Chapter 15
I cautiously raised my head and took in the scene around me. The first thing that registered was the deathly silence. Velasquez was still lying on the ground beneath me. Still no sign of movement from him. There was something sticky seeping under my legs. I didn't really want to think about what that meant right now.
As I raised myself to sit back on my legs I saw Terry Gilman straight ahead of me. She was standing in a shooter's stance. I watched her slowly lower her gun. She flicked the safety on and stared at her gun, pointing it at the ground. She didn't look how I would imagine a professional hit woman to look after shooting someone. I would have expected her to be efficient and long gone by now. She bent down and placed the gun on the ground.
No sooner had she dropped the gun than Tank appeared and cuffed her hands behind her back. It looked like he was talking to her. Was he trying to comfort her?
I didn't notice Ranger and Lester until they were standing in front of me. I stared up at Ranger's face and watched his lips move. I had no idea what he was saying. He reached down and picked me up, hauling me against his chest. He carried me over to a nearby bench and held me. He smoothed my hair down as I continued to stare at the scene in front of me. I barely noticed him using something to wipe off my legs until he spoke.
That'll have to do for now.
I looked at my legs. It looked like all the blood was gone, but they still felt icky. I shuddered, and Ranger's arms tightened around me. You're okay, Steph. I wasn't sure who he was trying to reassure, but I appreciated the contact all the same.
Looking back at the scene, I saw Lester kneeling down by Velasquez. He rolled him over and checked for a pulse. He looked grim when he caught Ranger's eye. It didn't look good for Velasquez.
What are you thinking, Steph? Ranger asked.
I just stared at him. I didn't know how to answer. I had been chasing a skip, and nearly gotten in the way of a bullet. I thought I was okay physically, but I was still trying to process everything that had just happened. I cuddled closer to Ranger. As long as I was here, in Ranger's arms, I'd be safe.
The moment was interrupted by the wailing of sirens. Moments later two stocky policemen strolled up. One was blond and the other was a redhead. They were both in uniform. They surveyed the scene, silently drawing their own conclusions. The blond went to check on Velasquez and whipped out his cell phone to make a call.
What happened here? It was the redhead talking.
I bit my lip, remembering the fake id in my purse. With both Ranger and I having fake ids I didn't know how we were going to explain about going after Velasquez for being FTA. I looked at Ranger, wondering how to answer. Tank saved us the trouble by producing the contract for Velasquez. He went on to explain that Ranger and I were helping him with the takedown when we heard a shot.
The officer examined the papers, nodded, and handed them back to Tank.
Your FTA is injured. An ambulance is on the way. In light of the situation, I'm going to have to ask all of you to come down to the station to give statements. He turned his attention to Terry.
Why is this woman in cuffs?She was holding the gun on Velasquez. Nice simple answer. The cop looked surprised.
Follow me, he said. He took charge of Terry and put her in the back of a squad car when we reached the street. Terry was strangely quiet. Tank, Lester, Ranger and I piled into the Bronco. Tank must have driven over when Ranger called him. Ranger was driving this time, and I got to ride in front. Of course, this meant Ranger was in his zone. I tried to put the pieces of the puzzle together while we were driving.
From what I could piece together Terry had taken something from Velasquez and then come back to kill him. I didn't know why, and that's what I needed to find out. Also figuring out what was in the package could be important. Time to start asking questions, and I knew just the man to start with.
What's going on with Terry Gilman? I asked. No reason to beat around the bush. The silence stretched between us. I was about to start rambling off my thoughts to fill the void when Ranger finally spoke.
It's complicated. He drove in silence, concentrating on the road by all appearances. He knew me better than to think that was going to fly as an answer. He glanced over at me, debating how much of his knowledge he should share.
Terry was supposed to be collecting the money Velasquez owed Vito. In exchange for the money, she had orders to let him live.
Then why did she shoot him? Didn't seem like the best way to keep someone alive to me.
I don't know, Babe. The plan was for her to collect the money before we took in Velasquez. She never mentioned shooting him. Ranger said. He was looking at me, and a slight frown crossed his face before quickly disappearing.
This didn't make sense. Terry was, above all else, a professional. She must have had a very personal reason for shooting someone Vito wanted alive. She had risked her life as well as her freedom by not following orders. Judging by her reaction, the shooting wasn't something she had planned. A little light bulb went off in my head.
Did the apprehension papers mention who Velasquez's victim was? I asked.
Ranger merely raised an eyebrow. Guess not. The chance for further discussion was interrupted when we pulled to a stop behind the police car we had been following. Looking around I could see were parked in a large parking lot behind a white brick building. Boulder had a much prettier police station than Trenton.
Ranger leaned over and whispered into my ear,Stick to our cover.You got it Mr. Wayne, I said. Ranger allowed one corner of his mouth to tilt up before getting out of the car. I guess he approved of my witty repartee.
I opened my door and stepped out. The red headed officer from the scene led the four of us into the building. He indicated a line of chairs for us to wait in. I looked around and saw Terry being led to the back of the building, still in cuffs. I wondered if we should call someone for her. It irked me just a little that the first person who came to mind was Joe Morelli. It wasn't that I wanted Joe, it was more that I still had my suspicions about what had gone on between the two of them when I was seeing Joe.
I was distracted when a new policeman came up and introduced himself. He was about 6'1 with black hair and blue eyes. Unlike the other cops, this one appeared to work out. Probably not enough donuts in his diet.
I need you to come with me to answer a few questions,he said, pointing at me. Oh sure, make the girl go first. I stood and followed him down the white hall into an office. There was a metal desk, with a chair behind it and two chairs in front of it. The walls were white, and undecorated. Looked like interior design wasn't in the budget.
I'm Officer Douglas, I'm going to ask you a few questions about what happened. he said, offering his hand. I shook it, and sat down in the chair he gestured at. He sat behind the desk and rested his elbows on it. He wasted no time getting straight to the point.
Linda Carter, I said, remembering Ranger had told me to stick to the cover.
I really hoped Bobby had given me the right age on my id.
What happened?I heard a gunshot, so I dove to the ground and landed on top of Velasquez.We just got word that Velasquez died from his wounds. Do you have any idea who shot him?
I had an idea, but I wasn't sure enough to say so. I merely shook my head.
Douglas heaved a sigh and rubbed his eyes. He stood up from behind the desk. He loomed over me as he asked,You're sure? I didn't see where the shot came from,I answered stubbornly. I hadn't actually seen Terry shoot. It was just the most logical conclusion.
We'll be running ballistics, but I think we know which gun the shot was fired from. You're lady friend could be in a lot of trouble. We'll be holding her for murder. I suggest you and your friends stay in town. After his speech, I stood and accepted his invitation to leave. Ranger, Tank and Lester were already waiting for me.
I waited until after we were all safely ensconced in the Bronco before launching into question mode. Tank had decided to play chauffer, so Ranger and I were in the backseat again. I turned to Ranger, figuring he was my best bet for getting answers. The other two wouldn't say anything Ranger didn't want them to.
Why do you think Terry killed Velasquez? I asked him.
Babe, I don't know what happened back there, he answered.
Why didn't you tell me Gilman would be here?She asked me not to. We weren't meant to get Velasquez until tomorrow, so I didn't think it was important to go into all the details.
I glared at him. Not important, huh. I'll show him not important, I thought, as we pulled up in front of the hotel. The inquisition wasn't over by a long shot. First I'd share my suspicions about Terry with Ranger, though.
The Break Inn, Lester announced from the front seat. All backseat passengers please exit. Ranger answered. We both opened our doors and walked toward the hotel. Tank and Lester were long gone before we had entered the lobby. The place was empty. We made our way to the room in silence. I figured it was best to get comfy before trying to explain things to Ranger.
Once I'd closed the door behind us, I turned to Ranger.
I think I might know why Terry shot Velasquez, and if I'm right we have to help her. I walked over to the bed, grabbed a pillow and plopped down with the pillow in my lap. Ranger walked over and sat beside me. He used his good arm to draw me to his side, keeping a tight hold of me.
She nearly shot you, too, Babe.
I looked at him like he was crazy. She wasn't aiming for me, I answered. It should be obvious she'd only hit what she was aiming for, no matter what her emotional state. She was a professional, after all.
That doesn't make me feel a whole lot better, Babe. He took a breath and I could feel him switching into take-charge mode. Okay, tell me what you think.I think Terry knows Velasquez's victim. It's the only reason she would have been so emotional about the killing. You know she does this for a living, she's never been caught before.
Ranger nodded, a thoughtful look on his face. How do we find out?
He was asking me? I could try talking to her, I suggested. I didn't know if Terry would talk to me, but I couldn't think of anyone else she'd talk to, except Joe, and as far as I knew he was still in Trenton.
We'll talk to her tomorrow, then. He reached up his hand tilting my face to look up at him.
Now Eliza D., what else is on your mind? he asked.
No time like the present. Best to know where I stood before anything happened. I wasn't sure I'd survive being turned away again.
You're confusing me. I need some answers. Phew, now how to ask the questions?
What do you need to know?You're sending mixed signals. You've been all touchy feely lately, but you already told me you don't do relationships. And you told me to work out my relationship with Morelli, and you have a picture of me in your bedroom, and you know I don't do casual sex. What do you want from me?
Don't you know? he asked gently. He was staring into my eyes and his face was inching closer.
No, I don't know that's why I had to ask!
You really think this is about casual sex?
I really hoped not, but dammit, I wanted answers.
Ranger put his nose against mine and brushed a light kiss across my lips. He pulled back to watch my reaction before he started speaking again.
Let's take this one question at a time.
I nodded, I was having to focus too much of my energy on breathing to form words.
Relationships. I think I said my life doesn't lend itself to relationships, not that I didn't do them. I told you to repair your relationship with Morelli because I thought you would be safer with him. I hadn't counted on your knack for putting yourself in danger, he added with a smile. I also needed to be sure that if you were going to be with me it was because you wanted to, not because of our deal.
Okay, he was actually making sense, but I still didn't know what was up with all the kissing lately.
What about the picture? For some reason the picture seemed like my most significant piece of evidence for what he might feel for me.
Ranger moved us so we were both laying down facing each other on the bed. Every man wants to wake up to the face of the woman he loves.You love me? I asked, hardly daring to believe him.
Didn't you get that from the kiss in the elevator? he asked. His eyes were dancing. I felt my jaw drop open, so that was the question he'd been referring, too. I bent in to give him a bone-melting kiss, about time I took the initiative. He responded in kind, and as I reached to pull his shirt out of his pants I was happy there was only one bed in the room.