Challenge 2008: #3
Prompts: (1) "That's Trenton for you. Just remember it's not the heat, it's the stupidity." or (2) "I actually might do that." If I fell out of a three story window, cracked my head on the sidewalk and suffered severe brain damage.
Disclaimer: I am making not one cent on this story (sadly) and do not own these characters (again with the sadly). They are owned by Janet Evanovich.
A/N: This is a part of my Overheard story. It fits in during the event of Part 12.
The bond office, early afternoon
Connie looked up as the door slammed. Lula barreled in like the hounds of hell were after her.
"Lula what's wrong?"
"I be chasing that freak Jimmy Stone when he stopped running. Next thing I know, he is lying on the sidewalk dead."
"Christ, you didn't shoot him did you? My insurance company hates when that happens."
"God damn you Vinnie, I hate when you bug my desk." Connie searched her desk, throwing files on the floor and almost upsetting her bottle of Passion Pink nail polish. "Ah ha!" she exclaimed as she found it on the underside of her office chair. Dropping it on the floor, she ground it to dust under her heel. Squawking noises were heard from his office.
Lula piped up "Vinnie, I didn't shoot anyone so shut up you little pipsqueak." There was immediate silence behind Vinnie's closed door.
"So Lula, what has you looking a bit stressed?"
"Like I was saying, before that ferret faced pervert interrupted, Jimmy Stone dropped dead. Scared the every loving shit outta me. Then I saw Picky coming down the street and I high-tailed it outta there. He probably woulda arrested me."
"Don't worry Lula, they will find that he died of a heart attack or something. There is no way anyone could blame you."
"I know. That ain't what got me freaked. I was in Pinos' getting me some lunch when I overheard something."
Connie glared at Lula. "You didn't bring me lunch? And what did you overhear?"
"I was so freaked by what I overheard that I forgot about lunch. Big Dog and Carl were sittin' there talking about some chick down at the police station that was accusing Ranger of beating her up. They said she was pretty bruised and seemed to have a plausible story."
"Holy shit. Does Steph know? Have you called her?"
"Connie, I ain't supposed to tell no-one but Steph left town. Ranger and Tank went after her. She left her cell behind and took Rex. I don't even think Ranger knows yet."
Connie rifled through her Rolodex. Pulling her cell out of her purse, she dialed a number. "Ranger, it's Connie. I really need you to call me. There is some chick accusing you of beating her up. You need a head's up before you get back into town." Clicking the phone shut, she looked at Lula. "Anything else I need to know?"
Lula thought about it for a second. "Nope. Although how can the cops think that Ranger would beat up a woman? He would just make her disappear. He ain't dumb enough to get caught."
Connie nodded. "That's the Trenton PD for you. Just remember, it's not the heat it's the stupidity. They know better. Just wait til Stephanie hears about this. She'll blow a gasket."
"And probably the police station too."