Chapter 15

I arrived at Rangeman and made my way to my desk. I put away my purse, my gun, and any lingering doubts of what had happened in the parking lot. I didn't have time to worry about that today. I was a Woman on a Mission. I had some serious snooping to do. Let's see what secrets Deborah Fartbanks and her mafia boyfriend, Aldo, have been keeping. I fired up the computer and got right to it.

Two hours later the printer was humming along at a brisk clip, and I decided this would be a good time to check in with Tank. I wandered down to his office, but he wasn't in. "Hey, Cal," I started as the big man walked by, "do you know where Tank is off to?"

"Nope, he just said he had someone he needed to see. Don't know when to expect him, either. Did you need something?"

"Nah, I'll just check in with him when he gets back. Did Ella smuggle in anything good today?" She's been known to bring in high-fat, sugar laden, non-organic treats when Ranger was going to be gone for the day.

"Hell, yeah! Deb's got a worse sweet tooth than you, if you can believe it!" Cal said with a laugh.

I let out a surprised gasp, but I tried to keep my face neutral, I really did. It just hurt so much to hear my friends talk about her so… so… so familiarly. Dumb, I know. I needed to get a grip.

Cal was watching me with a worried look on his face, trying to get a read. I think he realized what he had just said. Finally he must have decided my head wasn't going to pop off. He gave me a relieved smile and a noogie. "Come on, Bomber; better grab some of those cookies before the Goon Squad eats them all."

The moment was lightened, and we headed down to the Break Room for some much needed sugar and caffeine. Ten minutes later, feeling much better, I headed back to my cubicle.

I picked up the pile of papers the printer had been spewing out. I had run the full deal: starting with a basic background check, and then progressing to the more invasive, less legal searches. If Aldo and Deborah Fairbanks had been skips, I wouldn't have batted an eyelash at running these searches. That is, after all, what they were designed for. I was having just a twinge of conscience, however, since I was basically only snooping; looking to dig up dirt. I rationalized it to myself by saying it was necessary to help Ranger. Am I good, or what?

I started with Aldo. Looked like Connie had hit it right on the nose. He had started his career with his step-uncle's more legitimate enterprises, then started up the shaky, Family career ladder. Good grief, he actually had his occupation listed as a Collection Agent! He had a rap sheet that consisted of some minor infractions, possession, that sort of thing. He hadn't served any jail time. He lived in a suburb of D.C. which was interesting. Most of his uncle's businesses were located in Jersey. Maybe they were franchising? But who? Dominic? Or Aldo? Something to look into.

He and Deborah Fairbanks had started dating 2 ½ years ago and it went on until several months before he disappeared. They hadn't lived together. I wondered what the deal was. A doctor working for the government hooked up with a mafia errand boy. Something simmered on the edge of my brain. I just couldn't put a finger on it, yet.

I flipped the page and came face to face with his picture. Ah ha, so there's the attraction. This guy was gorgeous. Not Ranger gorgeous, mind you, but gorgeous all the same. He looked like a male model: fine facial features, long black hair, and a swimmer's body. Well, well, Deborah Fairbanks, at least we know you have good taste in men!

I made some notes about some leads I wanted to follow up on, and then started in on Deborah Fairbanks' file. Before I started reading, I looked around, guiltily. It wouldn't do to have Ranger catching me using his computers to spy on his girlfriend! I don't want to end up in Somalia tomorrow. Seeing that I was still alone, I started turning the pages.

The first thing that caught my eye made me laugh out loud. Ok, so it's the jealous girl in me, but it made me happy, in a mean, snide sort of way. Turns out that my lovely subject is older than me. Significantly older than me. Which means she is also older than Ranger. Ha, it's a small thing, but felt like a victory to me. On a gloomier note, she is remarkably well-preserved for a woman of 'her age.' Ok, so it's only 6 years, but still.

Nothing sketchy jumped out at me, except for her advanced age. Born in Oregon, graduated high school at the top of her class, undergrad and med school at Duke. Impressive. No arrests, a couple of speeding tickets a few years back. I'd like to get a glimpse of her personnel file, but I'd need Silvio's help with that, and I'm not sure he'd approve. I'll have to remember to ask Tank.

As I turned the pages, something seemed out of order. I turned back and forth a couple of times, trying to figure out what was wrong. I thought maybe I had dropped a page. Then it registered. On page 6, there was a heading of "Police Reports Filed" but on page 7, there was no mention of it. Hmmmm. I clicked through the windows on my PC until I found the page I was looking for. Interesting. I wasn't missing a page. It looked like someone had just deleted a chunk of information. I thought about the best way to find out what was missing, but couldn't come up with a solution.

I glanced at my clock and realized it was about time for me to head off to meet Joe. I started to shut down my computer, but on second thought, I deleted everything I had been working on, and then cleared my history file. Not that this would stop anyone if they really wanted to know what I had been working on, but somehow I didn't like the idea of leaving it there. Once I was satisfied, I turned it off, grabbed my purse and headed out.

I blew Lester a kiss in the Control Room as I passed. "Where you off to, Bomber?" he asked with a grin.

"I'm meeting Joe for lunch at Pino's. Want me to bring you something?" I turned towards him to catch his answer, and was shocked by the look on his face. He looked pissed.

"Well, that was quick," he said with a sneer.

"Gee, Lester, what's got your shorts in a bunch?"

"Oh, I don't know, Stephanie," he spat out, "running back to Morelli again. I thought you cared about Ranger, I guess it's only when it's convenient. I thought better of you."

I was shocked. Hurt, too. But, mostly, I was furious. Who in the hell did Lester think he was?

"Who in the hell do you think you are, Lester Santos? For your information, Joe has a new girlfriend, and I'm happy for him. Not that it's any of your business. But, don't forget, Ranger also has a new girlfriend, so I guess if I want to go have lunch with someone it shouldn't be a problem. He's the one that doesn't want to be with me, Lester. I thought you understood that. I thought…" I couldn't continue. I knew if I started to cry I wouldn't be able to stop. I just stood there looking at the carpet.

"You thought what, Steph?"

I was startled to find Lester right in front of me, the anger gone from his face, replaced by a look of regret. I shook my head at him. I still didn't trust myself to speak. He quickly stepped forward and wrapped me in his arms.

"I'm sorry, Steph. I know you care about Ranger. I don't know what I was thinking. What were you going to say? You thought what?"

I didn't want to finish my thought. I didn't need to finish it, either. "I was going to say that I thought you were my friend," I whispered.

"Oh, fuck, Steph, I am your friend. I don't know what in the hell I was thinking. I was just afraid that if you went back to Morelli you might not be interested in trying to figure out what in the hell is wrong with Bossman. I'm so sorry. Can you forgive me?" he pleaded.

"I know we're friends, and I'm sorry for jumping to that conclusion. I guess I'm just feeling a little insecure these days. We're good. Now do you want a meatball sub, or not?"

"Now we're talking! Damn straight, but better make it two, in case Tank gets back before I'm done."

I turned with a laugh and stepped into the elevator, glad that everything was ok between him and me at least. The drive to Pino's was uneventful. I thought once that I saw a car following me, but they turned off and never reappeared, so I guess I was imagining it.