Standard Disclaimer: Not mine, not making money, yadda yaddacakes. I didn't put this in part one, but spoilers up through LMT.

Overheard Part 8

Somewhere in Central Ohio

Steph had just left the gas station when a though occurred to her. She should probably call someone to let them know she was on a trip. There was less chance of anyone looking for her if they knew she hadn't been kidnapped.

Coming to a stop on the side of the road, Steph grabbed her purse and rooted through it for her cell. When she came up empty handed, she moved Rex's change over to dump everything out on the seat. She pawed through her junk, shoving aside handcuffs, pepper spray, gum, her wallet, extra bullets and other miscellaneous junk. Not finding her cell, she looked at Rex and sighed. "Guess I lost another phone Buddy. We have to stop in the next town and make a call."

Several minutes later, Steph spied a small grocery store with a pay phone at one end of the building. Parking and locking the car, she walked over and picked up the receiver. Staring blankly at the phone, she couldn't decide who to call. She couldn't call Ranger or any of his guys. Joe was out because he was probably busy with Robin. Plus, he might tell Ranger. That left out Connie and Lula as well. If she called her mother though, she would have to listen to her nag about her job, Joe and how badly she was running her life. Mentally flipping a coin to decide between Joe and her mother, she dialed the phone.

"Hello?"

"Mom, it's Stephanie. I wanted to…"

"Young lady, why didn't you call yesterday? I can't believe you. If you would only quit your job, Joe would marry you."

"Mom, Joe and I are never going to get married. He is with Robin Russell now."

"Nonsense. Joe has wanted you to quit that job for years. Why do you have to be so difficult about this? He is your last chance at a normal life."

Stephanie gritted her teeth and interrupted her mother. "Mom, I am just calling to tell you I am taking a vacation for a week or two. I didn't want you to worry."

Helen sighed. "Stephanie dear, I know you are upset with Joe dating another girl, but if you would just come home instead of running away, I am sure he would take you back. Where are you?"

Stephanie looked around for anything that would identify where she was since she hadn't paid attention to any of the signs on the way into this town. Stepping back from the building, she looked at the sign on the front. Snorting with suppressed laughter, she picked the phone back up and said "Mom, I am in Newark O…"

"If you are so close young lady, you come home right now."

At that point, Stephanie had enough. Her mother was never going to listen to her and she was tired of beating her head against a brick wall. Hanging up the phone, she pulled out her car keys and got in the car.

"Well Rex, I think it is time we got back on the road. You know Grandma, she wouldn't listen to me. And since she wouldn't pay attention, I couldn't correct her when she thought I was still in New Jersey. Who knew there was a Newark Ohio?"

Rex twitched his whiskers at her as if to say I know Mom. But that is kinda cool. Let's roll.

For the first time in over twelve hours, Stephanie smiled and pulled her car back out on the road.

Back in Trenton

Helen Plum shook her head as she hung up the phone. If she didn't know better, she would have thought that Stephanie was not her child. She was irresponsible and flighty. Joe had given her many opportunities to settle down with him and become a good wife but Stephanie refused. She would rather roll in garbage and work with that man. She should call Joe and send him after her. Maybe he could knock some sense into her head. Helen was afraid that Joe was her daughter's last chance at a happy life.

Across town, Ranger was pulling up at Mooner's house. He didn't see his Babe's Mini anywhere but figured he would talk to Mooner anyway. Rapping impatiently at the door, he was taken aback when Mooner flung the door open. In the best of times, Mooner was never normal looking but today it looked like he had been dragged down the street behind a speeding car. His clothing was covered with some strangely orange colored powder and his hair looked like he used an eggbeater to comb it. Before he could say anything, Mooner was grabbing his hand and pumping it up and down like he was trying to draw water out of a very deep well.

"Ranger man, how the heck are you doing? What brings you to the secret lair?

Ranger scowled and barked "Where's Steph?"

"Dude, she isn't here. It is just me right now."

"What do you mean she isn't here? Her car is here, where the hell is she?"

Mooner looked frightened because Ranger's voice was getting louder and louder. Normally he was as cool as ice so this change made Mooner afraid. "Dude, she came by last night and borrowed a car from Dougie. Asked us to keep her car here until she got back. We parked it out back."

Mooner paused "Hey Ranger? She was upset about something when she left. She wouldn't admit it, but she was sad. Like she had lost her best friend. She denied it though."

"Thanks Mooner." Ranger turned as if to go and suddenly blurted out "Do you have any idea where she went?"

"Sorry man, no. She didn't tell Dougie either. Hey Ranger, you gotta go find her."

Ranger gave a short nod. "I will." He headed to his Porsche and for the first time in his life had no clue what to do.