Chapter 22

Cowboy's kidnapping kicked Rangeman into high gear. Hector emerged from the basement and went to Ranger's office. The Core Team plus Hal, Cal, and Vince were there waiting. Shutting the door, he said in accented English, "There is talk on Stark about Tank and a boy. Many speculate it is his son. Others are wondering if Tank has money like you. "

"Anybody in particular?"

"Stark street putas, including Lula and her ho friend, Jackie. LeRoy, Jackie's pimp, has been spending more time with several gang members from the Slayers gang."

"Slayers? I didn't think they had reformed," Vince added.

"They haven't, but there are a half dozen who loosely hang together thinking they'd like to form up again. They stay low-key for fear of Ranger," Hector explained.

"Do you think LeRoy would be a catalyst for their forming up?" Lester asked.

"No, LeRoy sticks to running his girls. He might have been using the mini-Slayers to obtain something or information."

While they were talking, there was a brief knock on the door, and Manny walked in. "I brought several folders from Vinnie's."

"Was Lula there?" Ranger growled.

"No, she slipped on the ice several days ago and hasn't returned to work."

Ranger looked over those in the office. "We need to hit the streets. We need to find Lula, Jackie, LeRoy, and the mini Slayers," Ranger said as he armed himself. "I want to stay ahead of TPD on this. Les, grab Junior. I want you, Junior, Hector, Les, Cal, and Hal, on Stark. Interview the mini Slayers. When you find LeRoy, Jackie, or Lula, bring them here. Manny, you remain here running backgrounds on our threesome, find residences, hideaways, look for recent purchases, cars, the full scan. When you get information, call us and we will update information with you as we gather it. Bobby, what about Luis?"

"He's resting comfortably. He will be released in 36 hours, barring anything happening. Ella is with him. Neither is doing well with Cowboy missing."

"Do you need to be with them?" Bobby shook his head no.

"We need to know more about Lula's injury. You and I will go to Lula's apartment. If she's not there, we will go to the bonds office."

The first stop was Lula's apartment. Ranger quickly overcame the door lock and stepped inside. The apartment was small, containing only two rooms and a bathroom. One room held Lula's extensive clothing collection with racks of clothes and boxes of shoes. Lula had more shoes than Babe. The other room was slightly larger, holding sitting and sleeping areas. Without a kitchen, a food preparation area sat near the bathroom with a dorm refrigerator and coffee pot. One window in each room provided the only light and ventilation. It was better than a one-room flophouse, barely.

"She's not here," Ranger said. "Let's go get more information from Connie."

Stephanie was at the bonds office, sitting on the scarred brown couch talking with Connie. Both were surprised to see Ranger and Bobby.

Ranger didn't give his usual "Babe" greeting. Instead, is barked out, "Where's Lula?"

Vinnie stuck his head out his office door, "Exactly, where is Lula? Her bail signifies she needs to be here during the day."

"She fell getting out of her car. She went to the doctor, and he said she needs bed rest for a few days," Connie answered.

Bobby quickly stepped into the conversation, "Do you know the name of her doctor?"

"She goes to the free clinic on Broad, but she should be home."

Neither Ranger nor Bobby was going to let on Lula was not at her apartment. "Have you spoken to her?"

"Not today. I was planning on calling closer to Noon. She may need me to pick up food."

Ranger remained calm, "If she comes in or you talk to, tell her I need to talk to her."

"I'll give you her phone number," Connie said as she wrote the number on a small paper pad.

Stephanie quickly followed Ranger back out of the office. "Why do you want Lula?"

Ranger wasn't going to say anything but relented. "Luis' vehicle was broadsided this morning as he took Tank's son to school. Luis is in the hospital, and Cowboy is missing."

Stephanie has several emotions pass over her face. "Whoa, wait. The boy kidnapped? Why"

Ranger answered, "Maybe for money or to hurt Tank. Or maybe it was for sexual reasons."

Stephanie groaned in pain. "Wait, you said Luis was injured. How bad is Luis? Is Ella there?" Finally, she remembered Lula. "Why are you looking for Lula?"

Ranger debated answering her but gave in. "There is too much talk on Stark about Rangeman money. Lula has been in on the conversation."

"And you think Lula is involved? That sounds a bit extreme, even for Lula."

Ranger disagreed, but then he didn't deal with Lula often. That was the difference between Babe and him. Her glasses were always rose-tinted, allowing her to see the good in everyone. His were clouded by too much of life's darker side. "If you see or talk to her, tell her I want to talk. She might know who is responsible." Ranger angled into his vehicle and sped off towards the clinic on Broad Street.

Stephanie returned to the office, sat on the couch, and tried to call Lula. The call went to voice mail.

Connie brushed doughnut sprinkles from her chest, "What's Ranger want with Lula. He didn't look too happy."

Should Stephanie share with Connie? Her friendship with Connie and Lula had become strained since she was spending more time at Rangeman. Today's doughnuts were a peace offering. What could she say without divulging Tank had a son. How could Lula and maybe Connie know about the boy? Had Connie and Lula begun cooking up schemes to help Lula financially? Could Connie have used her mob connections to hide the boy? Maybe she should deflect. "He has some news about her court case."

"Did Ranger say what it is?"

"No, just he needed to talk to her ASAP." After finishing her coffee, Steph stood to leave. "If Lula stops in or calls, have her contact me."

As Steph walked down the block to her car, a car stopped in the middle of Hamilton, and the driver angled out. "Miss Plum, I Detective Franklin, TPD. May I talk with you?"

Stephanie crossed into the street. "If you are going to ask me about Lula, Ranger has already asked me. I haven't seen her in over a week. I just tried to call her, but the phone went to voice mail."

"May I have the number?"

"No problem," Steph answered as she dug into her purse. "I'm sure receiving a call from the police might scare her off. She has a severe cop allergy."

"You think she might run?" the detective asked.

"It is possible. She has abandoned me at TPD more times than I can count. It goes back to her days working as a ho."

"Do you know who she hangs with now?"

"All I know is she and Jackie, a working girl on Stark, were once very close. I don't know if they still are. Lula has her own life away from the bonds office. I know where she lives, but I don't know who does her nails and hair. Since she broke up with Tank months ago, she never talks about dates or a boyfriend."

Instead of heading back to Rangeman, Steph went home, Ranger's safe house. No, the apartment was long gone. Her father and grandmother still lived with her in the Rangeman safe house. All three were making payments based on their ability to pay. Ranger insisted it wasn't necessary, but all three insisted.

Only Stephanie kept her old phone number. Her father and grandmother had gotten new ones and so far had remained hidden from Helen Plum. Helen continually tried to call her daughter, but Steph grew tired of letting them go to voicemail and blocked her mother's home and cell phone numbers.

Frank Plum had begun divorce proceedings from his wife. The Burg was trying to get information from Stephanie, but she'd shrug and say, "I don't know the particulars. That is between them." Edna still frequented Clip and Curl beauty salon, but even that was becoming dangerous as Helen often came and insisted her mother return home with her. "Frank has a new life, and so do I. It's time to realize you made your bed, Helen, with your evil tongue and drinking. It is time you reap your reward."

The last time Edna tried to enter the salon, Joe Morelli grabbed her. Fortunately, several big Rangemen moved in quickly, followed by Eddie Gazarra, a TPD cop. "Let Edna go, Joe," Eddie ordered.

"I want to ask her about Cupcake."

Edna spoke up, "You horse's patoot. Stephanie has thrown you over and moved on. You know she has filed an injunction against you approaching her. If you violate it, you will lose your job. Think about it, Joe. Is your job worth your job going after someone who hates your guts?"

"We always get back together," Joe countered.

"Not this time. It's over."

"Is she with Manoso?"

"She is healing from the abusive treatment she has received from the Burg, her mother, Dickie Orr, and you."

"I've never hit her."

"You scream at her, telling her she is incompetent. Where do you get off telling her she has to quit her job, marry you and start bearing children? She doesn't want marriage or children, but you and my daughter keep cramming it down her throat."

"Your daughter…" Joe began but was quickly cut out.

"You and my ex-daughter have been plotting together for too long. Are you two sharing more than the Jim Beam?" Edna asked.

Joe looked around and noticed this conversation had bystanders, typical of the Burg. Edna knew exactly what she did with her assertion he and he and Helen Plum drank together and perhaps more. The gossip would fire through the Burg. He was so disgusted, he turned and stormed off, not once refuting Edna's claims.

Eddie took Edna and handed her off to the burly Rangemen. Leaning over, he whispered in her ear, "Edna, try to cop a feel, and they will take you back to Helen's house on Stephanie's and Ranger's orders."

Entering her home, Stephanie was surprised to see her father and grandmother home during the day. "Is there a problem?" she asked.

"Nope. I'm taking Edna to a different salon. Clip and Curl have some unsavory people hanging around it recently."

"You mean Mom and Joe?"

"Yeah," Edna replied. "But there are some loose lips at the salon calling Joe trying to get to you through me. I'm going to a new shop. It's up near Ewing high school. Bertha Wallenchech's niece moved out of the Burg years ago and got married. Her daughter's best friend owns a salon in Ewing."

"Are you sure nobody will know?" Stephanie asked.

"It's a unisex salon. Those old biddies would never go where men invade. They are too old school No more stinky perms for me. I am getting a cropped pixie. Maybe I'll get a green dye as well."

Steph glanced at her father, who was unphased by Grandma Mazur's hair color thoughts. Wow, things are changing. "One step at a time Grandma. If you go too extravagant, people will notice and might get back to Mom. Go with the new cut for now."

"Maybe I should get some piercing for my ears?"

"No, your ear lobes are too long. You don't want to draw attention to them. Maybe a pretty ear cuff."

"I don't know what that is."

"How about holding off on all ornaments until you lose the Burg look." Looking at her father again, he was still calm. "Dad, are you alright?"

Frank smiled at her. "You haven't heard the news. Helen has accepted the divorce. She gets the house, the car, and half my pension. I've got a new job to make up for the missing money. She gets nothing of it. If she wants more money to support her drinking, she's going to have to get a job."

"You aren't going to be driving taxis! What is the job?"

"I'm working at Rangeman. Ranger called me this morning and said he needs someone to help with chores while their building superintendent, Luis, is injured. If I like working there, they will find me another job."

"How long have you known about this?"

"About an hour." Looking at Edna, Frank said, "It's time we get going. I have to be at Rangeman by 1 pm."

"Dad, why don't I drive Grandma? That way, I can stay since she isn't having the "works" done." Steph thought it would give her a chance to talk more with her grandmother.

On the way to the new salon, Edna asked, "You going to be alright, Baby Girl? I know things are changing pretty fast, but they are long overdue. The situation between Frank and my daughter has been brewing for years. You haven't been at home more than an hour a week. There are days they never spoke to one another. He spent more time driving his cab, at the lodge, or out in the garage. When you came over, he would wait for you by sitting in front of the television and ignore Helen."

"Did they sleep together?"

"Not for a long time. I'm in Valerie's old room. He uses your old room. They were already essentially divorced but still living in the same house."

"It was a good thing I didn't come back home to live."

"No, you kept going to the horse's patoot's house."

Steph sighed. How long did she keep making the same mistake? "I tried to love him but couldn't. His harping on me was like Mom's. Why didn't I see that earlier?"

"You were trying for the perfect Burg life. It was a façade your mother perpetuated like so many other women. In reality, everything is changing. Young women want to be like you, working and making their way, but their old-school family forbids it. The strong ones leave. How many of your high school classmates still live here?"

"Quite a few."

"Fewer than you think. Their parents live here, and maybe they work at the hospital, family business, or downtown, but they live elsewhere. Sure they eat at Pino's on special nights, pick up specialty foods at Giovincchini's and Tasty Pastry, but most times, they shop at Aldi's."

"Oh."

"Baby Girl, a perfect Burg life is a fantasy. Somewhere, the Burg lost its compassion and went to the respectable façade, with plenty of backstabbing. There are a lot of marriages that are dead but not buried. Women see you out leading your own life and are jealous. So much of the chatter about you is jealousy speaking."

Stephanie wondered if that was true. "I don't believe that."

"Baby Girl, gossipers ply their trade to make themselves look better. I am as guilty as anyone. But I keep my murmurs limited to Clip and Curl. I do not spend hours on the phone trying to backstab others."

"But you still talk about me."

"Because I'm proud of you. I want others to understand how special you are. Others try to spread the word, but the cold hearts like your mother hear what they want and change the message to suit their own needs. Anyway, it is not that you haven't benefited from the Burg Grapevine. How do you find most of your skips?"

"But I don't talk about it."

"And that is what makes you so special."

"Why does Mom gossip so much?"

"First, it is expected in the Burg. It started with chats over fences. Then grew to telephone calls. Modern women use electronics. I think she gossips so much about you and others to throw the light off her dirty secrets."

"Her drinking?"

"And more. The Burg is not blind. They see how much time Frank stays away from home. The two of them never go out to eat, to dance, to the movies, nothing. She hasn't been to a single function at his lodge in 20 years. People notice, but she puts on quite the show when grocery shopping telling people how much her husband enjoys her cooking."

"What about Valerie? What will a divorce do to her?"

"Without Frank and you around to bash, Helen has turned on Valerie. She is discovering what you went through for years."

"I thought Dad was just quiet."

"At first, it was what they call PVD."

"You mean PTSD."

"I thought it was Post Veteran Disorder."

"Post Traumatic Shock Disorder. You don't have to be a soldier. It happens to anyone who has experienced trauma."

"Like you?"

"What do you mean, Grandma?"

"After the divorce from that patoot, Dickie, you've been more unable to make decisions. You don't listen to reasonable suggestions. Is it because they sound like your mother harping on you?"

"Maybe, but then wouldn't the trauma have begun earlier?"

"Like Tasty Pastry? You can't hang on to the past, especially since it's been so difficult. You've got to let go and move on. We've got a pretty good start here, now. I don't have much of a future, so I will not ruin what I have left by mourning what was. Oh, we are here. Are you coming in?"

"Sure. I have plenty to think about." As Steph sat in the very uncomfortable plastic chair, she started thinking about what her grandmother had said. Was her mother's unhappiness the root of her trouble? Was her trying to comply with the Burg life-destroying her? Was that why she couldn't make up her mind on anything? From the cradle, Helen Plum insisted her daughter behave a certain way. Valerie succumbed, but Stephanie Plum couldn't. Year after year, her mother was trying to program her like a Stepford wife or Manchurian Candidate. For years she fought the Burg's edicts. With her family broken, could she also break away? Or would she go deeper into Denial Land? Her father divorced himself from Helen Plum and took on a new job. Stephanie chuckled to herself. Helen's rant about Rangeman "thugs" will get louder. As she sat and pondered, her cell phone rang. It was Lula.