Chapter 3

We had taken turns using the shower. Now we were sitting at the small table in the kitchen. I'd done more exercise in the last hour than I'd probably ever done in my life. That justified me eating a bagel with cream cheese. Besides, if Ranger could eat this stuff, how bad could it be for me?

What are your plans for the day? Ranger asked.

Need to go to the office and see if Connie has any new files for me.

I got up to take my half eaten bagel out to the trash. For some reason I couldn't finish it. It wasn't like me to not want to eat a whole bagel. Must have something to do with all that exercise. Maybe that's why Ranger hardly ever seemed to eat.

I rinsed off my plate and put it in the sink. I nearly jumped out of my skin when Ranger's hand closed over the back of my neck.

Why do you always sneak up on me?

Like to see your reaction. he answered. I rolled my eyes. Saw that, Babe.

Yep, of course he did. So, what's on your plate for today? I asked.

I've got some skips to bring in. I could use your help tonight if you're up to it. Working would keep my mind off everything I wasn't ready to think about yet. Ranger squeezed my neck and moved away. Need the truck?

Good question. Since Val had the Buick, and I currently had nothing, probably so. I turned around and faced Ranger. I looked into his eyes, and started to lose myself. He was just so sexy. Ugh! Mental head slap. Focus, Stephanie.

I really don't want anything to happen to it. Do you have a car you don't really like much? I asked hopefully.

Ranger pushed a tendril of curly hair back behind my ear. It's a car, it's not that important,he answered. He let his finger linger for a few seconds. The moment was broken when he pressed the keys to the truck into my palm. Take the truck, Stephanie.Okay, but don't say I didn't warn you. That got me the Ranger smile, lips just barely turned up at the corners. I hoped that meant I wouldn't be in trouble when something happened to the truck. So far, this was the only one of Ranger's vehicles I'd driven without it being stolen or blown up. Usually they didn't survive this long.

We'll meet here at 6:00 for the job tonight. Be dressed.Um, when you say dressed...I started.

Standard decoy outfit. You need to carry, too. He stepped back and put on his gun belt. he said, and disappeared out the door. I'm sure Trenton was now a safer place, at least for the good guys.

I took a few minutes to gather my stuff and tossed it into my bag. Ranger must have had someone collect it last night, because I didn't remember bringing it back. I made sure I had my stun gun, cuffs, cell phone and pepper spray. I noticed my gun was already in there, too. I'm not sure how that had gotten there. Last time I saw it was when I put it in Morelli's cookie jar. I was betting Ranger had something to do with it appearing in my purse.

I grabbed the keys off the tray by the door and locked up behind me. I rode the elevator down to the garage and beeped the keys to find Ranger's truck.

someone said behind me.

I jumped. Easy, Bombshell, it's just me.

I turned around and looked up and up to see Tank standing a few yards behind me.

I returned.

Tank stared at me for a minute. He finally nodded then strolled over to his SUV. The conversation was over. Okay. I climbed into Ranger's truck, and drove off to the bond office.


I swung in the front door of the office, bearing doughnuts. I was hoping to distract Lula and Connie from asking a million and one questions. I really didn't want to rehash all the details of what had happened last night again. More importantly, I wasn't going to talk about where I'd stayed last night.

Girl, Shorty's is the best. Lula was standing over Connie, hands on her hips. She was dressed in purple spandex today. A skin-tight, t-shirt topped her capri pants. Her shoes were bright purple strappy sandals with 4-inch heels. You had to love her sense of style.

Connie stood and put her hands on her hips. No, Big Jim's has the best. She was wearing a short black skirt topped with a red and black tank top. I felt a little out of place in my running shorts and droopy Ranger's jersey.

Lula spun around and locked eyes with me. Who do you think has the best ribs? she demanded.

I looked down at the bag in my hands. Distraction time. I waved the bag under Lula's nose. Her eyes glazed over and she grabbed the bag from me.

I do know we all agree on the best doughnuts, she said, popping a chocolate doughnut in her mouth. No doubt there.

Tasty Pastry, we all said in unison.

I was still full of bagel, so I directed my attention to Connie. Any new files?

She brushed her hands off, and gestured toward the pile on her desk. I reached over to pick up the top one. I flipped it open and laughed. This one should be easy.

Thought you'd like that one, Connie grinned.

I was holding the file for Walter Dunphy. Mooner and I had gone to school together, and recently become reacquainted when he skipped bail the first time. He hadn't changed a whole lot since high school. He still spent most of his time smoking pot and watching tv. I imagine he had just been too stoned to remember to go to court.

I said, and waved with the file. I made good my escape while Connie and Lula were still chowing down. Whew, they hadn't asked anything. I wondered how long it would take them to realize I hadn't eaten any doughnuts. That in itself would normally have led to the Spanish Inquisition. As I climbed into the cab of the truck, my phone started ringing. I sat down and dug through my bag trying to find it. I gave up looking for it when it went silent. I'm sure if it was important whoever it was would call back. I chose to not worry about it, and motored off to find Mooner.


Mooner opened the door on the second knock. He looked at me and blinked his eyes a few times.

he said. His face lit up in a broad smile. Long time no see. What brings you here?

Just like Mooner to be clueless. Judging from the aroma of marijuana in the house, the reason was clear. Some things never changed.

I'm here to take you to reschedule your court date.

He looked puzzled, so I took pity on him and reminded him he'd been stopped for running a stop sign. When he rolled down the window,the policeman had spotted the baggy sitting in plain view on the front seat and arrested him. His court date had been yesterday.

Oh, yeah. Think we could pick up some munchies on the way?

I shrugged. Sure, why not? Stephanie Plum, taxi driver, I thought to myself. At least I was getting $100 for this chauffeuring job. He was nice enough not to make me run, so I didn't mind buying him lunch. Mooner closed the door behind him and we walked to the truck.

he said, nodding his head in approval. This is you. You finally found a vehicle that matches your aura.

I said. I wasn't sure how much stock I should put in Mooner's assessment of my aura. He had after all, thought the Rollswagon was a good match.

We pulled into the lot at McDonald's and parked. I thought it was safer to eat inside. No telling what might happen if we accidentally spilled soda on all the gadgets in the truck. I really didn't want to hurt the truck. We went in and I bought Mooner two quarter pounders, fries and a coke. I opted for a yogurt parfait. It looked like something Ranger might eat, and it wasn't green, so that had to be a plus.

Dude, I heard you got arrested last night, Mooner said around a mouthful of fries.

I grimaced. Not exactly, I said. I just got brought in for questioning. At least that's what Morelli had said. Didn't make sense with the rights being read, though.

Mooner nodded. He went to the effort to swallow his food before he spoke again.

What happened?

I explained the whole sordid tale to him. At some point his eyes glazed over, so I wasn't sure if he was still paying attention. Not an unusual look for Mooner, but unnerving anyway. We finished eating in silence.

Dougie and I will have to keep a closer eye on you, Dude. Never know when those super suits might come in handy.

I just smiled at him. Always nice to have people on your side, even if they deluded themselves into thinking they were super heroes.

We cleaned up and went back out to the parking lot. I was just outside the door when the phone in my purse rang again. I dug around in my purse, trying to find the ringing phone. Stupid thing must have sunk to the bottom.I froze as I felt cold metal prodding at the back of my neck.

Oh, hell!