rescued me. So I think it was broken yesterday?" Julie asked while looking at me.

"An old… acquaintance broke my nose yesterday when he didn't like my answer," I confessed.

"Bastard," Julie mumbled.

"I'm going to grab a shower. Can you guys keep Julie company?" I asked. It was my way to give them some privacy to talk. Julie needed to talk to people closer to her age. It would make her feel better about everything she endured during her capture.

After my shower, I cooked grilled chicken, rice and vegetables. Julie complained about the junk food Scrogg provided. I wanted her to have something with more nutritional value.

"Steph, can you come here?" Julie called. "Lory and Curt want to talk to you."

"Let me put this into the oven and set the timer," I replied. I quickly set the timer and washed my hands. "I'm ready," I said as I took a seat next to Julie.

"Do you mind if I take a shower?" Julie asked.

"Not at all. I'll ask someone to bring clothes for you," I replied.

"Thanks, Steph," she said before heading towards the shower.

"She needs to see a therapist," Lory stated.

"Julie's going to be scared for a long time," Curt added.

"I'm sure Ranger will make the arrangements, but I'll make sure she has someone to talk to," I reassured my children.

"When we visit during our summer break, can she visit with us?" Lory asked. "She could really use a friend."

"Doesn't she have friends at school?" I asked.

"Yes, but she's afraid their parents wouldn't let them hang around each other," Curt told me. "I think she's right. Parents have a difficult time dealing with these types of issues. It's easier to prevent their kids from hanging around the friend."

"Why would they do that?" I asked as the answer came to mind. I should have known better because it's what happened to me. "Never mind, I already know the answer. The parents would be afraid their children would be put in danger if they hang around Julie."

"Exactly," Lory answered. "We gave her our phone numbers in case she needs someone to talk to. You're still living in Miami, mom. Can you check in with her? It would mean so much to us."

"Of course, babies. If it's important to you, then it's important to me."

Michael entered the apartment as I ended the call with my children. "Dinner smells good," he stated while pulling me into his arms.

"Did you bring clothes for Julie?" I asked. He released me to grab the bag he set on the floor. "Thanks, honey. She'll feel better when she's wearing clean clothes. When the timer chimes, can you remove the food from the oven?"

"Sure, Anie," he replied.

I knocked on the bathroom door. "Hey, Jules. I have clean clothes for you to wear."

"Come in," Julie said with her voice hitching. I opened the door and found her sitting on the floor wrapped in the towel I left for her.

"Oh, Julie," I said as I pulled her onto my lap. "Shhh, baby. I've got you. Just let it all out."

She cried until she couldn't shed another tear. "Thanks, Steph. I'm sorry for crying so much. I should be stronger like my dad."

"Crying doesn't mean you're weak. Did you know your father cried when you were kidnapped?"

Julie shook her head. "Dad doesn't cry," she insisted.

"Hija, he cried in my arms. His face was buried in my neck as he cried," I told her.

"Like I did at the trailer and now?" she asked.

"Yes, sweetie. Just like that. Sometimes the natural reaction is to cry. I think crying can be therapeutic," I admitted.

"Did you cry when your nose was broken?" she asked from curiosity.

"No, but I cried when I saw the news the night you were kidnapped. I don't know what I would do if it was Lory or Curt," I confessed.

"Why did it have to be me?" she asked.

"I have no idea. Scrogg was deranged. He believed your father stole his life. Men like him need serious psychiatric help," I replied. "He saw an opportunity and took it. You did nothing wrong and neither did your dad."

"Do you think dad would let me visit more?" she asked.

"I don't see why he wouldn't. Supper should be ready soon. I bet you're hungry," I said as her stomach growled.

"I can eat," she joked.

"Here's your clothes," I said as I passed her the bag. "Get dressed and meet us in the dining room."

"Thanks for everything, Steph." She gave me a hug before I left her alone.

"How is she?" Michael asked.

"Alright considering everything she's been through. Is Ranger joining us for dinner? I made enough for him too," I asked.

He nodded. "Lester too," he stated. Thank goodness I prepared more food than we needed.

Ranger arrived as Julie sat beside me at the table. He was happy to see she was adjusting well to her surroundings. "Hija," he whispered. Her head whipped up to see her father. She jumped from her chair and flew into his arms. "He can't hurt you anymore," he promised.

"You can't promise me that dad. The only way he can't hurt anyone is if he's dead," she stated.

If I was reading Ranger's expression correctly, Scrogg wouldn't last past his first night in jail. Michael answered the door to Lester, Bobby, Tank and Hector. The only man missing was Manny.

There wasn't enough food for everyone. I was very happy when Hector pulled a food cart into the room. Tank and Hector placed the platters on the table. Michael placed our dish on the table. We sat around the table and passed the food. I was pleased when everyone took a little of everything.

"This chicken, rice and veggie dish is amazing," Lester stated. "Did you cook this, Ram?"

"I cooked. Don't look so surprised, Les. You know I can cook," I stated when Lester appeared to be shocked.

"Yes, but it's usually something with pasta," he said in defence.

Julie was holding my left hand. She kept twisting my rings around my finger. I wasn't wearing them when I was kidnapped. When I gave her fingers a gentle squeeze she smiled up at me. "Are you married to Ram?" she finally asked.

"Yes, I am," I replied.

"He's handsome," she stage-whispered.

"I think he is too," I admitted.

"Is he Lory and Curt's dad?" she asked.

"Soon," I answered. "His adoption court date is next week. Lory and Curt are excited for him to become their father."

"I'm excited too," Michael added.

"They are so lucky. I don't like my step-dad very much. He uses the money daddy sends for his kids' activities," she admitted.

I could tell Ranger was furious. It wouldn't surprise me if he pays directly to the source from now on. He trusted Rachel to use the money solely for his daughter. To use it primarily for her other children would really anger him.

"Did you know dad pays school tuition for my siblings? Mom said she wanted to keep us in the same school. If he didn't pay tuition, they couldn't attend. Ron and mom use their extra money to go on vacations without us. We have to stay with Ron's mean sister Marsha. I don't like her. Ron and Marsha make me feel like Cinderella," she stated.

The men were taking it as a good sign, but I knew better. "You mean the Cinderella living with the stepmother and step-sisters? Where you have to do all the chores and help them with everything?" I asked.

"Exactly. I can't wait until I meet my prince to rescue me," she answered.

"Julie, why didn't you tell me?" Ranger asked.

"I knew you would get mad. Can't I live with you?" she asked.

"I still have a government contract. Where will you live when I'm deployed?" he asked. This was the reason he reluctantly signed over his rights and permitted Ron to adopt her. It would be difficult to regain parental rights.

"With us," I offered. Michael was nodding in agreement. "We have an extra room for her in our home," I reminded him.

Lester asked, "Jules, do you have proof?"

She nodded. "Videos on my phone." Hector typed furiously on my laptop. His fingers flew across the keys as he was attempting to grab something.

"Nada," he said as he continued typing away.

Julie asked Hector, in Spanish, "What do you mean there's nothing? I have every video saved under Batgirl."

I smiled as she continued telling Hector how to locate the data. Hector was patient and looked through the files on her phone and those backed up to Rangeman servers. It was easier for me to follow their rapid talk in Spanish.

Hector finally located the videos. He continued speaking Spanish, "Backups to Rangeman server were disabled. Julie sent daily backups to another google account a few weeks before her kidnapping." Hector smiled before he said, "Account name is babybatgirlwilllivewithbatman. Very clever, Julie."

She smiled and replied, "I back up everything to that google account. Here, I'll type in my password. Sorry, it's a long and complicated password just like you said to use, Hector."

He was very happy it was difficult to crack. "Ranger, you need to watch those videos in private. We're here to support your decision," I stated.

"Thank you for saving my daughter, Babe."

"I would do it again. She's a very beautiful young lady. I'm just glad she didn't have to take a life," I confessed.

"Me too," Julie stated. "It's going to take time to get over the kidnapping. I'm glad nobody was seriously hurt."

The following day, one of Hector's old gang friends was arrested. He managed to sneak a knife into the cell he shared with Scrogg. An FBI agent was arranging to have someone collect Scrogg. It was going to take a few days to sort through the bureaucratic nightmare of this case.

Charges against Ranger were dropped. Everyone knew Edward Scrogg was the man responsible. The FBI liked to have all of their boxes checked.

In the morning, news broke regarding Edward Scrogg's death in his cell at TPD. There were five other men in the holding cell and nobody had a weapon. "The jail's CCTV system was offline for routine maintenance. Lawyers arrived to consult with their clients. Officer Joseph Morelli is convinced one of the lawyers left with the weapon in his possession," the anchorwoman stated. I stopped listening when she mentioned Morelli's name.

"Why is he still working?" I asked. "I was told he was put on suspension from assaulting me."

Michael draped his arm over my shoulder. "Anie, it's obvious he has family in the department."

"That is wrong on so many levels," I grumbled. I was itching to go home. Trenton was giving me hives.

Julie and I still had to give our statements to the police. We arranged for them to meet us in the first-floor conference room at Rangeman. I was not comfortable going to the TPD.

The men were buzzing when I visited them in the control room. Manny was watching the monitors. "Hey, wifey," he said in greeting.

"Hi, hubby. How are you feeling?" I asked.

"Like I got run over by a transport truck," he replied.

"When are you cleared for travelling?"

"We can leave anytime," Manny answered. "I'm ready to go home."

"Me too. Why is everyone so… anxious?" Manny pointed to the monitor.

Detective Joseph Morelli, Eddie Gazarra and Robin Russel were in the interrogation room sitting across from a very angry Julie.

"Where's Ranger and her lawyer?" I asked. Manny winced as he attempted to shrug. "They can't legally question a minor without a parent present."

I was fuming. There was no way I was going to allow them to browbeat Julie into talking. Too impatient to wait for the elevator, I ran down the stairs.