Chapter 19
Eímai láthos- Mea culpa- Lo siento- I'm at fault!
I lost my thread on this story. While I have two other stories written and nearly ready to proof, I refused to carry on with them until I finish this.
Joe pulled his pickup into the driveway, slammed the gearshift into park, and set the handbrake. Home. At some point, it would have been a nice starter home for a family. When the house was built in the early 20th century, daily bathing was unusual. Joe added the downstairs bath lavatory and the shower in the tub upstairs. Not much else had changed. Though the house came free and clear to him, he had to take out a mortgage to pay for his legal expenses. The mortgage was something he hadn't planned on. He wanted to get a cabin someplace nice, not pay the bank each month.
He grabbed several beers and went to the couch to sit. He was still sore in the "man" region thanks to that Army bitch. It had been a week now and he was still having trouble getting an erection. The Italian Stallion was sidelined for a while. He had a score to settle with her. Since two Christmases ago when he and Terry were caught kissing each other outside his home, his life had spiraled down. It seemed like years ago when Manoso told Joe he was going to ask Cupcake to marry him. Joe had already decided not to marry Stephanie. He would continue to play along with marriage intentions, but all he was interested in was the sex. He had his house, his truck, his new billiard table, large screen TV. He didn't need a wife and kids, just a fuck buddy and cover so he could continue to screw Terry Gilman. With Manoso planning on marrying Cupcake, he had to make a move before that s.o.b. took her away and Joe's reputation in the Burg was lost. He could hear the gossip already: 'The Italian Stallion couldn't finish the deal with Stephanie Plum'. Joe and Ranger had been in a pissing contest and Joe was not going to lose. He bought a cheap ring off a TV shopping channel and presented it to her to keep her corralled. With Helen Plum's help, Joe forced her to stop working for Plum Bail Bonds and cut off all ties with Rangeman.
Soon the pressure to set a date became unbearable. First his mother, then Helen Plum, his fellow police officers, and finally Stephanie demanded he set a date. He deferred but with each deferral he became angrier. Joe assumed it was she still loved Manoso. No matter how much he slapped her around, she continued to profess her love for Joe. The whore.
Stephanie was changing. Her spark was gone. Her mother assured her once the children came she would relish her new position in the Burg hierarchy. But not only were there no children, there was also no wedding date. Joe still had Terry as a playmate, thank heavens.
Everything came crashing down that Christmas morning. Terry had called the night before saying she had to leave for Italy for several weeks and needed one last bang. Cupcake didn't want to stay with the Morellis who would have kept her in line. Instead she wanted to go to her parents' house, but Helen in her bizarre Burg rules came down hard. Steph left and walked home to her apartment finding it without heat and water. She sought shelter for the night at Rangeman and the next day on her way to back to Joe's house, saw Terry. The damn neighbor recorded Terry and him in an amorous clutch and shot it through the Burg.
He had to act as if he gave a damn. If it wasn't for Helen Plum's constant harassment, he would have written Cupcake off. Helen organized the assault on Rangeman looking for Stephanie. Joe was dragged along and forced to seem concerned for his fiancée. That holier-than-thou Rangeman baboon couldn't be dissuaded and Joe made a few racial slurs. Maybe having the news cameras there wasn't such a good idea.
Word continued to circulate she had gone into the Army after Valentine's Day event when she had the audacity to walk into the Italian Families dinner and publically give Terry the near-worthless engagement ring. People laughed at Joe, including Terry. Cupcake had lost weight, firmed up and wore short hair. Her mentioning she had a "pass" for the night further instilled the belief she was in the Army. Then months later she was walking into TPD with the Rangeman, the former MP. She had probably been hiding at Rangeman all along, servicing all the thugs there.
The final insult came at Gonzales' when he was getting laid. He'd been having Gonzales service him for several years. The heroin and weed was a way to relax after work. Gonzales was also a good snitch, keeping Joe apprised of activities on Stark Street. Suddenly a bunch of Rangemen thugs shows up. Damn Rangeman, every single one of them.
Joe was well through a beer six-packtrying to understand how things had gone wrong. First, it was Manoso forcing him to propose to her for one. Second, would be the whore herself. She'd spread her legs for him and Manoso and probably every one of those Rangeman thugs. Third, would be Rangeman. They were thugs, especially that guy with the gang tattoos. Yet people continued to hire them and speak about them in glowing terms.
Everything was screwy. He was blamed for everything when it was Cupcake who left him! He needed to set things straight. Stephanie Plum and her exploding cars and garbage crawling was the lowest form of Burg life, the product of a morally deficient and insane family. Look at Valerie. Her California husband threw her over for something young and fresh. The suddenly-not-so-perfect daughter came home and got knocked up by a sad excuse for a man, having the child out of wedlock. Helen Plum was an alcoholic. Her mother Edna was insane. Frank Plum abandoned his wife and ran off with his mother-in-law and two of his granddaughters. It was time to show the Burg just exactly what Stephanie Plum was. First, he had to find her. Grabbing his keys, he drove to Rangeman.
The six beers caused him to be slightly unsteady, but not sloppy drunk, or so he thought. The guard in the main lobby stood straight as he watched Joe stagger through the door. The metal detector indicated Joe had at least a large key collection or perhaps a weapon. Joe slurred, "I demand to see Stephanie Plum. I know you have her here as your whore."
The front door guard was new and did not know Joe Morelli. "Sir, please empty all your pockets and place the contents in the box."
Joe grumbled but complied. When the metal detector beeped again, Joe began to swear. This time he pulled a four inch folding knife from his waistband.
The guard had already notified the 5th floor command center there was a concern in the front lobby. Lester glanced at his monitor and swore, "Damn, it's Morelli." Lester considered calling an Intruder Alert but figured with the way Morelli was having trouble standing, a full turnout wasn't necessary. "Six men. Lobby. Dress." The last was a directive that they needed vests along with weapons. Another thought was to call TPD, but if the name Morelli was broadcast on police radio, the officers would slow down or take the long route to Haywood Street maybe via Philadelphia.
Once Morelli cleared the metal detector, Steven, the Rangeman on duty carefully and slowly went through the Rangeman roster giving time for his back-up to arrive. "Sir, did you say Stephanie Palmer?"
Joe growled, "Plum, you asshole. Get her here now!"
"I'm not finding that name on the employment roster."
"Try looking under 'whore'," Joe snarled as he caught his balance.
At that moment, Lester and six vested and armed Rangemen exploded into the lobby. "What do you want Morelli?" Lester sneered.
"Stephanie. I've seen her working with that ex-MP. I know she's here."
"Stephanie Plum does not work for Rangeman. What you saw was a special situation."
"Yeah, pass the pussy. What about her being with you and those other military bitches at Pino's?"
"There's the clue, other military women," Lester answered vaguely. "I cannot say anything more."
"Where is she?"
"Boston, but I understand she's transferring in a week or so."
"There's no military in Boston."
"Apparently you are a bit uneducated Morelli: Hanscom Air Force Base, Cape Cod Coast Guard Air Station, and Ft. Devens Army Base."
"Where's she going?"
"Gee, the Pentagon forgot to tell me. Now, since Stephanie Plum is not employed here, I don't see you have any other business here. Good day, Mr. Morelli."
Joe wasn't to be dissuaded, "Where is that fucker Manoso?"
"He lives in Miami. Now leave."
Before Joe left, he straightened up, "I bet you all had a piece of her. That whore will spread 'em even for you thugs." Joe stormed out the door and Lester turned to his backup team, "Thank you, gentlemen. Dismissed."
Steve, behind the desk, looked perplexed. "What was that all about?"
"That pustule is a disgraced TPD detective with a drug and alcohol problem."
"Who is Stephanie Plum?"
"She was a former temp BA who was always higher class than that scum. She's moved on." No way Lester was going to tell the new employee Stephanie Plum was the old name for Michelle NoLastName.
Lester returned to the 5th floor. "Cyrene, cover for me. I need to make a call to Boston."
The new hire took a position behind the monitors and watched. Though she was the new Rangeman hire, her previous Marine command experience allowed her to move into a supervisory position easily as needed.
"Yo," came the big deep voice.
Lester began, "Tank, we had a very drunk Morelli in the lobby looking for Stephanie Plum and Ranger. He was crude and belligerent."
"Nothing new there. Do you think he means to harm her?"
"Yeah, I do. He had that vendetta look in his eyes. We need to be careful."
"Call Ranger in Miami. Tell him his three day visit with Julie will have to be extended. Hopefully Joe will settle down. Just in case, assign someone to keep a very loose tail on Morelli. As for Michelle and me, we'll go directly to Atlanta instead of returning to Trenton for a few days. If Michelle has files up there, we'll have them sent down."
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Joe paced around his house. Maybe her cousin Eddie knew where she was.
"Joe, I have no clue. Even more, I wouldn't tell you if I knew," Eddie said definitively.
Joe thought about contacting Frank Plum somewhere in Florida but figured the reception would be the same as with Eddie. The two people to ask were her mother and sister. Joe pulled up in front of what had been the Plum house. Now it belonged to Helen Mazur as part of the divorce settlement. Valerie lived with her mother paying utilities and food. Her downtown job wasn't great, but it covered their two lives. No car in the driveway. Valerie must still be at work. Helen answered the door and looked and smelled horrible. She was a full-blown alcoholic now. The once pristine house was dirty.
"Who are you?" Helen slurred.
"Hello Ms. Mazur, It's Joe. Joe Morelli."
"Joseph! Come to the kitchen. I have coffee cake."
Joe followed but found the once active kitchen devoid of pot, pans, toaster or even knobs on the stove and oven. Apparently, Helen had a problem with electric appliances. "Can I get you a drink, Joe? I have Jack."
It was 4 pm, time for the first drink of the day if you discount his earlier beers at home. "That would be nice, Helen, thank you."
Helen put the half-empty bottle on the table and two greasy glasses. When Helen went to pour, her hands shook so much, Joe took the bottle, "Let me."
Joe only poured "a finger" for himself. There was no way he'd be drinking out of the filthy glass, even if the whiskey would kill any germs.
"Tell me, what you are doing? You still a policeman?" Helen asked as she slid down into her chair, almost missing it.
"No, I've retired. I'm now working in construction." Apparently, Helen was out of the Burg loop.
"How are your mother and family? I don't get out much anymore. Valerie uses our car to get to work downtown." Helen picked up her glass and took a hearty gulp.
Joe figured Helen would collect DUIs by the armload before she reached Hamilton Avenue if she drove in her present condition. "They are well, thank you. The reason I'm here is I heard Stephanie went into the Army."
Slamming her glass onto the table spilling the whiskey and nearly upsetting the bottle Helen began screaming, "I have only one daughter. The other is dead to me just like my precious baby son Anthony. Never mention her name or my backstabbing husband to me again! Now get out of my house!"
Joe retreated without a word. There would be no getting information out of Helen and probably not Valerie. He barely had time to think about Helen's rant about her baby son. What son? Returning home, he had only one option.
"Fort Devens. Sergeant Olsen. How may I direct your call?"
"This is Frank Plum, I'm trying to reach my daughter Stephanie Plum. It is a family emergency."
"Mr. Plum, what is your daughter's rank?"
Joe was stuck. He'd have to guess correctly. "I believe she's a….private but may be a sergeant now."
There was a long pause. "Mr. Plum, I need to confirm your password before I can proceed."
Password, what the fuck is the password? Is this something new security test? Joe attempted to bypass that step, "Her mother is dying. I need to contact her immediately!"
"Sir, I cannot proceed until I can verify you are who you say you are. You are. You are aware of our regulations, sir. You signed the release form and received a password. I understand this is a stressful time. If you prefer, I can relay your message to her and she can contact you directly when she returns."
"Returns from where?"
"I am not at liberty to say."
"Fine," Joe snarled and disconnected.
Sergeant Lars Olsen scrolled through his private phone to find his brother's number. "Mr. Morelli called from his own personal phone. Not exactly the brightest bulb. He was looking for Stephanie Plum. He got nothing. I sidetracked him with a load of bureaucratic bull."
Hal was at the Rangeman bonds office. "Thanks, bro'. I'll relay the message."
Hal's next call was to Lester, "Morelli called Ft. Devens. Lars gave him the runaround."
Lester shook his head. "Thanks, Hal, and thank your brother for us."
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Joe's plans for retribution were set aside. With Cupcake and Ranger gone from Trenton, Joe should return to his "construction work." He had fallen behind in this month's money to Vito and Terry Gilman. He'd have to double up his efforts.
Malcolm, at the Mercer County office, was getting nosy. First, Joe had to change his appearance. He crossed the bridge and droved to Philadelphia. Fewer people would recognize him there. First to change was his often "needs a haircut" style went by the razor to a military cut. Always fighting a 5 o'clock shadow at the end of the day, Joe decided to grow a short stubble beard. It took several weeks to look decent. He ordered thick-framed glasses with slightly tinted clear lens to further help him appear different. The eyebrow scar was easily filled with a black Sharpie. The big problem was his wardrobe. Jeans and lose shirts gave way to dark slacks, white long sleeve shirts and a blazer or jacket. The final touch was time spent in a tanning parlor to intensify his already Mediterranean skin tone. His new identity was a Lebanese name, Anthanios Khoury. Mr. Khoury, worked as a civil engineer.
Armed with a new set of contractors in "need" of his service, he went back to work. With his edgy appearance, he found the money was rolling in once again. Before he concentrated on new home and business construction, now he was able to ingrate himself in with major remodelers. His area ran from the Pennsylvania border on the west and south, from Elizabeth on the north and on the east coast no further south than Point Pleasant. Soon the money was rolling back in. Vito and Terry were happy and Joe was back in their good graces, temporarily.
Terry had warned him to step back from pushing Guardian security systems. The question of fire in the control panels had yet to be resolved. But she said nothing about Allied products and Joe got greedy. He began poaching in Enzo Cisternino's area in Pennsylvania. Contractors were being sweet-talked into purchasing Allied products. The Cisterninos were unhappy as they had their own building supplies to push.
Enzo Cisternino called Vito. "I'm calling about a transgression of territory, Vito. Since it has happened only a few times, I am willing to forgive. But if it continues, there will be repercussions."
"What are you talking about, Enzo?" Vito replied.
"One of your people is selling Allied building products to contractors in on our side of the Delaware River. Since we have had a working relationship for years, I am not charging you a transgression fee, but if it continues there will be problems."
Vito choked down a half dozen swear words, knowing who was behind the transgression. He couldn't believe his niece Terry condoned the transgression into another Family's territory. More likely it was that idiot Morelli.
"Enzo, I will deal with it immediately. I apologize."
When Vito hung up, the stream of Italian curses would fill a new journal. Calming himself, he called his niece, "Terry, YOU have a BIG problem. You were warned to rein in your boy-toy. He's now poaching in Enzo's front yard. Cisternino is very unhappy. So help me, if this continues or that prick brings Ragni or the FBI down on us, you and he will be hung out to dry. This is your second warning. " Vito did not give third warnings. He usually didn't give second warnings, but Terry was his niece.
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Terry paced back and forth in Joe's living room. She was livid. "What the fuck are you thinking moving into Pennsylvania?"
"It's just across the river. What's the big deal?" Joe said and he drank his beer.
"That is Enzo Cisternino's territory, you idiot."
"Isn't he part of the big Ragni family? Like Vito? So technically it is Ragni territory."
Terry couldn't believe Joe's impudence. "You don't go trespassing in another territory without approval. Cisternino has Pennsylvania and South Jersey including Atlantic City. It is easier for him to administer Atlantic City than us."
Joe shrugged, "I go where there are new homes and contractors." Joe put his beer down on the coffee table. "Your territory is spread all over. No big cities. Trenton is the largest and you have given the drug trade to the Latin gangs and the prostitution to the Russians. So really, Vito is small potatoes."
"Is that what you think? He's far more invested in pseudo-legitimate businesses now to keep the Feds away. We are heavy into card fraud, senior living insurance, and the like."
"So what am I doing with contractors?"
"You aren't smart enough Joe. Our work is more corporate level these days. Where is your MBA? Where is your law degree? We give you one job and you continually fuck it up. I had hoped to bring you into the Family, but you are proving to be a liability. You have been warned twice to stick to your job. Uncle Vito doesn't give a third warning. I am not going down for the likes of you."
"He wouldn't hurt you."
"If this gets back to Ragni, all of us are going down," Terry hissed back.
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Patrick in Boston shook Michelle's and Tank's hands, "Already, we are seeing numbers improving and it's only been three weeks since you've been here. I and the Core Team are excited to implement your other suggestions, Michelle. I must admit I do prefer 'Mitch'. Maybe you'll keep it for the next RangemanNinga."
Michelle wanted to blush, but that was a Stephanie action. "Patrick, working with your team has taught me more ways to think through the business. Trenton was a good incubator but what we did there wasn't perfectly suited to Boston. Nor will it fit Atlanta or Miami, I see that now. Together, we can improve our offices. One size doesn't fit all," she said as she smiled at Tank. "As for Rangemanninja, if I don't get back training with Lester and Ram, I'll be disqualified the first day."
"I've been admiring the ring on your hand. I assume it is from Ranger."
Laughing, she said, "I'm sure it's fitted with a microphone and GPS so he can keep track of me."
Patrick laughed but both Tank and Michelle knew there was a time in the not-too-distant past when the tracking was very real.
Giving Michelle a neutral hug and handshake, Patrick said, "You are a fine addition to Rangeman, Michelle. Please feel free to stop by any time and kick our butts back into gear if you find us slipping."
"Where is the Michelle and Tank Pony Show going next?" Patrick asked.
Tank grumbled a bit. "We aren't returning to Trenton because we have been told there's a problem there and need to stay away."
"Oh shit, not that cop again," Patrick hissed.
Michelle was more than a little upset Patrick knew about Morelli. "You know about him?"
"We all do. Do you realize how long you and Ranger have been in orbit around each other? Ranger couldn't risk any of his employees or Rangeman Incorporated to squash that bug. Only you could do it. Apparently, the cockroach is still kicking."
On the flight to Atlanta, Michelle wanted to talk to Tank about what Patrick had said. Starting the conversation would be difficult, but Tank saved her the trouble. "I know you are thinking about what Patrick said."
"Obi-Wan strikes again."
He huffed, "Much to learn you still have…my old padawan."
"Oh yeah, I forgot, you are Yoda."
"Let my size deceive you not."
She stared at Tank and then put her hand on his forehead, "You are running a fever. What gives?"
"You are the only one I can let my hair down…..er, relax with. Being a stone pillar gets tiring. I've seen Ranger let loose recently. You have a mellowing effect on all of us especially now that…you've grown up. We've told you time and again you are the light and life of Rangeman. Hopefully now that your eyes are clearer, you can see for yourself. You've saved guys' lives as well as saving Rangeman. Remember the two kids who nearly bankrupted us?"
"Pfft!" she blew off his comments. She was only now feeling like a part of Rangeman.
"I'm sure Rick has never told you, but on more than one occasion we've had guys about ready to eat a bullet until we've wrestled the gun from their hands. It was getting so Ranger considered hiring a full-time mental health professional. Since you started coming around, we haven't had one incident."
"That's coincidental," she dismissed.
"No! You took the time to learn everyone's name, engage them in conversation, remember their birthdays, their families, pulled them up when they were down…need I go on? Seeing how well you integrated with the men convinced Rick we needed more women in Rangeman. The main criteria after military service, hand to hand training, arms instruction was empathy."
"Not in Trenton."
"No, we had you, the Master."
"Tell me, Yoda, if Ranger had not survived, would you have followed his orders and married me?"
He looked pained. "You asked me that before. I am tempted to say yes. But I know you would look at me as second best, Ranger's substitute. You two belong together. It was just that you both were fucked up. None of us realized how badly.
Michelle was taken aback by his frankness. "Was I really that fucked up?"
"Your mother and sister still are. You escaped, your father escaped with the girls and Edna. Albert and Lisa are moving to Melbourne. The family will survive."
Michelle looked out the plane's windows for a while and turned back, "Valerie needs to be with her daughters."
"No, she doesn't! Enough damage has been done to your nieces. Valerie needs to make a complete turnaround. Look how toxic your mother was to you. How could you wish that pain on another generation?"
Michelle was going to argue but decided to move on to another difficult subject. "So what is happening with Joe, or as Patrick called him, the cockroach?"
"Do you really care?"
"Not for him personally, but it must be bad if you are keeping me away from Trenton."
"He's been at Rangeman demanding to talk to you, though his actions and words were less than gentlemanly. We had a new guy at the front desk who doesn't know the name Stephanie Plum and read the roster to Joe. You weren't on it either as Stephanie or "whore" as Joe called you. Lester and six armed men had to persuade him to leave. The next day he was overheard threatening to kill you for messing up his life."
"Messing up HIS life? Can't the police do anything?"
"We have a loose tail on him plus Carl, Big Dog, Eddie and others are keeping watch. Right now it is a drunk speaking. We don't want to provoke him. We are staying well away but watching."
"Why isn't his family helping him?"
"He and Mooch had a giant falling out about building materials. He wanted Mooch to use Allied products. Mooch knows better. Anthony's wife threatened Joe with a gun one night when he came to their house drunk and Anthony wasn't there. His mother is in denial. She is the older generation like your mother. His sisters have moved away from Trenton after Joe's fall."
Tank watched her for a bit. "Please don't tell me you are trying to find a way for an intervention with Joe."
"Did the rest of you see him for what he really is?"
"We knew before you started up with him. Rangeman was just starting up and he went out of his way to make our lives miserable. He was raised in a dysfunctional house, coddled to where he could do no wrong. His dick wagging began early but he wasn't always careful. He had a reputation for STDs in the Navy. Medics were on a first name basis with him. He was in the Brig a few times for booze and brawling. He served the shortest of the enlistments as they wanted him gone. How he got an honorable discharge is unknown. Before you ask how I know, Carl was also in the Navy and knew about Morelli but never was closely associated with him. Joe got into the police academy using Juniak. Something Joe Juniak regrets to this day. You met Ranger and Joe about the same time but saw Joe through your rose-colored high school glasses. Ranger had his head….elsewhere. We tried to talk Ranger into stopping his missions, but he grew up poor and enjoyed the money. Also, he wanted Rangeman properly capitalized."
"How legal was Rangeman in the beginning?"
"Nothing has been totally illegal. We may have pushed the boundaries a few times, even crossed over from time to time, but we have never been renegades."
"Joe calls you thugs."
"We were initially. We had to make our bones with the gangs. We knew how to dispose of the bodies. It only took a few hits before the gangs knew who we were and that we weren't out to take their territory but to enforce some type of peace. Joe thought he was hot stuff in Trenton and resented us. We got away with more than he could. You saving him from the murder charge settled him down a bit. But when Ranger started being more in your life, Joe couldn't handle the competition. Now, he's dropped off the deep end. You kept him from dropping off sooner."
"You told me he had women across the bridge. Were there others?"
"Do you really care?" Tank was quiet for a while then resumed, "He hasn't changed from high school. He tried with you but he's never been entirely monogamous. It's not his nature."
"And he accused me of being unfaithful…"
"You were. You kept telling yourself you never cheated on Joe, but you did constantly. Guess you missed Sunday School. You shall not commit adultery. But I say unto you, whosoever looks on a woman with lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart." Turn around is true. You were lusting after two men."
"I didn't fuck Ranger when I was with Joe."
"The verse didn't say fuck, it said lust."
"Joe was fucking women. I was lusting."
"If it's not a virtue, then it is a sin. A sin is a sin. There are no first degree, second degree or misdemeanor sins."
"So are you judging me?" she asked indignantly.
"Nope, I had more than enough to answer for once I finally opened my eyes. I'm just saying…there is a big, grey, swampy zone here. You've been stomping through it for years. Maybe it's time to get out of the mud."
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The Deacon was a perfect gentleman once he saw the engagement ring on Michelle's finger. "Tank or Ranger?" he asked holding her hand.
"Ranger."
"Right. Now, if I challenged him for your hand, I might win but then I'd have to deal with your second, Tank, third, Lester, and right through the Trenton roster. You have that much support. I hope the two of you find the happiness you both deserve."
"Thank you, Deacon. It's been a long journey for both of us."
"So….Mitch of Rangeman, how are you going to help us?"
"First, let's save Mitch for Rangemanninja. I'd prefer Michelle in the corporate world. I'm impressed how you've arranged your districts so far: Peachtree, Downtown, Midtown and Buckhead but let's look at tightening and then expanding. Each community here is different just as Atlanta is different than Trenton, Boston, or Miami.
I've read through your business plan but you haven't updated it for several years. Why?"
The Deacon shrugged. "Time mostly, but also I'm lacking enough business knowledge. We are fortunate to have gotten this far with Ranger's help. I admit now we need professional help."
Stephanie gave a curt nod. "I'm looking forward to doing what I can but more and more I realize there are areas I'm not comfortablein either. One of my suggestions, when I finish with the four cities, is to get business specialists on board. You can afford them now."
"We are looking forward to working with you. Damn, this is different than having Ranger coming down on us. This might actually be enjoyable."