I meant to post this chapter the other day but... I broke my foot on Monday. Sooooo... Its late but here you go. Hopefully now that I'm sequestered to stay put most of the day, I'll have time to finish up the chapters I'm working on for this story.

Chapter Four

Steph POV:

After leaving Sunny's, I went looking for my skips. All of the trackers Jay and I pulled from Big Blue were sitting in the trunk along with the reader Jay had loaned me. It was weighing heavily on me. Maybe I had some idea he was tracking me, but I never realized how extensive it was.

Eleven trackers, that was a little much. I knew there was probably one or two in my purse and a few in my apartment. I was almost worried that if there were eleven on Big Blue, how many would there be in my apartment.

I pushed it from my mind. I couldn't get stuck on it, not right now. I checked the address a second time. It listed his address on Morris Avenue, on the edge of the burg. Glen Markos had been two years ahead of me in high school, the same grade as Morelli.

An only child, his father died his last year of high school. A momma's boy from what I could remember, and it was cemented by the fact he had never left home; even into his thirties, he was living with his mother. He'd been picked up on concealed carry without a license. His bond had been $50,000, I would get $5,000.

Dialing Mary Lou, she picked up on the fourth ring. I heard the TV in the background and the rustle of fabric. She was probably sitting in her living room, folding clothes and watching her true crime TV shows.

"What's up Steph?"

"Hey, I was wondering if you heard anything through the grapevine about Glen Markos?" I asked, drumming my fingers against the wheel sitting at a stop light.

"He's been living with his mom since he was bailed."

"Is she still living off of Morris?" I asked.

"As far as I know, I see her at church every Sunday."

"Well, thanks."

"No, hold on! Don't you hang up. I want to know what went down between you and mother?"

"Well, I told her to mind her own business," I said nonchalantly.

"Damn, I wish I could have been a fly on that wall." She laughed.

I rolled my eyes. "It wasn't as juicy as it seems. It was surprisingly calm. No screaming, throwing things, or insults. We'll see what happens though."

"What about Morelli?"

"I broke up with him."

"I heard. He's telling everyone that he broke up with you because he found you in bed with Ranger."

"What?" I nearly yelled.

"Damn Steph, calm down. Gonna blow my eardrum out."

"You know what?" I sighed. "I don't care. Morelli will get what's coming to him, either from me or from the universe."

"That's awfully grown up of you," Mary Lou said.

"Yeah, well that's what I'm working on. I've got to go but I'll have to come over for coffee and cake one of these days."

"Soon," She insisted.

"Soon, sometime this week, I promise." I laughed softly.

"Okay, you better keep your word."

"Alright, I've got to go," I said as I pulled onto Morris St.

"Talk to you later, Steph."

"Talk to you later, Mary Lou."

I hung up, parking down the street. I glanced back at the profile on Markson. He was five eight, a hundred seventy pounds, had mousy brown hair, and hazel-colored eyes. I slipped the gun into the holster on my thigh and a set of cuffs in my back pocket.

I pushed the Mace into my front pocket and my stun gun in the other back pocket. I slid out of the Buick and walked towards the house, noticing two cars in the driveway. It was a row house, similar to my parents only; it wasn't a duplex.

It was painted a soft yellow color, white trim and door, and a small covered front porch. The yard was small, but the grass was lush and green, a waist high white picket fence framing the yard. I opened the gate and walked towards the door. Climbing the steps, I took a deep breath before knocking, making sure to keep my right hand by my side in case I had to draw my gun. I didn't think it would be needed in this case, but I could only hope.

Mrs. Markson opened the door. She shared some of the same features as her son. She was wiping her hands on her apron. Her eyes took me in, and she took a slight step back, hiding half her body behind the door.

"How can I help you?" She asked.

"Mrs. Markson, I'm here representing your son's Bonding Agent. He missed his court date, and I'm here to help him reschedule," I answered. She looked me over again, her nose scrunched up in disgust.

"Your Helen Plum's second daughter, Stephanie," she said, her voice high and nasally.

"Yes," I answered shortly. "I don't think my genealogy matters much right now, Mrs. Markson. I would like to speak to your son."

"He's not here," she said, sticking her nose up. She went to close the door and I stuck my foot in, keeping her from closing it.

"What would your mother say about your manners, young lady?" she hissed.

I nearly rolled my eyes. "What would your neighbors say about a good Christian woman lying?" I retorted.

"I am not lying! Don't you have any respect for your elders?" She huffed.

"Your son's car is in the driveway. I hear two TV's on in the house, one of which is playing video games. Sounds like Call of Duty, if I have to be specific. Now, Mrs. Markson, are you an avid Call of Duty player, and you like wasting money on electricity by running TV's you don't need; or is your son here?"

Then I heard it, the sound of a controller hitting the floor as running footsteps hit the floor. I pushed open the door, mindful of Mrs. Markson before bolting through the house, seeing Markson in the dining room opening the back door. He ran down the steps and jumped the back fence. I jumped off the top step and vaulted myself over the fence and followed him down the alley.

I started to gain on him, which made him panic. We were both out of shape, but I didn't have a choice. I needed the money from his bond, to do the things I needed to do. I got within five feet and lunged, both of us sliding along the concrete. He cried out and I grunted with the impact.

Out of breath, I yanked his hands behind his back, pulling the cuffs from my back pocket. "Why did you run? This could have been simple and easy. Maybe two hours tops, and you could have gone back to playing your video game. Now you're going to spend some time in the county infirmary and Vinnie probably won't bail you out because of this."

"I figured you'd be easy to outrun," he said. I rolled my eyes, standing. I pulled him up and pushed him against the wall of one of the buildings.

"If you move, I swear to god I will shoot you. I already went to the gym this morning; I didn't need another workout."

His face was pressed against the wall. I patted him down quickly, not finding any weapons. I pulled him from the wall and pushed him towards the Buick. He was barefoot, wearing a pair of flannel pajama pants and a stained tank top. I shoved him against the Buick as I opened the door, pushing him in.

I walked around, sliding into the driver's seat, glancing back at Markson. He didn't seem like he was going to cause any problems. The short ride to the police station seemed to take any fight out of him.

I walked him inside, handing him off to one of the uniformed officers and handed the paperwork to the desk sergeant. I stood waiting for him to finish processing it.

"Steph," Eddie said, coming from one of the offices.

I turned to greet him. "What's up?"

"I heard a rumor."

"Hmmm, it seems that the people in this city can't keep my name out of their mouths."

He chuckled. "You've heard. So, what actually happened?" he asked, leaning against the counter next to me.

"Does it even matter? The burg rumor mill is never wrong, don't you know? Besides, they'll forget about it by next week. Nothing keeps their attention span for long. They forgot about Valarie in no time." I shrugged.

"You're awfully grown up about this," he said.

"You're the second person to tell me that today." I rolled my eyes.

"Last time Morelli spread rumors, you ran him over with the Buick." He chuckled.

"Not on purpose."

"Sure." He smiled, rolling his eyes.

"There's no proof. I believe since you're a cop, you have to have proof to accuse me of a crime."

He laughed, shaking his head. I got my body receipt and handcuffs from the sergeant from the desk. "Later, Eddie."

"Later, Steph."

After cashing the check, I drove straight to the hardware store. It took me a few minutes to find the aisle I was looking for. Standing in front of the locks and door handles. I studied the traditional deadbolts before turning to the keypad and deadbolts. I picked up one of the electronic deadbolts, reading the features. It took me twenty minutes to find a model I liked.

Browsing, I picked up locks for the windows along with alarms. I would have to give Dillion a twelve-pack to install all of it, but it was a small price to pay for the added security. I walked out and dropped the bag in the trunk of the Buick, before crossing the street to grab a pack of beer for him.

XXXXXX

After dropping off the locks and beer with Dillion, I decided to try and tackle another skip today. I picked out one of the lower bond files; Cathy Caruso had been arrested for assault. She found her husband cheating on her with his secretary. She proceeded to beat her husband with a paperweight. I shook my head and found her address. She didn't have a job, but there were a few places that she spent a lot of time at.

Her house was on the same street as Morelli's. I sighed and began my drive to the edge of the burg. Parking at the curb, her car was in the driveway. I slid out of the Buick geared up the same as when I had gone after Markson.

Knocking on the door, it opened quickly. She looked me over. "You must be Stephanie Plum, Vinnie's Bounty Hunter. Come on in. I was just finishing up a cake, after that you can take me down to the station."

"I, uhhh, sure," I answered, half stunned she was inviting me in. Then again, she was a burg woman.

"Would you like a cup of coffee?"

"No, thank you." I answered, following her to her kitchen. No matter how trusting I might be, I didn't trust any food or drink offered by a skip. Even one from the burg, they had the most to lose.

I sat at her dining room table, with a direct view of the kitchen. I watched as she moved around, icing a multi-layer cake. She clapped her hands together when she finished, smiling. I watched her cover it and wash her hands, removing her apron.

"I'm ready to go, I'll grab my purse on the way out." She smiled. I stood, following her out the door.

"Do you want to cuff me?" she asked as we stopped next to the Big Blue.

"I don't think it's necessary," I answered. "But I will have to before we go to the station."

She nodded. "Whatever you feel comfortable with."

I smiled and opened the passenger door for her, letting her slide in the front seat. I walked around, pulling out of the burg.

An hour and a half later, I was dropping her off at home with a check in my pocket. This was probably my easiest capture in a long time. Back at my apartment, I parked in the space next to the dumpster, the only one available in the lot. I glanced up at my apartment, a feeling of dread sinking in my stomach.

Pushing out a sigh, I slid out of the car, walking to the trunk and pulling out the device Jay had let me borrow. I sighed, tucking it into my purse, I took the stairs up to the second floor and paused in front of my door. I needed to go downstairs to tell Dillion I was home so he could install the new locks.

I sighed and trudged back downstairs; he followed me up and I let him in and left him to it. I sat on the floor of my bedroom, my shoes and bags strewn about. I began running the device over each item. Every time it beeped, the knot in my chest tightened.

Eleven just on the Buick, a car I drove semi regularly. Ten in my hand bags. I sat back against the bed, letting my head fall back with a sigh. I felt tears prick my eyes. No, I wouldn't cry, I wouldn't get upset. I refused to. I didn't know what I was crying about anyway.

Maybe I felt betrayed. I did feel betrayed. I had thought he was a friend, my mentor, a confidante, but it seemed as if I was a plaything. I felt like a toy for him to pick up and pay attention to every now and then, tossing it in his toybox when something else shiny caught his eye.

I didn't even know where he lived, hell I hardly knew anything about him. I knew he had a daughter and a failed marriage and spent two years at Rutgers. Besides knowing how good he looked with his clothes off, my knowledge of him was miniscule. I sighed pushing the thoughts away.

I got back to work, and before I knew it, I had finished the rest of my bags and shoes. I tossed them all back in the closet. Just as I stood, Dillion knocked on the bedroom door. "They're installed, just need to come set the code on the deadbolt."

"Thank you, Dillion."

After he left, I sat at my computer, looking for another way to secure the apartment better. After finding something called an Addalock, I contemplated for only seconds before breaking down and ordered it. It was supposed to make the door even more secure. After that, I found myself looking at a map of Jersey and the surrounding states.

Maybe I needed to get away from Trenton. It would be a fresh start, somewhere I didn't have to hear the rumors or see the people behind them. I wouldn't have to see or have a constant reminder of Ranger, Joe, and everything else that has happened.

Philly would be close enough to come visit but far enough that I wouldn't have to deal with the people and things I despised. I sighed, searching for apartments in Philly. It wouldn't hurt to look and see what the options were in my price range.

XXXXXX

I was leaving to head for the gym, walking out of the building towards Big Blue. Scanning the lot, I saw a brand-new black SUV with dark tinted windows sitting a few spaces away. Either there was a mob or gangster after me or Ranger had told some of his men to watch me.

I walked over to the SUV, approaching the driver's side. I wrapped my hand around the handle of my pepper spray and knocked on the window. There was chatter between the two men on the inside before the windows were rolled down.

Lester Santos sat in the driver's seat and another man sat in the passenger's seat. "Hey Steph." Lester grinned.

"What are you doing here?"

"Just hanging out." He shrugged.

"In my parking lot, at six o'clock in the morning?" I asked, crossing my arms over my chest.

"Yep, nice view of the sunrise." He smirked.

"With the car facing towards the building?"

"Yes."

"Hmmm," I said. "So, Ranger sent you. Are you on the morning or late night shift?"

"Morning," the man in the passenger seat answered. His blonde hair was buzzed, and he was built like a stegosaurus.

"Who's this? Haven't met many of Ranger's employees," I said.

The man's ears turned red as a blush crept up his neck. "Hal," Lester answered.

"Nice to meet you, Hal." I offered my hand, and he shook it gently as if afraid he would hurt me.

"Either way, I want you to stop following me. You can tell Ranger to fuck off. I don't need his help anymore. Actually, save me the trouble and return these for me," I said and opened my gym bag to pull out the ziploc of trackers. I tossed them into Lester's lap.

"Return these to your boss," I told him.

"Ranger left yesterday." Hal said absentmindedly before shutting his mouth, glancing frantically at Lester.

"Ranger left?" I asked, my voice coming out way softer than I would have liked.

Lester smacked Hal up the back side of his head. I straightened my back, and mentally pulled up my big girl panties. "Then tell Tank to stop having men follow me."

"I'll do that," Lester said. I knew it didn't matter if he told him or not, they wouldn't listen. A plan started to form, but I would have to go upstairs and disturb one of my neighbors. I knew a few of them were already up at this time.

I turned on my heel and walked back upstairs. I bit my lip before knocking on Mr. Spiga's door. The old man answered, standing in a bathrobe and tube socks. "Hi Mr. Spiga, it's Stephanie, your neighbor. I was wondering if you happened to have a potato?"

He looked me up and down, shuffling his dentures in his mouth. "Two dollars."

I narrowed my eyes, "A dollar."

He shrugged and walked inside. I dug through my purse finding a wrinkled dollar bill as he returned with a potato. I traded him, stuffing the potato in my purse. I retraced my path downstairs and climbed into the Buick.

I hit the gym, pouring my anger into my kickboxing class. They sat outside in the SUV until I finished. I headed back to my apartment to change, going about my routine, ignoring them.

When I got to the bond's office, I looked at Connie. "I need you to do me a favor," I told her.

"Need a body hidden?"

I stopped to think about it before shaking my head. "No. I need you to distract Ranger's men, outside."

"How do you want me to do that?"

"I don't know. I'm sure you'll figure it out. Just get them out of the SUV and don't let them see me."

I left my purse on the couch and pulled out the potato. "If they ask where I am, tell them in the bathroom."

As I walked down the hallway, I turned on the light and locked the door of the bathroom. I exited the back door and snuck around to the alley. I peeked around the corner to see Lester and Hal walking into the bond's office. I crept down the side of Big Blue, and glanced in the windows. Both Hal and Lester had their back to the windows. I crept around to the back of the SUV.

Crouching down at the tailpipe I forced the potato in. It was easy without the car running, and once I was sure it wouldn't fall out. I crept around the back of the building. I closed the back door gently and glanced around. Hal and Lester were still talking to Connie.

I walked into the office and picked up the file off her desk with my name on them. "Thanks Connie." I smiled at her, picking up my purse. She sent me a wink as Lester and Hal followed me out. I walked over to the Buick with a smirk, sliding in and starting it as they rushed to their SUV.

I backed out as they started the SUV. The car cranked but wouldn't catch. I smirked as I pulled out of the lot, Lester panicking in the driver's seat, trying to start the car.

"Who says you can't learn nothing from watching movies?" I asked myself with a grin.