Chapter Four

Beth reports on her first day in Trenton. Guess who she meets?

"Crowder and Associates, this is Michelle, how may I help you?"

"Steph, its Beth."

"Oh Beth how was your first day in Trenton?"

Beth laughed, "It has been interesting to say the least."

"Tell me, tell me."

"I began by driving by your old haunts; Tasty Pastry, Plum Bail Bond office, Quaker Bridge mall, and I had to decide between Shorty's and Pino's for lunch."

"Oh, which one did you choose?"

"Shorty's looked a bit rough but I'll go back now that I have an escort," Beth explained.

Escort? Stephanie was curious. "So you went to Pino's?"

"Yes. You wouldn't believe who I met almost immediately, I had to sit at the bar because the place was packed. I ordered a meatball sub and a beer..."

I groaned, "I can taste the meatballs..."

"You were right Steph, they are fantastic. I wish I could send you some. Anyway, this guy sits down next to me and starts ragging me because I wrinkled my nose at the beer."

I laughed, "It wasn't dark enough for you, right."

"Bingo! Next thing you know he comments about my lack of accent, wants to know why I'm in town, why someone would hire an out of stater and why I was eating at Pino's. The guy was being a jerk."

Uh Oh! "So you let him have it?"

"Yep, I told him just because I'm darker and not a member of Knights of Columbus, I should be able to eat there."

"Good for you!" Stephanie cheered.

"Then he apologized and explained he was just making conversation waiting for his lunch companion. He introduced himself."

"Let me guess…..Joe."

"Yes, Joe Morelli. He is a handsome man and yes, he has a nice ass."

"You checked it out?"

"Hey you were the one who originally brought it up. Of course I checked him out. I'm not dead."

"You said lunch companion….was it with a woman?" I wasn't sure I was ready for the answer.

"Yes. Stephanie, you did tell him to move on and apparently he's been out playing the field. I think he's desperate for a family."

"What is she like?"

"Does it matter? You cut him free. You can't be jealous." Beth sighed because she knew of the roles were reversed; she'd be asking the same questions. "She is shorter than you, very Italian, big busted and curvy to hippy, long black hair, and average to plain. She's a pediatric nurse."

"How did you know she's a pediatric nurse?"

"That was from the second person who sat down next to me. I was collecting them like flies to molasses pie. This one was very tall, dark, max muscles and a deep bass voice."

"Tank?"

"Yep! Oh Steph, you didn't tell me much about him. There's a whole lot of man in that package, yum. Anyway, he wanted to know why I was talking to Morelli. When I learned who he was, we switched to business. He's the one I'll be working with at Rangeman."

"Nothing about Ranger?"

"I can't let on I know about Ranger. Tank and I met up about three hours later at Rangeman. There I met Bobby, Lester and Hector. I'm glad you told me about Hector, he is imposing when you first meet him.

"What was your impression of my friends?" Stephanie giggled.

"Bobby was a gentleman, I made sure Lester was on the other side of the table, but Hector didn't way a word, just looked at me. It was weird."

"Weird creepy or weird strange?"

"Both."

"Today I meet Mr. Bernstein. The guys at Rangeman clued me in on his needs, they are somewhat bizarre. I'm very pleased Rangeman has the diversity to cover it all. Oh, by the way, I mailed your two letters in Atlanta."

Dear Mom, Dad, Grandma Mazur and Valerie/Albert and the girls,

Just me checking in….. I rent a room in a spectacular house owned by an architect. She is a widow and needs someone to look after her house and dog when she travels. My life is simple as I'm trying to save money for the future, something I could never do in Trenton. I've made many friends here, both men and women, but am not dating. Everyone is kind and so respectful. It is not at all like living in the Burg. I hope you are well.

Love, Stephanie

Dear Ranger,

Our pasts do influence our present but need not color our future. My mental and spiritual healing continues. Life is quiet; I do miss adrenaline spikes from my bounty hunting job or our time on the 7th floor. Since I'm no longer chasing idiots through Trenton, I've had to take up exercise including martial arts. You and Tank had better beware; I am learning disciplines I never knew existed. I've become fairly proficient a variety of weapons and wish I knew about Kendo "shinai" when I was bounty hunting. I'm also learning how to shoot not only handguns but rifles and crossbows. My instructor promises to take me turkey bow hunting. In the past I would hesitate to hunt for dinner, but I'm changing. I can almost see the smile on your lips. Lips I miss.

Love, Stephanie

The letter remained unopened on Ranger's desk. He was away again.