Stephanie and Edna had fun at the Burning Man festival. The food was plentiful, and the entertainment was spectacular. Stephanie truly felt free for the first time in years. She wanted to experience it again. Nobody expected Stephanie to behave a certain way or participate in the activities.
The art and sculptures were beyond anything Stephanie had seen before. Adults and children climbed various sculptures. Artists wore costumes to add an extra flare to their displays. Stephanie had never experienced such freedom of expression. She had to admit it was more than she had expected.
Every year had a different theme. Tank pushed Edna's wheelchair as they walked around the grounds to see everything offered. The celebration ended by setting the wooden structure in the centre of the semi-circle on fire. Edna cried as it burned. "Thank you for bringing me here," she said.
"There's nowhere else I'd rather be," Stephanie replied. Stephanie hugged her grandmother. Tank leaned over to kiss the top of Edna's hair. She looked up at Tank and smiled.
Tank watched the women fall asleep in the tent. His sleeping bag was closest to the entrance. Stephanie was beside him, with Edna at the back.
His mind wandered as he remembered the Nevada mission where everything went wrong. It was the last time he participated in a mission without Ranger. Tank refused to be the captain of the Rangers team. His boss and best friend, Ranger, tried to get Tank to take the lead, but he was comfortable as second in command.
He felt a cool hand touch his face. Tank turned to face Stephanie. She gently wiped the tears off his face. It was the first time Stephanie had seen Tank cry. "Is that why you get anxious when he leaves?" Stephanie whispered. He understood Stephanie was referring to whenever Ranger left on a mission. Tank nodded. "The guys have your back."
"I'm not worried for him. I fear something will happen to you while he's gone," Tank confessed. "You refused our help."
Stephanie sighed. She knew her stubbornness affected the men. "I know. But I'm working on it, Big Guy. I haven't gone so long without practicing self-defence. Are we going home right away or staying in a hotel for a few days?"
"Hotel," Tank replied. "We'll talk more when we have some privacy."
"You got it, Big Guy." Stephanie slung her arm around Tank's neck to pull his face closer. She lightly kissed his cheek. "Thank you for being my friend." Tank was shocked that Stephanie kissed him. It wasn't a romantic one, but a friendship kiss. He fell asleep wearing a grin. Tank loved Stephanie like a sister.
The following morning, Tank packed the SUV while Stephanie and Edna ate a bowl of Frosted Flakes. It wasn't a nutritious breakfast, but they didn't want Tank to cook when he had insisted on loading the car alone.
They helped the other people clean the trash from their section. Stephanie looked around in awe. Everyone who attended the festival helped clean the grounds. It didn't take long for the convoy of cars to drive away, leaving only tire tracks in the dirt.
Tank returned to the Fairfield Inn. Stephanie received the keys to the suite where they stayed before driving into the desert. Edna went to bed. She wanted to lay on something more comfortable than the air mattress she shared with Stephanie. Edna fell asleep as Tank and Stephanie talked in the living room.
"I disagree," Tank argued.
"It's the only way, Tank. You want to expose Agent Bauer for espionage and treason. Everyone knows Bauer is guilty, but nobody has solid proof. I bet you could get him to confess," Stephanie said, "which means you need to lead the team."
"Ranger can lead," Tank insisted. Stephanie shook her head. She reiterated that Tank had to be in charge. "You're not going to let this go, are you?"
"Nope," she replied, popping the p. "I bet Agent Bauer anticipated that you'd take a step back. Don't let that asshole win. You know Ranger will watch your back. As grandma told Binkie, how could you expect a happy future if you can't forgive yourself for the sins of your past?"
"You can't," he replied. Tank leaned forward on the couch. His elbows rested on his knees as he dropped his face into his hands. Tank knew Stephanie was right. It was the only option.
"Tank, you did nothing wrong. How many more agents or Rangers have to die before you decide to stop Bauer?"
"None. I can't let him get away with it." Tank used his secure phone to call Ranger. "I'll do it."
"Teammate or leader?" Ranger asked.
"Leader," Tank replied.
Lester and Bobby entered Ranger's office as he ended the call. "What has you smiling? Did you have another video sex call with Beautiful?"
"Mats 0500," Ranger barked. Lester laughed at his cousin. Mat time was worth the dig. Ranger regretted confiding in Lester. Bobby looked amused.
"Seriously, why are you smiling?" Bobby asked.
"Tank agreed to lead the team. We report to DC in a few days. I'll have Zip meet Stephanie and Edna at Laguardia. Tank can transfer flights to DC," Ranger explained.
"Who do you need?" Lester asked.
"Zero, Hal, Caesar and you," he replied. "Bobby, you're in charge. Ram and Cal will help you. Junior and Manny will assist if we're not back in time."
~~~~~~~~~~
Zip read his court documents to see when he had to appear in court. How was he supposed to fight her? He initialled and filed the petition, but she counter-sued. Zip needed irrefutable proof. But where could he find it? He checked the time and smiled. After grabbing his keys, Zip went to Shorty's to grab subs and pizzas.
When he returned to his apartment, he found Lester, Binkie, Bobby and Woody waiting outside the door. "May I help you, gentleman?" Zip sarcastically asked.
"We're here for a wellness check," Lester replied.
"I know. It's why I bought food," Zip said. "There's beer and water in the fridge. Help yourselves."
Lester grabbed plates and enough drinks for everyone. He sat beside Zip and pointed to the documents. "Any luck?"
"None," Zip replied. "I have proof while at Rangeman, but not when I was out on calls or surveillance."
"Have you done a background check?" Woody asked.
"Yup. I couldn't find anything on her." Zip had reviewed every detail, every clue and every lead. Nothing surfaced through his research. He could only think of one person who could help him dig up the dirt. Zip could lose everything if he didn't ask Stephanie for help.
Lester grinned when he read Zip's face. "You're going to ask?"
"I am," Zip replied. He hoped it wouldn't backfire. There was no way to know what secrets Stephanie could uncover.
~~~~~~~~~~
"I'm sorry for not helping you get past your grief," Stephanie said as the plane flew through the sky. They sat beside each other on the flight, with Edna in the seat in front of Stephanie. Tank purchased the seat beside Edna to get more legroom. Stephanie thought Tank was hilarious.
"You've helped more than you realize. For years, I refused to take the lead or command a team." Stephanie shook her head because it wasn't entirely the truth. "Little Girl, I never considered your plan." Tank knew better than to discuss details in public. Stephanie hoped to see Ranger before he left on the mission.
The flight attendant announced the pilot would land the plane soon. Everyone got asked to take their seats and fasten their belts. Stephanie grabbed Tank's hand as the plane descended. She held her breath until the wheels touched down. Tank squeezed her hand as the plane slowed to a crawl.
Stephanie dragged her feet as she followed Tank to the baggage claim. Tank was supposed to transfer to another flight, but he rented a helicopter to take him from a private airfield to DC. He sent Ranger a message after making the arrangements.
"Babe," Ranger said, startling Stephanie.
"Ranger? Why are you here?" she asked after throwing her arms around him.
"I had to see you before I left," he whispered. Ranger grabbed her luggage with one hand and laced their fingers with the other. Stephanie thought it was unlike Ranger. She craved the connection. Tingles spread down her neck, heating her core. Stephanie wanted to throw him down and ride him.
Ranger waited until they left the terminal and arrived at the SUV before slamming his lips against Stephanie's mouth. He kissed her until her knees weakened. "As much as I want to let you ride me, I don't have enough time," Ranger whispered. He rested his forehead against hers. "Stay safe."
"Don't get shot," she whispered. He kissed her one more time before opening the SUV door for her to climb inside.
Edna watched Ranger and Stephanie's interaction. She hoped Ranger would tell Stephanie he loved her. Stephanie had the revelation, but a girl needed to hear the words of affirmation. Edna prayed they would become a couple before she breathed her last breath.
"Which one are you?" Edna asked the man in the driver's seat.
"Zip, ma'am," he replied.
"Do you have a real name?" Edna pried.
"Adrien Spera," he replied. "I got the nickname because I rarely talk."
"A man of silence. I bet your girlfriend loves when you're quiet," Edna said. Zip laughed sardonically. "I'm sorry, Zip. She must have done a number on you."
"In a manner of speaking," Zip replied. He didn't really want to discuss his issues with Edna Mazur. Edna knew Zip was reluctant to talk. After a few days with Stephanie, Zip would spill his secrets. It was only a matter of time. Edna saw Stephanie work her magic on all the men so far.
Stephanie climbed into the front beside Zip. "Hey, Zip. Are you ready to drive to Manhattan?" Stephanie asked.
"Not really, but it's necessary." Zip programmed the Hilton hotel address into the GPS of the Rangeman vehicle. Since they were in New York, they could get away with using the company SUV. Stephanie knew Rangeman would be monitoring their travels.
It took nearly forty-five minutes for Zip to drive from Laguardia to the Hilton Garden Inn near Central Park. Zip followed the GPS to the parking garage. He was pleased that Stephanie remembered to arrange a parking spot. Zip pulled into the assigned location. He grabbed the luggage from the back. Stephanie took her grandmother's bag, leaving her luggage and the duffle for Zip to grab.
"I have your messenger bag, Zip," Stephanie said as she pulled it over her shoulder.
"Thanks. I'll grab the other ones." Zip pulled the luggage from Stephanie's hand. He got Edna to sit in the wheelchair someone put in the back.
Stephanie checked them into their hotel suite. She blushed when the attendant mentioned how much their room was per night. They decided to stay in the hotel for the night. Zip ordered food from room service. It was expensive, but they didn't concentrate too much on the price.
"Is there anything else you want to see besides the Belvedere Castle?" Zip asked. He paused for a few minutes to answer the door and bring the cart containing their dinner into the room.
Edna used her tongue to push her dentures around her mouth. "I wouldn't mind seeing the Imagine Mosaic," she replied. Zip placed the pasta dish on the table in front of Edna. Edna smiled at him, waiting for Stephanie and Zip to have their meals before she started eating.
"Strawberry Fields?" Stephanie asked. Edna thought about it for a few minutes before recalling the name. "What about the 911 memorial?" Stephanie hoped to visit and thank the men and women who sacrificed their lives on that fateful day.
"Sure. I guess we can go there too. Rockefeller centre if we have time," she replied. "We can do something new every day or combine a few visits."
"Why don't we visit Belvedere Castle tomorrow, Strawberry Fields and the 911 memorial on Wednesday, then Rockefeller and Times Square on Thursday," Stephanie said.
"Nope," Zip said. "On Thursday, I have to be in the courthouse."
"What did you do?" Edna asked. Zip sighed, then told the women his story.
~~~~~~~~~~
Ranger, Tank, Lester, Zero, Hal and Caesar got briefed within minutes of arriving in DC. The FBI was riding in the backseat, giving Ranger and his team full control of the situation. General Vogel asked Ranger how he planned to trap the traitor. "Tank, Pierre Sherman, is taking point on this mission," Ranger announced. Vogel wasn't surprised. He hoped Tank would take charge and take down the man responsible for his teammates' deaths.
"First, I want FBI director Sam Miller to be aware of the mission but not share it with his agents," Tank replied. "I need Miller's assistance to lay a false trail. We send a few agents to capture Eduardo Silva. There's already an adequate background created. I suspect Agent Bauer to call Silva, warning him of the sting operation. Their conversation will get recorded, providing proof for the FBI. Zero and Hal will guard Silva until we arrest Bauer," Tank explained.
"What if Bauer doesn't show?" Vogel asked.
"Little Girl said Bauer's ego is so big he thinks he could eclipse the sun," Tank replied. "He won't pass up the opportunity to personally take me out."
It was time to implement the mission. Caesar left his real identification locked inside a safe at Rangeman. He only brought the documents for his Eduardo Silva cover. Within a few hours, they had everything in place.
Caesar received a call from Agent Bauer the following morning. Bauer warned that the FBI and military were coming after him. When Bauer offered to assist on-site, Caesar accepted. Agent Bauer didn't realize he was the big fish in the pond. Tank had Bauer hooked on his fishing line. It was time to reel him in.
Everyone played their role to perfection. Caesar challenged Agent Bauer. He wanted proof that Brandon Bauer had what it took to take down the military team coming after him. "I don't give a shit about the others. Pierre Sherman is the man I want. He should have died five years ago. I told Agent Eric Rodney to eliminate everyone. The worthless teams I disabled during the past two years should have initiated a promotion to a supervisory role in the FBI. Month after month and year after year, they passed over me. I will not let them do that again. I will become a supervisor if it's the last thing I do," Bauer monologued. Agent Brandon Bauer continued to talk as he figuratively tightened the noose around his neck.
The FBI had all the proof they needed to send Bauer to federal prison for the rest of his natural life. "Gotcha," Tank whispered into his mic. Tank ordered his team to capture Bauer. Unfortunately, Agent Bauer refused to go down without a fight. Gunfire erupted inside the abandoned building in upstate New York. Bauer tagged Zero in the leg. "The bee will not return to his hive," Tank said as he aimed his gun at Bauer's forehead, then took the fatal shot.
Tank and his team returned to DC for their debrief. FBI director, Sam Miller, arrived to gather the proof. Ranger gave Miller the DVD containing Bauer's confession. "I'm sad to lose a man, but Bauer cost us many good agents over the years. Thank you for your assistance. I'm sad there wasn't another outcome," Miller said as he gathered the reports. He placed everything in his briefcase, then left the conference room.
"Call her," Ranger said after the debrief.
"Well?" Stephanie asked instead of her usual greeting.
"We've got him," Tank replied.
"Alive?"
"No."
"Are you feeling better?" Stephanie asked.
"Much. I can't thank you enough for your help. He played into our hands as you predicted," Tank replied. "We couldn't have done this without you."
Stephanie giggled. "Men like Bauer are predictable. They get reckless when they have something to prove. Any injuries?"
"GSW to Zero's left thigh. It only grazed him."
Stephanie sighed in relief. "Thank God," she replied, then hung up.
Tank grinned at his phone. "She hung up without saying goodbye."
Everyone laughed, knowing how Stephanie felt about improper phone etiquette.
