Here's this week's chapter. Enjoy!

26. Crunch Time

Director Steward and the two lawyers joined Ricardo and me in the conference room and we got down to business. My list had been forwarded to Director Steward the day before, and that's where we started.

"Miss Plum, I have reviewed your list and for the most part, these are simple things to accomplish. There is a group of items on your list however, that we can't address as easily. I'm not saying that we refuse to comply with these items, we simply cannot in your current circumstances."

I was confused, and Director Steward must have noticed my confusion because he continued speaking. "The items I am referring to are with regards to your safety and the security of your apartment. The reason we cannot comply with these items is because you live in a building that does not have sufficient security in the first place.

"We have spoken to the owners of your apartment building, and it turns out that you already have a bit of a relationship with them. Mrs. Miller explained your current living circumstances and how you were almost evicted from their building last month. This doesn't affect our offer in any way, but it did give us an opportunity that we wouldn't have had otherwise.

"It turns out that the Miller's own several apartment complexes throughout New Jersey. They recently bought a building in New Brunswick very similar to where you are living now. We enquired about a flat for you in this building, and Mrs. Miller said that you could have the first pick of the building. They have only just put out rental advertisements this week, and their building manager will be taking applications for the next month before any decisions are made.

"If you take an apartment in this building, it has front-desk security, surveillance cameras in the halls and elevators, and it has a direct line to the local police station. We can supplement the security in your apartment by providing a secure phone line, satellite hook-up and several other items that will make things easier for you while working on a case for us."

I looked at the lawyers and they seemed a little surprised by this suggestion. I was also surprised, so I asked, "Why would you go to so much trouble just to get me to work on some cases?"

"Miss Plum, we spent three years trying to prove that your client was embezzling money. He has been on our radar for years, but we couldn't come up with anything. You reviewed a tax return for him and found a discrepancy with no training, only instinct. That is something we value and hope to utilize in the future. You may also teach us a thing or two so we can catch this sort of thing in the future."

I looked at Director Steward for a moment and then asked, "What about all of the other stipulations? I am still working and then I'll be back in school. I don't want this job to interfere with that."

"We will come to you on a case-by-case basis, just as you requested. We will also try to avoid exam times and holidays. Any travel requirements will be disclosed ahead of time so you can make any necessary arrangements. Basically Miss Plum, we are giving you everything you've asked for, assuming you can move into a more secure apartment building."

"Wow, I don't know what to say. I wrote a lot of things on that list that I assumed would be turned down. I'm especially surprised by the one about not working during holidays or the one where I can opt out if a case becomes too time-consuming."

"Actually Miss Plum, a lot of your requirements are very reasonable based on your current circumstances. It is actually in our best interest for you to finish your education so we wouldn't want to interfere with that."

"How is it in your best interest?"

"The FBI requires a college degree for every employee. We're hoping that if this contract is successful that you might consider a career with us."

I was flabbergasted. I never really understood that word before, but I have never felt so overcome with surprise at a comment before either. I had never really thought much about what I'd do after college. I always assumed I'd work for an accountant or something boring. I never ever in a million years would have thought about a career in law enforcement.

I was quiet for quite a while, and based on the silence in the room, the men were all aware that I was thinking and that I didn't need to be disturbed. Finally, I realised that accepting this offer not only gave me freedom to finish my education, it also gave me options for my future. I turned to look at Ricardo and his smile of encouragement gave me the courage I needed.

"I will go and look at the apartment building later this evening. If I like what I see, we can move forward. If you can put this new agreement into a contract, Rob and John can review it and I can sign it before the end of the week. Ricardo is catching a plane down to Miami this afternoon for a family emergency, so if you require his signature before he returns, you'll have to send the paperwork to him."

Director Steward smiled and agreed with my suggestion. "I will have the new contract drawn up and sent over to your lawyers first thing in the morning. We will require both signatures because this deal will not work without you Mr Manoso, so if you can give me a contact address in Miami, I'll have the papers sent down to you once your lawyers approve them and Miss Plum has signed."

Everyone was in agreement and I promised to call Rob or John first thing in the morning after deciding which apartment I would take. I felt slightly guilty that I was abandoning my roommate, but I was positive that finding another person to take my room would be easy enough if she got on it straight away.

I left the meeting room and Carlos was sitting on the sofa with his laptop. He looked up when he saw us and sighed in relief. "Papa, if we leave now, you can take the flight that leaves in 2 hours. I ran home and packed you a bag and I can take you to the airport now."

"Thanks Carlos, I'll grab my things and we can leave."

Before he returned to his office Ricardo turned to me and said, "Are you sure you want to do this Steph?"

I nodded and hugged him before he rushed back to his office.

On his way out of the office, Ricardo handed me a set of keys and said, "Thanks again for your help Stephanie. I'm sure the girls will love spending more time with you. They get out of school at 3:30 and they are expecting me to pick them up. Please explain to them why I can't be there and assure them that everything will be OK. I will call them once I land and their mother and I will explain that they can come down to meet us on the weekend once we figure out what's going on. We'll call again first thing tomorrow morning so we can talk to them before they go to school. Bye Steph."

I wished Ricardo luck and told him I'd take care of his girls and then returned to work. Carlos and I had come up with several ideas for our presentation so I needed to speak to some of the marketing and graphics people for their help. To ensure that I didn't forget about the girls, I set an alert on my phone to remind me to leave at 3. I was talking to one of the artists when my phone started beeping, so I finished explaining what I wanted and then headed down to the garage to find the car.

I was expecting to find Maria's car but it was nowhere in sight. I clicked the unlock button and realised that Ricardo actually left his car. I was a little apprehensive about driving his car, but I realised that the girls were expecting to see their father, so this would probably make picking them up much easier.

As soon as I arrived at the school, the girls rushed over to the car. When they climbed in, they were both surprised to see me. "Steph!" they both exclaimed. "Where's Papa?"

"Your father had to go down to Miami. Your Abuela Rosa had a complication and he needed to go down and see her. If it's OK with you two, you're going to spend the next 3 nights with me, and then when school is done for the year, we'll figure out what to do then. Your parents will call later to explain things to you and come up with a plan."

The girls seemed fine with the plan so we drove to the house so they could each pack a bag. The girls were quick and I made sure that they packed their swimsuits and a beach towel. When we were loading the car, Isabella asked "Steph, are you babysitting Carlos too while Mama and Papa are away?"

I laughed at this innocent question and at first but when I noticed that Isabella seemed offended at my laughter, I reassured her by saying, "I think I probably am, but we'll have to be careful how we talk about it in front of Carlos. He probably thinks he's too old for a babysitter. It might not go over well if we phrase it like that."

Since Evelyn was a little older, so saw the humour in this and said, "Steph, why don't we tell Carlos that Isabella and I are sharing one spare room and he can have the other?" She was grinning at her suggestion and I laughed. "That's a good plan. I can't wait to see the look on his face when you tell him that he has to sleep upstairs."

Isabella didn't understand why this was so funny, but I didn't want to explain it to her. I knew Ricardo was aware that things were getting serious between Carlos and me, but I didn't want to disappoint him in any way if Carlos and I couldn't keep our hands off each other. I was beginning to think that the girl's idea of sharing a room might actually be a good idea, but I'd talk to Carlos about it later.

We pulled into the parking garage for my building and I helped the girls carry everything upstairs. When we go to the lobby, Johnny greeted me and asked me if I knew what time I wanted to go look at the building in New Brunswick. I looked at my watch and then at the girls. I had forgotten I would have them with me when I made the suggestion to go today, but we should still have time.

I looked at the girls and then at Johnny and said, "Why don't we go around 6:30? The traffic will be lighter and I can talk to these young ladies to find out if they want to come with me or stay here with Carlos."

Johnny agreed to my suggestion and bid us farewell.

In the lift, Evelyn asked why I had to go to New Brunswick. I explained about moving and they both asked if they could come with me. I was glad that they wanted to go because I really wanted Carlos to join me. As soon as we got into the apartment, the girls ran into separate rooms and changed into their swimsuits. So much for sharing a room, I thought to myself. I smiled at the thought because I really did want to sleep next to Carlos and this gave me the perfect excuse.

The girls and I went up to the pool and I watched as they splashed around. Carlos came up around 5 and I explained the plans for the evening. He agreed that it was a good plan and went about sorting something out for dinner. We grilled some veggies and chicken on the BBQ and were in the lobby and ready to head to New Brunswick at 6:30.

Johnny insisted on driving, so the girls and I climbed into the back seat of his SUV and Carlos got in the front. It was a quick trip and when we pulled in front of the building in question, I stifled a squeal. The building we were standing in front of was the same building I walked past every day for the past year. Each time I passed it by, I looked up at the stone facade with longing. It was a beautiful old-fashioned building that was currently under construction. The stone balconies were being repaired and it looked like many of the windows had been or were in the process of being replaced.

"I love this building. I can't believe that I might actually be able to live here."

Johnny chucked and unlocked the front door for us and guided us into a small office off to the side of the lobby. He pulled out a folder and handed it to me, showing me the various layouts of the apartments.

Carlos and I looked through the folder and one in particular caught my eye. There was one corner of the building that had an octagon shaped turret or something similar. I never really understood how it fit in with the building, but after seeing the blue-prints for that apartment, I was keen to take a look.

"I'd like to take a look at this one," I pointed to the north facing apartment on the top floor. Johnny smiled at me and said, "I figured you'd go for that one. Mrs Miller also guessed you'd like that one. It's still under construction, so there is a lot unfinished, but it can definitely be ready by the time you need it in September."

I nodded and followed him to the elevator. We climbed to the top floor and walked out. My jaw dropped as we walked into the apartment. The floors were bare, the walls were bare, there was no kitchen to speak of, but the space itself was huge. The apartment was open-plan and from the door, you could see most of the apartment.

Johnny pointed out where the kitchen would go and let me know that if I did want to live here, I could pick out the final touches. I could choose the tile colour for the bathroom and kitchen, the flooring, the paint, and a wide variety of other things.

I was curious about the turret-like part of the building so I wandered around looking for it. I found a spiral staircase around the corner next to a small water closet, and climbed the steps. The view at the top of the steps took my breath away. The turret was a bedroom with windows looking out in every direction and a set of French doors opening onto a well established roof garden. The view around town was amazing, but it held nothing to the view on the roof.

Johnny and the rest of them joined me in the room. Carlos was looking around like he was in shock and the girls were busy running around looking in all the cupboards and drawers. Johnny walked over to the only part of the room that didn't have an external window and encouraged Isabella to press a panel. It opened outward to show a huge ensuite bathroom and a walk-in closet that would make any red blooded woman swoon.

I walked over to the French doors and walked out onto the roof. I was so surprised by the garden that I was barely able to take it in. The smells from the flowers were so strong that I had to sit on a bench before I fainted from the overwhelming feeling I was having.

Carlos sat down beside me and took my hand in his. "Babe, this place is amazing." I nodded at his comment and Johnny sat on the other side as the girls ran around exploring the garden.

"This garden was started by the original owner of this building. He loved to garden and he spent a lot of time out here. None of the other apartments in the building have access to the roof, so if you do like this apartment, it will be for your sole use. A man will come up once a week to tend to the garden, but he accesses the roof from the fire door on the other side of the building."

I looked around and finally asked, "I can't afford to rent this apartment. No student could afford to live here."

Johnny looked at me and smiled. "You aren't renting this apartment Miss Plum, the FBI has arranged for you to buy this apartment at a very affordable rate. Your retainer fees will more than cover the cost of purchasing the apartment and you will still have plenty of money left over to furnish the place and pay your tuition. The FBI has also offered the Millers a financial incentive to ensure that the apartment is ready for you before you move in."

I was speechless. This all sounded too good to be true and I was lost in my head for a long while. Finally, Carlos came over to me and knelt in front of me. "Babe, it's getting late, we should get back to Newark and get the girls to bed. Papa will be calling soon and the girls will want to say goodnight."

I nodded and reluctantly made my way back downstairs. Back in the main apartment, I took one last look around and noticed that there were three additional rooms at the back that I hadn't seen earlier. One was small and the walls were lined with white panelling and shelves. The other two were bedrooms with their own bathrooms and large closets.

The smaller room would make an ideal office or study and the spare bedrooms would be useful if I ever had guests. The more I thought about it, the more I wanted this apartment, but was it too good to be true?

On the drive back, Ricardo called my cell phone so he and Maria could talk to the girls. They spoke until we arrived back at my apartment in Newark and then said goodbye.

The girls went to get ready for bed and Carlos spoke to his parents. I heard him tell them about the apartment in New Brunswick and the garden especially. Carlos listened to his father for a little while then said, "I think Stephanie needs to make that decision for herself Papa, why don't you ask her?"

He handed me the phone and Ricardo said, "Stephanie, my mother is not doing very well, so we are going to bring Carlos and the girls down for the weekend. I was wondering if you'd like to join them when they fly down Thursday afternoon. Carlos still has to check with the gym about missing a day of work, but I can give you Friday off so we can see his grandmother."

"Ricardo, this is family time, I'd probably just get in the way."

"Nonsense dear, you are a part of this family and Abuela is looking forward to meeting you. What do you say?"

Carlos was looking at me hopefully, so I finally caved and agreed to the trip, making all parties happy. I was still not 100% sure about the whole FBI and apartment thing, but I did know that I had some serious thinking to do between now and Thursday. As expected, Carlos stayed over and slept in my bed. He was a perfect gentleman, and we slept comfortably wrapped in each other's arms.

More will follow next Friday.