The Missing Piece in Ranger's Life

oOoOo

Chapter 6

Ranger POV

We were moved to a second safe house, partly to keep covering our tracks, but mainly to bring us closer to home. For the time being, we still had to lay low until the finer details of this clusterfuck could be confirmed and then actioned. The threat had been downgraded to a Code Amber, a medium to low alert but with potential danger still pending. We cleared our rooms and packed our duffle bags, and all the food to take on to the new residence. Our final clean-up was thorough and uplifting, knowing that there was a positive light at the end of the tunnel.

A specialised clean up team was then sent in to retrieve our special ops weapons and kits. Another clean-up team was arriving as we departed in the SUVs to cleanse the safe house of any indication of our presence.

After we had established ourselves in our new abode, thoughts of the discussion and disclosure from Tank came to mind. Downstairs, we had a meeting where we went over it as a team, with what we knew so far. They were intrigued that a civilian like Stephanie could be so sharp and perceptive in our domain. I explained her role in bounty hunting, her involvement with Rangeman, and her uncanny research and investigative skills. Probably more information than I have ever shared with them before, especially about Stephanie. They were surprised, and quite impressed.

After our busy morning, we took some much needed down time, as recommended by Doc. Rest was an important part of our recovery.

Doc and Taipan arrived later with more food and supplies. Doc checked our wounds and did physical assessments, issuing a new program of recovery physiotherapy for each of us. All our injuries have healed well. Rex is making good progress but will need further time, up to three months because of the tears to the hamstring from the gunshot wound. Thiago was just so incredibly lucky. Miguel and I, with our injuries, were minor by comparison. The down time, the rest and trying to while away parts of our day in the gym seemed to help. The theatre room was a popular way to spend our time as well. Our routine was still set to modified weight training. Doc was particularly concerned about us doing too much, or just overdoing it too soon. So, we were still on light repetitions, and walking on the treadmill for Thiago. I had progressed to a jog. We knew the deal and understood: short term nuisance for long term solid recovery. But it was damned frustrating.

At 1500 we had a conference meeting in the secure basement. On the large screen Tank explained some of the revelations, so far. His interest was piqued with something which also been niggling in my mind, since the time of that meth lab explosion. Apparently, it was Stephanie who brought it up at this morning's meeting, and, as a result, changed the course of their investigations.

Before Tank went on, I quickly explained the scenario with the meth lab explosion. Was that only yesterday? I also described the fucktard's behaviour at the scene, how the fucker was always being such an ass with his Cupcake Rant and disparaging criticisms.

"For an alleged detective he failed hugely, since, as usual, he assumed Stephanie was at fault for the explosion with another one of her cars going to car heaven."

They smiled, but I had heard growls as I briefly elucidated them with the fuckwit's moronic antics.

"That Stephanie had acted so rapidly, like an experienced first responder, calling in all the necessary emergency agencies, and saving the lives of the residents on either side of the exploding meth lab, was remarkable. I witnessed it all, but felt conflicted in not being able to help her, or save her. But she didn't need saving. She had it all under control, like a professional. And because of our clusterfuck situation, for her safety, and ours, reluctantly, I had to stay low."

They beamed proudly, me too. Yes, she definitely is a veritable force of nature. I was pleased to see respect on their faces. Nodding their heads, they understood my dilemma.

Tank nodded and concurred with me. He hadn't seen the initial phases, but I'm sure that Hector would have brought him up to speed by being able to piece together enough footage from security cameras to get a scope on what happened and how it evolved. I let him continue.

"It was the manner in which Morelli had disclosed a particular piece of information which we all heard, Ranger obviously as well. Stephanie homed in on that critical aspect later, which, at the time, took us by surprise, you know, that Morelli would have made such a remark. It was information he wouldn't have been privy to, not in his line of work. But it was her observation of the manner in which he conveyed that intriguing bit of information that sent her spidey senses berserk and the red flags flying."

"Yes, that had caught me off guard too, and made me suspicious of that fucker's intentions and how he could possibly have such knowledge. I was hoping it was just bluff and blunder. You know, like his usual spiteful vitriol which he likes to spout."

My three amigos were looking a bit confused.

"Yes. Same here. Of course, we showed no reaction to his obviously baiting remark. Cocky fucking bastard. Morelli made the comment at the scene during his rantings. In fact, better still, watch it and you will see for yourselves. Hal had videoed his entire rant."

Tank turned his face to the side as he spoke. "Hector, can you bring up that portion for us? And the bit before, to put it into context."

Rex, Thiago and Miguel leaned forward and watched, scowling instantly at the fuckwit.

"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."

I could tell they liked her sassy attitude. They chuckled at her last remark. I have to admit, I did too. So much spirit and the right amount of sass to deflect the fucker's stupid rant. They could see he ignored her completely and went on.

"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!"

The growls rumbled again. I know they won't forget his face, looking at the angry, distasteful expressions on their faces. Already, his fucking image is indelibly imprinted on their brains should they encounter him, by chance. He was a dead man walking.

I love this part as Stephanie threw him for a curve ball by deflecting him again. Nice way to turn the tables on him, Babe. He's such a fuckwit.

"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 meth lab in between.

"You go girl!" Thiago called out.

"Oh, it gets better. Watch this." I couldn't help myself in saying that, with just a smidgen of pride in my voice. I heard a chuckle from Tank at my modest pride.

"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 made his own stupid conclusions. Dumbfounded, and distracted, he watched as she removed her keys from his key rings.

"What the fuck, Cupcake?!"

The guys were curious. I heard a wicked chuckle from Thiago.

"Ha ha! He's so fucked," agreed Miguel, pointing up at the screen, at the keys in Stephanie's hands as Hal had conveniently zoomed in on them. Way to go, Hal.

"Cupcake? Seriously? He calls her Cupcake?" Miguel was both repulsed and confused.

"Oh! I see you have some extras here, other than your house, the car, 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.

More laughter as she rattled off the new girlie keys and mentioned the condoms. Classic comeback, Babe. We could see how furious the fuckwit was as he fumbled to catch them. I was so proud of her as she had deviously stolen his control again, while deftly removing her key.

The laughter that erupted was good to hear. We needed some comedy and Morelli the moron had provided that. But of course, I knew what was coming next and their body language instantly became aggressive and fierce.

"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."

The video finished with the fucker spitting at Stephanie's feet. Such a dirty contemptuous action.

"And you say that fuckwit is a detective? Talking to her like that? In front of everyone there? I don't like this fucker," muttered Thiago.

"Man, he's got shit for brains. He must have a death wish," said Rex. Yep, dead man walking. See?

"Fuck! What an asshole!" Miguel growled.

"Oh yeah. That's one of many new monikers we have for him. Stephanie had also schooled her blank face. We all witnessed this: me, Hector, Lester, Hal and Cal, and Ranger too from the shadows. And that's the choice bit of information that has been bothering me."

Much to my surprise, and delight, Stephanie's beautiful face appeared on screen, a little bit nervous. Tank reassured her. She gave shy smile with a small hand wave.

"Just tell Ranger and his team what you picked up on, Bomber."

"Okay. Ranger," and there was that gorgeous smile, "and hi to your team. I hope you're all recovering. Well, I guess you know that I know Morelli, have known him since school days. Pfft. We grew up in the same neighbourhood. And, at some stage, he was my boyfriend, on and off again." I smiled. So cute as she rolled her eyes. "Not anymore. No way. He's an abusive cheating asshole. Let's just leave it at that."

I could see she wanted to get that out of the way. The guys chuckled at her waxing lyrical about Morelli. Nailed it, Babe.

"Anyway, it was the way he threw those words at me. With his rant, it's always about inflicting pain and embarrassment with him. You know, humiliation. And, always about how bad it makes him look, and the damage to his reputation! Seriously?! But this was different. I've heard it all before. Really, he's not very creative. But, this was a new one and it set my spidey senses into a frenzy. I wasn't worried about any validity in what he said, since I already knew, I sensed Ranger was there, at the scene, well hidden. It was the spiteful way he said those words, "I heard he's dead." Call it intuition, but I knew that somehow, he had to be involved, just by his eyes and his manner. It wasn't just a huff-and-puff bluff sort of bullshit thing. His snarky tone sent a chill right through me. One way or another, I think he might have instigated this. I think that somehow, he was involved in making your mission go to shit. Oh. Damn. Sorry. Gotta go. Ranger, don't go crazy being in that safe house. And don't get shot."

And she was gone with a quick little wave. My three amigos chuckled at her parting remarks. I shrugged my shoulders.

"She hates being locked down in a safe house. That's the "crazy" reference. It's something we say when we part, you know, when I have to go on a job, or when we leave to capture a dangerous skip, or I leave on a mission."

Tank came on screen. Phew saved. What is this with me sharing so much information?

"Thanks Steph. Once we were back at Rangeman, she went into her cubicle and was doing a deep search, but she doesn't have our high clearance level, so she printed off her findings, highlighting specific parts as she is known to do."

Yes, of course, Stephanie with her characteristic curiosity and damn good instincts … she would pick that, more than just a fixation. She loves to solve puzzles. She likes to explore background connections.

"Steph has just gone. She's off to do a surveillance on a skip with her partner for the day, Cal. She was determined to get the dirt on anything, no matter how small and wanted to know the names of personnel who worked with our Handler. You know I couldn't do that. But, Ranger, you know how tenacious she is, just now, before she left, she came back with a new tactic."

I smiled. The guys were curious. We could hear Steph again, but not on screen.

"Okay," we heard her say. "Plan C. Can you tell me, if either of these names is relevant, or familiar or connected in any way with your Handler, or the mission, or whatever?"

Tank grinned.

"Reluctantly, she just left, literally being dragged away. She handed me a short list of names on her way to the elevator. I could tell she really wanted to stay to find out if those names meant anything. Lester and Rodriguez are checking the names against the personnel list we were able to garner. And … Hang on. Lester just got back to me. Holy shit!"

There was a pause, while Tank's expression changed to one of shock.

"She just knocked me out of the ball park! It's just so uncanny. How the fuck did she do that?!"

He was shaking his head in disbelief.

Lester popped up on screen, his eyes sparkling mischievously. "Hola amigos. Never underestimate that spidey sense of hers. Her tenacity and persistence is astounding. It's like she has a crystal ball. I still can't believe it either. How does she do this?"

Part of me was grinning. But, in all honesty, I really wanted in on the action.

"Well? Who was it? What did she write? Anyone we know?" I asked, curious yet impatiently.

"REPORT!"

oOo

TBC

I know. Tsk, tsk. My Muse was feeling mischievous and really wanted a drum roll, but settled for a cliffie instead. Next chapter does not have a cliffie … just so you know.

Loving your reviews so much, but no more whining about those cliffies. I know you like a bit of suspense and my Muse was only too eager to accommodate that.

So, who could she have come up with? What's the connection? Is it still in the same direction? So many possibilities. Let me know your thoughts, and thank you in advance.

And, just to remind you, the characters whom you recognise belong to Ms Janet Evanovich. I'm just taking them out for a spin.