I was loving the zone. After the cemetery visit mind numbing questions and "what ifs" were buzzing around my brain. I didn't even notice when Ranger pulled in front of the RangeMan building. Subconsciously I got out of the car and made my way to the elevator. Ranger hit what I think was the button for the seventh floor and walked me into an apartment.
Immediately I head for and sat down on the couch, sinking deep into the faux leather cushions. I closed my eyes and heaved a sigh. It was easly before noon but the day was already taking its toll. I heard Ranger and Tank talking in the background and heard someone whip out their phone, it must have been Ranger because a second later Tank joined me on the couch.
"Open you eye, girl. Last time you closed your eyes on this couch you fell asleep before anyone could question you. And that was on a day far less stressing then today." I smiled and pried my eyes open. Tank didn't look any different from he did five years ago. But if you looked close enough you could tell he smiled a little more.
We both heard the door open and close as Ranger walked out. "Where's he going?" I asked, looking at the door.
Tank shrugged. "It really good to have you back, Steph." He said, changing the subject. I smiled back at him. "It's good to see you guys again. I never realized it until now but I really missed my old life."
He stared at me. "Old life? What is that supposed to mean?" I looked around the room, avoiding his gaze. I shrugged back.
"I'm married, have a home in another state. I have a new job, and new friends. I have a new life Tank. What else is it supposed to mean?" I met his gaze at this point.
He sighed, which took me by surprise. I had never seen him sigh before. "Steph, RangeMan went crazy in the five year you were gone. You were gone for a week before we got the first note stating you had been kidnapped again. But then after years of thinking you have been murdered you show up without a care in the world, clueless to what you made everyone go through."
He paused. I had heard from the girls at Vinnie's that I had been kidnapped and was supposed dead but hearing it from Tank was different. "What do you mean Tank? I have heard something like this before but…" I couldn't find the words.
I sighed at the same time Tank did and closed my eyes. I felt Tank lean across the couch and his tree trunk arms enveloped me in a huge hug, pulling me to lean against his chest. "Steph, you just got up and left. Ranger and Morelli were out looking for you, every minute of every day. But then Ranger got a letter here at the office. If you ever want to see Miss Plum alive again bring this that and the other thing to this place and you will receive another message soon. Signed your loving tease. That letter freaked us out, confirmed our suspicions of you being taken. We worked even harder to find you. About a month had passed, we had over twenty letters from you kidnapper. Every time we were getting further and further away from finding you. We were losing our grips, Steph."
He took a deep breath, which made his chest raise, me with it, before he continued. "It wasn't until the car crash that we had any leads. Only Hal was assigned to look into it, we didn't think it was important. But when he called me I knew something was up. He was short of breath, panic at the edge of his voice. Once I got to the scene I knew it was related to the case, and called Ranger and Morelli. They fished the car pieces from the surrounding fields and were able to find human remains. We managed to get an ID, Steph."
He stopped again. And for the first time since he started his story I opened my eyes, ending the movie that was playing in my head. "So I was declared dead." I said simply, knowing his answer.
He nodded and continued. "Both Ranger and Morelli were depressed and outraged about their inability to keep you safe. At least those were Ranger's words. After they got over the fact that they didn't have to look anymore they started to team up to find your killer. All I can say about that is that his body will never be found. After that they both went into a deep blue funk. Never leaving their offices. I think that's what got Morelli his promotion."
He chuckled a bit and another smile crossed my face, but it was short lived. "Ranger continued with his life about six months later. But at any mention of car wrecks or kidnapping he would take the case. Let's just say, since you died none of the missing persons have been found dead on Ranger's watch. He started to his job even more seriously. But also started taking time off about the second year. He started to hang out with his daughter and more time with his sisters. He became real family oriented."
I heard the door quietly close but didn't look around, and neither did Tank, but to my surprise he kept going. "Everyone has changed in the five years you've been gone." He held me so I could face him. "Even you. So, what have you been up to? No cars being blown up, I take it. It would have made it easier to find you."
He chuckled and I sent him a look. But its effect was dulled by the smile on my face. I turned to the people who had joined us for the first time. I wasn't surprised to see Ranger standing there but Marcus was unexpected. They both sent me a small smile and joined us in the living room.
Tank made room and Marcus sat down next to me. We all sat in silence for a moment before I spoke up. "So, who's hungry?" I didn't wait for their reply's before I headed into the kitchen and started making us lunch.