Cal, Liam and Kyla found Roger and Victoria Paisley. They contacted the local authorities armed with substantiating proof. The police accompanied them to the home on North Maryland Ave. Cal was focused as they drove to the one-story blue house with a red door. It was small but large enough for a single-child family.

"What do you know about the child?" officer Trent Beckett asked.

"Nothing. We don't know if he got kidnapped or belonged to another child the couple took. I'm hoping blood tests would help us find his family," Cal replied.

"I only know the boy is two," Liam added. "He could pass as Cal's son."

"Is he your child?" Beckett asked.

"No. They abandoned me when I was six," Cal replied. The officers exchanged a look, requiring Cal to tell the story and intel they uncovered. Technically, it was information Stephanie collected, but they didn't need to know that minor detail.

Trent banged on the door. "Portland Police. Open the door," he shouted when his partner went to the backyard. They heard gunfire from inside the house. Cal pushed the officer out of the way, then kicked the door open, shattering the frame.

A young child cried from the noise. Cal ran to the back bedroom. The child stood in the crib, screaming. Cal lifted him from the bed and patted his back. "You're safe, buddy. I've got you," Cal quietly said. The boy stopped crying and fell asleep on his shoulder.

"They're dead, Cal," Liam said when Cal appeared in the living room. Cal passed the sleeping child to Kyla and followed Liam into the other bedroom. "Finnigan killed his wife, then turned the gun on himself. We can't use them to find the boy's parents."

"I thought their names were Roger and Victoria Paisley," officer Beckett added.

"No. Read the file, then compare photographs with the DMV records. Their aliases don't have birth records or social security numbers. Finnigan worked as a carpenter and got paid in cash. His wife, Maeve, worked as a waitress in a bar. She, too, got paid in cash. We can't do anything about them, but we need to find the child's family," Liam replied.

They drove to the hospital for blood samples to get drawn from the boy. It would take several days for them to check all the databases for missing children. "We're staying in Portland with the child until you can locate his family," Cal said.

"He needs to go to child protection services," officer Beckett ordered.

"No. I will not let you put this innocent child into the corrupt foster care system," Cal replied. He extended to his full height. "I work for Rangeman Security in Trenton, New Jersey. My boss, Ranger Manoso, would vouch for me. I refuse to let this child out of my sight. If he has no family, I will adopt him."

"We're staying with Cal and the boy," Kyla said. "Cal's our nephew. We want to find the child's family."

Trent Beckett made them provide their phone numbers and copies of their ID. Beckett got another officer to run a background check on them before he reluctantly agreed to leave the child in their care.

The hospital lab rushed the results for the officer to enter into the central database. They found a hit on the boy's mother. She was the sole survivor of a home invasion. A woman fitting Maeve O'Reilly's description retrieved the child from the hospital. The doctor released the child into her care, happy the young girl had a family to care for her.

Cal got Silvio to run a background check on Cynthia Rupert's family. She had no living relatives, according to her parents' files. Her name changed to Candace Paisley once the "relatives" moved from the state. Candace gave birth to a healthy boy when she was sixteen years old. Her boyfriend and his family perished in a house fire. They had no living relatives. "What is with all the family members involved with these people dying?" Cal asked. "It's unreal. How could so many children lose their entire family?"

"Sir," Silvio interrupted Cal's rant, "I believe Finnigan O'Reilly killed the families when the police caught their trail. Your parents' death was tragic. The police suspected foul play when they discovered the cut break line. They never found the people responsible for the Rupert family's home invasion. The perpetrator didn't leave evidence. However, they matched the ballistics from Finnigan's gun to the bullet used in their murder."

"You mean Finnigan and Maeve murdered Cynthia's parents to gain access to their daughter?" Cal asked, appalled.

"Yes. The fire chief ruled the fire at the Jamieson's residence as accidental. They found a heating element tipped over, which caused the fire. Their entire family, grandparents, siblings and cousins, died in the fire. The fire detector failed," Silvio explained.

"How is that possible? Didn't the neighbours notice?" Cal asked.

"No. They were at the cabin surrounded by acres of trees. By the time the firefighters arrived, the cabin was reduced to embers. Nobody survived after the propane tank exploded. The closest neighbour was over twenty miles away," Silvio replied.

"So the boy doesn't have any family?" Cal asked. "Where is his mother?"

"Nada. He's alone. She died during childbirth."

"Thanks, Silvio. I'll get the lawyer to start the paperwork for me to adopt the child," Cal replied, then hung up. It was completely unfathomable. Too many people died at Finnigan and Maeve's hands. They covered their tracks by eradicating every family member involved. It was sick. Wait! Why did they let Liam and Kyla live?

"You were their first kidnapping," officer Beckett answered. "They learned from their mistakes with you. I bet you ate more than they could afford, and you talked to strangers, which is why they left you at the firehouse."

"Are you saying that's why they kidnapped the girl?" Cal asked.

"Yes. Unfortunately, girls are easier to control. She was too afraid to create waves," Beckett replied. "Take care of the boy. He needs a strong parental figure."

"Would I be able to take him back to Trenton?"

"It's something for you to discuss with the judge. They prefer the child to remain in the state where they got adopted for at least a year in case the family changes their mind. In this case, he has no living relatives, but I'm sure the child protection services would drop in many times before the paperwork gets signed off by the courts," Beckett explained.

Cal waited for Beckett to leave before calling Ranger. "Report," he demanded.

"Boss, I need a favour," Cal replied and explained the situation to Ranger.

"I'll handle everything from here," Ranger replied.

Ranger couldn't believe the situation that Cal barely escaped. It was worse than anything he had witnessed on his stateside missions. He expected to see the level of cruelty in those camps his team infiltrated during his missions. Never had expected one of his men to fall victim to such disregard for human life.

He called the family lawyer employed with Rangeman to file the appropriate paperwork on Cal's behalf. Ranger told Ben to coordinate with Liam O'Malley, Cal's uncle. Between the two lawyers, they would guarantee Cal could adopt the child.

Ella knocked on Ranger's office door to deliver his lunch. "Ella, prepare the two-bedroom townhouse for Cal and his son," Ranger ordered. Ella nodded, then left the office smiling. Rangeman would have a Rangeboy to spoil. Ranger promised to deliver the deed to Cal upon his return. He sent a text message to his lawyer with Cal's new permanent address.

~~~~~~~~~~

Ranger sat in his apartment on the seventh floor, waiting for the dreaded 'wellness' check. He got Ella to prepare all of his favourite Cuban foods. Ella left his apartment minutes before the men arrived. Ranger stood by the open door as Tank, Woody, Ram, Binkie, Zip, and Bobby exited the stairwell. "Food is in the dining room," Ranger said.

Zip and Binkie placed the two cases of beer on the table. "Where's Cal?" Ram asked.

"Busy. I gave Cal another month to manage his situation before he reports for duty," Ranger replied. Nobody questioned Ranger's order. They knew he had a valid reason to extend Cal's leave of absence. "Welcome back, Ram."

"Sir," Ram replied. "Thank you for arranging hospice care for my mother." Ranger waved him off. He arranged for a caregiver to visit the home to handle Edith's needs. The nurse would ensure Edith has medication to manage her pain. When the time came, the nurse would call the coroner to collect the body. Ranger would cover the costs incurred. It was one of the many ways Ranger attempted to erase the dark marks on his soul.

"What's your story?" Bobby asked. He kept his blank face in place until Woody and Binkie started laughing. Ranger raised an eyebrow. "Everyone knows your story, Ranger. You need to pull your head from your ass. We've watched you and Stephanie dance around each other for years. Neither of you is happy without the other," Bobby explained.

"You've been walking around like a lion with a thorn stuck in its paw," Tank added.

"Unless he has a sexy video call with Bomber," Ram said. Ranger growled, making everyone laugh.

"They talked on the phone late in the evening. Edna and I could hear her pleasuring herself while talking to Ranger," Zip helpfully added.

Tank roared out a laugh. "Little Girl did that in Nevada." Tank wiped the tear from his eye. "I've never heard her scream that loud before," Tank said. "Their shower sex echoed in the San Diego hotel room. Little Girl had three orgasms before Ranger finally released. How do you last that long?"

"Vitamins," Ranger deadpanned.

"Bomber is going to be angry when she learns we heard everything," Ram added.

"I'm not going to tell her," Zip said, making a zipper motion across his lips.

Ranger felt his eyelid twitch. He was tempted to call them to the mats. "You don't have enough time to take us all on," Tank warned.

Tank passed another beer to the men. Ranger held up his hand to decline. Ram took a long drink from his bottle. "Where do we get those vitamins?" he asked.

Everyone laughed when Ranger groaned. Bobby knew Ranger took the same vitamins as the other men. Stephanie must be a wildcat in bed. Nobody was brave enough to ask Ranger that question.

~~~~~~~~~~

Lester answered the door. He looked at the young woman standing outside the room with Hank Baines and Chester Sanchez. "Um. Stephanie?" Lester asked. "Why is there a younger version of you in the hallway with Rangeman bodyguards?"

Stephanie ran from her bedroom to see what Lester was talking about. "Savannah?" she asked. "What are you doing here?" Stephanie recognized her from the pictures. She was prettier than her photograph.

"Visiting with you and great-grandma. Your friend, Carlos, I mean Ranger, sent us here," Savannah replied. Savannah stepped forward into the room to hug Stephanie. "Hi, mom." Stephanie wiped a tear off her face. Chester and Hank entered the suite. They closed and locked the door behind them.

"I haven't seen you since you were two," Stephanie whispered. "You're beautiful."

"So are you," Savannah replied. She stepped back from Stephanie to hug her great-grandma. "I had to see you again," Savannah whispered as she hugged Edna.

"When did you see grandma?" Stephanie asked.

"It's been a few years," Savannah confessed. "Maybe six or seven."

"Stephanie?" Lester asked. "You never said your daughter resembled you. Why didn't you show me a picture?"

"I forgot," Stephanie replied. "Grandma and I were focused on helping you, Lester."

"Vannah, Lester is Stephanie's best friend and Ranger's cousin," Edna said. "Where are you staying?"

"Um," Savannah said. She picked at her fingernails. Lester smiled when he recognized the habit from Stephanie. "We hoped to stay here?"

"I'll order an extra bed," Lester replied.

"No need," Chester said. "The two couches open to queen-sized beds. Only Vannah needs a place to sleep."

"I can share a bed with grandma," Stephanie offered.

"It's settled. Do you mind if we order room service? We haven't eaten since lunch," Savannah asked. Her stomach roared from hunger. Stephanie and Lester looked at each other before laughing. "What's so funny?"

Stephanie's stomach grumbled in response. Savannah looked at her birth mother before laughing. "Hurry up and order the food before their stomachs decide to consume us all," Lester said, laughing. Chester and Hank looked at Stephanie, Savannah and Lester with open mouths. They had never heard a woman's stomach grumble that loud.

"You'll get used to it," Edna told them.

Lester ordered enough food to feed ten people. He correctly assumed Savannah would eat as much as Stephanie. Chester and Hank waited until the women loaded their plates with food before serving themselves. "There's no way you can pack away that much," Hank told Savannah.

"Watch me," she replied. Savannah and Stephanie cleaned their plates before grabbing seconds. "Huh. I always thought I got my appetite from my birth father."

"Nope. It's all me," Stephanie replied. "I could out-eat Joe any day."

Hank looked under the table, then back at the women. "Where the hell does it go?" he asked.

"It's my Hungarian metabolism," Stephanie replied. "I know it will eventually catch up with me, but I'll work it off in the morning."

"What does that mean?" Chester asked.

"You should see Stephanie fight. Thank goodness she pulls her kicks and punches, or she'd break my bones," Lester answered. "You'll see what I mean in the morning." Chester and Hank couldn't wait to see what Ranger's woman could do.

When they went to bed, Savannah asked to share the bed with Stephanie. She wanted to learn more about her mother and father before falling asleep. Edna fell asleep when her head hit the pillow. "Tell me about Joe," Savannah requested.

Stephanie told her everything she could think to say. Savannah didn't want to meet Joe after she learned everything about her biological father. "Do you want to see a picture?" Stephanie asked. She searched through the cloud storage to find the photographs.

"I'm glad I don't resemble him," Savannah said. "I don't think the almost unibrow is an attractive look." Savannah flipped through the photos. "Woah. Who is this hottie?"

Stephanie leaned closer to Savannah to see the image. "That is Ricardo Carlos Manoso. Also known as Ranger," Stephanie replied. Savannah looked at Stephanie. She noticed her blue eyes dance while examining the photo.

"Do you love him?" Savannah asked.

"Irrevocably," Stephanie replied. "He's my soulmate, but he doesn't want a relationship with me."

"You're wrong. Would Joe send me here to spend time with you and grandma Edna and expect nothing in return?" Savannah challenged.

"No. Joe would expect me to repay him with what he calls balls-to-the-walls sex," Stephanie replied. "Joe never cared about what I wanted. He thought I would want to get married, have his children and stay at home like the other women living in the Burg. I'm not interested in getting remarried."

"But you already have a child with Joe. I know you married before, and why would that make you never get married again?" Savannah asked.

Stephanie sighed. She decided to level with her daughter. "I'm not against getting remarried, per se. But I am against marrying for the wrong reasons. I married Dickie Orr when my mother pressured me. My mom was proud I married a man from the Burg. She was disappointed when I divorced him after catching him screwing the town whore on my dining room table. When I get married again, I want to be in love with the man I chose as my husband."

"Would you marry Ranger if he asked?" Savannah asked.

"In a heartbeat," Stephanie automatically replied. "I would have his babies too, but I don't want to hurt you."

"Stephanie, you were still a child when I was born. I understand why you let Calvin and Serena adopt me. You kept me in your family. My parents loved me and gave me a good life. I treasured all the gifts and spending money from you. Do you know how much that meant to me?" Stephanie shook her head. "It told me that you loved me regardless of who raised me." Savannah hugged Stephanie. "I couldn't have asked for a better gift. When you and Ranger get married and have children, I would be honoured to be a part of their life."

"I would love that," Stephanie confessed. She wiped the tears off her face. "How did you grow up to be such a loving young woman?"

"Genetics," Savannah replied. "Grandma Edna wrote me letters every year. She told me about my birth mother… you. I wanted to meet the loving, kind and generous woman she described. Meeting you was all I ever wanted. Thank you for letting me visit."

"Thank you for not hating me," Stephanie said.

"Never," Savannah said with a yawn.

"Lay down beside me, sweetie. I'm tired," Stephanie said. She yawned and stretched. Savannah placed her head on the pillow beside Stephanie's head. "Goodnight, baby."

"Goodnight, momma."

Edna heard the girls talk in the other bedroom. Stephanie never closed the door between their rooms. She was pleased Ranger sent Savannah to spend time with Stephanie. Edna could die after seeing mother and daughter reconnect. Nope. She's not ready to die yet. Edna had one more job to do. Her body may be giving up, but her mind remained sharp.