Disclaimer: The characters and settings we all know and love belong to Janet Evanovich. The plot, such as it is, and anyone you don't recognize belongs to me. Written strictly for enjoyment – so enjoy!

Chapter 7

I was alone when I woke up. Ranger had left a note, though. He was getting better about that.

Julia has an appointment to finish her statement this morning at 11. We will meet Morellli at the station, and he said an FBI guy will probably be sitting in. He said to remind you they need your statement, too.

Call me.

R.

I checked the clock by the bed. It was after nine, but that was okay. I got up and rummaged in the bathroom drawer for a new toothbrush and brushed my teeth, then I came back and sat on the bed to call Ranger.

"Yo."

"Good morning. I didn't mean to sleep so late."

He chuckled. "You were tired. So was I. I only got up about an hour ago, and I'm pretty sure no one is awake on the seventh floor yet. I'm going to have to do a wake-up call. How's your side?"

"Not too bad. It's kind of stiff and sore."

"It's worse when it's a place you bend. They're not so bad on an arm or leg."

"I'll take your word for it. Should I go to the station with you, or just go in by myself?"

"Either one."

"I'll drive myself, then. I have some errands I want to run first."

"I'll catch up with you later."

We hung up. I looked around for my clothes and found new ones laid out for me across the recliner. And I mean a new outfit, as in from the skin out. There was a new Victoria's Secret set in cream satin with lace trim, a new pair of jeans in the brand that actually fit me best, and a pretty peasant-style shirt that would float away from my waist, avoiding contact with the bandage. There was even a new pair of socks.

Yesterday's clothes were gone, too, even the underwear and socks from my shoes. I wasn't all that surprised the sweatshirt and tank were missing; not after he'd spotted the blood. My purse had been wiped clean.

Shaking my head at his extravagance, I took a quick shower and got dressed. Everything fit perfectly.

My first stop was the bank to deposit my check. My balance was starting to look pretty good. Every month I managed to have a little more left over after expenses, which was nice. I was slowly building a nest egg to cushion me for those weeks nothing seemed to go right. I made a quick stop to get a donut and coffee to go at the bakery, called my apartment to check my answering machine, and then I headed to the police station.

Ranger, Julia, Sasha and Eric were all there, in the largest of the interview rooms. Joe and another man I assumed was FBI were sitting at the table with Julia, and Sasha and Eric were sitting beside her. They were all looking better today. Julia's eyes were bright and her expression more animated as she told Joe the events of the day she'd been kidnapped. The Martins were quiet but in a good way, letting Julia talk without distraction but being right with her for moral support.

The door had been left ajar, and Ranger was leaning against the wall just inside. Although I thought I'd been quiet, he turned his head and held his hand out for me to join him as soon as I'd gotten close. I did my best to slip in without disturbing them.

I stood next to Ranger and listened to Julia describe the inside of the van and the two men who'd taken her. How long they'd driven between stops and each day, and how she'd figured out how to unplug wires from the taillights, hoping for a traffic stop.

Except for using a stun gun to get her out of the museum, the kidnappers hadn't hurt her. She'd been given food and water, and bathroom breaks, but kept tied up most of the time. She'd been frightened and watching for any chance to escape, but hadn't realized they planned to kill her until just before that last stop when one man had produced and loaded a gun – but her dad's friend Stephanie had prevented that and saved her.

Joe frowned at me at the mention of the gun. I guess I left that part out last night.

The Fed asked a few questions to Julia about the actual abduction – how they'd gotten to her, specifically. She'd been on a school tour to the museum.

She'd gone to the bathroom with her friend and school-trip partner. On the way back a guard had told them their group had gone on, and they'd headed where he'd pointed. Another man was waiting on the other side of the doorway with the stun gun. They'd taken Julia, and she wasn't sure what had happened to her friend.

At this point Ranger stepped forward and dropped a CD in a plastic sleeve onto the table.

"This is a copy of the museum surveillance tapes. It all happened in full view of the cameras. They stunned the other girl and left her on the floor." He gave his daughter a reassuring look. "She's okay, just upset."

A few questions later they were finished with Julia, and Carl Costanza came to take her to the break room for a soda while they interviewed the Martins.

I felt a little out of place, being in the room while Julia's mother and stepfather answered questions, but no one seemed to expect me or Ranger to leave. I guess Eric and Sasha didn't have a problem with it, either.

Yes, they'd had threats, many times. None of them sounded any different from the pranks and empty threats they usually turned out to be. Until the school called about a hysterical teacher and a missing Julia.

They left next, going to join Julia and Carl. Joe gave me a look and Ranger took my elbow and steered me into a seat at the table. He sat beside me.

"Steph, it seems you left something out when you told me what happened last night," Joe said.

"Several things," Ranger added helpfully.

I frowned at him but he ignored me.

Joe was getting his cop-face, and I sighed. They wouldn't be happy until they got everything, so I gave in.

"Start from the top, Steph. What caught your attention about the van?"

Would they believe my 'spidey sense' was tingling? I took a deep breath and told them everything. Both of them frowned when they realized I'd gotten punched, and Joe's lips thinned when I got to the part where I realized I'd been grazed, but no one interrupted me. When I was done the Fed asked a couple of questions, then he picked up his notebook and recorder and left.

As soon as the door shut, Joe asked Ranger, "How bad was she hit?"

"Graze on the left side just above the hip. Deep but no penetration."

"Hey, I'm right here. Don't talk like I can't hear you," I griped. "I'm fine."

Joe came around and tilted my head up with his fingers under my chin, studying my bruise. It wasn't bad, and makeup had made it almost invisible.

I didn't like being the center of attention like this.

"How old is Julia?" I asked Ranger. "I know she was nine when you told me you had a daughter but I've lost track."

"She turns eleven tomorrow."

"She's a sharp kid," Joe said. He gathered his paper and recorder and started for the door. "Well, I've got lots of paperwork to do. Tell Julia I said 'happy birthday' – and make sure Stephanie gets that graze looked at."

And he left.

Ranger stood and gave me his hand, tugging me up out of my chair. We headed out, meeting the others on the way.

"Dad," Julia rushed up to Ranger and flung her arms around his waist. "Did I do okay?"

"You did great," he reassured her with a smile, returning her hug. "We're all very proud of you."

She grinned up at him for a minute more, then let go and turned to me.

"Ms. Plum, my mom and I would like to take you to lunch to thank you for saving me. Please?"

I looked up at Sasha and she smiled. Ranger gave me no signs. I looked back down at Julia. "Lunch sounds good, Julia, thank you. But I didn't really save you, I just helped. And you can call me Stephanie."

Sasha stepped forward. "I'm not very familiar with Trenton, Stephanie, so I'm hoping you can suggest a place to eat?"

Where to suggest? Someplace nice, a dive with good food? Ranger stepped in smoothly and helped me out.

"Rossini's would be good. Take the Cayenne," he offered as he passed me his key. "I'll drive your Jeep back to the apartment. You can pick it up when you bring them back."

"Thanks," I told him, meaning both suggestions. He nodded, gave Julia a smile, and took Eric with him as he left. Sasha was watching them leave with interest.

"You didn't give him a key to your car," she remarked.

"He doesn't need one," I said simply. And we headed out to find the Cayenne in the lot.