Chapter 17

The moonless and cloudless sky provided no celestial night light in Mercer County's rural areas. The black pickup truck with minimal chrome drove unseen to the new home construction site. An hour later the rural fire department arrived to extinguishing what was left of the future 4,000 square foot home. Several nights later another home under construction burned to the ground. The homes had nothing in common, different contractors, different subcontractors, different bankers. No security had been placed on site nor had the contractors or future owners signed contracts with a security company. When the homes were rebuilt, both were rebuilt with Allied products and installed a Global security system.

Allied and Global had lowered their rates for contractor's who suffered loss be it from fire, stolen materials, or vandalism and discovered insurance didn't cover all damages. Curiously, as Global took on more customers, vandals and thieves who preyed upon building sites suddenly avoided Global covered properties. The company illustrated the improved safety statistic on the sites but in reality word "out," hands off Global properties or else.

Meanwhile, Joe Morelli was expanding his job description without Terry's or Vito's approval. In addition to greasing the skids of the home building inspections for a fee, he was busy coming to the rescue of contractors and home remodelers, who had suffered a loss. Recently he had started a new venture; Joe would stake out the building supplies stores and follow the homeowner home who carried drywall, cabinets or other permanent building materials. He'd note the address and return a few weeks later demanding to see the building permit. If none was presented, he wrote a citation and told the offender if they immediately signed out the required building permits instead of going to the county office, he would over-look the citation. Homeowners who really didn't know if they needed the permit were grateful for the assistance. None of the money went back to the county.

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Vito Grizzoli sat in his office listening to his consigliere and his team of accountants. He remained calm on the outside. Inside he seethed.

"Don Vito, we have serious concerns about your niece's venture into business. Global Securities has not been approved for use in Mercer County due to fire hazard with the control panel. The operating permits Global is issuing are bogus. County inspectors are being paid to look the other way."

"None of the control panels have caught fire?"

"Not yet."

"Who is paying off the inspectors?"

"Joseph Morelli."

"He was hired to facilitate inspections for us. Where is his payoff capital coming from?"

"Apparently he is also working as a Global representative with your niece's approval."

"Go on."

"We have noted a surge in Allied Products sales going into home construction along with Global Security systems. Apparently Global is being represented as a subsidiary of Allied and Penchant Concrete."

"They aren't. Terry was told to keep Global Security separate. You read the incorporation papers."

"That's the way it was originally set up but sources within Bustatello's law office indicate he is redrafting the articles of incorporation putting Global under Allied."

Don Vito was silent for a while. He nodded slowly, "What do you believe is her goal?"

"Don Vito, we foresee Ms. Gilman working towards a hostile takeover of Allied and Penchant once Global's stock improves in value."

"I concur. Is Global growing even without county approval?"

"Yes, contractors who suddenly experience a loss be it fire, vandalism and theft are buying Allied and Global products at a reduced rate?"

"How charitable," he said through gritted teeth. "Is there reason to suspect the losses are part of the sales approach?"

"Though we have no proof at this time, there is word on the street to stay off Global Security property or disappear."

"This is after the building site's loss or before?"

"After."

Don Vito remained quiet and contemplative. None of this was going on before Terry brought Joe Morelli into the business. He knew Morelli was not the most sterling cop before, but did his fall into drugs loosen his hold a bit more?

"Mr. Castello, we need to investigate Joe Morelli a bit more carefully especially considering his recent vacation in narcotics. I'm not surprised at Terry's enthusiasm but I find these actions a bit too dangerous even for her."

Vito turned to his consigliere, "A visit to Mr. Bustatello's office is in order."

"I have an appointment for 2 pm today, Don Vito."

"All attempts to tie Global with Allied or Penchant must cease. Only Terry's name must be on Global Security papers. Isolate her. Go through Allied and Penchant and make sure she is has no interest in the two companies. Also, thank our informant in the law office. Loyalty should be rewarded."

"Yes sir."

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Ranger called a conference of all the Rangeman heads in the four cities: Boston, Trenton, Miami and Atlanta. His rehab of mind and body was winding down; the desk job of corporation CEO was too stifling. He needed to be more active. Tank immediately offered to step down, but Ranger and the other cities quickly vetoed Tank's offer.

"You have run Trenton well before in my absence and continue to do so now. Your recent reorganization show you have a keen business sense."

"Give Michelle most of the credit," the big guy mumbled.

Initially the other three cities were very interested in how Michelle and Tank had restructured Trenton and suggested Michelle and Tank should come to their cities for reorganization.

"Trenton was a good trial run as the population is contained. I know I'll be interested in seeing how the auxiliary offices are staffed, managed and their work with the head office," said Patrick of Boston. "We've played around with numbers, accounting, but just don't have the handle."

Ranger nodded, "She has always thought on a different plane than the rest of us. I believe she will do all of Rangeman well, but personally I'm looking for a new avenue within Rangeman."

The four city heads were quiet until The Deacon uttered, "Are we are back to discussing expansion again."

Patrick from Boston added, "But we hit the core team problem. We've been out of service, we don't have a fresh pool of possibilities from which to choose."

Ranger cut in, "What if we recruited core teams and trained them in Rangeman procedures?"

"Sounds like a Rangeman Academy?"

"Something like that. We have current employees who are not core team, but would be the first choices for filling core vacancies. These are ones who have shown leadership, command, intelligence, initiative, and reliability. We could add business and …

"Social skills," The Deacon chuckled.

"Well there goes half my crew," Patrick chuckled.

Ranger smiled his tiny smile. The others knew he was actually laughing inside. "We could move our employees already trained in our procedures to initial auxiliary offices while we train potential core teams. By having units already trained we can move into new auxiliary sites or even new cities."

"We will still need to assess their mental condition," Marco cautioned.

"That goes without saying. We still have the PTSD issues to overcome. Up to now we've relied on contract mental health professionals to supplement our on-site medics. I'd rather not hire a full time head banger unless necessary."

"Who would do the training?"

Ranger said simply, "Initially me and my Core Team here plus Michelle and then regional training as a new city is explored. For example, The Deacon has a better handle on the needs in the south, Marco in Florida, Patrick in New England."

"So the four offices now would become Regional Rangeman headquarters?"

"That's one way to look at it."

"Are we talking potentially a large scale expansion?"

"Not initially. The auxiliary headquarters would be our first expansions. As we fill an area, we can look to new regions."

"If Trenton becomes the training site, you'll need more space. Haywood is totally occupied."

"We'll convert one of our safe houses into a training facility. Also, thanks to Michelle's reorganizing our finances, we own several buildings on Haywood we can convert to supplemental housing and classrooms."

"Damn Ranger, why didn't you marry her before? You've wasted years."

Ranger nodded. "Yeah, things has to be cleaned up first. She and I are now working on it."

"You damn well better be," The Deacon muttered.

Both Tank and Ranger knew The Deacon carried a torch for Michelle/Mitch the Bitch. If both men were gone, he'd be courting her full time.

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"How did the board meeting go?" Michelle asked as she sat in the Rangeman SUV at the airport picking up Ranger and Tank.

"Babe, they want to think about the expansion to new cities but they are very interesting in the auxiliary headquarters. Looks like you and Tank will have a dog and pony show."

"What about you? What about Princeton?"

"First order is for you to train your replacement. While you two are away, I'll help Les hold the fort here. You and Tank need to work up a curriculum and estimated training time."

"Road trip, Big Brother. This time no snow caves."

Tank smiled, "Hard to build in Miami."

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"Sir, you do not have an appointment. Before I talk to you, I need to see your identification and your certification," the voice came through the microphone on the security panel by the front gate.

"I'm here to see the contractor, Lincoln Tilman."

"Sir, I need to ascertain and verify your identity first," came the bodiless voice.

"Fine, fine." The man pulled out his state employee identification and the county building inspector badge and held it up to the camera on the security gate."

"Mr. Plumeri, ah, Anthony Plumeri, I need to verify this with Mr. Tilman as he does not have you listed on the permitted entry list."

"Ma'am, I'm with Mercer County. I'm on a tight schedule."

"Yes sir, I saw your credentials. I will be contacting both Mr. Tilman and the county before I let you in," the bodiless voice continued.

"Ma'am, that will take time. It would be better if I make an appointment with Mr. Tilman for a later visit," the man said and he pulled his truck back into the street away from the security gate and drove away.

"Shit," Joe Morelli muttered to himself, "I'm going to have to burn the Plumeri ID."

The middle age housekeeper watched the truck pull away and noted the rear license plate was unreadable. She continued her call to the country building code department and talked to Malcolm.

Malcolm called his friend Hector at Rangeman. "My friend, I just had a very interesting call from Judge Bankshaw's housekeeper in Hopewell. A man posing as a building inspector tried to gain entry to the expansion of the south wing. The housekeeper demanded his name and credentials as he was not on the approved list. He left while she was calling us."

"Please tell me she got a name," Hector said with hope.

"Anthony Plumeri."

Hector's recognized it. "One of the names you gave Michelle several weeks ago."

"Yes."

Hector's fingers danced over his keyboard. "There's no such person in Mercer or surrounding counties." Hector's fingers continued typing, "Judge and Mrs. Bankshaw on Pembrook in Hopewell are Rangeman clients."

"Hector, I've already contacted the county sheriff. They told me while it is suspicious; they have no crime at this time."

"Gracias Malcolm, we'll follow up with the Bankshaws and the sheriff."

Hector moved to another computer and called up the address in Hopewell and watched the day's monitoring. The site had the newest and most expensive Rangeman surveillance cameras starting with the front gate and walls. The new system was virtually undetectable to the casual viewer. Most people never knew they were being monitored. The Bankshaws were very wealthy and very private people. Both were also physically handicapped, Judge Bankshaw from strokes, Mrs. Bankshaw had limited eyesight from macular degeneration. The housekeeper took her job of protecting the Bankshaws very seriously. She has worked for them for most of her life; after all, Mrs. Bankshaw is her sister.

Hector fast forwarded to the time a white pickup pulled up and the man leaned out and touched the call button. Hector enhanced the screen and smiled, "Hola pendejo."

Hector printed the picture and called Tank who in turn called in Charlie and Michelle; Hopewell was within Charlie's jurisdiction.

As Hector started up the stairs, he met Ranger in the stairwell also going up. "Come, I have a surprise."

Once Michelle, Charlie, Tank, Hector, Lester, and Ranger were in the office, Hector began, "I received a call from Malcolm at county building. The house keeper for Judge and Mrs. Bankshaw had a visitor at the front gate demanding a meeting with their contractor. The housekeeper demanded the man show identification as their contractor, Richard Tilman, had not indicated additional people would be coming to the site. The man at the gate indicated he was a county building inspector and showed his identification with his name clearly visible, Anthony Plumeri."

Michelle stiffened.

Hector smiled a grim smile and handed the picture to Michelle, "You know this man?"

Michelle looked at the picture and Mitch the Bitch burst forth with expletive Italian, "Cavalo, che palle, that Figlio di puttana." She showed the picture to Tank who stuck to Spanish, "Mierda" and passed the picture to Ranger. Only Charlie didn't know who the picture was so Hector whispered to him, "Joe Morelli."

"The ex-cop?"

"Si. A real dick."

By now Mitch was on her feet accidently mixing her Italian expletive with Spanish thanks to Hector's teachings, "Pinche vaffanculo hijo de puta, Tonto del calo stronzola, pinche lucaculo….."

Hector, Tank and Ranger smiled at the mixed languages. Charlie spoke Spanish but got the drift. Tank and Ranger both stood to calm her down, Tank sat back down. Ranger wrapped his arms around her, "Tranquilo querida, tranquila."

The old Stephanie would be crying by now but Mitch the Bitch pushed Ranger back and stormed out the door screaming, "Morelli que te tolle un pez." (Go F* a fish)

The two men on the monitors Cal and Bobby both understood the rant and added their own "amen."

Ranger followed her to the gym and watched as she beat the stuffings out of the punching bag. The hits and kicks were brutal, sweat poured off her body when she finally resigned and sunk to the floor. He remembered Stephanie avoided the gym at all cost, but here she was using the equipment the way he and other Rangeman men did, to work off anger. Each day he was amazed how much she had changed and taken control of her life.

Ranger went over and stooped down, "Babe" and held her from behind. He wasn't sure she was yet finished with her anger and didn't want to risk a left cross to the face. Mitch had learned how to fight.

"I'm OK Ranger, I won't let that puta madre come between us…again."

Ranger chuckled, "I'm glad your swearing is in Spanish, no way could I learn Hungarian. Come on Babe, let Bobby look at your hands."

Bobby had been replaced at the monitors and was waiting in the clinic.

The sweat soaked Michelle with hair plastered against her head came into the clinic sheepishly, "I think I broke a few nails." Mitch had vanished.

Taking her hands into his, Bobby said softly, "Hopefully no more than your nails. Next time put on the gloves," Bobby admonished.

"And ruin my manicure?" Michelle playfully replied before she hissed in pain.

Both men shook their heads and wondered if a bit of Stephanie peeking out. "I'd expect you'd let the polish dry first," Bobby smiled back. Looking carefully, "Michelle, I need to xray your right hand."

"It doesn't hurt…much."

"Babe, even I am suspicious of those first two knuckles."

"Once we get an xray, then you'll need a stitch over this knuckle. A butterfly won't hold the skin."

Modern technology had the xray result instantly. "The second knuckle is cracked, Michelle. You'll need to wear a splint for three weeks."

"But I need to qualify on the weapon's range."

Both men laughed and shook their heads. "Don't tell me Ram didn't teach you to shoot left handed," Ranger admonished.

'Oh yeah, forgot."

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Meanwhile Tank, Lester and Hector decided to send text or email alerts to all Rangeman customers warning them not to allow any county inspector onto their property or into their homes without first contacting Malcom Jefferson at county building and reminding them at any time they are uncomfortable with someone seeking admittance, to press their "panic" button on their main control panel.

Nobody knew what Joe Morelli was up to at the Bankshaw house but none felt it would be harmless.