Chapter 13- The Bet – Part 2
I picked Lula up at the bonds office the next morning. I had six files left, including Ellis Perry and Carl Shapiro. Carl was due back at his house that day, and I told Lula we would try grabbing Ellis first and then Carl. We headed out to pick up Perry and had him cuffed and in the back with out any problems! The day was starting good.
I checked the board after we booked Ellis. No one had added to their total since last night. Robin was back at the desk and a young cop in uniform was talking about the bet.
"I hear those Rangeman guys always get their man."
"It's not just the guys Kip," Robin told him. "Don't forget Stephanie and Lula. They just took the lead."
"Well aren't you a pretty little thing," he said to me and gave me a slap on the ass.
I heard Robin suck in air just moments before I heard Joe say," You might want to get you hand off my wife's ass officer."
Lula seeing the fire in Joe's eyes tried to help by "bumping" into the offending young officer, except her bump was a little more "bull in the China Shop" than accidental bumping. This caused mot just the hand to be removed but the young officer to lose his balance and fall to the ground and the files he carried flew across the room. I imagined the scene was reminiscent of one of my many mishaps.
"It's nice to meet you Mrs. Morelli" the officer looked up at me and extended his hand. Poor kid wasn't breathing he was so scared, he was turning blue.
"Be nice Joe," I smiled at him. "I'm halfway there I might be late tonight."
Joe leaned closer to me. "Be careful Cupcake and try not to let anyone else feel you up today." He kissed me and gave me a smack on my ass before I left.
Later I found out the young cop was Robin's brother Kip, just out of the academy.
Lula and I cruised back to Shapiro's house and knocked on the door. Still no answer.
"Maybe he's still at the beach," Lula suggested. "Let's try the neighbor. She was helpful before.". So we headed next door and knocked.
"May I help you?"
"Hi I'm Stephanie Morelli, Lula and I was here yesterday and you said Carl would be back today, but no ones answer the door. Did he return yet?"
"Well dear he got home late last night making all kinds of noise. I guess he could have gone out this morning without me knowing." She tells us as I gave her my card.
"Please give me a call if he comes back."
"Yes dear of course. I know he will be back later. He works the nightshift down at the Button factory you know." With that she closed her door and we got back into the car.
"Okay, Shapiro keeps slowing us down, who's next?"
I pulled the file for Joanie Palmer out of my bag. "Joanie Palmer lives over on Roosevelt not too far from where we were yesterday in the land of micro mansions. Says here Mrs. Palmer threaten to shoot her husband's nuts off if he didn't stop running around on her. Apparently at the time of this threat Dr Palmer was currently 'running around' on her in their bed and the mistress called the police. Dr Palmer is a prominent surgeon and he was able to keep this quiet and posted bond that same day.
"Oh goody a woman scorned with a shotgun." Lula said while pulling the file out of my hand.
We pulled up in front of the house and Lula let a low whistle. "Check out that house. Dr. Romeo must be doing a good business."
We walked up to the door and knocked. I swear to god Barbie came to the door.
She was my height, tight and toned bigger than a B cup but not overly large in the chest and she was dressed top to bottom in pink.
"May I help you, honey?" she asked.
Okay she's Barbie from the set of Gone with the Wind. Her southern accent flowing out so sweet I thought I'd get a cavity from listening to her.
"Yes. I'm Stephanie Morelli and this is Lula. We've been assigned by Vincent Plum Bond Agency to take you back to court today to get rebooked."
"You missed your court date." Lula told her.
"Oh that's right honey; I had a spa date, that day. You know mani and pedi's and all that good stuff." She tells us in a sweet southern drawl.
"Well that's fine but since that date didn't work for you, we need to bring you in today."
"Oh darling that's not going to work for me."
"And why not?" Lula asked .
"Oh honey aren't you just perfect, I love that color on you." She told Lula, whose fashion choice that day was the color red. Red halter top, spandex Red skirt with a white fringe on the bottom, and red and white cowboy boots. She was a sight to see.
"You look good in all that pink too." Lula said returning the compliment.
"Oh where are my manners, what would my Mama think if I didn't invite you in for something to drink, we can discuss this over cocktails, come on in and make yourself at home." She opened the door and welcomed us in. There was something so inviting about her , maybe it was the sweetness of her voice, it was dripping with sugary goodness or maybe it was how polite she was or maybe I was just so stunned by her I swear she was Scarlett O'Hare in present day time.
Lula and I were sitting on her sofa as she was pouring cocktails. After serving, she walked over and sat down across from us. "So I'm really not able to go with you today and my husband really doesn't want anymore trouble with this. We are throwing a party tonight for the hospital board. He's trying to make Chief of Cardiology. Can I just pay a fine to you and we call it closed, Honey?"
"No Honey." Honey what was with that it was driving me nuts. "It doesn't work like that."
I was starting to get pissed we were wasting time here. I got up and motioned to Lula.
"Mrs. Palmer, you need to come with us." I stood her up and Lula slapped the cuffs on her. The whole time she was screaming about her party that night.
We drove her back to the station with her still screaming about her damn party. I tell you that sweet southern accent was gone. We got to the station and she started screaming louder, drawing attention from the cops all around. I had a headache by this time and screamed back, "Shut The Hell Up!"
She didn't. She was still screaming at the top of her lungs about how I ruined everything. At some point during our screaming match Joe came and joined the group. I'm not sure how long he was standing there but Lula broke up the fight saying "Steph, Officer Hottie the Husband is behind you."
I swung around to find Joe grinning ear to ear "What the hell Cupcake? I could hear you up in my office."
"Little Miss Southern Barbie here is upset because I took her away from planning her party tonight."
"Where do you find these people, can you get her to shut up?"
"Not likely, she's been like this since we cuffed her. Give it a shot." I told him.
Joe turned towards Barbie and gave her that damned smile of his. They walked over to the bench and he quietly said something to her that made her shut up. Joe turned back to me with that same damn smile of his and said "That wasn't that hard Cupcake."
"Bite me Joe." I told him giving him my best burg stare.
"Is that an invitation Cupcake?" damn that smile of his I caved.
"When I get home."
"Speaking of that it's Friday night." For most couples that would mean date night but for Joe and me it meant dinner at my parents.
"I doubt we are going to make it."
"You're calling Cupcake; I'm not doing the dirty work this time."
"Come on Joe my mother loves you. She will let you off the hook for missing dinner."
"Not even for wild gorilla sex, will I be making that call."
"Fine" I told him "I'll call her."
Just then Lula came back with our body receipt. "Who's next? We got time for lunch?"
"Did you check the board?"
"Yeah. Current standings are:
Us Girlies 6
Lester and Bobby 4
Cal and Hal 5
Ram and Zero 5
Ranger and Tank 2
Junior and Woody 4
What's up with Batman he's slowing my Tanky down?"
"It's not Ranger's fault he's to busy brokering a deal for a new building in Seattle I think and Tank gets called back to Rangeman to handle any little problem. They are busy men."
"Yeah" Lula sighed "That happens a lot when we are together."
Seeing that she needed cheering up I said, "Since we are in the lead let's do a quick lunch before we go pick up number seven."
"Cluck – in – a bucket here we come."
While we were eating lunch I called my mom.
"Hello"
"Hi Mom"
Stephanie I'm making a special desert for tonight "
"Joe and I can't make it. I've got to work and won't have time tonight mom."
"But Stephanie you have to eat doesn't that Ranger let you eat?"
"Yes Mom of course he does but I'm picking up skips for Vinnie. There are a lot of them and I'm working late tonight to get them."
"Well you could stop by to eat. I made your favorite."
"Mom- Pineapple?"
Not Pineapple upside down cake Stephanie"
"You mean?"
"Yes"
"We will be there at six. Sit a place for Lula too." I hung up and called Joe.
"Miss me already?"
"Yes I do so much that I'll be seeing you at six for dinner."
"Thought we were skipping?"
"She got me with dessert."
"You can have pineapple upside down cake anytime."
"Not Pineapple upside down cake."
"You mean she made?"
"Oh yeah. Chocolate Volcano cake."
"Steph this isn't good. Your mom only makes that on real special occasions. What does she want?"
"I'm not sure Joe maybe she's just being nice. I'll meet you there at six."
"You better show."
"I will. Love you," and I hung up.
"So we eating with the folks tonight, cool I haven't seen your Grandma since the reception."
"We are going in, we're eating, and getting back to work. Don't try to get my Grandma in any trouble tonight."
"OK fine, who do we have next?"
I pulled another file out of my bag "Regina Spano" I read off "Shoplifting at Macy's. Apparently she didn't want to pay for her lace panties. She's a teller at the bank. We could hold off on her and pick her up after the bank closes in 2 hours."
"Okay, next?"
"That leaves us with Freddy Franklin the arsonist or Carl Shapiro. Still no call from the neighbor. We could do a drive by."
"Let's roll," Lula announced.
We got back in the car and headed to State Street to check on Carl. We saw a blue Honda accord pull out of his driveway "What does the file list as type of car?" I asked.
"Blue Honda Accord"
We followed the car down State and it turned on Sheldon. We kept two cars between us and followed him all the way to the ShopRite. We pulled in and were getting ready to apprehend him as soon as he got out but Carl Shapiro didn't get out of the car. It was his neighbor.
"Excuse me but isn't that Carl Shapiro's car "I asked.
"Yes mine wouldn't start, so he loaned me his. Such a nice man."
"So is he home now?"
"Sure. I have his car where else would he be, maybe his girlfriends but he was there when I left." Lula and I were already jumping back into the car to head back to State street.
The return trip was made a lot faster. I didn't won't to give Carl time to call a taxi! We knocked on the door but still no answer. "Look for a key," I told Lula.
"Bingo always under the flower pot," she said.
I opened the door, gun in hand and poked my head in. "Hello Carl you home?" I went in further with Lula right behind me. "Carl it's Stephanie Morelli. You home? I need to talk to you." Still no answer. "Look around see if you can find anything." I said to Lula.
I started in the kitchen. I found where he kept his mail and noticed nothing since 3 days ago. I went to the back of the house and found his bedroom. It was hard to tell but it looked like some clothes were missing. No drawers or t-shirts and there was a hole in his closet. Looked like he grabbed and went.
"This guy has flown the nest" Lula said
"Yeah I'm thinking he's still at the shore and his neighbor lady is crazy."
"I don't think this is gonna happen"
"No it's doesn't look good." I agreed .
We locked up and returned the key. Then we got back in the car a little defeated
"Without Shapiro we wouldn't get our ten," I blew out.
"Doesn't matter "Lula tells me "We're still in the lead we can get nine maybe that's enough."
"Maybe. The bank should be closing it's almost four now let's go get Regina."
I drove to First Trenton National Bank and we waited until Regina came outside. We had parked next to her car. She slowed down when we got out and introduced ourselves "We can do this nice and quiet, act like we are long time friends and no one has to know." I tell her, Regina liked that idea.
"You ok Gina?" one of the other tellers asked.
"Yeah just going for a drink with my friends, see you tomorrow," she replied as she got into my car. We drove to the station all in all it was an easy pick up but it took an hour sitting in the lot waiting for her to come out, but it was worth it. I could go book Regina, eat a fabulous cake and have one more guy to bring in before the night was over. This had been a good day.
When we got to the station everyone was there. Cal was booking number six. Bobby was there with number five. Ram had gotten his seventh, how did that happen? Tank had brought another in for three and Junior was there with number five.
"You're tied with Ram," Tank told me. "You want to make a side bet?"
"No thanks, still way to much competition." Not to mention I knew I wasn't getting Carl.
"Danm straight." Bobby told me. "Lester and I have our groove on now. Watch out girls." Dropping a kiss to my check Bobby was gone. Robin saw me on her way out for the night.
"That Barbie you brought in is still in lock up and still screaming about missing her party. If she does get out of here you might want to watch your back." She told me.
Of course Tank heard all this. "What was that about you having a new fan?"
"I wouldn't call her a fan more like a crazy bitch. It's no problem ask Lula about the Barbie over a nice dinner tomorrow night, you owe her."
"Nice dinner?"
"Yep somewhere you will need to wear a real nice suit. Maybe even dust off your tux?"
By the time I got Regina booked I only had five minutes to get to my moms. I was never going to make it on time the pot roast will be ruined. Lula and I drove down Hamilton into the burg.
Joe had arrived right at six and noticing I wasn't there gave me a call. "Cupcake where are you?"
"Running late but I'm on my way. Tell them not to hold the pot roast I don't want to be the cause of the burnt roast." I came screeching around the corner still on the phone with Joe.
"Jesus Cupcake slow down," and he hung up. A couple of minutes later I skidded to a halt in front of the house. The four of us: Lula, Bob, Joe and I all walked into the house.
Lula, so nice to see you again" my mother greeted.
"Thanks for having me Mrs. Plum. Hey Grandma."
Hey girl, what's shaking?" Lula and Grandma did one of those handshakes I don't understand.
"Joseph, so good to see you would you bring the roast in for me, thank you."
My mother gave us all instruction for us to be seated, my father was already at the head of the table when Joe brought out the roast and took his spot next to me.
"So how's it going you still have the lead" he asked.
"We tied at seven with Ram and Zero; they jumped ahead of Cal and Hal somehow."
"What makes you so sure of Cal and Hal, why can't Ram and Zero be as good? Joe asked.
"I'm not. I guess I just know Hal and Cal better, they're part of my team. Ram and Zero aren't" I explained.
"But you have worked with them before right?"
"Yeah I helped Zero the other day at Dominos" I told him.
"Hold up the other day you mean the day you came home wearing panties you were working Dominos? What were you doing? "Joe started getting all Italian on me, my mother picked up the panties part.
"Stephanie what are you doing coming home in your panties?"
"First off they weren't panties it was more like a little outfit, second you," I said pointing my fork at Joe, "Didn't seem to mind at the time and all I was doing was dancing on the stage, when the FTA came in I asked him to the back and the guys took care of the rest."
I noticed Lula was staying out of this conversation. Grandma however not so much.
"So did you learn some hot moves?"
"Yeah she did." Apparently Joe was over his mood and reflecting on that afternoon.
"Don't encourage her" I elbowed him.
"You know they are hiring down at the button factory and you get to keep your clothes on," mom told me.
"Thanks but I'm happy at Rangeman. The guy was scum and needed to get back into the system." I told her.
"What did he do?" Grandma asked.
"Beat his girlfriend until she was unconscious and left her for dead."
"Well that is lovely dinner conversation," my mother said as she was getting up. "I'll get the cake." I'm sure a shot of whiskey too.
My mother returned and sat the cake down "So when are you and Joseph going to have children?"
"Say what? She can't have kids she would be horrible with kids." Lula laughed while I chose to ignore her .
"Mother, drop it. Joe and I will have kids when we have them. You keep bugging me about it and it won't ever happen, Geez ma we just got married."
"I always assumed the two of you would get married after he knocked you up," Lula added.
"Not helping." I mouthed to her. I looked at Joe who was being awful quiet. He had his cop face on and I could tell he was deep in thought.
The dinner was quiet after that. Lula and I finished our cake. Joe and Lula collected leftovers and we all left.
"I've got one more skip I have to pick up tonight. I doubt I'm getting number ten. He's done a disappearing act."
"Sorry to hear that Cupcake does that mean you will be home soon?" Joe asked leaning in for a kiss.
"Depends, the competition ends at ten, then we meet up at Rangeman at ten thirty to settle up. If I can get this guy and do a drive by Shapiro's house before then sure."
Shapiro, Carl Shapiro? Joe asked.
"Yeah know him?" I was getting hopeful
"Of him. He was found in a trashcan last night outside of the Blue Fish his throat had been cut, Lancaster is working the case."
I kissed him "All I need is proof of death, we can still get all ten." I gave Joe another goodby kiss and ran to my car yelling "I love you!"
"Same here Cupcake, Go get them!"
I told Lula about Shapiro as we drove past town to Ace's. Freddy "fireball" Franklin would be there. I told Lula," It's not a bad bar but it's a meat market inside. Freddy hangs out there to keep hands off his girlfriend, Yvette Young. She's a barmaid there. I had picked her up a while back for assault. Some other girl had eyes on Freddy and Yvette didn't like it so she punched her in the face breaking her nose and causing her to fall down a flight of stairs."
"I hate when that happens, you got to be careful with stairs" Lula told me.
"I'm not sure Freddy is worth it personally. I mean if Vinnie was a black man and 20 years younger that would be Freddy."
We both let out a ewww lip curled back and all.
We pulled up at Aces and walked in "Remember keep your eye on the prize" I told her before opening the door.
We went in and I spotted Freddy right off.
"Damn girl you were right he looks like a weasel." Lula announced causing Freddy to turn around. He spotted me and took off out the back door. Lula and I followed in hot pursuit. Freddy got a head start and people cleared the way for him, those same people blocking our way causing us to step around. We finally made it out the door and saw Freddy round the corner. I took off at full speed and was just about to nab him when he tossed a rock though my window followed by a bottle.
Oh shit. "That bottle was a bomb" I yelled to Lula , we both knew what would happen next and I had a full tank of gas. I continued after Freddy and tackled him. I looked up and saw the car engulfed in flames. He was cuffed by the time the flames reached the gas tank and exploded. By the time I heard the sirens Freddy had already met my size seven boot in the rib cage. As I was pulling him to his feet somehow he tripped and fell face first in front of two of my favorite cops Carl and Big Dog.
They were exchanging money and Big Dog I was pretty sure was calling Joe.
"Is he having trouble walking Steph?"
"Yeah Carl must have had a few too many drinks."
"Hate when that happens." Carl said as he stuck his foot out and Freddy tripped again.
"Joe will be here in ten" Big Dog announced as my cell rang.
"Babe you just went off the screen."
"My car blew up." It had just really registered with me. "Oh my god you son of a bitch you blew up my car! I loved my car!" Big Dog grabbed me as I lunged for the jackass.
"I think he has tripped enough tonight Steph. Give me a break here."
I had such good luck with my cars lately that six months ago I decided to buy a two year old red mustang convertible. Bob and I loved riding in the car with the top down, our hair blowing in the wind. This was going to upset Bob.
Big Dog was still holding me when Joe pulled up. I still had my cell phone open and I heard Ranger yell "BABE!"
"What"
"Do you need a ride?"
"No. Joe is here. I'll catch a ride to the station with my FTA with him. Can I borrow a car when I get there tonight?"
"The Porsche has missed you."Click and he was gone.
Joe came over and put his arm around me and looked at my FTA then to Carl.
"He had trouble walking. Steph thinks he might have had a few drinks in the bar." Carl explained as he put Freddy in his car. Joe turned to me.
"Did he have help?"
"He blew up my mustang!" I cried with tears rolling up in my eyes and threatening to overflow down my cheeks.
Joe just smiled at me knowing the official report would be as Carl said. He hugged me into him and whispered in my ear "We will get you another one, but you're telling Bob."
I finished the paperwork then Carl handed Freddy back to me.
"Come on Lula if you want a ride," Joe hollered as I put Freddy in the back of Joe's Explorer. The four of us headed for the station. It was 9:00 p.m. I could get Freddy booked and pick up the death certificate on Shapiro and be back at Rangeman in time.
After I booked Freddy explaining about him tripping a lot Lula went down with Joe to get the death certificate. The booking officer was one I didn't know. He decided to give me a hard time about the condition of Freddy's face. Luckily Carl and Big Dog came back and confirmed my story.
"It's no problem Steph, you just made me a rich man," Carl told me dropping a kiss on my cheek.
"I can't leave you alone for a minute can I?" Joe teased as he came back from the morgue with Lula. While I watched he handed Carl a twenty out of his wallet.
"What's that" I asked .
"You had three hours left Cupcake and you destroyed your car."
"So you bet it would take longer?" I questioned.
"I bet that you would make it. Lula got the death certificate. Give her the file and collect your last receipt."
The three of us walked out at 10 p.m. We only saw Ram and Zero while we were there and all five of us left together heading for Haywood.
The meeting would take place in the 4th floor conference room'
Ella had beer and snacks set up for us. There was a board with all of our names on it and a Stack of Fifty's in the middle of the table.
Ranger and Tank were already there, Lula went and sat next to Tank, Joe and I sat across from them, with Ram and Zero next to them. Within a few minutes Lester and Bobby entered and stood behind Joe and me. Junior and Woody took the last two chairs leaving Cal and Hal to stand like book ends.
Ranger stood up. "First at 19:37 tonight Stephanie's Mustang was added to the car memorial." Crap I forgot about this little tradition. Ranger laid a cardboard box on the table. Inside would be a matchbox car replica or close to it of my Mustang. Tank flipped on a recording of taps. Joe and Lula, who had never been present at one of these broke the silence with their laughter. I shot Joe a look and he bit his lower lip to gain control.
"The Mustang had been with Stephanie a long time, considering," Ranger continued. "Babe, would you like to say a few words?"
No I really wouldn't but knowing what was expected and they all would be hurt if I didn't participate I stood up. " I loved my Mustang. It was the fist time in a long time I enjoyed my car. It was cute convertible. Bob and I will miss it greatly." I looked around the table everyone seem satisfied so I sat back down. Joe looked over at me still biting his lip with tears in his eyes he smiled at me. Tank shut off the music.
"Now that is complete," Ranger continued the meeting. "The reason we are here. Receipts everyone."
We all pulled out our body receipts and placed them in front of us. Ranger walked over to the board and picked up a marker. He went around the room asking for our counts and wrote them on the board. The final results were:
Bobby and Lester 8 / 10
Steph and Lula 10 / 10
Cal and Hal 9 / 10
Junior and Woody 9 / 10
Ram and Zero 10 / 10
Ranger and Tank 5 / 10
Congratulations to the winners went out and Lula and I split the $600.00 with Ram and Zero, and stayed for a couple of beers with the guys. Ranger tossed me the Porsche keys Joe said "You don't need those you can drive the Explorer or the bike, take your pick."
"Your bike? You would let me drive your Ducati?"
"Our bike Cupcake" Joe told me as he tossed the keys back to Ranger
As we were leaving Ranger gave everyone one more, "Congratulation to you all we had 60 files yesterday morning. 51 of those skips are back in the system that's a job well done."
Joe and I drove home and went inside. "You all did a good job," Joe told me. "51 of 60 in two days isn't easy to do." He reached over and grabbed me by the waist and pulled me into a kiss. "Let's celebrate."