Freedom

Chapter 10

SPOV

I know it's morning because I can see the sunlight filtered through the curtains, but my body was telling me it wasn't time to get up. I'm exhausted and I feel terrible. I could tell from the moment I woke up, even before opening my eyes that Carlos wasn't in bed with me anymore. When I didn't see a note, I decided to get out of bed and investigate. Rolling over wasn't so bad, but when I decided to sit up, oh my god! It took my breath away, and I couldn't help but cry out.

"Steph? Are you decent?"

"Hal? Ya, I'm decent." He entered the bedroom looking a bit sheepish. "Steph, Ranger had to go help Tank on an apprehension that wasn't going so well. He'll be back as soon as he can. I heard you scream, are you alright?"

I was trying so hard not to cry, but couldn't help it. "Hal, the pain is more than I thought. I'm so stiff I can't even sit up by myself. Can you help me get up so I can go to the bathroom?"

Thank god we had gotten so close, or this could've been really embarrassing. "Steph, I'm going to slowly pull you up. The pain the first few days after a rib injury is really intense, but it gets better. You're lucky you don't have a break." Hal carefully pulled me up, being so careful to not hurt me further. I kept my arm wrapped in his and he helped me get to the bathroom. "I think I can take it from here, thank you , Hal."

"I'll be in the living room, holler if you need anything."

I took care of business and stared at myself in the mirror. I had a large purple bruise around my throat in the shape of a hand. What had I done to get to this point. How messed up am I, having one man that wants to do god knows what with me and gets my mother to conspire with him and the other loves me for me, expecting nothing in return. How on earth can I get rid of Joe? I can't reason with him, I can't kill him, there has to be some solution in between and damn if I don't know what it is. I tried to look under my shirt in the mirror, but could only see a little bit since lifting my arms very much hurts like a son-of-a-bitch!

I need to come up with a plan. A good one. Shit, planning is not my strong suit. There has to be something I'm overlooking. I need Carlos.

HPOV

When Steph came out of the bedroom, she just kept mumbling. Something about a plan. She seemed to be in a trance and wouldn't answer me when I asked if she needed anything. I went to the kitchen to get her a plate with a muffin and fruit and when I came back, she was asleep on the sofa. She's the only person I know who could sleep through darn near anything. Deciding to give her some privacy, I let myself out of the apartment, leaving her cell phone right beside her on the coffee table, just in case.

I decided to check with Silvio in the Miami office who, other than Steph was the best at digging up hard to find info on people. He wasn't in, so I left him a message. Next, I tried Hector to see what the word on the street was. He was able to dig up some interesting dirt on Trenton Police Department's Chief Drake. Apparently he had a thing for prostitutes on Stark. Of course, he had someone pick the girls up and bring them to him, but he was consistent with his desires for three of the girls. Every Friday night, one or two of the girls would be brought to the Lamplighter Motel on route 9, always room 101. Several hours later the girls would be dropped back off on Stark Street by the same man who picked them up, each of them well compensated. One of the three girls, Natasha, said on one of her nights when she was alone with the Chief in the hotel room, Morelli busted in on them. They got into it and Morelli told the Chief he had footage of not only of the driver and the girls, but that he had planted a recording device in the room and he had footage of the Chief with all three prostitutes. Bingo! Blackmail.

The rest of what Hector told me was pretty raunchy. Natasha told him that Morelli had stayed in the room that night and after kicking the Chief out, demanding that she service him. It appears that Natasha is the only one of the girls that's brunette, a very curly, long haired brunette. He smacked her around a bit and demanded some pretty kinky shit, calling her Stephanie the entire time. When he was done, he left her in the room, unconscious and unpaid. Another informant of Hector's said Morelli has been buying some illegal drugs, presumably for his own use.

After getting pretty energized about the news I had thus far, I found Lester next and found out the Chief had some pretty big expenses coming out of his account once a month. Deposits for just under those same amounts were being deposited into an account set up on the internet three months ago in Vienna. Morelli thought he picked an untraceable account. Guess he wasn't thinking Rangeman was as good as we are!

Looks like Morelli has the Chief in his back pocket. Ranger and Steph are going to be relieved to hear we've made some progress. What we're going to do with the info is another story.

RPOV

Tank rarely needs help with an FTA, so when he called me in to assist this morning, I knew it was important. Not as important as Steph, but she was safe and sound in our bed and hopefully I would be home before she got up knowing how late she likes to sleep in. I had Hal in the living room listening for any signs of nightmares or her needing help. He offered and I was grateful since she feels so comfortable with him.

When I walked into the apartment and found her asleep on the sofa, I decided to wake her to see how she was feeling and if she needed more meds. It looks like someone brought her breakfast which was still sitting beside her, untouched.

"Babe, I need you to wake up. Babe…" She stirred and started to raise her hands to stretch and winced in pain. That's what I thought. She's horrible about taking drugs, even if they help her feel better. One more thing we have in common.

"Carlos? I'm so glad you're back!"

"I made it back as quick as I could. How are you feeling this morning? I noticed you haven't eaten. Can I get you some pain meds?"

SPOV

I feel so relieved to have Carlos home. "Yes, please, some Advil would be great! I feel like a bull just rammed me."

After Carlos gave me my pain relievers, I asked him to join me on the sofa. "Carlos, we need to talk." He instantly tried to slam down his blank face, but when I squeezed his hand, he looked me in the eyes and just nodded, relaxing his features slightly. Old habits die hard for both of us.

"I don't mean to worry you, but I need to do what Hal said, I need to talk about how I'm feeling. I don't know how to do this so you won't overreact, so promise to listen until I'm done and we'll talk, together. Okay?"

"Go ahead."

"First of all, I love you. With all my heart, I really love you. This has nothing to do directly with you and I. It's just… I'm…" I slowly got up and started pacing. God, please don't fail me now, I need the words. "I'm going crazy! I feel so safe and secure and loved and befriended in this building, but every frickin' time I go anywhere I get attacked! I can't go see the girls at the bonds office! I can't go get takeout food! I can't go swing at the park! I can't go to the police station! I can't even go to my own parent's house without being attacked! I may as well consider this building my own personal home-bound jail sentence. 'You, Stephanie Plum are hereby being sentenced to a life within Rangeman. If you step outside this building, you will be kidnapped, beaten, raped or murdered.' I'm going fucking crazy and I'm mad as hell! I hurt! Ya, my ribs hurt, but I can handle that. Inside though, I'm screaming. What… what did…I do…to deserve…this?" I tried so hard not to cry, but couldn't help it. I knew I was rambling and sobbing but I need to get my thoughts out.

Carlos stood up and came towards me opening his arms to embrace me, but I pushed him away. "Stop! Look at what I'm doing to you! We can't go out on dates, we can't go for walks together, we can't do anything! What… what am I going to do?" I covered my face with my hands and found myself being carried back to the sofa, unable to see Carlos for the tears making my vision blurry.

"Babe, this is temporary. I love you and it hurts me to see you in so much pain. You know I will do anything to bring this to an end, same with the guys. We're all working on digging up irrefutable, substantial dirt to bring Morelli, hell, to bring the whole damn TPD down if we have to! Remember, that's why we haven't called the authorities, at any level, in yet. Morelli is a loose cannon and he keeps giving us more and more to use against him, but I don't think that's all that's going on here. You're the smaller fish in all this. I don't want him suspended or fired or put in jail for a few months. I want him put away for a long time and we're getting there, I can feel it. I guarantee you one thing. I will not stop until you have your freedom and we have our lives back… our new lives, together."

"Thank you, you always know what to say to make me feel better. I'm sorry for losing it. It feels like I can maintain my sanity for so long and then it's just too much and I boil over. Thanks for listening and not getting mad at me."

"Anytime, babe."

We sat on the sofa, cuddling and enjoying the intimacy of each other's presence when Carlos brought me back to reality.

"Babe, we have a date tonight. I was keeping it as a surprise until I confirmed a few details this morning. Why don't I help you get dressed in some comfy clothes and you can relax here for a couple of hours until lunch. I have a meeting that will last an hour or so. After I meet you here for lunch, we can go downstairs and you can work on that stack of searches on your desk while I get some paperwork done. Don't worry, you'll have plenty of time this afternoon to get ready for our date."

What? Is he crazy?

"Babe? Say something."

"A date? I- I- can't. He'll follow us, he'll find a way and he'll get to me. He always finds a way."

"Not tonight. I've got a plan and it doesn't include Morelli. You trust me, right?" I nodded. "Then you can be excited, we're going on a real date."

"Carlos?" I hope he knows what he's doing.

"Ya, Babe?"

"I really do love you. I can't lose you, not now." Not ever.

"And you never will. I'm not letting a low-life like Morelli or anyone else for that matter come between us again. You're mine. I'll fight like I've never fought before for you! I hope you have enough in you to do the same."

"I do. I feel stronger just being able to get my frustrations and hurt off my chest. I love living here with you; I just wish I didn't feel like walking out the door could be the end of what we have. I can't lose you either. You're mine. And I'll fight. Really, I'll fight like hell!"

"That's my girl!"

I'm glad that Steph didn't fight me on her resting until after lunch. I'm especially glad that she didn't ask about my meeting. If she knew I was going to her parent's house…

I called Frank Plum before the takedown this morning, hoping it wouldn't be too early. I told him I was coming to their house late morning to discuss last night. He wasn't surprised. I pulled up to their house at 10:30 hoping to speak with Frank in private before I confronted Helen.

Edna Mazur, Steph's grandmother met me on the front porch. "Carlos! How is my Stephanie? Did you have to take her to the hospital? She looked like a grape last night, turning all black and blue."

"Mrs. Mazur, please, take a breath. Stephanie is fine. My company medic looked her over and she'll be just fine."

"Thank you for looking after her the way you do. I can tell you really love her. And she loves you, the way she looks at you, sometimes I think she could eat you alive! Tell me you'll hang Joe up by his balls. I could help you if you want…"

"Edna! Leave Mr. Manoso alone! Carlos, I'm glad you came, would you like to join me in the garage so we can have some privacy?"

I nodded. This was not going to be easy for him to hear. We walked around the house to the detached single car garage in the back.

"Before you start, I want you to know that I had no knowledge prior to what went down here last night. I have moved out of my wife and I's bedroom and I told her if she pulls one more stunt, I'm filing for a divorce."

"I'm sorry it's come to this for you. I always knew Helen pushed Steph hard towards marriage and kids with Morelli, but I never thought she'd go this far."

"How do you want to handle this?"

"I plan on threatening your wife. If Morelli had successfully kidnapped Steph, she could've been taken far from here, raped, murdered, we don't know what that sick bastard's ultimate plan is."

"Do what you need to do."

"Steph will want to see you. It will help her to know her family supports her. I'll arrange lunch for you and Mrs. Mazur at Rangeman one day next week."

"Thank you."

"In the mean time, you're always welcome to call Rangeman to speak with Stephanie." He nodded. I had a feeling he'd be calling soon.

"Now, I'll show you to my wife. I told her we were having guests for lunch as a ruse to keep her in the kitchen, cooking up a storm." If I didn't know better, I'd swear I saw him try to hide a happy smirk from his face. It's time for Helen to get a taste of her own medicine.

I walked through the back door of the house to the kitchen, the same door Morelli tried to drag Steph out of just last night. Frank was going to be on the other side of the kitchen door that leads to the dining room, barricading it so she can't escape. Busily cooking and muttering to herself about how she was going to explain her disappointment of a daughter to their friends made me glad she didn't hear me walk in.

"Helen…" I said in the most deathly tone I usually saved for hardened criminals.

"Carlos… Mr. Manoso… what are you doing here?"

"I'm here to set a few things straight with you." By the look on her face, I'm already intimidating her just with my presence. She started backing towards the dining room door and her eyes go wide when she realizes she can't open it for her escape.

"How does it feel to be trapped?" I took off my jacket, showing my gun belt with knife, stun gun, mace, etc. Her eyes widened further. I put my hand to my gun to frighten her further. She gasped and crossed herself.

"What are you going to do…"

Crossing the room gradually, hand still on my hand, I was a foot from her face. "How does it feel to be threatened, not knowing what I'm going to do next."

She fainted. Coward. I sat her in a chair and stood above her, waiting for her to stir. When she did wake up, I leaned into her, placing my hands on the arm rests on either side of her chair. "You Bitch! You set up your own daughter to be kidnapped by someone who has beaten her into submission several times, stalked, threatened, drugged and raped her. Your. Own. Daughter!"

I stood up, cracking my knuckles before placing my hands on my hips. "Stephanie doesn't know I'm here right now. She's recovering from almost being choked to death by the man you want her to marry. I had to order my men to stand down from hurting you. My men will do anything to protect her because they love her as the friend she has always been to them. Mark my words, you do anything, and I mean anything with Morelli to assist him in any kind of contact with Stephanie and I will drop that order opening you up to a world of hurt."

"You wouldn't!"

"It's out of my love and respect for your daughter that you're still sitting here and not being arrested. You will be monitored in every way possible, if I hear one word of your betrayal, you will live to regret it. I will stop at nothing to protect that precious woman who you tried to give to the devil."

I made it to the door and before I walked through it I looked back and added, "And stop gossiping about Stephanie. As of today, she is officially off limits in your conversations."

When I got back in my Turbo, I looked back at the front door and saw Frank salute me. I couldn't help but grin.

FPOV

I can't believe my own wife would aid in the attempted kidnapping of her own daughter! Who is this woman? Certainly not the loving, devoted, upstanding lady I married. The 'burg had literally poisoned her mind. To fit in, to impress people she shouldn't be giving a shit about has become her upmost priority. I couldn't be more ashamed.

Carlos Manoso is the best thing that ever happened to Stephanie. He helps her fly, better than I ever could. He has the resources to protect her from all this, to love her better than I ever could and to give her the unconditional love her own mother never will. I only hope my baby will still talk to me after what happened last night.

When I walked into the kitchen after Carlos left, my wife was sitting at the table, paler than I'd ever seen her. Of course, being on the other side of the door, I could hear everything he said, and I have to say I was impressed. He would have scared the crap out of me if he said those things directly to me and with the looks he surely gave. I got up in my wife's face and told her if she EVER communicated with Morelli again, she would be out on the street leaving her vulnerable for whatever retribution Carlos' men would want to inflict on her. I raised my hand as if to hit her and she flinched. I said 'now you know what Stephanie felt like for months when Morelli had her trapped. And that's who you want raising your grandbabies. You otta be ashamed of yourself, I know I am.' Her look of shock told me she'd never really thought it through. I would never have hit her, it's not in my blood, but my bitch of a wife needs a reality check!

I'm moving out of our bedroom tonight and into Stephanie's old room. Helen needs to know the gravity of her behavior and how it will influence her future.

HPOV

Where the hell is Ranger? I knew he was done with the take down and would want to be kept updated about Morelli. His phone went straight to voicemail and he wasn't answering the intercom when I rang him. It's 1:00!

I'm going upstairs to see what's going on. Just as I reach to press the elevator button, the doors open and out step Ranger and Steph.

"It's about time! Ranger, Steph, I have news. Let me get the men and we'll meet you in conference room B in ten."

RPOV

Steph looked at me wide eyed. The news must be big, Hal looks like he's chomping at the bit, uncharacteristic behavior for him.

Ten minutes later, we joined the core team, Tank, Bobby, Lester and Hal. Cal and Hector who have been brought into this situation more lately were also in attendance. The conference table was crowded.

"Hal, you have the floor."

"Gladly! Lady and gentlemen, we have significant dirt on Morelli! Hector's contacts on the street gave him some intel that we were able to investigate and confirm. First of all, Morelli has been buying illegal drugs. But that's not the best of it. He's blackmailing Chief Drake! The chief apparently has a thing for a petite young woman with brown, curly haired prostitute from Stark street along with two other prostitutes. Morelli found out, and before confronting him, set up a surveillance system in the hotel room to catch him with all three at separate times. He was stupid enough to use the same hotel room on the same day and time each week. After getting a few weeks worth of damming evidence, Morelli confronted the Chief and after kicking him out of the room, finished up the Chief's 'business transaction' for him. Morelli got pretty rough with the Natasha, the curly haired brunette whom he called Stephanie the whole time he was 'with' her."

I saw Steph squirming and realized this was probably hard to hear. "I'm sorry Steph."

"No, don't be. I'm so glad you guys found some evidence that we can use. It's just… is Natasha alright? He took advantage of her and roughed her up because she resembled me, right?" I nodded. "Then we need to nail his ass!"

I couldn't help but be proud of her. Steph inquired, "Hal, you said you have proof?" There's our girl, always the curious one.

"We do. We found the video tapes in Morelli's home office including the last tape where it appears he forced himself on Natasha, calling her Stephanie, before beating her unconscious. We made copies and returned the originals. We've verified monies leaving the Chief's personal bank account and similar amounts entering Morelli's personal bank account, usually within just a few days. He thought he was being thorough putting money into an off shore account, but we're better than him. We also have a couple of photos sent from various gang banger and hookers' cell phones of Morelli buying drugs. Seems Morelli has made a few enemies over the years who are all too eager to help us."

RPOV

I took the meeting over. "Good job Hal. Now, let's make a plan. I would like you all to think of some ideas for how best to, as Steph put it, 'nail Morelli's ass'. I'll send an e-mail with the time of our next meeting. Dismissed."

Steph walked over to me and sat in my lap. "Thank you Carlos. I knew the guys had been looking out for me, but for the first time in a long time, I feel like we might come out on top… without having to break the law."

"How are you feeling about what you just heard?"

"Well, I'm not really surprised. The Joe we're dealing with today is not the same man I've dated the last couple of years, he's changed. The Joe I've dealt with these past few months is an out of control, selfish monster. I'm disappointed to say the least. After all he's done to me, the Chief, Natasha, and I'm sure others, I just want to see him rot in jail.

She surprised me when she slowly stood up, with not too much visible discomfort and said, "I have some work to do at my cubbie. I'll see you in a little while?" I nodded.

Shit was about to hit the fan. Little did she know, her cubbie, the one that's been for Steph only these last couple of years was no longer hers…