Chapter 13

What did you want to talk about? I asked.
We need to go over our strategy. Ranger said.

I wasn't sure whether I was relieved or disappointed to not be having a discussion about us right now. Mostly relieved, I thought, this way I'd have more time to get my thoughts in order.

We're going to be checking out the Boulder Bookstore on Pearl Street Mall to find Velasquez. Once we spot him, we need to connect to coordinate the takedown with Tank and Lester.

We'll take turns browsing the bookstore, waiting until we figure out his schedule. We shouldn't have any trouble blending in on the mall. Boulder's pretty popular with hippies.What about cowboys? I asked.

Ranger scowled at me. I'm not a cowboy.Right, no hat. I nodded knowingly. I swear I wasn't making fun of him. Well, maybe a little. Ranger was leaning in really close. I might be able to tackle him and run. There were a couple problems with that plan. The first was that I would probably be more tempted to stay with Ranger than run after I tackled him. Another was I couldn't run very far without leaving the plane. Not the best idea considering we were already in the air. Jump Ranger, or find out the plan. Decisions, decisions. Mental head slap, I needed to focus. I didn't want any shooting this time.

Okay, so once we spot the guy, how do we set up the takedown? I was back to bounty hunter mode. All was good. If I kept telling myself that, maybe I'd start to believe it.

Ranger leaned back, crossing his arms in front of his chest.

You'll have a cell phone. If you spot Velasquez, call me immediately. Do not go after this guy by yourself. We know he's dangerous. Ranger said, giving me a stern look. Maybe he hadn't forgiven me for getting him shot yet.

I nodded. It would be stupid to argue with Ranger. Besides, I had no plans of going after Velasquez without backup. I didn't really have a death wish.

Yes, sir, I said, snapping him a smart salute. Want to watch tv or play cards? I'm sure I had cards somewhere in my purse. I had everything else, why not cards?

What do you want to play?Ranger asked.

I thought as I dug around to find the cards. I could think of lots of games to play with Ranger, but none of those involved cards. The searching was taking too long, so I did the only logical thing and dumped the contents of my purse out on the table. Handcuffs, stun gun, wallet, condoms, hairbrush, gel, a-ha, cards. I handed the deck of cards to Ranger and stuffed everything else back in the bag. Maybe he hadn't noticed the condoms, or the fact I'd left my gun at home again.

Did you leave your gun in the cookie jar again? he asked.

Should have known he'd notice that.

No point in denying it.

Ranger reached into his boot and extracted a gun that looked remarkably like my .38.
Don't leave home without it, he said, placing it in my bag.

Like American Express?Yeah, like American Express, he said. Ha, he thought I was funny. I could tell by the way the corners of his mouth quirked up.

Ranger shuffled and started dealing the cards. I watched in silence until he was done.

What's the game?

Strip poker, he said. I swear his eyes were twinkling.

How about truth poker, instead?

Truth poker? he asked raising an eyebrow. Damn, I needed to learn that trick.

Yeah, instead of stripping, the loser has to answer a question honestly. Much better for my self-control. Plus, if I was lucky, I might find out something about Ranger, like how old he was, or where he got all those cars.

You're on, he answered.

Let the games begin, I said and picked up my cards. I watched Ranger do the same. Hmm, two twos, didn't look like I was on my way to learning much. I kept my twos and threw away the rest. Maybe I'd get lucky.

I said.

Ranger handed over 3 cards. Ah-ha, three threes, full house. Maybe I should start thinking about what to ask first.

Ranger held his cards.

Full house, I announced, proudly laying my cards down on the table.

Ranger grinned and laid down his cards. Royal flush.

I groaned. How was I ever supposed to learn anything about the man of mystery this way?

I asked.

What are you thinking? he asked. Well what the hell, I was supposed to be honest, right.

I was just wondering how I was going to learn anything about you if you always win. I answered.

Maybe you'll win the next hand. First it's my turn. What happened with you and Morelli?

Ooh boy. Couldn't ask a simple question, could you?

I took a deep breath and launched into my explanation. Morelli and I danced around the long-term relationship issue for almost two years. We finally both realized that we just weren't in love with each other, and it wasn't going to work out. There, truthful, if incomplete answer.

I'm sorry.

Don't be. Let's play again, maybe I'll win this time. I picked up the cards and shuffled. I peeked at Ranger and saw him staring at me.

I asked.

Just thinking about my next question.

You're awfully confident aren't you? You should be trying to guess what I'm going to ask. I stuck my tongue out at him, just to make my point

Oh yeah, I'm scared.You should be. I dealt and looked at my cards. I realized I might possibly have the worst poker hand ever. On the plus side I had a king, and a 2, 4, 7 and 9. What was I supposed to do with that? Ranger was keeping all his cards so I decided to discard all the low cards just to be safe.

All right, let's see what you've got, I said after I looked over my new cards.

Ranger laid out his cards. He had nothing, just a bunch of low cards. My lonely king beat that!

Are you letting me win? I asked suspiciously.

Is that your question?

Ranger studied me, his fingers steepled together under his chin, as I tried to decide which question to ask. I didn't think I was ready to ask the really big questions yet. I should probably start small.

What's your daughter's name?Marcia. I didn't know you remembered I had a daughter.Of course I remember. I answered.

Ranger snaked an arm around my waist and drew me into his side. Why do you put up with me? I mean, I've destroyed 3 of your cars and gotten you shot three times now. Wouldn't it be better to cut your losses?

Ranger rested his head on top of mine. Wouldn't be as interesting.

I wasn't quite sure how to take that remark. On the one hand, it was good I kept his life interesting, right? But did that mean interesting like he wouldn't want to do without me, or interesting as in I amused him? This question thing wasn't working out quite the way I'd hoped. Only Ranger could answer a question so you didn't know anymore than you did before.

I leaned my head back to look up at Ranger. What kind of an answer is that?I think you've used up all your questions, Babe. Ranger bent his head down and laid a kiss on me. I was really getting into it when I heard a throat clearing. Ranger drew back, and looked up at the intruder. I followed his gaze to see a smiling Lester.

Hey there, I said.

Lester wiggled his eyebrows. He turned his attention to Ranger. We're going to be landing in a few minutes. I thought you might like to know. Well he wasn't giggling. Lester may be slightly more mature than I thought.

I pulled myself further away from Ranger and looked around for a seat belt. I found one and clicked it together, and said a silent mantra in my head, We're not going to crash, we're not going to crash.

Ranger scooted close again and put his arm around my shoulders giving me a squeeze.
No, we won't crash. Stupid ESP.

How do you know what I was thinking? I asked.

I can read lips.

Oh. Ranger started talking again. He was back in command mode.
Tank's got a car reserved for us. We'll all be driving to Boulder together. Might be a good time to catch up on your beauty sleep, he added as I stifled a yawn. I glared at him, and he tugged on one of my curls.
We're here, Babe. He got up and pulled me up, bringing me chest to chest with him.

Okay, I said, to cover my erratic breathing. I reached for my bag and headed to the door. The plane had come to a stop. Lester had already opened the door and put down the stairs. These guys were speedy.

The air outside was cool. Definitely not like the weather we left. I shivered a little. Ranger's arm came around me.


A little, I responded. I didn't want to seem wimpy. It's not like I couldn't take cold weather. I just wasn't used to being cold in July.

Ranger put his jacket around my shoulders, being careful to adjust my hair over the collar.
he asked.
I nodded. Ranger strode off with Tank and Lester, headed for the terminal. I scrambled to keep up. Those big ex-army men could move fast. We made it to the gate. I was only panting a little. Ranger took pity on me and waited for me to catch up while Tank and Lester went on to secure the car.

Gotta get in shape, Babe, Ranger said as I sailed past him into the airport. I stuck scowled at him.

Wouldn't kill you to walk at a normal pace,I countered.

He walked up beside me, placing his hand between my shoulder blades. We remained silent throughout the train ride to the main terminal where we met up with Tank and Lester at the car rental counter. Lester turned around and jangled keys in front of my face.

Your chariot awaits, milady.

You really need a life, don't you? I asked.

Lester grinned. What, and give up all this? he said, waving his hand around like an idiot. It was hopeless, you can't reason with the insane. I settled for rolling my eyes. We all walked out to the waiting car, which turned out to be a black Bronco. Yeesh, you'd think there was some sort of law that Rangeman employees could only drive black vehicles. Tank took the driver's seat, and Lester took the passenger side of the front seat. That left the back for Ranger and me. We all climbed in and began the drive to Boulder.

We should be there in about an hour, Ranger told me. He drew me toward him and I settled my head on his chest. Time enough to think later, I thought, as I started to doze. The last thing I heard before falling asleep was, Sleep well, beautiful, whispered in my ear.