Chapter 24
Three hours later, Stephanie and Tank returned to the hotel. "Hey, how did your shopping trip go?" Ranger asked as Tank and Stephanie entered the hotel kitchenette.
"We got the lead in this case, and the FBI will back us up," Stephanie told everyone, smiling. She was proud of herself for negotiating the deal for Rangeman.
"How did you pull that off, Tank?" Ranger asked with a raised eyebrow. He tried to get the FBI to give him the lead for the case but failed during the negotiations every time.
"It was not me. My remarkable wife pulled it off," Tank told everyone. He beamed as he stared at Stephanie. She felt her face blush.
"Oh, Joe, Thomas says hi," Stephanie said. She watched for his reaction, satisfied when Joe started to choke on his coffee.
"If he is here, then she is here?" Morelli asked before he closed his eyes.
"Who?" Ranger asked. He raised an eyebrow in amusement.
"Dick the worm's cousin. The only good one in the family," Stephanie said. She paused to get the full effect of her next words. "He is gay, and it looks like he still has the hots for you, Joe." Stephanie grinned when Joe's face turned red from embarrassment.
"Now I know why we got the lead," Joe grumbled.
Joe was about to add another comment when Stephanies's phone rang. "Hey, what is going on?" she asked, recognizing the incoming number.
"I got your crew new hotel rooms at The Ritz. Be there an hour and a half from now. Remember, you owe me, blue eyes," Jen said, then hung up.
"Let's pack. We are getting out of this place. Tank, can I have another protein bar?" she asked her husband.
Tank removed the last protein bar stashed in his pocket. He gave it to his wife, who quickly ripped it open to consume it.
An hour later, everyone was packed and checked out of the motel. It didn't take long for them to travel to the Ritz. They used the valet service to gather their luggage. When they walked inside, Jen was waiting for Stephanie and the team.
Ranger looked Jen up and down slowly. He saw her brown hair, brown eyes, and coco skin and was blown away by her. His pants tightened slightly from arousal.
As he leaned to whisper in Stephanie's ear, he said, "I will pay for your kid's education, from Pre-K up through college, if you set me up with her."
"Wow," Stephanie said, barely containing her surprise.
"Please, little one, set her up with him," Tank whispered to his wife. Stephanie was debating what she should do.
Jen approached Stephanie and said, "Here are your room keys. Once you get settled, meet Thomas and me in the solarium." Jen got on the elevator and left without glancing at Ranger.
Stephanie looked at the hotel key and saw the room. "Oh boy," she grumbled.
"What?" Tank asked. Stephanie showed him the key to their room. He grinned before adding, "Okay." Stephanie started to laugh. Tank quickly joined in the laughter.
"What are we missing?" Morelli asked.
"Nothing," Tank and Stephanie said. "Come, little one. Let's go and rest for a while." He grabbed his wife's hand to guide her inside the elevator. Ranger, Zack and Morelli watched them go up to their room. None of them knew what was so special about the hotel room assigned to the married couple.