Valentines' Day, Part 17

That evening when I got home, I was surprised to find Tank in my living room. I mean, scare-the-crap-out-of-me surprised. I hadn't seen a spare car in the parking lot, and for once, I had looked.

"Lula's coming by to pick me up. I had Hal drop me off," he said as way of greeting when I walked in the door.

Once my heart started beating again, I asked, "What brings you here. Just thought you'd check my reflexes? I could have shot you!"

Tank just laughed, "You wouldn't have shot me. You don't like shooting anybody!" He seemed to get a good chuckle out of that one, and was still shaking his head at the thought when he continued. "So, I found out some things today that I think you'll find interesting. Me and Willy chased down some leads."

"Ok, spill," I headed to the kitchen and came back with a couple bottles of water and a package of Oreos. I might need comforting, after all.

"Well, this is top secret, of course, but it appears that Fairbanks found herself mixed up with a bad guy." Tank looked pleased with himself for this bit of information.

"Aldo Pelaratti?" I asked innocently. It was such fun to burst his bubble.

"Damn, Bomber, how in the hell did you find that out?" He looked like I had just given away his puppy.

"Connie told me," I answered like a smart ass.

"Figures. With her family, and all," Tank grumbled. Now I felt a little bad about stealing his thunder. He really did seem disappointed.

"So, big guy, what else did you find out?" I tried to give him a little reprieve. Besides, he might have learned something I didn't already know. Maybe.

"Well," he continued, looking much happier, "it seems he's missing. And his uncle is looking for him. You didn't know that, now did you?"

Tank looked so proud of himself that I almost hated to tell him I already knew. The look on my face must have given it away, though.

"DAMN! Now how did Connie know that?" I could have sworn he was pouting.

"Connie didn't. Joe told me." The look on his face now was priceless.

"Joe Fucking Morelli? How in the hell did he know? This took Willy and me all fucking day to find out, and you already knew? Shit." There was no doubt about it now: The big man was definitely pouting.

I stifled a laugh. "Did you find out anything else? Like why Ranger's acting so strange?" I suddenly had a horrible thought. "Do you think he was just waiting until Deborah Fairbanks was available to make a move on her? Is that what this is all about?" Suddenly, I wasn't enjoying our conversation any longer. I opened the Oreos.

Tank looked at me with thunder in his eyes. "You think that Ranger was just playing with you all this time because he was waiting for Deb to become available? Shit, Stephanie, I thought you knew him better than that. If Ranger had wanted Deb, he wouldn't have let the fact that she had a boyfriend stop him. You should know better than that."

I looked at him, blinked back a tear, and said quietly, "He waited for me and Joe to be through."

Tank looked at me like I had grown a second head. "Jesus, Steph, that wasn't the same at all. He had to make sure you knew what you wanted. Deb's always wanted Ranger."

"Well, now," I said sarcastically, "doesn't that make me feel better?" I wrapped my arms around a pillow and hugged it to my chest. I felt like maybe I could keep my broken heart from falling on the floor that way.

"Fuck. You know what I meant. I don't know what in the hell is up with Ranger, but I do know that he loves you. Whether or not he wants to admit it or not." His voice had gentled and his eyes held a touch of sympathy. Great. Tank felt sorry for me.

"Besides," he continued gamely, "maybe we'll find out something tomorrow. Ranger's called a meeting."

"WHAT? What kind of meeting? Who's all going?" My mind was spinning with the possibility of finally getting somewhere.

"Hold on, Bomber. I don't know any details. Just that Ranger called a meeting of the core team: him, me, Lester and Bobby. I don't know if anyone else will be there, or not. Guess we'll find out then. You going to be ok alone tonight? You could come along with Lula and me."

We could hear the bass thumping coming closer and knew that Lula must be getting close.

"No thanks, Tank. I'm not quite that pathetic yet. I'm not about to go crashing you guys' date. Thanks anyway, and you can give me another update tomorrow. 'Kay?"

"Sure, but why don't you just ask Connie," he grumbled as he gave me a quick hug. "I'm going to meet Lula downstairs, she doesn't like your elevator, and we both know what she thinks of stairs. See you tomorrow." He let himself out, and I settled back with the bag of Oreos.

So maybe tomorrow we'll get some answers I thought as I drifted off to sleep.