Disclaimer - Not mine; wish they were. All mistakes are mine and mine alone.

Chapter Three

The foursome entered the diner a few blocks from Field's. Several customers spoke to Sam on the way to the table, and she spent a few minutes catching up on local events. When they were seated and their had been orders taken, Sam turned to Stephanie and said, "So, tell me what's going on with Santos the eternal playboy and Tank the tank."

"Why are you asking me?" Stphanie questioned.

"Because these two jokers here will only tell me boring, business stuff. Blah, blah, security, blah, blah, skip tracing. I want to hear the real dirt from a girl's perspective. I want the details; the good ones," Sam laughed. Stephanie grinned like the Cheshire cat.

"Well, Tank is dating my friend, Lula. She does part-time bounty hunting, and is a good match for him. She doesn't put up with any of his crap, and I think he likes it." Stephanie searched her purse and came up with a photo from the most recent RangeMan Christmas party.

"Wow! Looks like she could kick the shit out of him! I think I like her just from the picture. But tell me, does she always have purple hair?"

Stephanie had to laugh. "No, but it does tend to run the colors of the rainbow, and her wardrobe is pretty much all spandex."

"Really?" Sam looked shocked.

"Really," laughed Stephanie.

Ranger and Bobby just looked at them and smiled.

"What?" Sam questioned. "You guys never give me good intel like this," she said and turned back to Stephanie, "Okay, Steph, what about Santos?"

"Well, you're not going to believe this, but he met someone special."

"Get out!" exclaimed Sam.

"No really. Her name is Angela and she's a CSI for the Trenton PD. They met at a crime scene about six months ago. I didn't think I'd ever see the day that Lester would be in a serious relationship, but she has really got him wrapped around her finger. She's really pretty, and very sweet. She's quiet and very private, but she did confide in me that Lester told her that he loved her."

"I can't believe it," Sam said, "my little boys are all grown up and settling down."

The waitress suddenly appeared with their orders and everyone took their food and dug in.

"Oh, my gosh, this is soooo good," moaned Stephanie, as she devoured her stuffed pork chops, fried okra, and macaroni and cheese. "I wish we could get food like this back in Trenton. I may just have to transfer to the Atlanta office."

Ranger raised an eyebrow, "Babe."

"Okay, okay. I know its heart attack on a plate, but you don't know what you're missing." She looked at his usual grilled chicken salad and shook her head.

"So, Sam, tell us what's going on with your business," Bobby said.

"Well, it started a few months back. I noticed that our fuel usage was much higher than normal. I checked the guy's trucks and everything was on track, but for some reason the diesel tank in the back of the property needed filling more quickly than it used to. I talked to a couple other trucking companies, and they were having the same problem. I guess since the price of fuel has skyrocketed there was a lot of theft going on."

"Okay," said Ranger, "that sounds like a common problem in your industry, so why do you think you are specifically being targeted?"

"It's not just that. Other things that have happened too," replied Sam. "Even though we have a somewhat secure lot, the equipment and building have been vandalized. Tires slashed, trailer locks broken and the building has been graffiti-ed. Then, two weeks ago my office was robbed and whoever did it took specific information. Information about my operation, our clients and contracts. I'm not really sure, but I think Brian's brother, Chuck, has something to do with it."

"What makes you say that?" Stephanie questioned.

"Because Chuck came back to town about a year ago and started a competing company. I don't know where he got the money, but his operation is bigger than mine. After I started having so many problems, he came around and told me that I needed to sell out to him; that I shouldn't have to put up with all the headaches. He offered me a really good price, but at this point, I don't know what I'd do sitting on a pile of money. That's not me. I can't just sit around and 'lunch with the ladies'. I need to work; it's all I've ever known, and all I've ever wanted to do. My dad was a mechanic and I learned from him. I guess it's in the blood. What scares me the most is that I'm in the office at all times of the day and night. If I can't sleep, I go in and try to work on reports. What if I had been there when they broke in? It makes me nervous."

Bobby immediately put his arm around Sam and she laid her head on his shoulder. "Sorry," she said, "I'm not as brave as y'all."

"Brave?" snorted Stephanie, "How about I'm scared shit-less half the time I'm going after a skip? I can completely understand what you're saying."

"Do you think you guys can help?" Sam asked.

"Don't worry, Sam, we'll catch whoever is giving you trouble, and they won't bother you anymore," Bobby said, as he rubbed her arm in reassurance.

"Tomorrow, Bobby and I will pay a visit to Chuck and see if we can get any information," stated Ranger. "In the meantime, I'll have the Atlanta office run a search on him to see if that turns anything up. I don't like the connection between him coming back to town and his unknown monetary resources."

"Okay," said Sam, "that takes care of tomorrow, but what about the rest of today? I'm feeling kind of anxious and I think a little retail therapy might just do the trick. What do you say, Steph? A girl can't live in coveralls alone, and I think Macy's is having a big end of season shoe sale," she said excitedly.

"Sounds great," said Stephanie. Can you guys drive us back to Field's? That way you can check out the building and grounds and let Sam know what you think she need in terms of security."

An hour later Sam and Stephanie pulled into Arbor Place mall. They chatted causally while shopping. They stopped at Bath & Body Works to try the latest scents, and then worked their way through the crowd in the shoe department at Macy's. Walking into Victoria's Secret, Stephanie decided it was time to ask Sam about her relationship with Bobby.

"So, you and Bobby seem close," she ventured.

"Yeah," Sam replied, "he's been a huge help to me the last couple of years. I don't know how I would have made it without him. He and Brian were such good friends, and I really appreciate him being there for me."

"Is he your boyfriend?"

Sam's face turned three shades of red as she replied, "What? Are we in high school now?"

"No," laughed Stephanie, "it's just I've seen the way you two look at each other, and I thought maybe something was going on."

"I don't know. I mean, yes, he's very attractive, and he probably knows me better than anybody, but I'm not sure. Brian's been gone for three years now, and I still miss him, but I also miss being with a man. I miss the companionship, the talking and the….. Well, you know. Oh, I can't decide, do you think that makes me a bad widow?"

"Hell, no! I know it's hard for you, and that you still miss Brian, but just like you did with the business, you need to let yourself move on. I think Bobby would be surprised and happy if he knew how you felt. He's a great guy, and I'm guessing that he cares about you a great deal."

"I really appreciate you talking with me about this. I don't have a lot of close girlfriends to confide in and my mom's not really any help. She thinks I should give up what I'm doing to get remarried and have kids. I didn't exactly turn out the way she wanted, even with all the pageants she shoved me in when I was younger. I think it was her way of trying to mold me into the perfect Southern lady. Unfortunately for her I was the perfect mechanic instead."

"I can't believe how much we are alike. My mom is the same way. She harassed me for years about giving up bounty hunting to get married and have kids. Even though I'm married now she still hasn't quit complaining about the other two areas of my life."

"I guess we're a couple of rebels then," laughed Sam.

"I guess so," replied Stephanie.

"So, what am I going to do about Bobby? I'd like to talk to him, but I'm scared. Think you can help me out?"

"No problem," Stephanie smiled. "That's what friends are for, right?"