Disclaimer: Copyright of Janet Evanovich. I only own Ricky and Sofia.
NOTE: Hello everyone! I hope everyone is doing well. I'm finally done with my movie, so now I have a little more time to focus on this story. I hope you guys like this chapter, drop me a comment to let me know. Thanks for all the wonderful reviews. Thanks to my beta, ladyofkeegan for editing this for me. Take Care!
Chap 13. Mrs. Manoso
Steph POV
Today, I'm taking back my life. I applied some mascara and lipstick from the Mac Wonder Woman collection. It made me feel empowered. I put on a comfortable loose black cargo, and a red tank-top and French braided my hair.
My first stop was my parents' house.
"Stephanie," my mother greeted at the door, "how's my grandson?"
It's wasn't all about me anymore. She didn't even ask how I'm doing. Ricky is the baby now, not that I'm complaining much. He ran up to his grandmother, hugged her, and ran inside in search of his grandpa.
"I'm interning at St. Francis today," my mother said, "your father is staying with Ricky."
My mother's eyes focused on the car parking behind my own. It was Lester. I rolled my eyes and waited for him to step out of the car. I needed to talk to Ranger about my bodyguards again.
"Are you bounty hunting with me today?" I asked teasingly.
Lester shook his head, "I'm your babysitter."
"You're in charge of protecting Ricky?" I asked.
He nodded.
"Ricky can't be followed around all this life," I complained aloud. I wonder how Julie deals with these things.
"I'm afraid you'll be alone today," Lester informed me. I looked at him questionably. "If Ranger wants to protect you, then he will have to do it himself."
Great! I looked around. There was no Ranger. I walked back to my car, and put on my sunglasses. It's time to Rock n' Roll.
My first skip of the day: Mark Reese. He was arrested for shoplifting at a comic store. I put the car in reverse and headed over to Stark Street.
The house looked lonesome at the distance. I tried to profile the skip based on the information written on the file. Reese was probably one of those boys that lived in his parent's basement, playing videogames all day. Let's just hope this guy isn't scary looking. Maybe I should start boxing. I keep dwelling on what happened at Mrs. Kennel's house. It was the first time such a thing happened to me. The hatred in his eyes paralyzed me. Well… I would have probably killed him if Mrs. Kennel had not beaten him up with her bat. The first person I would have killed in last five years.
We'll persevere! This is my job, and I like it. I don't have to love it, though it has its benefits. I conjured my inner wonder woman and she gave me guidelines.
Knock on the door and be polite.
The door opened to reveal a small woman with short hair, wearing a white summer dress, and holding on to a small child. I knew how this was supposed to come out.
"Hello," I greeted politely. "I'm looking for Mark Reese."
"My lazy-ass brother," she grimaced, "isn't he out of your league?"
"I'm here about his missed court date," I informed her.
She rolled her eyes, "I'll get him to you."
The woman disappeared and came back a minute later.
"He took off through the back, but you might get him before he jumps the fence. He's in horrible shape. Go through this alley."
Reward or Compliment those who help you. They will help again if you need them.
"Thank you," I replied. "I love your haircut."
She beamed and ran her fingers through her hair.
Run!
The ally was a little cluttered with car peaces and other stuff. I jumped through them to be very end until I came face to face with the FTA. He was clumsily trying to climb up the tall fence.
Stop him or her.
They might be able to run far, but that's just part of the job. I pulled on Reese's jeans, and he fell to the ground with thump.
"Jesus! Woman, I just stole a couple of comics," he complained. "It's not like they are made out of diamonds!"
"Then you shouldn't be running away from the law in the first place," I argued. He shoved me into the fence. I took hold of his arm with both hands and pushed him back towards the fence next to me. He lifted his arm, ready to strike a blow, so I ducked out of his way. Reese's fist hit the fence and he started dancing in complaint. I put my leg between his, and hit him in the stomach. Then as he doubled over in pain, I pulled out my gun and aimed.
"On your knees," I yelled, "now."
I cuffed him and tucked my gun in the back of my jeans before pulling him into a standing position.
I gave Reese's sister a finger wave and cuffed him to the hanger rod inside the car. One down, three more to go.
Ranger POV
I kept revising the files on my computer, trying to find a connection. Leticia Movio is now on list of missing persons for the twentieth day. She is a good student, loves sports, and participates in a variety of student clubs. She has never done detention.
We have only managed to uncover three dirty brothels. We dismantled a drug operation, but can't find Leticia Movio. Maybe Steph was right. She might be hiding somewhere, but where? And who is she hiding from whom? The Link? I stared at the computer screen for a few seconds, hoping it will give me the answer. It didn't.
I stretched a little, opened my search engine, and typed my daughter's name. The computer screen presented me with her history. Of course, my name erased from all of them. I switched to the reports from my employees. They adore her and I know they would do anything to keep her safe. They keep updating me about her life, placing pictures, and notes on their reports. They want me to know what's her favorite dessert, what color dress she wore to her sister's sixth birthday, and that she likes to drink warm milk at night when she can't sleep. They also like to remind me that she asks about me, about all the time.
The latest image was taken a few months ago. It was Julie's junior high school graduation. It was a picture of us together. She was hugging me. I was holding on to her, trying to bring back the little five years old girl who liked to climb on my lap when I came to visit. I was enjoying the moment of reverie when the door swung open.
"Carlitos, mi niño bello," a familiar voiced called out. My first reaction was to shut my computer in an impulse. My mother thought it was funny to call me 'my beautiful little boy' in front of my employees, while simultaneously barging into my office unannounced. Who's doing monitor duty? Clearly, my employees thought they could defy my authority.
"Bendición Mamá (your blessings, mother)," I greeted, quickly scrambling the camera in my office. She walked over to my desk and kissed my forehead.
"Dios te bendiga y te proteja (God bless you and protect you)," she said. Then she stood back, examining me, making sure I looked healthy. My mother's eyes fell on my fingers drumming the top of my computer.
"Were you watching porn?" she gasped. "M'hijo, you know that stuff is bad for you, right? Research shows porn is addicting. Do you want to become addicted to porn? I thought you had overcome that stage. It's not like you can't get a girlfriend. Maybe a permanent one, I would like that."
"I'm not watching porn, mother."
"Show me."
"Seriously?"
"Carlos," she scolded using her pissed off voice. I opened my laptop, the screen coming to life when I opened it. My mother walked closer to the computer, adjusting her glasses, and her eyes grew soft.
"Julie," she said gently, recognizing my daughter. "She's gorgeous, isn't she? She's a young woman now."
"She's still a child."
"A child with boobs."
She sat on the chair in front of me, and placed her purse on her lap. I noticed she teased her hair to make it look wavy. It was now falling over her shoulders, and she was letting it go completely grey.
"You look beautiful mom," I complimented. She and I have a complicated relationship. She has been working on fixing it ever since Ella made contact.
"I was born beautiful," she explained. "Where do you think you get your looks?"
I ran a hand through my hair, "what are you doing here?"
"Ella said you have news," she said.
"Of course she did," I replied.
"Ella said Stephanie's back," my mother confessed, "and that you have very important news for me. She said you would call me, but you never called. I said to myself, 'Lorena, maybe it's not important.' Then I remember I'm freaking Ranger Manoso's mother. I don't have to sit there and wait. I can go get the news myself. After all, that's the only way I can get anything from him."
Did I just hear my mother say the word "freaking"?
"And here you are," I concluded.
"Honey, how did you feel when you saw her?" She asked softly. "Most importantly, do you see yourself resuming an emotional and intimate relationship with this woman? By intimate, I do mean sexual, and with the possibility of reproducing babies."
"Are you reading those psychology articles again?"
"Are you getting married?"
"No, I'm not getting…"
"Carlitos, you know that I worry about you."
"Stephanie didn't come back by herself," I said cautiously.
"Son," my mother sighed. "I told you so many times to give up, didn't I? I didn't want you to get hurt, but you insisted. You said she loved you, Carlito. I told you so many times to…"
"I have a son. Stephanie and I have a son."
She stared at me in disbelief. My mother sat straight, her eyes wandering to the left side of the room. I could tell she was deep in thought, wondering why this had to happen to me. She has six kids, and out of those six, I'm the most troublesome. I'm the only one working in a dangerous field and the only one alone, completely disconnected from family.
"She named him Carlos Ricardo," I said and waited for her to take in the news. "We call him Ricky."
"Son, I'm sorry," my mother replied, "but I have to ask. Are you sure he's yours?"
I nodded, "he looks like me, mami. He's just a few shades lighter than me, brown straight hair, and he has his mother's eyes. He's a smart kid, very imaginative."
I found myself smiling unconsciously, thinking about my son. My mother smiled ruefully.
"It has been four years," she muttered finding my eyes. "I'm sorry, m'hijo."
"Not your fault."
"This wouldn't have happen if you have told her you love her," she said sternly. Just leave it to my mother to find the oddest times to reprimand me.
"When am I finally going to meet this woman?
"I don't want you to insult her."
"I don't insult people. I'm honest with them," she said and rolled her eyes.
"Do not insult her," I repeated, "don't hurt her."
"We are all fools in love," she said. "I'll expect you, Stephanie, and my grandson for dinner."
"Mom"
"Today or we'll make it Sunday dinner," she threatened. I hated Sunday dinners. "Juan is going to be elated. This is the first grandson that can actually carry on the name."
"We are in the middle of a case. It's better if we don't leave the Burg, and I'm not going to put Stephanie through dinner with Celia and triplets."
"I'll tell them not to come," my mother offered calmly.
"You'll have to wait until the case is over," I insisted.
"Fine," she said tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. She walked over to me and kissed my forehead. I lifted an eyebrow quizzically.
"Call your grandma," she ordered before leaving the room.
Steph POV
I hate running! I took off after Albert Manson. The man had guts, and long legs, but so do I. I was angry, and I hate wife beaters. Manson was just little heavier than me, not too muscular, but I didn't feel threatened. He didn't inspire the same fear the man in Kennel's house made me feel. I shoved it away in my mind for later. I took advantage of the lightness of my body in comparison to the skip, and I jumped on his back. He growled in complaint, and I pushed forwards with my body until he hit the ground face down. Then I cuffed him, and tried to pull him up. He wasn't cooperating.
"C'mon, stand up," I ordered. "I don't have all day."
He refused. The idiot. Suddenly, I heard steps, two pairs of feet running towards me. It was Bobby and Tank.
"Bomber," Tank laughed. Tank was laughing! There was a slight tone of surprise in his voice. I stood behind my skip, hands on my hips, watching the boys' eyes examining the FTA on the ground and then me. They looked at each other and burst out laughing once more.
"Great job, Bombshell," Bobby complimented pulling the Manson to his feet.
"We were working at the corner library when we saw you fly on his back," Tank said amusingly. "It's great to see you in action."
I felt my cheeks heat up. Manson didn't fight against the guys. He walked all the way to my car out of fear. Bobby pushed Manson into the seat next to me. I had three FTAs already in the back. Bobby shook his head and started texting on his phone.
Eddie and Joe were standing by the front desk, hovering over some papers. I pulled Reese out of the car.
"Don't touch me," he yelled jerking away from me like I was fire, "somebody get me away from this woman! She's crazy and she's dangerous."
Joe, Eddie, and some of the other officers stared at us in confusion. Great! They might arrest me for bounty hunter brutality.
"Stephanie?" Eddie questioned in confusion.
"Yes?"
"Cupcake," Joe greeted. He kissed my cheek and peeked into my car. "Who are these people?"
"FTAs," I explained and flavored the look on his face.
"She jumped on my back like a monkey, and then she pushed me into the ground," Manson complained angrily. "I think my back is broken. I feel the pain."
"Come out of the car," Eddie ordered. Manson stepped out. "If your back was broken, you wouldn't be able to move. Actually, you'd be in the hospital by now, probably dead."
"Great job," Joe said with seriousness in his voice.
"Thanks"
I got my receipts, adjusted my sunglasses, and walked back to my car. Joe was waiting for me, leaning against the door. He had a slight grin on his face.
-rs-
"Thanks for the ride," Joe repeated after a long silence. He asked to take him to the mechanic to pick up his car.
"It's my pleasure," I replied glancing through the mirror. Tank and Bobby reappeared on my view. They were keeping a significant distance away from me. I don't think anybody else would notice, but me.
"How's Ricky?"
"He's doing great," I replied. "I took him to the beach yesterday. He loved it. How's Amy?"
"She's doing alright," Joe replied thoughtfully. "My mother and grandma are driving her a little crazy. I was hoping you could talk to her for me."
"Why should I talk to her?"
"She's scared about giving birth," Joe said –to my surprise- quite nervously. "I was hoping you could appease her fears a little. She told me she emailed you."
I nodded, "I'll visit her soon. It's been a little hectic lately."
I stopped at the red traffic light. Tank and Bobby appeared next to me. I gave them a finger wave.
"You should take this panic bottom," Bobby yelled through the window smiling. "We don't want the boss to panic, though you seem to be doing great. Your car is being tracked, of course."
I chuckled and grabbed the little bottom. The light changed to green and I wave them goodbye, turning into mechanics' street. Joe paused before opening the door.
"How are you doing, Steph?" He asked. "Please, tell me the truth."
"I'll be okay, Joe," I said simply. We stared into each other eyes for a few seconds. I had a feeling he was asking about Ranger.
"We are both trying to figure things out," I confessed after a pause, "in our own ways."
Joe nodded before leaning towards me and kissing my forehead.
"You love him, Cupcake," he replied before stepping out of the car. I waved him goodbye, and watched him go. Joe's words sounded like he was just making the realization for the first time.
-rs-
"What do you guys know about Amy Morelli?" I blurted out entering the bond's office.
"That's random," Lula commented in surprise.
Ricky followed behind me eating a TastyCake for the first time. He kissed Connie and Lula on the cheek and climbed up the sofa, too engrossed in his pastry to pay attention.
"She's a journalist," Connie informed me. "She's known for her frisky and feminist columns on the Star Ledger. She moved here after her husband died four years ago. Now she works for City Times. I think it's an insult to her talent."
"You like her," I stated relaxing a little. Maybe Amy meant well.
"I like her writing," Connie replied and looked at me suspiciously. "Why do you ask?"
"She wants to meet me," I said. "She sent me an email, but I found it a little odd. I don't even know her."
"She seems alright," Lula said.
"Is there work for me?" I asked.
"I gave you four FTA's," Connie reminded me.
"Done," I replied giving her my body receipts. They both looked at me in confusion.
"You can look through RangeMan's folders," she said after a pause. She gave me the stack of folders and I sat down next to Ricky to review them.
"Are you short in staff?" I questioned. "What happened to Joyce?"
Lula snorted, "She has a catch rate of five percent to zero."
"People like Joyce like competition," Connie added. "She always wanted to prove she was better than you, Stephanie. She was jealous."
I felt myself blush one again. I took their observations as compliments. I looked through the folders and picked the ones that seem appropriate. An elegantly dressed woman walked into the room. She wore a pair of khaki trousers with a belted white top. The woman's hair was turning completely gray and she didn't seem to care. She styled her hair in modern bombshell waves that reminded me a little of Storm, from X-men, but older. The three of us exchanged a glance.
"Hello," she said politely, "I'm looking for Stephanie Plum."
"Stephanie?" Connie asked suspiciously without looking my way.
"Yes, Stephanie Plum," the woman said. "I understand she also works for this company."
Connie's eyes traveled my direction and I immediately stood up, ready to introduced myself.
The woman turned around on her heel, her hair flying back in the process. There was a moment of awkward silent in which her eyes scanned my body from head to toe. She looked at me with her light brown eyes and bestowed a 200 watt smiled.
"I'm Lorena," she said. "Lorena Manoso."
I felt the blood drain from my face.
"I'm Lorena… Stephanie," I stammered. "I'm Stephanie Plum."
She sighed, "I'm sorry that we had to meet this way, but I was eager to meet the woman my son has been looking for the past four years of his life."
I subconsciously lowered my head and started biting my lower lip. I felt like I was being scolded. This woman hates me! I don't blame her for hating me.
"This that my grandson?" She asked looking over my shoulder. Ricky was looking up at us, eyes wide.
"Ricky, this is daddy's mommy," I explained taking his hand. "She's your grandma, Lorena."
Ricky slipped off the sofa and offered his hand to his grandmother, all very adult-like.
"Hello Ricky," Mrs. Manoso took his hand and ran a hand through his hair. Unsatisfied, she took him into her arms. "You're the spitting image of your father, little boy. I might take you home with me and never return you."
Ricky's eyes found mine in alarm.
"Mommy won't be happy," he said wiggling in her arms. "I'll stay with mommy. I take care of mommy."
I beamed, and quite proudly.
"Yeah, your father used to say the same thing," she said grimly. My happy moment was short lived.
"Would you accept my offer for lunch, Stephanie?" She asked. "Can I call you Stephanie? I figured after what has happened we should refer to each other in first name basis. Would that be okay?"
"Yes, sure," I mumbled grabbing my things. I gave my farewell to the girls and headed out the door with Ranger's mother.
-rs-
Mrs. Manoso: Here son, eat this muffin.
Ranger: No, thanks mom.
Mrs. Manoso: I insist, eat it.
Ranger: Mom?
Mrs. Manoso: Son, you're looking at Stephanie like she's food, trust me… you need a muffin.
Ranger: Mom...
Steph: Awkward...
Ranger: Babe... please leave a review or comment or suggestion. These are all welcomed. Oh! Don't go crazy, take care.