I apologize profusely for delaying an update for so long, but have been in and out of hospital and rehab since Labor Day finally returning home on Thanksgiving Day. Yep, missed every damn holiday even my own birthday. Once again the characters are owned by Janet Evanovich and I am making no profit from my putting my own spin on them. Oh, and to the lovely Guest reviewer, Morelli and Helen are part of Steph's history - good or bad - so expect them to show up until the couple hits Miami, pobrecitos.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
RPOV
'God, I hurt! Think, Carlos, what happened? Walked out of Pino's, heard a "crack." Sniper! Saw Stephanie flinch, heard a faint "pip" as she started to fall away. Sniper is 600 yards. Then another crack. I turned to catch my Babe. Another little "pip" of the sniper rifle and the round slammed into my arm, my chest. Nothing but black. Where is Steph? Got to open my eyes…'
Tank sat in the chair by Ranger's bed hoping what the doctors were telling him was true; Ranger's surgery was successful but the round tore him up inside. His father sat vigil in a seat on the other side quietly stroking his son's hand.
Turning to face Tank he asked for the second time, "Pierre, why?"
Tank scrubbed his hand over his face and neck then settled to try to explain how things went from an exciting challenge to a disastrous horror in seconds. "Ricardo, when Ranger and Little Girl left on their honeymoon, you may remember how much media attention they received. His enemies, particularly from his last mission, put a $25 million bounty on his and Stephanie's heads. They have been dealing with and defeating several assassins since. The latest one, a CIA rogue agent, shot both of them from a rooftop position about 600 yards Northeast of the restaurant."
"Has he been neutralized, Pierre? If not, why not?"
"The assassin is a woman. She's presently in a holding cell at Rangeman being kept alive by Bobby's assistant. She was brought in by Hector with a few knife wounds. We want to keep her that way until Carlos regains consciousness. I know he will want intel on the money men. If Stephanie doesn't make it, neither will the spy."
"How is Stephanie? Have the doctors updated their report? Are her parents here?"
"No, sir. I expect Bobby any time now with a status update."
"What about Lester?" Ricardo's words were barely spoken when Bobby pushed open the door. He nodded at Tank's silent order to report, checked Ranger's vitals and said, "The surgical team should be about finished so the surgeon will come by soon. Lester, on the other hand, is beginning to stir."
"Has anyone called Steph's parents?"
"No, sir, I intended to after I called you. However, we have just gotten Ranger and Lester settled in their rooms after surgery. I was about to call Frank with a report although she is still in surgery," Tank replied to Ricardo's question while rising to go outside to make the call.
He dialed Frank's number knowing he would probably hear Helen's voice as she answered. "Hello?"
At times he hated being right. "Mrs. Plum, could I speak to you husband, please?"
"Who's speaking?"
"I'm with Rangeman, Mrs. Plum. Would you please put your husband on the phone?" Tank hoped she would do as he asked rather than freak out in his ear.
Helen yelled over the noise of the television, "Frank, it's one of Ranger's men on the phone for you. Stephanie must be in trouble AGAIN!"
When Frank answered, "Who is this and is my daughter all right?"
Tank appreciated that Mr. Plum didn't believe in small talk so he got right to the point. "Mr. Plum, I'm calling from St. Frances Hospital. Steph was shot walking out the door at Pino's a little over a half hour ago. She's presently in surgery. Ranger was also shot and is in his room after surgery, but is still unconscious."
"Tank, I recognize your voice. We'll leave right away. Where are you?"
"Sir, Bobby Brown, Ranger's father and I are in Ranger's room, #500. Please ask Mrs. Plum to keep her voice down."
"Don't worry, Tank, I will." After hanging up Frank turned to Helen giving her the terrible news."
As usual she began to rant about her daughter, her job, her acquaintances, her husband and her choices." Mid-rant Grandma Mazur flung open the door and shouted, "Shut your mouth, Helen Mazur Plum! Frank, I heard about the sniper shooting my Baby Girl and Ranger. I know they were rushed to St. Frances; are you going to the hospital now?"
Nodding, Frank hustled the ladies out the door. As the car doors slammed shut, he turned to his wife and growled, "Helen, you will speak in a low tone respecting the patients and their visitors or I will have Security remove you. Do you understand?"
"I'm her mother, Frank, so should be allowed to see her; but I will try to not cause a scene as long as those men don't get in my face."
Frank responded, "Right now they are worried he may not survive."
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
SPOV
'What happened to me? Why do I hurt so much? Kind of remember we were at Pino's for lunch; Carlos turned to me as we left and…nothing. Great, a heart monitor. I'm in the damn hospital AGAIN! Carlos, are you here?'
Frank, Helen and Grandma Mazur came through the door to Ranger's room searching for Tank and answers to what happened to Stephanie this time. Leaving Ricardo with Ranger, he conducted the Plum family out to the waiting room. They had just settled into really uncomfortable chairs when a surgeon approached covered in bloody scrubs.
"I am Dr. Steven Davidson, a surgeon here at St. Francis, and am looking for Stephanie Mañoso's family."
Frank responded, "I am Stephanie's father, Frank Plum, and this is her mother, Helen, and her grandmother, Edna Mazur. This gentleman works with her husband, his name is Tank. Tank, I'm sorry I don't know your last name."
Tank, grinned at the look on Helen Plum's face with Frank's use of the word 'gentleman.' What a bitch! Nodding to Frank, he quietly muttered, "Sherman, sir."
Dr. Davidson began his report, "Stephanie has come through surgery well, she is expected to make a full recovery. However, the bullet pierced her left shoulder, travelled below her shoulder blade, exited her back and pierced the chest and lung of the gentleman behind her."
Frank turned to Tank and asked, "Who was behind her? Carlos?"
"No, Frank, it was Lester. Ranger was at her side, turned to catch her as she started to fall, then was hit by the second shot through the arm and chest, center mass."
Both Frank and Grandma Mazur gasped in horror crying "How is he?"
Thanking the doctor for his report, Tank ushered the family into Ranger's room. He knew Ricardo would want to know his daughter-in-law's condition and RangeMan's SIC 'suspected' Ranger would, too. After the comas who's to say if Carlos and Stephanie cannot hear and communicate now. Maybe he should contact Dr. Powers to see what he thought.
Just as he made the decision and turned to walk out of the room, Helen Plum started to demand, in a rather barn owl tone, where her daughter was and why can't she see her. Tank spun on his heel, glared at the woman, and raised an eyebrow in Frank's direction. Feeling fully chastised, Frank pushed the call button for assistance. When the scowling nurse came through the door of the room, Frank ordered "Call Security to escort this woman out of the building."
When Helen started to yowl, Frank growled in his Army voice, "Shut it, wife! Sit down! Not a word! I told you what would happen; now it is." And with her mouth hanging open, she did.
Tank updated Ricardo on Stephanie's successful surgery as reported by Dr. Davidson and told both fathers he was going to check on Lester's status after calling Dr. Powers for some answers. After easing their curiosity about his call, Tank walked toward Lester Santos' room as he punched the speed dial on his cell. It hadn't even been six months since he had to call this number.
When Dr. Powers answered, Tank introduced himself. Dr. Powers assured him he remembered then asked after Ranger and Stephanie to which Tank replied, "they're not doing too well at the moment, Dr. Powers. They were both shot earlier today. Stephanie has survived surgery and will make a complete recovery; but Ranger suffered a shot at center mass through his left arm into his chest cavity. He has made it through the operation, but I'm not sure of a couple of things: if his lung can take the hit and if he and Stephanie can communicate through this, too? Any ideas?"
