Chapter 24

Stephanie sat with her grandmother picking at her dinner. Grandma had not roasted vegetables as she promised. Instead, she felt liberated enough to make a Mazur family treat. The pork roast with peas and sauerkraut with mashed potatoes and gravy had been Stephanie's favorite for years, but not tonight.

Years ago, Grandma Mazur taught her a little game to get her to eat the sauerkraut. "We make haystacks." The secret was to make a bed of mashed potatoes. Pile on the pork cut into small cubes. Sprinkle with green peas, preferably those pale green mushy ones from the can Helen Plum insisted on serving. Cover with sauerkraut and pour gravy over the top. Of course Helen Plum was aghast her daughter ate in such an undignified manner, which spurred on Grandpa Mazur and Stephanie. Tonight she had no desire to play with her food, let alone eat it. "Grandbaby, aren't you hungry?"

"I've got too much on my mind, Grandma."

"Your mother, father, the horse's patoot, or that hunk of burning love?"

Stephanie didn't answer directly. She only shrugged.

"Getting a new phone number has cut back on your mother's harassment," the old lady said. "Instead, she calls me, but I don't listen to her." Chewing a pork cube, Enda continued, "That horse's patoot can't call you or find you at your apartment. That has to help."

"Yeah," Steph agreed without hearing a word Edna said.

"That man is a Morelli through and through, he just has a better façade. I think he is more handsome than his father plus he has a better paying job. Your mother spends too much time talking to Angie Morelli about getting you two together especially since…"

"Tasty Pastry incident. Yeah, they are trying to write a wrong so many years ago."

"Do you think Joe is trying to apologize?"

"Yes and no. We've sorta talked about it, but he's never apologized. I don't know why I let him back into my life. Heck, I don't know why I let the Burg back into my life. I was getting away when I worked in Newark." She deconstructed a bit of her haystack for a piece of pork, but played with it.

"Will you continue living here?"

"For a while until I can get something else. I'm trying to avoid the Burg. Today was the first time I was on Hamilton avenue since we moved here. I did not stay at Vinnie's very long because I was certain someone would call Joe or my mother. Driving home I took off towards Hamilton and circled back here fearing someone might follow me."

"So what is bothering you tonight?"

"Lula. You remember the hospital incident months ago?"

The older lady nodded.

"Do you know she shot someone?"

"I've always wondered what happened," Edna said as she dabbed a bit of gravy off her lips.

Stephanie put down her fork, wiped her lips as Edna did before continuing. "When she gets insulted or flustered, she is quick to anger. I can usually talk her down. This time I was too slow to respond."

"It is still Lula's crime," Edna said as she scooted a pea and mashed potato glob onto her fork.

Stephanie nodded. She had worked that out and was feeling less remorse. "Grandma, do you know who she shot?"

Edna briefly wished she was still going to Cut 'n Curl to be able to add a tendril to the Burg Grapevine. "Nobody knows. Word is the woman ran from the hospital with a child and hasn't been seen since. People think she was hiding something."

Stephanie went back to digging for pork cubes. "Grandma, what I am about to tell you is not for gossip or the grapevine."

Grandma Mazur was more curious than ever but nodded she understood the arrangement. She may have been a major contributor to the Burg Grapevine, but it was time to pull away even if it left her life a bit boring.

"The woman in the hospital was the mother of Tank's 8-year-old son."

Edna had long ago begun to put names to several of the Rangemen. Tank was the big massive one, well more massive than any others she had met. "He is married? I thought he was with Lula?"

"No, he and the woman met in the Army years ago. He never knew he had a son. Lula and Tank had a fling, but it fizzled out. She's always hoped they would get back together. When Tank was shot, she went nuts in the hospital hoping he would not die and ruin her chance reigniting their….whatever they had. I could tell Lula was wound up by her loud voice and stance. Lula was rude and rather crude. I went over to talk her down and the woman took to opportunity to gather her son to leave. Lula became more agitated threatening to bust a cap in the woman's ass. The woman picked up her son and ran towards the door while Lula reached into her purse and began drawing her weapon. Suddenly Lula's gun discharged."

"If the woman was shot, why did she run from a hospital?"

"Nobody knew she had been hit. Only later was blood found but people panics and rushed out the door hiding the evidence. She might not have been found except for the lead from Bobby. Before Rangeman or the police could find her, she left the country."

"Did Lula know it was Tank's woman?"

"I don't think she is his woman, well not then. She was only the boy's mother."

Grandma sat moving her dentures around her mouth, "So what does that have to do with Lula today?"

"Tank's son and his mother are living with Tank."

"She came back."

The mother left the Army and is now looking for a job, anywhere but New Jersey. While she travels for interviews, the boy lives with Tank."

"Why doesn't she get a job here?"

"Because she considers Trenton to be filled with trigger-happy thugs." Sighing, Stephanie continued, " This morning, Luis, the building janitor, was taking little Pierre, Tank's son, to school in Princeton when they were broadsided. Luis was injured and the boy was kidnapped."

"And you think Lula is involved?" Edna asked while looking up from her plate. The lady didn't react in horror. Did she know or was she so used to the Burg madness, a little thing like a kidnapping wasn't work getting excited.

"A lot of people think she is. I met and talked with her today. She seemed surprised and upset about the kidnapping. No sooner had I mentioned the kidnapping, she ran off."

Before Steph and her grandmother could talk more, Steph's phone rang. "Hey Daddy, when are you coming home?"

"Pumpkin, things are crazy here. I'm needed here. Oh, and I've been asked to tell you to get back to the office pronto. Your skills are needed."

Stephanie had no sooner disconnected when her phone rang again. Noting the caller, she answered, "Ranger, Dad just called to say I'm needed at Rangeman."

"Babe, we are getting information, but I need our best mind here to follow up coordinating everything."

"I'm on my way. Give me twenty minutes."

"Timer is ticking, Babe. A boy's life is at stake."

As Steph took her plate to the sink, she thought, she replayed Ranger's message. "Best mind. Why was this such a surprise? Had he always been so complimentary about her ability to ferret out information?

-0-

Tank was buckled into the truck for the journey to Stark Street. "You got more information?" Tank asked.

Hal began, "Nothing from the kidnappers, but TPD said they often wait twelve hours before they send ransom demands, psychological warfare. We don't know what phone number they have for you. Hector has tied into your cell phone in addition to all lines Rangeman."

Tank understood psychological warfare having employed it many times himself and the recipient of such tactics. This time it was some closer to his heart than his fellow soldiers. He couldn't allow his emotions to get in the way. He had to keep his mind clear to be able to react quickly.

Hal continued, "FBI is not aboard because there is no indication this is an interstate kidnapping event. TPD originally assigned Morelli to the case, but Ranger called the chief and cited adversarial problems with Morelli and Rangeman. The chief agreed and assigned Mossberg."

Tank only raised his chin. Removing Morelli would probably save the cop's life. The shit he gave Rangeman would be the spark in the ever-present powder keg. He was entering combat mode and needed to concentrate his energy. They stopped by several Rangeman trucks parked a half-mile from Stark Street. Tank stepped out of the truck. Bobby handed him a Kevlar vest and helmet. When finished dressing, Bobby handed him the earpiece and microphone. Ranger stood by and waited on Tank before speaking. "LeRoy, Lula's former pimp has been amassing items. He was looking for cars and drugs. We are looking for the few remaining Slayers. Eli at the neutral area relayed Lula has been around asking questions. Based on the questions she is asking, we are reassessing our opinion she is involved, at least not directly. Stark Street and its surroundings are a bit on edge right now. We can use that to our advantage to get more information."

Tank had not considered Lula might be involved. "Why Lula?"

Hector relayed a conversation he heard weeks ago between Lula and Jackie. "They were discussing ways of getting money to leave Trenton. Your name was mentioned."

Ranger continued, "We have been trying to find Lula all day, Stephanie found her and talked with her about 1300. Babe is unsure Lula is part of the kidnapping team but may know something."

"What about the vehicle used in the kidnapping?" Tank asked.

"The van used in the original abduction was quickly found. It was stolen yesterday. TPD, Mercer sheriff, and NJ and Penn State patrols are looking intently for all vehicles stolen in the last 48 hours with New Jersey plates. There a seven. Three were found in Mercer County. Penn State patrol found one behind a vacant building near Langhorne about three hours ago. We don't know if it was involved. Forensics is going through the vehicle for clues."

"Now?"

"We still have the Slayers to investigate."

Tank nodded and started towards a truck, "Time to sort the trash."

Ranger held up his hand, "We've got TPD breathing down our necks, but since Morelli isn't with them, they are being a bit accommodating. No death but gentle persuasion is permitted." Everyone understood gentle was just this side of a coma or major surgery for the victim.

While Rangeman looked for the Slayers, Hector was talking to the Kings. They didn't want Rangeman plowing through Stark and were listening to El Churchillo. Hector hadn't drawn a knife, yet, but they could tell he was close.

"No se, we ain't heard a word," the gang leader said.

Hector waiting for more information. His eyes watched everything. While he didn't want another teardrop tattoo but would accept one if it saved the young boy.

A King who should have known not to speak blurted out, "Why the hell should you care what LeRoy want?"

The throwing star instantly embedded in the young gang member's cheek. The young punk let out a mighty howl. Walking calmly to the injured gang member, the oldest and perhaps the one in charge pulled the star and muttered, "Forget how to keep your mouth shut? Maybe we should present him your tongue."

The young King didn't make another sound.

The leader walked the star back to Hector shaking his head, whispering, "Cabron." Then lowering his voice a bit more, "LeRoy wanted three vehicles; a van, a sedan, and an SUV with good tires. We got the van. The Black Knights got the SUV. Slayers got a sedan. The van has been found. I don't know about the others."

Hector nodded, stared back at the young gang member who was holding his hand over his bloody cheek. If the big mouth were indeed a warrior, he would have pulled the star from his face and sent it back to Hector. Of course, Hector would have killed him but it would have shown the little cabron had balls. Hector nodded, backed out of the warehouse, and disappeared into the night. When safe, Hector relayed the new information to Ranger.

The Rangeman hunting party collected the dozen or so Slayers, much diminished in size after their encounter with Sally Sweet and the school bus. All the gang bangers had been searched, stripped, and secured with flex-ties. Standing naked in the cold night air was humiliating as every man's privates were trying desperately to seek warmth back into their body cavity.

Tank was given the honor of interrogating what was believed to be the smartest member of the little pack. Whether he was smarter, the Rangemen were not certain, but he was the largest. The Slayer name Bull applied to be several inches shorter than Tank and though muscular, was nothing compared to the Tank and the other Rangemen. Tank walked up to the naked man, but the fool tried to smirk. Tank's right hand was fast, knocking the leader's head back. Bull began spitting teeth and blood. "That should wipe that smirk off your face," Tank said calmly.

"Fuck you," the man spit with bravado.

Immediately Tank's hand was around the man's scrotum, clenching the jewels. "Bull huh? Yeah, you got a set on you. How many heifers and cows, have you serviced? Maybe it's time for castration."

Tank's massive hand squeezed until he felt each testicle explode within the scrotum. The scream the man emitted caused a few Slayers to vomit on themselves. Two not currently emptying their guts, tried to run. The other Rangeman held them tight.

Tank walked over to one being held by Junior and Zip. "His name is no longer Bull. It is Steer. Unless you tell me what LeRoy wanted, your new name will be Pussy, because after I tear off your junk, that's what you'll be from now on."

The young man dribbled urine from his shrunken member. "Car, a sedan with four doors. We got him a Camry, bronze color."

Tank nodded. "Anything else?"

"We heard he was getting other cars from other gangs. One was a van, the other an SUV with good tires."

"Why an SUV with good tires?"

"Maybe he be hitting to road to a cabin or something?"

"Does he have a cabin?"

The Slayer shook his head no and shrugged. So Tank reached down and grabbed hold of his privates. Before he could yank, someone else said, "Ssssnake and LeRoy do."

Tank looked over the Slayer who spoke, "Which one is he?"

"He ain't here. He left early this morning for his grandma's funeral down south."

"Define south," the big man growled.

"Someplace in Alabama."

"What is Snake's full name?"

"Jackson Conroe."

"Final question. Where is this cabin?"

After plenty of bruises and a few dislocations, the Rangemen discovered the cabin was part payment for an overdue drug bill from a stupid white attorney. Only Snake had been there.

"What's the name of the stupid white dude?" Tank sneered.

"Matthew something," the Slayer moaned. The moan was replaced with a yelp when Bobby reset his dislocated shoulder.