A Hidden Past
Chapter One - The First Victim
Still caught off guard by what had happened last night, I didn't notice Ranger until I walked right into him when I went to collect my FTA bill. I stumbled back, but he grabbed my wrist and pulled me close.
"You should be more aware of your surroundings, babe."
"Sorry, I wasn't paying attention." We locked eyes for a moment and he let go of me. I looked at Connie and Lulu. They were fanning themselves, again. "Look, I'll be away for a while. Call Tank if you need any help." He leaned in on my ear and whispered, "Try not to break into my apartment this time."
"Where are you going this time?"
"New York." I looked at him. His expression was unreadable. Then I thought about last night.
"This doesn't have anything to do with the Ellen Barron case, does it?"
"It does. You know her?" I shook my head. He looked at me in a strange expression and left.
"Damn skippy, maybe I should walk into Ranger next time. Maybe that would get him to talk me more." Lula was smiling at me.
Whatever. I forced a weak smile at her. Then, I turned to Connie. "Hey Connie, do you have any new skips for me?"
"Yup, two of them." I opened the first file. Harvey Gradett, arrested for robbing a bank and attempted assault. His weapon was a pocket knife. Amateur. Oh what the hell, I'll do it for the $900. The second FTA was Jeremy Hadrid. He was arrested for possession of all kinds of drugs. You name it, he had it. He was worth $1,200.
"Hey Lula, want to ride shotgun?" I was too tired to cuff anybody today. I am definitely going to need help.
Lula glanced at me for a minute. "Translation: I'm too tired, I need help."
"Yeah."
"Fine, I'll go"
"Thanks."
"Hey, no problem. I love helping the poor and needy. And it beats the shit out of filing." Lula grabbed her bag and got into the Buick. "So who are we going after first?"
"Jeremy Hadrid. I'm not in the mood to be chased around by a pocket knife just yet."
"Fuckin' A"
I rang the doorbell to Jeremy Hadrid's house. He opened the door with the chain in place. "Who the hell are you guys?"
"I'm Stephanie Plum and this is Lula. We're bond agents from the Vincent Plum Bail Bonding Company. You missed your court date and we're here to take you back to the police station to reschedule."
"Over my dead body!" Jeremy slammed the door in our faces.
"Oh no he didn't! Let me at him!" Lula pulled out her Glock and aimed it at Jeremy through his kitchen window. Jeremy saw her and ran threw the door, right into me and I cuffed him.
"Lula, put that god damn gun away before you shoot someone."
"Ain't the whole point of carrying a gun is to shoot people with it?" I glared at her and she put the gun back in her purse. "So I guess we drop him off at the police station and start looking for Harvey Gradett."
"I'd rather we get Harvey Gradett first and drop them both off at the same time." I sighed, "Sorry, I'm a bit pissed today." Plus, I'm PMSing.
"Fine by me. By the way, you're PMSing aren't you? I can tell from that temper of yours."
Damnit! Does everybody have ESP except for me?
I knocked on Harvey Gardett's door. Nobody answered. I tried the doorknob and surprisingly, it opened (I think the lock was broken). I walked in and found him pacing in the kitchen. It took him ten full minutes to realize me and Lula were there. "How did-… Who are you people?"
"I'm Stephanie Plum and this is Lula. We're bond agents from the Vincent Plum Bail Bonding Company. You missed your court date and we're here to take you back to the police station to reschedule."
Lula looked at me. "You got any other lines other than that?"
I glared at her. Harvey suddenly lunged at me and grabbed his pocket knife. I ducked and Lula took out her gun and shot at him. The bullet hit the knife and knocked it out of his hands. "No shooting, Lula!" I yelled at her.
"Are you kidding me? That man tried to kill you! I saved your life, and now you're yelling at me."
Harvey ran for the door and me and Lula ran after him. Lula slips on the knife and sent me hurtling at Harvey. Then, I was suddenly on top of a Harvey and Lula was on top of me (damn is she heavy!).
By the time I got to the police station, Lula was long gone. Eddie Gazzara came out to haul Jeremy and Harvey out of my Buick and Morelli came over.
"Cupcake, I'm going to be out of town for a while." My heart skipped a beat.
"You aren't going to New York, are you?"
"No. Why?" Thank god, I don't have to worry about him.
I shrugged. "Just wondering." He eyed me curiously.
After all the excitement, I went to Pino's. By the time I got home, it was 9. I fed Rex a grape and took a shower. I was going to bed when I noticed it. there was a rose and a letter in the middle of my bed. I opened the letter and a picture fell out, a picture of me and my friends. Lisa was crossed out. The note read:
Roses are red
Violets are blue
Lisa is dead
You will be too
(You'll find out who Lisa is in the next chapter if you haven't figured it out. My story is a bit confusing, sorry!)