Several months passed along with the many changes to the Rangeman branches and residents of Trenton, New Jersey. Helen got hired at the tampon factory. She worked on the quality control line. Any misshapen tampons got removed from the conveyer leading to packaging. It was a dreadfully boring job. Helen finally understood why Stephanie refused to apply for the position.
She saw Frank a few times when he arrived at the plant to check the security systems. Frank was in the best shape of his life. He had lost the beer gut and toned his muscles. Helen couldn't help but notice he resembled the man in their wedding photos. She got upset when her coworkers commented on the sexy man from their security company.
Frank internally smiled when he caught Helen working on the factory line. He recognized several women from communities outside Trenton. Frank's girlfriend, Maeve Simmons, worked in the administration office. Maeve greeted Frank professionally, "Can I help you, Mr. Plum?"
"My men noticed the camera in the lunchroom was fuzzy. I'm here to check it out," Frank replied.
"I wouldn't be surprised if Ms. Mazur covered it in petroleum jelly again," Maeve said. "Helen thinks it would stop us from hearing her vitriol regarding others."
"She didn't notice the microphone?" Frank asked. Maeve shook her head. Frank grinned.
"We can't charge her with the destruction of property because your men could clean the camera. However, she will receive another verbal warning before a written one," Maeve explained. "If Helen wants to keep her job, she has to toe the line."
Frank tipped his head back and laughed. He imagined his girlfriend reprimanding his ex-wife for creating a nuisance. "Expect to hear her famous "why me" speech," Frank warned.
"It wouldn't be the first time."
"I'll see you tonight," Frank said. He called Hank to clean the camera. "Tell Helen we installed another camera, and it caught her."
"I like the way you think," Maeve said. Maeve watched her boyfriend leave the building. She smiled before calling Helen to her office.
"Why me?" Helen muttered as she walked through the factory to Maeve's office. "I did nothing wrong."
"Come in," Maeve said when Helen knocked on her door. "Take a seat." Maeve motioned for Helen to sit in the chair across from her desk.
Helen reluctantly sat on the chair. She crossed her ankles and moved her legs to the left, sitting like a proper woman. Helen politely waited for Maeve to explain the purpose of the meeting. When Maeve remained silent, Helen asked, "Why am I here?"
"I think you already know the answer," Maeve replied. Helen shook her head, causing Maeve to sigh. "This is your third warning, Ms. Mazur."
"Third warning? For what? I did nothing wrong."
"Coating the camera lens with petroleum jelly," Maeve replied. "Don't try denying it, Helen. I got Veteran Security to install a second camera, which they've hidden, to catch you in the act."
Maeve watched as Helen's face paled. "I didn't know," Helen whispered. "What am I supposed to do? You have those men watching us." Helen didn't want Frank to see what she was doing at work. She felt like an ant beneath a magnifying glass.
"They're not watching you, Helen. The men are monitoring the camera feeds for criminal activity," Maeve explained. "Your next warning would be in writing. Do you remember what happens if you receive a third written warning?"
"Yes," Helen replied. "I will get terminated." Helen couldn't afford to lose her job. It was killing her feet, but it paid the bills. "I won't do it again."
"Good. You may return to your line," Maeve said, dismissing Helen. Maeve was pleased Frank's suggestion worked. The nuisance caused by Helen should stop soon.
-SMSMSMSM-
Joseph Morelli got called to the chief's office. He got knocked back to beat cop because of his involvement in Stephanie's kidnapping. Frank charged Morelli with public endangerment. More people could have died at Gabriela's hands. The two employees Gabriela got her cousin Diego Fernandez to drug had died. One had an allergic reaction, and the other died of asphyxiation.
The defence lawyer won the case, but the damage was already done. Every murder case Joseph Morelli investigated got reopened, potentially forcing the judicial system to release the criminals. Fortunately, most of the worst cases had the backing of Rangeman and Stephanie Plum for evidence. Those criminals didn't get released. A few got released and bonded until they returned to court.
"Morelli, what the hell are you doing?" Gazarra yelled.
Joe approached Eddie Gazarra and stood toe to toe, nose to nose. He yelled, "Arresting the man for being drunk and disorderly."
"That's not how we do things," Eddie replied. "Where is your partner?"
"I don't give a shit!" Joe screamed. "He's an inexperienced oaf."
Eddie scoffed. "You never make an arrest without your partner present. Morelli, you know the protocol. Do you need to return to the police academy for a refresher course?" Carl Costanza, Robin Russell and Big Dog resisted the urge to laugh. Robin approached the man Joe attempted to arrest. She grabbed him by the cuffs and dragged him to her car.
"No, Sir," Morelli snarled.
"Never arrest without backup," Eddie snapped. Joe nodded and accepted his punishment of desk duty for the next few weeks. Eddie waited until Morelli and his partner left before laughing.
"Are you having fun?" Big Dog asked.
"Absolutely. Never in my lifetime did I expect to outrank Morelli," Eddie said, grinning. "It's a shame Stephanie wasn't here to see it for herself."
Eddie and Big Dog went to Pino's for lunch and waited for the others to arrive. Their pizza got delivered as Robin and Carl sat at the table. "I ordered for us," Eddie said. Everyone tossed their share onto the table. Eddie ordered sodas for everyone to drink. They were on duty and couldn't drink any alcohol.
"What do you think Stephanie would be doing if she were still alive?" Carl asked.
"I think she'd still be working for her cousin or full-time at Rangeman," Big Dog replied. Eddie agreed.
"Speaking of Vinnie, have you heard?" Robin asked. Eddie grinned and nodded.
"Are you talking about Lula and Connie?" Big Dog asked.
"Yup," Robin said. "Harry the Hammer took over the bonds office. His daughter, Lucille, is running the office now. She hired Valerie Kloughn to answer the phones for a few hours. Albert works for Veteran Security, but he has an office at home. He watches the children for Valerie to work."
"What happens when Albert has to visit the office?" Big Dog asked.
"He takes the younger children to work. The guys keep the kids busy. Aunt Helen is furious," Eddie said, grinning. "She wants Valerie to stay home with the kids."
"I bet Valerie liked that," Carl joked.
"Not at all," Robin replied. Robin had dinner with Valerie on the weekend. Robin was proud of Valerie for doing something to contribute to the family income. Albert made good money at Veteran Security, but Valerie wanted to afford a newer vehicle for herself. "Val doesn't want to depend on anyone, not even her husband."
"That's not the Burg mindset," Big Dog said.
"Nope, but it's time for things to change," Robin added.
-SMSMSMSM-
"Do you feel that?" Stephanie asked. She was sitting on the couch with Ranger's head on her lap. Stephanie was running her fingers through his silky hair.
"Feel what?" Carlos purred. Stephanie smiled at her husband. She enjoyed those intimate moments with him.
"A shift in the atmosphere," Stephanie replied.
Carlos closed his eyes and listened. "Yes," he replied. "I sense things are changing."
"That's what I felt, too," Stephanie confessed. "Dad said Morelli holds the same rank as the rookies. Connie got fired by Harry the Hammer and got forced to work with her family. I know that's not what she wanted, but she brought this upon herself."
Carlos laughed. "Without the filing job at the bonds office, Lula is back on her street corner on Stark," Carlos added.
"She was doing that when I asked my Merry Men for assistance," Stephanie said. Carlos wasn't surprised. "Lula couldn't take advantage of my generosity."
"You don't have to worry about Valerie and the kids."
"I know. Daddy told me that Albert works in the legal department writing contracts. I'm surprised by Albert's progress. He's like a pit bull. Daddy said Valerie works for Vinnie," Stephanie said.
"You mean, Lucille. Vinnie's the BEA and Joyce got fired. Lucille runs the business now and got Vinnie by the short hairs," Carlos replied, laughing. Stephanie shuddered, thinking that analogy was gross. "How's my son?"
"Active," Stephanie replied. "I can feel him moving a lot." Stephanie grabbed his hand and placed it on the baby bump. "Can you feel him?"
Carlos shifted his hand, hoping to feel something. "Not yet, Querida," Carlos replied. "It should be soon."
Stephanie shrugged and said, "You'll feel his kicks soon enough." Stephanie rubbed her belly. She smiled when her son kicked. Carlos removed her hand and leaned over to kiss her stomach. He felt something press against his lips. Unsure if that was his son, Carlos applied more pressure when he kissed the bump.
"Babe, I felt our son," Carlos said in amusement. Stephanie knew Carlos never experienced it before. Carlos married Rachel when she got pregnant, but he wasn't around during the pregnancy. Their marriage was on paper only to give her medical coverage for Julie.
"I hoped you could," Stephanie said. She ran her fingers through his hair. Carlos rested his cheek against her stomach to feel the kicks on his cheeks. "You shouldn't encourage him to kick your face. I can't believe we only have eighteen weeks until his due date."
"You could go into labour early or late," Carlos reminded her.
"It happens when it happens. As long as you're by my side, nothing else matters. I never thought I'd be looking forward to having a child. You make it easy, Carlos," Stephanie said.
Carlos shifted until he was sitting beside his wife. Stephanie rested her head on his shoulder. "You're hardly showing," Carlos commented.
"Liar," Stephanie said, laughing. "My view says differently."
They were silent for a few minutes. Stephanie had to know if some of her FTAs associated with Morelli's murder cases were after the family. "Querida, your nieces are safe," Carlos said.
Stephanie released a breath in relief. "You could always read my mind," she replied. "Are the charges going to stick?"
"Babe, the prosecutor has evidence untainted by Morelli's involvement. The men only got released because Morelli was the arresting officer," Carlos explained.
"Okay." Stephanie shifted her position until she straddled Carlos. She kissed him gently, then licked across his bottom lip. Stephanie sucked it into her mouth. They got lost in the kiss when their front door opened. Luckily, Stephanie was still wearing her bra and pants.
Carlos tugged his shirt over her body to cover her semi-nakedness. "I think we're interrupting," Lester said. Stephanie heard a smack, followed by Lester groaning, "Hey. That hurt."
"I should have listened to the atmosphere," Stephanie mumbled, making Carlos laugh. Stephanie reluctantly moved to return to her spot beside Carlos. Her panties were soaked, but Carlos couldn't tend to her needs with the guys visiting.
"You're early, Santos," Carlos said after checking his watch. "We weren't expecting you for another few days."
"The Chicago branch is running without our assistance," Lester explained.
"And the remove offices?" Stephanie asked. She tugged on the bottom of her shirt. It was a bit snug across her stomach. Stephanie figured she'd need to wear Tank's shirts soon.
"Babe," Carlos groaned.
"What?"
"Tank's shirts?" he asked. Stephanie's face flushed when she noticed Tank's grin.
"Your shirts are getting a bit snug around my belly. I need a larger size," Stephanie mumbled.
"Ella will get you the shirts," Carlos said. He used his phone to send Ella a message to purchase more tops for Stephanie. Lester, Tank and Bobby grinned while waiting for Stephanie and Carlos to finish their muted conversation.
"The remote offices?" Stephanie asked again, returning her focus to Lester.
"Running smoothly," Lester replied. "Though the men want to get rotated every three months. None of them want to miss out on knowing their nephew."
"Tank, can you grab the folder off my desk?" Stephanie asked. Tank nodded, then left the room. He returned a few minutes later with the file. "Open it."
Tank sat on the oversized chair before reviewing the documents. His eyebrows raised as he read them. "Little Girl has it organized," Tank said before passing Lester the paperwork.
"I'll be damned. Beautiful got it written into their contracts to rotate every other month," Lester said. Stephanie motioned for Lester to continue reading. "However, if someone wants to stay at the remote location, they can."
"It should please Gene, Chas and Eric," Stephanie explained. "They have family in those cities." Stephanie's phone pinged. Carlos leaned forward to grab it off the coffee table. She unlocked her phone and grinned. "Daddy's on his way."
-SMSMSMSM-
Frank drove to the privately owned airport where the Rangeman jet got stored. He drove past a familiar car when he drove along the gravel road. Joseph Morelli and Terry Gilman were heading in the opposite direction. Frank sighed when he parked his vehicle inside the Rangeman hangar. He called Zero with an update.
"Yo, Uncle Frank," Zero answered.
"I got spotted," Frank said, getting to the point. "Check the airport for a Grizolli plane."
"Yes, Sir," Zero replied, then hung up. Zero sent the message to Stephanie. If anyone could find the intel, it would be his favourite cousin. Stephanie replied within fifteen minutes.
Instead of sending the information in a text, Stephanie called. "Vito Grizolli inherited the aircraft from his cousin's estate. The Cessna got stored in the hangar beside the Rangeman jet," Stephanie explained. "I contacted the manager, and he said Gilman returned from Chicago. Why would she go there?"
Zero didn't like what Stephanie said. "Steph!" Zero shouted to get her attention. He was inside his Rangeman apartment, waiting for Uncle Frank to call for an airport pick-up.
"Oh. I'm sorry, Zach. I didn't mean to ramble on about what Terry was doing. Someone needs to ask the guys at Rangeman if Terry has been sniffing around. I think she's looking for me," Stephanie replied.
"Why would she do that?" Zero asked. "She was at your funeral. We both know Morelli saw your death certificate."
"Terry's not an idiot. She probably thinks there's a snowball's chance in hell that I'm still alive because you guys buried an empty casket," Stephanie explained. "I wonder if she's working with Morelli."
"Maybe they don't believe you married Ranger," Zero suggested. Stephanie sighed. He was probably right. Joe thought Stephanie was opposed to getting married or she would have married him. But that couldn't be farther from the truth.
"Let me guess. Morelli is delusional, thinking I would marry him if I got married, right?" Stephanie asked.
"That's the popular belief. They don't realize you weren't afraid of getting married. You never wanted to marry the wrong man again," Zero replied.
"Idiots," Stephanie mumbled. "Why would Terry care if I were dead or alive?" Stephanie rambled on again, trying to connect the dots. "No!"
"What?" Zero demanded. "Steph, I'm coming over."
Stephanie stared at her laptop in shock. She couldn't believe what she was reading. Stephanie contacted Hector for assistance. After providing him with a block of time, he returned the results. Terry didn't visit Chicago after all. She flew there to take a flight to California, then a connecting flight to Brazil. Hector found Terry on the airport security cameras.