Guys I'm so sorry for the delay in posting this chapter - what with the girls being off for half term, my husband's birthday, my eldest daughter's birthday, work commitments yada yada, things have been a little manic! Anyway, this chapter is finally polished (or at least as polished as I'm going to get it...) so here it is...
Oh, before you read any further, thanks soooo much for your wonderful reviews - hope this chapter does not disappoint! Please R&R, you know you want to!
xxx
Lester grinned as he thought about Tank's reaction to the scene they'd both just witnessed. Serves him right, nosey bastard, he thought as grinned as he recalled Tank's expression.
However, it would be selfish not to share what he had found out he figured.
A smile slowly spread across his face and he slid back in his chair with his hands behind his head. Yes, indeed, it was only his duty to share pertinent information…
He leaned forward and picked up his desk phone from its cradle - Mr Gossip to the rescue!
He took a quick look to check no-one was walking past his office, wouldn't do not to be aware of his surroundings after all. Looking totally innocent, he dialled a number.
The phone at the other end was answered almost immediately it rung.
"Rees?"
"Wassup Bro?"
"Well, you'll never guess but…"
o0o0o0o0o
Chase stirred his coffee absentmindedly as he thought about the last few days and the blue eyed whirlwind that had crashed into his life, stunning him in more ways than one.
Stephanie Plum was one hell of a woman and once the dust had settled regarding Connor he planned on asking her out on a date. Given that a few of the men in the office knew something didn't quite stack up with his boss, he figured he probably had to cool his heels for about a week – two tops while the mess was cleared up and Atlanta was fully functional again.
He could do that, he could wait, hell he had learned patience in the field, waiting for the perfect moment to complete an op. Yeah, two weeks max then he'd make his move.
It would help, he decided, if he could find out who the mystery guy was that Steph still had feelings for. Perhaps he could find a way to better the memories and create new ones that included him. He smiled at the idea then took a large swig from his latte coloured, caffeine laden mug before straightening up and heading back to his desk. Just as he reached the middle of the room the elevator doors opened and three people stepped out.
Chase nearly dropped his coffee but his stomach took a dive instead as he saw the almost caressing gesture Ranger used to steer Steph out of it and onto the floor. Anyone else would have missed the movement but added to the almost look in Manoso's eyes and the way that Steph somehow looked taller, stronger, he knew. The pair, with Connor leading the way, headed silently off to the main conference room.
Chase doubted anyone else could see that a relationship had clearly been established at some point since Ranger had landed this morning, but he could tell this was the man Stephanie had been pining for and a light bulb went on in his head.
He realised there was no point in competing for her affections now.
He continued back to his cubicle as if he'd noticed nothing unusual but all the while he left parts of his plans scattered round his feet like confetti. He'd heard rumours that Manoso had had a woman in his life until recently, he just never suspected who it might be. As he eyed the pair of them surreptitiously as they carefully avoided touching, he took a deep breath and sat down, determined to bury his disappointment in the work laid out in front of him.
His coffee mocked him, the hot drink within the mug mirroring the colouring of the man who clearly still held his whirlwind's heart.
o0o0o0o0o
This is it. I'm gonna be fired in public! Connor thought as the idea stood, arms akimbo in the middle of his head and leered smugly at him. He was so lost in the thought that he missed the gasps then the "WTF" reactions and then the cheers from his co-workers. Did they hate him that much? He mused. What kind of monster had he become!
Horrified, he tuned into the words being said.
"…two weeks to prepare. The forms will be posted on the control room wall. Connor and Stephanie will make the selections…"
Whaaaat the f…? WTF indeed, Connor thought. He looked round the room and saw not condemnation but excitement on the faces of the men before him. Stilled by shock, his thoughts whirling, he turned his head to look over at Ranger.
"Dismissed." The man said before turning to face him directly. Neither moved until the room was empty then Ranger handed him a matchbox sized box..
"Open it. Before you go up to my apartment." He said, gesturing to the cardboard container.
Connor tipped his head slightly and frowned.
"It's not going to bite."
Connor gave the man before him a slight and nervous smile and pulled on a flap at one end which gave easily as his frantic fingers fumbled with the edge. The contents spilled out. Carefully he unfolded a piece of sand coloured ragged cloth, examining it for clues as to what it was. Could it be? Was it… A few grains of sand spilled from its folds to confirm his suspicions.
"I think you know where it's come from."
Connor swallowed loudly, looking up at his boss. "Thank you." He whispered as his eyes filled with tears.
"Head up to 7, take Stephanie with you. I'll be up shortly, I have a few phone calls to make."
Connor nodded then turned and fled, grabbing Steph by the hand and dragging her behind him.
O0o0o0o0o
Steph pushed the door open and walked into the foyer of Ranger's apartment, Connor hot on her heels.
"Oh My Fuck! Oh God! I… I can't do this!" Connor wailed, slumping down unceremoniously, like a sack of potatoes onto one of the dining room chairs, head in hand.
"Yes you can, and you will! Now stand up and face the consequences of your actions like the man I KNOW is hiding inside that pathetic little exterior!"
Connor's head snapped up "Who the fuck gives you the right to order me about? You ARE NOT my Mother!" he whined out petulantly.
"No, but I still care!" she reasoned. "And I'm sure if she could see you now she wouldn't allow you to hide behind what you've allowed yourself to become either!"
Connor took a deep breath, the wind knocked right out of him by Steph's angry reply.
"Look, I'm not trying to make your life any harder, but you need to 'feel the fear and do it anyway' and all that shit." Steph said softly, sliding down onto the couch next to him and emphasising the well known saying using her fingers to create air quotes. "You know Ranger cares otherwise you'd have been on your way to a third world country by now. Just accept whatever judgement he metes out and grow some balls."
Connor nodded, taking a deep breath as the thought of a one way ticket to the out skirts of humanity faded. She was right! Manoso had a way of burying things so that they never resurfaced and here he was, still in one piece.
"I'm so fucked!" he said softly.
"I know and that's why I'm here for moral support."
"Thank you."
Steph nodded, reached forward and squeezed his hand, then went in search of the coffee which she was sure she could smell emanating from the kitchen.
o0o0o0o0o
"Chase" Ranger said as he waved him towards the large rectangular dark oak dining table where Connor and Steph were now sitting, side by side. A tray containing coffee cups and a thermal jug, several bottles of water and a tray of fruit sat along the middle like a barrier.
Connor nodded then joined Ranger, sitting almost at the same time as he did. He looked at Steph to check she was ok, she seemed to guess he was checking up on her so nodded back. His shoulders relaxed slightly and he gave her the beginnings of a smile.
Ranger started fiddling with his cell phone which he then lay down on the table, by his side was a pile of buff wallets – proof of Connor's misdemeanours.
"I call this meeting to discuss Connor Deary's alleged embezzlement activities. Can you hear me ok, Will, Alex, Emma?"
"Loud and clear, Carlos." Came three replies from the other end of the phone.
"Attendees are myself, Carlos Manoso CEO and founding member of Rangeman LLC, Will Harrison, VP of Rangeman's finance department, Alex Sautelle, Rangeman's attorney, Connor Deary, outgoing VP Rangeman Atlanta, Stephanie Plum, Head of New Business Development and Chase McKendry, Temporary Acting VP of Rangeman Atlanta... Emma Harding, Alex Sautelle's secretary, will be notating."
All heads snapped to Ranger.
"Since when have I become Head of New Business Development?" Stephanie asked. "And since when has Chase taken over?"
"Babe."
Stephanie took that to mean that all would become clear.
"I call this meeting to discuss the monies that Connor Andrew Deary has allegedly taken for his own personal use. I believe this sum to be approximately $850,000. Do you agree with this, Will?"
"Yes."
"Thank you Will. Do you deny taking this money, Connor?"
"No." came Connor's almost audible reply.
Ranger nodded "Are you in a position to pay it back?"
Connor shook his head, "No" he said, the word almost looked to be causing him physical pain.
Ranger nodded then turned to Steph. "I understand you helped look through the accounts that have been worst affected, is that right, Stephanie?"
Stephanie nodded.
"For the benefit of those listening, Stephanie Plum has just nodded her head."
"Ok, so down to business." Ranger said, leaning forward slightly in his chair and placing both hands on the table. "Connor, in your own words, could you please describe how you took the money and why."
Connor nodded and briefly outlined how he'd skimmed the money and explained that he had used it to pay for his escalating gambling habits. Even Steph was shocked at how bad it had gotten, neither she nor most of the people listening had realised how much he'd squandered.
When he had finished the room was silent, stunned by what Connor had revealed. Steph took the opportunity to top up her cup of coffee, no-one else moved.
Moments, or perhaps hours, passed as people processed what Connor had confessed but at some point Ranger cleared his throat, bringing everyone back to the here and now.
"Connor, you will step down with immediate effect, Chase you will be taking over…"
"What about Mungo?" Chase asked, stunned that Ranger really had meant what he said when he called him Temporary Acting VP earlier in the meeting.
"Until we conclude this business, Mungo, like the rest of the personnel at this satellite office, will be under review. Stephanie Plum is a very valued member of my core team…" Connor chuckled and Ranger raised an eyebrow at him. "As I was saying, Stephanie is a valued member of my core team and has a sixth sense that has, on a number of occasions, saved me both time and manpower."
I trust the information she provides and from what she has told me it is clear that Chase has been extremely helpful in the last few days, whereas Mungo has been looking for any excuse for some time now to take over the running of this operation. I doubt that any of you are aware that he phoned me last night to tattle on what he'd been asked to do earlier yesterday." Ranger paused and let this next revelation sink in. Some might even have argued he looked smug as he told them about the call.
"The next two weeks will be spent sifting through the accounts that Connor has been skimming from. Will, what time does your flight arrive?"
"10am day after tomorrow. I have business that keeps me here until then."
"Good. That should enable you to put together a severance package should it not, Alex?"
"Plenty of time, Carlos, so no problem. Would you like me to fax it over or send it with Will?"
"Send it with Will, I'll finalise the details with you once this meeting is over."
"I'll be waiting for your call."
"Make sure your transcript from this meeting will be in the package too please Emma." Ranger added.
"Will do." the gentle but efficient female voice confirmed.
"Ok" Ranger added "Connor, for the next two weeks while you serve your notice, you will stay on lock down in this building and work with Stephanie on putting together teams for the up and coming tournament. Once you have completed this mission, you will travel back to Trenton where you will join a bereavement counselling programme and once you finish, we will discuss your future. Understood?"
"Yes." Came the subdued reply.
"Ok then, gentlemen and ladies, this concludes this meeting. I expect its details to remain within these four walls, understood?" Everyone nodded or verbalised as appropriate.
"Chase, Tank will email you your new contract this afternoon. Everyone dismissed."
Those in the room stood up, as if to leave the apartment.
Steph looked at her watch. Just over an hour had passed and in that time Atlanta's office had been irrevocably altered forever. Connor would get the help he so badly needed and Chase would get the promotion he deserved. Additionally she would be there for Connor during the next two weeks when they would build something positive together and maybe, just maybe he would start to remember that the female race was not the enemy. She grinned internally as she considered all that things that had happened in such a few short hours. Yeah, Badass Manoso had a heart and she planned to keeping it, all to herself.
"Not you, Connor."
Chase and Steph shared a look across the table then made a dignified dash for the exit.
Out of the corner of her eye, Steph saw Ranger pick up his phone and wander off to have a few private words with someone - Alex no doubt - before closing it and returning to the dining area.
"Right, that's the formal stuff done with. OK, Connor, time to talk turkey, what the fuck have you done to my company?" Steph heard as she quickly shut the door behind her.