I rode the elevator down to the second floor and stepped out. I glanced to my right and as expected there was a narrow hallway. Now as we all know I am curious but after my strange encounter upstairs a few moments ago I have no desire to go exploring. The only desire I currently have has to do with the man behind door number one.

I stepped up and opened the door to Ric's office. The scene before me made my mouth drop to the floor. There were papers everywhere, on the floor the desk the chairs I mean everywhere. And there sitting in the middle of it all was Ric. I saw Ric jump a little as I burst out laughing.

"Oh my god! What happened in here? Did you file cabinet throw up?" I managed to squeak out between gasps for air and bouts of laughter.

He looked up at me totally confused for a moment before he took a good look around the room. Apparently he saw what I saw and began to laugh as well.

"Yeah I guess it would seem to look that way wouldn't it."

I slowly began to regain my composure enough to ask him what was going on. That seemed to put a damper on the light heartedness and Ric's face got very serious. "That may take some explaining Babe."

Ric stood up and motioned me to the couch which had managed to remain paper free. I sat in one corner facing Ric with my back to the arm and my foot tucked under me while my other remained on the floor. Ric mirrored my position on the opposite end of the couch. I guess this was something difficult to talk about because Ric let out a large sigh before he started.

"It was about six years ago, when we, Tank Lester Bobby and I, had first started up Rangeman in Miami. We had really started making a name for ourselves when we were approached by Miami PD. There was a huge drug bust planned and they needed the extra man power and asked if we were interested in helping."

"Why didn't they call in the federal government to help?"

"The bust was too small to be of any interest to the feds but at the same time it was too large for Miami PD to handle on its own safely so they called us. We were more than happy to help them. The op was all set up and we were ready to go in what we weren't counting on was that they were in the house cooking meth. I don't know how much if anything about meth but it is some pretty volatile stuff. We managed to get everyone out of the house and secure save one person the guy actually doing the cooking. He decided that he would rather die than face the jail time. He pulled out his cigarette lighter and I hauled ass out of there as fast as possible. I had barely cleared the doorway when the house exploded."

I gasped and held my hand over my mouth. "Oh Ric."

"Come to find out later that guys name was Erik Figeroa youngest son of Johann Figeroa. As I am sure you know he is a very wealthy and powerful man. I was however informed by Johann himself that he in no way holds me responsible."

I looked at Ric's face and could see the regret etched in its features. He held himself responsible whether Johann did or not and nothing that I say now will change that. Better just leave it alone. "So then what does all of this have to do with all of the papers then?" Safe question, I thought to myself.

"It seems someone in the Figeroa family isn't as forgiving as the old man is. Someone has mange to gain access to all of my Rangeman files. We have been able to track it back to Frederick Figeroa the middle son. I don't know how he has done it but he has. Babe I just may need you help for this one. I just don't know who I can trust anymore but one thing is for certain I can trust you."

"Of course I will help in anyway that I can."

I looked around the room again at the astronomical mess and thought how am I supposed to find anything in this.

"Uh, Ric do you have a file on Frederick somewhere?"

Ric saw the expression on my face and gave a hearty laugh.

"Yeah Babe just a sec."

We got up from the couch and I followed him over to his desk where he pulled a slender file folder out from the bottom drawer. "Hmm not much to go on here, not even a recent photo."

"I know, it is very frustrating. This is what I do yet the man is a phantom."

"Don't worry Ric we'll find him together." I hope.

"Boss, I think that I found Manoso's weak link."

"Very good. Use it."

He listened to the dial tone for just a moment before he hung up. How very fortunate for him that Miss Stephanie Plum has fallen into his lap. Yes he is very fortunate indeed.