Chapter 20

The redeemed

Lula picked Stephanie and Grandma up from Joe's, and they headed to The Church of the Redeemer. Again she played glorious angel music, making the car more of a cathedral than a rapper's playground.

"Is the music necessary?" Grandma asked

"Oh yeah, it helps me work out all my impure thoughts."

I had to wonder what impure thoughts Lula was having on the way to church. I was usually thinking about how God is going to strike me dead with lightning because I haven't been to mass in a long time.

Lula parked, and we made our way inside to the minister's office. It wasn't fancy. 1960's gold carpet was on the floor. An older wooden desk that was the size of a chest freezer took up most of the room. Vinal-covered chairs and a dying ficus plant on a stand in the corner served as nick-nacks. Bookshelves overflowed. Any available surface was covered in flies and books. It completed the messy room look. Grandma rummaged in her purse a produced three breath mints and offered them to us. The crinkle of the candy papers was deafening.

The pastor entered the room at a brisk pace then sat at his desk. He opened a file on his desk. He was older, he had smile wrinkles, and his face lit up as he started talking to Lula.

"Lula, how did that homework work out?"

"Just fine, ain't no problems. I was able to get a copy of my membership at the Baptist church."

Lula sat her purse on her lap and rummaged through it until she pulled out a neatly folded paper.

"I hope you don't mind a fax."

He took the paper.

Lula rummaged some more and handed over another sheet.

"Deaconess Rose filled out a letter of recommendation for me."

"This makes things a lot easier. I wasn't expecting this. So with this letter, I'm able to transfer your membership as long as your willing to affirm your faith during a service. Are you willing to do that?"

"Yes."

"Stephanie, he winked at Grandma. "You two young ladies are more than welcome to come and celebrate with Lula."

"How about this Sunday, Lula? Is the 10:30 service ok?"

"That sounds amazing!" A big fat tear rolled down Lula's cheek.

"I can't thank you enough, Pastor. It means a lot to me."

He stood and put his hand out for Lula to shake.

"Congratulations, your officially a member. I'll have a certificate for you on Sunday." He handed Lula back her paperwork.

"Don't you need this?"

"No, you keep it. It makes for good memories."

As we walked out to the car, Lula began taking...

"I just never thought it would be that easy. Now I can marry Tank in his church if he wants that!"

She bumped into my shoulder. "You know Ranger comes with Tank sometimes. You can come too! Oh, we could have a double wedding!"

"Oh, wouldn't that wonderful!" Grandma exclaimed!

Lula started tearing up.

"I'm just so happy I can't keep it all inside."

I wasn't much of a hugger, but at the moment, I knew it was time to celebrate her accomplishment by holding her tight and whispering how happy I was for her.

"Come on, let's get some fried chicken. It always tastes better after you have been at church." Lula said.

Hal wiped his eyes. He could not stand to see the girls cry. They must have turned them down for help. He hoped Lula wasn't going to lose her apartment. Poor Stephanie, she never cried. It's got to be bad, he thought. This is going to be the hardest report he's ever given to Tank.

We gotta go bye yi-yi-yie

Terri Gilliam woke to Joe Morelli sleeping in the hospital chair beside her bed. He was holding her hand that wasn't bandaged. He looked exhausted and had the beginnings of a beard. Terri knew it was only a little over twenty-four hours of growth, but it was sexy on him. She could see a few silver hairs that surprised her and reminded her they were not getting any younger. It was rare to see him resting. She looked at his hand with love-filled eyes. Her feelings had never diminished, only deepened with time.

A rustle of clothing drew her attention to the doorway. A man dressed in all black stood there. He was of a stocky build with cream brûlée colored skin that matched his eyes perfectly. He had enough tactical gear on to scare an M.P.

Ranger leaned against the frame. He was good-looking in his own way. She could certainly see the appeal.

"May I come in?"

"Yes."

"How are you?" He asked.

"I'm doing better, anemic apparently, and in need of some rest."

"You're not the only one. He nodded towards Joe. I came by to ask you some questions."

"What kind of questions?" she bantered back.

"Do you want a job?"

"Yes."

"Question one was easy how about a few more?"

"Sure."

"Can you get along with Stephanie?"

"I think so. To be fair, I don't know her well. We went to school together. I was a cheerleader. She was in the band kind of thing."

"She would be fair to you as long as your fair with her, I think. What about Connie and Lula? Could you work with them?"

"Connie is not a problem. We're related in a long-distance way. Lula, I don't know her, so I can't say."

"What about my men? Would they distract you?"

"I can work with men." She smiled.,

"Can you keep your hands to yourself?"

She looked at Joe. "No problem here."

Ranger nodded.

"How many languages do you speak?"

"English, Italian, some Spanish, and high school French."

"What do you do officially at Gilliam enterprises?"

"Accounts receivable."

"What about unofficially? What are you capable of?"

"Writing leases, searching down property owners, working the burg gossip mill to find said property owners. Finding renters, kicking dead beats out. I could probably swing a real estate brokers test if I needed to."

"Can you shoot a gun?"

"Rather well."

"Joe, do you mind if I take her with me to a safe house?"

To her surprise, she looked at Joe to find him wide awake.

"I was hoping to get her to help with the TFD investigation and help nail Joyce for insurance fraud."

"I can do both," Terri said.

"Don't forget you need to rest for a few days." Joe pointed at her arm.

"It'll be difficult keeping you safe if you're in Trenton. Maybe you could take the next 48 hours to compare notes and help him with some leads?"

She nodded.

"I want to be able to talk to her so does Vito."

'You have my number. It's too dangerous to give her a phone."

"I have a few questions." Terri said.

They looked at her.

"What would I do at Rangeman?"

"Pretty much the same thing. Accounts receivable, and I need help managing real estate too. I'm not sure where. It will require travel."

Bobby knocked on the door and interrupted the moment.

"She is good to go, boss."

"Good. Terri, this is Bobby. He's my medical support at Rangeman. You were just released in his care. Technically, you won't be discharged for another forty-eight hours. It will give us a head start on your safe house location. I know you will want to talk to Joe alone, so I'll be back in about 30 mins for you. Bobby will be outside the door standing guard."

"Where will I be going?"

"I'm not telling you, or Joe."

The next chapter will be about Joe and Terri's conversation. My life is crazy right now. It might be a few weeks before I'm back.

Small side notes, y'all; the villain has to be someone; prepare yourself.