Disclaimer: See earlier chapters!

A/N: Thank you for the reviews and the queries! I had wondered whether the spacing was bothering anyone besides me. The thing is, I upload my chapters from Microsoft Word, right? Well, when they go on to every time there's a space it turns into a double space, that's why everything so mentally spread out. I didn't purposely do that, I just couldn't be bothered to edit the writing and delete the second space (does this make any sense?) Lol. I hope that answered your questions. As for Ranger, I do intend to add him to this story (lol) but not quite yet. I think he'll appear in chapter…12 or 13 and then onwards till the end. See the plan was that you'd forget about Ranger in the story and then he'd pop up surprisingly but of course, I should have known better than to think that people on this site would forget about Ranger. Lol. He's too unforgettable. Just to speed up the process of Ranger's appearance, I've decided to post two chapters this time. Cheeky grin! Please don't let the lateness of Ranger's appearance put you off reading this story! He will show up, to save the day no doubt. I'm thinking about a sequel to this story, I've got a solid idea but I think I'm going to wait until I've finished this one even before I start to think about it. What do you think, sequel or not? Better wait until you've read it all first, right?

Okay, enough blabbering on, enjoy!

I give you…chapter 5 & 6...

Chapter 5

I woke up to the sound of the phone ringing.
Ring ring!
Ring ring!
Ring ring!
I groaned and rolled over, covering my ears with the pillow from behind my head.
I had to admit that it did dull the sound but I could still hear it's irritating scream.
I rolled out of bed and stomped to the phone, muttering profanities underneath my breath all the way.
"Hello?" I grumbled into the receiver.
"Hey, Steph, did I wake you? It's 11.00 for Christ sake you lazy loon. Just thought you might like to know that there's a file here waiting for you and Joyce is on her way here for it thanks to someone." Connie hinted Vinnie and I heard a small shout in the background which Connie then replied with, "Fuck you!"
I smiled despite my crappy mood, "Stall her, I'll be there in a second."
"'Kay."
I hung up and jumped into the shower, washing super fast. I threw on a plain red sweater and a pair of old jeans, knowing the chances were high that something was going to happen to them, rushing out of the door.

I drove like a mad woman to the office and smiled widely when Joyce's sparkling red Mazda MX5, which I was pretty sure she couldn't afford, was absent.
I opened the door with a smile on my face,
"She's not hear right?" I asked Connie grinning.
Connie sighed, "She's been and gone…with the file."
I groaned and fell back onto the crappy couch.
"I tried to hold her off but the weasel must have rang her because she demanded it as soon as she came in. It was a pretty crappy file anyway…" she comforted me.
I pushed back a stray strand of hair and raised an eyebrow,
"If it was pretty crappy you wouldn't have rung me up to wake me. Besides I don't think I care much, I really need money right now. I haven't got Lopez yet, he's insane. I need Lula as backup." I sighed, I missed Lula now. The office was a lot quieter without her and it almost felt empty.
"Have you spoken to her?" Connie asked rummaging in her purse.
I nodded, "She said hi. She's having a good time and I think she's really enjoying Tank's company…I'm sensing the 'L' word." I grinned as Connie raised her eyebrows. "Really! I guess it's possible, she's been seeing him for a while now."
I smiled, "I'm happy for her, Tank is a good man and I think he's really sweet to take her on this vacation."
Connie nodded, "I wish I had someone to do that for me." She had pulled out a small bottle of blood red nail varnish to paint her finger nails; it matched her shocking red v-neck she was wearing, the one that was hanging extremely low, her boobs squashed against it, moving precariously every time Connie did anything.
"You'll find someone, Con. Tell you what, soon as Lula comes back we'll all go clubbing. Okay? We'll find you a guy. " I said smiling as I watched her grin.
"That's if she's not fucking married to Tank when she gets back."

The café, Déjeunez, down in the centre of Trenton was a new hotspot. It's retro styling welcomed older teens and young couples. It was also somewhere me and Mary Lou weren't going to run into anyone we know that can interrupt or listen in on our conversation.
I walked into the café 5 minutes late, huffing and puffing from my mad sprint from my parking space that was a mile away from the café.
I spotted Mary Lou in the corner table, away from the crowds.
I smiled and waved at her as I walked over to her.
It was one of the Burg housewife commandments to be prompt so I was pretty sure she had gotten here at exactly 12 o'clock.
"Hey, how are you?" I said as I sat down, my burg manners instantly kicking in.
"I'm fine, and you? I haven't ordered yet so hurry up and choose, I'm starving." She said grinning.
I smiled, "I'm good, missing Lula but good. She's gone to New York City with Tank, her new boyfriend. She's got tickets to the Ranger's game tomorrow." I said to Mary Lou. "What? Not fair, I get to listen to it on the radio as I drive the kids to some safari trip they're going on with the school, there's limited space on the bus so I did them a favour." She sighed.
I rolled my eyes, always the good Samaritan.

A pretty, young, waitress came over to us and smiled, "Can I take your order?"
"I'd like the grilled mozzarella and sundried tomato sub, please, with a large Diet Coke. Thank you."
Mary Lou ordered a bacon and brie panini with a lemonade and the waitress scooted off.
Mary Lou frowned at me, her grey eyes showing confusing, "Tank? Wait, isn't that Ranger's right hand man?"
I nodded and smiled, "Have you met him?"
She shook her head, "Not as of yet. He seems like a man of interest; I cannot imagine what a man who resembles a tank looks like, all I can think of is a fat bloke scratching his over hanging stomach. Please tell me he's better looking than my imagination?"
I nearly laughed out loud at her description,
"Err…definitely, his skin is a gorgeous chocolate colour and he's very muscular. He is so toned he sorta resembles the rock only taller. He doesn't speak much but apparently speaks a lot to Lula. He is a gorgeous man and Lula seems happy so…I'm happy." I said smiling.
Mary Lou raised an eyebrow, "Don't sound so certain, Steph. Who you trying to convince, me or yourself?"
I frowned, "I'm not trying to convince anyone, I really am happy for Lula. She couldn't have found a greater guy."
Mary Lou rolled her eyes and went to open her mouth again when the waitress came over with our drinks.
I smiled at her, grateful for the interruption.
But Mary Lou didn't let it stop her, "Steph, who are you kidding? You're not comfortable with their relationship! Why?"
I sipped my Diet Coke buying for time, "I am happy, I don't know where you're getting this from."
Mary Lou raised an eyebrow, "Really? Well, how about the fact that every time you say you're happy you smile really forcefully and your eyes seem upset. What's going on, Steph?"
I sighed, "Nothing…"
She gave me a sharp look and I sagged under the pressure.
"I'm scared for her, okay?" I muttered but Mary Lou caught it.
"Why?" she narrowed her eyes, analysing me with every action I did and every word I said.
Mary Lou did a course in Psychology and she got really serious with it until she met Lenny, when she got knocked up she had to get married fast and then become a housewife.
I'm thinking now that maybe she should have taken it further.
I hesitated, she'd think I was being stupid…
"Because…Tank might do the same thing as Ranger and lead her on only to break her heart and it would kill me to see her go through the things I went through." I said looking anywhere but at Mary Lou, I could feel her eyes on me, burning through my skin.
"Steph."
I looked up to the owner of such a empathising voice; Mary Lou looked so remorseful and leaned over to me and pulled me in for a hug.
"Steph, you should have told me sooner about everything. I could have been there for you."
I sighed, "I thought that it would be better to not let anybody know. I didn't know whether Ranger had told anybody but I wanted to keep the night to myself."
Mary Lou twirled her straw around her glass, as if in thought.
"Even though Tank is Ranger's best friend you cannot be certain that he will make the same mistakes. I mean, Ranger said that he didn't do relationships but I'm getting the impression that Tank does, he's taken Lula to NYC hasn't he? I think he likes her just as much as she likes him. I don't think we have anything to worry about, I bet all of Tank's intentions are 100 honourable…ish."
She grinned cheekily and I laughed.

Our orders came quickly and we were both soon quietly moaning with delight over the sinful foods in front of us.
"I cannot believe this place isn't popular, this sub is one of the best I've ever tasted." I said, before sighing in contentment.
Mary Lou smiled, "It's new, I'm sure it'll catch on in due time. I know I'll be coming here again, that's for sure. No other good food place has been this quick, even Pino's can take some time compared to this."
I grinned, "I agree."
Mary Lou finished before me, wiping her hands and mouth delicately with her napkin.
"So, figured it out yet?"
I almost choked at her bluntness of the question.
"Excuse me?"
She rolled her eyes, perfect Jersey girl style.
"Cut the bull, Steph, you know what I'm on about."
I swallowed heavily and put my sub down, "I'm guessing you want to get this conversation out in the open quickly?"
She smiled, "Kenny has a doctors appointment in an hour and a half and I have to bathe him, iron him some clean clothes, shine his shoes, do his hair and cook him a quick lunch. So come on, out with it."
I rolled my eyes and smiled, "Well, I came to a decision yesterday, I wrote both of their names on a piece of paper and their pros & cons. I can kind of relate that I definitely put out a lot of faults for Joe and a lot of good qualities for Ranger."
She squealed in excitement, "You realised it was him then?"
I nodded, unable to suppress a smile.
She grinned, "So what are you going to do about it?"
I slumped at that, my smile dropping off my face,
"I have absolutely no idea, he doesn't do relationships."
Mary Lou rolled her eyes, "Honey, whether you realise it or not you're both in a relationship right now. It's not the more conventional one, you know with sex, but it's a strong bond and there's definitely a lot of sexual energy."
I grinned at the latter of the sentence; that was unquestionable.
"I do hear what you're saying but I disagree, whether we have one or not it's not what Ranger has intended to happen and if he realises any time soon that we do then it's almost certain he'll back off. He doesn't want a relationship with me. " I said smiling sadly.
I felt a lump appear in my throat and I sniffed causing Mary Lou to sigh and pull me into a hug,
"Honey, if he's stupid enough not to want you then he's not worth having."
I sniffed, "Yes he is, I love him! He's caring, kind, sexy, honest and he's so p-p-perf-f-fect…" I cried out dissolving into a bawl of tears.
Since when did my life get so complicated?
Since when did I sound so pathetic?
Since Ranger entered my life;that's when everything changed.

Chapter 6

After my little breakdown I went home and cried all of my tears until my independent inner voice broke in and scolded me for being such a giant baby.I flopped in front of the sofa and vegged out completely, watching old movies and eating Ben & Jerry's until I felt sick.
The phone rang suddenly and I ran over to it, grabbing it with an obvious desire for some sort of conversation to save me from dying of boredom.
"Hello?"
"Cupcake, it's Joe."
I smiled sadly, "Hey, wassup?"
"Bad news, I can't make it for lunch tomorrow, I've got to stay in at work. I've just been planted on a case and the meeting tomorrow's at lunchtime."
I frowned, "Don't worry about it, just come over when you've finished."
What was the problem here? So he'd be a little late, when was he not?
"I dunno, it could go on for a while."
"Your going to miss the ranger's game!"
"I'll tape it. Can we reschedule, for Monday?" he sounded genuine so I relented.
"Okay, but make it evening, lunch is always a bit jumbled on weekdays, juggling skips and everything." I added the latter to piss him off knowing the mention of my job would annoy him.
Hey, I was annoyed, he blew me off!
"Whatever, I'll see you then, Cupcake. Love you."
"Bye." I said, hanging up. I wasn't even going to attempt to say 'I love you' when I'm pissed at him and I now know that I'm in love with another man.
My love for Joe was more like a friendship, I think. I did love him but I wasn't in love with him.

I rubbed a hand over my face and walked over to Rex who was happily running on his wheel,
"Wanna swap lives?" I said to him with a sigh.
He stopped and looked over to me, his beady black eyes blinking back at me, he hastily turned back around and buried himself in his soup can.
I rolled my eyes, "Don't blame you."
I was just rummaging up some food for Rex when there was a knock at my door.
This, in itself, is unusual as everyone who knows me enough to come to my apartment mostly just break in.
I frowned and walked over to the door, looking through the peephole before opening the door.
It was that stupid, asshole rookie cop, Cooper; the jackass who arrested Ranger for concealed.
I put on a smile as I opened the door, "Hello, officer can I help you?"
Cooper didn't smile or grin, "Ms Plum, you are under suspicion for the murder of Jerry Lopez. You are needed for questioning so if you'll just come with me down to the station…"
I just stared at him, "What?"
Was I hearing things or did he just say I was a suspect for a murder?
Cooper repeated himself and moved behind me to cuff my hands.
I swang them away from him, "Is this a joke? Who put you up to this, Cooper?"
Cooper sighed, "Ms Plum, please, this is serious. I need to take you down to the station."
I reluctantly let him cuff me and walked out of my apartment with him down to the station.

I've never driven in cop car, cuffed in the back, you know, behind that grate thing.
It was kinda daunting and scary.
I was being arrested because I supposedly killed some guy.
Wait, did he say Jerry Lopez? As in, my skip Jerry Lopez; he's dead?
Damn, at least I make $100 out of this.
We got to the station and Cooper walked me inside.
I kept my head down as I went past familiar faces, trying to hide my face so they didn't recognise me and cause a scene.
A little late it seemed, though…
"Steph! Hey, how are you- wait, what's going on, Cooper?" It was Eddie Gazarra.
Eddie was one of my best friends since high school, always getting me out of parking tickets and speeding tickets. He was the sort of friend you didn't mind doing anything for…except looking after his devil children, they were worse than Mary Lou's.
Cooper spoke up, "Ms Plum is being questioned about the Lopez murder. She's a prime suspect. Now if you'll-"
"What? Are you joking? Steph wouldn't murder someone, what evidence do you-"
"A lot of evidence, Officer Gazarra, so if you'll please stop wasting my time and move. I do have other things to do." Cooper said spitefully.
I narrowed my eyes at him but shot a friendly, reassuring smile to Eddie.
Eddie sighed and moved, "Fine. See you later, Steph."
"Bye, Eddie." I shouted over my shoulder as Cooper pulled me away.

We walked in silence through the endless corridors until Cooper found a questioning room and opened the door.
Inside were two Feds, you could tell as soon as you saw them.
One was a thin, African American woman with dark curly hair that spilled out of the ponytail she had put it in. She wore a crisp white blouse and a navy skirt with pantyhose and a plain pair of black shoes.
The other was a podgy, pasty, squinty-eyed man wearing a suit with a tie that had a small splurge of mustard on it that looked like it had been rubbed in, in an attempt to remove it.
Cooper beckoned me inside and held out a chair for me in front of the table, facing the two feds.
There was a small tape recorder on the end of the left hand side of the table and the record button had been pressed in.
Cooper disappeared after I had sat down, probably to the room behind this one to look through the fake mirror that was behind the feds.
I sighed, completely confused.
Maybe now I'd get some answers.
Maybe now they'd shout, 'Aprils Fools!'…even though it was the near the end of July; maybe they were just practising for next year?
"Hello Ms Plum." The woman said with a small smile.
I smiled back, "Hey."
"This is Federal Agent Johnson and I'm Federal Agent Waider. We're here to question your whereabouts yesterday night." The podgy man, 'Waider', said.
I frowned, "I was at my parents house having dinner then I went home to my apartment and stayed there for the remainder of the night." I said calmly.
They had fuck all evidence against me and I knew I hadn't done it so I didn't need to worry, right?
Waider nodded and looked at Johnson, the both of them sharing a little ESP conversation before Waider turned back to me,
"Did anyone stay with you at your apartment that can testify against a court of law that you were at your apartment at approximately 10.00pm yesterday night?"
I hesitated, "No."
Waider and Johnson shared a look again before Waider turned back to me.
"We have evidence that you were at Mr Jerry Lopez's house at approximately 10.00pm last night. If you admit to murdering Mr Jerry Lopez it will help you in a court of law. Did you murder Mr Jerry Lopez?" Waider said quite calmly, as if he wasn't even discussing murder.
"No." I said very forcefully, "And I was at home last night."
They both looked dubious.
Then I remembered something that crept up from the back of my mind,
The phone calls. Somebody was setting me up.
"Omigod. This is a set up. I've gotten these two phone calls at home, at first I thought they were just some random weirdo's but now it all makes sense." It all started to click and I bit my lip.
Waider raised an eyebrow, "Phone calls? What did they say?"
I squinted, what did they say?
"I can't remember but I saved them on my machine."
Waider and Johnson shared a look again, it was completely disbelieving.
They didn't believe me.
They thought I was making this up.
"You can go and check! They are still on my machine!" I said to them, hoping they would go and check.
Waider ignored me, "We have eye witness accounts of a woman, matching your description, coming out of Lopez's house after two loud gunshots."
I swallowed, "It could be anyone. There are loads of woman with curly brown hair and blue eyes." I stated.
Jeez, this person knew what they were doing. Was the woman the one who set me up?
Waider sighed and rose to his feet, his hands face down on the table as he leaned over to me, trying to intimidate me.
Fat chance that was going to happen, after spending so much time with Ranger and his merry men I had grown use to and resilient to intimidation.
I stared back at him steadily; I was not backing down.
Waider was the first to look away but I sensed he wasn't scared of me.
"Miss Plum, there is further evidence of you being in that house."
I sighed, "Like what?"
"Miss Plum, a piece of torn material was found at the scene of the crime with your blood on it, next to the victim."
Shit.
It was from the run in I had with Lopez when I was trying to catch him when he was going FTA.
I rubbed my hands over my face, this woman was going to pay for this.
"That was from earlier on in the day. I'm a bounty hunter, you see, and Jerry Lopez was an FTA. When I tried to bring him in yesterday he flipped out and cut a massive chunk out of my shirt and grazed my stomach, getting blood on the material. I did not murder Jerry Lopez."
Waider and Johnson both looked dubious, "You failed to mention that you knew Jerry Lopez."
I scowled, "I didn't get asked and it's not like we were buddies, the man's got a fierce temper and he didn't like what I was doing."
"And what was it you were doing?"
I narrowed my eyes at Waider, "Taking him in for failing to appear in court."
There was a small silence as we both stared at each other.
"Miss Plum, we will find more evidence and when we do we will bring you down." Waider said, his voice low and threatening.
"Is that a threat?" I asked him raising my eyebrows.
"No, it's a statement." He said with a small smile.

TBC

A/N: Your thoughts? Also, have you ever tried a bacon and brie sandwich – they are phenomenal! Absolutely gorgeous! Okay, getting off the subject here…next chapter up soon. By the way, the spacing thing tookmeages to undo. I had to delete every single second space throughout the entire of the two chapters! Does anyone else have this problem, if so, what do they do? Help! I cannot keep having to do this everytime I post a chapter! Also, quite randomly, anyone seen the new Pirates of the Caribbean movie? Fantastic isn't it?