Chapter 28

Tank's encrypted phone buzzed. Ranger was calling. His regular cell was bluetoothed to the truck and Ranger knew he was driving. This was important, then. He pulled off the road as quickly as he could and grabbed the buzzing phone.

"Yo."

"We have a situation," Ranger said. "Where are you?"

"About ten minutes from the city limits," Tank said. "What's up?"

Ranger told him succinctly and unemotionally, his monologue interrupted several times by increasingly profane interjections from Tank.

"Carl Costanza is a bulldog," Ranger said. "He won't give up on this until he gets the entire story. Cally will be vindicated, because it was self-defense. Gregg fired first. But before this is all done, Stephanie will be outed. She doesn't want that, so neither do I. I need to get to Georgia asap. I need to tell Stephanie everything that's gone down."

"Are you flying?" Tank asked. "Did you charter a plane?"

"I can't. The only way I can fly is under the radar. I left the restaurant without mentioning it to Costanza. I didn't give him a chance to tell me to stay put. As soon as he figures out I'm gone I'll officially be named a person of interest in the investigation."

"Okay, here's what we can do," Tank said. "I'll be at your place as soon as I can. You take my truck to Georgia. If you take your vehicle and they find you, you'll lead them directly to Stephanie. This way you'll have a buffer. You leave your car parked obviously in the drive…that way it will look like you're still here. That should buy you some more time."

"Good deal. Luke's truck is here. You can take it," Ranger said. "The kid is good, but he's gonna need some backup. Cally is rattled. She knows who she killed. She did a good job with the preliminary questioning. She denied ever knowing John Smith…although I saw the surprise in her eyes when they told her that was Gregg's name. I don't think anyone else saw it. I left before Costanza talked to her."

"And Terry Gilman will be after her," Ranger continued. "She's got a lot of muscle at her beck and call. I introduced Cally as Morelli. Gilman doesn't know the name Edelman. Staying in her own place right now might be the best option for Cally…but not alone. She can't be left alone."

"I'm on that," Tank said. "I'll see if Althea will lean in on the investigation. You told Costanza that Cally was in the WITSEC program. Maybe Althea can put enough pressure on, without giving details, to halt that aspect of the investigation."

"Good thinking," Ranger said.

"Yeah, well that's what you pay me for, Rangeman."

It was late in the afternoon as Ranger pulled Tank's truck onto I-95. His stomach rumbled and reminded him lunch had never happened. He'd pick something up when he stopped for gas, which would probably happen frequently considering the behemoth he was driving. It would be very early morning by the time he arrived. He'd made the comment about flying under the radar, but he wasn't going to do anything to risk being pulled over. Technically, he wasn't breaking any law, but it was important for him to see Stephanie and driving the speed limit was a price he was going to have to pay to make that happen.

On the surface it seemed that Gregg's death might be good news for Stephanie, but Ranger knew she wouldn't be happy about it. Terry Gilman would know some of the story of course, but the only one who'd known it all was now silenced. She'd also be unhappy that Cally had been involved. He wasn't looking forward to telling her that it had been her daughter who'd pulled the trigger—seven times.

Althea's quick intervention might stop the investigation from progressing to the point of outing Stephanie, but it wouldn't stop Carl Costanza. It would be a simple matter to trace Cally back to the point where she intersected with her mother, and then Carl would know Stephanie was still alive. Carl had always cared about Stephanie. He should understand the need to keep quiet about her existence, but with every person who knew the chance of keeping the whole thing under wraps became less. FUBAR. The thought rolled through his head as the miles rolled by under his wheels.

He made the thirteen-hour trip in twelve with no interference. He was pulling into her neighborhood when his phone buzzed with a call from Tank.

"Are you making good time?" Tank asked.

"I'm a block away."

"Pull over if you haven't already. I've got some shit to tell you."

"Hit me with it," Ranger said resignedly. He had the feeling it wasn't good news.

"Althea is amazing," Tank said. "She called Costanza and he's cooperating. She said that she couldn't go into detail, but that even though Cally was reidentified years ago there was still an ongoing investigation."

"And that's all it took to convince him?" Ranger asked.

"She's very persuasive and she's coming to see him in person, tomorrow, well today I guess," Tank said. "He told her that it would be wrapped up pretty quickly as all the witnesses' stories corroborated. There was the one big shot followed by a series of shots. The CSI team tracked the shots and they could tell from the trajectory he was attempting to shoot at her. And the thing that seals the deal was the slice Gilman took out of her neck."

"How's she doing?" Ranger asked.

"Gilman? Well…"

"Not Gilman! Cally. How's she doing?"

"She's doing great. Luke's with her. He's good with her. She wants to talk to her mom. She wants to come see her momma, but Costanza won't let her leave yet. I told her you needed a day or two with Stephanie in any case before you had company again."

"Are you keeping watch, too? Gilman won't come after her, but she'll arrange it."

"Cally's safe," Tank said. "And you're right. Gilman won't come after her." There was silence for a moment and Ranger sensed Tank's hesitancy.

"Out with it," Ranger said. "I might as well hear it all."

"Okay," Tank said. "Two things. The first you'll believe and the second you won't, but I swear it's true. First, Costanza came to me mad as hell because they can't find you. He said there is one hitch in the investigation, and he has to talk to you. You're gonna have to at least call him, or they'll put out an APB on you."

"Second," Tank said. He coughed and cleared his throat and Ranger thought he was holding back laughter. "Second, not only is karma a bitch, karma killed the bitch. Terry Gilman's dead. Hit by a car and killed."

There was a full minute of silence which Ranger processed all the possibilities. He knew if Tank was involved it would never be said, and Tank had made it clear to Stephanie that he'd keep her from a situation where she'd have to come back and testify. Gregg's and Gilman's deaths would prevent that.

"Another hit and run?" Ranger asked.

"No run, just hit." Tank said. "Her lawyer called less than an hour after she ran out of the building. He claimed it was all a big misunderstanding and she was going to turn herself in to explain the situation. You were still at the restaurant when it happened, in all likelihood."

"Here's how it happened." Tank paused, whether for effect or to organize his thoughts Ranger couldn't tell. "Her lawyer pulls up in a big old black town car and illegally parks across the street from the station. He and Terry are arguing like crazy when they get out of the car. She turns to tell him something and steps out into traffic. Then some old woman in a Buick plows into her. Gilman rolls across the hood and through the windshield! So, the old woman is buckled in her car with half of a dead Gilman on the hood and half in the front seat. She couldn't get her seat belt unfastened and she had a heart attack trying. She's at St. Francis. So, just hit. No run. And plenty of witnesses. Some wearing uniforms."

"I think I'm going to need some time to take this in," Ranger said. "It's going to be a lot for Stephanie to hear."

"Lester knows," Tank said. "I called him and told him everything. I figured he should know you were on your way. And I figured that if he already knew he'd back off and give you some privacy with Stephanie."

"Thanks," Ranger said and disconnected. He sat in the truck for a few minutes wondering what Tank's news really meant. Was it all over? Was there someone else involved? Could fate have handed them such a winning hand? Now their only hope was Silvio. Gregg had been an egocentric idiot. Maybe all the information they needed was contained in his files. He was going to pay Silvio well and allow him to take on any help he needed to get through the information on hand. He picked up his phone and called Tank.

"Silvio's on it, Rangeman," Tank said by way of greeting. Ranger disconnected. There was comfort in the unspoken communication of two old friends.

He started the truck and drove the short distance to Stephanie's where he pulled the truck in her driveway. He stood next to the truck, stretching muscles that had tensed on the drive. He saw the door open and Lester walked out to meet him.

"Looks like shit just got real in Trenton, huh, boss man?"

"Looks like," Ranger agreed. They walked together into the condo.

"She's upstairs, asleep, I assume," Lester said. "She normally gets up around six and goes into the gym. I've been going with her. I, uh, well, today if she wants to …sleep in…I mean…"

"I know what you mean," Ranger said dryly.

"Tell her not to worry about it. I'll go in for her. I'm not certified to teach those old people, but they like me. I can handle her classes this morning."

Ranger nodded in response and silently made his way up the stairs.

She was sleeping, the covers wrapped loosely around her waist. The light was dim, coming from a nightlight in the far corner of her room. It was easy to look at the black t-shirt she was wearing and imagine it was one of his. Her features were muted, but her curls splayed out in contrast against the white pillowcase. He needed to wake her, to get on with the telling of an unbelievable story, but he couldn't. Instead he sat gently on the edge of her bed and let his eyes take in the sight of her.

He made no sound or movement, but after a few moments she stirred. She lifted a hand to the back of her neck and rubbed the base of her skull. Her spidey sense was still working, he saw. Her eyelashes fluttered and she took in a sharp breath. He leaned down close to her.

"Babe, it's me."

"Ranger!" her voice was soft and breathy as she pushed herself up on one elbow. "You're back!"

"I'm back," he agreed.

"Forever?"

"For as long as you'll have me." He reached out and pulled her against him and drew in a deep breath. In all the years he couldn't have described it, but he'd never forgotten it. The scent of Stephanie. The scent of his woman. He held her tightly against him.

When their lips met it was by mutual agreement, neither one being the instigator. The kiss was gentle, exploring and tasting. Gentle didn't last long. The electricity coursing through him and the overwhelming need to be closer controlled him, and without conscious thought his arms tightened around her pulling her closer. Then he was lying with her, their bodies aligned, but separated by the blanket. He felt her hands pushing at the obstruction, trying to get past his shirt to his skin, and when they did there'd be no stopping. Somewhere he found the strength to push back, to break the connection of their mouths.

"Babe," his voice was only a little more than a groan. "I…we can't. I can't…"

She pulled back from him a little. "You can't?" He heard both disappointment and concern in her voice. "You mean because Lester is downstairs?"

"I'd forgotten completely about Lester," he said, surprised at the realization.

"Then…oh! You mean you can't because you, uh, can't?"

He buried his face in her hair. His lips found the soft spot under her ear. He nuzzled and as he did so simultaneous tremors ran through their bodies. He took her hand and ran it down his body to where his arousal was evident. He groaned as his body thrust against her hand of its own accord.

"I can, Babe," he said. "And I want to, but we can't. Not yet. We have to talk first. There's something you need to know."

She pushed at him and he moved back to his original position sitting on the edge of her bed. She carelessly pushed hair off her forehead. Mother's intuition, he supposed, because her expression was fearful when she breathlessly asked, "Cally?"

"Cally's fine," he assured her quickly, "but there is something regarding Cally I need to tell you." He reached for both her hands and held them firmly in his. "Brian Gregg and Terry Gilman are dead."

"How!"

He tightened his hold on her hands. "Cally shot Gregg in self-defense and Terry Gilman was hit by a car when she stepped into traffic." He looked at her and watched as her head swayed back and forth as if to negate what he'd said.

"Are you okay?" he asked. "Do you need a drink of water?"

"No!" she exclaimed. "Tell me what's going on. Do you swear Cally is okay?"

"She's okay. I was with her when it happened. She's fine." Except for the cut on her neck which miraculously missed her jugular, but he'd mention that later.

He told her everything. Everything except the name of the detective involved and what that detective suspected. That would be part two.

Stephanie took the news much calmer than her own mother would have taken it. Ranger always thought Helen Plum had gotten a bad rap. She genuinely cared about her daughter's well-being. And if she hadn't especially like Ranger hanging around her…well, she'd been right in thinking that wasn't in Stephanie's best interests, at least initially.

"I'm glad you're here," Stephanie told him. "But at the same time, are you sure it was okay to leave Cally?"

"I'm sure," he said. "Luke is staying with her, and Tank is keeping close watch on the situation. I had to be here, for more than just the reason that I wanted to see you."

That took her attention off Cally's plight and back on him and that's what he'd been aiming for. "Babe, does what I told you about the shooting remind you of anything?"

"Of course," she said. "It's eerily reminiscent of Jimmy Alpha. Do you remember that? I had barely just met you then."

Despite the seriousness of the conversation Ranger smiled. "Barely…yes, I remember that. I also remember removing a bare you from your shower rod."

She chose to ignore his teasing and said, "I remember how unsettled I was for weeks after that happened. If I hadn't killed him, he would have killed me, and it was the same for Cally. I need to see her."

"She needs to see you, too," Ranger said. "I think she'll be down soon, probably with her entourage of Luke and Tank, as soon as can be arranged. They won't let her leave the area until the investigation is wrapped up. Babe, do you remember Cathy Morelli?"

Stephanie stilled. "I do. I didn't know you knew her."

"I don't. Tell me about her."

"How is she involved in this?"

"Just tell me about her."

"There's not much to tell. She's Joe's sister. She married right out of high school and was smart enough to move away."

"And Cally resembles her," Ranger said.

"How would you know that?"

"Time for the rest of the story," Ranger said, and he told her. As he ended the story, the alarm on her bedside clock went off. She was so wrapped up in what he was telling her that she made no effort to silence it. He reached to her nightstand and did it for her. His motion seemed to bring her back.

"It's going to happen, isn't it?" she asked him. "People that think I'm dead will find out that I'm not."

"I don't know," Ranger said. "Would it be so terrible if that happens?"

"Yes!" She ran her hands through her hair, oblivious to the effect it had. "It can't happen!"

Ranger wrapped his hands around hers and pulled them from her ever-widening mass of curls. "Officially, we think Althea can stop the investigation beyond the self-defense aspect," he said. "It's what's unofficial that has me concerned."

"Unofficial?" she asked.

"You know Detective Costanza better than I do, but my thought is that he will keep digging…and now that he has Cally to work back from, it will be a pretty easy trail to follow. He doesn't know you're alive. I think he'll be looking for clues as to what happened to you, and eventually, he'll know."

"I don't know Detective Costanza at all. I used to know Carl." She pulled her hands from his and kicked back the covers. She pulled her knees up and wrapped her arms around them. He looked at slim legs that threatened to take his focus off their discussion, but purposefully moved his eyes back to her face.

"This is a nightmare," she said. "Trenton and the people I knew there are dead to me. It's the only way I could go on. It was so hard, to leave and build this life and now after all these years, I like this life. I don't want to lose it."

"Is there room for me in this life?" Ranger asked.

"Yes!" she said. Her eyes glistened in the low light with unshed tears. "You're already in it and I don't want you to leave."

"You won't lose this life," Ranger said. "I plan to live here in Georgia and be part of your life, but I may have to go back temporarily, and soon. I ran out on Costanza's investigation, and he's not happy."

The alarm on the bedside table went off again. "You hit the snooze button," Stephanie said. She reached over and silenced the alarm, this time with a definite click. "I know you came as soon as you could, but your timing sucks," she said. "I have to get ready and get into the gym."

"You don't. Lester knows what's happened. He said to tell you he'd go in and start the day for you."

"Lester?" she questioned. "I'm not used to having anyone do my work for me, but in this case…" she shrugged her shoulders. "I guess it will be fine."

"Do you remember what I told you when you married Joe?" he asked.

"I remember," she said solemnly.

"I made you a promise. I said I'd always be there for you. If you ever needed me all you had to do was call, and when you needed me, I wasn't there."

"You were a victim, too."

"Maybe," Ranger said. "When I came home and found that you were dead, I lost my logical reasoning. I let myself be manipulated by Gregg. In my grief I allowed myself to be used. I should be furious with him, but I find my anger is directed toward myself. I should have looked at the situation harder."

"Hindsight is always 20/20. Isn't that what they say?"

"It's 20/20 in this case, but it's behind us now. Gregg's dead. You're alive, and that promise I made to you so many years ago still holds. I will be here for you. It's why I'm here now. There will be a way to derail Carl Costanza. I'm sure he's looking for the truth as a way to avenge your and Joe's death. His intentions are good, but I want what you want, and you want to keep this life, so I'll make sure you do."

"Carl's a good guy," Stephanie said. "It's just that he's friends with Gazarra who's married to my cousin. If he tells Gazarra I'm still alive, it won't be a week until Shirley has it spread all over." She began to cry, her body shaking softly with soul deep sobs. He let her cry until the tears subsided and then handed her a tissue from the box next to the alarm. She blew her nose and wiped her eyes, and then leaned forward to touch her lips to his.

The passion he'd shut down earlier came back in full force. She pulled back slightly and whispered, "The promise you made earlier to take care of me—you can do it now. Don't say you can't, and don't stop."

He didn't stop.