Round Robin

Chapter 14 (Whiskeybabe511)

STEPHANIE

I woke up with Ranger's arms wrapped around me. I got to enjoy a few seconds of drowsy bliss before the day's events hit me. A shiver racked my body, and I turned, burrowing myself into his chest.

Ranger shifted, one hand tangling into my hair and the other wrapping around my waist as he pulled me tighter against him. I let out a breath. "Have you found anything?" I asked him softly, my lips brushing against his neck.

"Not yet, Babe," he replied, pressing a kiss to my temple. "But we will. We'll stop this, Babe."

I nodded, glancing up at him. "Les said that a detective wanted to talk to me this afternoon."

He nodded. "The detective that's looking into Morelli's murder wants to talk to you." He glanced at the alarm clock on the nightstand. "It's four o'clock, enough time for you to shower and get comfortable," he said. "And it gives me time to get you a Butterscotch Krimpet."

I smiled at him. He kissed me softly before rolling from the bed. "Bath or shower?"

"You don't have to do that for me."

He walked around the bed and leaned down. "I might not have to, but I want to," he said, kissing the tip of my nose. "Bath or shower?"

"Bath, please."

He smiled. "Ella stocked the bathroom with bath salts and candles…." He trailed off.

I giggled. "Would you like to join me?"

"Maybe after I get your Butterscotch Krimpet." He smiled. I watched him stride into the bathroom. I flung the blankets off and stood. I finally noticed that Ranger had changed me into one of his shirts and a pair of my panties. I smiled again. I walked to the bathroom, leaning against the doorway, and watched as he poured the bath salts into the tub.

"Ranger, will you tell me what was on the disk that was sent today?" I asked softly.

He paused, standing up. "It was the stalker with Morelli."

I bit my lip. "What did the detective want?"

"He's trying to push me off the case. This isn't my first time dealing with him. He doesn't like me, and he doesn't like the fact that the department outsources to RangeMan sometimes." He glanced back at the tub and then at me, raising an eyebrow.

"Before I meet with him, can I go over everything that the stalker has sent?"

"Babe?"

"I can't just sit around and not do anything. Maybe there's something I overlooked that might help me identify who it is." I sighed softly. "I can't just sit around and do nothing."

He nodded. "I understand, Babe. I'll have someone bring copies of everything up."

"Thank you."

He smiled at me, taking my hand and pulling me towards the tub. "Now, stop worrying for a bit, get these clothes off, and get in the tub and relax."

"Alright, Mr. Bossy." I grinned up at him. I grabbed the hem of his shirt and pulled it over my head making a show of it. A growl rumbled from Ranger's throat.

"Babe," he said hoarsely.

"You're welcome to join me," I said, letting my panties slide down my legs before stepping into the tub. His eyes followed me until I slid into the water and under the bubbles.

"I'll be back," he said, eyes dark. I smiled and watched him leave with a little laugh.

I let my mind drift, but it never went far. "Who could it be?" I murmured to myself.

Morelli had been crossed off the list, and he had been a perfect suspect. Did I have a history with whoever it was? Ranger hadn't said a lot about what was on the DVD, and I didn't want to watch it, but maybe someone could transcribe what was said in the recording. Maybe something was mentioned that didn't mean something to anybody else but would mean something to me.

I bit my lip. What was the chance of it being somebody I was close to? In the past or even now. I was either related to or knew half of the people in this city. If I didn't know somebody, somebody I knew did. That was the way it has always worked in the Burg. I felt my stomach drop at the notion that it could be someone that I considered a close friend at one time.

I didn't hear Ranger enter but I could feel his eyes on me. "Enjoying the view?" I asked him without opening my eyes.

"Sure as hell am," I heard him say, with no doubt a wolf grin on his face. I opened my eyes slightly confused and looked down. The bubbles had cleared, giving him a clear view of my body.

I grinned. "I showed you mine, now you show me yours."

He barked out a laugh and I finally noticed the box of Butterscotch Krimpets in his hand. Damn, this man was so attractive that he distracted me from one of my favorite snacks, and a whole box of them, at that. He saw me lick my lips and followed my gaze to the box. I earned another laugh and he handed them over.

I started to open the box and was momentarily distracted by Ranger flinging his shirt off. His skin gleamed under the light. He caught me staring and smiled. I rolled my eyes at his grin and moved forward so he could slip into the tub behind me. He slid in behind me, wrapping his arms around me and taking the box from me. He opened it and set it aside, not before shaking one of the Krimpets out. He opened it for me and allowed me to take it from him.

After I finished it, I turned slightly in his arms. Ranger had leaned back in the tub, letting his head rest along the lip. His eyes were closed, and his face was relaxed. He looked younger, and less stressed, right now. I smiled to myself glad that he felt he could relax with me.

"Babe."

"What?"

"Soaking me in, hmmm?" he asked a smirk dancing across his lips.

I rolled my eyes, turning completely and straddling his lap. He finally opened his eyes, meeting mine.

They were dark, full of humor, lust, and something else. Something I was half afraid of acknowledging.

I ignored the third emotion I saw in his eyes and kissed him. One hand came up to cup my neck and the other found my hip. "We're supposed to meet with the detective in an hour."

"He can wait," I growled softly, claiming his lips again. I didn't receive any more arguments from him.

Forty-five minutes later, I was dressed in clean clothes and sitting at Ranger's home office desk, reviewing everything the stalker had sent me. I was relaxed and sated from our shared bath. Ranger talked to Hal and Les while I was going over what all had been sent. After reading the letters and notes over again, I reminded myself to ask Ranger to have someone take notes of what was said in the video.

This was somebody I knew or somebody that knew me. I drummed my fingers on the desk. Again, I felt the weight of eyes on me. I glanced up to find Ranger in the doorway. "Hey, I was just thinking about you," I said leaning back in the chair.

"Of course, you were."

"You just think you're Mister Smooth, don't you?" I laughed softly. I knew what he was doing. He was being cheeky to distract me; we both knew it was working but I loved to see the teasing side of him also.

"I know I'm smooth, Babe." He grinned and I rolled my eyes at him. He walked over to the desk, sitting on the corner. "So, what's your question?"

"I know you said I don't want to watch the DVD and I don't, but I want to know what was said on the DVD. It could have something in it that might mean something to me but not to anyone else."

"Do you think this is somebody you're close with?"

"In the burg, everybody knows everybody's business. From the notes and the letters, it feels like it's somebody that knows of me."

He nodded. "I'll see what I can do. Good idea, Babe." He glanced at the pages he'd given me, seeing notes marked on the pages. His eyes lingered on the first full note.

To my favorite

My favorite pair of eyes to look into.

My favorite name to see appear on my phone.

My favorite way to spend an afternoon.

To my everything.

My notes were below it. Somebody that has my number, that I might contact on a regular basis. Spend an afternoon?

"Anybody that you spend time with often, call often?" he asked. I shook my head.

"Nobody that I can think of. I haven't ever really dated; I have guy friends but it's not like I hang out with them during the middle of the day or call them all the time," I answered. He nodded.

I'm disappointed in you, Stephanie. I went to a lot of trouble to pick out the perfect necklace and yet I see you're not wearing it. Do you not like my gifts? Maybe you'll like the one I have planned next.

Ranger glanced up after reading my notes. "No. That's not an option."

"Ranger…"

"Babe, that puts you in too much danger."

"I'm already in danger. I don't want to have to live my life looking over my shoulder."

He sighed but nodded. "Right now, that is not an option. It won't be an option if I have anything to say about it."

"I hope it doesn't have to be one," I said. His eyes locked with mine; he found whatever he was looking for and offered me his hand. I stood, intertwining my fingers with his. He kissed the back of my hand and stood.

"Are you ready?" he asked.

"No, but I don't really have a choice."

He stopped before we exited the office. "Babe, I called my lawyer and asked him to sit in on the meeting with Farnum. I should have asked you first, but I wanted to be on the safe side. Do you want him in there with you? I will be there also if you want."

"I want you there," I said with a shuddering breath. "And I wouldn't mind the lawyer either."

He nodded and released my hand only to wrap an arm around my waist. A few minutes later we met his lawyer and exchanged pleasantries. Jackson Townes was in his thirties and a defense attorney. I wasn't going to question why he was on Ranger's payroll, but he assured me he had used him before, and he was the best at his job. Jet black hair and striking blue eyes pinned whoever he turned his gaze on. He drew looks, which probably aided him in the courtroom.

Ranger opened the door to the conference room on the second floor. Townes and I followed him in. Three people sat at the conference room table. Two people I didn't know, and the other was my godfather, Joe Juniak.

"Miss Plum." The first off, the rack suit said. "I'm Detective Farnum and this is Detective Jasper. This is our captain, Joe Juniak." He said introducing them down the row.

We all settled into our seats, and Farnum sent a glare down towards Ranger and Townes. Farnum turned to me finally. "Miss Plum, are you aware that you're a suspect in the murder of Joseph Morelli?"

"I'm a what?"

"She's a what?" Ranger asked at the same time.