Hector meticulously checked the digital photographs that Stephanie, Edna and Binkie emailed him while in LA. He mentally noted a reminder asking for Stephanie and Edna to turn off their GPS before taking the pictures.
"What are you working on?" Lester asked as he entered the IT room. Hector paused his actions to look at his friend.
"Removing the locations from the digital images," Hector replied.
"Why? They aren't sending them to family until they're at the airport to leave."
"I'm protecting their trail," Hector said. "One may find another's destination once they know where the other had been."
"Hec, you're overthinking things. Helen knows what's on the bucket list. She doesn't have a copy since Valerie grabbed the copy from the kitchen drawer. I doubt Helen memorized the list. Besides, she would know where Stephanie and Edna travelled from the pictures," Lester wisely said. "Only you and Ranger know Stephanie's itinerary."
Hector thought about Lester's words, then closed the editing program. Lester was right. Before Lester could add to his explanation, Hector told him to listen. "I got Val to bug the kitchen phone," Hector quietly said. Before Lester could ask why they bugged the phone, they heard a call come over the device.
"Thank you for calling Los Angeles International Airport. Sandy speaking, how may I help you today?"
"Hello, I was wondering if you could provide the flight details for my daughter. I'm supposed to meet her at the airport, but I lost the paper where I recorded her flight number," Helen smoothly said. "Her name is Stephanie Plum. She's travelling with my mother, Edna Mazur."
"I'm sorry, ma'am, but I cannot share those details without a warrant," Sandy replied. "Do you have their flight number?"
Helen sighed. "I lost it," she lied. Helen was unaware her call was monitored.
"Lost it, my ass," Lester said. "What is she trying to do?"
"Intercept the flight," Hector replied. "Helen still wants Stephanie to marry Morelli."
"That's insane. Stephanie dumped his sorry ass nearly ten months ago. Frank isn't going to like this at all."
Helen got frustrated with Sandy, then hung up. "Why me?" she shouted into the kitchen. Her youngest daughter ran away with her mother, then Valerie told her to mind her business. Albert worked for that thug at his company, where they earned money by offering wet work services. She wasn't entirely certain that was true, but Morelli said the building was full of thugs, murderers and criminals. Stephanie called them mercenaries. In Helen's opinion, that confirmed they were murderers. Helen wanted to know where they hid the bodies.
As Hector and Lester listened to Helen beg Sandy for Stephanie's flight information, Frank looked at the pictures he had received in an email. He opened the app to check Stephanie's flight details. Stephanie caught her connecting flight in New York on time. "Proud of you, Pumpkin," Frank said to his phone. Frank loved the Disney photos the most. Stephanie, Carlos and Julie were the perfect family. "You have my blessing, son," Frank murmured. He couldn't wait to see the next set of photographs. In the meantime, Frank had to rein in Helen.
~~~~~~~~~~
"Where are you staying?" Stephanie asked Charlie.
"I haven't thought that far ahead," the young woman confessed. "Grandma isn't tech savvy, and my uncle bought me this seat. He said it was safer than travelling economy class because the flight attendants could keep a better eye on me."
"Who is your uncle?" Stephanie asked without thinking. Surely he could raise his niece.
"His codename is Scratch. He got deployed yesterday." Charlie twisted her fingers on her lap. Her lip quivered from fear and sadness. Stephanie instinctively wrapped her arm around Charlie's shoulder. The girl cried for a few minutes before Stephanie pressed a few tissues into her hand. "Uncle Raymond is still active in the Army. He can't take care of me when he's away, and my grandma lives in a nursing home. I'm only fifteen."
"You can hang around with us. When we land, I'll contact your dad," Stephanie said. She didn't want the beautiful young girl to roam around Europe unaccompanied.
Charlie fell asleep with her head on Stephanie's shoulder. Stephanie used her phone to text Ranger. She asked him to contact Charlotte Lockwood's school. It would put Stephanie in a precarious position if the school notified the authorities that Charlie was missing. Ranger promptly replied that he got it covered.
Stephanie used a few minutes to email the details Charlie shared to her Rangeman account. She would run a background check on the girl and her family. Stephanie emailed the Premier Inn to modify the accommodations. She needed an extra bed in her two-bedroom suite. They emailed her within a few minutes to notify Stephanie her room got upgraded to the presidential suite. Stephanie was floored. Only one person was responsible.
"Thank you, Batman," she texted.
"No price, Babe," he replied.
The flight attendant approached Stephanie. She looked oddly familiar, but Stephanie couldn't place where she'd seen the woman before. "We're nearing the airport. Can you turn off your phone or put it on airplane mode?"
"Sure," Stephanie replied, then shut down her phone. The attendant smiled at Charlie. she asked Stephanie if she knew the family. Stephanie shook her head. "Charlie will be travelling with my group. I will ensure she gets safely delivered to her family." Stephanie grabbed a scrap of paper to provide the attendant with her contact information.
"Thank you," the attendant gushed. "I want to know when you notify her father and safely arrives."
Stephanie laughed. She grinned at the attendant. "I assumed you would want to be informed. I gave you the number for Rangeman, too, so you can verify I am who I claim to be," Stephanie added.
"That was thoughtful but unnecessary. When I heard you offer to take Charlie to her father, I googled you. I realized you're friends with my brother, Hal," she said. "I'm Hanna."
"I'm sorry for tasing him," Stephanie said as she lowered her chin.
Hanna giggled. "It was priceless. He's always harping at me for being aware of my surroundings. You dished him a serving of humble pie. I'll send you my contact info when we land." Hanna paused to look at her watch. She waved at Stephanie before lifting the microphone for the communications system. "Please take your seats and fasten your belts. We will land at Heathrow in ten minutes."
Stephanie lightly shook Charlie. "Hmmm?" Charlie mumbled.
"The plane is landing soon. You need to fasten your belt," Stephanie replied.
"Thanks." Charlie wiped the drool off her chin, then snapped her seatbelt. She grabbed Stephanie's arm as the plane descended toward the runway. "Takeoff and landing always freak me out."
"Me too," Stephanie confessed. She quietly talked to Charlie, telling her about her nieces, Angie, Mary Alice, Lisa and Anna. "I have a nephew too. His name is Bert. Well, it's Albert after his father, but they call him Bert. I haven't met him yet."
"Why?" Charlie asked as the wheels smoothly touched down.
"I'm helping my grandmother with her bucket list," Stephanie replied. "We left on our journey at the end of January. I haven't been home since."
"I've got cancer," Edna added. "It spread through my body. I wanted to enjoy my life instead of going through the awful treatment that can't guarantee my survival."
"I'm sorry," Charlie automatically replied. Charlie lost her mother to breast cancer.
"Don't be sorry, child. I've lived long enough."
Charlie was anxious as they debarked. She followed Stephanie, Edna and Slick to the baggage claim. "Which bag is yours?" Slick asked. Charlie mumbled incoherently. "Could you repeat that?"
"I don't have one. All I brought was my backpack with my laptop and tablet," she confessed. "I didn't have room for clothes."
Stephanie let Slick grab the luggage while she comforted Charlie. She gently lifted Charlie's chin to look her in the eyes. "Don't worry about clothes or luggage. I'll buy whatever you need," she said.
"I can't accept," Charlie replied. "How could I repay you?" Charlie never expected something for nothing. Everything in her life came with a hefty price.
"My friend once told me there was no price for what he gave me. I know he would want you to be comfortable. All of my friends back home paid for my trip with grandma Edna. I'm sure they wouldn't mind if I spent a bit on you," Stephanie replied. "Okay?"
Charlie nodded. Her voice was too thick for a coherent reply. Stephanie grabbed Charlie's hand and guided her to the car rental booth. Slick produced his license to secure the vehicle. He purchased a few maps of the area.
"Do you have your father's phone number?" Stephanie asked as they climbed into the car.
"Only the clinic where he sometimes works." Charlie passed Stephanie the number. Stephanie used her phone to place the call.
"You have reached the Bull Meadow Clinic. How may I help you?" a woman asked.
"Hi. My name is Stephanie Plum. I'm escorting Dr. William Lockwood's daughter to Devon. Is he available?"
"I'm sorry, ma'am. He's not in the office today. Dr. Lockwood received a call for an in-field emergency. His cellphone won't have a signal where he's stationed," the woman sadly replied. "I'll take a message."
"I know it's against protocol, but could we have his mobile number to leave a message?" Stephanie asked, hoping the woman would give it to her.
"Give me a few minutes. I'm retrieving his personnel file." Stephanie heard the woman tapping on a computer keyboard. "I can only release his phone number to his brother or daughter."
"Fair enough," Stephanie said. "I have her with me." Stephanie passed Charlie the phone. The woman asked many questions before releasing the number. Stephanie thanked the woman before ending the call. She dialled the number when they arrived at the hotel.
"Hello?" a man answered. The receptionist lied. William had a signal. She probably hoped Stephanie wouldn't contact the man.
"Hi. My name is Stephanie Plum. Is this William Lockwood?"
"Speaking," he replied.
"I'm sorry to inform you that your wife passed away after a car accident a few days ago. The police didn't have your phone number on file. Your daughter, Charlotte, is with me in London, England. She didn't have anywhere to live once your brother, Raymond, got deployed for a three-month mission. I know you're busy saving lives, but your daughter is alone," Stephanie said.
"Ex-wife. May I speak to her?" he asked. His voice sounded thick with emotion.
"Daddy?" Charlotte asked.
"Hey, baby. I'm so sorry, but I don't have a permanent residence here," William sadly said.
"That's okay, daddy. I'll go wherever you are," she replied.
"It's not that easy, sweetheart. You have school to attend." Charlie cried as her father talked. Her sobs prevented her from talking. Stephanie's heart ached for the girl. She would do anything to take away her pain.
"Are you willing to sign over your rights?" Stephanie asked, taking the phone away from Charlie. She was furious and had zero patience for the man whose career was more important than his daughter. Stephanie prayed he would say no. Sadly, she was disappointed.
"Yes," he replied. "I'll sign the paperwork to grant you guardianship." Stephanie wanted to scream. She didn't because it would hurt Charlie. "My work is too important. It's the reason I divorced her mother."
"Message received, loud and clear. I'll get my lawyer to email me the paperwork. Where can we meet?" Stephanie asked through gritted teeth.
"I should be at the Bull Meadow Clinic in two days. I'll send you my email address," he replied, then hung up. Within a few seconds, Stephanie received the email details in a text message.
Stephanie took several deep breaths to calm herself. She wanted to tear William apart, limb from limb. How could he treat his daughter like that? Stephanie thought her mother was horrible, but William took the cake. "Charlie, I've got to make a few calls, okay?" Charlie nodded.
Edna and Slick pulled Charlie to the couch. Charlie sat between the two strangers and let them comfort her. Stephanie thought it was a sad day when strangers could offer more to a child than her own father.
"Yo," Ranger answered.
"Hey, Batman. I need a favour," Stephanie said.
"Anything." Stephanie explained the situation. He got angrier as Stephanie detailed the conversation between William and his daughter. Ranger opened the search programs to locate the child's family. "He has a sister named Madeline. I'll send you her contact information."
"Thanks, Ranger. I can't believe he was willing to sign over guardianship to a complete stranger. Hopefully, her aunt or uncle will assume custody. I truly believe Charlie would fair better with family," Stephanie said.
"No price, Babe," Ranger replied, then hung up.
A few hours later, Stephanie received two custody documents. One assigned temporary guardianship to Stephanie, and the other was guardianship to Madeline Lockwood. Stephanie wiped a tear off her face. She couldn't believe how easy it was for William to give up his daughter. He refused to compromise. Stephanie's heart ached when Savannah entered her mind. She wiped the tear off her face then rubbed her chest.
"It's not the same, Stephie," Edna said when she saw Stephanie struggling with her thoughts. "You were seventeen. Lockwood willingly had a child with his wife. He decided to abandon his family for a career."
"I know, grandma. But I can't help feeling guilty." Stephanie ran her fingers through Charlie's straight, auburn hair. "I hope her aunt takes guardianship. Charlie can't travel with us."
"But you'll bring her with you if you have no other choice," Edna said. Stephanie agreed. She would not abandon the girl.
~~~~~~~~~~
Ranger dug into William Lockwood's background. What he saw had angered him. Lockwood was a talented doctor, but he was a despicable man. He had eight children around the world, not including Charlotte. Instead of paying support for his offspring, he relinquished his parental rights. His oldest child was the only one he supported. Now that William's ex-wife had passed away, Ranger knew he would find a way to save money and shirk responsibilities.
He felt Charlotte would be happier living with her aunt or uncle. Maybe he would offer Raymond a job at Rangeman. Whenever Raymond got deployed, Ella could watch the girl. He knew Valerie and Albert would help too. A plan formed in his mind. He would make it happen.
"Yo," Chester answered.
"Prepare another custody agreement for Raymond Lockwood. He received interim custody of Charlotte Lockwood after his sister-in-law's death. I want to make it permanent and assign Ella and Luis Guzman as guardians when Raymond gets deployed," Ranger replied.
"Are you talking about Scratch?" Chester asked. Ranger checked Raymond's military record.
"Affirmative."
"Sweet. He applied to Rangeman Atlanta before you closed that branch. The other offices couldn't accommodate him," Chester said.
Ranger thought about where Scratch would fit into Rangeman Trenton. They could use another man on the sales team to partner with Stephanie when she returned. Ranger checked Raymond's background. He was charismatic which would help put the clients at ease. "I'll contact him before he leaves DC."
General Dunn was surprised to see Manoso calling him. "Manoso, I wasn't expecting to hear from you," Dunn said.
"I'm calling in a favour. Has Captain Raymond Lockwood left for his mission?" Ranger asked, getting to the point.
"Not yet. He has another twelve hours before he ships out. What do you need?"
"His niece, Charlotte, is currently under his guardianship. She is finding herself without a place to live. Her father relinquished his parental rights, and his aunt travels throughout Europe for her job. If I get the notarized copies to you before Lockwood leaves, would you let him sign them to assume full custody?" Ranger asked.
"Where will the child stay when he's gone?"
"With my aunt and uncle at Rangeman. Their apartment has a spare bedroom. We could secure her while Lockwood is away," Ranger replied.
"I can find a way to delay his departure as the child's custody gets arranged," Dunn replied, then hung up.
Ranger texted Stephanie to inform her of the new document granting custody to Raymond Lockwood. Stephanie smiled when she read the papers. Charlotte loved living with her uncle. Her Batman figured out a contingency plan when Raymond got deployed.
She forwarded the documents to William for his signature. He returned it signed and notarized within a few minutes. "That was quick," Slick said.
"There must have been a notary on hand," Stephanie sadly replied. Stephanie sent the documents to Ranger, who forwarded them to General Dunn.
Before they went to bed, Stephanie told Charlie that she would live with her uncle when they returned to New Jersey. But until he got home, Charlie would stay with Stephanie until she returned to the states, when she'd live with Ella.