Chapter 16

Donuts didn't work this morning either. Lester had brought home donuts after taking a rather embarrassed Morelli home to his family. I had a rough night explaining everything that happened to Ric. Fortunately, he was actually understanding, although I am pretty sure that he plans on discussing things with Morelli at the first available opportunity. Even thought I left out the part about Joe getting kind of rough, I had no doubt that Lester, who found Joe asleep on the sofa and who saw my wrists didn't leave anything out of his report.

I headed down to the home gym. It was a place that I identified with Ric. I was missing him and this was only day two. He had been gone on missions longer than this and I had no problem, so I wasn't sure what was creating the feelings this time. Maybe it was all the angst with Joe that had me thinking. Okay, so denial is generally my friend, but this thing with Ranger meant that I needed to really reflect. Once we got involved seriously, I wasn't asked to do distraction as often. Ric explained that he really couldn't take the pawing and other behavior I got from the men we were intent on capturing. He didn't like anyone touching me. Granted, I kind of felt the same about him, but I always considered that the distraction gig was business, nothing personal. Then there was the house. Okay, so we both decided that moving out of the apartment was a natural part of our relationship, but despite the fact we both had a say in the house, it was always referred to as Manoso's house or Ranger's house. I'm still not sure if that really bothers me or not.

All the thinking got me through the first set of exercises. I was standing in front of the mirror, the sweat rolling down my back, when Lupe came down with my cell phone.

"The boss is on the line, Miss Steph. He's been trying to reach you," she said as she handed me my phone.

"Hi Ric," I began, trying to catch my breath. "Are you all right?"

"I was going to ask you the same thing. Lupe says you're in the gym. What's going on?"

Figures, Batman would know where, when and how to everything. "I'm fine. Nothing's going on. Okay, so maybe I miss you."

I felt him smile even through the phone. "I miss you, Babe. I'm working things out with Gina. She understands that I want to be more involved with Elena, but that neither you nor I want to interfere with her relationship with Elena. I think we made a lot of progress."

Now it was my turn to smile. I knew that when Ric wanted something, he could charm a snake.

"As long as you didn't make out with your ex-wife, I'm good." I have no idea what possessed me to say that.

"Babe," he replied. Nothing else needed to be said I guess. "Lester says Morelli got home safe and sound. We really have to talk about how we can make these friendships work. If Anna finds out he came to see you, I'm betting she's going to be pissed."

"Jesus, Ric. It wasn't my fault. He's confused. Hell, I'm confused. We all just need more time."

"What are you confused about Stephanie?" I heard the change in his tone. This was serious Ranger I was talking to now.

"Lots of things, but it can all wait until you're home." I was stalling and both of us knew it.

"Babe, I love you, you know that now, but I won't be played for a fool. If Morelli's a problem between us, you need to tell me."

"What?" I shouted. "What the hell is that supposed to mean? Listen to me, Ric, I am not, repeat not, trying to play you for anything. You know I have feelings for Morelli, but they are nothing compared to what I feel for you. Exactly what are you trying to insinuate, and before you tell me, remember that I am the one with guards in the house. Who's guarding your virtue in Gina's house?"

Ranger was silent for a moment. "We'll talk later. I'll call tonight." With that said, he hung up.

I threw the phone across the room in frustration. I probably said more than I need to say and only succeeded in upsetting him, but I was getting tired of always being the one at fault.

After a nice long shower, I dressed for another, probably uneventful, long day. Lester and Hal met me at the front door, explaining that there was a shift change and Bobby was my sidekick today. Fine by me, I thought. Bobby and I could generally talk about anything.

"Okay, Bomber," he began, when he waited for me to get to the Rangeman elevator, "What gives? You're in a hell of a mood. I know this isn't just because Ranger's in Miami."

"Bobby, what do you know about Gina? How close is Ric to Elena's mother now?"

"Steph, he tolerates Gina at best. They were never really suited to each other. It was one of those things. He married her more out of a sense of duty than anything else. I figure that he thought he wouldn't survive the Rangers and figured this way, Elena and Gina would be taken care of. Lots of men feel that way."

I considered what Bobby said. "I guess that makes sense, but what about now? He said he stays with them in Miami."

Bobby frowned. "Sure he does, but that sure as hell doesn't mean anything else. You're the one he's wanted forever. Damn, Steph, don't start thinking like that."

He was right. I was going to drive myself crazy. Again, I was never like this before our engagement. The whole situation with Elena had me worried as well. I sure as hell didn't want to try to be anyone's mother. No matter how many times Ric said things would be fine, I was not convinced. I needed to get over this conflict and confusion before he came home. One look at my face and he would know that I was troubled about something. This was one conversation I really didn't want to have with him anytime soon.

I stumbled through the day, more out of lack of nothing else to do than anything else. I performed the routine searches flawlessly and realized that it was almost time to go home. The thing is, I really didn't want to go home. The house was only home if Ric was there. It wasn't like my apartment; it wasn't even like Joe's house. Ric and I had made the place ours, in our own way, but I still felt uncomfortable in it without him. I closed down the computer and wondered who my guards were for the night. I headed down to the garage and noticed that someone had left something on my windshield.

"Bobby," I spoke into my cell. "Did any of the guys leave me an envelope on my windshield?"

Bobby sounded instantly alert. "No, Steph, why would we do that? Are you telling me that someone was in the garage?"

I looked at the white envelope laying under the wiper blade. "It would appear so. I have this envelope on my car. Want me to bring it up?"

"No," he snapped back, "don't touch it. Hal will come and get it."

I waited by my call until Hal arrived, gloved and carrying an evidence bag. "You didn't touch it, did you?" he asked.

I blew out a breath. "I know better," I bit out.

I followed Hal and the evidence bag back up to the control room. Bobby was waiting.

"I will contact Ranger after we figure out what this is, but Hector is staying in the house with you tonight. Don't argue," he stated flatly before I could open my mouth.

The guys studied the envelope, and with gloved hands, removed the contents. It looked innocent enough, but with me, nothing ever really was innocent.

"Obviously, this letter is for you, Steph," Bobby stated as he read the beginning of the letter and the signature at the bottom. "Ranger is going to be pissed."

Bobby showed me the letter, careful not to touch much of it. "We'll preserve finger prints this way, but I seriously doubt it could have come from anyone other than Martinez."

I was able to read most of the letter quickly. Good old Jose had it in for Ric big time and decided that I was a great way to get revenge. Ranger's biggest fear just materialized. He always told me that his life didn't lend itself to relationships because there was always someone after him. Now, it would appear that because he made an exception for me, Jose Martinez wanted me dead.