Early that evening, Stephanie and Ranger entered their rooms to retire for the night. She watched as Ranger closed his door. They both said good – night. After slamming her door, she turned the television on. She flipped through the channels. There was nothing new, so she finally decided on Cartoon Network.
She was watching Fred Flintstone bowl a perfect game.
"That was good, Fred. And the game is over," Barney Rubble said.
When Barney said that, Stephanie heard guests lug their suitcases, children screaming and running around. She heard a woman say, "Calm down, girls. There are other guests."
Stephanie could guess it was either their mother or aunt, but didn't care which sounded right to her.
More footsteps and suitcases continued to make noise as Barney aimed for a gutter ball. He was still having fun, even though he wasn't a good bowler like Fred was. Then Cartoon Network took a break as she heard her phone ring.
"Hello?" Stephanie said.
It belonged to the voice of Lula.
"How is Clayton Morgan?" Lula asked after the girls greeted each other.
"He's still stealing from the garage," Stephanie told her.
"I believe it. I called the airport to schedule a flight to Milwaukee," Lula told her.
"You're not missing much of anything," she told Lula.
"Still, I wanted to see who was the person who reported to Vinnie about Clayton," Lula replied.
"You don't need to come out."
"Did you and Ranger get the chance to meet this Fonzarelli character?" Lula wanted to know.
"Yes, we did. Lula, would you mind telling Vinnie not to pay me when Clayton is caught?" Stephanie asked.
"Why? I thought you needed money to pay for your rent," Lula said.
"I do, but Ranger said he would pay me this time," Stephanie told her.
"I'll pass it on. What is this Fonzarelli person like?"
"There's not much to say about him," Stephanie told Lula.
"Please tell anyway," Lula begged.
"Okay. He does look a bit like Ranger in a way or two," Stephanie began.
"Whar does that mean? I don't follow you," she said.
Lula really did sound confused.
"Well, one example is that he also wears black," Stephanie told her.
"You mean he head to toe?" Lula asked.
"Not head to toe like Ranger is. His hair is black, wears a white shirt, black leather jacket, blue jeans and black shoes. He looks like a hoodlum," Stephanie said.
She'd described the Fonz perfectly.
"What does he do?" Lula asked.
"He's a mechanic at the local garage Clayton robbed. He looks like he drives a motorcycle and part of a gang," Stephanie said.
"Oh."
"He also likes women. He even sounded interested in asking me out for a date. Strange thing is this: he snaps his fingers to get the girls' attention."
"Strange way to get girls," Lula said while Stephanie agreed.
"Do any of the girls pay attention to his snapping fingers? That I'd like to see for myself. I really am missing all of the fun."
Stephanie could tell Lula really wanted to come along when there were only two tickets and they were only meant for her and Ranger.
"Yes, they were really do respond to his fingersnapping," Stephanie told her.
"Wow," was all Lula could think of to say.
"Does Joe know anything about Clayton yet?" Stephanie asked with curiosity.
Joe Morelli was a police officer in Trenton. She and Joe had known each other since childhood. He was another person besides Ranger she dated on and off, but Ranger mostly wanted to be more businesslike.
"I don't think so, but I think he should know any day now. Listen, I really need to go now. I'm going to your place and feed Rex," Lula told her.
Rex was Stephanie's pet hamster.
"Thank you, Lula. We'll talk again when we get back," Stephanie said.
They both said good – bye.