Chapter 26

The voice on the tape was Tony's. He mumbled through a couple sentences that sounded scripted. Thanking Mother Mary, his mom and pops, and most of all the Pope for keeping him safe. He also said some legal mumbo jumbo about how he was doing surveillance on his own accord as a hobby and in no way shape or form was he working or accepting payment from anyone. He might as well have put his two fingers together and said "scouts honor."

According to the dates on the tapes, surveillance started a few weeks prior. Tony watched in different locations close to Jeanne's building. He was busy learning her schedule, watching and recording her every move. I wondered if he knew what brand peanut butter she used, and when she went to the bathroom. I bet you twenty bucks if we listened to all the tapes, we would find out he investigated that very thing. When you are on this type of surveillance, you not only learn the routine, you know the person. It would be a lot easier to manipulate someone when you knew how they lived day to day. You would find out what is important to them, what keeps them going. What makes them tick. How easy would I be to manipulate? I bet It would be pretty simple. Everyone has an Achilles heel. Find out what that is, and your in like Flynn. I wasn't sure what mine was. Maybe Grandma Mazur. Maybe anyone in my family. Not only that, If I was hungry enough I might do quite a bit for a peanut butter and olive sandwich, too. I wonder what Jeanne could have been manipulated with. And Ranger? What could he be manipulated with? These kind of things are what keep me up at night.

Tony had gone through two days, recording Jeanne's moves. When she left, when she came home, when she took out the trash, when she brought home food. On the third day, she had a visitor. Tony described him as a young Mexican American, early twenties driving a gold Honda Civic. Licence Plate L21 530.

Joe wrote down the plate, and sent a text. The man was at her flat for three hours. He came out, got in the Honda and left the parking lot at 4:04 pm. EST. At 5:01 Jeanne Ellen walked out and got into a black SUV, and left the parking lot. Joe stopped the tape.

"The Honda is registered to a Felicia Montoya."

"That's Edward's mother." Ranger said, quietly.

The Honda was recorded five more times in eight days. Edward Montoya was identified by the second tape. Tony had broken into his car and found paperwork from Rangeman with his name on it. Tony mentions a phone tap was now in place. Joe found the tapes that said PT and stacked them by dates.

"We need her phone records." Ranger stated.

Joe nodded. "Already ahead of you. They will be here in a few minutes. I had to get clearance."

"Make sure you get her cell phone records and her text messages. She used text a lot. It is the only way we communicated. I wasn't the only one. She used it when I was with her.

Joe shifted uneasily in his seat. "It will be included. But I can't shield personal shit from you to her/her to you. You know that right?"

"I don't text private conversations."

Joe picked up the phone and made the request for cellphone records including text. We listened to Jeanne's every day life being broken up in time incriminates. I wondered about mine. What would my life look like to a group of people sitting around listening? After only a few days of surveillance I knew one thing for sure, Cat Woman seemed a lot more domesticated. Apparently she never cooked, she ordered take out every night she was home. All from different places too. This got me thinking. What if the take out guys were not really delivering food? Or maybe they were delivering food and information. Secret spy stuff.

Jeanne drank wine & water. No soda, no beer, no fun as far as I am concerned. No sweets that Tony noticed. There in lies the problem. She never ate sweets. How was that possible? She did her own laundry, and she watched TV just like seventy-five percent of the population of America. She was a fan of The Food Network. She watched it religiously, but she never cooked. Tony went through her trash. Apparently that bugged him. He mentioned it more than once. Her trash consisted of empty food containers,wine bottles, and that was it. What did she do with other trash? It irked me. I always had tons of trash. This woman, nothing personal at all. If someone were to go through my trash, holy cow. I didn't want to think about that.

Joe stopped the third tape and put in the first phone tap conversation tape that corresponded with the dates we had heard so far. Les Sebring called a lot. He asked about cases, demanded Jeanne stop by the office, He even asked about coming by to see her, or when she would drop in to see him. By the third tape, it was obvious Les had a relationship with Jeanne. It was also clear he did know about the office on the third floor. That was usually part of the conversation.

Joe looked at his notes, as the tape droned on. Jeanne was talking to Les Sebring again about what time she was coming in. Joe started flipping pages and I noticed that he looked slightly off kilter. I think he must have had the same revelation I did about Jeanne and Les. He stopped the tape. "Les Sebring?" He said in an incredulous tone. "Is that who is calling her so much? Isn't that her boss?" He didn't seem all that excited about figuring out who was seeing Jeanne.

"It answers a lot of questions." Ranger said.

"Let me just get this straight." Joe's tone had changed from relaxed to irritated in two seconds flat. A new record. "Les Sebring, the man who is friends with every political leader in the city; not to mention a close personal friend of the governor, is now on the suspect list for a murder investigation of an FBI agent? Shit, he golfs with the Chief of Police and the Mayor. Not only that, but he gives hundreds of dollars charity, and to this police force. If it wasn't for him, we wouldn't even have a forensics lab."

"That's more reason to check him out. He has to much influence over this city. I would say he just flew to the top of the suspect pile." Trisha said. "We need his DNA. It is very possible he is the father of that baby."

"Oh no." Joe said. "I am not putting in that request. Sebring helped build this police force. His funding keeps it going. Without his check every month, we wouldn't have vehicles that run. The last thing I want to do is accuse the father of this city of adultry, not to mention murder. Not going to happen." Joe dropped the folder on the table as to wash his hands of it.

Trisha didn't hesitate. "We need a warrant. I think we have probable cause."

"You would have to arrest him." Michael said. "Les Sebring is not going to be an easy mark. Les is loved in Trenton. No judge will want to sign a warrant on him."

"He is a suspect. A judge has to follow the law, just like everyone else."

Joe leaned back." This is great. Just great. You guys are doing a bang up job of getting me back on foot patrol."

I was trying really hard to concentrate on the tension in the room when Les' name came up, but all I could think about was Ranger's leg. It pressed against mine and his hand was on my knee. It was warm, and I was willing it to move.. maybe up my leg a little more. It was becoming unbearable and I was glad for the distraction that Les Sebring had brought out. My stomach was doing somersaults. I bit my lip to try to control myself. Suddenly, Joe looked over at me, probably to tell me how this was all my fault, but he stopped what he was saying. He had seen me in this predicament before. He was usually the one who put me there. It must have been pretty obvious. I seriously wanted to pull Ranger onto the table and tear all his clothes off. It was becoming increasingly difficult to control. I knew it,Ranger knew it and now, Joe knew it.

"Look," Joe said, taking a deep breath."Do I have to separate you two? Christ, Stephanie, have some self control."

I started to sweat. The jig was up. Everyone was looking at me. I think I must have turned five shades of red, stopping at beet.

Trisha looked over at Joe. "Can we continue?"

She glanced over at Ranger. "Carlos, behave yourself."

Ranger pulled his eyes away from the notes he was writing, and glared at her as he slowly took his hand off my knee. His leg stayed where it was.

I really missed Ranger. If he ever got out of here, we needed a week of alone time, at least. No interruptions.

I bit my lip, thinking about it.

"Jump to the end of the tapes." Ranger said. "Let's get this over with."

Joe found the tapes with the dates that corresponded with the murder. I wondered if Tony had any strange revelations when writing this information down on the blank cassette that they would one day be used to try to help solve his own murder. He popped the phone tap tape in first. This tape is labeled three days before the murders. It also is the only one that has red marker on it with the words FBI.

Jeanne: "Hello?"

"Can we expect results for number Thirty Two and Number Thirty-Three?"

Jeanne: "Both down. Nothing. Info Compromised. Both in the black. Need to close both cases."

"Why?"

Jeanne: "There's nothing."

"What about the original number four? Info still needed."

She paused and was silent for thirty seconds.

Jeanne: "I'm compromised with this."

"We need that information, agent. No such thing as compromised. This is your mission. That database is needed. Elimination of thirty three early was a mistake."

Jeanne: "I didn't eliminate. Self termination."

"Number thirty two going to be a problem?

Jeanne: "No, she's good."

"We need number four."

Jeanne: "I know. Thirty Three left.. floaters. I need to retrieve them. I've worn out my welcome. Can't get in."

"Find a way. This is your mess. You clean it up."

Jeanne: "what if I can't?"

"Find a way."

Jeanne: "I will, but then I am done."

"What about number thirty eight?"

Jeanne: "Clean. I want out."

There was a pause. "Number thirty eight leaves questions. We need investigation."

Jeanne: "If I give you number four, I am done. It will be the last one."

"What about Thirty eight?"

Jeanne: "Find someone else."

There was more of a pause. We waited to hear what they had to say about that.

"Give us four, and your done."

The caller disconnected.

Joe looked over at Ranger. "Are you number four or number thirty eight?"

Ranger shrugged. "I'm going with number four. That's why she was pissed that I wanted to break it off. She needed those files from Edward's desk."

"So they were asking her to give you up and she could leave? Who was thirty eight, Les?" I asked.

I started writing down the numbers.

Number Four=Ranger

Number Thirty Eight = Les

Number Thirty Two = Mary Maggie

Number Thirty Three = Edward

They were all being investigated. Why? Had she investigated Thirty eight people? If so, Who were they?

What did the FBI want from me? What database? Ranger asked.

"What ever it was, Jeanne had plans to give it to them, and then leave. Maybe Les and Jeanne were going to start a life together." Trisha said.

"Yeah, but why did she need to hand me over before she quit? They must have had some hold on her."

Joe dropped in the last tape. "Maybe this will shed some light on what was going on."

Mike O'Conner, one of the officers that work the front desk walked in dropping off a stack of papers.

Ranger whispered softly in my ear : "Jeanne's text messages."

Trisha picked up the stack and started going through them. Separating the piles into dates.

When the door closed again,Joe started the tape.

Tony's voice echoed in the room and we all paid attention. "August 27th."

Tony noted no activity until 10am. Jeanne leaving. Jeanne coming back, two hours later. Jeanne leaving again at 9pm. Then things got interesting.

"August 28th. 2:30 am. Vehicle approaching." Tony whispered. "Black Jeep, Licence 2BE XL7."

"That's my jeep." I whispered.

"Subject is Jeanne Ellen" Tony said quietly. " She is moving towards her front door. Subject is inside. Locking door."

Tony: "2:54 am. Vehicle approaching. Rolling quiet, no lights. Cannot read the license plate."

I knew that was probably Ranger's Porsche. His license had a reflective cover.

Tony: "Black. Carrera. Stops at marker 12. 2:57 am. Subject exits the vehicle."

Tony described Ranger. He even stated that he believed the subject to be Carlos Manoso. I looked over at Ranger. He was listening intently.

Tony: "2:59 am. Subject moving quietly to the black Jeep. Subject is searching the vehicle. Subject is now looking at a pole at the edge of the property. He is walking over to it and is taking something off. Looks like a security system. Subject may be tampering with security." There is a long pause. "Puts the box back together."

Tony: "3:05 am."

I held my breath. Well, here it was. What happens next makes or breaks my life. My leg started to shake. Ranger rested his hand on my knee again and looked towards me. His eyes were piercing. He held my gaze as we listened to the tape, telling me silently to believe him. I was trying. I really was.

Tony: "Subject approaching Burrow's door. Looks like he is using something to pick the lock. Subject is inside."

There was silence, the tape wined on. I could hear Tony breathing. I thought it was sad that it wasn't long after this, that he didn't get to breathe ever again.

Tony: "Possible in for the night."

Tony: "3:10 am. Another car is approaching." Tony's voice amplified. He was surprised.

Tony: "Car is stopping. Parking near market 17. License plate J27 519."

Tony: "3:16 am. Subject two out of vehicle. Silver BMW. Subject dressed in a gray suit. Approaching parking lot. Stopping. Subject is looking at the Porsche. Walking over to the Jeep. It looks like he is searching for something. He has found something under the drivers seat of the Jeep. Not sure..Could be a gun. He is now walking quickly towards Burrow's flat. Subject pauses. Now taking cover in bushes surrounding the sidewalk."

Tony: "3:20 am. Subject one out of apartment. He is walking across the parking lot. Passed by Subject two without noticing. I am confirming Carlos Monoso as subject one. Subject one walking into parking lot, Using cell phone."

Tony: "Subject one in the Porsche. 3:22 am. Subject one leaving. Exit towards main road."

Joe whispered "License J27 519 is registered to Les Sebring."

Tony: "3:24 am. Subject two is out of the bushes. Approaching Burrow's door. He opens it. Subject is standing at the open door."

Tony: "Oh Shit." Tape has deep breathing, you can tell he is surprised, there is a lot of background noise.

Tony: "Shots fired. 3:25 am."

Tony: "Shit." There was extreme panic in his voice.

Tony: "Subject has heard me, I made a noise when the shots were fired. I am in deep shit." It was hard to listen to. "Subject sees me." There was a lot of noise on the tape that sounded like a struggle or like he was trying to run. Then I heard the very audible sound of someone getting punched. Then it was quiet for a moment. The tape was still recording. Noise and static getting closer.

"Who the fuck are you? What the fuck are you doing here?"

I heard a loud sound. I jumped. I knew it was a gun. Tony had just been shot. It was horrible to hear. Then there was sounds of something getting dragged. Then the tape turned off.

We all sat there in stunned silence. Adjusting to the acknowledgment that we had heard Tony's murder.

"I don't know about "Beyond a shadow of a doubt", but I think it is safe to say Les Sebring needs to come in for questioning." Joe stated.

"If that was Les Sebring that broke into Rangeman tonight, then he has listened to these tapes, at least some of them." Hal said, glancing around the room. "Does anyone know anything about Les Sebring?"

Joe got on his radio. He told dispatch that Les Sebring needed to be brought in for questioning. He also told them that he might be armed and dangerous.

Trisha got a text. "They are doing DNA on Edward." She said. "When we get Sebring, He can also give us a sample."

"When can you release my client?" Micheal said, looking over at Joe.

"This evidence is circumstantial. We can't just drop charges. You know that." Joe said.

"So, what happens now?" I asked. I knew that Les would want to keep these tapes away from the police. He knew I had them last. That did not make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. He may think he has the originals, but he also may think I listened to them already. I took a deep breath and tried not to hyperventilate.

"I need to get these tapes dictated and copied." Joe said. Putting all the tapes away.

"I think I will join him. Micheal said. "These tapes have caused enough trouble. I better keep an eye on them."

"Suit yourself." Joe said. "But if your going," He tossed a bag to Micheal. "Help me bag all this up."

Trisha's cell phone chirped, and she checked her messages. "I need to get back to the lab. She looked over at Ranger. "Good luck. I will let you know if I find out anything that will help."

Ranger assigned Tank to stay with the tapes. He didn't trust anyone but his own guys. Hal and Lester were back on with me. I now had two body guards. Being that I listened to a guy get killed a few minutes prior, I was okay with that. I had a pretty good case of the creeps. I would need to refrain from holding hands with them the rest of the day.

As soon as everyone was busy getting things organized, Ranger leaned over and kissed me, drawing me close, pulling me into his lap. Everything else was nonexistent in that moment. All I cared about was him. He was the driving force that made me feel not only safe, but alive. He made me feel brave.

Ranger broke contact as I heard Joe say: "Stephanie, you need to let go of him now. I have to get him back in lock up." I watched as Jpe cuffed him and walked him out of the room with Micheal and Tank in tow. I was hoping that I would never have to see him in cuffs again.

A few minutes later, Joe came back into the room. He asked Hal and Lester if he could talk to me alone for a few minutes. They closed the door behind them,waiting outside the door. Joe grabbed a chair and sat down. He pulled out another for me. We sat knee to knee.

"Are you going to be okay with all this?" Joe asked. "This is a monster of a case. We have evidence that the FBI forced an informant, agent, or what ever she was to do her job no matter what. She lost her life because of it. And Sebring. Don't even get me started. We don't even have a file on that guy. I have to start from scratch. In my book that makes him more dangerous."

I took a deep breath. I tried to smile. "Sure. i'm okay." Problem was, I didn't feel okay. I felt like crap. My stomach was in knots. I had just heard two people get whacked a few minutes ago, and the guy who did it, is probably after me now, too. Yeah, I am peachy. I hugged myself. "Do you believe that Jeanne,Edward And Tony would be alive and Ranger wouldn't be locked up if I would have stayed in Arizona?"

Joe leaned his elbows on the table and stared into my eyes. I honestly knew that Joe really did care about me. I could see it in his eyes, but that didn't matter. If I were to blame, I don't know what I would do. His gaze was intense. "Stephanie, It was fun to tease you for a while, but when I said that you were a walking disaster a year ago, it was personal. It wasn't suppose to be a factor to judge your life. It was an observation at a point of completely losing my patience with your crazy life. It was never intended to sum up everything you stood for. I am sorry that you think that is how I perceive you. I have a feeling that saying that to you has changed how you view yourself. I am truly sorry."

He touched my shirt. Both of us remembering just how easy it had been to take it one step further, or three. He let go, holding back, knowing that we both still felt love for each other but also knowing that there are some things you should let go of.

Joe smiled. "Prison clothes... Trisha needs to get some of those."

I glared at him and took a deep breath. Ignoring that last remark. "I'll be okay. I have Hal and Lester watching my back. I am not helpless, Joe. I'll be careful. I promise.

Joe nodded. Okay. Fair enough. You are a damn good detective, Stephanie. I am proud of you. I really am, and I won't turn off my phone. You call me if you feel like your in danger."

"It would be better if Ranger wasn't in Jail." I said. Knowing that was impossible.

Joe barked out a laugh. "Shit, if Ranger was out, He would lock you up so fast, your head would spin. He is terrified you are going to get hurt."

"He tell you that?"

"He said if anything happened to you, it would be on me. He's not leaving the jail, but If you get kidnapped or hurt in any way, he'll leave. He says it will be my fault if he escapes."

"You tell him I can take care of myself. Plus, Lester and Hal are going to be with me."

I'll tell him, but it won't do any good. If you haven't noticed, he does things his way. He just tells everyone else about it as a warning."