Stephanie
Ten minutes. That was all it took for my ex-husband to arrive at the door. I gave Angie my phone to call for help. She had the number 911 typed on the screen, waiting for my signal to hit the connect button. We had to catch the crime on video. Justice Rosolli said it was the only way to keep the courts from dismissing the charges or awarding leniency. His last drunk driving case resulted in one hundred community service hours since he was an officer. The judge should have thrown the book at him because he was an officer of the law and knew better.
"Joe, what are you doing here?" I asked. I wanted to kill the asshole for murdering my son. Kidnap me already so I can put you behind bars. Everything about my ex-husband made me cringe. His hair was jet black and his face covered by his moustache and beard. I wasn't fooled by his disguise.
The scar above his right eye stood out on his red face, and the vein on his forehead appeared ready to burst. It pulsated frenetically with his heartbeat. Joe was out of control, eerily reminding me of the day JJ died.
"To take you home," he snarled, leaning close enough for me to smell the stench of alcohol on his breath. I tried to back away, but he snagged my arm, quickly attaching cuffs on my wrists behind my back. Unwilling to harm my son by tripping, I let him lead me toward his car parked on the street. I could have escaped his grasp, but I promised Carlos not to be reckless with my pregnancy. Hand-to-hand combat with Joe fell into that category.
"How did you know I was here?" I asked. Joe turned me until my back pressed against the car door. He used six inches of duct tape to seal my mouth, forcing me to breathe through my nose. His saliva got on the tape from using his teeth to tear it. The idiot was leaving DNA behind. I caught a glimpse of Bobby and Jeanne Ellen up the road, staring in shock. They quickly shook from their stupor to approach.
"I dropped off my suit at Parker's Dry Cleaning. Your mother said Valerie needed a babysitter for the day," Joe replied. "I took a gamble Valerie asked you." I screamed against the tape covering my mouth. Pressing my tongue through my lips, I attempted to detach the tape. It wouldn't budge.
Cal and Ram cautiously approached on foot. I heard Mary Alice inside the house asking someone for their name. Hector and Eduardo must have entered the condo through the back door. At least, I prayed it was Hector and Eduardo. There was no way of knowing if Joe had an accomplice.
Tank's SUV arrived at the same time as two police cruisers. I looked up at the second-story window of Mrs. Alexander's house. She had a phone handset pressed to her ear.
"Let her go!" Tank's voice was loud and authoritative.
"She's my wife!" Joe yelled.
"Ex-wife," Eddie said, approaching from my right. He had Big Dog as his partner again. Big Dog closed in from the left. They were boxing in Joe. He couldn't move without running into Eddie, Big Dog, Ram, Cal or Tank. Robin and Costanza waited by their cruiser to transport Joe to the Trenton Police station. Someone would need to get Angie and Mary Alice's statements. Hopefully, Robin would talk to them.
"Wife, until death do us part," Joe snapped. "Those were the vows we exchanged. A stupid divorce decree means nothing to me." I couldn't believe it. Would he kill me like he killed our son? He was delusional. I was married to Carlos Manoso. It was time to visit my lawyer for a restraining order.
Joe shoved me hard, making me fall forward. "No!" I screamed against the tape. "Not this baby." Cal caught me before I fell. He separated me from the rest, protecting me from Joe in his embrace. I noticed Cal wore latex gloves to prevent disturbing the evidence on me. He released the cuffs, dropping them into the evidence bag Eddie Gazarra held.
"I've got you," Jeanne Ellen said, rushing forward. I wanted the tape off my mouth. She removed a bottle of baby oil from her bag, then pulled on a pair of latex gloves. Slowly, Jeanne Ellen pulled the tape from my lips, avoiding the side Joe tore with his teeth. She used a little baby oil on a Q-tip to release the grip. "I don't want to tear your lips by ripping it off," she explained.
"Do it," I demanded, my voice sounding muffled. My breaths were shallow, and my nose was running from crying. It was hard to breathe. I wanted the tape off my mouth.
"Steph, it's like licking frozen metal in the winter. Your tongue sticks and tears a little skin if you pull it off without using warm water to gently release it," Jeanne Ellen explained.
I let Jeanne Ellen do her thing. Once she uncovered my lips, she tore off the rest of the tape. Jeanne Ellen dropped it into the evidence bag. Eddie left the house to continue questioning the witnesses.
Angie and Mary Alice rushed over to hug me. The girls looked scared. "I'm okay, Angie. Did you call the police?" I reassured her.
"Yes. The woman said an officer already got dispatched to the house," Angie replied. Her lip quivered. Mary Alice was sitting on Hector's lap, crying. He talked quietly to Mary Alice as Eduardo made hot chocolate and tea in the kitchen.
"Sweetie, what's wrong?" I asked. The girls may have lived in LA since birth, but I recognized the look of fear on their faces. Eduardo placed the mugs on the second-hand coffee table before retreating to the kitchen to grab more drinks.
"I called Mom, but she's not answering," Angie cried. "I'm scared. We don't have anyone else to take care of us. What happens if Mom leaves or dies?" Hector pointed to himself. I loved my brother from a different mother.
"You and Mary Alice have Carlos, Tio Hector and me. Your mom had many interviews today," I reminded her. Angie shook her head. She went to the kitchen and grabbed the paper from the counter. Angie silently passed me the letter.
I checked my watch. Valerie was between interviews. She should be answering her phone. My stomach went squishy. Luckily, I was sitting on a chair, or I would've fallen over. I wanted to call Carlos. He was busy capturing Lloyd Silverstern. I didn't want his ringing phone to give away their location or distract him from his job by answering my call.
First things first. I had to figure out where Ranger and his men went. They might be in a different area in Trenton. "Bobby, where did Ranger go?" I asked. Fear settled into my stomach. I was worried for Valerie.
"The warehouse district off Comstock on Industrial Road to the old Trenton Windows and Doors factory," he said. I passed him the paper, unable to speak. Valerie was in that area. "Shit! That's the warehouse building next door." Bobby shook his head. He was frustrated. If Valerie got injured, he'd need to be there to assist.
"Do you think?" I quietly asked. I couldn't complete the question with Angie and Mary Alice listening. They were scared enough about their mother dying. Speaking my thoughts aloud would only complicate the issue.
"He goes for brunettes," Bobby replied. He didn't want to scare the children by pointing out Valerie was blond.
Angie, sensing we needed privacy, gently tapped on Mary Alice's arm. The mug Mary Alice held got placed on the coffee table. "Come on, MA. The adults need to talk," she said. Mary Alice kissed Hector's cheek, then got off his lap. I watched Hector grab the hot chocolate for the girls and follow them into the kitchen.
"What are you thinking?" Jeanne Ellen quietly asked when the girls were out of hearing distance. Hector and Eduardo were keeping them occupied with the Uno card game, letting them create wacky rules to get their mind off our conversation about their mom.
"I think Silverstern has Valerie," I whispered. "He typically assaults brunettes." I swallowed my fear, temporarily unable to put my thoughts into words.
"But you think he took Valerie out of convenience, not preference," Jeanne Ellen said. She grabbed my hand and held on. Her fingers stroked the back of my hand, comforting me.
"Yes. Is there a way to find out if Silverstern has Valerie?" I asked as Tank entered the room. If anyone could stealthily contact Ranger, it would be Tank.
He replied, "Not yet. Ranger went in without comms. Until they have Silverstern in custody, your sister isn't safe." He excused himself when the phone rang. I knew it was bad news. Tank would have answered in the room if it wasn't Ranger calling.
"You don't know if it's about your sister," Jeanne Ellen said. "It could be Lester calling about issues at Rangeman."
I shook my head. "No, Jeanne. It isn't Lester calling," I replied, pulling my hand from her grip. I rubbed my stomach to calm my nerves. "Something happened to Valerie. I can feel it to my bones."
Tank returned to the room. His face was blank, but his eyes betrayed his emotions. "Steph, the men found Valerie. She's in rough shape."
"Breathing?" I asked, silently begging God to save Valerie's life. I needed to see Valerie. She had to be alive. Angie and Mary Alice needed their mother. I wiped a tear off my cheek.
"Yes," he said. "The guys are taking her to St Francis. She should arrive when we do." Tank tugged me to my feet. He guided me to the SUV parked out front. I barely registered Hector and Eduardo settling the girls in Ram's vehicle.
Eddie was waiting beside his cruiser for my statement. I quickly detailed my account of what had happened with Joseph Morelli. He asked me to visit the precinct later to sign my statement. Joe got taken to the police station by Carl Costanza and Big Dog. Robin traded partners for the day. She asked to speak to the children, assuming they would be more receptive to answering her questions.
Tank pointed to Ram's SUV parked in front of his. "Hector's inside with the girls."
"You can't interview them without a parent present," I said, realizing what Robin requested permission to do. "Since I'm their aunt, I'll fill in for now." Robin nodded and smiled.
"Hi. I'm Robin Russell," she said, introducing herself to the girls. "What are your names?"
"I'm Angie Sutton and my sister is Mary Alice," Angie replied.
"I know you saw a scary thing happen today. Could you tell me what happened when your Aunt Stephanie answered the door today?" Robin kindly asked. Angie looked to me for permission.
"You can tell Officer Robin what you saw and heard," I said. I held Angie's hand to encourage her to tell Robin the story.
Angie's voice shook as she gave her account of everything she witnessed. Mary Alice nodded along with Angie's story, refusing to talk. She was hanging onto Hector's arm like a lifeline.
"Thank you, Angie. You were very brave today by protecting your sister and calling 911," Robin said. "Steph, I'll need you to sign Angie's statement at the precinct."
"Okay. I'll be there later today or tomorrow morning," I said. I followed Robin back to the cruiser. "Thank you for being gentle with Angie." I wanted Robin to know how much I appreciated her putting Angie at ease. She didn't ask questions, letting Angie tell the story as she recorded it on her phone.
"No problem, Steph. How are you holding up?" Robin asked.
"Honestly? I could be better. I'm worried about Valerie. I'll see you later," I said. I waved goodbye, then turned to face my friend. Tank held the passenger door of his SUV open. I climbed inside and stretched the seatbelt across my chest, hooking the lap belt below my belly.
Tank didn't take risks driving to the hospital. He kept the SUV containing my nieces in his rearview mirror. "Do you have any questions?" Tank asked, breaking the silence. We were alone in the car.
"What are Valerie's injuries?"
"Broken nose and jaw. Valerie has lesions on her arms and abdomen," Tank replied. "She lost a lot of blood. Do you know her blood type?"
"It's the same as mine," I replied.
Tank pressed a button on the console. "Yo," Manny answered.
"Valerie is O-positive," Tank replied.
"HUA," Manny said, then disconnected the call. I smiled knowingly. The men didn't waste precious seconds saying goodbye. They preferred to reserve that honour for those dying or the deceased. It took a while for Carlos to explain the concept, but I eventually understood. We only said goodbye if we weren't seeing the person again.
"You and Carlos have medical power of attorney for Valerie and the girls," Tank said.
"Oh?" I asked, raising both eyebrows in a poor attempt to lift one. Tank smiled.
"Valerie made Ranger record her request as proof. She didn't want your mother taking over her care," Tank said. "Steph, Valerie's going to need around-the-clock care. When she gets released from the hospital, we're bringing her to Rangeman. Bobby and Ella would tend to her needs."
"Angie and Mary Alice can stay with Carlos and me," I said.
"That's what Ranger told her." It didn't surprise me that Carlos offered to watch my nieces.
"I'm contacting a private school for the girls. I don't want them in the public system," I added. Tank raised an eyebrow. "The private school is outside the Burg."
"Ah. I understand."
I stared out the window until Tank pulled into the hospital parking lot. He stopped outside the emergency door entrance. Woody ran toward the car and waited for us to exit. He jumped into the driver's seat and drove away. Tank and I waited for Ram to unload the girls from his car.
"I'll park it," Cal said. "Hector has an accessory." Mary Alice clung to Hector like a little monkey. She tucked her head against his neck.
Angie reached for my hand. We walked into the emergency department with Tank and Ram beside Angie and me. I pulled Angie against my side, hiding her face when men wearing black rushed inside. Blood dripped from Valerie's arms. I recognized the man carrying my sister.
"Carlos," I whispered. He shook his head, unable to leave Valerie. I noticed the tube running from his arm. "Field transfusion?" I asked Tank.
"Yes. It was necessary. None of the men had O-negative," he replied. I knew Carlos had the same blood type as me.
Ram guided us to a group of chairs. He gently pushed me into a chair. A nurse rushed over. "Are you in labour?" she asked.
"No. I'm stressed," I replied. She ordered me to the triage desk to take my blood pressure. I rolled my eyes. "Ram, can you watch the girls?"
"Yes," he replied. Angie moved to sit beside him. She leaned her head against his shoulder. "Your aunt's okay."
"I know. I'm worried about what happens now," Angie said. I was close enough to hear their conversation. Mary Alice remained silent.
"The doctors will help your mom while the nurse checks your aunt's blood pressure. Once the doctor tells us your mother is okay, we'll visit for a little while. After that, we can go home," Ram explained.
"But where?" Angie asked.
"Rangeman," Ram replied.
More people entered the room. "Why is the nurse with Steph?" Jeanne Ellen asked.
"Checking her blood pressure," Ram replied.
"Everything looks good," the nurse said. I didn't recognize her. She wasn't native to the Burg.
"Are you from Trenton?" I asked.
"No. I moved here from Cincinnati," she replied. "I started working here last week." Her name tag indicated her name was Jaime. She leaned in to whisper, "Are all the men in black that hot?"
I giggled. "You should see the men in the gym," I joked. Jamie waved her hand to cool her face. "The man with the blond girl is taken. So is the man who carried in the patient."
Jaime snorted. "He isn't my type," she said.
"What is your type?" I asked.
"Unmarried and unattached. I don't want to be any man's side piece," Jaime replied.
"You and I are going to get along just fine," I said. I sensed I could trust the woman. She was sweet and kind.
Jaime narrowed her eyes. "Only if you introduce me to the single men." I gave her my business card and told her to call. Jaime scribbled her name and number on a scrap of paper.
Angie fell asleep resting against Ram. He pulled her onto his lap, swinging her legs across his thighs. Cal sat beside Ram, holding Angie's feet. Mary Alice was still wrapped around Hector like a monkey. I smiled at my friends with my nieces. They didn't think about anything other than watching over the girls.
"You're good with them," I told Ram. He smiled.
"Thanks. The girls are great. They kind of remind me of you and Valerie," Ram replied. He didn't have to tell me which girl was like me. She was tucked against Hector's neck.
Hector grinned. I looked around the waiting area, wondering where Eduardo had gone. He spoke in Spanish. Cal chuckled, "Getting food for you and the girls."
"What about you guys?" I asked.
"We'll eat whatever you don't," Ram replied.
"Family of Valerie Sutton," the doctor called.
I stood up on shaking legs. Tank was at my side, guiding me toward the doctor. "How is my sister?" I asked.
"Oh. Hi, Stephanie," the doctor replied. It took a few minutes to recognize Curtis Strybosch from college. "Your sister lost a lot of blood. I want to keep her overnight, but Mr. Manoso wants to remove her from the premises and our care."
"I agree with my husband. Where is he?" I asked.
"Giving the detectives his statement," Curtis replied. He passed me the discharge papers. The words "against medical advise" were written in bold across the top. I signed my name on the line.
I felt Carlos before he arrived. His arms wrapped around me. He smelled freshly showered, but not like his usual scent. "You smell different," I said.
"Dembrowski wanted my clothes. I didn't have my emergency bag," Carlos said. "Dr. Strybosch, we have a medic at Rangeman who can tend to Valerie. His name is Bobby Brown."
"Did someone say my name?" Bobby asked, moving toward the doctor.
"Mr. Manoso, your wife signed the release papers. Follow me, Mr. Brown," Curtis said. He led Bobby into the examination room to explain what Valerie needed to heal.
"How are you?" I asked, turning to face Carlos. I checked his face for bruises. He looked handsome as always.
"Tired and hungry," he replied. I rubbed at the spot between his eyes.
"Did you catch him?" Carlos nodded. "Is he at the TPD?" I prayed he was dead, never able to hurt another woman.
"Morgue," Carlos replied. "It was either him or Valerie."
"You made the right choice," I whispered. "Thank you for saving Valerie."
"I almost turned back." Carlos rested his forehead against mine.
"I'm glad you didn't," I whispered, brushing my lips against his.
"So am I." Carlos kissed me. "Are the girls okay?"
"Not really, but they will be," I replied.
Eduardo arrived with food for everyone. I was surprised he ordered so much. He passed a black credit card to Tank, who nodded.
I gently woke the girls to eat. We sat in the waiting area, filling our empty stomachs after a long, stressful day. "Please, God. Let me wake up from this nightmare," I whispered in Italian.
"Sorry, Babe. Everything happened. We'll get through this together."
