I was in one of those zones as I drove. I would understand if Joe was mad that I left under my own freewill and not force but I didn't expect him to blame Ranger and me for going all conspiracy on the cops. Joe should have known me better than that.
I was at the RangeMan office on Haywood in 20 minutes. I took another three to get out of the car and walk through the doors. I decided to go for the lost chic look. If all of my cop friends didn't recognize me then I was hoping all of the Merry Men didn't either.
I smiled as I approached the greeters desk and leaned forward slightly onto the desktop. "Hello, could you tell me if a Mr. Mañoso works here? I had a card here somewhere," I said digging in my purse. "He said to come here if I needed something."
The clerk nodded and checked one of the screens I knew were hidden there. "Did you call to arrange this meeting?" He was very polite but stubborn.
"Oh, no I didn't. I know I should have but I left his number at home last night. I was in such a rush I was even lucky to remember my purse, but it had my keys."
I gave him the whole thing, layering on the sweetness and innocence. All the guys at RangeMan hated seeing a woman in trouble so I used it to my advantage. "Please I really need to talk to him. This is a security thing right? You must have like, cameras somewhere. I promise I wont do anything other than talk to Mr. Mañoso. Please." I put my hand over my heart and forced some water into my eyes. It worked.
He hand the phone in his hand as he told me to go to the fourth floor and gave me directions to his office. I took the elevator and pretended to look amazed but cautious as I traced the familiar route to his office. I past a couple new faces along the way but none of them stopped me.
Right outside of his office, I checked my appearance in a hand held mirror and quietly knocked on his door. I heard movement and I slowly opened the door. I used a small worried voice as I said, "Mr. Mañoso?"
"Come in." Something fluttered through my stomach at the sound of his voice and it got even worse before it settled when I saw his sitting behind his desk. His office was exactly the same, as 5 years ago and Ranger didn't look any different.
I walked in and sent him a small smile and pretended not to pretend to look around. That was when I noticed who was sitting in one of the chairs. I sent him a small smile as well and a little finger wave and took the chair next to him.
"What can I do for you, Miss…" I looked to the person sitting next to me and back to Ranger before saying. "Miles."
Ranger leaned back slightly. "And what can I do for you? You said I had given you some story about coming here if you needed anything. It must have been very good acting to convince the guys." Uh, oh. He wasn't very happy.
I looked him straight in the eye. "So you're taking back what you said?" I stood. "Well, I can tell when I am not wanted, but I never thought you would be one to go back on your word." I was just about to close the door behind me when I said. "Adios, Ranger."
The doors to the elevator were just about to close before a large hand stopped them. The doors opened and there stood a very familiar face. I gave him a small smile and moved over, indicating he could join me. He did, pulling the regular quiet and touch, macho crap. I didn't push any conversation and was at the front door before he made a move.
"Miss?" He said. I turned. "Yes?"
He stopped in front of me, looking uncomfortable. I wouldn't have been able to tell if I hadn't learned to read the RangeMan guys. "Are you sure you have a safe place to go. I take it that he must have turned you down for security. We just don't want to open the paper tomorrow to see your body posted on the front page."
Awww, Tank had gone soft. I nodded. "I have a place. A couple actually, where I can stay. I should go though. I wouldn't want my husband to worry." I smiled and walked out the door. I was half way to Mary-Lou's when my phone indicated I had a text message.
Going out to dinner with a friend. Meet you at the hotel later tonight. Have some fun with a girlfriend. Love you, Marcus.
At lest now I can do the whole gossip thing with the girls if they were free. But I was sure they could clear their schedules for me. I pulled up in front of ML's house and called to make sure someone was home. Lou answered herself. "Hello?"
"Look outside, Lou." And I hung up. I got out of my car and walked up to her front door. I was hoping to be able to walk straight in but the door never opened. I waited for a minute before I knocked. She didn't answer. So I called her again. "Yes?" She sounded scared.
"Lou, open the door. It's not nice to leave a quest outside in the Burg. Especially not an old friend, what would people say?"
This got the door open to the security chain. "Hi, Lou." I said. Her eyes widened and she opened the door all the way. "Steph! Ohmigod, how are you? Please come in. I just set out lunch." And she rushed me into a kitchen full of all the people I had left to see, Lula, Connie, and Val.