Ranger stood to attention when he heard General Plum speak. He swallowed the lump in his throat as he approached his father-in-law. "She's still in surgery, Sir," Ranger replied.
"Captain Manoso," Frank greeted. "Why are you here with my daughter?"
"Your daughter called me for help, Sir. Stephanie started working for Vinnie four days ago. She got assigned the Morelli case for capture," Ranger replied.
"I'm aware," Frank said, surprising Ranger. He assumed Stephanie never told Frank. "Stephanie didn't tell me," confirming Ranger's assumption, "but I heard the rumours. How did she convince Vinnie to hire her?"
"She blackmailed Vinnie into giving her the BEA job by using his sexual proclivities against him," Ranger explained. Frank controlled his reaction to Stephanie taking his advice. He was proud of her.
"And Morelli was the case she got assigned," Frank said. Ranger confirmed. "How did she get in the hospital? Did Morelli harm her? What are her injuries?"
Before Ranger could reply, the doctor appeared. "Is Stephanie Manoso's family here?" he asked. Frank looked at Ranger and grinned.
"I'm her father, and this is her husband, Ranger," Frank said, slapping Ranger's shoulder.
"Hi, I'm Dr. Friedman. The field transfusion saved your wife's life," the doctor said. "However, there was extensive damage to her internal organs caused by a broken beer bottle. I'm afraid your wife can't have children. I had to perform an emergency hysterectomy to stop the bleeding."
"How long does she need to stay here?" Ranger asked.
"At least another five days before I can discharge her into your care," Friedman replied. Ranger nodded. "We'll move her to a step-down room in the morning. I want the nurses to watch her for the next twelve hours."
"Thank you," Frank replied. Frank waited for the doctor to leave. "Now, tell me exactly what happened to my Pumpkin."
"Morelli broke into Stephanie's apartment earlier this evening and cuffed her to the shower rod naked. He left her a phone. She had my phone number and called me for help. I thought she was joking until she called a second time. Stephanie was naked and didn't have a way to get free. Before I could get there, Benito Ramirez entered her apartment and attacked her," Ranger explained.
"How did Stephanie get in the boxer's crosshairs?" Frank asked.
"I'm not sure, Sir," Ranger replied. "But I'm afraid she got the boxer's name from me as a possible lead to locate Carmen. Sanchez was one of Benito's favourite hookers."
"Is there someone who would know with certainty?" Frank demanded.
"Morelli and possibly my man, Hector," Ranger answered. Frank waited for Ranger to call Hector for intel. Instead of providing it over the phone, Hector arrived at the hospital within a minute. "Hector was in the area."
Frank patiently listened as Hector explained that Stephanie entered the Stark Street Gym to ask to speak with Benito Ramirez. Benito took a liking to Stephanie when she inquired about Carmen Sanchez, Morelli's missing informant. The boxer targeted Stephanie as the next victim in his sick sexual game. Hector explained that his friend was in the gym during the exchange. Frank was livid.
"When did you meet Stephanie, Manoso?" Frank asked.
"Four days ago, Sir," Ranger replied. "Stephanie asked Connie to call in a favour for help. I got Stephanie to buy a weapon, cuffs and I briefly trained her how to apprehend a skip. Stephanie promised to call if she needed help."
"Did my daughter call you before tonight?"
"Yes, Sir," Ranger replied. "She asked me to help her enter Morelli's apartment. I got the key from the super and encouraged her to take his keys. Stephanie commandeered his vehicle to draw him into the open."
"Was Morelli aware Ramirez had fixated on Stephanie?" Frank wondered.
"Si," Hector replied. Frank wanted to kill Joseph Morelli for leaving his daughter on display like a prized pig at the county fair.
"When did you marry my daughter?" Frank asked.
"Stephanie was alert and crying from the pain when we arrived in the emergency department. She wanted to go home because she couldn't afford to pay the hospital bills. I jokingly said we could get married for insurance coverage. She asked for the chaplain, who happened to be at the next bed performing last rites. I expected Stephanie to ask for her last rites, but she asked me to marry her before she died," Ranger replied. "Stephanie remained conscious long enough for us to exchange our vows."
"Welcome to the nuthouse," Frank said.
Tank cautiously approached Frank. "Sir, do you have a minute?" Tank asked.
"Report," Frank barked. Hector grinned while Ranger, Tank, Bobby and Lester snapped to attention.
"Sir, I issued my statement to Gus Dembrowski. He claimed Stephanie filed complaints against Ramirez for stalking and harassing her. Dembrowski dismissed her claims after speaking to your wife," Tank said. "Mrs. Plum stated that Stephanie exaggerates and he should ignore her."
Frank shook his head. "You won't have trouble with Helen," Frank promised. "I'll keep her away from Stephanie and the hospital."
"It's getting late, Sir. I'll update you in the morning," Ranger said. Frank clapped Ranger on the shoulder and left.
"Where did you go?" Helen asked when Frank returned home.
"Visiting the hospital," Frank replied honestly. "Stephanie got injured tonight."
Helen gasped as she grabbed her neck. "What happened?" she asked.
"Ramirez," Frank replied. Helen's legs gave way. She fell to the couch. Frank sat in his chair and reclined. He figured he should get comfortable as he told his wife the story. "Our daughter filed harassment charges against the boxer, Benito Ramirez. She called Gus Dembrowski to provide proof. Dembrowski should have sent patrols to keep an eye on Stephanie."
"Why didn't he?" Helen asked though she knew it was her fault.
"You know the answer, Helen. Dembrowski dismissed her claim as an exaggeration after interviewing you," Frank replied. Helen felt ashamed.
"When can I see her?" Helen wondered.
"After she gets released. I don't want you visiting her at the hospital. Stephanie needs the time to heal. I'm warning you, Helen. Stay away from Stephanie. You've caused enough damage," Frank ordered. Helen reluctantly agreed.
~~~
Joe listened to the police radio as he surveilled Jimmy Alpha. He heard the dispatcher send an ambulance and police patrol to the building on St. James and Dunworth. It was the same corner where Stephanie lived. What are the chances it was Stephanie? He listened for the apartment number, but none was provided. Joe relaxed more when they said a male, approximately twenty-seven years old, was found dead inside the apartment.
"It wasn't her," Joe mumbled in relief. He continued watching Jimmy Alpha in his office. Morelli stole Stephanie's research papers after cuffing her. While he waited for Jimmy to do something, he read everything Stephanie suspected about his case. She said Carmen was likely to be dead. Stephanie suggested Ramirez hurt Carmen. Then she claimed Ziggy got sent by Jimmy Alpha to clean up the boxer's crime. A note in the margin indicated Carmen's neighbours heard the noise from a refrigerated truck parked below her window. "Far-fetched theories," Joe said before tossing the notes aside. He never considered Stephanie was on the correct path to solving his case.
Alpha picked up his phone. Morelli planted bugs inside the office, but he couldn't hear the conversation. Joe hoped the recording devices would pick up the conversation. He'd have to wait a few days before collecting the data. Alpha left his office. Morelli followed at a safe distance and felt disappointed when Alpha went home without dropping a single breadcrumb.
Joe checked his reflection in the mirror. He was confident that nobody would recognize him with a full beard. It only took a few days to grow. Joe waited until it was dark enough to leave the apartment across the road from the gym. He met with Mooch to get food from Pino's. Joe ate his sub in the van he borrowed from the impound lot.
Earlier that day, Joe's buddy, Benny Gaspick, looked the other way while Joe drove out of the lot. Benny gave Joe the equipment required for surveillance. He promised to provide more if needed. Joe thought he had enough for the time being. Bugging Stephanie's apartment crossed his mind. It would be a job for another day.
Morelli grinned when he thought about cuffing Stephanie to her shower rod naked. Her body was filled out in the right places - mostly. Stephanie's breasts were a bit smaller than he preferred. It was nothing breast implants couldn't fix.
That night, Joe went to bed and imagined fucking Stephanie while tied to his bedposts. It was a fantasy in which only Lula, the hooker, would willingly participate. None of his regular fuck buddies would agree to get restrained.
Joe was back on Stark Street the following morning, watching the gym from his van. Nobody gave the van a second glance. It was common to find rusted vehicles parked along the road. Joe watched Alpha exit through the door up the block from the gym.
He furrowed his brows when Jimmy Alpha got into Benito Ramirez's silver Porsche. The license plate had The Champ written in gold. Morelli wondered where Alpha was going in the boxer's car. He followed at a safe distance. "Where are you going?" Joe asked when Alpha drove to the business district across town. Morelli parked in the Kuntz Appliance Warehouse parking lot and waited to see which shop Alpha entered.
Sal flipped the sign to show the shop closed. Joe checked his watch. "Why are you closing four hours early, Sal? Are you the Sal who Cupcake wanted to interview?" Morelli saw a refrigerated truck pull out onto the street, following Ramirez's Porsche. He recognized Sal in the passenger seat and the flat-faced man driving the truck. "Fuck!" Morelli said. "How are you mixed into this, Sal?" Morelli shook his head, disbelieving how Stephanie got on the right track.
Joe pulled onto the street to follow the truck. The fuel indicator light flashed and chimed when he passed a gas station. He slapped his hands on the steering wheel, then took a U-turn to refuel. Joe handed the attendant a twenty and waited until the nozzle returned to the pump.
He quickly started the van and put it in gear. Joe stepped on the gas to catch up to the truck. The vehicle shuddered as the transmission ratcheted up in gears. "Don't quit on me now," Joe mumbled.
Joe turned onto the gravel road, where the truck disappeared. He wanted to catch them unaware, but it was not in the plans. Nobody drove on that road. Alpha or the flat-faced man would see the van in the mirrors, removing the element of surprise. Joe drove past the turn-off to the marina. He waited at the dead end for fifteen minutes.
Morelli wasn't aware of his surroundings and never noticed the crappy purple scion following him. Hector pulled his car over to the side of the road where Morelli couldn't see him. Patiently, Hector waited for Morelli to head to the marina. He followed at a safe distance, hiding his car behind larger vehicles parked in the lot.
Ramirez's car tore from the parking lot when Morelli arrived. The windows were too dark to see who was driving. "What the fuck?" Joe asked. He shook his head, then exited his van. Joe took a few steps before returning to grab his tools from the cargo area.
A boat tied to the pier caught his attention. It was named Sal's Gal. Morelli dropped the crowbar, hatchet and hacksaw on the dock. He peered inside the window. The boat was unlocked. Joe went inside to investigate. The interior was dark, preventing Joe from seeing the white power covering every surface. Joe tried to open the cabin, but it was locked. He used a flashlight to see inside. White powder shimmered in the reflection of the light. "Shit!" Morelli growled.
He returned to the parking lot, hoping to find his witness and Sal. Ramirez's Porsche only held one additional passenger. The only way to fit three people in the car was to stuff someone in the trunk. Joe prayed his witness wasn't dead. He would never get cleared of the charges. There wasn't enough money in his account to continue his plan to prove his innocence. Morelli briefly wondered where Stephanie was hiding. It was strange that she wasn't on his trail.
Joe looked around the parking lot for his Jeep, but it wasn't visible. He shook his head, then approached the refrigerated truck. The compressor hummed as it kept the contents in the back at a cold 20ºF. "Why so cold?" Joe mumbled.
He looked in the cab for keys, finding them in the ignition. However, the key for the padlock was missing. Joe sighed and grabbed his crowbar, leaving the keys in the cab. He placed the tip in the hook and reefed it using his weight until it snapped open. Joe's knee slammed into the bumper when the lock gave. "Fuck!" he snarled.
After the pain reduced, Joe opened the door and climbed into the back. He used the crowbar to open the barrels. "Where's the gun?" Joe asked. Joe found Sal and his witness wearing matching bullet holes in their heads. He searched both bodies for the weapon but couldn't find it. Before he could search inside the barrel containing Carmen Sanchez, the door slammed shut. Joe was trapped.
Morelli was meaner than a trapped bear. He banged on the door, demanding someone to open it. "Stephanie, let me out!" Joe screamed, assuming she locked him in the back.
Hector laughed, then called Lester to pick up his car. He shook his head as he stuck the key in the ignition. "Where are you?" Lester asked, speaking Spanish.
"Pachetco Inlet Marina and Cold Storage," Hector replied. "My scion is in the parking lot."
"Why can't you drive it back?" Lester asked.
"Driving truck with Morelli locked in the back. I don't have cables to attach the car to the truck."
Lester burst out laughing, then asked Bobby to give him a ride. "I'll meet you at the TPD," Lester said, then hung up. He told Bobby what Hector had done to the cop. Morelli's ride to the precinct was going to be bumpy and cold.
"You've got to like Hector's style," Bobby said.
"Luckily, we were in the area," Lester added. "I don't want to miss the release."
Bobby and Lester laughed as they turned onto the road leading to the marina. They hoped to arrive at the precinct in time for Hector to release Morelli from the back of the truck.