Hmm… I haven't decided on what's going to happen between Ranger and Stephanie yet so that's why nothing has happened. I want to be true to the story, if anyone has any ideas feel free to e-mail them to me. Arigato again. Keep up the reviews.
Ch 5: The Dog-napping
I woke up disoriented. It took me a minute to remember where I was and why. I was hoping that had just been a bad dream, but I guess not. The good news is I now have access to Bulgari. I got up and looked around. No Ranger. No breakfast on the table. Does that mean that he hasn't had breakfast yet?
I looked at the microwave clock. Geez… 6:28… this is ungodly. How did I manage that?
I decided the time didn't matter and I went into check Ranger's room. No one there, I checked the bathroom. Hmm… the shower looks good. No Batman, but it sure did look inviting.
I decided to take the invitation and jumped into the shower. I was generous with the shower gel and twenty minutes later was debating whether I should get out. I wouldn't want to be all wrinkly but this felt so good.
I got out of the shower anyway, grabbed one of Ranger's big fluffy towels and dried myself off. Then I realized I had jumped into the shower before I grabbed any clothes from my bag. Where was my bag?
I wrapped the towel around myself and stepped out of the bathroom.
Ranger sat at the edge of the bed staring, wolf-grin on.
"Where are my things?" I asked him and his grin widened.
"Closet."
I walked past him to his clothes and there it was my bag in the corner of the closet. He was still watching me, I could feel it. I got the things I wanted out of the bag and walked back to the bathroom.
In the bathroom, I got dressed in some jeans, a tank top; I would borrow one of Ranger's sweatshirts. I swiped on some mascara and eyeliner. Put some gel through my hair and let it hang loose, hopefully it wouldn't go bride of Frankenstein on me.
I stepped out of the bathroom again, no Ranger, walked to the closet and put away my stuff. On my way out of the closet I grabbed one of Ranger's many black sweatshirts and pulled it on. When I got to the living room, Ranger was at the dinning table eating breakfast. It seems Ella had been by here while I was showering.
When he saw me he raised an eye brow in question. I sat down but didn't answer. So I was wearing his clothes. I liked them.
I grabbed a bagel for myself and spread a ton of cream cheese on it. I took a bite out of it. It was still fresh and warm and gooey. Mmm… I think I let a moan escape me because Ranger was smirking.
"Are you going to the station with me?" I asked him.
"Yes." I thought so; he probably needs to give a statement as well.
We finished our breakfast and went down stairs. Outside the elevator I wondered which car we were going to take. He walked to his truck and walked to the passenger side.
Twenty minutes later we were at the station. I was sitting with Russells at her desk giving her my statement. She asked all the usual questions and nothing seems strange except for the suit that stood at the corner of the room watching me. Why was there a suit here? Maybe it had something to do with Morelli.
"Do you know who the guy is?" I asked Russell.
"Nope. The guy won't talk."
"No idea why he broke into my apartment and held me up?"
"Nope."
"Thanks." I said sarcastically.
When Russell was done with me I left the room and the suit behind, but in the hallway I saw Ranger talking to another suit. What was going on here? I decided there and then that I would let Ranger finish talking to the suit but then I would interrogate him about it in the car.
He saw me a minute later and excused himself from the suit and walked to me.
"Ready to go?" he asked.
"Yep." I answered.
He led the way out and to his truck. I had to start now or he'll go into the zone and I wouldn't get any answers.
"Why are there suits here?" In response he just looked at me. This was going to be harder than I thought. "Does this have anything to do with Morelli?"
No answer again, just the stare.
"Why were you talking to one of them? Why was one of them staring at me?"
Nope. No answers. He just started the car and took us to the office. We walked into the office together. This got a look from the girls.
"Is that Stephanie out there?" Vinnie yelled from behind closed doors. "Tell her I want that John Smith…" he had opened the door and was staring at Ranger. "Oh… Ranger."
I just stood there while Ranger walked passed me to Vinnie's office and closed the door behind him. I sometimes wondered what went on back there.
I turned and faced Connie. She had a smile on and her eyes were curious. "So, Stephanie… what happened?"
"Nothing." I said too quickly. "Really, nothing happened. I slept on the couch." After the Slayer incident I had told them where I was staying and why I smelled like Ranger even when he wasn't in town.
"I don't know how you can sleep on the couch when he's in the same building." Lula said to me.
"Do you have anything new for me?" I asked before this conversation went any further.
"Nope. Nothing you would be interested in." I took her word for it.
Then Ranger walked out, file in hand. He gestured toward the door and I followed him out. He walked directly to the driver's side and got in. I assumed I was supposed to do the same and I did. He drove us back to the Rangeman building.
When we got to the elevator I started wondering why we were there.
"Why are we here?" I asked.
"Lunch." He said looking at me.
"Oh…" Now that I thought about it, I was hungry. Almost in response to this thought my stomach gave a loud groan. Ranger smirked at me. We got out of the elevator and entered the 7th floor apartment. Ranger called Ella for food.
"She'll be up in 5." He said turning to me.
And as promised Ella was up in 5 minutes with a tray of food. There was a bowl of salad and a dish of pasta. Didn't look bad. I served myself and didn't hesitate to dig in. Ranger only took some salad.
He was watching me as I devoured the pasta in front of me. But half way through I noticed the silence and decided to make conversation. I wanted to ask about the suits at the station again but I thought it unwise. Instead I thought I'd ask about the ex-marine.
"So… how did the David Galloh case go?"
"I took care of it." He said, voice flat. Odd. I wasn't sure what he meant by this and I wasn't going to ask.
We were quiet through lunch until my phone started ringing. I scrambled out of my chair to get it that I didn't check who it was.
"Stephanie Plum. What is this I hear about a strange man breaking into your house?" Oh geez… like that was a first. "And what about your car?"
"Mom."
"I talked to my friend at the button factory, they are still looking for people. I put in an application for you."
I sighed. "I don't want a job at the button factory Mom." I whined to her.
"Well at least check it out. Are you coming to dinner tonight?" Gee… so you can lecture to me about getting married and getting a job at the button factory. No thank you.
"No Mom, I have work." Liar. I can't even think about work without a car. Before she could bribe me, "I got to go, I'm working." I pressed the button to end the call before she could say anything else.
When I slumped into the chair across from Ranger again, he was smiling.
I sent him a glare. "I'm happy I amuse you." I said sarcastically.
"Babe, maybe you should check it out." My jaw dropped. Ranger only continued to smile. I can't believe this, is he siding with my mom?
"You know, if I take a job at the button factory you wouldn't see me anymore?" I said thinking I was being smart.
"I can break into your apartment when I want to see you." He smirked.
I just sat there staring at him. He tilted his head back and let out a bark of laughter. After laughing at me, Ranger stood up. He went to the sideboard by the door and picked up a set of keys. He put them in his pocket and picked up another set of keys. He made the come here gesture with his finger and I went to him.
He took my hand and placed the keys there.
"Your new car." He said and walked out of the apartment.
I looked in my hand… another BMW. Considering I didn't want to go over to my parents to pick up Big Blue I was stuck with trying not to destroy one of Rangers cars. But I was still excited by the thought of a new car.
Get a hold of yourself Stephanie. Call your friend at the DMV and get an idea on what kind of car our John Smith is driving. I sighed and called the cars in. It turned out one the Mustang was registered to John Smith. Made sense, he was arrested under the name John Smith and was bonded out under the same name.
I have nothing better to do so I go downstairs to look for my car. In the garage, I click the button to open the car and disarm the alarm, I'm guessing Ranger had installed. I spot it a little ways away.
It's nice, new and black. I jumped in and drove off to check our Michael Kurtis's apartment again. This time I'm hoping there won't be any shooting.
I parked the car in the apartment building parking lot and look around for the blue Mustang. Good news or Bad, depending on how you see it, there was no car. I talked to the super, got the key and proceed upstairs for some searching.
I stand to the side of the door and knock, just incase there was someone in there and planing to shoot me. But there was no sound. I slid the key in and turned it. Still nothing. I turn the knob and pushed the door open, no activity so I go in, fishing the pepper spray out of my bag. I do a quick search, but no one's around.
I look around for any clues. By the phone for a pad with an address written on it, no luck, maybe a mysterious bill, nope and then I notice the bedroom again. It looks like someone was in a hurry. There were some clothes lying around, draws open and empty. And I check the bathroom and there is no toothbrush. So Michael cleared out of here.
I locked the door behind me as I left, I returned the key and walked to the parking lot. Good news, the car was still there. I smiled and got in; I didn't know where to go from here. What are the chances I'll see the guy at Cluck in a Bucket again?
I shook my head. I always get my guy. There is no reason why I won't get this guy. I was driving around hoping to get a glimpse of the blue Mustang when my phone rang.
"Yo."
"Your apartment is ready. You can move back in."
"Thanks."
Click. That's it? Does he really have nothing to say to me? He didn't even say hello. I let out my breath and decided to go check out my apartment.
Twenty minutes later, I have a decent parking space by the back entrance. I take the elevator up and let myself into my apartment. I immediately go to my bedroom to look at the window. Yep, there was one there. I'm satisfied.
I look at the alarm clock; it reads 3:05. I didn't know what else I could do today so I decided to sit down to watch some TV.
I walked into my living room and flopped onto the couch, picking up the remote and turning on the TV. I flipped through until I found a soap to watch. Nothing else was on. This one was called Passions and it was definitely not your normal soap.
This one had witches and a chimp nurse that was in love with some guy. And a girl who could see the future and a woman who slept with her half-brother unknowingly and now she's having a baby with him! I laughed while I watched it and then I watched some afternoon cartoons.
Around 6 I called in a pizza at Pino's and an hour later it was delivered. I ate and watched more TV. I'm a very accomplished couch potato.
I was tired by nine, I guess I didn't get much sleep the night before. So I changed into a large flannel shirt and climbed under the spreads.
I was woken up at 11 by the phone ringing. I got up and picked up the phone moody. "What?"
"Stephanie Plum?" a mysterious voice said.
"Yes?" I asked irritably.
"I got Bob." He said with the same voice.
"What?"
"I have Bob, your dog?" his voice changed to annoyed.
"What are you talking about?"
"You give us what we want and we give him back to you or he's dead." And then I heard a dog whine in the background. I was too sleepy to deal with this; I hung up and went back to sleep.