Chapter Eight: Destiny
Joe Morelli released a deep breath, then got into his car and drove to the Plum's house. He got out of the car and knocked on the door. Frank answered it. "Joe, Helen is not here right now."
"I know, Frank. I have some bad news. There has been an accident. Helen hit another car head-on. I am sorry, Frank. Helen did not make it. She is dead," Morelli sadly replied.
Frank leaned against the wall, which was keeping him upright. Joe walked into the house and helped Frank into his recliner. "Frank do you want me to call everyone? I will do that if you want me to?" Joe asked.
"No thanks, Joe, I will do it. Thank you for letting me know." Once Frank found his footing, he walked Joe to the door.
"If you need anything, please call me," Joe told him.
"I will," Frank said, then he closed the door after Joe left.
Carlos and Stephanie, were in a Rangeman SUV. Ranger pulled up to a two-story cottage-style house with a garage attached to the house. Ranger pushed a button, and the door to the garage opened. He pulled into the garage. Once Ranger helped Stephanie out of the SUV, he used his key, and they walked into the house. Ranger let Stephanie enter first. She looked around the kitchen and saw double sinks, a stainless steel gas stove, and a state-of-the-art fridge. Stephanie noticed the island in the center. She walked out of the kitchen and saw the dining room.
"Wow," Stephanie said. Carlos picked her up and carried her up the stairs and into the master bedroom.
"Welcome home, Babe." Carlos put her on the king-sized bed. He was on top of her in a minute. Carlos gave her a deep kiss. In less than two minutes, they were both naked, making love. After they made love, he left her in bed and went downstairs. Once in the kitchen, Carlos removed a glass from the cupboard to fill it with water. He took a couple of drinks when his phone rang. "Yeah," Carlos said.
"Hi, Carlos. It's Frank. I have some bad news. There was a car accident, and Helen was driving. She is dead, Carlos."
"I am sorry, Frank. I will tell Stephanie," Carlos said, then hung up with his father-in-law. Carlos took a deep breath. He may not have gotten along with Helen Plum, but he did not like hearing this news and knew that Stephanie would not take it well.
Carlos went back upstairs. He saw Stephanie lying down in their bed. Carlos took a deep breath and laid down next to Stephanie. He started to rub her back, trying to wake her up gently.
"Carlos, keep going. That feels so good," Stephanie moaned. She looked at him and knew something was wrong. "Carlos, what happened?" she asked him as she sat up in bed.
"Okay, how can I say this, Babe? I am sorry, but there was an accident. Your mom was driving, and she hit another car head-on. There were no survivors," he said. Carlos noticed that her wife was stark white. He took her into his arms and just let her ball.
Half an hour later, she was asleep again. Carlos went back downstairs to call Tank. "Hey Tank, I need you and Bobby at my house," Carlos said, then hung up.
A few minutes later, Tank and Bobby knocked at their boss's door. He opened it. "I have a problem. Helen Plum died in a car crash. Stephanie is sleeping right now. But I would like Bobby to have a look at her when she wakes up. Helen hit another car head-on," Carlos explained.
"Damn," Tank said as he walked into the kitchen with Ranger and Bobby. Everyone heard footfalls coming down the stairs and looked toward the noise. They watched Stephanie walk into the kitchen wearing one of Ranger's shirts.
"Babe," Ranger said as he walked over to his wife.
"I missed you," she whispered to him.
"I promise I am not going to leave you," Ranger told her. Ranger helped her to a stool. "Babe, can Bobby take a look at you?" Ranger asked he
r gently.
Ranger could see that Stephanie was still upset and knew that was natural. Tank and Bobby walked out of the kitchen, then into Ranger's office to give Ranger and Stephanie some privacy. Ranger took her into his arms and just held her for a few minutes.
"Hey, how about we go upstairs, and Bobby can have a look at you? Please, Babe," Carlos asked her again.
"Do I have a choice?" Stephanie asked.
"Babe, you do have a choice. Always. If you don't what him to have a quick look at you, that is fine," Carlos replied.
Carlos walked out of the kitchen with Stephanie and helped her back into bed. "I will be up soon, I promise." Carlos kissed her on her forehead and left her to try to get some sleep.
Carlos closed the door and went to his office. When he got in, he saw Tank and Bobby. "I will keep an eye on her, Bobby. If I need you, I will call. Helen may have been a pain in the ass to both Stephanie and me at times, but she was still her mother. Stephanie is hurting right now," Carlos told the men.
"Got it, boss," Bobby said. Just then, there was a scream from the bedroom. Carlos, Tank, and Bobby ran up the stairs and into the bedroom. The three of them saw Stephanie sitting up in bed, sweating.
"Babe," Carlos said. He walked up, sat down on the bed, and wrapped his arms around her. "I am right here. It is okay," Carlos said as he kissed his wife softly on her forehead.
Bobby went into the bathroom and returned with a glass of water. Stephanie shakily took the glass of water from him. "Babe, please let Bobby look you over. I promise I will be with you." Carlos looked at his wife.
Stephanie nodded her head yes. Bobby opened his bag and then took her blood pressure. After that, he checked her pulse. Bobby pulled out a pill bottle and took out a pill. He gave it to her. "Don't worry, Stephanie, it is a light sedative to help you sleep," Bobby told her.
She swallowed the pill and drank some water with it. "I will be right back," Carlos said. He gave Stephanie a soft kiss on the lips. Carlos helped her back into bed. He left the bedroom, with Tank and Bobby following close behind.
"Ranger, her blood pressure was up, and her pulse was too. I gave her a light sedative, so she should rest for now. Keep an eye on her," Bobby told his boss.
"Thanks, Bobby." Tank and Bobby walked out of Ranger's house. Ranger closed and locked the front door.
Carlos walked back upstairs and went into the master bedroom. He got there and saw Stephanie sleeping. He joined her in their bed. She stirred a little bit. "It is okay. It is just me," he whispered as he held her in his arms.