The Missing Piece in Ranger's Life
oOoOo
Chapter 11
Ranger POV
Stephanie had wanted to wait before starting our shared life together, not at her apartment, but on seven at Rangeman. So that by the time my mission was over, and I finally got back to my Missing Piece, she'd be on the seventh floor, at the same time. But, as always, the remarkable tendency with all things Stephanie, our plans were thwarted and our lives took a totally different course because of this clusterfuck of a mission. We had made contingency plans if there was some kind of delay. But this kind of fucked up deviation was not quite what we expected.
As soon as Morelli absconded from Trenton, I was able to visit Stephanie again, each night, well, tonight for starters. Unfortunately, we were still on an amber alert and it was essential for all concerned to remain vigilant. I certainly wasn't about to blow it by being complacent.
I wanted more.
I wanted it all.
Not just snippets of time, wonderful times I might add.
Stealing into the night was exciting, but the loss I felt in leaving was undeniably hurting.
I craved the long term connection towards which we were heading.
I wanted permanency.
I wanted the stability of perpetuity.
Forever.
I was ready, beyond ready.
Our time together was drawing closer, and the anticipation was driving me crazy. These sneak visits sated my desire for her presence, making me feel whole once again. Being stuck in that godforsaken jungle confirmed my feelings, yearnings and cravings. I never really doubted them, but I knew, that deep down, this was it for me. Our forever. This was to be my final mission and some asshole fucked up big time. Someone fucked with my life, and that of our rescue target, my team and all things Rangeman. But most of all, with Stephanie as well. All our lives were put at risk and on hold because some fucking asshole idiot was playing and manipulating with our mission. And for what? I have some ideas, but they seem so pathetic. Part of me still wants to exact my own form of retribution and justice. The Beast within is hungry to seek vengeance and is surging with contained rage just below the surface. Frustrating and infuriating only covers part of it.
I breathed deeply to calm and centre myself, ready for that wonderful inexplicable feeling of being whole, as I quietly entered Stephanie's apartment. Overwhelming peace washes over me once again, as I move towards the subtle alluring glow emanating from her bedroom.
I smiled as I glanced into the quiet kitchen. Yes, unmistakably quiet. No little wheel spinning for its usual nightly marathon event. Rex, his cage and all his hamster crunchies and tasty morsels were missing. I had to chuckle, as I stood in the doorway leaning against the door jamb. I shook my head. Even the chair had been moved since I was last here. I went straight to her bed, grinning at the empty corner. She giggled mischievously. In the bathroom, half her hair crap and makeup was gone. Her drawers were just a small selection of essential items.
Yes, I was taking an inventory, smiling at the subtle changes. All her glorious prized FMPs had been the first to disappear. Precious cargo. Visions of her wearing just a pair of FMPs and nothing else had my heart racing. I put that delicious image on hold to be re-enacted later, when all this crapfest was over. The number of times she lost her coveted shoe collection to a fire, or a fire bomb that was thrown into her apartment, or just malicious damage and vandalism, was heartbreaking for her. It is her one extravagance she allows herself from her hard-earned bond cheques.
Her smiling eyes beckoned me to come closer as her hand stroked the empty space beside her, my space. Pulling the covers back completely, she was gloriously naked, except for a pair of sexy FMPs!
Madre Dios! She knows me so well.
I laughed and kissed her tenderly.
"Only you Babe. How did you know?"
"Mm, I think you might have confessed that thought out loud last time when you noticed my shoe collection had already migrated to Haywood."
She was playful and mischievous. While helping me get naked, she teased and played, until I growled, which made her laugh out loud.
"Ooh. Patience my Precious. Good things come to those who wait. Abstinence makes the heart grow fonder, and all that. And I have been abstaining for far too long! C'mere soldier boy!"
With a grin of delight, I obeyed, and only our lips, our hands, and our bodies spoke profoundly, declaring our unconditional love for one another. We lay together, wonderfully sated, making soothing tender touches, reaffirming our love. Because the situation was still rather precarious, reluctantly, I left earlier. Steph understood. She too was eager for our together time to come to reality, safely ensconced in the ramparts of Rangeman.
Soon.
It will be over, soon.
Patience.
Focus on our Endgame.
It was dark outside with an eerie mist swirling around the ground, noticeably colder at my feet. Making it back to the safe house, Thiago was surprised to see me back so much earlier. I reassured his unasked questioning look with a firm thumbs up before heading upstairs to have a shower and go to bed, alone. I sighed wistfully. It was so tantalising being with her, alluring and fulfilling. Just being together was special. Making love was special, every time. I really wanted to stay for as long as possible, but it was important to still be wary, and this also implied not being predictable with my movements with coming and going. Just in case. Stephanie had then confessed to having an uneasy feeling beginning to develop. Initially she thought it was to do with me leaving, but it was a different sensation. It was the start of her spidey sense tingling. We both knew not to ignore that. She promised to text Tank immediately, and I promised to take extra care as I departed.
Looking up at the ceiling, as I lay back on my bed, I thought about the subterfuge happening in the midst of this clusterfuck situation. Tank and Ella had been getting the move done little by little. Under the guise of bringing bags of food supplies to restock Stephanie's fridge, Ella returned to Rangeman with seemingly empty bags, of course filled with more of Stephanie's clothing and paraphernalia. Obviously, Tank must have assisted with my chair, and, of course, with Rex and his hamster home. He probably drove Ella there and back to Rangeman, which was part of the plan.
The big move.
Subtle.
Sneaky.
Subterfuge.
Manoeuvres in broad daylight.
Just keeping up appearances.
It was driving us both crazy, but under the bizarre circumstances, it is what it is.
A clusterfuck.
FUBAR.
TARFU.
SNAFU.
But, there was light at the end of the tunnel, and it was no longer a train.
And so, I drifted into a restful sleep.
oOo
Early in the morning, another report came in, interrupting my ponderings during my stretches and warm up exercises.
"Tank?"
"Ranger. I got Stephanie's text. Stepped up the patrols immediately. Her spidey sense is right on the money. We have another prowler issue. Another car has been seen lurking during the day and last night. It was in her parking lot this morning, but no one came out. Stephanie was working, on an early surveillance shift with Cal."
"I think it's Go Time, Tank. Regardless. We're cutting to our Endgame. My money is on a Firebird. Keep my Babe safe, Tank."
"Nailed it. It looks like Lula might be gunning for Steph. That's is a worry."
"Yeah, Stephanie thought she heard it last night, just cruising past. Keep her safe, man. I do not trust Lula. From your comments and Cal's observations, and especially things Connie said, I reckon Lula is now a huge liability and, we all know she is impulsive and unpredictable. She is a serious threat. And, with her repulsive allegiance with that fucker Morelli, it's become a volatile situation."
"I'll get Cal and Manny to move the last boxes first thing this morning. Steph will be here anyway, on monitors after their surveillance shift. I had already arranged an early pick up with double protection. She readily agreed to an 0500 pick-up. She knows Lula is a loose cannon now."
"And what about Connie? You don't think she's tight with Lula?"
"No way. She made sure Lula was busy filing and holding the fort at the Bonds Office, while she came here, using her brother's car, under the guise of going to the courts, since Vinnie was "busy". No, man. She's legit. Her concern for you and Steph was genuine, and her abhorrence for all things Lula, and especially that fucker Morelli, is definitely authentic. She knows how to be crafty, it's been bred into her, and she outright declared she doesn't trust Lula. Interestingly, … er … maybe not the right word … However, whatever it is, Connie also alluded to Lula earning 'other moneys', on the side. Lately, well, like the past five or six months, she's been "busy", taking a three day weekend … "for a conference", according to Lula, once a month. Connie called her on it but Lula wouldn't budge. She has engaged her brothers to investigate. Perhaps, one of the other Familia has requested her "services". Lula let some things slip when she was gloating over her extra earnings, "mega bucks", she called it. I just cringe to even think about that. But Connie has assured me she will have an update soon."
Thiago, Rex and Miguel were curious and intrigued with the new update. Keeping them informed and apprised was important since we were all so entrenched in this clusterfuck. At the mention of Lula and Familia, Thiago made some crude suggestions, alluding to Lula servicing the mafioso under the table, and possibly more. Yeah. Fuck. At a monthly "conference"? I shuddered at the thought. Is she that desperate? Was this a regular fixture on her calendar? Is that how she supplemented her income? I had always wondered if she was any good as a ho. I ignored the crude discussions that ensued behind me. I did not want to go there!
I sat back, deliberating over the things Tank disclosed. Lula has that crazy edge to be freaking scary. It reminded me a bit like that movie Fatal Attraction. She has the hots for Morelli, she's got him, so why the hell is Stephanie in her crosshairs. Is she planning on offing Stephanie? Shit. Would she go as far as hiring a hitman or do the deed herself? Fuck! I really want to be beside my Babe, protecting her, keeping safe. I feel conflicted. To stay or to go, go and protect my Missing Piece. What a dilemma. I feel so helpless and useless, but I trust Tank and my men impeccably.
Again, my thoughts are interrupted by my phone chirping while I was reclined on the bench press. All eyes on me, eyebrows raised, eager for any further news.
"Ranger. We have a situation. Steph is safe here at Rangeman. I've already called the TPD, giving Eddie and Carl a heads up for a possible shooting scenario."
Instantly my chest tightened, before I let out a breath of relief with Steph being safe inside Rangeman.
"Shit. Hit it up on the big screen. We'll be downstairs immediately."
I knew they'd also installed a surveillance camera in the parking lot, attached to that ineffective light pole by the dumpster.
As we raced down to the basement conference room, Rex already had the screen and audio set to go. We had visual of the parking lot. On the other screen Tank was relaying the scene. We watched as Manny was loading some bags into the back of the SUV.
"Cal has already reported Lula's car in the parking lot. She's been sitting in her car for the last ten minutes."
On cue, the main screen split in two, with two views of the parking lot, one from the dumpster, the other from the lobby entrance. We watched as Lula climbed out of her Firebird, talking, muttering to herself, as she slowly walked towards the building. There was a lot of attitude in her swagger in those dreadful knock-off spiked heels she was always wearing, carrying that ungainly large handbag. Hm. I know what she usually carries in there. Shit. She glared at the Rangeman SUV. Manny came out again carrying a box to the dumpster, ignoring her but keeping a wary eye on her. He was miked up. He turned around after he emptied and dumped the box. Cal's voice came through, confirming that he was coming down the stairs with the last box, and for back up, as Manny walked back to the SUV.
"What y'all doing here?" Lula asked testily, her hand on her ample hip, indicating the boxes and bags in the back of the SUV. She was in a hostile mood, that much was evident.
"Just cleaning up some things, you know," Manny remarked casually.
"Uh-huh. I just came to see my skinny-assed white girl. Haven't seen her around the Bonds Office lately. So, I thought I'd do the Mohammed comes to the mountain thing, you know."
"Hm. She's not here, Lula."
"Huh. Well that ain't no help."
We could hear Lula's side of the conversation through Manny's mike. At that point Cal emerged from the lobby carrying a large but not heavy box on his hip.
He stared at Manny, who communicated a tense situation which Cal had already picked up through his ear buds, while casually leaning against the open back door of the SUV. Cal was also miked up and was aware that Tank was monitoring the entire scene. Recording this potential clusterfuck would be good evidence if things were going to head south. That was most likely. My men are highly trained and an adversary such as Lula should be quite straightforward. But, we know she is unpredictable and volatile. So, they have to be prepared for anything. Considering recent events, she is dangerous, plain and simple.
"Hmph! Whatcha done with my girl Stephanie, Cal? Was I not good enough that you had to steal her away from me? We were partners. My livelihood is affected big time and it's all your fault, asshole." She sneered with a wild look in her eye. Yep. She was already in rhino mode.
Ignoring her provocative response, Cal simply replied, "Steph's at work, Lula."
"Bet you're doing the nasty with her since Ranger is out of the picture. You know he's dead, don'tcha? I know these things. I have my sources. Never liked you Cal. Especially with that stupid-assed ugly tat on your forehead." She spat the words out with obvious intense distaste.
We all heard a muttered "Fuck!" from Tank. We were all concurred.
"Holy shit!" murmured Miguel. "She's the ex ho? All that stretched spandex has gotta give. Oh man! I don't want to be there when that happens! Seriously, that's just too much information for my poor eyes to take in."
"Yes," I explained, "Lula is known for her outrageously tight spandex, with animal prints in all sorts of colours, which are always at least a couple of sizes too small for her."
The looks of revulsion was plain to see as their lips curled in unison. Miguel shook his head and rubbed his eyes.
"You know, it can get worse …," I cringed at the thought, leaving that open for now, as we watched the tension in the parking lot unfold.
Cal made no response to her baiting retorts. Both Manny and Cal appeared relaxed but to my eyes they were poised and primed for action. Manny's hand went for his gun as Lula pulled hers, aiming at Cal, who still had his hands full. From behind I could see Carl and Eddie arrive in a TPD vehicle, lights flashing. No sirens. Lula startled and made a shot at Cal, hitting the box with her first and taking out the window of the lobby with the second shot. Manny shot out her back tyre. Lula was shrieking obscenities about her poor Firebird as Carl and Eddie screeched to a halt right beside her, guns drawn. Her immediate reaction was to shoot back, hitting the side fender and one of the front tyres of the police vehicle.
In a flash they had her on the ground and handcuffed after disarming her. Let's say it started as a flash, but Lula, being a woman of ample size, wrestled and fought back fiercely, while screaming more obscenities. As they pulled her up from the ground we all covered our eyes in revulsion. In the process of wrestling against the two cops, her top suddenly unrolled and her large voluminous breasts spilled out.
"Oh no! Jesucristo!"
"Oh! Fuck!"
"Holy shit! Where's the bleach? My poor eyes!"
"How on earth did those big bazoomas even stay in there?!"
"Oh, fu-ck!" from Tank.
Delayed guffawing and laughter could be heard in the background from Rangeman.
I concurred with each and every one of those comments, as I pinched the bridge of my nose, shaking my head. Not a pretty sight. That might mean hazard pay for Cal and Manny.
Lula was aghast at her dilemma. Handcuffed. Behind her back. Breasts bared for all to see. There was nothing she could do. And still Carl and Eddie did not move, looking at each other in shock and bewilderment. It was blissfully quiet, all three of them were in shock. Lula's mouth opened and closed, looking dazed like a stunned mullet.
Carl and Eddie held her firmly with the handcuffs but stood, frozen like deer in the headlights. They stared each other down.
"No, man. No. Fucking way. Not me!" declared Carl emphatically, putting his hands up in surrender, before quickly resuming the hold on her handcuffs.
"Well, I'm not even going there. No touching. Shirley won't ever let me live it down." Eddie whined.
"Here." Cal saved the day. He threw a Rangeman blanket over Lula's shoulders like a cape, carefully avoiding any contact, as he tied the ends on the side, before twisting the blanket to provide her modesty, with the knotted ends at the back. The stunned mullet look was replaced with one of gratitude.
While Carl was reading her the Miranda rights for attempted murder, resisting arrest, discharging an unlicensed firearm and more, I knew the lapse of peace was about to change. Sure enough, that was only momentary as she hit a rant in full rhino mode while Eddie stuffed her screaming hysterically into the back of the cop car. Manny knocked on her window to indicate the two cameras to Lula, which promptly shut her up, as tears rolled down her cheeks. Carl and Eddie were relieved to have her shrieking subdued.
Eddie came over to check Cal and Manny. Thankfully, neither was injured. Taking their statements, they wrote it all down. They called in the damage to the cars and together they walked over to Lula's Firebird. Cal had his phone out relaying video to our feed.
"Well, well, well. Lookie here," smiled Manny, as the four of them donned gloves.
There was a lot of paperwork and correspondence, some filed but mostly scattered haphazardly over the back seat. Carl bagged her weapon and her handbag, removing her keys from the ignition and bagging that. Her phone was in there as well which he also placed in an evidence bag.
"You might need this more than we do, for your corruption and treason case. Same with all this paperwork. When you're done with it, you can return it to the TPD."
Cal nodded and took many still shots of the entire backseat before they were assembled together, in preparation to be analysed thoroughly back at Rangeman. Manny held up some money transfers for a close up shot, before bagging it.
"Seems like filing was not one of Lula's strengths after all, least of all her personal stuff. From what I just scanned briefly, there is a lot of incriminating evidence, including money transactions. Bag it and head back to Rangeman," I ordered.
Cal and Manny left the scene to the cops to deal with, as many of the curious and concerned residents had emerged from their apartments with all the shooting and screaming. Eddie and Carl cordoned off the area as another police car arrived to remove a more subdued Lula and take her into custody.
"Great work, Tank. Kudos to Cal and Manny. They might need hazard pay! One down, three to go. I wonder how far that fucker Morelli got? He has no idea what he is in for. General state law won't even factor into his case."
"Other than all that incriminating paperwork, her phone will certainly reveal so much more. Connie said she was always texting Morelli. No way am I going to repeat the euphemisms she implied for what Lula called him. Ugh!"
I chuckled as I could visualise Tank shudder in disgust.
"Now, let's get this fucker and his two lackey wannabe assholes."
oOo
TBC
OMG. Muse was on fire! And, once again, no cliffie. And a bonus long chapter.
Lula has been a bad girl. What do you think was her motive for Stephanie?
And where is Morelli now? Who is following him?
Stand by for the next exciting instalment, next week. The hunt is on, stepping up to a higher level. We love a good hunt, and Rangeman is good at hunting fugitives.
Loving the reviews. Thank you so much. Keep them coming, as we hit 200 reviews shortly.
