Chapter 27

I knew I was beginning to feel hemmed in, antsy with being inside so much. I was short-tempered with people and constantly apologizing. Working in the gym yesterday with Tobi had helped and although he said I was doing well I felt frustrated, I found it really hard using my legs and feet to kick. I'd spoken with Mr. Grossman yesterday after Carlos left, asking him to find anything he had from his father, so when I visited this morning I could explain to him what I'd found out. Tobi was with me today and he was in bodyguard mode, I always found it amazing how their demeanor changed, Lester was the same. I missed Lester and the banter we could have together but Tobi was becoming closer to me and I felt a friendship building. Mr. Grossman opened his door as he saw us approach; I'd gone as Stephanie with my hair and body so no one would find out about my disguise.

"Morning Ben, this is Tobi, he's here to make sure I'm safe"

"Oh, all right. Coffee?"

"No thanks, we really need to get down to looking at what you've found of your fathers"

"No problem, there's only one box that I found, it was in the attic hidden amongst a load of junk, I started to look through it. Was there something in particular you were looking for?"

"Well, anything from when he was in Hungary or about people he may have known. I think as well as bringing Erzsébet Lange here to America he helped my Grandmother and her mother"

"There are some things there, what's your Grandmothers name?"

"Edna Mazur, but that's her married name, she insisted that I was called after her so I think her mothers surname would sound like Stephanie"

"Do you think Edina Stefanie could be it, because I have an envelope with that name on it"

Ben seemed pretty excited about this, so as I nodded my head he disappeared and came back with a very faded envelope. Written in a script handwriting in blue faded ink was that name. Underneath, added possibly later were the words "daughters and granddaughters" I looked at it debating whether or not to open it, or should Grandma be the one to open it? Tobi could see the dilemma I was in.

"Steph can I suggest you get Carlos to call your Grandma and ask if she wants to open it with you?"

"I agree Stephanie, it's obviously personal to her and now to you, you need to be comfortable and private to open that. I don't mind, you can tell me about it later if you want"

I was happy that both men seemed so supportive and agreed with them both.

"Thank you Ben, we'll go now and I will get back to you, I promise"

"Good luck Stephanie"

As Tobi drove I called Carlos and he agreed to get in touch with Grandma to see how she wanted to proceed, I was surprised when he returned my call ten minutes later.

"Babe I was lucky, I called the hairdressers, Cut n Curl first, on the off chance she was there, she wants you to read it first, then maybe when she's thought about it, she said you could talk to her about it. She doesn't feel that she could cope with the memories. Do you want to wait till this evening then I can be with you?"

"Carlos can we do it on seven, I always feel calmer there?"

"Sure Babe, ask Tobi to bring you over and I'll scramble the cameras, but go straight to seven on the elevator. Most of the men don't know where you are. Plan to arrive for 7pm then we can have dinner together"

"Thank you"

Tobi and I arrived just before 7pm and took the elevator up, inside the apartment were Tank, Lester, Hector and Ram. I'd taken out my brown contact lenses on the way up. It was like old times being surrounded by black and passed from one man to the next for hugs.

"Beautiful I like the new look, kinda sexy, oomph"

Yeah you guessed, Tank smacked him round the head. I removed the wig and combed my freed hair with my fingers.

"Little Girl I sure have missed you"

"Estefania, es bueno tenerte en casa"

"Good to see you Steph"

Tobi joined us for a meal that was absolutely scrumptious; did I say Ella was the Goddess of the kitchen? She had prepared avocado panzanella, spicy prawn linguine and Herby lamb fillet with caponata, all of them firing up the taste buds in my mouth. Yes there were a few quiet moments when my focus was purely on tasting, and yes the guys seemed to shift uncomfortably, well except for Hector who was quietly laughing. While Carlos and Tobi enjoyed strong black coffee the rest of us savored the tiramisu. Did I say I love Ella? When we had finished and cleared the table the men were all aware of their need to leave, goodbyes were said which left me with Carlos and the elephant in the room, the letter. "Babe let's get comfortable on the couch and you can read that letter" With Carlos lent against the couch arm, legs across the seats, I sat with him behind my back, between his legs, his arms resting around my waist. I was nervous and apprehensive as I carefully opened the envelope, the flap came apart easily, the glue aged with time. Inside were several pieces of high quality paper covered in script handwriting in blue ink. I held the sheets in front of me and began to slowly read. "I am writing this letter for you Edina or for the daughters or Granddaughters that I now know you to have. As a very young child you showed strength, resilience and a love for life that will live on through these woman. I often visualize the memory of your mother's beautiful blue eyes as she watched over you and knew I was destined in some way to keep you both safe. But to my story, as I am sure you will have been too young to remember, and your mother was mentally frayed by the events she had endured and witnessed.

Your father and I, Mikeás, grew up together and were the best of friends, more like brothers. We attended the same schools and embarked upon our careers. Your father was the one of us who was enterprising whilst I was more practical minded. We grew and nurtured a business that was very successful, by making and selling beautiful pieces of jewelry and works of art. A third friend, Károly Riamann supported this enterprise, he was a master at security and ensured the safety of our goods, properties and families.

In 1939 we saw the start to World War 2, the politics were controversial and we saw Hungary deeply involved with Germany, leaders were convinced that Germany would win the war and sought to maintain Hungary's independence by appeasing Hitler, he tricked them to join his invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941, and in December 1941 Hungary formally entered the war against Britain and the United States. The government deported the first 40,000 Jews from Hungary, and six months later Hungarian troops, in reprisal for resistance activities, murdered 3,000 Serbian and Jewish hostages. While these events were taking place Germany increased its financial and economic presence in Hungary, we were continuing to do well, but lives were becoming more stressful. You see my wife, Rebeka, and I were Jewish, living side by side amongst Catholics, we were seen as rich, we had always lived together in harmony, so we hid our faith and prayed for safety. In the end we moved to live with you and your parents in order to avoid being captured. The country became a battlefield. Jews were rounded up, and sent to Auschwitz, or used as slave laborers. Hungary was ransacked first by the retreating Germans, who demolished the rail, road, and communications systems, then by the advancing Soviet Red Army, which found the country in a state of political chaos. As a police force the Gendarmerie were charged with destroying any opponents of a new Hungarian regime and were responsible for carrying out the regime's anti-Jewish policies. The Gendarmerie men were so cruel in their treatment of Hungary's Jews that even the Nazis were shocked. It was at their hands that my dearly beloved wife was murdered, they beat me severely but with her, their actions are indescribable. Your father, Mikeás, my friend was targeted for being friends with us and not long after he was also dead. I took you and your mother, finding safety by moving us around, and then sold some pieces of jewelry your father had made and ensured your safe passage to America. I apologize for a slight change in your name from Edina to Edna, but at the time I thought it would give you some anonymity. I came across Károly, he was now working for the Gendarmie, and he was bitter and resentful. He had also lost his wife to disease and was resentful of the small child he was now left with. I had some money left and through contacts acquired passage for his daughter Erzsébet, and myself into America. She lived with me, and her name meaning Elizabeth, was changed to Beatrice or Beatty, as she preferred to be called. We ended up living close to you, by chance, but by then Erzsébet was a bitter child she had memories of power and grandeur from Hungary, her father had not turned up, we had no money and she attached herself to you, thinking you were her way to acquire it. In the end I had to move away before she tainted you, and, as she got older my faith annoyed her and she was less compassionate toward others. Eventually she went with a family from Miami who could give her what she wanted. I never heard from her again. Maybe I failed her. But you dear Edina, I watched you from afar, a daughter, but then a granddaughter the image of your mother, the image of your soul.

Your father had crafted deep blue diamonds into jewelry for your mother, the same color as the blue of her eyes, of your granddaughter. I smuggled them out of Hungary and into America keeping them for you, but over time I decided that your Granddaughter, the image of your mother, should be the keeper. I left information with a solicitor at first but didn't update it. Forgive me Edna for taking that choice away from you. At first I kept them at a bank, but was afraid they would be found by the wrong people or lost to time, so before I died 22 years ago I moved them, before I wrote this letter. I left a copy of Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice" often seen for the religious and racial discrimination portrayed should Erzsébet ever think to look for any thing of mine, I am sure she had knowledge of me visiting the bank.

International Private Vaults Incorporated now holds the jewels. The box can only be opened by the one true blue eyed descendent, your Granddaughter.

There must be justice even though the heavens fall

Free your heart from hatred

Free your mind from worries

Live simply

Give more

Expect less

Isten áldjon

I simply put the papers on my knee and closed my eyes; I didn't really know how to feel. In some ways I felt a fulfillment that I now knew the history of my closest Hungarian ancestors, there was honesty and simplicity in what had been written by Thomas, almost a resignation of what had happened and how he had tried to do right for his friends, even though one friend had turned against him.

"Babe?"

I think I jumped at his voice I'd become so engrossed with my thinking.

"Sorry, just thinking about what he wrote and how he wrote it"

"How do feel about the letter?"

"I think I feel a sense of attachment, if that's the right word, to my Grandmas family. But I feel for Thomas and how he tried to make things right"

"What about the gems?"

"I'm curious to see them, especially if my great grandfather made them, but they're not as important as the story"

"Proud of you Babe, that quote at the end describes you perfectly, because that's how you live life"

He turned my head and brought my face to his, a kiss that was tender and loving and honest.

"If I'm fit enough to do all that work in the gym then mister I'm taking you on in the bedroom"

He laughed and in one fluid move had lifted me in his arms and walked into the bedroom, kicking the door closed behind him. As he laid me on the bed and followed me down he looked into my eyes.

"I love you more each day Babe"

"I love you too, make love to me"

I pressed my lips to his, softly, tongues gliding, tasting, the kiss slowly grew more intimate and erotic. His mouth slid down my neck, making me breathe out a sigh. He lifted me to sit up and pulled my top over my head, removing his at the same time. Then laying back down he teased at the fabric of my bra, pulling the cups below my breasts. His mouth closed over my breast, licking and sucking, before biting lightly then blowing across my hard nipple. I lifted my hips to invite him to pull down my trousers and briefs as I undid the button and zip of his cargos, freeing his hard erect shaft.

I felt him stroking my wet slit and with his thumb at my clit, his fingers slipping into me, I stroked my hand around his shaft, scraping my nails from the base to its head and across to spread his precum. His movement was hypnotic as with each stroke he incited sensations and feelings so strong they radiated through out my whole body He brought

me to the very edge and with a curl of his fingers and with a squeeze to my swollen clit I fell over the edge. Removing his wet fingers from me, he stroked them over his long, thick shaft and, spreading my thighs, he slowly sank into me.

"I love you,"

He moved so gently inside me, I rocked against him, my legs wrapped around his and my hands clasping at his thighs, taking me higher with each thrust. A lift of my hips deepened his reach, and with his groin rubbing against my clit, release came for both of us in waves, my muscles worked in sequence to draw him in and sweep his seed inside of me. I was filled with so much emotion I didn't scream out, it was with a moan and a sigh of utter completion for our love for each other. The release was with waves of pleasure, surging over and over again. I clutched him to me so that I wouldn't drown in the sheer emotion I felt.

"Look at me, Stephanie"

My eyes locked onto his, I could feel his heart beating against mine, my soul entwined with his.

"I love you so much Carlos'

"Yo amo por siempre Babe"

He turned over onto his back pulling me with him, I settled over his chest with him still inside me, I felt myself relax and drifted to sleep.

Chapter 28

I awoke feeling euphoric with Steph asleep across me, both of us had slept soundly without moving. I slowly moved her onto her side and slipped out from beneath her, her moan reflected my feeling of an immediate loss. I showered and dressed and quietly moved into the kitchen. I sat down and read the letter for myself that Steph had read to me the night before. I was being logical now as I dissected from it information we would need. Making relevant notes on my phone I replaced the letter into the envelope and put it back onto the coffee table, then in the kitchen I started the coffee and rang down to Ella for breakfast. I could hear Steph stirring so went to her, bending over her and kissing any part of her skin I could find. She was squirming and laughing so much she fell off the bed, I panicked, running round to find her flat on her back still giggling, as I helped her up she quieted and nuzzled into my chest.

"Last night was more intense than I've ever known before"

"For me too Babe"

"I'm going to shower and dress then decide what we do next"

"Breakfast will be here when you've finished"

Steph was unusually quiet during breakfast obviously thinking.

"I smell smoke Babe"

"Yeah well we have some loose ends to tie up and I want my life back"

"How?"

"I want Langley locked up for his part, surely we have enough evidence on him?"

"You sure?"

"Yes, I don't want anyone, especially you, to be tainted by this"

"All right I'll speak with someone I know high up in the ranks"

"Good, so that should get the police and suits off my back right?"

"Yes, what are you cooking up?"

"I want to go and get the gems from the vault, using my disguise, then can you have copies, you know fakes, made of them?"

"Yes. Babe, you're making me worried, what are you thinking?"

"Well I'm going to return, I mean Stephanie Plum is, and I'm going to show my mother the fake gems"

"To bait a trap, see who she talks to?"

"Yes"

"All right"

"All right? That's all you're going to say?"

"For now"

"Right then I'll go to the vaults tomorrow as soon as they're open, with you and as many men as you like but, keep it tight, no leaks this time"

"Only men we both trust, Babe"

In some ways I liked how her mind was working, Hector had found Elspeth Langman in her Washington home, so she was far enough away for the moment. We tidied away from breakfast and I called Lester to go with Steph back to the satellite office and sent a message to the top team members, in other words my core team plus Ram and Hector and Kade and his men, and Angel. Bobby was back at this office today having extended his stay in Miami. By the time I reached my office I was mentally prepared to go after Agent Ian Langley. I used my secure line and put in a call to General Honister, he had been my commanding officer for a long time and we had moved beyond just being soldiers, he was approachable and I hoped that if he couldn't help he knew someone who could.

"General, Carlos Manoso here"

"Carlos, must admit I prefer Ranger"

"Whichever you prefer, I answer to both"

"You phoning to re sign, changed your mind?"

"No General, all the reasons I told are all valid, if not more so"
"Lucky girl, so what do you want?"

"We're having a very big problem with a rogue FBI agent"

"Ah shit Ranger, give me the story"

So I told him the whole story starting with Stephs Great Grandparents in Hungary, Stephs journey to Miami and the crash of the jet plus the different names of Elspeth Langman and her Grandson, Ian Langley, finishing with the incident at the bank, her arrest and serious injury. I glossed over how we got her back safely, leaving out the names of Kade and his men and my team. Then tried to explain what Steph wanted to happen.

"That's one hell of a story Ranger and just so you know I did a bit of research myself on that woman of yours, hell no wonder you needed to retire, you've got your hands full with her. How does she end up in the middle of so much shit?"

"A gift, I'll have to introduce you to her, then you'll understand"

"I'll look forward to that. Well then back to this little problem you both seem to have. First send me all the research and evidence, how the hell did you put all of this together?"

"Steph did"

"She must be one hell of a researcher"

"Oh she is, with an unnatural instinct and senses"

"All right then I'm going to call the Director and have him arrest Langley, quietly, for conspiring with a terrorist act, see how he likes it. Then I want in when you take down that Langman woman, you hear me?"

"Will do sir"

With that sorted I prepared for our planning meeting for the visit to the vault in New York City.