Life for One

Chapter 8

I pulled up to the curb in front of Stephanie's parents. Eddie Gazarra and Carl Costanza pulled in behind me. I had been through a lot of shit in my life, but never had I felt the way I did right now. Death and the way Joe died weren't unfamiliar to me. When you lived the life of a mercenary if you weren't on a mission of death, you were trying to avoid it. In the Army I saw friends die that were like brothers to me, but this was different. I couldn't distance myself this time because it was Stephanie's life that was changed forever, and I couldn't do a damn thing to make it better.

I stepped out of the car and looked at the solemn faces of Carl and Eddie.

"Ranger do you want to tell her, or you want me too?" Eddie said.

His face was red and he looked ready to keel over any second.

"I don't think we'll have to tell her anything. When she sees us she'll know."

Carl nodded toward the house and I turned and saw Stephanie standing in the doorway with Luke on her hip. I walked slowly up the steps and pulled the front door open. She looked at me strangely, as I reached out and took Luke out of her arms. He started to whimper, I patted him on the back, and he smiled. He looked like a miniature version of his mother. Stephanie looked At Eddie and then back at me.

"You're scaring me, is this about Joe?"

Eddie stepped toward her and she backed away when he tried to reach out to her.

"Steph there was an explosion tonight at the docks down in the warehouse district. Morelli was aboard a boat and it exploded. I'm sorry Stephanie, but he didn't survive."

She looked at me and I turned and handed Luke to Mr. Plum. Stephanie's mother had turned off the television and was standing behind her wringing her hands.

"Ranger tell me it's a mistake."

In the past, I had wanted to trade places with Morelli more than once, but this time it was so he could be alive.

"I'm sorry Babe."

Her legs folded and I stepped forward and caught her before she could fall. I picked her up, carried her over to the couch, and sat down with her on my lap. I held her close and spoke softly in her ear, trying to say anything to comfort her. The sobs racked her body, she cried until nothing was left and she snubbed like a child. She pulled away and looked around the room. We were alone, the Plums and Eddie and Carl had retreated to the kitchen.

I brushed the left over tears from her face. I would have given anything to make her world right again, but I had no control and I couldn't remember the last time I felt this inadequate.

"Luke…"

"Is fine, your mom took him in the kitchen."

"How Ranger, how did this happen, who made this happen?"

"I don't know Babe, but I'm going to find out."

"I'm so angry at him for leaving us. He had to know he was in danger, why didn't he get out?"

"It may not have been possible, he was undercover, and he needed to stay that way. He must have been close to cracking the case."

"It wasn't worth his life."

"Sometimes you don't have a choice."

She slid off my lap and stood in front of the couch. I could see the anger in her eyes.

"Ranger that's total bullshit and you know it. Joe's not stupid, he would have known if he was in serious danger."

"He knew."

She looked at me and I could sense the wheels turning in her mind as she put two and two together.

"You had contact with him didn't you?"

"Yes."

"When did you speak with him?"

I stood up and walked to the other side of the living room. I wanted to distance myself in case she decided to slap the shit out of me.

"I saw him minutes before the explosion."

She ran her fingers through her hair and sighed.

"I want some answers."

"I can't give you many answers. All I know is he was undercover on a burglary ring that is connected to Eddie Abruzzi's step son."

I watched as the little color left in her face drained away.

"Was Joe about to crack the ring?"

"He was getting there."

She sank down on the couch as if she couldn't support her own weight anymore. She stared at the wall and spoke to me.

"How are you involved?"

"Morelli said Stephan Brewer was targeting my employees at Rangeman, he is possibly responsible for the hit on Tank and Bobby."

"He wants revenge for Abruzzi's death?"

I nodded and she looked away.

"Is Luke in danger?"

"I have reason to believe that you both are, that's why I need to get you in a secure environment."

"So how long am I going to have to hide?"

I looked at her in surprise. "You mean you'll agree to a safe house?"

I could see the cold fear in her eyes.

"I'll do anything you say if you'll keep them from harming Luke."

I walked over to her and pulled her into my arms. I was not surprised that she wanted to protect Luke, but she was broken and I had no way of fixing what she needed most.

"I promise you that I will do everything in my power to keep you both safe."

She pulled away and looked at me.

"I know you will."

Carl and Eddie appeared in the living room.

Eddie looked at me.

"Ranger I need to take you in for questioning."

"Can this wait until morning, I have some things to take care of."

"The captain called he wants you brought in now."

Stephanie walked over to Eddie.

"What's this about Eddie?"

"Steph it's just routine questioning, Ranger was the last person to see Joe alive."

"So that makes him the person who planted the explosives on the boat?"

I walked over and placed my hand on her neck.

"Babe it's okay."

I could hear Luke crying in the kitchen.

"Go take care of him, I have Zero watching the house. I'll call you in the morning."

I stared at the detective across the table. I'd been through the drill before. Unfortunately I drew the short straw, Detective Hamilton had a reputation as a ball buster.

"Mr. Manoso let's go over this one more time."

I leaned back in the chair and crossed my arms across my chest. It was going to be a long night.

"What time did detective Morelli contact you?"

"About 4 PM."

"And he said he wanted to meet with you on a boat called The Lucky Tide?"

"Yes."

"He informed you that this man named Stephen Brewer was involved in a burglary ring, and was targeting your employees and eventually you, Mrs. Morelli and her son?"

"Yes."

"Why would this man want you dead Mr. Manoso?"

"I have no idea."

"I think you're lying Mr. Manoso and I think you wanted Joe dead because you're in love with his wife."

I looked him in the eye until he looked away.

"Did you plant a bomb on the Lucky Tide, and lure Morelli aboard in order to kill him?"

"No."

"Did you not save Stephanie Morelli's life when she was being held hostage in her apartment by the man who kidnapped your own daughter?"

"A man who also held my daughter captive in the very same apartment, I wouldn't say I saved them, I walked into the apartment and was shot by Edward Scrog. There wasn't much rescuing on my part."

"You would do anything to protect Stephanie Morelli wouldn't you?"

"Yes."

"Even after she married Joe she was still known as your woman on the street. You wanted her for yourself, and you made it possible by killing Joe didn't you Manoso?"

"No."

"Why would Morelli want to give you information about Brewer?"

"He was concerned about his wife and son's safety, he trusted me to keep them safe."

"Why would this man want to harm Morelli's family?"

"I don't know."

"I think you do know. Stephan Brewer is Eddie Abruzzi's step son, the man who everyone on the street knows you murdered, and made it look like a suicide."

I gave him a cold stare that I hoped made him aware of how far off base this line of questioning was going.

"You have any evidence of that?"

He stood up and leaned across the table. "If I did you can bet your ass you would be behind bars right now."

My attorney stood up and looked at him. "This line of questioning has gone far enough."

The detective sat back down and my attorney took his seat.

He looked at me across the table once again.

"Do you deny that you have had feelings for Mrs. Morelli in the past?"

"No."

"Did you want Morelli out of her life?"

"No."

"Are you and Mrs. Morelli having an affair?"

"No."

"Mr. Manoso every business Brewer has robbed used to be clients of Rangeman. What is your connection to Stephan Brewer?"

"Never met him before."

"Then why should I believe you met Morelli for information about someone you didn't even know existed?"

"I don't know."

"I thought you said he was trying to warn you of impending danger to your employees and his family?"

"That doesn't mean I know Stephan Brewer."

"Oh I think you know who he is, and I think you planned several burglaries with him and possibly staged Morelli's death."

He stared at me across the table and my eyes never wavered from his.

You're free to go, but you are not to leave town, and I want you fingerprinted and your hands checked for gun shot residue before you leave."

"Gun shot residue?"

"Morelli was shot before the boat exploded, I need the weapon you were carrying and your permit to carry concealed or you're spending the night in jail."

It was 4AM before I was released from the TPD. I drove back to Rangeman on autopilot trying to work through my mind what plan Morelli had in place and how he could have been so far off in his calculations about being identified by Brewer. Morelli was a smart cop, one of the best. He was good at undercover work, it didn't make sense that he felt so confident of his position in the sting, and the next minute he was dead. It just made me even more hungry to find out Brewer's game plan.

I stepped off the elevator on seven and pointed my remote at the door of the apartment. When I entered, I was surprised to see Mia asleep on the couch. I slipped past her and headed for the shower. I didn't want to wake her, I was in no mood for small talk or questions. I took a quick shower and pulled on a pair of sweats. I headed for my office. No way could I sleep until I had some answers. I wanted some background information on Brewer. I booted up the computer and started my search. Brewer was a 29-year-old millionaire. Made his money on Wall Street, he was a retired trader. Interesting.

I smelled coffee brewing and I had a feeling I knew where it was coming from. Mia appeared in the doorway with a tray in her hands. She placed it on the corner of the desk and flashed me a smile.

"Thought you could use some caffeine."

"Thanks, I didn't mean to wake you."

"No problem I had enough sleep."

She perched on the edge of the desk and I took the cup she offered.

"I heard about Joe Morelli on the news tonight. How's Stephanie holding up?"

"As well as can be expected considering the circumstances."

"I understand you were the last person to see him alive, was he the business you took care of when you left the hospital this afternoon?"

"Yes."

She sat on the desk in silence as I continued to gather information on Brewer. Every hit I found gave social information and nothing more. Brewer was apparently a lot like his stepfather. A gamer and a gambler. He owned a home in Florida, LA, and NYC. Nothing was mentioned about an island off Nova Scotia, not that I really expected it to be. I leaned back in my chair and picked up the phone to call the control room. Woody answered.

"Yo."

"Did Ram leave me any information?"

"He said to tell you he is still working on it. Seems every search has resulted in encryption. He's trying to hack the code but he says this guy is good."

"Tell him to keep me updated."

"Will do."

"Have you heard from Zero?"

"Yeah Vince brought him some food about an hour ago everything's quiet."

"Later."

I hung up the phone and looked up at Mia. I was feeling the lack of sleep starting to take it's toll.

"I think I'll get a couple hours of sleep. I'm beat."

She nodded and I could sense that she wanted to talk, but it would have to wait, I wasn't in the mood for questions.

I stood up and she wrapped her arms around my waist. I leaned into her and rested my chin on her head.

"You coming to bed?"

"You want me to?" She asked.

I pulled away and looked down at her, I leaned in and brushed my lips across hers. She grabbed my ass with both hands and pulled me flush to her. I growled low in my chest, picked her up and carried her into the bedroom.

I slipped out of bed without waking Mia and took a shower. I was sitting at the bar reading the newspaper when she walked in fully dressed with a duffle bag slung over her shoulder. I gave her a questioning look.

"Going somewhere?"

She dropped the duffle and slid onto the barstool beside me. I poured her a cup of coffee and handed it to her. She took a drink and sat it down on the bar.

She turned and looked at me and something told me she wanted answers I couldn't give her.

"I was going to take some time off this week but I think I should get back."

"I'm going to be in Trenton semi permanently."

"You covering for Tank until he is recovered?"

"Yes, he's doing well this morning; apparently he's awake and talking."

She smiled. "That's great news."

"Yes it is."

She grew silent and I looked back at the paper waiting for her to say what was on her mind.

"Ranger this is not working."

I put the paper down and turned facing her.

"What's not working for you?"

"I thought you were over her, but I thought wrong. Now that Joe's out of the picture, I feel even more vulnerable. I can take down the meanest asshole on the street and not bat an eye, but I cannot do emotional shit worth a damn. I could keep it physical with you, but I won't compete with someone else in your mind and heart. You're not over her and I don't think you ever will be."

I leaned over and pulled her into my arms. I felt like I had shortchanged her, but really didn't know how. My mind had been on autopilot for months. The business in Boston was overwhelming, I barely had time to think let alone have a personal life. I honestly hadn't had time to think about Stephanie in months, and now I was being told I was still in love with her. When I looked at Stephanie, I felt love, but it was different from before, a part of me was still angry with her for marrying Morelli. Totally self centered on my part, but it did what it needed to do, it gave me incentive to walk away guilt free and not fuck up something good if I found it.. Mia was a wonderful woman, we understood one another, and I had to admit I didn't want to lose her.

I pulled away and cupped her face in my hands.

"We've talked about this before, we both suck emotionally, but I'm willing to try if you are. I want you to stay."

She took one of my hands in hers and kissed my palm as she looked at me.

"I'm going back to Boston; I want to give you some space. I'll call you."

She stood up and brushed her lips across mine, grabbed her duffle bag and walked out the door.

For the first time in my life I had met a woman I couldn't manipulate.

I stood on the out skirts of the crowd as the priest gave his last rites. I glanced at the periphery of the cemetery. I knew he was out there. Brewer had a plan and he was biding his time until he would strike. He had put word out on the street that I was a dead man. Two days ago, Tank had been released from the hospital, but two more of my men were gunned down in a drive by shooting while on surveillance duty. One made it to the hospital and lived, the other died at the scene. Rangeman was on lockdown. Lester, Woody and I shared responsibility for checking accounts, and security breaches. I wouldn't risk any more lives, even though my men were adamant about business as usual.

I watched Stephanie's back as she stood by the graveside. The ceremony concluded and she approached the casket. She kissed her fingertips and brushed them across the top of the casket. Her dad stepped forward, wrapped his arm around her waist, and whispered in her ear. She buried her face in his neck and I could see her shoulders tremble with her sobs. I started toward her when Angie Morelli stepped in front of me. Her face was tear stained and her eyes were filled with anger. She was fingering a rosary in her hand.

"How dare you show your face at my son's funeral? This entire town knows that you killed him."

"Mrs. Morelli I met with your son at his request right before he died, I assure you I had nothing to do with his death."

"You hated my son because he married Stephanie. Everyone knows how you two snuck around behind Joseph's back the entire time they were dating. You probably think you're going to move in to a ready-made family with her now, but I got news for you, I'll get custody of Luke before I see you live in the same house with him. You're not his father and you'll never be."

I watched as her mother walked up beside of her and pointed at me.

"I've got the eye on you."

She spit at the ground near my feet and they walked away.

I took a deep breath and my eyes met Stephanie's as she walked toward me. The pain on her face was almost too unbearable to observe. I felt my gut twist as she stopped in front of me.

"What's the plan?"

Her voice was flat and I could tell she wanted to crawl in bed and never wake up again.

"I'll take you to your parents for the wake."

"I don't want to go; I just want to go somewhere quiet."

"It's up to you Babe; just tell me what you want to do."

"I have to go to my parents."

"Just be strong for a while longer, then I'll take you somewhere quiet."

I put my arm around her and steered her to the Mercedes.

I walked outside, the tiny row house was filled to capacity. I was tired of being offered coffee cake and inhaling second hand smoke.

I was leaning against the Mercedes when I saw the front door of Stephanie's parents house swing open. Stephanie's Grandma appeared with Morelli's Grandma Bella. Grandma Mazur had a hold of her dress collar and was dragging her down the front steps. Angie Morelli appeared in the doorway with an agitated look on her face, Ellen Plum was behind her waving one arm in the air and holding a glass of wine in her other hand. Angie Morelli turned and spoke to her while shaking her finger in her face. Ellen grabbed her finger and bent it backwards, Angie knocked the glass of wine out of her hand, and it spilled all down the front of Ellen's dress. Frank Plum came outside and grabbed Ellen and Grandma Mazur by the arm and escorted them back inside. I turned around and looked out toward the street trying to conceal my amusement. I heard footsteps stop behind me and I turned around and saw Bella standing in front of me.

I stared at her until she finally realized I wouldn't back down, she finally turned and scurried down the street to her car.

In a few minutes, Stephanie stepped outside with her bag over her shoulder. She stopped in front of me on the sidewalk and I could tell she had indulged in a few glasses of wine.

"You ready to go?"

"I can't take any more. Did you see the scene…?"

I smiled. "Yes, your family never disappoints Babe."

"My family is nuts and you know it."

"It's okay I have a dysfunctional family myself."

"Good to know, eases my mind." she looked up at me and smiled, this was the Stephanie I wanted to see. I needed to know she was going to be all right.

I helped her in the car and slipped in beside her. I drove across town and entered a residential section I watched her curiosity peek out of the corner of my eye. I pulled up in front of an iron gate and keyed in a security code. The gates opened and I drove up the driveway and parked in front of the garage. I shut off the car and looked at her.

"Ella is inside with Luke, this will be your home for the time being."

"Nice safe house."

I looked out the windshield and then back at her.

"Stephanie this is my house."

She stared at me for a few beats of silence.

"Your house, as in the Batcave your house."

"Yes this is the safest location I own, other than Rangeman, and there's not an apartment available there right now that's big enough for you and Luke. Is staying here going to be a problem for you?"

"Are you going to be staying here too?"

"Yes but the house is large enough that you won't know I'm around. I can work from here and not have to go into the office. But if I have business and have to leave someone from Rangeman will be here all the time."

She looked out the windshield and I sensed her uncertainty.

"I know you hate being confined, but I'll try to get you and Luke out of the house as much as possible."

She looked over at me and I could see a bolt and run look in her eyes.

"I can remember a time when you said the Batcave was forever."

Her words were like a spear to my gut.

"Yes I remember, but that seems like a lifetime ago."

She turned and looked at me.

"Do you have any idea how much I appreciate what you do for me?"

I reached over and cupped her chin in my hand.

"That's what friends are for Babe."

I drove into the garage and escorted her into the house, we stepped into the kitchen and I saw Luke run across the tiled floor and stop when he saw me. His bottom lip puckered and he started to cry. Stephanie laughed and scooped him up in her arms he wrapped his arms around her neck.

"Mama."

She kissed him on the forehead and I could see the tears glistening in her eyes.

Ella was standing in the doorway to the kitchen with a smile on her face.

Stephanie noticed her and smiled.

"Ella how are you?"

"I'm good Stephanie, it's so good to see you again, your baby Luke is precious."

"Did he cry?"

"For a few minutes and then he was fine. He looks just like you."

Stephanie smiled wistfully. "Everyone says that but I see a lot of Joe in him."

"I'm so sorry for your loss Stephanie."

"Thank you Ella for everything."

"No need to thank me it was my pleasure."

"Zero will drive you back to Rangeman."I said.

"I left some food in the oven if you get hungry. Luke just ate about thirty minutes ago."

"Thank you."

She started toward the garage and turned to look at me.

"A certified letter was delivered while you were gone; I placed it on your desk."

"Did a mail carrier deliver it?"

"Zero said he wasn't wearing a postal uniform he was riding a bicycle."

"Did he ring the bell at the gate?"

She nodded and I turned and looked at Luke and Stephanie.

"You hungry Babe?"

"No, just tired. I think I'll try and lay down with him and take a nap."

I gave her a tour of the house and showed her to the suite of rooms that would be hers and Luke's.

She turned and looked at me in awe when she saw the fully decorated nursery complete with toys and clothes.

"This must have cost a fortune and we won't be here that long."

"I know, but I wanted you to have what you needed while you're here."

She sat Luke down and he toddled over to a rocking horse just his size.

"Horsey."

I smiled and he toddled over to me and wrapped his arm around my leg.

He looked up at me with his bright blue eyes.

"Daddy."

I reached down and picked him up and looked at Stephanie, tears were pouring down her face. I walked over to her and pulled her to me with my free arm. She buried her face in my chest and I couldn't help but feel every ounce of her pain. Luke reached over and patted her head. She pulled away and wiped her eyes, and took Luke from me.

"I'm sure you have work to do."

"I have some research to go over."

"I never had a chance to ask you how the questioning went at the station the other night."

"It went."

"It is more serious than a formality isn't it?"

"Let's just say I can't leave town for a while, but I wasn't planning on it anytime soon."

"They questioned me at my parent's house the next day. That detective Hamilton is a jerk."

"Just routine questioning?"

She flushed a bright red.

"They accused me of having an affair with you and conspiring with you to kill Joe. My dad ran him out of the house."

"You shouldn't have been subjected to that line of questioning. If they question you again I want one of my attorneys present."

"You think they will question me again?"

"Anything's possible. Try to get a nap, if you need anything my office is just down the hall."

She nodded and I headed toward my office. I smiled as I heard Luke's tiny voice.

"Bye bye."

I walked in my office and picked up a large envelope sitting by itself on the edge of the desk. The address was typed on a computer-generated label. I tore it open and reached inside, I pulled out some photos. The first photo was of me and Stephanie at the cemetery. The second photo was me on the dock before boarding The Lucky Tide. But the third photo made my blood run cold.

It was taken through the telescope on a sniper's rifle.

It was a photo of Ella and Luke playing together in the living room.