CHAPTER FOURTEEN – INSURRECTION
"Ranger has called in a lot of favors in the last 72 hours. He's had to burn a couple of substantial bridges, too. I sure as hell hope that you're worth it. He seems to think so." Jeanne Ellen's tone was lacking in enthusiasm, but it didn't show any sign of bitterness. Steph was more than confused.
Well, Miss Thing, it is Ranger's life. I suppose I'm expected to thank you, too. Why the hell are you here, anyway? Stop being so nice, it creeps me out! "I'm surprised to see you here. Thanks." There, that's out of the way.
"You would have been more surprised if the original plan had worked out. I was a VIP guest of Lady Gwyn for a whole day. Ranger sent me there to keep an eye on you and make sure you stayed out of trouble. I was too late."
No, he did not! How did he know where I was? He is Ranger, after all. But Jeanne Ellen…what the fuck? "You? You were at the Hermitage? He sent you to spy on me?" Steph tried hard not to show her genuine irritation at having her foremost competitor being sent to spy on her.
I was not spying. I was evaluating the situation. How do you do it? Do you have Trouble listed on your speed-dial?" There were shades of both exasperation and awe in the tone of Jeanne Ellen's voice as she handed Steph a sandwich on a plate and a large glass of milk.
"I had some personal issues to work out, and the Hermitage seemed ideal. And the price was right. Who could have guessed it was such an awful place? I just needed some answers and there was no one in Trenton I could ask. Besides it's rather personal and I don't think it's something I want to discuss with you." Or anyone else, for that matter. Steph took her food and went back to the main room to sit on the couch as ordered.
Ranger was on the phone when she entered the room. "One of my men will be there within the hour. He will be choppering in with the representative of I.C.E. Yeah, I know it's probably not going to be an immigration problem, but we need the probable cause to stop the truck. The F.B.I. will be handling it through RICO, at least that's what Agent Paulmeri is telling me." Ranger gave a nod to one of the men standing against the wall. "We're putting that together right now. I'll be heading over there in a few minutes. Believe me, no thanks are necessary. I'm going to enjoy every minute. Right, I'll check in with you on the other side."
He turned to Jeanne Ellen. "Time to get ready for your performance. You'll fly out with Tank. Make it real." Ranger had a big grin as he addressed Steph. "Babe, you might want to go into the bedroom and change along with Jeanne Ellen."
That's when Steph realized that she was still in the tee shirt and nothing else. Days of having no chance of modesty had made her completely oblivious of her own clothing. "Oh my God!" escaped her lips as she leapt off the couch and dashed behind Jeanne Ellen into the bedroom.
Jeanne Ellen was changing into a conservative business suit that reminded Steph of something Gwyn would wear. In fact, it was exactly what Gwyn would wear. It was Gwyn's suit…the one she wore on the ride to Hermitage! How? Why?
"That's Gwyn's suit. Why are you wearing it?"
Before Steph could get an answer, Jeanne Ellen reached into a box and took out a wig that was styled in the severe twist that Gwyn wore. Jeanne Ellen was transforming into Gwyn's double!
"Because Gwyn is about to be seen by the truck drivers, helping the feds. Then she is scheduled to be seen by the Organization's stoolies, entering the Federal courthouse in New York City. Afterwards, she is going to disappear. And if I know Ranger, the real Gwyn is going to really disappear…permanently."
Steph's mouth was wide open. Less than ten hours ago, she was awaiting torture and death. Now she was surrounded by Rangemen, Feds and who knew what other alphabet agency men…and Jeanne Ellen was going undercover.
"I don't know how to say 'thank you' that doesn't sound trite. But thank you," she said softly and surprisingly from the heart.
"No need," Jeanne Ellen stopped her primping and faced Steph head on. "I'm doing this because Ranger asked. And he asked because you mean more to him than I can fathom. He has just exposed his business and his private life to government agencies and people who have tried for years to get something on him. He has called in favors from both sides of the law and put himself in tremendous jeopardy just to pull your ass out of yet another self-ignited fire! If I had my way, Lady Gwyneth would not be the only one permanently disappearing." Jeanne Ellen picked up a small clutch purse and walked out of the room, never looking back.
Steph sat there on the bed in absolute silence. Her brain, on the other hand, was having a tirade of its own. You selfish, self-centered idiot, look what you have done! You never think what effect your actions will have on others…just what makes you happy. Just what makes you feel good. Honesty…that's all you had to practice. If you had been honest with yourself and with Ranger and not pretended to be someone else, none of this would have happened. There's no way to make it better now. Everything is ruined and you have no one to blame but yourself.
Tears streamed down her cheeks as she threw her clothes on. When we are alone, I will throw myself at Ranger's feet. Not for some sex thing, but because I need to beg his forgiveness. If he throws me out, I'll accept it. I deserve it.
After mentally beating herself into a pulp, she went back to the main room. It was empty. Everyone had gone. Someone was in the kitchen and she headed towards the sound.
########
It was the older man in the business suit. He had been at Ranger's side during the meeting.
"Oh, hello! I'm making some tea. Would you like some?" He had a kind face and his silvery blue eyes sparkled as he spoke. "I am Claude Reynaud, an old acquaintance of Carlos. When he telephoned and explained your situation and dire circumstance, I offered my services. You look physically OK, but how are you doing…inside?"
Oh great, Ranger got me a shrink! "I'm doing fine. Are you a doctor friend of Ranger's?"
"Ranger? Oh yes, I forgot people call him that. I am a doctor of sorts, but not the medical kind. My doctorate is in education. I have a private school in Levittown, Pennsylvania…The U.S. Institute…The Unknowing Submissive. I've been told that you might be familiar with it."
Steph's face turned every shade of red imaginable. She tried to find something, anything to look at besides his face, and yet his gaze held her eyes captive. All she could do was nod.
"My goodness, child, don't be embarrassed. It's only sex. We've all heard about it and we've all practiced it. Don't be ashamed of wanting to learn how to do something better or different." He gave a little chuckle as he placed her tea in front of her and took the seat across from her. Touching the back of her hand gently, he went on. "I am so sorry that your first introduction into alternate sexual practices was so horrid and despicable. That's the other reason I agreed to help Carlos. Places like Hermitage and animals like Gwyneth Morgan and her crew are like a cancer in the alternate community. The harming of innocents is not tolerated in any society. We will all do what we can to eradicate and punish those who would do such evil things."
"I'm so sorry for causing so much trouble. I just wanted to…" Reynaud would not let her continue. "Nonsense!" he blustered. "For years, we in the community have known something wasn't right at that spa. Law enforcement was hindered by the lack of people willing to testify. Everything has been simmering on low-boil for a while. Carlos's message was a long awaited call-to-arms. Some of the most noted Doms in the worldwide community offered their assistance. You would be surprised at the number of law enforcement and political people who are part of our lifestyle. Your pain will be the last pain felt there for a long while…at least non-consensual pain." He chuckled again at his own inside humor.
"Do you know what's happening? Where is everyone?" Steph added some sugar to her tea and leaned across the table. Somehow, Claude Reynaud became an instant confidant and friend. She felt as if she had known him for years and sharing intimacies with him was natural.
"Only what I've overheard. And it sounds like a hoot! Just like a big movie production with a cast of hundreds. The I.C.E. people are going to stop the truck in New York. The FBI is going to arrest the drivers. The poor women will be taken to safe houses where they will be treated for trauma and kept away from any press. The club owners and business associates of Gwyneth Morgan will be charged under the RICO…organized crime statute. And Carlos, ah…Ranger, is on his way to personally take care of Gwyneth."
"Why was Jeanne Ellen dressed like Gwyn?" Steph found herself sitting on the edge of her seat. It was just like a movie, only with people she knew and loved or hated.
"Ooh, that's the best part," Reynaud was bubbling with excitement. "Jeanne Ellen as Gwyn will be seen as helping the feds. Those members of the organization, not under arrest, will see her as a traitor and snitch. There will be no place for her to run and no one to help her hide. She is finished in the business."
Something tells me that being known as a snitch will be the least of her worries. I think Ranger has a personal plan that he has not shared. I wish I could be there to see her get what's coming. I hope it hurts.