The Missing Piece in Ranger's Life
oOoOo
Chapter 3
Ranger POV
It was while I was driving through an older neighbourhood, late one the afternoon … (I know what you're thinking! And yes, I rolled my eyes.) I was purposefully avoiding the main drag, that I chanced upon my Babe. I slowed down and pulled over. Her car was on fire! Madre Dios! She had to climb out of the passenger door. She appeared to be okay except from some superficial glass cuts. I quickly parked the van, out behind a dumpster. Her door was dented inwards. Rapidly, my eyes scanned for any further impending danger, and for the source of the fire and that explosion which I was certain I'd heard. I was checking people considering their perpetrator potential. No perps.
Sure enough, a house she had just passed had exploded setting off a chain reaction, which included projectiles escaping from within. There were shattered windows of all the nearby vehicles and residential windows on both sides of the road. My heart skipped a tight beat. Another one of those projectiles hit her car, fortunately hitting and damaging the rear of the car, causing it to explode just as Stephanie was getting safely away. It all happened so fast. The temptation to rush out and rescue her was so powerfully strong, but reluctantly, I watched warily.
She took off her jacket and shook out the glass. Thank goodness she was wearing that jacket as I did not see any apparent injuries. No blood. No favouring of limbs. No limping. I sighed with relief from my initial cursory assessment. Still I was so tempted to rush towards her. I desperately wanted to hug her and hold her, reassure her, reassure myself, that she was alright. My heart battled with my brain. It was too risky for me to blow my cover yet, which would likely endanger her as well. I was torn. But she was already on the move. My urge to protect was strong but I denied it, grudgingly suppressing it in order to keep us both safe.
I moved to park nearer at the next corner for a better view, partially hidden by a large tree, and watched as she rushed into a house next door to the one that had exploded. From all appearances, it was a meth lab undoubtedly. She was just in the wrong place at the wrong time it seems. Go figure. She was already on the phone calling it in. She hustled the family to safety, sending them across the road, away from danger and any possible projectiles that might emerge like the one that hit her car. The house on the adjacent side of the meth lab was already on fire, the flames coming through the roof cavity, as often happens with these row houses. She rescued that family and as she came out with them, the first responders all arrived simultaneously. At Stephanie's request, neighbours on the opposite side provided blankets and water bottles. I watched with pride as she organised the victims of the fire, and the bystanders. Proud of you, Babe.
She stopped, rubbed her neck and turned, looking around, focusing in my direction. I smiled inwardly, even though she couldn't see me, she felt my presence. I ducked down in my seat. Damn she was beautiful, even with her wild hair and sooty smeared face, which made those blue eyes I love so much, stand out more brilliantly. I smiled proudly.
Some of the firefighters were in their hazmat gear while the other team was busy dousing the neighbouring rooftop flames. The TPD was cordoning off the area with crime scene tape. Stephanie stepped forward as the fire marshal came over to her and she explained what happened to her car and the meth lab. Her explicit gestures made it obvious to read what she was saying, despite all the noise from the sirens and shouting from the fire crews going on around her. She indicated to the police from where the residents were, while the EMTs checked them for injuries and burns. By now, the residential fires were under control, leaving just the meth lab, which was still like a blast furnace with the cocktail of all those chemicals creating colourful flames and some ongoing yet smaller explosions. I watched her expressive face. Dios. How I have missed her. My heart was still racing but I could see she was alright. Feisty, selfless and organised. Dios. I was so damn proud of her.
Officers Carl Costanza and Eddie Gazarra came over to check on her. They really cared for her, and the relief was evident on Eddie's face, in particular. She nodded, assuring them that she was okay while wiping her hair from her face which left a new sooty streak. She was explaining what happened while Eddie made notes as one of the paramedics handed her a water bottle. They were shocked with the demise of her car, Eddie lifting his cap off his head and running a hand through his hair. It was a nervous gesture, but it spoke of his concern for his cousin-in-law. He gently squeezed her shoulder and was about to leave when I caught the sudden change in his body language. It wasn't hard to read his lips, "Oh. Fuck! No.", as a POS screeched into the scene, and an angry red-faced Italian homicide cop gave this neighbourhood a cursory glance as he stomped over to Stephanie. She was back with the fire marshal, answering further questions and indicating where she was when it all went down. He was congratulating her on calling it in so quickly. It was obvious that her rapid response had saved the lives of the neighbours to that meth lab.
Before the fire marshal was even finished talking to her, Morelli interrupted and started in on her with his Cupcake Rant. Un-fucking-believable! I wanted to leap out of this car and punch his lights out. I climbed out the back of the van and stole closer for a better position. At the same time, Tank, Lester and Hector arrived and stood close by, almost beside Stephanie. Morelli had not noticed them, he was too busy winding himself up. Cal and Hal were there as well. The fire marshal shook his head in disgust at Morelli, and asked if she would be alright with that rude disruption. She nodded, thanking him. I was amazed at her resilience. But the fire marshal beckoned to Costanza and Gazarra to watch Morelli and keep Steph safe, concerned for her welfare and Morelli's escalating volatile temper. They nodded, moving closer to Steph while taking it all in. They had her back.
Stephanie ignored the Cupcake Rant turning to smile at Tank and Lester as they asked how she was, nodding her head that she was alright, all while the red-faced Italian was pacing up and down, arms waving in the usual manner, while popping a couple of antacid tablets. Hm … it's not a Maalox bottle day. What an asswipe! Stupid fucker. Stephanie rubbed her neck again, which was instantly noticed by Hector and Tank, as she looked around again. Scanning the area casually, Tank nudged Hector as he spotted the dark grey Ford Escort van. His reaction was so infinitesimal, but I recognised it. Uh oh. Sprung. The slight eyebrow quirk was enough to let me know they knew I was there, but said nothing.
In the meantime, Morelli angrily grabbed Stephanie by the arm because she was still ignoring him. She was spun around with the force of it but her closed-fisted hand clocked him in the face. Cal and Hal were closer now. While Cal had been taking video of the entire scene, clever Hal had focused on Morelli's Cupcake Rant, and obviously captured the entire malicious dialogue, albeit very one-sided. No, it was a monologue. Shaking my head, this idiot doesn't even care about her, only his own image. What a fucking asshole. From the force of her fisted blow he fell down to one knee and accused her of assaulting a police officer. And that is when she turned on him. Costanza and Gazarra had come closer for support as well, scowling, obviously not Morelli fans either, as the fucker reached for his handcuffs. What the fuck?!
One of the bystanders whom she had rescued yelled at Morelli but he ignored it. Costanza signalled to him that they had it under control, yet also acknowledging their appreciation of his support for Stephanie. I moved stealthily closer, using the parked cars and the dumpsters as good cover. I could tell that Gazarra was telling the asshole to put his handcuffs away, since he was the aggressor when he grabbed Stephanie with such force. Plenty of witnesses Gazarra indicated to the eager bystanders who obviously heard their heated discussion and were nodding their heads in agreement with Gazarra, while glaring angrily at the fuckwit Morelli.
Lester smirked as Steph's neck rub seemed to intensify with my closer proximity. Stephanie seemed to feel my strength and let loose. Maybe it was also due to the support from her Merry Men along with Carl and Eddie. Perhaps … maybe? I can hope … she had enough of Morelli. I listened intently.
"Oh! For God's sake! Cut it out Joe! This is not about you. Are you here as a police officer? Or just here to harass me with your same old drivel of your favourite Cupcake Rant? I know all the words off by heart. You got it all wrong, you idiot."
Ignoring her completely, he went on relentlessly. Stupid idiot. "You had to blow up your car, again, and look what you've caused! Three buildings on fire, and an explosion! This must be a new record even for you!"
"Yes. I am alright, Joe. Thank you for asking. Not! You know, you are such an ass. Firstly, … I. Am. NOT! Your. Girlfriend! Secondly, for a detective you're failing miserably on this crime scene." She gestured widely from her car to the rescued bystanders, the houses on fire and where that explosion destroyed the now smouldering meth lab in between.
Well, that made him stop and fume some more. A pesky pushy photographer was trying to get in a close shot of Stephanie with the smouldering remains of the fire in the background. Tank quickly snatched the camera out of his hand when he came too close, and glared at the idiot while removing the memory card. He looked like he was about to wet himself with an angry Tank looming over him. Tank gave him his business card, but kept the camera, and the memory card. "Tomorrow. Not now." Was all he said to the nervously nodding photographer who had paled significantly.
"Give me your keys, Joe," Stephanie demanded firmly. Puzzled and momentarily distracted, he handed them over. He was bewildered taking in the whole scene, but he only saw what he wanted to see and drew his own stupid conclusions. Dumbfounded, and distracted, he watched as she removed her keys from his key rings.
"What the fuck, Cupcake?!"
I was amused, as was Tank, while she focused on his keys, completely ignoring his reaction.
"Oh! I see you have some extras here, other than your house, the car, your truck and, of course, this must be your motorbike keys." She was fingering the keys and identifying them as she rolled through the selection. "Ah, yes, Mama Morelli's house key. Hm. Oh, now this one is cute. A red heart, yeah, nice. One of your three side pieces? And another?! Ooh! J? Hm … J for Julietta, or Jacinta, perhaps? So pretty with the bling. Tsk. Is Terry Gilman not satisfying your "boys" enough? Tsk. Geez, Joe. I hope you wear condoms," as she tossed his keys back at him. He was furious as he fumbled to catch them. Stephanie had deviously stolen his control of the dramatic situation he had manufactured while deftly removing her apartment key.
"What!? Are you now doing his men, too? Whoring yourself out to those thugs? Where is he when you need him? I don't see him," he sneered vindictively. "I heard he's dead. Well, don't come crawling back to me crying for a pity fuck." He spat at her feet.
What the fuck! Oh no, he did not just say that! Fucking asshole! In front of everyone within earshot. Damn! My eyes instantly swung to hector, who appeared outwardly cool and calm but, knowing him so well, I could tell that he was now wound up tightly, closely backed by Lester and Tank. They all wore their blank faces. Stephanie schooled hers as well. There you go, Babe. Cal and Hal wore the same blank mask. Hal was still recording. Evidence driven, as always. Good man, Hal.
I could tell from Tank's reaction that Morelli's malicious retort about my MIA status was unexpected. How the fuck would he be privy to that info? None of what we do is for public disclosure. Something to work on. I'm sure Tank will be on to that bit of info as soon as possible. A new lead to follow. I was pleased that Stephanie didn't respond nor react to his malice. Maybe he was just bluffing to instil more spiteful pain. Between the nasty sneer and that cocky smug look on his face, I wondered what he was hoping to achieve with that.
"Hey! Morelli! Move on. This is not your crime scene," yelled Costanza. "Push off and leave our Steph alone. You don't know what's gone down here and you're talking through your ass, again. You're an embarrassment and all these bystanders know it. They witnessed what happened. She saved their lives by her quick action and called it in. Stupid ass. Go, so we can get on with our job. Now piss off!"
Reluctantly he did move on, bewildered as he watched the fire marshal and the TPD thanking and congratulating my Babe. The rescued residents came to her as well and showed their appreciation. Morelli had no idea. The stupid asshole just assumed. Some detective!
"Tank? I seem to have lost my ride," she smiled.
"Hm. That's a problem. Where to?"
"Morelli's house."
"Morelli's?!"
The stunned expressions on the guys' faces shouted "What the fuck?!" but they said nothing else.
"Yes please. Don't worry. I just need to get the last of my stuff and leave his keys. Having a body guard might be helpful. I don't want to see him after all that. To think that … never mind. Let's go. And just so you know," and here I wondered why she turned halfway towards my position, "Joe and I have been over for the last six months. I just haven't had the chance to get my keys back. Besides, I was deliberately avoiding any public confrontations. Yeah, pfft, like just now. And, I am most certainly not in denial. Joe obviously still is. He likes to get his own way. I am not his cross to bear. Guess this seals the deal. Permanently. So, let's get this over with."
"Yes Ma'am!" and Tank saluted her with a huge grin as she rolled her eyes at his antics.
The cheeky winning smile she gave her Merry Men warmed my heart. They still had her back and she appreciated it. Damn! Tank and Lester grinned, nodding their heads in approval. If I am not mistaken, she was saying that for my benefit.
My Missing Piece was giving me hope. My heart warmed at her emphatic comments. I couldn't stop the smile as I removed myself stealthily from the scene, to the safety of the dark grey van.
I had an unexpected visitor.
oOo
TBC
Same old JoMo. Tsk, tsk. He just doesn't get it.
And who is this unexpected visitor?
