JPOV (Joe)

My head was killing me. I foolishly spent nearly 5 hours drinking way too much at Tiny's bar last night. I had to blow off steam somehow. Those assholes at Rangeman and that slut of a wife of mine had me fuming to the point I was seeing fireworks behind my eyelids.

So after I spent way too much money on booze and gave Tiny the majority of my paycheck from last week, I finally stumbled home at 3:00 in the morning. Of course before I went home I made my way over to Stark street for a quickie with one of my favorite corner whores. She was accommodating as always, they all were. They loved getting a piece of the 'Italian Stallion'.

All of the usual scum bags were hanging out on Stark last night. I was not surprised to see that dope head Mooner peddling his 'special' brownies on the corner across the street from where I had met my "lady" of the evening. I thought to myself, 'What the hell. I did work up an appetite.' So I purchased myself a treat.

Then I collapsed into bed, not bothering to remove my clothes. Now a meager 4 hours later, my alarm blared in my ear. Damn now I had to stagger into work with a hangover. Shit!

I took a fast shower, grabbed a cup of coffee to go, and sprinted out the door to make it on time. I didn't need to give the chief any more ammunition to use against me. I pulled into the parking lot at the station with only a few minutes to spare.

As I neared my office my headache just got worse. Hung up on the wall beside my office door was that damn plaque. I was not going to hesitate with my payback to those fucking thugs! I squared my shoulders and entered my office. I had a job to do, paperwork was a pain in my ass, but necessary.

I had been slaving away for an hour when my desk phone rang. I sighed and picked it up.

"Morelli." I grunted into the receiver. I was rewarded with the chief's voice on the other end of the line.

"Morelli, my office, now!" He demanded.

"Yes sir, on my way," I responded.

I marched my way around the corner to his office, like I was strolling down the 'green mile'. Hey, the analogy had a ring of truth as I would find out a few minutes later.

I rapped my knuckles against the door and was greeted by a terse voice from the other side of the wood. That man sounded like a boss at times and this was one of those times. I opened the door gently and made my way inside, uncertain as to what fate awaited me.

"Have a seat Morelli." The chief ordered.

I sat down in one of the chairs across from his desk, as fear licked up my spine. His face was full of anger and it seemed to be directed at me. What the hell? He cleared my confusion by speaking up.

"I'll be frank, Morelli, you're in trouble."

"What? What do you mean chief?" I questioned.

"Walter Dunphy, you may know him as Mooner, was brought in as a FTA by a couple of the guys at Rangeman in the early hours this morning. He told me something interesting." He explained.

'Oh shit, that little punk.' I thought to myself. I refused to let my fear show though as I said calmly. "What did he say?"

"He told me he sold you some of his infamous brownies last night on Stark street, where, he also informed me you were seen with a hooker. Either of those offenses could take your badge from you. We all know what Mooner puts in his brownies." Chief Juniak smirked at me.

"Well, it's his word against mine and I'm a decorated police detective. You're telling me that you believe that drug peddler?" I nearly growled out. I was thinking more and more about punching that little twerp in the face.

"I tend to believe hard evidence. Which is why you will be reporting downstairs to 'Collections' and immediately surrendering a blood sample. They will be testing it at once, before you even leave the room, so I can have the results as soon as possible. And about the hooker, everyone in town knows your penchant for the cheap sluts of Stark street." He was positively leering at me by now. I was royally and truly fucked.

I sighed out "yes sir" before I rose and turned to exit his office.

I took my time getting down to the vampires, blood letters, that worked in the lab. I wouldn't worry about the results yet, even though I knew what they would have to say. Damn Mooner, fucking hippie punk!

An hour later ...

Once again I was sitting behind my desk trying to make a dent in my pile of paperwork when my desk phone sounded. 'Crap', I thought, 'here it comes'. I picked it up again, sounding more deflated this time.

"Morelli here."

"Back in my office," was all the chief said before I heard the click.

I slowly dragged my feet back down the hall, still not bothering to worry about what may happen. Steph was not the only one who could live in 'Denial Land'.

I didn't bother knocking this time, I just waltzed right in. The chief did not look amused. Oh well, he was about to have his fun, so screw him. I plopped my ass down in the same chair as before, sat back, and waited for him to start. I didn't have to wait long, as he started right away.

"The results are back from your drug test. It was positive for marijuana and alcohol. Did you drink before coming to work this morning?" He asked.

"No, I went to Tiny's last night and had a few before going home. It is well out of my system by now, or should be." I defended myself.

"Never the less, it's still there. I've given you too many chances. This is the last straw. I have to take action." He informed me.

"What kind of action?" I was afraid to find out.

"You are suspended for two weeks without pay and this will go in your file. Any more mistakes will mean your badge. I think I'm being very lenient considering all the hell you have caused while hiding behind the safety of your position." He continued with a harsh, "That will do, clock out immediately."

It took every once of will power I had not to argue with him, but what was the use. He was right. I stormed out of his office and back to mine, clenching my fists at my sides while I huffed curses under my breath.

EPOV (Eddie)

I watched Morelli storm back to his office with a grin plastered to my face. He was such a dickhead, just like his lovely plaque read. My smile grew as I remembered how it ended up glued to the wall by his office door.

Les and Bobby had brought Mooner in shortly after midnight. He was caught selling pot laced brownies down on Stark and he was also FTA, hence the need for Rangeman. They didn't like bringing in the lower bonded skips, but with Steph no longer in the business, someone had to do it.

I was extremely glad to see them all come in. I had a plan, but it required some assistance. I let them take care of booking Mooner back into the system before I strolled over to talk with them.

Les was on the phone with Connie setting it up for Mooner to be re-bonded as quick as possible. When Les ended his conversation I asked him and Bobby if I could speak to them privately for a moment. They quickly agreed.

We went over to a quiet corner where I explained my plan to them. It involved Morelli's award and some super strong stuff called 'Gorilla Glue'. Evil smirks appeared on both of their faces. I had my accomplices.

We talked Mooner into playing lookout for us to make sure no one knew who had done the devilish deed. Then we went to work. It only took a few minutes to have the plaque hanging up in it's proud new home. I chuckled at the sight.

I heard a click from my left and turned to see Les with his cell out, taking a photo of our handiwork.

"For prosperity?" I questioned him.

"Hell yeah, this is some funny shit right here. And I'm sending this picture to everyone at Rangeman so they can enjoy the joke." He laughed.

That was how Morelli's new wall decoration came to be. I looked back up at him when I heard the door to his office slam closed. He was leaving early it seemed. I wondered what was going on. I knew the chief would know so I ambled over to his office and knocked for entry.

He responded in the affirmative and allowed me in. I wasted no time as I inquired what the problem was.

"What's up with Morelli? He sick?"

"No, I was going to announce it at the morning meeting. He has been suspended for two weeks. He came in hung over this morning and was seen on Stark purchasing weed in the form of Mooner's brownies last night. Mooner confirmed the sale." He explained.

I nodded solemnly, thanked the chief, and left him to handle his business. Once I closed the door behind me, the huge grin came back to my face. This day just kept getting better and better.

JPOV

My blood pressure raised to stroke levels on the drive home. I swore to myself these assholes were going to pay dearly for this day. I still didn't know who hung that fucking piece of shit plaque up by my office door, but that was the least of my worries at the moment.

My most pressing problem was how to get my wife back. There had to be a way for me to find out where exactly she was hiding out. I knew she wasn't in that building on Haywood. That was where most of those thugs resided.

But I didn't know if Brown lived there or not. How would I find out? I thought about it until I felt like my head would split open. Just as I pulled into the drive way at my house, it hit me. I knew where to go to find out.

I wasn't stupid enough to go to Rangeman for information, no way would any of those criminals help me. If Brown had any property listed in his name in the area though, I knew where to go to find out. I still had connections at city hall and had slept with most of the women that worked there too. This was going to be a walk in the park.

I reversed my Jeep back out onto the street and headed toward city hall downtown. It was a short drive that had me smiling most of the way. It was only 2:30 so I got there before the offices closed for the day. I rode the elevator up to the 3rd floor where the register of deeds was located.

I frowned when I didn't recognize the woman behind the glass, but perked up once again when I told myself that I could charm the pants off of any female.

I put my most charming smile on my face as I walked up to the counter. Her voice was sickeningly sweet when she spoke.

"May I help you?"

"I certainly hope so ma'am. I need information on any properties listed in the name of Robert Brown, employee of Rangeman LLC, Inc." I tried smoothly as I flashed my badge from my hip to her.

"I'm sorry sir. I can't give you that kind of information without a warrant." She replied. This was going to be tougher than I thought. Still, I remained calm and cool as I tried once more.

"I know that's how we usually do it, but this is an emergency and I don't have time to acquire a warrant. Please, will you reconsider?"

"I'm new here so I'm afraid I can't accommodate you without a warrant sir." This chick was starting to piss me off. I decided to switch tactics.

"May I speak to you privately? When is your next break?" She looked down to her watch and admitted.

"I'm actually due now for a 15 minute break." She then slid the 'closed' sign in place and came to the doorway to my right. I asked her once she appeared in front of me.

"Is there somewhere we can go to talk? Alone?"

She nodded and started walking down a short hallway toward what appeared to be empty offices. She opened the first door on the left and entered, with me right behind her. She closed it once again before she swung around to face me and spoke.

"Now what did you want to say that couldn't be said in front of my coworkers?" I picked up her right hand in mine then told her exactly what I had in mind.

"Are you sure there's no way you can help me out?" I then rubbed her hand up and down my crotch while giving her my lady-killer grin, then I continued my spiel. "It would be my pleasure to repay you the only way I know how."

I watched her for a few minutes as the thoughts passed behind her eyes. She was thinking of the pros and cons. I knew the exact moment she decided in favor of my offer. I smiled internally. The 'Italian Stallion' had struck again.

"Okay, when?" Her voice was quiet and timid.

"No time like the present." I answered before I lowered my head to hers and kissed her.

Two minutes later I tucked myself back into my pants and zipped up again while she pulled her panties back on and straightened her skirt. Sometimes it was just too easy.

We left the dark office and made our way back to her work space. She walked back behind the counter and glanced back up at me with her fingers poised over the computer keys in front of her.

"Now what was that name again?"

"Robert Brown." I replied.

Several clicks of the keyboard later I had an address!

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A/N: I know I'm usually a detail oriented smut writer, but I'm sorry, I just couldn't go there this time. I was nauseous writing that little bit. Excuse me while I go gargle with Listerine. :-)

Reviews and comments always welcome!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ J