Lester was still unconscious when Ranger reached his office building on Stark Street. He pulled into the parking structure and lifted his friend out, hefting him back over his shoulder. Tank must have been watching the cameras because he met Ranger at the entry door. Tank was tall and wide. His dark face bore a scowl.
"You should have left him there," Tank said.
"I can't," Ranger responded simply. Tank held the door for him and they walked up the stairs to one of the unoccupied, furnished, apartments available for the use of Ranger's employees. Ranger owned a highly successful security business but picked up high bounty offenders to keep sharp and in shape. Ranger was not a big believer in what was known as "gym muscles." He tried to be as in on the ops as he could but he had a responsibility to his business and employees to man his desk more than he would have liked.
"No man left behind." Tank scoffed. "Dude has killed himself as far as I'm concerned. This is not the Lester Santos we served with." Ranger didn't respond but he agreed with Tank. What they didn't agree on is Ranger's solid belief that Lester could come back from the dead. If he didn't, it wouldn't be for lack of trying.
"Call Bobby," Ranger instructed referring to the company's medic. Most of Ranger employees had served with him. He did have the rare few that were special ops with other divisions but his core trusted employees were people with whom he'd fought like Tank, Lester and Bobby. Tank flipped open his cell phone and speed dialed a number.
"We need you, man," he said into the handset. "Come to the empty apartment on the 3rd floor. Florence Nightingale Manoso brought Lester back." Ranger threw Tank a sharp look. The taller man held up his hands.
"Okay," Tank said. Lester started to stir on Ranger's shoulder so Tank hit his pressure point knocking him out again. He pulled away a red hand.
"What did you hit him with?" he asked, staring at the blood.
"Beer bottle," Ranger responded. He shifted Lester as they reached the door. "It was the nearest thing to him."
"Naturally," Tank said.
"Am I going to be able to count on you to help me with this?" Ranger asked. He laid Lester on the bed.
"Once a soldier, always a soldier," Tank said. They watched as Ranger shifted Lester and the pillow slip under the unconscious man's head streaked with blood."Ceila's gonna love this." He added.
"She'll be fine. Get a wet, cold, cloth. Let's clean his head a bit. He's going to have a headache when he wakes up," Ranger instructed. Tank did as his boss said. Ranger held him up as Tank washed his head. They worked in silence for a few minutes.
"Ran into Morelli," Ranger said, breaking the silence.
"You talk to him about the case?" Tank asked.
"Not much," Ranger said and then couldn't help but add, "Stephanie Plum was with him." Tank stopped washing Lester's head and stood tall, arms crossed, regarding his friend.
"Was she?" Tank said, his tone even. Ranger could feel the surprise from him and realized that he'd never mentioned a woman before to his long time friend. Even when he was married, they didn't talk about his wife.
Bobby saved Ranger by choosing that moment to enter the room. He had a bag with him.
"What do we have here?" Bobby asked.
"A drunk guy that I knocked cold," Ranger said.
"How?"
"Bottle to the head. Kept the impact enough to knock him unconscious but not to do any damage." Ranger said. Bobby stood.
"So why am I here?" he asked. "He need stitches?"
"Maybe," Ranger responded, "You can check that out. The main reason you're here is that you're going to help me save his life. Lester is joining the newly formed Rangeman Rehabilitation Clinic. He's not leaving this apartment until he's clean and sober and understands why he needs to be." Bobby and Tank stared at their boss in shock before speaking.
"You can't do that," Tank said.
"It won't work," Bobby said.
"Never leave a man behind," Ranger responded. Both men looked thoughtful for a moment and then nodded. Never leave a man behind.