Standard Disclaimer: Not mine, not making money, yadda yaddacakes. I didn't put this in part one, but spoilers up through LMT.
Overheard Part 20
Rangeman building
Joe walked towards the front desk. As he approached the black clad figure that looked like a clone of all the other Rangemen, he idly wondered where Ranger found his employees. To a man, they were all tall, muscular and silent. Each one of them looked like he knew a dozen ways to kill you just using a pinky finger. Mentally shrugging, he reached the desk and spoke to the person manning it. "Are either Zero or Manny here? I have some important information regarding your boss they need to know."
Ram narrowed his eyes "Do you have an appointment Morelli? They are pretty busy right now."
Joe huffed exasperatedly. "No, I don't have an appointment but I assure you that they will want to hear what I have to tell them. Your boss's continued freedom is contingent on the information I have."
Ram picked up a phone and punched a few buttons. "Vince send Zero or Manny downstairs. Morelli is here with some pertinent information about the Boss's case." Ram nodded and hung up. "Someone will be right down Morelli."
Joe stepped aside and took a moment to look around him while he waited. Observing the art prints on the wall, nicely arranged furniture that looked like it came out of a high-end shop and the profusion of real plants he decided that Ranger was going for an upscale look. It surprised him because he figured that the clients who used Rangeman wouldn't care about those things. Although he had heard that there were offices of Rangeman in Boston, Atlanta and Miami so perhaps the upscale look attracted more upscale clients. When he heard the elevator open, he broke off his ponderings.
Zero stepped off the elevator and towards Morelli. "Morelli, what information do you have about the situation with the Boss?"
Joe looked around warily. "Can we take this upstairs? The fewer people that know about this the better."
Zero thought for a moment and nodded. "Let's head up to one of the conference rooms on three. Is it okay if Manny sits in?"
"Sure, since you both are involved in what I need to impart. Let's go."
Both men stepped onto the elevator. Zero flipped open his cell and hit his speed dial. "Manny, need you in conference room one ASAP." When the doors opened, Zero stepped out and motioned Joe to follow him.
As they walked down the hall, Joe looked about curiously. The theme of elegance and money continued here. It was like walking into the New York Yacht Club. He had been there once while on a case to interview a suspect. His Captain had told him to put on his best suit and tie. Even though his normal work attire is T-shirts and jeans, he complied since he knew it would make the interview smoother. The atmosphere at the club made him feel very uncomfortable, like they were judged him and found him lacking. He was getting a much different vibe here at Rangeman though. It was much more welcoming even though it was swanker here than the Yacht Club. Zero opened a door at the end of the hall and motioned Joe inside. Joe shook himself out of his reverie and walked inside and sat down.
Manny walked inside moments later and both men sat across from Joe. Manny spoke first. "Okay Morelli what important information do you have for us?"
"I spoke with Marty Gobel this morning and he said that the witness you brought to him yesterday admitted you paid her to lie to provide an alibi for your boss." Both men immediately got hostile looks on their faces. Zero opened his mouth to say something but Joe cut him off. "Look, I don't believe that and I told Marty so. Ranger wouldn't beat up a woman and he wouldn't ask anyone to lie for him." The tension eased somewhat but Zero and Manny were still furious at the implication that they were lying.
"Thanks for letting us know Joe. I guess we will need to go talk to Mrs. Wheeler and find out what is going on." Manny stood up and motioned to Zero. "Man, call Vince and let him know we are out of the building. Also have him call Ranger and update him on this newest development." As both men headed for the door, Zero pulled out his phone to make the call.
"Manny, I think I should go with you. Gobel is playing fast and loose with this case and I need to find out why. Plus he can't turn around and say that the witness is claiming you bribed her when I hear from her myself that you didn't."
Manny thought for a moment and nodded in agreement. "Good idea. Thanks Joe." After a pause "Do you mind if I ask you a personal question?" Joe shook his head. "Why are you helping Ranger? I would think that with everything in the past between the two of you that you would be reluctant to help him."
Joe smiled. "If this had happened last year, you are right. I wouldn't have helped him. I thought he was a thug who did some good things in cleaning up the streets but his methods were ones I didn't approve of. I also thought he had his fingers in a lot of illegal pies and wanted to bust him so bad I could taste it. I came to the realization several months ago that Ranger had a very strong moral code and that the things he did outside the law were things that needed to happen. If a few laws got bent or broken, they were only done because there was no other way. Ranger didn't do it for personal enrichment or to hurt innocent people. I used to laugh at Stephanie when she referred to him as Batman but I realized she was pretty close to the mark on that. Besides, Stephanie always had faith in him and I came to understand that her powers of perception were second to none. She is the best judge of character of anyone I know and if she trusted him it was because he was trust worthy.
Manny looked floored at Joe's statement. "You know Joe, you are pretty perceptive yourself when it comes right down to it. Your feelings for Stephanie mucked up things for a while. Glad you are on our side man." Manny stuck out his hand and gave Joe a firm handshake.
Memphis International Airport
Ranger pulled the SUV into the rental parking. Tank, who was following behind, pulled up behind him. He rolled down the window and asked "Any more instructions Boss?"
Ranger looked over at Stephanie. She tried raising one eyebrow but failed. "What?" Ranger gave her that half smile that would be a blinding grin on anyone else. "Just thought you might have some last minute words about the care of Rex."
Stephanie bent down to look in the car. "There won't be much you need to do besides give him fresh water and food every day. Just make sure the lid is on tight or you will end up with him running all over the car."
Tank looked taken aback at that but shrugged. "See you in Trenton in two days Boss man." With that, he rolled up the window and took off.
Ranger grabbed their bags with one hand and Stephanie's hand with the other. With a gentle tug he headed off towards the check in desk. When they reached the Continental desk, Ranger dropped the bags and turned to Stephanie. "Babe, I need your license." She reached in her purse and pulled it out of her wallet and handed it to him. He turned back to the desk and said to the desk clerk "Reservation for two for Manoso on the flight leaving for Newark in an hour." The clerk stood there like a statue, not moving except for the slight line of drool creeping out of the corner of her mouth.
Stephanie shouldered Ranger aside. "Ma'am we need to check in for out flight. Can you help us or do we need to call your supervisor?" The clerk blinked a couple of times and stammered "I'm sorry, what name did you say?"
"Manoso". The clerk typed in the name and without looking up asked for their ID. She resolutely left her eyes glued to the screen and directed her questions at Stephanie. "Any bags to check?" When the reply was in the negative, she printed their boarding passes and slid them across the counter along with their ID's. "Have a nice flight."
Ranger grabbed their bags again and they headed for their gate. As they approached security, he handed Stephanie's bag to her. "Babe, I am going to need to go through special screening. I'll meet you on the other side." At the worried look on her face he added "Nothing bad but in order for me to carry my weapons I need to go through additional screening. There is nothing to worry about."
She nodded and handed him his boarding pass. Reaching up on tip toe, she kissed his cheek. "See you on the other side Batman." Ranger smiled and watched her walk towards the checkpoint. Seeing she was passing through with no problem, he headed over to one of the officers standing nearby and held out his government ID. "I need to be checked through please."
The officer looked at the ID, planning on telling this guy to go get in line when he realized what he was looking at. "Certainly sir, follow me please." He led Ranger off to a secure office on the other side of the security checkpoint. Once the formalities were gone through, the officer offered to escort Ranger to his gate. Ranger declined and headed out to find his Babe.