Ranger
We travelled through El Salto in Durango, Mexico, to gather supplies. Lester and I grabbed whatever nonperishable food items we could buy. Arriving under the darkness of night, Lester and I slipped into the shops to take the food. We left cash on the counter with empty boxes for the morning staff. Hopefully, they would understand the money paid for the supplies we took. It wasn't our intention to travel through the city, but we were running out of options. Leaving the godforsaken area was our primary goal. Nobody knew how long it would take. I knew it would be at least a week.
"Did you remove your prints?" Bobby whispered when we arrived. I glared at him. Lester and I used latex gloves and covered our heads with balaclavas. Nobody would have seen our faces. "Got it."
The team rushed towards the forested area to hide. We travelled slowly at night, taking to the treetops during the day. The canopy was thick enough to keep us shielded. Lester enjoyed swinging between the trees like a monkey. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes at his joy. Stephanie would get a kick out of Lester's actions.
Frank surprised the men by keeping our pace. He never fell behind and climbed the trees despite the injury to his arm. Bobby had stitched the knife wound closed and applied the antibiotic solution to prevent infection. Another millimetre and Frank would have bled out within minutes. I was glad to keep my promise to Isa. Bobby kept a close watch on Frank's injury. The biggest fear was infection.
It took us a week and a half to get through the forest to the shore. We were exhausted, dehydrated and starving. "Reminds me of Rangers training," I told Frank. He grinned and agreed. In the forest, we had to forage for food once our supplies diminished. We ate the wild mushrooms and berries before turning to the water.
Cal slipped into the North Pacific Ocean before inflating the raft. We climbed aboard when Cal signalled the boat was ready. Cal held it steady for everyone before he climbed inside. Bobby cleaned Frank's arm, then removed the stitches. He dropped them in a plastic bag, then tucked them into his medic bag.
I waited until we got a few hundred feet from the shore before calling Alf for an extraction. He had waited in California for our call. I tapped Frank's arm and pointed to the chopper. Alf's helpers dropped four ropes from the helicopter. Cal and I tied one to the raft to prevent the chopper blades from making it drift.
Frank and Bobby wrapped two ropes around their chest. Lester and I waited for them to ascend before tying the fourth rope to Cal. A man dropped the two ropes after releasing Frank and Bobby. The others pulled us up before tugging the rope with the dinghy.
Our mission was successful. Giacomo Pacini was right. Frank couldn't kill him. They had been friends for too long, and Frank didn't want the responsibility of killing Valerie's biological father. I held my gun to Giacomo's head, but I wasn't the person who killed him. Bobby had snuck behind the man and injected him with enough drugs to make his heart stop. Lester ensured the man was dead by slitting his throat. When Cal and I finished with Giacomo, nothing was left to identify him.
I couldn't wait to get home to my family. Alf landed at a private airstrip in California. We disembarked the chopper, then walked to the SUV, carrying our duffles. Alf slipped into the driver's seat and drove us to the closest hotel. Frank used his cover identification to rent the rooms. "We'll leave at 0800 tomorrow," I told Alf before exiting the vehicle.
"Yes, sir," Alf replied, then l climbed out of the SUV.
Lester passed me a keycard for our hotel suite when I entered the lobby. I followed Lester to the top floor. He unlocked the door and pointed to the bed. "We have to debrief," I said. "Sleep can wait." Lester contacted the others to come to our room.
"Report," Frank ordered when he entered the suite. We went through our mission with a fine-toothed comb. Frank was pleased with the results. He was getting stitched by Bobby when Cal, Lester and I were busy ensuring Giacomo couldn't get identified. I showed Frank the photos to prove Giacomo got neutralized. Frank held an open palm toward me. I opened the burner phone to remove the SD card. "I'll add the pictures to my file." Frank dismissed the meeting.
I wanted to get home to Stephanie and Isabelle.
Stephanie
Two weeks. That was how long it took me to catch Mancuso scaling the back fence at Angie Morelli's house. Ram couldn't get a clean shot with the tranquillizer gun, so we decided to try another day. Now that we had visible proof of where he was staying, it would make catching him easier. I called Tank and casually mentioned that his CID contact should arrange for pick up when he returned. Unfortunately, Kenny didn't return that night. I wondered if someone had tipped Mancuso off or if he anticipated the military maneuvers. When I expressed the concern to Tank, he said it was likely the military actions.
Carlos came home the following afternoon. I sent Isabelle to stay with Ella and Luis for two days while Carlos and I locked ourselves into our apartment. "Why did coming home take so long?" I asked. Carlos explained they had to ignite the cabin to burn the evidence and Giacomo's body. He surprised me by providing the details of the mission. "Man, I wished I saw Lester swinging like a monkey." Carlos laughed. He confessed to mentioning it to Lester.
"When we found Giacomo, I feared he had someone waiting to kill you upon his death," Carlos confessed.
"You have good instincts," I replied. "A name popped into my head after you and the others left for the mission. Hector and I discovered Giacomo had someone in Trenton awaiting the death notice." Carlos patiently waited for me to add to the story. I traced his jaw until he stopped clenching his teeth together. "Elroy Dish isn't an issue. Puma took out that trash."
"His family?"
"Not an issue, either. The Dishes disowned Elroy when he harmed a child," I explained. "The Dishes won't seek retribution for losing the youngest member of their family. They even disposed of the body." Carlos thought that part was particularly funny.
"You and Isabelle are safe?"
"Yup," I replied. "We carry our trackers and panic buttons. The CID hasn't caught Mancuso. I'm afraid it's up to me to bring him in."
"Stay safe, Babe," Carlos replied.
"Always." I kissed Carlos, then crawled out of bed. My stomach kept grumbling, reminding me to eat. We returned to bed to reconnect after refuelling.
The following afternoon, I decided it was time to get to work. Carlos had too much work waiting, and I wanted to catch that asshole, Mancuso. Tank was ecstatic when Carlos returned to work. Carlos found himself drowned in paperwork.
Over the following week, I caught Ranger following me around town. Did he forget that I could sense when he was near? Silly man. My Bianca Montgomery identification had to get burned. I got pulled over by the sleaze ball cop, Brian Gaspick, for speeding. It was only one mile over the speed limit. That was hardly speeding. He attempted to charge me with carrying concealed. All of my covers had permits to carry a concealed weapon. I produced the document, and he passed me the speeding ticket I had barely earned.
Ranger saw me burning the papers in the fireplace when he got home. I kept the wig and contacts since they were interchangeable. "Babe?" he asked.
"Oh. Gaspick pulled me over for speeding. I paid the ticket already." I didn't want to contest it, though it would have been my right. It was easier to pay the fine than haggle it in court.
"How fast?"
"One mile over the speed limit. Was he always that anal?"
"Yes," Ranger replied and laughed. "Which one are you using next?"
"Jennifer Rappaport." I had the red wig on the faceless head mannequin. The green contacts were in the container in front of it.
"I brought you a present." Carlos dropped an envelope on the coffee table. I reached behind me to grab it. He shook his head before pulling me to my feet. We sat on the couch. The package contained my permit to carry, a driver's license and a passport for Stephanie Michelle Manoso. I could tell they were the real deal. Carlos must have used his government contacts to make it happen.
"Does that mean everyone in Trenton knows who you married?" I wondered.
"No. Anyone who searches my name will hit a brick wall. I have Hector watching our online presence," Carlos explained. I nodded, thankful that Hector had our back. "Are you going back out?"
"Yup." I have a feeling things would go my way. Carlos kissed my forehead and told me to take Hector. I rolled my eyes but collected my partner.
Hector dressed in street clothes to blend in more. Carlos was concerned the TPD would be hot on my trail after Gaspick gave me the speeding ticket. I got Hector to drive one of Rangeman's undercover vehicles. He ensured to drive the speed limit.
I wore my red wig and green contacts for my new persona of Jennifer Rappaport. Hector grinned when he saw my new outfit. My bra was heavily padded, making my breasts appear to be two cup sizes larger. I posed for him to send a photo to Carlos. Hector laughed at whatever Carlos replied before he drove to our destination.
Instead of hiding in the tree out back as I had previously, I exited the car to walk down the street. Hector had parked a few blocks away. I had a good feeling.
Kenny Mancuso jumped the fence. I caught him, flipped him onto his stomach and cuffed him. Hector clapped. His face got pressed into the ground, preventing him from screaming. Nobody came running, making me believe nobody witnessed the apprehension. It was one less headache to manage. My neck tingled. I shook my head and stand corrected. Carlos was following me again. What was the point of taking a partner?
Hector bent over and whispered, "Cooperate, or you'll be my next tattoo." Kenny looked at Hector's tattoos and agreed. He didn't try to escape. I asked Tank where to take my FTA. He recommended the police station. He promised to have the CID waiting for us. We took Kenny to the TPD. Tank came through for us. The CID agents waited until Kenny got processed.
I received the body receipt, earning Rangeman a cool ten grand. It was a drop in the bucket compared to their other FTAs, but I thought every penny counted. Eddie Gazarra walked past me. He paused for a second and shook his head. I was relieved he didn't recognize me.
Carlos was waiting by the car when I exited the police station. "What are you doing here?" I asked.
"I'm an opportunist, Babe," he quietly replied.
I narrowed my eyes at my husband and said, "You're not an opportunist. You, Ranger, are a stalker." He guided me to his Porsche 911 turbo and waved to Hector. I waited until we got into the car before adding, "Don't think for a second that you got away with following without me noticing. Have you forgotten that I can sense when you're near?"
"Babe," he groaned. I interpreted it as he had forgotten. Silly man.
"What made you think you'd be successful today?" Ranger asked.
I replied, "I said to myself, "self," (and I knew it was me, cause I recognized my voice, and I was wearing my underwear) "Today is going to be a good day?"" Ranger laughed. He thought I was joking.
Ranger grabbed my hand. He entwined our fingers and placed them on his thigh. "I'm proud of you, Babe. Kenny was armed."
"I know. Hector removed his weapons. I should tell Lester that his lessons helped," I said.
"You combined Lester's self-defence with Hector's street fighting," Ranger disagreed. "Repeating the motions had you react instinctively."
We arrived at Rangeman a few minutes later. "I need to change," I said. Ranger shook his head and pulled me off the elevator on the fifth floor. I removed my wig and passed it to Ella. She held up a mirror for me to take out the contacts. "Thanks, Ella."
"No problem, hija," she replied. She snapped the contact lens case and got into the elevator. I knew she'd put the items away.
Hector had shared my apprehension technique with the guys. "Great job, beautiful," Lester said. He dropped his arm across my shoulder. "Hector said you snatched Mancuso from the air and shoved him to the ground."
"I think Hector's exaggerating," I replied. Lester pulled me to the monitor in the fifth-floor conference room. Hector queued the video. It had certainly appeared I pulled Kenny from the air. "Guys, he jumped the fence. I only pulled on his clothes."
"And shoved him to the ground," Lester said.
"Without losing your hair," Tank added. He rubbed his bald head, making me laugh.
I turned to Hector and asked, "How did you get the footage?"
"Body cam," he replied in Spanish. Ranger and I left the room for the guys to analyze the video and ways I could improve my technique. I couldn't be bothered listening to their assessment. When we walked past Tank's office, I stopped to drop the body receipt on his desk. He'd take it to Vinnie's bonds office for the cheque.
Ranger helped me strip when we got to the apartment on seven. Isabelle was still in classes. She wouldn't be home for a few hours. "I saw Eddie Gazarra at the TPD."
"Did he recognize you?" Carlos asked.
"I think so, but he second guessed himself when he saw my eyes," I replied. Carlos dragged me to the shower. He started the water and pulled me beneath. After a sexy shower, we got dressed and returned to work. He knew another client had asked for background checks.
Vince was waiting for us on the fifth floor. "They found Joe Morelli and Helen Plum guilty. Their sentencing hearing is tomorrow," Vince said.
"Will they get moved to the penitentiary after the sentencing?" I asked.
"That's what I heard," Vince replied. "I brought you a meatball sub." He held out the bag for me to grab. Carlos kissed my forehead and let me get to work.
Isabelle found me deep in research. I had a thumbnail between my teeth, concentrating on the details I printed about Calvin Fontaine. He applied to a local real estate firm. The owner wanted a background check completed on the applicants.
"Hey, mom. Are you busy?" she shyly asked. I set the papers and highlighters on my desk.
"I'm never too busy for you. What's on your mind?" I asked, pointing to the chair beside mine. She dropped her backpack by the door, then sat beside me.
"My dad's sentencing hearing is tomorrow," she replied. Isabelle played with her shirt hem, not knowing how to ask if she could skip school to hear the verdict.
"Ah. You heard he got found guilty on all charges and want to attend the hearing tomorrow."
"Yes," Isabelle said.
I took my daughter's hand and waited until she looked into my eyes. "We'll go together as a family. Carlos, Lester and Jeanelle are going. I'll be there for you," I promised.
"You'll come out of hiding for me?" Isabelle asked.
"I love you, Isabelle. I'd do anything for you, Isabelle. I hope you never forget that," I replied. Isabelle sat on my lap. She tucked her head into my neck and cried. I rubbed her back in soothing circles as I had done when she was a child.
My neck tingled when Carlos arrived. "Babe, are you done?" He pointed to the stack on the corner of my desk.
"Those are complete. I was working on Fontaine's file. He's ex-military. Marines. He's licensed to sell real estate in New York State, New Jersey, Georgia, Miami, California and Illinois. I think he'd be an addition to the Rangeman team," I replied.
"I'm going to visit Ella," Isabelle announced. Carlos raised an eyebrow when he noticed Isabelle's tear-stained face. I waited until my daughter left the room before explaining.
"She wants to attend the hearing," Carlos stated. I nodded. "We'll go as a family with Lester and Jeanelle."
"Wouldn't everyone realize Jeanelle is family?" I asked. Carlos shook his head. I grinned, knowing Jeanne Ellen and Lester would pretend to be dating instead of siblings. Isabelle sent a message stating she was eating chocolate cake in Tia Ella's apartment. It was almost time for Ella to restock the break room with dinner for the men working.