"I have to go. I will see you at the ball, Babe. You will go with the men in the limousine to the banquet hall and once he's captured, you're mine. Tank will organise your dance card. Don't go crazy, Babe."

Tank looked at the men and without a word they filed out.

"So, Tank. I am to have a dance card? How quaint. Will you be on my card as well?" He nodded.

"So. Let me get this straight. It's not a job and it's not a distraction but I will be a distraction."

"Yep."

…ooOoo…

CHAPTER 5

Stephanie's POV

"Am I bait?"

"No Little Girl, you are not bait. Let's say you are more … a triple A rating: Allure, Attraction and Appeal."

Allure? Attraction? Appeal? … That made sense. NOT! Clear as mud. Hmm. This was getting really intriguing and more puzzling at the same time. I was mystified but a certain part of me was dying of curiosity. Glancing up and around the room I mouthed, "Te amo, Carlos."

"Te amo, Babe. It won't be long and I will make it worth your while. Please be patient. Can you do that, for me, please?" I nodded. "I know it has been somewhat difficult and frustrating and I wish I could tell you more. Just know that your presence is quite strategic in a very subtle way."
I was about to protest.

"Wait. You don't have to do anything specific. Just be yourself and enjoy the evening and the dancing. I want you to have fun and, just so you understand, the anticipation is getting to me as well. I have my eye on the prize, so to speak, but you are the ultimate prize to me, Stephanie. You mean so much to me, Babe, and I wouldn't put you at risk. I'm sorry that it has to be this way. Your Merry Men and I will make sure that you are close and always safe. We have your back as you will have ours, I'm sure. I can't wait to see you and to hold you in my arms, Babe. I want you to know that I will do my utmost to make this capture smooth and slick." He paused. "I have to go, Babe. Not long now. Don't over think this and don't go crazy, Babe." Nodding my head, speechless and misty eyed, I reluctantly made to leave Tank's office feeling a bit dazed, gathering my precious packages in hand, a huge lump in my throat.

Looking around I was surprised to find myself alone since Tank seemed to have disappeared like smoke. Hector met me at the door and gave me a reassuring squeeze. I was feeling suddenly bereft.

"Chica. You will be fine. All will be good. You will see. You will be the most beautiful person at the ball. Allow us to take care of business in the business that we know and do well. Carlos is the best. Si?"

I nodded numbly.

"And I want to be first on your dance card. I have told Tank already." This brought a smile to my face as he winked at me mischievously.

He walked me over to the elevator and escorted me to seven. He kissed my cheek and left me as I entered the lobby watching me close the door. I went into the sitting room and sat heavily in one of the armchairs, putting the packages on the coffee table. Wow. Well. There you go. Carlos spoke so much more and had me on the verge of tears with his words of love. This has been a very surreal day. I slipped my shoes off and placed my feet on the coffee table thinking over the events of the last hour.

Sometime later I woke up slightly disorientated. Huh. I must have dozed off. I was dreaming of the ball and my dance card with a line of suitors until my Mr Delectable swept me off my feet wearing a mask and looking delectable. Somehow I can't remember the specific details of Mr Delectable, I just knew that delectable could only be Carlos and nothing else mattered. I felt somewhat better for the snooze. I sighed. I've been doing that a lot lately.

There was a lot to think about but I will place my trust in Carlos since I promised to not over think this. Doesn't mean I can't think about it, I can't help myself. I'm still chewing over the distraction not-a-distraction bit. Part of me wants to be annoyed and angry but it was the emphatic imploring manner with which he spoke that has convinced me to take it as it is. He will be there and my Merry Men will be close by. My dance card is getting quite full it seems. Thankfully my gorgeous new dance shoes are not the killer FMPs that would have me crippled after a few dances. Placing my new packages in the bedroom with the others, I quickly freshened up.

Before long there was a quiet knock at the door and Ella came in with a tray bearing dinner and a warm friendly smile.

"Good evening, Stephanie."

"Oh hi, Ella." I smiled warmly at her.

"I have your dinner and a little something special, other than dessert, for you, with a little help from our friend Hector." She winked and I was instantly curious and surprised as she handed me a black-bowed red box.

"You, too?"

"Yes, Stephanie. We are all in this, together. Carlos loves you. You mean a lot to him, more than you know. Those fine young men of his also love you and Luis and I do too. You are so much the daughter we never had, my dear."

I swallowed the lump in my throat as I blushed.

"I'm just … so overwhelmed at the extent of the gifts and their generosity, Ella, and now you too. I feel so … humbled by all this extra attention. Forgive me, but I'm not used to it."

"You deserve it, Stephanie. We all appreciate how much joy and light you have brought into their lives, our lives too. They see so much of the dark side and until you came into Carlos' life and his men's, you cannot begin to understand the changes I've noticed in them, Carlos especially. You are so good for them all. But for Carlos, you have given him a new lease of life, a new outlook beyond his successful business and government commitments. You make them happy and they smile. You have very subtly disarmed even the most hardened and damaged of these fine courageous young men. They didn't think they deserved this as society here in Jersey has not been too appreciative of their sacrifices and courage. They honour and adore you and appreciate you and how you accept them unconditionally. You are a very special woman, Stephanie. Very special indeed."

Wow. With misty eyes I undid the bow lifting the lid. Accessorise. I looked at Ella and saw excited anticipation. Under the black tissue paper was a beautiful black clutch purse with a wrist strap. It was encrusted with red crystals and small black and white pearls in a delicate pattern similar to the infinity bracelet. A girl always needs to accessorise. Inside was a mini perfume spray bottle of Dolce Vita. She gave me a hug, a long warm hug. Now that's something I really needed and it doesn't come in a box. I relished the hug and she patted my back and gave me an extra squeeze.

"It's beautiful, Ella, thank you. Looks like it's just the right size for my other special accoutrements. Perfect. And, you said Hector?"

"Ah, yes. He insisted that one of the black pearls be a small transmitter. I hope you don't mind."

"Hmmm. All this security and track-ability is doing my head in, Ella."

"You are so precious to them, to Carlos especially and to his men. They are not taking any chances. Always expect the unexpected and be prepared, not that the unexpected is going to happen. You know, contingency plans I think they call them."

I smiled at that. Yes, I knew all about that.

"But this is a ball, a masked ball my dear, and not everyone is readily recognisable. You realise that don't you?"

"Oh…" I said so eloquently. "Of course. So how will I know them, Carlos and my Merry Men?"

"Ah, yes. Well, you will see them when you go in the limousine. You understand that will be one of those Hummers, don't you?" We both laughed at that.

"Big men, bigger car. Let me guess … Black I suppose?" This started a fit of giggles as I visualised my Merry Men going in a regular limo. Okay, one or two but a whole crew? Nah! We laughed some more. It was a cathartic feeling and I felt a lot lighter.

"There's my girl. Yes, big is better. They will be readily recognised with their horned masks, like impala, antelopes, deer and Ram had to have ram's horns." Once again we giggled and I hugged her.

"Thanks Ella. I do feel better."

"Now eat up and rest. You've had a lot on your mind."

ooooOoooo

Wednesday was a blur. So much industry and a huge take down, one of those fully fitted tactical response take downs after long strategy meetings over most of the day. Rodriguez kept my in tray perpetually full but I was also doing some searches for another take down tomorrow. Tank wanted and hoped for a new perspective.

"Have a go at this one for me. It needs fresh eyes. Read it through and highlight anything of interest. Anything, no matter how small, make your annotations as you do. There's something we're missing and I just cannot put my finger on it."

I was so engrossed in the searches and some other paperwork for Tank, a welcome change from the constant searches, that I was surprised at the onslaught of noise erupting from the stairwell as the men came back. Already? Time flies when you're having fun it seems. They looked happy and pumped.

Safe and successful. I breathed out a sigh of relief. Checking each of my Merry Men personally, I was relieved to hear and see that all went smoothly although the targets evidently were a little uncooperative which of course made the takedown all the more satisfying and invigorating. Men! Crazy. I shook my head. A little rumble in the jungle and their testosterone is spiked and pinging off the walls. They were jovial, loud and perky. I was relieved and content once I had my virtual inventory completed finding only a few minor scrapes but no serious injuries. Suits me.

Looking up at the clock I was surprised that I had totally skipped lunch and, as if on cue, my traitorous stomach made its present condition known which was met with feigned fear and a roar of laughter and chuckles as Cal and Ram rapidly shepherded me into the break room with urgency and enthusiastic grins. While most went off to log their morning's events or off to shower, Tank gazed at me with one of those unspoken looks of "Are you okay?" and I nodded, giving with the thumbs up. He smiled and nodded approvingly.

Following him into his office I sat in the chair opposite his large desk, waiting expectantly. He eyed me quizzically. I said nothing but tried to raise one eyebrow and failed. Again. Okay. So two went up. Obviously I have yet to master that prerequisite Rangeman skill. Pfft. The corner of his mouth twitched minutely and he successfully raised one eyebrow. Show-off. I just gave him my silent look, smug yet not disclosing my reason for sitting here.

He waited me out, slowly folding his huge muscular arms across his broad chest, leaning back in his chair, smirking.

"You got something for me Little Girl?" Quietly triumphant that I did not break first, even though I was dying to pour it out, I smiled like the proverbial cat that swallowed the canary.

"Yep." I replied with a distinctive pop of the final P. "Good news or bad news first?"

"Good news. Let's keep those happy vibes in here. C'mon. Hit me."

"We-ell. The good news is that I have made a spreadsheet for you to simplify the payslips that I know you so love to do each week." Grinning, I walked up behind his desk as he re-booted his computer and selected Excel showing him how easy it was to collate the pay details and enter the data with the automated totalising column doing the hard yards for him.

"There's probably other ways to go about it, but I thought this was something you could manage better than your current, tedious long hand method. As each Rangeman completes his shift, he completes the details in each column for the various duties performed and it automatically calculates the rate for the hours spent on each aspect. Or, you can make a slip such as this, a mini checklist, hard copy or on the computer and you can enter the data after you have checked and approved them. It's flexible and I can tailor it further to your liking. If the slip is on the computer and all is approved, you can just copy and paste it into the main spreadsheet for each week or shift rotation. So Monitors, Security Inspections, Pursuits, Captures, TPD time, Surveillance and all the rest are here, even visits to St Francis if one of the FTAs was 'uncooperative' as you guys call it. I've written in the penalty rates for the different shifts already. There are more columns available if you need. The next sheet records their injuries and time spent at medical facilities. I have also done one to record their gym time, gun range, training, defensive driving and professional development. Bobby might be interested in a similar spreadsheet for his medical data."

Tank was looking very pleased as he sat there beaming at me his arms smugly crossed over his chest.

"OK. That's really great Little Girl, really great. Awesome, in fact. Now cut to the chase and get to the good stuff. So what's the bad news?"

"Peterson."

"OK. Spill."

"Peterson is his first name." I paused and watched him as he chewed that over.

"Well, I'll be! So it's … Peterson Owen, not Owen Peterson?"

"Almost. There was a typo in all the paperwork you were given, even from the courts. Peterson Olwen. They left off the ell. A simple typo. I realised that the computers would have automatically cross-referenced both names and still it couldn't locate him or his full profile and rap sheet. So …"

In a move so swift, he'd stood and picked me up, whirled me around and gave me a kiss on my cheek before I realised I was even airborne. He hugged me before he gently put me back on the ground smiling that huge white smile of his.

"You are one smart cookie, Stephanie Plum. I can handle that spreadsheet. I'll brief the Rangemen at the next meeting. But this, this is pure ass and class. I was ready to throw it out, burn it and blow it up. But you came good, real good."

"Well, here's the preliminary search for him and it shows he's been one busy shady character. I've got another search running and you can compare the details yourself. That's why I was so engrossed. I love a good mystery and it frustrated the hell out of me until I accidentally put an L in his name like Sally-Anne's Welsh Aunt Olwen."

Leaving his office I grabbed an apple and a bottle of water from the break room feeling pleased with my morning's efforts and efficiency. By the time it was evening I had completed the Peterson Olwen searches and all the ones for Rodriguez. As I walked past Tank's office I placed the Olwen searches in his in-tray with my usual annotations, highlighted bits and post-its, colourful post-its of course. I was more than ready to call it a day. The control room had resumed its normal sedate tone. I was about to make my way to the elevator when I was tapped on the shoulder by Bear, a red envelope in his hand, with a black bow. I rolled my eyes at him standing there with a blank face but his eyes had the hint of a twinkle in them. He was trying not to smile.

"What? No signing today?" I teased while I opened the envelope and he chuckled at my surprise.

"You are hereby summoned to a Pizza Party on 2. Conference Room 2. Now. Oh yes. Perfect. Pizza is definitely something I need today. Lead on Bear."

As expected, it was loud and fun. Everyone was excited about the day's events and I got lots of hugs and squeezes for taming Tank's temper and frustration in solving the glitch with the Peterson Olwen file. The excitement was infectious with their exuberance for today's sortie and also in anticipation for tomorrow's raid. Apparently Olwen had popped up on their radar before and his crime spree went on relentlessly without so much as a capture as he eluded their trace every time. He had gathered a following of loyal thugs so they were anticipating another good pursuit. Go figure.

After a few drinks and the total annihilation of the pizzas, leaving a mountain of empty boxes, I decided to call it a night. Hector once again chaperoned me to seven.

As I walked into the bedroom I noticed a red box on the bed. Nobody else but me in here so I leapt onto the bed and sat up against the pillows to open this surprise. It must be from Carlos. It was a beautiful bow and I could smell Bulgari on it. Mmmm. Definitely Carlos. I peeled away the tissue paper in a hurry after reading and re-reading Those legs…oh so sexy. Whoa! Beautiful lace top stay up stockings, sheer black with an ankle decal motif. Silk. Is it hot in here? Silky, soft and oh so sexy…. To leave on or to be taken off slowly with my teeth. What a divine dilemma. Fanning self here. Fu-uck. He's not even here and I am all hot and bothered. As I rolled over to make my way to the bathroom there was another red box, larger than the one with those sexy silks. Oh my goodness. How did I miss that? A perfect figure, a perfect body was inside on top of the black tissue paper. He took my breath away. A corset, or was it a bustier? Whatever, it was so sexy and red and lacy and … Oh my God. Unbelievable. It laced up at the front. It was so light and finely boned. Did I say sexy? I used to admire these when I worked for that lingerie company. I could not afford one of these but I knew how good they made a girl look and feel. I can't wait to see this on your beautiful body … Sweet dreams Babe. After tomorrow you are mine. This much

Right. Cold shower or massager? Pfft. Silly question. I placed my new goodies with the others. So many beautiful things. It seems a bit over the top. Come to think of it, there's got to be a dress to come. Oh boy. So much finery and beautiful accessories. I have never gone to a ball with so much … so much … so much detail and thought and preparation. I have never been one to buy extravagantly for myself, well, other than shoes.

oOoOoOo

Thursday ran much like Wednesday. Time flies when you're busy and that rat bastard Rodriguez certainly made sure of that! I would like to get my hands on him one day and strangle him. But it probably wouldn't even bother him. He's probably built like the rest of this Temple of Testosterone. The Peterson Olwen raid and his band of thugs was a success. To say the raiding party was stoked with the outcome and a little argy bargy resistance and that there were some uncooperative culprits just made their day! What is it with men?

Tank called me into his office and there was a white paper bag on his table. Bobby and Lester, Hector too, had that happy glow about them. Anyone would think they just got laid.

A huge rumble erupted in the room. Oh. My. God! Hector grinned at me while Lester and Bobby were laughing with tears in their eyes. Tank was still rumbling with laughter. Oh boy! Did I..?

"Si, Estefania. You speak out loud. We all hear. Chica," and he winked at me, "It is the same." More laughter and nodding of heads. Man! These men.

"Here." Tank slid the bag to me knowing full well what the contents were. He was smiling a real megawatt contagious smile and I couldn't help but join him.
"There will be a celebration, Little Girl. You made this possible today, Steph. Your uncanny detective skills have enabled Rangeman to finally capture this dude. We couldn't get a handle on him before and he repeatedly slipped through our system. Ranger is going to be mighty pleased with this one, aside from the big bucks involved, it's more the knowledge that we finally nailed the fucker! We may need to review your skill set. You have many talents Miss Plum. Just doing basic searches may be under valuing your true capacity and qualifications. If you are interested, we, the Core Team, will investigate some new options to better use your skills. What do you say?"

Wow. A lot of words from Tank. I nodded as I had my mouth full of Boston cream. I stopped mid munch. Wait a minute. Is this some Boston cream coercion again? I eyed them warily, one by one.

"Beautiful? Something wrong? Just enjoy them. No strings attached." Oh. Thank goodness for that. I needed some sugar. Mmmm. So nice.

"I think a rest upstairs would be appropriate. You have put in a lot of extra time lately and overtime. Go and have a rest or whatever you fancy. Take the rest of the afternoon off. You have a big day tomorrow. Bear will collect you tomorrow morning for your spa day at around 0930. Your first appointment is at ten. Who is your spa buddy going to be?

"Hector."

His head whiplashed my way and the room was once again in uproar.

Hector raised an eyebrow and gave me one of the sexiest looks ever. Uh oh. I'm in trouble.

oOoOoOoO

I know. Finally an update. I hope this was worth the wait.

Let me know your thoughts. Next chapter the ball.