Chapter 29

I actually woke up feeling positive and raring to go, so much so I called Tobi for a quick session in the gym, so sue me it was 5am. After showering with Bulgari, come on I needed the extra boost and I'm sure Carlos wouldn't miss the bottle I borrowed yesterday, I scrubbed, moisturized and applied varnish to my toe and finger nails, then applied gel to spike the hair of my wig. I was wearing a tan Dior suit, the fitted skirt to my knees, with a slit up the back, black cashmere top and black FMPs. I had my bigger boobs and hips on but wasn't wearing contacts; instead I put on dark sunglasses. With id in a large black leather bag and a shit load of electronics courtesy of Hector I sashayed out of the apartment and down to Kade's office. Carlos was waiting for me and gave me an appreciative smile. I walked up to him and gave him a passionate kiss then as he was getting a little too enamored I pulled away.

"Someone is in a playful mood, Babe"

"I'm feeling good about this morning, so let's get this show on the road"

Some of the guys had already left for the city and Angel was being seen out and about in Trenton as a decoy, just in case anyone suspected anything. I rode with Carlos who was driving a black Mercedes S class coupe.

"I still prefer the Porsche, more raw power"

"I agree, it sounds and feels better"

That was about it for conversation. We had several cars in front and behind running interference, I didn't always see them but there was constant chat over the speaker as to where they were and what they were going to be doing. Carlos was in bodyguard mode, I could tell from the seriousness of his facial expression and the tight lines that had appeared around his eyes.

"Shit Carlos you're making me nervous"

"Babe?"

"Don't you Babe me"

He smiled and moved his hand onto the top of my thigh and began to move his thumb in circles. Shit did that help? He was turning me on; I was getting goose bumps up and down my legs. As the saying goes whatever keeps him happy. It took us an hour to reach the building housing the vaults, I saw Lester pull his car out of a parking spot so we could park and waited for Carlos to open my door. I knew he and all the guys were wearing mikes and ear buds so they could communicate between each other. I'd called the manager yesterday and forewarned him of my visit and that I would also have a security detail so he didn't look twice as four men dressed in black suits escorted me through the lobby. Did I tell you how hot these guys looked in their suits?

"Thanks Babe"

"Out loud?"

There was a yes from Kade who was stood on the other side of me. The manager approached me and shook my hand introducing himself, to be honest I couldn't remember his name, I was beginning to get a little worried and memories of my last bank visit were coming back to me. Carlos took my hand in his giving it a squeeze; he must have realized how I was feeling.

"Ma'am we only allow one person to accompany you, your guards however can take positions at the doors until you come out, would you please follow me"

Interesting no use of my name. He took us to an entrance and asked for me to place my hand, with fingers spread into a gel like substance, I removed my glasses to look at the machine then turned as I heard a beeping sound. The whole room had its walls covered with the outline of oblongs, likes bricks in a wall, except this was a metal wall. He then led me to stand in front of the beeping box and asked me to repeat the procedure to the scanner just above the outline of a box. As he stood to move away a box slid out, and the lid swung upward to reveal another box inside with handles. Carlos lifted the box out and placed it on the table. I heard him say.

"No cameras that I can see, box removed, opening now"

Inside the box was a large black velvet box, sheesh talk about a box within a box within a box. It was like those Chinese dolls. I picked up the velvet box and looked at Carlos, we'd never talked about whether to open it here.

"Take the box and put it into the leather bag you're carrying, we'll look inside when we know we're secure. Make sure there's nothing else, OK?"

"OK"

We left everything as it was on the table and left the room, as we exited my bodyguards fell into place and I was surrounded as we moved to the outside door, we stopped for a second and I noticed Kade talking and listening, obviously with the guys outside, then we were on the move, this time all of us got into a black SUV with Lester driving. I was in between Carlos and Kade on the seat in the back. As soon as the doors all closed we shot away from the curb. I relaxed glad that everything had gone so smoothly, but I had a question nagging at me.

"Carlos how did they have my fingerprints?"

"Thomas could have come up to you as a child, you'd probably never remember, someone at the hospital, a stranger in the street or in a shop. We'll never know Babe"

I began to relax and put my head on Carlos's shoulder and yes even I could fall asleep after that little bit of adrenaline rush. I only woke up when I felt myself being lifted.

"I can walk"

"Maybe, but I like to carry you"

"Okay"

I snuggled up into his chest but I was waking up now, we were back, all safe and sound.

"Carlos was there any sign of trouble?"

"No, and there won't be. Langley was arrested this morning and since he's in a military prison he won't be getting out or allowed visitors or phone calls"

"Really, how?"

"You owe a general a visit"

"Honister?"

Carlos nodded to Kade and he laughed and replied to Carlos.

"He's fucked"

What the hell did that mean? I was put down on the couch and given the velvet box, I didn't know so many men could fit in this room and since they'd all helped and supported me I didn't mind them being there. I slowly lifted the lid open and removed a thin piece of black cloth. I just sat and stared at the contents, one of the guys whistled, another said "holy shit" and I'm sure there were other comments made. I was bug eyed, literally shocked as I stared at the contents. Inside were seven pieces of jewelry. A ring, necklace, choker, bracelet, two earrings and a hair comb. They were stunning and beautiful, each one had a series of large, and I mean humungous, blue diamonds mounted on them, surrounding by smaller black and white diamonds all set in, I think, white gold. I was speechless. Carlos interrupted the silence.

"Babe, shall I take a photograph so we can get the fakes made?"

I just nodded and placed the box on the table.

"Should we have fakes made of all of them?"

I asked looking around, Kade stepped forward.

"Maybe not the hair comb or choker, what do you think?"

I nodded agreeing.

"Where are we going to keep them?"

"In my safe here on seven, it has retinal scan and code entry, plus any thief would have to get through the building"

"Right, but should we tell anyone, you know that they're being kept somewhere safe?"

"Beautiful if you say just that and stick to that then you'll be fine"

"Well I'm gonna have to prepare for my grand entrance tomorrow, so I'll need to get packed and sort my apartment out. And where is my car?"

No one said a word, they nodded and said goodbye and all of a sudden there was just me and Carlos left.

"Shit babe, I didn't think you'd go back to your apartment"

"Well that's where I lived before all this happened, so that's where I'll have to be or someone's gonna get awfully suspicious"

"I know you're right, I just don't like it on so many levels"

"Yeah well, neither do I"

I just couldn't see a way around it.

"How long before the we have the fakes?"

"He'll work all night, so tomorrow lunch time"

"So if we set things up in the morning and I go visit my parents for dinner tomorrow maybe I'll only have one night there?"

"I'll be staying with you, you know"

"Good"

That afternoon we planned using seven as our base, Carlos still had everything in his office there out of sight. The problem was there were so many things that could happen, with the potential to go wrong. Carlos had sent someone over to my apartment to make sure it was clean and tidy. I almost died of embarrassment when he said that until he added that Morelli had been found there. There were new locks on the doors and windows, and Hector had put in panic pulls in each room. He'd even put a bolt onto the bathroom door saying if need be, I could lock myself in there, with cameras placed above my door, the elevator and stair door, Rangeman would monitor to make sure there were no unwelcome guests. I had a new phone with all my contacts on and trackers sewn into my clothes, shoes and of course my car. I agreed to be shadowed but put my foot down at someone being permanently by my side, arguing that it would deter anyone thinking I was out and about on my own. The upside was that I wouldn't have to wear the blond wig or contact lenses, so I'd be recognized as me When I returned to the satellite office Tobi took me through my paces in the gym, I was hot and sweaty but could feel the improvements I'd made. Tobi was a very good trainer. After eating dinner by myself I packed up my things, made sure the apartment was tidy and went to bed.

Chapter 30

I woke to the phone ringing on my bedside table, my new phone, and answered it with a smile.

"Good morning Babe"

"Morning to you too, what time is it anyway?"

"8 in the morning, did I wake you?"

"Yeah but I had a long sleep so I need to get up. What you doing today?"

"I've got a couple of clients who want their systems upgraded so I'll pay them a visit, the fake jewelry should be ready so I'll bring them over at lunchtime, what about you?"

"I'll head over to my apartment mid morning and thought I'd maybe do some phone calls before I go over to my parents"

"Do you want me to meet you at the apartment then with the jewelry?"

"Yeah, probably best, who's my shadow today?"

"Ram's on first shift then Santos until you're safely tucked up"

"I'll be good and not lose them, Carlos, be careful today I just have a funny feeling, make sure you have someone with you, please?"

"Sure Babe, love you"

"You too"

I felt confident about today, almost in control, and didn't feel anything would happen, but my spidey senses weren't totally dormant, maybe nerves?

Dressed and packed I said my goodbyes to the guys, I felt almost teary like I wouldn't see them again even though Kade swore they'd be around for a while.

"Angel, you be careful out there, OK?"

"Don't worry about me, I'm with Tobi today and we'll be around and about, so you just take care of you"

I found my car in the garage, I remembered it had a makeover so was confident in driving it, driving over to my apartment block I felt quite nostalgic. Dillon was by the stairs when I got in.

"Steph you're back, how are you?"

"I'm good Dillon"

As I unloaded my bags from the car Dillon helped me with my things up and into my apartment.

"Thanks Dillon, catch you later"

I didn't want to sound as if I was getting rid of him, but I really needed to phone people. Before I had another thought I heard the locks tumble on the door and I felt Carlos about to come in. I stood up and went to meet him.

"Babe I thought I was quiet enough for you not to hear me?"

"I knew it was you"

He looked at me moving his eyes from the tip of my shoes to the top of my head. He made me feel wanted, even dressed as I was in jeans and T-shirt.

I walked into his arms as he kicked the door closed behind him. God how I missed him, he was wearing a black designer suit, black shirt and a dark grey tie. His hair was tied back in a leather band, and he looked delectable.

"I've missed you already Babe, I hate the thought of you here by yourself"

"Well hopefully everything will be sorted soon"
"Babe when this is all finished will you move in with me, into seven?"

Wow did I want to do that? Could I give up my apartment? When Morelli had suggested it I'd nearly had a panic attack. Carlos was looking at me with a real worried look, could I? Should I? What if he got tired of me?

"Babe I'll never get tired of you, and if you want we could keep this apartment on, but I never want you away from me"

"Then yes I'll move in, but we need to discuss some things first, like my job and men shadowing me"

"Done, nothing happens without a conversation first"

With that said he backed me against the wall and with a knee pushed between my legs and his body pressing against me he took my head in his hands and placed his lips over mine. I opened my mouth to him, changing the angle our lips met, enabling our tongues to explore and entice. As we came up for breath he placed his hands on the wall beside my head.

"Te amo"

"Querida, but now I have to go"

"You just got here!"

"I brought the fake gems, here let me show you them"

Carlos went over to the dining table and took out a long roll of velvet from his jacket pocket, and unrolled it onto the table. I looked from the gems to him and back again.

"These are fake?"

"Yes, they're good aren't they?"

"I wouldn't know the difference"

"You would, the real diamonds have a brilliance to them, like your eyes. Which pieces will you wear?"

"Uhm, I think the necklace and the earrings"

"All right, each piece has a tracker in it so if someone steals any of them we can follow it, where are you going to hide the other pieces?"

I moved into the lounge and lifted the small coffee table, sliding the rug away I prized up a loose floorboard revealing a space under the floor, then I slid a metal box out and unlatched the lid. I hadn't felt this was a good place to hide that original box, but now with all the safety in place in place it felt right. The lid still covered the contents already inside.

"Babe, what else is in the box?"

"Nothing"

"Liar"

He was smiling at me as he took the box out of my hand and looked inside. He looked at me and kissed me on the forehead, I could feel my cheeks burning. Why did he have to look? Why was I feeling so embarrassed? Inside the box were mementos that I'd kept hidden, form other people and probably from myself. He took each one out looking at me. The menu from the diner where we first met, a photo of us together taken by Lula outside the bonds office, a leather tie he'd left here, a watch, now broken, that was a panic button. He looked to me.

"Don't hide them from me, Babe. I have something very similar in my safe at home"

Tears threatened to spill, had I misinterpreted his affection for friendship or had he really been fighting for us all this time? I took the mementos and put them on the shelf by the TV and placed the velvet roll inside, returning the box to my secret hiding space.

Carlos helped me to my feet and with a last affectionate embrace walked toward the door.

"I'll see you this evening, good luck"

Then he was gone. I went back to the table and put the jewelry on, and then with the phone in my hand got back to what I was doing, making phone calls.

"Plum residence"

"Hi mom"

"Stephanie Plum where have you been?"

No how are you, are you feeling better?

"I just got back home"

"Well you need to come for dinner tonight, you've got a lot of explaining to do. All I've had are phone calls and neighbors asking me questions about you, why me?"

"See you for dinner mom, bye"

I cut the call and looked at the phone, how was it that everything revolved around her? I mean, surely a mother should be worried about their daughter? Where did I go wrong? What had I done for her to treat me like that? With a sigh I pushed to connect to my next call.

"Hi Lou"

"Steph, is it you? Are you all right, are you hurt?"

"I'm fine now Lou"

"Hell Steph I was so worried about you, I couldn't believe the stories going round, you gonna fill me in?"

This was my best friend, asking after me and thinking of me.

"Lou it's one hell of a story so we'll have to make a long session of it, I wanted to phone you and let you know I'm back and I'm fine"

"I hear ye' Steph, you need me just call, and look after yourself"
"Bye Lou"

That conversation made me feel so much better. I couldn't face going into the bonds office so again I made a call.

"Plum bail bonds, how may I help?"

"Hey Connie it's me, Steph"

"You're really here? You're really OK?"

"I am now Connie, how're things with you?"

"Better now I know you're home, I hear that swine shot you"

"He did, and I ended up in hospital having surgery, so it wasn't good, but I'm healing now"

"Yeah well I'm glad they did him for it, he was being real funny after you disappeared, more interested in himself and how you'd left him"

"All's well now Connie, but I need a bit of time to sort myself out, you know?"

"Understood, Rangeman's been picking up most of your skips so Vinnie isn't upset, have you spoken to Lula?"
"Not yet, she there?"
"No, she's been real cut up with what happened to you, give her a call will you"

"Will do, catch you soon, bye"

"Bye"

That went well but I needed a coffee before I finished up with my last two calls.

"White girl is that really you?"

"Hi Lula, yes it's me"

"Girl you just about give me a heart attack, I ain't eaten properly in weeks, you back and

for good now? 'Cos I need to see ya"

"I'm back, but I've got to visit with my parents, Lula you gonna be all right now?"

"Sure am, on my way to buy doughnuts then I'm gonna get me a pedi and mani and get my hair done, I've been so down without knowing if you be alive or dead girl"

"You go sort yourself out and I'll catch up with you when I'm sorted out, OK?"

"That's my girl, ta-ra for now"

Poor Lula, she really had been feeling bad, but hopefully now she would bounce back.

Last phone call.

"Hi Eddie, Steph here"

"Steph I am so glad to hear from you. He came through for you then?"

"If you mean Ranger, then yes"

"No one else I know would Steph"

"Eddie I called to say thank you, for believing in me"

"Steph I know you, and I know you wouldn't do anything to hurt someone or for personal gain. The way Morelli acted was unforgivable"

"Err Eddie is he around and about?"

"Don't worry, with the way he behaved he's been ordered by the courts to take a psychiatric evaluation, then when it's done he'll go to court"

"That's good, I don't think I could face meeting him, Eddie did they find out who set his house on fire?"

"You won't believe this Steph, but word out there is that Terry Gilman was so pissed off at him because he wouldn't continue their liaison that she got one of her dads goons to do it. There's no proof, so it's still an ongoing case, but no ones really wasting time on it"

"Thanks Eddie, for everything"

"No problem Steph, give me a shout if you need anything"

"Bye Eddie, and no I'm not babysitting!"

Well the afternoon was disappearing and all I'd done was talk on the phone, I needed to get ready to face my mother so a shower was needed. I showered, buffed and moisturized, then put on a straight knee length denim skirt with a dark blue blouse that showed off the necklace and earrings, and then applied soft eye makeup and three coats of mascara. I needed the courage tonight.

I noticed Lester in my rear view mirror as I drove and parked out side of my parent's house, I'm sure he made sure I saw him, to give me confidence that he was there. My mother, as always was waiting on the doorstep. Why does she do it? Is it her way of intimidating me? Or showing me her love?

"Stephanie, what are you wearing?"

"Nice to see you too mum"

Oh, she didn't like that reply, so I followed her through the dining room and into the kitchen.

"You need any help mum?"

"No, get your father to sit at the table"

"No Grandma?"

"Coach trip with Mavis, she told me she'd be back later tonight"

The three of us sat at the table eating stuffed cabbage, in silence. I don't know how I ever liked this stuff; it was feeling heavy in my stomach.

"Stephanie stop playing with your food"

"Sorry mum, I've still not got my appetite back"

"Frank tell her, she needs to eat get her energy back"

"For gods sake Ellen leave the girl alone, she's just got back home and from what I've heard she's still recovering from a serious injury"

"Oh Frank, what did she do to make poor Joseph shoot at her?"

"Poor Joseph, he's a moron and good riddance to him"

"You're wrong, he loves her, and he's the one she has to marry"

"For gods sake woman, he nearly killed her"

"She needs to learn her place and accept who she is"

My head was going back and forth between the two, that was the most I'd heard my father say in years, and he was standing up for me. Go dad. He finished his meal and scraping back the chair got up.

"Ellen, can you please not serve that again, I don't know why you think anyone likes it"

I stared after him as he left the room and went back to his TV in the lounge.

"Stephanie don't you have something to tell me?"

"Not that I know of"

"How about where you got that necklace from"

"Oh this, it is beautiful isn't it?"

"Well yes, but not really your style"

"I like it"

"It doesn't belong to you"

"I think it does, don't you"

"Well Beatrice said . . . I mean I heard that a piece like that belonged to someone else"

"Mum, just spit it out. What do you think you know?"

"That there are important documents that you need to get to the right people and you were supposed to be helping, but as usual you made a mess of it"

"So how do you think I should make things right"

"Those documents"

"Mum I don't have any documents, the FBI have them"

"Then get them, before someone gets hurt, you never think about others, you just blunder your way through life and end up in the wrong"

I was close to tears, but held them back, who did she think I would hurt?

"Who do you think I should be helping?"

"Your family of course, I don't know where I went wrong with you"

"But I've done nothing wrong"

"Oh, but you're wearing that jewelry, it should be with the person it belongs to"

"And who might that be?"

"You know very well young lady, so sort it out, before it's too late"

Interesting, we were going around in circles with this conversation so I decided to be the one to stop it.

"Thanks for dinner mum, I'll call soon"

"You're going?"

"Yes, bye mum, bye dad"

"Bye pumpkin, take care"

With that I walked out of the door and over to my car. I drove slowly back to my apartment, Lester right behind me. Once in the car park Lester came up in the elevator with me and checked out my apartment.

"You all right Beautiful?"

"Yes thanks"

"I'll be right outside Beautiful, call if you need me"

I locked the door behind him and wandered through to the bedroom. I couldn't get that conversation with my mother out of my head, why did she seem to hate me so much that she couldn't, or wouldn't want me to be happy? I lay on the bed and decided to think happy thoughts instead, Carlos would be here soon.