Chapter 19 Undercover,
Stephanie waited for the men to get seated around the table to explain the events leading to their meeting. "Okay, for our story, five months ago, Tank asked me to help him on an undercover job for Mr. Sanders, a Rangeman client. He said that Mr. Sanders needed some undercover work. But he was not sure why it was required."
Tank took over the story. "So Stephanie said yes, boss, and we went to New York. We got here in New York, and he paid for a room at the Ritz. Once we arrived, we received a call saying we would meet Mr. Sanders in the hotel restaurant the next day for a luncheon. I took her for a show, dinner, and one thing led to another, leading us to where we are. The following day, we got a call from Mr. Sanders, saying that he didn't need us, then we returned to New Jersey."
Stephanie nodded, confirming the events leading to her pregnancy.
"Six weeks later, I found out I was becoming a father, so I collected my favor from a judge that owed me. We married, then filed a RO on Morelli in New Jersey."
"Because he was being a dick," Stephanie said. She gave Joe the Burg glare, blaming him for the behavior of the Morelli double.
"Wait, you are huge, cupcake. How can you be only five months?" Morelli stupidly asked. Stephanie was furious.
Tank walked up to Morelli and punched his gut for insulting his wife. Joe doubled over. "Ouch," Joe groaned.
"Feel better now?" Ranger asked Tank.
"Yeah, I do," Tank replied as he smiled lovingly at his wife. Stephanie grinned at her husband for defending her.
"Ouch." Ranger and Tank looked at Morelli when he complained of the pain.
"Hurt much?" Ranger asked, trying not to laugh as Morelli slowly got up.
"So, what is going on?" Tank asked Ranger. Tank realized there was more to Mr. Sanders than meets the eye.
"Okay, here is what we know. Mr. Sanders is running drugs in and out of New York, but we can't determine how. I got recruited to help by my commanding officer in the Army Rangers. I bumped into Joe here, who assisted on a case against Mr. Sanders, so we decided to join forces and work together. We had both agreed that we needed someone to keep an eye on Stephanie, so we brought in a double resembling Morelli. We told him what he needed to do, but it appears he took his role a little too far," Ranger told them.
"Babe, did you really kick Morelli in New Jersey in the groin?" Ranger asked her.
"Yes," Stephanie replied, rolling her eyes. Her knee was legendary, so she didn't understand why he had to ask.
She looked at both Morelli and Ranger before settling her gaze on Tank. "One more thing, somebody owes me a new truck. We had dinner at her parents' house, and after dinner, my truck blew up. Not only that, the fake Morelli told Dt. Butters that he would marry cupcake and she belonged with him," Tank stated.
"Permission to shoot that dummy when I get back to New Jersey?" Morelli asked.
"Permission granted Morelli," Lt. Butters said as he came into the building with Morell's double.
"Zack, thanks for coming," Tank said as he held out his hand to Zack.
"Always willing to help you when I can, Tank," Zack said as they shook hands.
"You know my boss?" Morelli asked with his mouth agape.
"You actually think you are the only one that served time in the military? I was in the same unit with Tank, " Zack explained to Morelli.
Butters sat at the table when he noticed the camera with one bullet through it. He glanced at Tank, who was smiling.
"You always were the best shot in the unit, Tank," Butters said.
"Still am," Tank told him with a grin.
"The Captain filled me in, so I figured I would come and make sure you play nice with everyone. Oh, yeah, can take him back," Butters said as the fake Morelli entered the room.
When everyone glanced at the fake Morelli, they noticed Stephanie dancing.
"Babe?" Ranger asked.
"Bathroom," Stephanie said. Ranger hitched a thumb to the right. Everyone watched as Stephanie waddled to the bathroom. Once she was in, Butters came up to Tank.
"Here are the keys to a new Black F150." Zack handed over the keys.
"Don't worry because this dummy paid for it, and it's just the way you like. Lots of room," Zack told Tank.
"Thanks," Tank said as he shook Zack's hand.
A few minutes later, Stephanie came out of the bathroom. "Why is my husband smiling?" Stephanie asked when she approached the men.
"I got a new truck," Tank replied as he came up to her and gave her a passionate kiss.
"Oh, yeah, there is one more thing the two of you need to know. My parents love him, so if anything happens to him, I will kick both of you in the groin," Stephanie said as she hitched a finger at Tank again.