Chapter 9

Stephanie's POV

I just got off the phone with the Rangeman attorney and the merger with Nash's company was final except for signing the paperwork. Bing and Nash would be here tomorrow with their attorney.

We'll give them a tour and a company orientation and then maybe we can have a welcome to Rangeman dinner party for them. I dialed Ella's extension to chat with her about it.

About the time I hung up the phone, the door burst open and in flew Jake followed by Lester. Jake jumped in my lap and nearly threw my chair all the way back. "Whoa, Boy!" I giggled. He was nearly full grown and getting to be a lot to handle. His energy level was through the roof and we were talking about starting some professional training for him soon.

Lester was panting. He said, "I can take Tank on a good day on the mats but that dog wears me out."

I laughed, "I think it's time to let the pros take over. He can't be running all over the place knocking people out of their chairs and stealing stuff and hanging out by the lounge. That poor new guy Vince sat on some food somebody had left in the chair the other day in the lounge. When he got up he had part of a sandwich stuck to his butt and Jake attacked his ass. Bit a hole in the guy's new cargos." Lester was laughing.

Lester said, "I can check into some obedience training for him close by and me and the guys will take turns taking him. He's great to run with outside. He's disruptive in the gym though when there are several guys working out. He growls and gets excited when we're on the mats. Vince's is not the only ass he's attacked and he keeps trying to herd 250 pound guys." We both started laughing at that.

Then I thought for a minute. Lester, "How is he getting up to the gym level?"

"Well, you're not going to believe this but he's taking the elevator and he's using the stairs. He sneaks in the elevator and he knows how to push the bars on the fire doors. We've been watching him on the cameras. He watches everything. He's a smart dog."

"You're not kidding?" Maybe we need to extend his training beyond what we were thinking. Like police dog and security. Are there times when he could help you guys?"

"Yeah, I can think of a few times we could have used a dog. They can smell and alert us to stuff we can't see, they can find people, and smell explosives. Good police dogs can take a guy down."

"How about some take out and a movie at your place tonight, gorgeous?"

"Okay, what are you in the mood for? Have you had Chinese in a while? I think I'm craving Chinese and jeez scrapple just popped in my head."

Lester grimaced, "What? I might throw up."

"Better you than me. I'm glad that part's over," I giggled.

Lester came to the door with beer, Chinese takeout, pickles and ice cream. I looked at it and raised an eyebrow.

"I am not watching you eat that other shit. Crave normal stuff."

We sat down on the couch and my doorbell rang. I peeped through the hole and it was Morelli minus Bob. I opened the door. "Hey Joe, want to join us for some Chinese takeout?"

"Sure, but I was hoping I could talk to you in private."

"I think I already know what you want to talk about and you can talk in front of Lester. He's knows more than Mary Lou about me these days." I got him a beer and a plate and a fork. We all moved to the dining room table.

Joe looked at Lester and then at me, "I'm just going to come out and ask the big question. Could the baby be mine?"

"No Joe. I know that for sure. I had my period right after we broke up. It's Ranger's or Nash's baby."

He actually looked kind of sad. "Where is Ranger? Why isn't he with you?"

"It's complicated right now Joe. He's on a mission somewhere."

"He really did hurt you didn't he? Why do you want to go back to him?"

"He hurt me more emotionally than physically and I have forgiven him. He made a mistake. Joe, you've done the same to me. I love him and he might be the father of my child. You are one of my best friends and I do love you. We have a long history, but we wouldn't be happy in a marriage. I know that for sure because of Nash. So, don't be listening to my mother. I know she's calling you."

"Yeah, she's driving me crazy. I love you too. I just had to be sure that the baby might not be mine. I know you've changed and your life has changed and I'm pretty proud of you Cupcake. If you need anything any time you call me. I don't much like the thought of you by yourself right now."

With that conversation over the rest of the meal was good. We told Joe about Jake's escapades at work and he was laughing and saying he was glad he didn't have to go through Bob's puppy year. When the meal ended I was really tired all the sudden. Lester looked at me and said, "I'll take a rain check on the movie gorgeous". He and Morelli both kissed me on the cheek and left.

The next day I was so excited when Bing and Trigg arrived. We were all down in the garage waiting when they called to tell us they were nearing the building. There were hugs and handshakes and high fives and fist bumps. We were all so happy about the merger.

We did the final paperwork and the orientation, Rangeman confidentiality contracts, and then the tour. I showed them my old cubicle where I first started and went to Hector's to see what he was working on. I was going to show them an example of some of the advanced programs we had access to here at Rangeman. When I looked at his screen, I froze. It was an email from Ranger.

When I finished reading, the room started going from color to black and white to just black and the sound became muted and then I felt like I was falling.

I woke up in Lester's apartment on his bed. Ella and a whole group of guys were hovering over me. Bobby was sitting next to me checking my vitals. "Steph, what happened? Do you remember?"

I looked from Bobby to Tank to Lester. "He sent a message and you didn't tell me. He said he's not coming back!"

Bobby said, "We don't know if something happened on the mission. We're trying to find out where that email originated. We didn't want to upset you yet in case we got some good news. This is exactly what we didn't want to happen. Please don't be mad at us. He asked us to look after you."

Bobby asked everyone if he could have a private word with me. When everyone was out the door, Bobby spoke. "I need to ask you if there has been anything unusual about his behavior this last six months or so? It's important that you tell me."

I nodded. "He was acting different after I almost drowned and then…I can't talk about the day I left."

"What did he do?" Bobby asked.

"He lost his temper really bad and scared me. He was treating me liked he owned me." Bobby nodded. "Afterwards he was different too. The day I told him about Nash and to stop calling me, he was begging and he just doesn't do that. Then he up and left and said it was for atonement."

"Steph, I'm sorry that he hurt you. He may not be in a good place in his head right now. He may be trying to punish himself. Give him the benefit of the doubt until we can find him and get him home and get him evaluated. We'll use some contacts but we don't want friends in high places to know about his possible state of mind. When a soldier that does his kind of work goes off the radar in this way, he is considered no longer an asset. Do you understand what I'm saying?"

"Are you saying he's in danger from the people he works for?"

Bobby nodded.

"Let us work on this Steph. Trust us and right now, until you have reason not to, you trust him."

We got back to the dinner party and were discussing the training.

I wanted to get out of Trenton for a while. My mother was leaving several messages each day, my friends were leaving messages asking me questions I didn't want to answer yet. Mary Lou had left me a nice message saying that she wouldn't pressure me for details and that she wanted to give me a baby shower. That was sweet, she's my girl.

I spoke up, "Tank, I would like to go with a couple of guys to Springfield if that's okay. We need Hector and one of his team for sure for programs and security and maybe Lester for the rest. I think I know enough to get them going on contracts, proposals and supplies. Lester would you mind going with me?"

He grinned, "Might as well take the best gorgeous." Everybody rolled their eyes, even Bing and Trigg. They had gotten his particular number when we visited for the foundation dedication. About that time, Jake attacked and snatched a roll out of Bing and Trigg's attorney's hand and bolted before any one could catch him.

"I'm leaving Jake to finish his obedience training," I said. Everybody started laughing.

That night I decided to call Justine and ask her if John's house had been sold. We had been talking about once a week and were becoming really close. I dialed her. "Hello, Dear. How are you?"

"I'm pretty good. How about you?" "Wonderful."

"How is the pregnancy now? Feeling better?"

"Much better. I'm glad the sickness is gone."

"This part of the pregnancy is the easiest up until you get to about seven months. I just remember the cravings."

"Yep, got those. I'm grossing out the guys at work on a regular basis now. It's hard for them not to gag when I'm making those sounds I do when I'm eating something that looks like road kill."

She started laughing.

"I wanted to ask you a question. Have you sold John's house yet?"

"It's still on the market. The realtor just said it's a bad time right now."

"Could my company buy it? Because of the work we do we need safe houses and then the guys traveling back and forth will need a place to stay. I'm going down to help Bing and Trigg train and need a place to stay. As uncomfortable as it might be, there is no other place that I would want to buy."

"Stephanie, it's my gift to you. My son would be very happy to know that you have refuge in his home."

"You have already given me too much Justine. I insist on buying it."

"Nonsense. I don't need the money. My Lucas is very wealthy too."

"I'll call the realtor tomorrow and have her leave the keys with the boys there."

"Have I told you how much I love you lately Justine?"

"I would love to bring Lucas and come take care of you while you're there. Would you mind?"

"No, I would actually really like that. I'll call when I get there."

"Love you dear," and we disconnected.

TBC