Chapter 22: The Arranged Marriage
Morelli got in his car and shook his head. "I honestly believed that my mom and Steph's mom were the only ones that were pushy and bullheaded. Go figure," he told himself as he drove back to the police station.
Once he got into the station, he saw Joyce Barnhardt. "I need to find Stephanie. She can't chase after any more FTAs, for now, and I need her files," she complained to Joe.
Joe got on the phone. "Hey, Joe, what is going on now?" Stephanie asked as she picked up her cell phone.
"I know that you are on leave from Vinny's bond office. Joyce needs your files, please and don't kill her," Joe begged on the phone.
"I will drop them off to Connie on my way to the Dr.'s apt," Stephanie told him and then was gone.
"She will drop them off to Connie," Joe said. "Why don't you go to my mom's house for a while? You two could try to get some decisions made for our wedding. Please, try to keep the peace between Stephanie and yourself, for me," Joe begged.
"Fine," Joyce said and then left the station. Joe let out a deep breath and went into the Vice Unit.
Half an hour later, Pierre was helping his wife into their SUV. They had a doctor's appointment for the baby, but first, they had to stop at Vinny's Bond office for Stephanie could drop off her files for Joyce.
She walked into the office and saw Connie at the front desk. "Hey, Connie, can you give these to Joyce, please? She is taking the files because of this little one." Stephanie put a hand on her baby girl.
"You got it. Just come back to work for us when you can," Connie said, smiling.
"I will. You will not get rid of me that easily," Stephanie said as she walked out with a wave.
"Are you okay?" Pierre asked as he helped her back in the SUV.
"Yeah, I am," Stephanie said. As they were driving away, they heard a large boom.
"What the hell?" Tank said he looked in the rear view mirror and saw the bond's office engulfed in smoke.
"What happened?" Stephanie asked in tears as she looked back and saw the office in smoke.
"Okay, we are calling the doctor's office, and rescheduling our appointment.
"Dr. Jameson's office," the secretary said over the phone.
"Hi, this is Pierre Sherman. Stephanie has to reschedule our appointment," Pierre said over the phone.
"Okay, let's see, I can fit you in for Thursday of this week at 2 pm if that is okay?" the nice lady asked.
"Perfect, thanks," Pierre said and then hung up. Pierre turned around and drove back up to what was left of the Bond's office. "Come on." Pierre got out of the car and helped Stephanie out of the SUV too.
Pierre saw Morelli come up to the bond's office. He did a quick scan and saw Steph and Tank behind the police tape. "What happened?" he asked as he walked up to the two of them.
"We got in the SUV and drove off when it went boom," Stephanie said in shock. "Oh god, Connie was in there," Stephanie said as she started to cry.
Pierre wrapped her in his strong arms. He could tell that she was shaking. Tank looked at Morelli. "Okay, can you take her back to Rangeman for now, and I will be in touch?" Morelli asked.
"Yeah, let's go, little one," Pierre said. He helped her get back into the SUV, and they drove back to Rangeman.