Chapter Six

The one person I didn't think I could hide from was standing on the other side of the door. Ranger, dressed all in black, was starting to get antsy at being left waiting. I knew I had to open the door or he would open it for me.

"Yo," I said by way of greeting, careful to turn around quickly so he couldn't see my face. "This really isn't a good time for me, Ranger." Perhaps I shouldn't have started that way. Ever since the thing about the jelly donut feeling, Ranger had been aware that he had a very dramatic effect on me close up. I had done my best to keep some distance between us, not wanting to test his power over me.

"Got a visit today from Morelli. He seems to think that I should be pretty damned pleased with myself right now." Ranger's eyes flashed with hidden meaning. "By the looks of things here, though, I'm guessing you might not be done with him yet."

I knew why Ranger said that and instantly resented his insinuation. "What's that supposed to mean? You think I like this roller coaster I've been on with Morelli?" I was defensive and I knew it, but I needed to lash out at someone and he was here. "What makes you and Joe think that one of you has got to be around to save my ass?"

That statement got me a 200-watt smile from the guy. "It's a nice ass, what can we say." He began to walk toward me.

I knew that if he managed to touch me, I would find myself wrapped up in those strong arms that always made me feel safe. Problem was that this would defeat my independence decree. I wanted to be able to get through this breakup without relying on anyone else. I don't know why.

Ranger noted that I had moved out of reach and stopped right where he was. One eyebrow appeared to be raised in question.

"Ranger, I need some time to get over this. I'm also going to need space. We've been here before. I can't think straight if you move in too close," the pleading voice I heard was actually my own.

"Okay, Babe, but you want to tell me what really happened. Why was Morelli so damn angry?"

So Joe didn't tell him everything. "Joe said he told you that I was your problem now. Did he say that?"

Ranger nearly smiled. "He said something like that. Sounded a bit pissed to me, I really didn't pay him too much attention, but then I realized that the man was serious as well. I figured you two were in an off-again stage and he was angry."

I winced, thinking of what Joe probably looked like and how he must have felt talking to Ranger about me. It seemed that they had developed some sort of alliance where I was concerned. "It's a permanent off again."

Ranger's eyes flashed again, but he said nothing. He just stood there as if he was expecting more of an explanation. I wasn't going to give him one.

"Look, I was just going to hit the shower and then go to bed early. I'm not the best company right now, so if there isn't anything else you wanted, I will see you tomorrow at work."

I didn't miss the smirk that played across his face at that 'anything else' comment, but luckily he let it lie. Most people couldn't read the almost imperceptible facial movements Ranger had. He was skilled at hiding his emotions. During the one night we shared, he seemed to have opened up emotionally a bit, but the next morning had brought us right back to where we normally stayed, neutral ground. He made it clear that he didn't want a relationship and told me to patch things up with Joe. Now that wasn't a choice for me and somehow that made things worse.

He stood watching me and seemed to know what I was thinking, even feeling. "Babe, don't go there. That was a different time. It doesn't always have to be like that between us."

I looked up at him. "What are you saying? I thought you didn't do relationships? I know I won't do the one-night stand thing again. Sure, you could make it happen, but I would hate you for doing it."

Ranger laughed. "Just go off sugar again and you'll be begging me to sleep over." He grabbed me by the arm. "Look, I just wanted to make sure you were all right. I figured if Morelli was that bad off, you'd be worse. I was right. Take another day off. Your work is covered."

He headed for the door. I wasn't sure what to say until he added a parting shot. "Babe, I hoped you enjoyed collecting old Willard."

"Damn you," I shouted at the closing door. I had been set up!

I tried to sleep, but it felt like I lay in bed forever with my eyes open. A check of the clock showed it was now 8:40 am. I could get up and get on with my day, but I wasn't sure what that would entail. After a shower, since I missed the one last night preferring to cry instead, I started to get dressed in my all black attire. It was becoming habit now to put on the mini-commando gear. I looked in the mirror, trying to decide what to do with the hair and make-up. I was feeling very self-conscious today and had a multitude of sins to hide, so the hair was teased up a bit more than usual and the make-up was a bit on the heavy side. I tried to use concealer to cover up the dark circles under my eyes, but was pretty unsuccessful.

Remembering Ranger's sugar comment, I figured I had better make sure to have my usual donut fix. I found my keys and locked the apartment. In no time, I was headed toward the Tasty Pastry.

The Burg is like no other place I know. It seems to have its own life and everyone knows everyone else's business. I knew it would be common knowledge soon that Joe and I were history. I had already decided to remain silent on the matter. Unfortunately, the first person I saw at the Tasty Pastry was none other than Joyce Barnhart. Joyce has been an archenemy since probably before I caught her with my husband bare-assed on our dining room table. It wasn't like Dickie was such a catch, but it was the principle of the thing. I firmly believed that marriage should stay between two people. Dickie had a whole other set of beliefs that he sort of didn't share with me. Ours was the ugliest divorce the Burg had seen.

"Hey Stephanie," Joyce said with a grin. "I hear that Joe Morelli is fair game. Seems like this is the second man you couldn't hold onto."

Damn, I left my gun in the cookie jar. I checked my belt. I did have the stun gun. It would only take a second. Unfortunately, word might get back to Lula and I was trying to set a good example.

"Go fuck yourself, Joyce," I replied with a smile.

I got to the counter. "Twelve Boston Cremes, please." God help me, but I wanted to eat every one of them. I probably would have to, but Lula came in.

"Yo girl, I didn't expect to find you here. 'Course there's donuts involved, so I probably wasn't thinking all that good." Lula was dressed conservatively today. She was wearing a more primary color, red, rather than her lime green or fuchsia outfits. Of course, she was red from head to toe.

"Yo, yourself," I said with a nod in her direction. "Just stocking up." I picked up my bag of Boston Cremes. "Like what you've done to your hair," I offered, pointing to the really red curls atop her head.

"Yeah, nothing like coordinating. Let me get me some of those and we can make our way back to Vinnie's, unless you got to get to Rangeman."

"I'm off today," I informed her. "I know you can't tell by the clothes, but it's more a habit now."

"Fuckin' A," Lula replied.

We settled around Connie's desk and finished off one bag of donuts. We were starting on the second bag when I noticed that Lula had stopped in mid-bite. This could mean only one thing. Ranger was near.

The girls never got tired was watching this Cuban sex god walk into the room. Me, the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end when he was near. I knew what was coming next. There was that delicious smell of Bvlgari and the warm caress of his hand against my neck. I had no clue how I affected him during these brief interludes, but I knew what he could do to me. Good thing I was armed with donuts.

"See you got your sugar fix," he whispered in my ear. "Can I see you outside?" he asked, a little louder for the girls' benefit.

I made a show of rolling my eyes, but I was curious about what he wanted.

He took my arm and led me to the side of the building. Before I realized what was happening, I was being solidly and expertly kissed.

"I've been wanting to do that since last night." He released me and moved a respectable distance away.

"Well, good for you." I don't know why I was so angry.

Ranger didn't take the bait. "Rumor has it that this thing between you and Morelli is really over. I saw him at the station this morning and he looked rough. He was looking at me like he wanted to kill me. Makes me wonder just what you said to him about me."

Ranger was probably fishing, but he was also expert at getting answers to his questions. "I didn't say anything about you. He doesn't know about our one night together, at least he never let on that he did. I certainly didn't confess. I think he was probably still upset about our discussion. He hates that I'm working for you, but you already knew that."

Ranger didn't respond at first. He grabbed my arm and escorted me back to the office. "Later, Babe" was all he said and then he got into the Mercedes he was driving and left. Our conversations of late were certainly less one-sided than they usually were.

Lula and Connie were waiting impatiently to find out what was going on. Connie was the first to ask.

"Guess he heard about you and Joe, huh?" Her eyes were wide with anticipation of gossip.

"Exactly what do you know about the subject?" I was almost afraid to ask.