My new skip was a bit of a nasty case. I sat in my car flipping through the file. His name was Jerome Baker. He was arrested for assault and disorderly conduct. Whatever that meant. It was kind of a catchall term. Turns out Jerome is a mean drunk and unfortunately, for his little woman, he is always drunk.

He lived on Cranston Street, right in the center of the 'burg. It sounded like he could rival the Morelli men for being no good and rotten. I drove over to his house and found a beautifully kept single story house with the famous and rare picket fence. The hedges were all in line and the windows were simply gleaming. This woman was 'burg to the core. She had probably never even considered leaving the bastard when he started hitting her. After all, it was her wifely duties. I shook my head and swung out of the car.

After a quick knock, the woman in question opened the door.

"Yes, can I help you?" She said, barely above a whisper. Her eye was marred by a big bruise and her lip was slightly swollen. I gave quick mental thanks to the men currently in my life. Thank god, my dad had never done something like to my mom.

"Yes, my name is Stephanie Plum. Jerome Baker missed his court date and I need to take him in to be rebonded." If Vinnie rebonds him, I will sick Harry the Hammer on him.

"Oh, no. I'm sorry but you can't do that."

"Oh?"

"Yes, you see, he had a tough day yesterday and he got home late. He needs his sleep." She looked so terrified. I felt sympathy ripple through my stomach. Tough cookies, honey. You have to help yourself here. No one is going to make him stop hurting you if you don't help yourself.

"Uh huh. Well, I need to see him today."

"That's just not possible." She whispered furiously. She jumped when someone roared in the back of the house. Seriously, he roars. I caught sight of the big man as he moved toward the door. He was very big.

"What the hell, woman? Can't you keep it down when you are doing your damn hen gathering shit?" Charming man. I stepped into the house in front of Mrs. Baker.

"Jerome Baker? I'm afraid you missed your court date and I'm going to have to take your ass to jail."

"The hell you are!" He stepped closer and I pushed the terrified woman back. He threw back his arm to take me out and I sidestepped when he swung so that he was off balance.

I circled to keep his wife out of the fight, naturally falling into the fighting pose that I had practiced so much. He turned and lunged at me, ready to clobber me.

I again sidestepped and he smashed into the wall, groaning as he pulled back. He growled at me and again came at me, swinging. I decided to finish this before Mrs. Baker somehow got involved.

The next time he swung, I ducked my head to the right and grabbed his wrist with my left hand. I jammed my right hand into his elbow at the same time I gripped his wrist, yanking his arm back and up. He screamed in pain and dropped to his knees, as I continued to press his arm.

I leaned down and murmured, "Now, you're going to come with me nice and quiet, got it?" He whimpered. "Say yes, or I'll break your arm right here in front of your lovely wife."

"Yes." He whimpered.

"Good." I released him and cuffed him. I followed the now quiet man. Looking back over my shoulder, I saw Mrs. Baker's shock and amazement. I smiled, maybe that taught her something. Women were not punching bags.