The very next day, Stephanie stayed in her apartment. While deciding what kind of underwear to pack, she heard her telephone ring.
"Hello?"
"Hi, Stephanie. Are you and Ranger all packed up and ready to head out to Milwaukee?"
"I'm not, but I have no idea about him," Stephanie answered.
"Oh. Did you find out if there are enough plane tickets so I can come along also?" Lula asked.
"Sorry, Lula, the answer is no. Vinnine only told Ranger to order two tickets, so only he and I are the only ones going."
"Bummer. I'm missing all of the action. What do you think I should do about my ice cream diet?"
"I'd give it up if I were you. In the past your diets never last enough to stick to the same diet."
Lula nodded.
"What kind of plans do you and Ranger decide on?" Lula asked.
"Our plane doesn't leave until one – forty – four this afternoon, so I hope it gives me enough time to figure out what to pack along."
"Oh. Who's driving you and Ranger out to the airport?"
"I don't know. He said to decide before we're ready to head over to the airport."
"If I were you, I'd go call Ranger now and get the decision out-of-the-way," Lula told her.
"Good idea. I'll go call him right this instant and see if he's come up with anything."
"I just got an idea. How about if I drive you and your bags? This way it'll save you enough trouble to find out who would do all of the driving," Lula suggested.
"You do have a point," Stephanie agreed.
"Go call him now and see what he thinks of my idea," Lulu remarked.
"I'll call back and we'll go from there," she said to her friend.
"Okay. I'm sorry I'll be missing out on all of the action out there in Milwaukee."
"I'm sure you won't miss out on much."
"That's where you are wrong, my friend," Lula said once she heard Stephanie hang up.
"Darn. She hung up on me!" Lula said.
"Maybe I won't miss out on this trip after all. I'll call myself if I can get a ticket on short notice," Lula said to herself.
While Lula was calling for a planet ticket, Stephanie was talking to Ranger. Stephanie mentioned Lula's idea. She thought she'd ask and see what Ranger thought.
"Have you already asked someone to see if they could drive us?" Stephanie asked.
"Well, a lot of my men are still out on vacation or trying to get better faster. Tank is taking my place while you and I will be in Milwaukee, Babe. Do you know anyone who could?"
"Yes, I do."
"Who did you get?"
"Lula. She really wants to come with you and me to Milwaukee, but she did offer to drive us there."
"Good enough. This trip was meant for you and I to catch a criminal, and this trip isn't to mess around and not to get into enough trouble," he reminded her.
"Yes, I know. What time should I tell Lula to pick us up?" Stephanie asked.
"You can call her immediately and tell her to pick us up at Rangeman around twelve – fifteen."
"If the plane isn't leaving until one forty – four, then why do you want to leave so early?" Stephanie asked.
"So we won't have to mess around with security," Ranger answered.
"Well, that makes sense. I'll call Lula and tell her what we've agreed to."
"After you do that, call me."
"Got it."
Then she heard Ranger sign off. Then she called Lula. She should've been at Vinnie's by now, Stephanie thought to herself as she dialed Lula's cell phone. Lula answered her phone immediately.
"What have you and Ranger decided on?" was her greeting without saying hello.
Lula often didn't bother saying hello to every phone call when friends would call her up.
"He didn't mind your driving out to the airport and drop us off."
"I kinda figured that," Lula said and then added, "I am coming along."
"Even if this trip was for two people?"
"Yes."
"How did you do such a thing? I'm sure Vinnie would want you at the office."
"I know, but I did this so I won't have to miss out on all of the fun."
"Have it your way," Stephanie said quietly under her breath.
Lula did hear Stephanie sigh, but didn't catch any of the words she had just said.
"What did you say?" Lula asked.
"Nothing."
"Didn't sound like nothing to me. I'll be there by one – fifteen."
"One – fifteen? Ranger wanted to get there earlier than that."
"Why? You did not tell me that!"
Stephanie quietly slapped her face. 'Oh well,' she thought as she told Lula the time and place.
"Okay, I'll be there."
Lula didn't notice that she was going to leave her suitcases behind.