Chapter 46

As I woke my skin felt itchy, so I absentmindedly started to scratch at the skin on my arm. Something stopping me from doing that had my eyes slowly opening. I forgot all about the itch as the face of Carlos came into view watching me as he usually did.

"You look beautiful, like some ethereal angel, laid next to me in the sunlight"

Moving my arm from his chest, my intention had been to gently cup his cheek before bringing my lips up to his. I have to admit that seeing my arm in the sunlight had me stopping and looking at it. Looking closer I could see an assortment of small, reflective particles that came in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors reflecting light at different angles, causing the surface to sparkle and shimmer. The effect was similar to confetti or sequins but somewhat smaller. I sat up and looked down my body to see dense areas of the offending glitter and then looked over to Carlos.

"How do you not have as much on you as I do?"

I knew that there had been times in the past when he had somehow avoided paint or other unmentionable liquids and I'd ended up covered with the stuff, but this was different. He'd been laid on the same sheets as me and had obviously been in close enough proximity to me to have attracted some, surely?

"I showered earlier but couldn't resist getting back into bed with you"

He was so not getting away with that, so I very quickly moved until my legs were straggling hips and very seductively ran my hands from his hips up his torso to his shoulders. As my mouth sought entrance, I knew that he was finding it very difficult to resist my advances and it was him who pulled me down to lay over him. I could feel how turned on he was getting as I pushed to plunder his mouth with mine and wasn't at all surprised when he raised my hands in his above my head and felt myself being rolled over onto my back.

My legs automatically wrapped around him, pulling him closer to me as his head moved down to lick and lathe at my breasts. Not being able to move my hands was very frustrating so arching my back and pulling with my legs had the desired effect. His erection very slowly slid inside of me, eliciting soft deep moans from my throat. I was so ready for him and willing him to go deeper when a burning sensation had me suddenly releasing the lock of my legs from around his hips.

"That hurts"

I mumbled now worried why it was happening but relieved when he stopped moving and pulled out of me. Looking down I was so close to laughing out loud until I realized what was responsible for the burning sensation.

"I tell you what, I'll hold him while you beat the shit out of him"

Because those damn little sparkles that now covered Carlos's erection were the obvious reason for my discomfort and why we had to stop making love. And let me tell you that had me feeling extremely frustrated.

"Shower"

Was all that I heard before I was being carried through to the bathroom. Carlos finished washing himself way before I did. Any idea of anything romantic happening wasn't going to happen. I washed, scrubbed and yet there still seemed to be glitter on me and I dreaded to think how I was going to get the stuff out of me. The only solution seemed to be to use the shower head aimed at my opening. By the time I'd finished I think that I might have even exhausted the hot water. Stepping back into the bedroom I was annoyed enough to consider taking out my anger on the balloons still floating around but had the sense to know that doing that would only cause the expulsion of more glitter.

Carlos had obviously given up waiting for me so after grabbing an apple from the basket of fruit I decided to head down to five and see if anything more had been discovered from the explosion. Les was the first person I came across in the hallway and the way he waggled his eyebrows at me had me standing in front of him.

"You're looking particularly sparkling this morning Beautiful"

Then watched as his hand swept through my hair and little segments of color fell to the floor. My hands were on my hips as I stared at him which had the smile on his face disappearing.

"I think that you need to ensure that every balloon and bit of glitter is cleared from the apartment Lester Santos. And do not dare ask Ella to do it for you or with you. Or else"

I turned and walked away from him, hoping that he didn't know that I was smiling. I really hoped that he cleared the apartment before Carlos went back up there or I hated to think what would happen to him. Ahead was Ram and judging from the amused smile on his face I'd say that Les was definitely the main culprit.

It was with a sigh that I opened the door to the conference room that I'd used before surprised to see Xander pinning papers to the board. I stepped next to him and started to read what was there but to be honest there was nothing new from yesterday.

"We're still waiting for any details from those men in Hawaii, but the news isn't good. It could take weeks to collect everything from that boat before anyone even begins to try and analyze the debris"

Yeah, I could remember how very little was left except for any floating debris. I suppose at least the water wasn't that deep where it happened.

"The phone used to make those calls?"

"Haven't got there yet, I'll pick that up now"

I wasn't sure what to look at because there was very little to follow up on. Then I remembered asking Les if Lula knew where Hal was taking her. I wondered if Lula was back home by now. Finding my phone, I automatically entered her number and then waited, hoping that she'd pick up.

"I aint working"

At first, I almost thought that I was hearing a voice mail message but it seemed an odd message for Lula to leave.

"Lula, are you there? Pick up will you"

"Sorry, Connie keeps calling and I aint ready to go back into work. I keep telling her"

I suppose if the FTAs were piling up then Connie would have had Vinnie going on at her.

"Lula where are you?"

"In the cabana, why, where are you?"

I couldn't believe that Lula didn't know what had happened to Carlos and me but then again if her and Hal still hadn't left their cabana then no one would dare to interrupt them. Did I tell her what had happened? Nah, she'd find out soon enough.

"Lula just a quick question and then you can get back to what you were doing"

Though inwardly I was really hoping that she wasn't going to be telling me any of those details.

"Who knew that you were going to Hawaii?"

"Err, I suppose Connie did. I mean I was so excited, and she knew that, so yeah, I told Connie. Why what's up?"

Did I tell her that we were back in Trenton? Did it matter if she knew?

"Lula, promise not a word to anyone, anyone Lula"

"Uh oh. What's happened?"

I suppose that me saying that would have anyone thinking the worst.

"An emergency came up, so we had to get back to Trenton"

I was feeling pleased with the answer that I'd given to her because whilst I'd told her the truth, I hadn't lied to her.

"Oh, I never realized that. Well, we have two days left here so I'll catch up with you when we're back. Hal's just about to step into the shower so I guess I'm feeling a little dirty as well"

"So, you and Hal?"

I had to ask because from what I had seen of the two of them, and that wasn't much, they seemed happy together.

"I think he's the one, but I aint rushing into anything, you know like I did with Tankie"

I was pleased that they seemed to be getting along but even more so with Lula taking a more mature attitude. Poor Tank never stood a chance against Lula and was probably not the right person for her. Hopefully if Lula let a proper relationship develop, that had a solid base, then her and Hal would make an amazing couple.

"Good to hear Lula, I'll talk to you when you get back"

I said quickly before she started to give me any more details. I stood with the phone in my hand thinking through what Lula had said. I'd been right about Lula not being able to keep her holiday destination a secret so I was pretty sure that anyone who was interested would know about it. How many people would assume that I'd be there as well? I'd just started to add the numbers for Connie when Binkie opened the door and looked at me, so I cancelled the call and looked over to him wondering why he was here.

"Found you. There's a Detective Willoughby on the phone asking to talk to you. Do you want me to get the call put through to here?"

I nodded my head and then looked around for the phone hearing it before I saw it. I sat down on one of the comfy chairs then picked up the receiver of the phone sat on a low small table next to me. I wasn't too sure what I was feeling as I waited for the call to be connected. Definitely nervous because I was really hoping that he was calling with some good news.

"Miss Plum?"

"Yes speaking"

I wasn't going to correct him over my name, well not yet anyway. Logan had said that it would take a few days for the paperwork to come through and only then I would start to inform those who needed to know.

"I said that I'd let you know the outcome of the enquiry regarding events surrounding your grandmother's death"

I held my breath at how formal he sounded and knew what had happened with my grandma. I wanted to know what had happened with Morelli and whether any evidence had been found that connected him to Crocker and the theft of that gun.

"I believe you are already aware of a man, Alan Gushby, and his confession with regard to your grandmother's death and the subsequent fire?"

"Yes. Is he being charged?"

Because I wanted some justice for grandma and what had happened to her.

"I don't know, I haven't been involved with that case. My enquiry was to look at Jethro Crocker and his history before his death. Obviously, Crocker was not responsible for anything to do with your grandmother. The result of that is the withdrawal of the report made by Detective Morelli, though I have to say that the panel thought that his final conclusion was valid given what was known"

I closed my eyes at hearing that because to me it had never made any sense for Morelli to be so adamant that Crocker was responsible. The only way that Morelli could blame Crocker was because he knew what had been asked of Crocker and he'd only know that if he was the one to ask.

"The death of Crocker, well that was seen as a valid reaction from Detective Morelli. Self defense in the line of duty as he was met with an armed man aiming a gun at him. The gun and its origin, well that was inconclusive. There was no way to identify who had removed the gun from the evidence locker. The panel have insisted that the chief of police overhauls their security. I'm sorry Miss Plum that it doesn't really give you any answers"

I felt the tears threaten to fall as I gripped the phone tighter in my hand.

"So Morelli, he just walks free?"

Surely that couldn't happen, could it?

"Unfortunately, yes, though he has been told to stay away from you"

"Thank you for getting back to me"

Was the most that I could say as I placed the phone back on its cradle. I bent forward, my head in my hands, rocking slightly as the full impact of what Willoughby had said sank in. After everything that Morelli had put me through, after everything that I knew that he was responsible for Morelli wasn't going to be answerable for one damn thing. Did that mean that I'd have to spend the rest of my life avoiding him or putting up with his verbal abuse. I didn't think that I was strong enough for that.

"Babe, this isn't over, we'll find a way to prove his guilt"

I felt the solidity of Carlos as he wrapped me in his arms, but it only had the tears flowing faster. I just couldn't see how we'd ever do that, regardless of how confident Carlos sounded.

"It's hopeless and he knows it"

Was the most that I could say through the tears. Morelli may have been a monster, but he was still probably a good enough cop to be able to cover himself, to be sure that there would be nothing that could point to him. I felt totally defeated and absolutely miserable so allowed Carlos to lift me up and take me from the room.

Of course, the dreams came that woke me up. I was hoping that they hadn't been that bad that I'd disturbed anyone. Opening my eyes, I expected to find myself in the apartment upstairs and maybe for Carlos to be somewhere close. I had no recognition for where I was and was too scared to even move. Instead, I pulled my knees up to my chest and slowly rocked as tears came again. I didn't have the strength or enthusiasm to move because moving would involve finding out where I was, and I didn't care where I was. What now, how could I ever go outside without the fear of being confronted by Morelli? I could only hope that people were now aware of what that man Gushby had done, and that the death of grandma had nothing to do with me. Would that change anyone's attitude toward me? I didn't think so and I didn't want to find out.

I don't know how long I lay there wallowing in self pity, so feeling the bed dip down wasn't a surprise. I hand through my hair didn't elicit a response from me, what was the point?

"I won't stand by and watch you just lie here and accept what you've been told. That isn't you, Stephanie. You are far stronger than to allow some pissant like Morelli get the upper hand. You have so many people supporting you, who love you and so much to look forward to, don't give in so easily. He'll get what's due to him and you'll be the one to do it, so I expect you freshened up and sat at my dining table in fifteen minutes"

I hadn't opened my eyes at all during that telling off. At one stage I felt like contradicting what Ella had said but on reflection what she'd said was true. I needed to get a grip on myself and take some control of my life otherwise she was right. Morelli would have won and the reason for that would be because I let him.

I pushed myself from the bed now looking around the room that I was in. It was a calming pale blue on the bed with a cream accent on the walls. I knew that I was probably in Ella's spare room from the photos decorating the walls. Turning I moved my legs in order to stand and came to a stop. Sat facing me in a plane frame was a photograph of me with Carlos on our wedding day. The sun was setting behind us, glimmering red hues across the water as each of us was facing the other. It was the intensity of the looks on our faces that drew me, the love that showed through.

I'd been a selfish bitch with how I'd behaved after that call from the detective. Ella was right I needed to get my shit together and I'd start by apologizing first to Carlos. I freshened up in the adjoining bathroom before daring to leave the bedroom. I could hear talking so tentatively walked to where I could see who was there. Maybe Carlos was in tune with me as I was to him because he was looking right at me with his hand held out to encourage me further into the room. It was weird really because Ella never stopped talking between mouthfuls of food and Louis looked as though he was listening to her giving a nod here and there. Carlos pulled me into the chair next to him and served out some of the food into the bowl in front of me and just like that I felt comfortable.

"You should have seen his face when Lester told him what needed to be done. Poor Robert just sighed in the end and started to collect the balloons together. I just handed some clean sheets to Lester and the hoover"

Ah, so Lester had taken what I'd said seriously and maybe I was brought here because they still hadn't finished tidying up the apartment.

"You did well Steph, telling Lester. I think that he was a bit scared of what you might do"

I knew that Les and I had pulled some pranks in the past so maybe he had good reason to be scared because I was pretty sure I could come up with things that would seriously worry him, and he knew it.

"I'm sorry. You were right Ella"

I had to get that said and even if the two men had no idea what I was talking about it didn't matter. I felt her hand over mine for a few moments before she smiled then continued to eat.

"We're all allowed a moment to procrastinate as long as we understand when it's time to get back into the game"

Okay, maybe a strange way of saying it but I understood what she was meaning. I had a feeling that it wasn't the last of Morelli and I'd be there to put him down.

The next few days went by slowly. There were no new reports to read through or leads to follow. Xander was working with Miguel which left me at a loose end, so I volunteered to do some searches. It didn't take long for me to remember just how boring they could be. Then I remembered the time that I'd worked for Jenson and some of the skills that I'd rediscovered from my business degree, so I asked Carlos for some other work to do just to break up the monotony.

It was late afternoon, and I was just finishing off a spreadsheet for Carlos that itemized the expenditure of maintenance and fuel for the company cars. To be honest I was amazed at how much money that cost but then again, he insisted that they were well serviced and the guys covered the miles when out on patrol. What was really weird though was how much variance there was between the motors.

As I was saying I was just finishing the spreadsheet when Binkie dropped a parcel on my desk as he walked past. It was addressed to Mrs. S Manoso so I was curious who could be sending something to me. I ripped the envelope across the top and pulled out a letter only to see that it had been written by Logan. A quick check inside revealed the necessary documents that I'd needed for my change of name.

"Must be good news if you're smiling so much"

I looked up to see Les leant against my desk, but I wasn't going to be telling him even when he used those puppy dog eyes.

"Just legal documents"

In fact, now it meant that I could finally transfer those bonds because I hated that they were still sat upstairs in my grandmother's name. To do that I needed to see Mr Ryman so without a thought punched his number into the phone sat on my desk.

"Good afternoon. How can I help?"

The woman's voice sounded very friendly, so I continued to ask her for an appointment with Mr Ryman. At the end of our conversation, I had a meeting arranged for the next day at his office. It was only as I put the phone down that the realization of what I'd done hit me. Why the hell had I agreed to that, why hadn't I just asked for him to come here? I propped my elbow on the desk with my chin being supported by my hand and thought through what I'd been thinking. Why was I so afraid to go out? I had every right to visit my lawyer if I wanted to and I could mitigate the danger, if there was any danger. Nothing unusual had happened since Hawaii, no one was watching Rangeman and there hadn't been any threats to any of the men, in fact it had been quiet. The words from Ella came back to me making feel a little ashamed of how I was thinking. I wasn't Stephanie Plum anymore I was Stephanie Manoso, so I'd try to do what Carlos had said, keep the best of her but improve on the rest.