Anything you recognize belongs to JE.

Two days passed without event. All of Rangeman was hard at work, trying to find a lead. Joe had most of the police force working on the case. Even Diesel had found a few recruits.

One day, I was working with Ranger in his office. Since we were sharing a desk, our arms kept brushing the others. And our hands…our legs…our shoulders…

I turned to look at him, only to find he was looking at me. Our heads mere inches apart. I looked into his eyes and saw the longing, a reflection of mine. If one of us were to learn a few inches toward the other…

As I was thinking, Ranger had taken the opportunity to close the gap. His lips met mine. And we kissed. The kiss was filled with pent-up emotion. And to my great surprise, one of those was love. He was giving as much as I. A flare of hope sparked within me. Maybe his love did come with a ring. Maybe…

Our moment of passion was broken by a gasp, a gasp that belonged to neither of us. We broke apart and turned. What I saw made all the blood drain from my face. Shit…

-Frank Plum's POV-

Ever since we heard the news of Steph's death, Ellen had been in a state. Not grief as one would expect, more of a never-ending rant. She went on and on. It wouldn't have happened if she quit her job… It wouldn't have happened if she had married Joe…if she had settled down…

I knew better. Yes, those things may be true, but she wouldn't have been Steph. She loved her job, she shouldn't have to quit. And Joe held her back, clipped her wings. She just wanted to fly. Now I suppose it's possible. Maybe she's truly happy. For once. My poor little girl…

Despite the fact that we didn't have a body, Ellen went ahead and started planning her funeral. She had called Joe, asking if he wanted to say anything. He never called back. She shouldn't have called him in the first place. They weren't together, hadn't been for weeks. I have nothing against Joe; he could make someone very happy. That someone just was not Steph.

But that got me thinking, thinking about the other man in her life. Ranger, Ranger was his name. I could see that they were in love, but were too afraid to admit it. They didn't have to say anything, it showed in their actions. It seemed as though they were the only ones who didn't know, or they were too far in denial to acknowledge it. Now it was too late, far, far, too late.

So I decided to go ask Ranger what Ellen asked Joe. Ellen may hate me for it, but he deserved that right. He had helped her in so many ways, even putting his life on the line. This was the least I could do.

I knew that he had an office building here in town, on Haywood. Rangeman, it was called. That's where I started my search.

I've never seen this tight of security for an office building. I had to show an I.D. to get past the security gate. I got on the elevator and headed towards the fifth floor, after having asked the man at the gate where to find Ranger. Without question, he told me. I believe he was a rookie. I stepped out of the elevator, to see the unexpected sight of an empty room. Where was everyone? The guard had given me directions to his office. It was pretty easy to find. I turned the knob and opened the door. I gasped. Ranger was making out with another woman only days after Steph's death!

-Steph's POV-

It was my daddy! What was he doing here? How'd he get in? "What are you doing?" my daddy yelled. Wow, I had never heard him yell.

"Just a moment Mr. Plum. My associate and I need to discuss something." Ranger took my hand and led me out of the office. He closed the door on my daddy's shocked face.

"What are we going to do?"

"I suppose we either tell him the truth, or the usual lie."

"Why do you think he's here?"

"Well, Babe, the guys have heard talk of a funeral…"

"My funeral…Wow that sounds weird… What are we going to do?"

"Well… There's not much I can do, but I'm sure I could pull a few strings…"

"Wait! Wait. No. This is perfect! We could use it to draw Cezar out!"

"Proud of you, Babe. Can your father keep a secret?"

"Yes, almost as well as you. Why?"

"We could bring him in. It would help to have someone on the inside. We could bring him to the task meeting with us."

"Really? Are you sure? That would be great!"

"O.K., Babe. Let's go." He took my hand and opened the door. Another day, another moment of truth.