Chapter Six

"Jesus, Ranger, what exactly do you think is going on here? Stop being cryptic with me. I don't want to be shut out of the investigation!" My anger was rising.

"Yo, Babe, calm down," Ranger replied in a firm, but soothing voice. "I'm not shutting you out. I'm baiting Morelli to see if he knows more than he's telling."

"So your attitude with him doesn't have anything to do with our past?" I wasn't sure if I wanted Ranger jealous or not. Okay, maybe a part of me liked the idea that he could be jealous, but not if it meant that he would keep me from seeing Joe. "I'm not going to stop being Joe's friend. We've been down that road."

"Sure, Babe, I know. Maybe I am playing with Morelli a little, but it's not like he doesn't have some payback coming."

The waitress interrupted and we placed our order. Ranger waited until after she was out of earshot. "Why didn't you want to come upstairs with me? I certainly liked the idea."

Change the subject, huh? "It's not that I didn't want to go, but an hour simply wouldn't have given me enough time to do everything I have in mind." I knew that would peak his curiosity.

"Oh really? Care to elaborate?" Ranger was leaning forward, obviously hoping to hear the more intimate details.

"So," I began, leaning in as well. "What exactly did Tank learn from the street?"

Ranger grinned. "Actually, not much. No one has seen or heard from Terry since her disappearance."

We finished lunch and returned to Rangeman about an hour later than allowed by company policy, at least for us office workers. Of course, I knew the boss wouldn't dock me, but I was going to get ribbed by the rest of the gang.

"Oh yeah, Stephanie, you have target practice at 3:00 pm. Don't be late," Ranger called out after me.

Now that he wouldn't forget, I thought as I turned to the computer searches that mysteriously found their way into my empty box while I was out. Oh well, it's a job and I'm not usually getting shot at, so I can't complain too much. I was down two files when my cell phone rang.

"Stephanie," my mother began. "I was hoping you could come to dinner tonight. I'm having a problem with your sister and need your help."

Now the last thing I wanted was to get involved with my sister's problems, but she was family.

"What kind of problem?" I tried to sound interested.

"She's talking about leaving Albert. I need you to talk some sense into her. I mean after all what man is going to want a woman with three girls by two different men? Honestly, where does she get these things? You, I could expect this from, but not Valerie."

My mother was on a roll. "Mom, that's not exactly wining me over to your side."

"Oh, Stephanie, you know what I mean. You've always been the one to take chances and do the unthinkable, not Valerie. She's not cut out for that kind of life."

"Mom did you ever think maybe she really didn't want Albert. He was convenient that's all?" Naturally, I didn't really want to think of my sister using someone, especially someone like the doughboy himself, but desperate times create desperate responses. I couldn't exactly see the attraction, but Valerie must have seen something in Albert.

"Just come and talk to her," my mother pleaded.

"Okay, but Ranger has to come as well. He can talk to Dad while you and I gang up on… I mean talk to Valerie."

"Of course, your boyfriend is always welcome."

I hung up with my mother and was wondering how to break the dinner plans to Ranger, when he walked up to my cubicle.

"Hey," I smiled up at him. "How about going with me to my parents for dinner?"

I thought I saw a grimace. "Okay, Babe, but payback is due and it's definitely going to take more than an hour." He dropped more files in my box.

I could live with his type of payback. Actually, I could get used to it and start setting myself up to receive more and more. He'd figured it out though and change the stakes.

It was about 5:30 when Ranger stopped by to remind me to go upstairs and change for dinner. He didn't miss the fact that I was still researching Terry Gilman. I was searching for anything on the Grizzoli family and past events in Trenton. It appeared that there was quite a bit in the news about the family, but I couldn't see how it pertained to the disappearance.

I rushed upstairs and changed out of the black clothes that were my work staple. I donned jeans and a sweater, checked my makeup and rushed out to the living room to find Ranger waiting. He had already changed into his own jeans and sweater and looked much better in his than I did in mine. I let him lead the way to the elevator, admiring the view as we went.

"You're checking me out, aren't you?" His eyebrow raised in a questioning gesture when we boarded the elevator. "No problem, Babe. I do the same thing to you."

"All I can say is 'nice ass Manoso'."

"Same to you Babe!" He kissed my forehead.

We took the Porsche to my parents' house. My father had gotten used to the fact that Ranger didn't drive a Buick. I think he might have even accepted it. Dad was showing more interest in Ranger than he ever did in Joe. It could have something to do with the fact that Ranger found Dad when a stalker kidnapped him; I wasn't sure. I just knew that Ranger and Dad connected and that made me happy.

I joined Valerie and Mom in the kitchen. Valerie was alone, leading me to believe that the girls were with Albert.

"Hey Val, how's it going?" It was tough to be that upbeat all the time. I don't kow how my sister used to do it.

"Hey Stephanie. I guess Mom had you come over to talk to me, right?" Valerie sounded depressed.

"Yeah, I guess she thought you might need someone to talk to and you know you can talk to us, right?"

At that moment, Ranger came into the kitchen to greet my mother. They exchanged the usual pleasantries before Ranger left the room, giving me a heated glance on his way out.

"Why can't I find someone like him?" Valerie nearly cried.

What could I say? I was wondering the same thing. "There is no one else like him, Val. Ranger is one of a kind."

"God, he's incredibly sexy, strong and protective of you. How did you get so lucky?" Valerie was starting to sound whiney.

I was getting a little annoyed. How come everyone forgets all the crap I went through to get to this point? Would my own sister begrudge me a little happiness?

Mom quickly interrupted. "Valerie, you know that Stephanie hasn't had the best luck with relationships. Her marriage was a disaster; she and Joe were constantly parting ways. Who knows what will happen with this new one."

I think my mother was trying to make Valerie feel better and didn't exactly mean it the way it sounded, but I was getting pretty irritated.

"Now wait a minute, Mom. I am not a walking disaster in the relationship department. Okay, so my marriage was a sham, but my relationship with Joe was not just a one-night stand. You were constantly trying to get us to get married, so you must have approved. As far as Ranger is concerned, you will not make any hasty judgments, got it! I don't expect either of you to understand, but I really love the guy and am trying not to run him off." I think I was yelling by this time.

"Stephanie Plum, calm yourself down," my mother demanded. "I didn't mean it the way it sounded. I was merely pointing out to your sister that your life hasn't been a bed of roses either. If you have found happiness with Ranger, then I couldn't think of anyone who deserves it more. Naturally, we were hoping you would find a nice Italian man, but no one is perfect, sweetheart."

That translates to 'you found a nice Italian man and blew it', I thought.

Valerie spoke up. "Oh, Stephanie, you're so lucky. You take care of yourself and lead such an exciting life." Valerie reached across the table for my hand.

"Val, I sit at a computer screen for most of the day. Ranger forces me to exercise; otherwise I would have gained twenty pounds by now."

Valerie smiled. "Yes, but just look at the type of exercise you get with Ranger. Now that must really be something."

My sister had a point. I was enjoying some of the 'exercise' I got with Ranger.

Dinner was rather sedate compared to some we had. Grandma Mazur only hit on Ranger twice. He managed to eat the entire meal, including a small piece of cake for dessert. Dad actually contributed to some of the conversation, while Valerie couldn't keep her eyes off Ranger.

As we left for the evening, Ranger pulled me aside and asked about Valerie.

"She's going through a rough patch with Albert. It seems she wants him to be more like you," I explained.

Ranger smiled. "Babe, there's a law against anyone else being like me."

I wouldn't doubt it, I thought. Ranger was special, one of a kind. He needed to stay that way.

"Let's go home," I said as we headed to the car. "I think it's payback time."

"Babe," he replied with a knowing smile.