"So you're… Hector says you're in the building. Are you downstairs?"

"Um..."

"Because I can just come to the foyer if you're down there."

"Well..."

I could hear a smile in Lester's voice.

"Oh Stephanie. You haven't done what I think you've done, have you?"

"I don't know what you're talking about," I said, lying through my teeth.

"Can we shortsheet his bed? I've always wanted to do that."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Actually I have shortsheeted his bed, which is why I'm no longer allowed up there."

"Is that so?"

"Do you know I have a small studio apartment on the fourth floor while he has a big luxury one on the seventh? Does that seem fair to you, Stephanie? I mean sure I get the rent for free in exchange for doing a few on call shifts each month, but still."

I laughed. That also told me why there were lights on late at night on the fourth floor.

"Hector is looking at a few things, and I need to talk to Tank."

"Don't tell him that I'm up here," I said, anxious.

"I won't mention it. Just sit tight and don't leave the apartment without telling me, okay? Watch something on Ranger's giant TV while sitting in his luxury recliner, and just relax."

"Relax? I need to work."

"Well, work while watching TV. Whatever. Just don't leave the apartment. I'll check in with you soon."

I said goodbye to Lester, and then roamed around the apartment a bit more. I set my laptop up in the living area, turned on the television for some background noise, and got to work. It was a boring morning, made even more boring by the lack of snacks, but it was kind of my love of snacks that got me into this situation in the first place, so I guess that it made sense. My phone rang. I looked down at the display. Dickie.

"Steph? Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, it's fine. Why."

"Because you're not at home. I tried calling the home phone and you didn't answer."

"It's a work day, why would I be at home?" I asked him, rolling my eyes. He must be tracking me phone again. If he wasn't going to come out and say that though, I wasn't going to give him any extra information.

"Oh right. Well are you okay?"

"I'm fine, Dickie. I haven't gotten my passport yet, and I'm staying safe."

"Joe Morelli called me. He said you wouldn't come into the station."

"No, I'm not."

"Steph, you should-"

"I'm not going into the station, Dickie. Even a police officer wasn't kept safe. I'm keeping myself safe, and I'll call for extra help if I need it, but until I get my passport I'm just laying low, and that includes not going into the police station."

"Okay," Dickie said, sounding annoyed. I sighed. Maybe I shouldn't be so annoyed with him.

"What's the beach like?" I asked him.

"It's nice. I haven't had much time to get down there, but I think you'd like it."

"I'll let you know when my passport comes through and I book a flight, okay?"

"Sounds good, Steph. I should be home in a few days though. Maybe at the end of the week. We should plan a trip away together since you missed out on this one."

"Let's do that," I said, feeling guilty now for snapping at him. "Do you have any places in mind?"

"Somewhere warm. Someone that you can wear that red bikini. Florida. The shore. Las Vegas with a pool. You pick and let me know. Stay safe, okay?"

"I will. You too. Bye," I said.

I googled holiday destinations for a few minutes, then tried to focus back on my spreadsheets. Orders were rolling in, which was fantastic, but I'd have to access the warehouse in the next few days to get them all together. We also needed to look at a re-order for the older lines soon. I updated our social media sites with a cheery meme. No need to mention that orders may be delayed due to the company owner being stalked by a homicidal maniac hitman.

It was nearly lunchtime when my phone rang again. This time I recognised Lester's number.

"Hi Lester."

"Hey Steph. Just wanted to let you know that I have a plan underway, so don't worry."

"Great. Thanks Lester."

"I'm waiting on Tank to give his approval, then I can talk it over with you."

"Should I be worried?"

"No, not at all. Don't worry, I follow Ranger's orders, and he gave orders that we need to watch out for you."

"Uh… good?" I said. I was kind of confused by all of Lester's talking. I didn't know that Rangemen knew how to talk this much, even if Lester was the chattiest one.

"Do you need anything?"

"I need some food. I'm down to honey on crackers. Ranger needs to learn how to eat food properly."

"Come down to five, we're having sandwiches and choc chip cookies."

"Are you trying to get me out of my hiding spot?"

"Maybe. Oh and just a warning – our housekeeper likes to freshen up the place before Ranger comes home. Don't scare her, she's a very lovely lady and we're all very fond of her."

I heard a noise outside. Damn that Lester, he'd phoned to distract me. He was trying to flush me out of my hiding spot! I knew that he couldn't access Floor 7 on his own, so he'd sent up their housekeeper to discover me. What a sneak!

I needed to hide, because there was no way that I could explain my presence here. I looked around frantically. I don't think a housekeeper would go into Ranger's study, so I headed in there and under the desk, pulling in the chair behind me. If I was discovered, I'd look ridiculous, but it seemed like the safest place to hide.

Just as the door opened, and I'd tucked myself away under the desk, I remembered my laptop. Oh no! Foot steps went into the kitchen, and then stopped. Then I remembered that I'd also my breakfast dishes drying on the counter. And I'd left the TV on. Some spy that I was!

"Hello? Is anyone home?" a voice called. It must be Ranger's housekeeper. The voice sounded familiar, and then it all clicked together for me.

"Ella!" I called, scrabbling out from under the desk (thankfully she couldn't see that part) and coming out of the study.

"Stephanie? Dios mio! Lester said that Ranger had a houseguest that I should prepare for but didn't tell me who! How are you?" Ella said, opening her arms out. I was delighted to see her and gave her a big hug.

"I'm okay. I just needed a safe place to stay, and Ranger had left me his keys," I said. Vague honestly was the best policy, I decided.

"Why? What's going on? Are you in trouble?" Ella asked. Then she held up a hand to stop me from speaking, went to the items she'd placed on the counter, and took out a container of cookies.

"Chocolate chip?" I asked, and squealed a little when she nodded. My favourite. I went to the cupboard and got out mugs to make us both a cup of coffee to go with the cookies.

"I'll teach you how to use the coffee press," Ella offered. My hero.

Ella and I were still chatting, and getting updated on each other's news, when my phone rang half an hour later. Lester again.

"Sooooo..." he began with.

"Yes?"

"You didn't scare Ella to death or tie her up, did you? She hasn't reappeared."

"We're having coffee and cookies," I informed him.

"Are you coming down to level five?"

"Not yet. Ella and I are busy catching up," I told him. "It's been a few months since we've seen each other."

"You and Ella know each other?"

"Yes, and she's busy filling me in on your womanising ways," I told him.

"We need to go over my plan," he told me. I agreed to come down to level five in half an hour, then hung up.

"Lester wants me to visit them down on Level Five," I told Ella.

"I'll take you down," she offered. "Do you need to borrow some clothes?"

I realised then that I was still wearing Ranger's robe, with his shirt and sweatpants on underneath.

"Oh! No. I hand washed my clothes and was just wearing these while they dried. I'll go get changed, then we can go downstairs," I said.

"I just need to tidy up in here first and put a few things away."

Since it was me who had made all the mess that Ella was tidying up, I jumped up to help her put the groceries that she'd bought up away, packed up my laptop and then changed back into my clothes from the day before.

"How long do you think you'll be here for?" Ella asked.

"I'm not sure. Hopefully only a few days."

"Why don't you stay with me and Louis?" Ella asked. "Ranger doesn't really have the space for house guests once he returns, and you won't be lonely like you might on Level 4. The men here are friendly, but can be quite formal around women, especially when they first meet you."

"Are you sure that you have the room? I don't want to be a bother," I told her.

"We're all set up for guests! Our sons visit from college. Our apartment has two bedrooms and a fold out couch. And it would be nice to have another woman to talk to. There's too much testosterone in this building," Ella said.

"Thank you," I told Ella. I was touched that she was so excited to see me.

"You also look like you need clothes. I'll buy you some," Ella told me.

"No, that's fine, I'm okay," I said.

"Lester said that I needed to look after Ranger's house guest. I'm just following orders," Ella told me, winking. We gathered up her baskets and I headed to the bedroom to grab my bag. I looked around to make sure that Ella wasn't watching, then breathed in the Ranger scent before closing the door behind me.

It was time to face whatever was waiting for me on Level 5.