Because you love her- by jersey girl in oxford (sue)

Chapter 4

The crowd at Stephanie's funeral was overwhelming the Trenton PD's and Rangeman's ability to keep things under control. The mood was somber enough but now greatly enhanced by the rain. Morelli sat with the Plum family. Frank looked like a zombie. Helen hadn't been sober since hearing the news of Stephanie's death. Grandma Mazur hadn't uttered a sound at all. Val clung to Albert and the girls. Morelli's eyes wandered around at the eclectic crowd that had come to pay their lasts respects. Just about all the off-duty Trenton Police were there. Tank had told him he brought in contract staff to help with crowd control and to let his staff attend. Even some of Stephanie's skips showed up. Connie and Lula were hanging on to Vinnie. He had to smile. Stephanie really would have appreciated this turn out.

Then his thoughts turned to Ranger. Although he couldn't understand why, he felt sorry for the poor bastard. He still didn't know about Stephanie yet. If he did, he would have moved heaven and earth to be there. And as much as he hated to admit it, Stephanie would have wanted him there. Jesus, he thought to himself, I still can't believe this happened. Morelli swore her job would be the end of her. So far, the Trenton Police had no leads on the man she had been seen with. The Chief refused to let him work or help with the case. He knew Tank and Rangeman were also doing their own investigation. Maybe he would ask….hell… he'd beg them to let him help. Someone took Stephanie away from him. He couldn't just sit by and do nothing.

A day later, Tank got the phone call he had been dreading. Ranger immediately asked about Stephanie. Tank took a deep breath and told him. "I'm sorry, Ranger. Stephanie's…..uh…she's dead." There was a full minute of silence before Ranger spoke.

"What happened?" he asked thickly.

"Her body was found in the park three days ago. M.E. said she died from exsanguination. He couldn't explain how. She was buried yesterday. I knew you would want to be represented. We helped with security. The cops have no leads. We don't have much either."

"My flight lands first thing in the morning. I'll email you the information to pick me up." Ranger disconnected. He sat there staring at the wall for hours. He felt numb. He didn't feel any pain or sadness. He just felt….nothing. He was not prepared for this. His brain and his heart refused to accept this information. His Babe was gone….forever. She was the bright light in his dark world. When he and his men were knee deep in shit, he could always count on her to do or say something to lift his mood. She had been at death's door too many times to count. Somewhere in the back of his mind, he thought she was impervious to death. How could a woman who was so full of life be dead? All this time, he denied himself a relationship with her because he thought his life would put her in danger. It wasn't supposed to end like this. One thing was certain, whoever did this to her would be severely punished. Death would be too kind for him.

Ranger requested to be taken straight to the cemetery. He had to see her. Even if it was only her grave site. Tank waited by the SUV to give Ranger his privacy. It wasn't much to look at…just freshly turned earth and a small grave marker. There was no headstone yet. Tank told him he heard that Grandma Mazur was the one to pick it out because her parents were too overcome with grief. God only knows what that thing is going to look like. "I'm sorry I wasn't there for you, Babe," his shaky voice whispered. He remembered the conversation they had the last time they had spoken. She told him that she loved him. He closed his eyes to fight back the tears that threatened to fall. She did love him. He placed a single red rose at the base of the marker. It looked a little lost among the vast number of baskets of flowers around her grave. The numbness that he had felt was gone. It was replaced with tremendous pain and guilt. The legendary control he had over his emotions was broken. Ranger sank to his knees and sobbed.

Morelli saw the black SUV as he pulled up. Tank was leaning against the door. He realized that Ranger must have returned. He parked behind the SUV and walked over to Tank. Tank greeted him with a nod. "Is Ranger here?" Tank just nodded again. "Is he….uh…how is he?"

"He's dealing…just like the rest of us." Morelli gave him a tight smile.

"Look," Morelli began, "the Chief won't let me near this case. I can't just sit by and do nothing. I know Rangeman is looking into finding Steph's killer. I want to help." Tank just looked at him. "Please?"

"That will be up to the boss." Tank leaned back against the door. "Aren't you going to the grave?"

"Well…yeah. I just figured I'd give Ranger some privacy," Morelli explained.

"He's been here a few hours now. I think it would be okay." Morelli nodded to Tank and began to walk towards the grave site. He found Ranger still on his knees.

Upon hearing footsteps, Ranger collected himself and stood. He turned to see Morelli approaching. "Morelli."

"Ranger." Morelli walked up beside him, and they stood in silence staring at the ground. "It doesn't seem real…does it?"

"No, it doesn't." The two men stood shoulder to shoulder in silence. Both staring at the dirt that covered the woman they both loved. Ranger turned to Morelli. "I'm very sorry for your loss." Ranger looked him in the eye before he started to leave. Morelli was surprised to find his eyes red rimmed and blood shot. So Batman does have feelings, he said to himself. Morelli lightly placed his hand on Ranger's arm to stop him.

"She was your loss, too. I know you loved her as much as I did," Morelli told him. "I don't blame you for falling in love with her. Shit…I really hated you for it. And I hated that she loved you, too. But, I understand it all now."

"If you want to help us find this son of a bitch, you're welcome to join the team. But be warned Morelli, I am not concerned about reading this mother fucker his rights. As far as I'm concerned, he had no rights and will be sentenced to die. Right after I inflict as much pain that is humanly possible. I don't give a shit about the law. Do I make myself clear?" Ranger's eyes narrowed. The pain in his eyes was replaced with anger and hatred.

"Crystal. I was going to ask you if I could help. The Chief shut me out. If I have to, I'll turn in my badge. I want exactly what you want," Morelli replied. Ranger extended his hand, and he shook it.

"We'll be in touch." Ranger headed back to the SUV. Morelli stayed behind to be with Stephanie for a while.