Chapter Tree Beth in Trenton
Beth flew into Newark and drove to Trenton. She had never been in New Jersey and wanted to know why it was called "the garden state." Getting off the main highways, she explored the country side and soon found herself surrounded by farms. Who would have thought there was still so much agriculture in the northeast?
Once in Trenton she decided to cruise by Stephanie's old stomping grounds. Quaker Bridge mall was pretty much like every other mall in the country. Driving down Hamilton Avenue, she saw the Vincent Plum Bail Bonds sign. She was very tempted to stop and see Connie Rizolli, the Italian Betty Boob. For a moment she considered getting a doughnut at Tasty Pastry, but decided she didn't need the extra sugar. Cluck in a Bucket looked greasy from outside the building. No thank you. It was lunch time. Would she go to Shorty's or Pino's? One drive by Shorty's and she'd rather not leave the car without an escort, so went on to Pino's.
What was it Stephanie recommended? The meatball sub? When she entered all the tables and booths were taken but lunch was also being served at the bar. "What'll it be," asked the bartender.
"Whatever is on tap and a meatball sub."
"Good order." She didn't know what made it a good order, not being particular about the beer or ordering something simple. She looked around Pino's. Nothing special, it was a neighborhood bar and restaurant. Stephanie said this was a cop's bar, but it was too early in the day for the police to be in, but the place was packed. It either was the only place to eat or the food was good.
The beer arrived quickly. Beth preferred designer beers, those made by smaller independent brewers but Pino's didn't look like a place to get fancy. Plus she didn't know the local brew climate. The beer arrived in a frosty mug. She took a hefty swallow; pilsner, of course.
"You look disappointed," came the voice from the man who slid onto the stool next to her. She glanced over and saw a very handsome man, dark hair, incredible dark eyes.
"I'm afraid I'm a beer snob, but right now I'm just thirsty," she responded.
"I don't hear Jersey in your voice," the man stated though he surely had the accent.
"No sir, I'm from that giant area called 'elsewhere'."
"You here on business or government work, Ms. Elsewhere?"
"Business, I'm an architect and have a potential client in Hamilton Township."
"Why would someone from here hire you from "elsewhere?"
"Sir, they hire me because I'm unique and very good at my work."
"Pino's is a little off the main track here in Trenton. Why did you choose this bar in the Burg for lunch?"
Beth set down her mug. OK, she was officially tired of this bar jerk. "Sir you are extremely nosy," she said in a somewhat louder voice. "Does one have to be Italian to eat here? I see other dark skinned people here who probably aren't members of Knights of Columbus." That might get her thrown out, but she was tired of being grilled. She hoped those weren't his pick up lines.
Her meatball sub arrived and she began eating. She was in a lousy mood, but the sub was delicious. Stephanie was right, the meatballs were delicate, nicely seasoned and the sauce was extraordinary.
The man seemed contrite, "I'm sorry; I was out of line, Ms. Unique. I ask a lot of questions in my work and sometimes it spills over. I'm a cop, my name is Joe Morelli."
Oh shit, she thought. The one person she really didn't want to meet and he's the first guy she runs into. Taking a napkin and wiping her lips, "Mr. Morelli, my name is Beth Crowder, from 'elsewhere." She shook his hand.
"I hate to leave you here alone, I'd like to learn more about 'elsewhere,' but I'm meeting someone here in a few minutes and want to snag that empty table."
"Go ahead Mr. Morelli. I'm fine by myself. I came for lunch, not to be entertained." With that she went back to the delicious meatball sub and adequate beer.
Joe had been gone for less than two minutes when a deep bass voice came behind her, "Is this seat taken?" She turned and saw a giant dark man dressed in black, shaved head, almond eyes, long slender nose, and thinner lips. YUM she thought to herself. "No, it's not taken." Maybe he came to protect her after her Knights of Columbus remark.
"You know Joe or have business with him?" he rumbled.
She looked into his eyes, bottomless dark pits, "Sir is there some reason why I need to tell you?" She was still pissed at the grilling she had receiving from Morelli. Was all of Trenton like this?
His stare was deadly. She was not intimidated and stared right back. Eventually she glanced down at his shirt stretched taught across his well-developed chest and arms and saw Rangeman embroidered in black on the black shirt. She shut her eyes and gave herself a mental head slap.
"Excuse me that was rude. I met Mr. Morelli here minutes ago. He was sitting next to me waiting for a table as he is meeting someone. That's it. We talked, because he thought I was dissing the beer."
"Were you dissing the beer?" Tank asked.
"I only winced. This is a pilsner, I prefer a beer with more hops, closer to a stout. This is weak and has no body." She glanced at the Rangeman and shivered, there was a heck of a body sitting next to her. Extending her hand, "My name is Beth Crowder."
"The architect from Florida?"
"Yes and I see you work for Rangeman. I'll be talking with someone from your company on my potential project here."
"That would be me, name is Tank."
"Tank? That's it?" She knew the name and agreed with Stephanie, no other name was appropriate.
"It's what I go by."
They shook hands.
Tanks eyes strayed to the front door when a 30 something woman, 5'6" long dark hair. Very curvy, big breasts, round hips enter the bar. She was dressed in scrubs. She looked around and then moved towards the tables. Joe Morelli stood and gave her a kiss and they sat.
"Is that Joe's wife?" Beth asked.
"No, she's his fiancée. They are getting married soon."
"She's cute. What does she do?"
"Pediatric nurse. Moved from Italy to New York 7 years ago, transferred down here about a year ago. She has a cute Italian accent."
Beth smiled into her beer. Stephanie would approve.
"You are smiling?" Tank asked.
Beth hurried to come up with an answer. "Cop and a nurse; that might lead to fun games."
"And what would be fun for an architect?"
"Mr. Tank, it's been a while since I've played any games. I'd have to give that some thought."
Beth paid her bill and went out into the sun with Tank right behind her. "Where to now?"
"I'm staying at Omni, it is time to check in, unpack and reconnoiter. I like to know more about a community and my client before I go in for the first meeting."
"Reconnoiter is a curious word choice," he said.
"My late husband was Army intel."
"Iraq?"
"Yes, Iraq."
"I won't keep you from checking in but then I'd like to take you to reconnoiter then dinner where the beer is better. We can discuss Rangeman Security and your potential client, Mr. Bernstein."
She blushed from her toes up past her nose, "Yes, I'd like that. However, as it is only early afternoon, and like to work out in the hotel gym for a while, I've been crammed in an airplane and car all day. May I meet you at Rangeman in a few hours?"
Tank smiled, "Four o'clock too early?"
"That's perfect." She shook his hand again, she liked the feel. Getting into her car she thought, "Wow, I wasn't expecting that! What is it about Trenton and their men?"
She found the Haywood Street building and parked in the visitor's lot. She had no sooner gotten to the front door than Tank opened it for her, "Welcome, you are right on time."
Beth smiled, "You waiting for me here?"
Tank looked a little embarrassed. "Come to the conference room, I want you to meet several of our team. One warning, we may look spooky but that's part of the intimidation. We are gentlemen, mostly."
"I can be pretty intimidating myself, Tank."
He agreed, she was wearing high heel shoes that made her nearly as tall as he.
When shown into the conference room she met several other gentlemen. "This is Lester Santos and Bobby Brown."
So far Beth didn't seem to be intimidated by the other men. That was until the knock at the door and a tattooed man came in, "This is Hector. He is our security expert."
Beth stuck out her hand, she had heard about these three men. "Nice to meet you Hector," she said waiting to see if he would answer in Spanish or English. He just nodded.
As the meeting progressed, Beth learned about Rangeman and its security capabilities. She in return impressed them with her knowledge of security systems. Hector sat back and watched Beth Crowder, Estefania's boss. It didn't take him long to like her and trust her, but decided he would not tell Ms. Crowder he knew Estafania was under her care.