Stephanie called Tank, knowing he would wait for her mother to arrive at Rangeman. She heard the connection open, but Tank remained silent. Stephanie heard her mother demanding to see her. "I sent the photo and death certificate. It's not entirely legal, but it should pass all scrutiny. Show them to my mother and Morelli when he arrives," Stephanie explained. She disconnected the call, unwilling to listen to Tank lying to her mother.
"Where is she?" Helen demanded. She arrived at Rangeman to retrieve her daughter. Tank stood in the lobby with his arms folded across his chest.
"Stephanie isn't here," Manny replied.
"Why me?" Helen asked. "Doesn't my ungrateful daughter understand how it makes me look to the neighbours? Why can't she show up at dinner? How dare she make me look like a fool!"
Manny thought Helen was doing a stellar job making herself look the fool. Tank glared at Helen, waiting for her to finish her rant. "When was the last time you saw Stephanie?" Tank calmly asked.
"Three weeks ago," Helen replied. "She was supposed to vacation in Point Pleasant for two weeks. Stephanie promised to attend dinner Sunday night when she returned."
Tank raised an eyebrow. It wasn't what Stephanie had told him. "Today is Friday, Mrs. Plum," Tank reminded her. "Why are you here now?" Tank had his orders. He was to make Mrs. Plum believe Stephanie had died from Morelli's betrayal.
"To bring Stephanie home. I know you're holding her captive," Helen argued. Tank tapped the earbud in his ear. He listened as Stephanie relayed that she had contacted Frank, who promised to involve Morelli. Tank waited for five minutes for Detective Morelli to arrive.
Manny buzzed the door to let Joseph Morelli enter Rangeman. "How may I help you, detective?" Manny asked.
"The chief dispatched me to remove Helen from here," Morelli explained. "However, I want to know where you're hiding Stephanie."
Tank assessed Morelli before doing as Stephanie had asked. "Manny, grab the file Ranger sent," Tank ordered. Manny ducked behind the desk to print the documents about Stephanie. "Give them to Morelli."
Manny passed the photograph and to Joe Morelli. "What's this?" Joe asked. His face paled when he looked at the lifeless image of Stephanie.
"Her death certificate and a photograph as proof," Tank replied. "You sold Stephanie's location to the drug lord who injected her with enough drugs to stop her heart. I hope you're proud of yourself, Morelli."
"No. Stephanie can't be gone," Joe cried.
"Why me?" Helen yelled. "You're lying. I would know if my daughter was dead."
Joe used his phone to check the records department. He entered Stephanie's name and date of birth. Within minutes, he received the notification of Stephanie's death. "Helen, it's true. Look." Joe passed his phone to Helen. She dropped to her knees and cried. Morelli grabbed his phone before Helen dropped it onto the floor.
"Where's her body?" Helen asked once her tears subsided. "I need to arrange her funeral."
"In a thousand pieces. They couldn't get Stephanie out of the cabin in time," Tank explained. He pointed to the other documents. Morelli's hands shook as he read the document stating that Stephanie's body got destroyed when the cabin in Brazil exploded. "It was all the military was willing to release."
"Military? What does that mean?" Helen demanded.
"It means Joseph Morelli got involved with a woman who kidnapped Stephanie and took her to Brazil, where Stephanie died," Tank replied. "The military's rescue team couldn't release the cuffs in time to remove Stephanie from the cabin. Anything more is confidential."
"They should have picked them or cut them off!" Helen shouted.
"It takes a few minutes to pick each lock. The team had less than three minutes to remove the body before the bomb detonated," Tank explained. "They don't carry a saw to cut through metal."
Helen started to hit Joe. He covered his face as Helen hit him with all the strength she could muster. "Helen, stop!" Joe ordered. Helen cried as she continued to hit him. She didn't stop until her arms gave out.
-SMSMSMSM-
Stephanie stayed in the Rangeman Miami penthouse apartment while Carlos conducted business. She busied herself with locating all known associates of Pedro Fernandez, Diego Fernandez and Gabriela Ferreira. Stephanie even checked their known aliases. She wanted to know who, if anyone, would verify her death.
In the largest conference room, Ranger had ordered his full and part-time staff to attend the mandatory meeting. Once the Trenton and Boston offices appeared on the large monitor, Ranger said, "Everything you're about to hear does not leave the conference room."
"HUA," everyone replied.
"I'm closing the Trenton branch," Ranger announced. Ranger waited for the men to stop talking before continuing the meeting. "We're opening a branch in Chicago. I ask anyone wishing to move to Chicago to submit your request to transfer."
Ranger explained the situation regarding Stephanie. "You may hear a rumour that my wife, Stephanie died. She nearly did, but we rescued her in time. The residents of Trenton, New Jersey, will have a funeral for Stephanie. Anyone searching Stephanie's records would get redirected to her death certificate. Tank, I expect you and the men to appear as grieving coworkers. I will attend the funeral with Santos. Once we determine Stephanie is safe, Hector will redact the certificate and disable the redirection link."
"Who will stay with Stephanie?" Marco asked.
"You will, brother," Ranger replied. "I fly to Trenton early Monday morning and will return that night. I'm trusting you to keep my wife safe."
Marco nodded. "Yes, sir." He knew to keep the secret from his family, despite his nosy mother's need to learn more about her adult sons.
Ranger trusted his men to keep Stephanie safe. He knew Tank and his team in Trenton would protect the secret of Stephanie's survival.
It didn't take long for Stephanie's "death" to get spread around Trenton. Bobby and Lester returned to Trenton to help Tank dissolve the branch. They reached out to their clients and promised to have men working from a remote office to monitor their accounts until their contracts expired. The businesses could break the contract without paying the fees if they wished to end their agreement earlier.
Lester was surprised the company owners were willing to retain their services until the contract terms were met. Rodriguez, Chas and Javier offered to remain in Trenton until the contracts expired. They would run the Rangeman remote office from the safe house a few blocks from St Frances Hospital. The Rangeman contract workers would assist when required.
Ranger left early Monday morning to attend the funeral for Stephanie in Trenton. He called Frank when he arrived at the airport for a ride. Ranger smiled when Frank said he was waiting in the loading zone. He slipped into the front seat beside his father-in-law.
"How is she?" Frank asked.
"Stephanie feels betrayed," Ranger replied honestly. "We're closing the Trenton branch."
Frank nodded. He wasn't surprised. "Pumpkin's not coming home, is she?"
"No," Ranger answered. "Miami is our home."
"Would you be willing to sell the branch to me?" Frank asked. "I'm not moving from the area, and my buddies are willing to run your security business." Frank didn't want to leave Angie, Mary Alice and Lisa in Helen's hands. He worried that Helen would force the girls to follow the Burg rules.
"Lester already contacted the clients about closing the branch."
"Nothing you can't undo. We could run under the Rangeman umbrella but rename the Trenton company," Frank suggested. "I could fly to Miami when you hold your shareholders meetings."
Ranger thought about Frank's offer. "I'll discuss it with my partners and Stephanie."
"That's all I ask," Frank said. "What do you know about me, son?"
"I know you're a decorated General. Tank updated me," Ranger replied. "You're the Ranger everyone respected and hoped to meet."
Frank chuckled. "I bet you never thought I was Fox."
"Never in a million years," Ranger confessed. "Does Stephanie know?"
"Of course," Frank replied. "She would never betray my trust by divulging my secrets."
"I had always wondered why Stephanie never shied away from my men."
"Stephanie was taught to give people a chance to prove themselves before passing judgment. I insisted she looked people in the eye during conversations and not back down from something she believed in."
"Ah. You're the reason she's stubborn," Ranger joked.
"My Pumpkin was born that way," Frank replied. "I only encouraged her to remain true to herself."
Ranger smiled when his phone rang. He answered it on speakerphone for Frank to hear. "Yo," he said. "You're on speaker, Babe. I'm with your father."
Stephanie giggled. "Was he waiting at the airport?" Stephanie asked.
"He was. Your father asked to purchase the Trenton branch," Ranger replied.
"I think that's a wonderful idea. Daddy and his friends would have something to occupy their time and escape the confines of retirement. They don't need to chase skips unless they employ Rangeman's contract workers."
"Have you thought about this for long?" Ranger asked.
"You know I did. Daddy and I talked earlier this morning. I'll talk to the others to get them on board. It's a win-win solution, Carlos. Your clients have the security Rangeman can offer. A few concerned CEOs called and left messages. They don't trust the other security companies in Trenton," Stephanie explained. "Lester did his best to assuage their concerns, but they didn't want to lose their security company."
"I told Carlos we would work under the Rangeman umbrella but rename the company branch," Frank added.
"See, Carlos? I think it's brilliant," Stephanie said. Ranger could sense Stephanie smiling.
"Make it happen," Ranger replied. Stephanie ended the call, making Ranger laugh.
"She's a force to be reckoned with," Frank joked.
-SMSMSMSM-
Lester laughed when he ended the call with Stephanie. She had listened to the messages the CEOs left on her extension, begging Rangeman to remain their security provider in Trenton. They heard Stephanie had passed away but hoped whoever retrieved the messages would consider their request. Lester called Tank and Bobby for an impromptu meeting, then went to Tank's office to wait.
Bobby closed Tank's office door when he arrived. Lester sat in the chair across from the desk. "What's going on?" Tank demanded.
"Beautiful solved our issue," Lester replied. "She wants us to sell Rangeman Trenton to Frank Plum. Frank and his buddies will manage the office and dispatch security teams to the businesses requiring assistance. It would give our contract workers more hours."
"What about the contracts with Vinnie and Sebring?" Bobby asked.
"The contract workers would collect the skips. Frank would rename the company but run it beneath the Rangeman umbrella. It would serve the purpose. Rodriguez doesn't want to leave Trenton," Lester explained. "They could use Rangeman programs."
"How much?" Tank asked.
"Frank has a few million set aside," Lester replied.
"I like the idea. Instead of Frank and his friends purchasing the branch, how about we let them invest in the venture?" Tank recommended. "They can still run the Trenton office under their new name."
Lester sent a group message to Ranger and Stephanie. He received a quick response from both. They liked the idea. Ranger promised to discuss it with Frank. "Ranger and Frank will arrive soon. We can get the paperwork in order before Ranger returns to Miami tonight," Lester announced.
Tank contacted the lawyer to prepare the agreement. He had a few contracts created to let Frank choose the preferred option.
"What about the yearly meetings Ranger attends at each branch?" Bobby asked.
"Frank flies to Miami," Lester said, reading Stephanie's text message after his phone buzzed.
Within a few hours, Frank signed the agreement to invest in Rangeman after talking through the options with his friends. He planned to rename Rangeman Trenton to Veteran Security. Frank's buddies were excited to have more purpose in their lives. They got bored of playing cards in the legion. The widowers and unmarried men planned to live in the building.
Ranger, Lester, Tank and Bobby were among the Merry Men who attended the funeral for Stephanie Plum. They were burying an empty coffin, but the men knew it was only for show. It was vital for them to go through the farce of the funeral to keep Stephanie safe. They didn't expect any backlash from the cartel's successors.
Frank held his wife as she cried over Stephanie's empty coffin. He allowed a few tears to slide down his cheeks to keep up appearances. Edna Mazur, Stephanie's grandmother, gave the eulogy.
"Today, we lay my baby granddaughter to rest. Her coffin might be empty, but my mind and heart are not. Stephanie was born a strong-minded child. She never took crap from anyone, but she loved her family and friends. Stephanie would fight for her family to the end. I was proud when she graduated college and worked as a Bond Enforcement Agent for her cousin's bail bonds company. Many people here never supported her choices. They spent most of their time criticizing her actions. Stephanie may have rolled in the garbage or got a few cars blown up, but she always caught her man. I spoke to Vinnie, her cousin, and learned Stephanie's capture rate was ninety-eight percent. It was the highest in the state. She cared about the people she returned to the system. Sure, some were assholes and put her in danger. Other men and women appreciated Stephanie's kindness and willingly accepted her help to prove their innocence. Eula Rothridge, the bag lady at the train station, said Stephanie always paid for a locker to store her stuff and bought her food. Stephanie would give the less fortunate people her last dime or the shirt off her back. I'm embarrassed to live in the Burg. We never supported our girl.
Stephanie befriended the men at Rangeman. Most employees are ex-military or ex-cop. A few are ex-gang or ex-cons, but they have a right to gainful employment. Rangeman didn't discriminate against the reformed convicts or gang members. The company assisted in rehabilitating the men to become respected members of society. However, the Burg men and women only saw what they heard through the rumours and gossip. I'm just as guilty as everyone else in this room for sharing falsified information with my friends.
Before her death, we heard Stephanie travelled to the other Rangeman branches to teach them how to use the new programs. It was a lie. The men at Rangeman learned Stephanie got kidnapped after Joseph Morelli disclosed her address to the niece of a criminal. Screwing the woman inactivated Joseph's common sense and duty to protect the innocent residents of Trenton."
People gasped at Edna's words. They glanced at Helen, wondering if she knew about the betrayal and kidnapping. Nobody thought Helen was involved.
"Joseph, I will never forgive you. I lost my great-grandson when Stephanie died. Ranger lost his wife and son," Edna added, dropping the bomb. "I hope you're proud of yourself, Joseph. Rest in peace my dear granddaughter. You will be missed."
Edna waved her hand, queueing the song to play throughout the church. Unchained Melody played as Ranger and his friends carried the empty casket to the hearse. They would follow the vehicle to the gravesite, where it would get buried in the Mazur family plot.
Ranger caught Frank's eye and raised a brow. Frank nodded, letting Ranger know he leaked the information to Edna. Helen cried, "Why me? Why did my daughter have to marry a thug? It's their fault that Stephanie is dead. Joseph wasn't responsible. If she were alive, I would demand she divorces the thug to marry Joseph."
Frank sighed. Joseph Morelli was a poor excuse of a man. He only cared about what he wanted and his sexual desires. Stephanie was a woman he longed to possess. Frank knew it was time to end his marriage with Helen. She never supported Stephanie. He was embarrassed by her words and attitude.