Chapter 30

Sat on the couch in the apartment at Rangeman I was in a quandary. Les had printed out several photos that had been taken on the day that Carlos and I had got married. Why was I in a quandary? Well, I was deliberating who to tell about our recent marriage and how. It sounded so simple to begin with. Post a photo with the date of the ceremony on the back. Now, sat looking at them, I wasn't sure that I wanted to do that. Lula would go ballistic with me because I hadn't invited her, let alone told her, of the wedding, so sending a photo seemed a coward's way out.

Then there was my family. What can I say. My mother would probably tear it up because the man stood next to me wasn't someone that she approved of. Destroying it would mean that it hadn't happened to her. My father, if he even saw it, wouldn't be too bothered. No, I take that back. He'd probably be pleased because he hadn't had to dish out any money. As for grandma, I really wanted to be with her when I told her because she was the one person who I knew that would understand. She always had raved about Carlos and his package, so I knew that she'd be really pleased for me.

No, I finally realized that the upcoming trip to Trenton was when I would face everyone and give them my good news. Leaving one of the photos out I replaced the rest into the envelope deciding to ask Les if he could make me some copies of it. I loved that one photo. The dress that I was wearing was a simple off the shoulder style with a figure fitting bodice before the material fell over my hips and ended above my bare feet. Carlos was dressed more casually in a shirt that had the top button open and was tucked into the waist of his trousers. The photo was in black and white with the colors of the red roses in my hand accented. I remembered exactly when Les had taken that photo. I was stood close to Carlos with my left hand rested along his jaw when Les had shouted something. We'd both turned to see what he was shouting about and that was when he'd taken the photo. Did I say that we'd totally bucked tradition? My dress was black against my fair skin while Carlos had been wearing white.

"What are you smiling at Babe?"

I hadn't realized that Carlos had come into the apartment, let alone sneaked up behind me.

"I was thinking of what my mother will say when she sees this"

I replied holding up the photo for him to see.

"What a beautiful ring and gorgeous looking husband?"

That had us both laughing out loud before I placed the photo down on the table. Carlos leant down over the back of the couch, pulling my face toward him. I would never tire of how affectionate he could be.

"Our flight leaves at 0900, so we need to be out of here by 0700. Have you packed everything that you'll need?"

I sighed, yeah sighed. After our visit to Trenton we were disappearing for two weeks for our honeymoon, which I was really excited about. The problem that I'd had with packing was knowing what to take. Not easy when our destination was a surprise.

By 10.30 the following morning we were travelling through the streets of Trenton. Our first stop was at the hotel that we'd booked into for two nights. Rangeman Trenton no longer existed, which had a pang of sorrow go through me. Over the years I'd come to know that building and the men who had worked there. Memories of the first time that I'd discovered the building came back to me. I thought that I'd been pretty clever finding the place and sneaking up and into Carlos's apartment. I never imagined that the whole place was covered in cameras or that Tank had told Carlos that I was there. Pfft, I always reckoned that Carlos knew everything.

I wouldn't be making a last visit to the apartment on the seventh floor. The building was now under the management of the new security people. Everything had been moved out into storage ready to be relocated to the new offices in Chicago, well except personal belongings. Those sleek and sexy black cars that everyone associated with Rangeman had been moved by the men and driven to their new destinations. At the end only a handful of men had decided to remain in Trenton and were ones who I hadn't met.

"What do you want to do, go visit with your parents now or wait until after the reception?"

That decision wasn't hard to make. Visiting my parents before Joe's wedding would be a disaster, well it would be a disaster any time, but I was sure that out of respect for Joe's mother that they'd be getting themselves ready.

"Afterwards. They'll be at the church anyway. I'm sure that my mother wouldn't want to miss the opportunity of being there"

Or of being a part of the gossip as they critiqued everything about it. Whilst our wedding had been intimate and relaxed, I knew from how Joe had complained that his was going to be a Burg wedding of epic proportions. He'd even toyed with the idea of eloping to avoid it but hadn't wanted to deal with the wrath of his mother or grandmother. At last Joe had eventually admitted that he was afraid of his grandma Bella.

"Can we arrive at the side entrance and sneak in at the back?"

I asked as I looked over to Carlos. His response was to take my hand in his and lift it to his mouth, so I took that as a yes. The Inn at Bowman's Hill, New Hope looked exactly as it did on their website. It was secluded and intimate set within the surrounding trees and far enough away from Trenton for us to feel comfortable. I knew that we had two men with us, that was something that I had come to accept as a part of my life with Carlos, but had no idea how that worked. Did they have a room at the hotel or would they camp out in a car all night.

"Who do we have with us?"

Because the idea of them being outside all night didn't sit well with me.

"Manny and Corey. Don't worry, they're booked into a room here, so will have somewhere comfortable to sleep when they're not on duty"

I felt better knowing who it was and that they'd be comfortable. Manny was one of the men who had moved up to Boston and from what Les had told me he and Corey had been partnered up. It would be Manny's turn now to fill Corey in on the ins and outs of Trenton.

The suite of rooms was luxurious with a separate bedroom, lounge and balcony that overlooked the gardens. After a quick nosey around I changed into my attire for Joe's wedding. I'd wanted to look sophisticated, sexy yet maintain some degree of anonymity. No way did I want to be a distraction for what was going to be a very special day for Joe. I wasn't sure how Carlos would manage that. Yeah, sophisticated and sexy in his dark grey Armani suit, anonymous, that would be pushing it.

I'd gone with a deep blue dress that was high collared and sleeveless that fit in all the right places down to my knees. Okay, it had a cut out above my breasts, but I wasn't revealing any cleavage. To match the dress, I was wearing beige high heeled shoes that were accented with dark blue trim and a beige hat over my hair that was pulled up into a messy bun. Okay, it wasn't exactly a hat. The lady at the shop had called it a fascinator and was actually a band that fitted to the top of my head and had a thin veil that went down below my eyes.

"Definitely sexy and mysterious Mrs. Manoso"

Was what Carlos said as I walked back into the lounge. I was smiling as I walked over to him because I loved it when he called me that.

"No, no. You'll smudge my lipstick and get it all over you"

I managed to say as I watched him step forward toward me. Yeah, he had that predatory look in his eyes.

"I promise to get it all over you tonight"

I added before making a beeline for the door. Oh, he knew exactly what I was implying as he caught up with me.

Timing was everything. We had to arrive at the church late enough not to miss anything yet not early enough for people to be too curious as to who we were. Arriving in a dark blue rental car helped and as a lot of people lived close enough to the church that they could walk helped with the parking, though I was pretty sure that Carlos pulled into a space recently occupied by a departing car. Maybe parking karma had nothing to do with how easily Carlos managed to find a space exactly where we needed to be. I looked around as Carlos got out of the car and waited for him to open my door. The coast was clear of anyone hanging around, no doubt they were all inside vying for the best seats.

Once inside we took a seat at the back with a good view of where the proceedings would take place and soon after as a hush descended over the congregation, I stood up with everyone else. Joe was at the front with his brother looking totally uncomfortable in the suit that he was wearing. His eyes had been darting everywhere with a false smile across his face. I spied his mother and grandmother in the front seats and my mother behind them. Curious as to why my father and grandmother weren't with them. As the music began to play all eyes turned to the back of the church to await the arrival of the bride. I knew the moment that she arrived from the look that came over Joe's face. He only had eyes for her as she walked down the aisle. Her dress, oh no, because it looked like some puffy, frilly concoction. I squeezed Carlos's hand so relieved that I'd managed to avoid something like that.

The service, well it was, nice. What else can you say about a formal catholic wedding. At last, the service came to an end and as Joe walked past the end of our row of seats, he turned to look at me and smiled. Huh, he'd known that we were here when everyone else had ignored us. Job well done came to my mind. We were the last to leave the church expecting most of the guests to have left along with Joe and Marianne, but that part of the plan didn't go as expected.

"I'm really glad that you came"

Turning I was seeing Joe stood just to the side of the door so with Carlos next to me I turned and walked over to him. I hugged Joe, feeling the familiar strength of his body that I'd come to know so well and then stood back as Carlos extended his hand.

"Congratulations Joe. You look so happy with Marianne and you both survived"

"Just. Manoso, never thought that I'd be seeing you again"

Joe was looking at Carlos strangely which felt a bit disconcerting before he turned back to me.

"You look happy, Steph. The new job and life must be suiting you"

I was about to answer that it had been the best move that I could have made when I was aware of a blur of white rush past me, straight up to Joe's side.

"I feel like a marshmallow in this monstrosity and your mother and Bella are driving me crazy. We've accommodated everything that they demanded so please tell me that we can get out of here soon."

Did I say that she looked like one as well. Nah, even I knew that I didn't want to upset her any more than she already seemed to be. Besides a look from Joe and a squeeze of my hand from Carlos told me that they knew exactly what I was thinking and to keep it to myself.

"Just the reception then I promise we'll be on our way"

Came from Joe as he tenderly kissed his new wife on the cheek.

"Marianne, this is Stephanie Plum and Carlos Manoso"

Marianne's eyes went from Carlos to me and then back to Joe, though why she had a frown on her face I wasn't too sure.

"Huh. See Joe, it's quite acceptable for the woman to keep her maiden name"

Joe's eyes immediately moved down to my left hand that was being held by Carlos before he was looking back at me. Geez, that women was too perceptive for her own good.

"Actually, I changed it to that of my husband. I'm now known as Stephanie Manoso. Well, except at work"

Even though everyone knew my name now they still referred to me as Annie understanding how it was important to keep myself anonymous.

"Were you even going to tell me?"

Came from Joe who was looking just a tiny bit annoyed.

"Forget I asked. You're here now. Wow, I'm even more happy for you Steph. Does your mother know yet?"

I saw the smirk on his face as he added that last question because if he hadn't known then he sure as hell knew that my mother hadn't.

"Oh shit. I'm out of here to go and change. Good luck Stephanie"

As I watched Marianne walk away wondering why I would need luck, the view of my mother walking towards us gave me the reason. Joe, the coward, left us as well to go and talk to some of his other guests who were hanging around to talk to him. Carlos's arm came around my waist as we watched her approach and that alone gave me the courage to face her. I was sure that I recognized the two piece lilac outfit that she was wearing, though it was looking a little too snug around her waist and hips. Geez, was it the outfit that she'd worn when I got married to Dickie all those years ago? It sure looked like it. A white bag was over her arm as she strutted toward me, her shoulders back and back straight as though she had an image to project. Maybe she did but it was how she was looking at me that caught my attention.

"Stephanie Michelle Plum. Why here, why now. You're too late if you think that Joseph would want you back. He's married to that, that woman who lives down his street"

Well, obviously she hadn't seen me at the back of the church.

"I know. I'm here because I was invited. I'm really happy for him, aren't you?"

I added the question because of how she referred to Marianne as "That woman" As though she wasn't good enough for Joe. Pfft, what did it have to do with her who Joe married?

"Angie is besides herself. We can only hope that she falls pregnant and becomes the wife that Joseph deserves"

I raised my eyebrows at the statement that my mother had made. Didn't she realize that the time for becoming a Burg wife had died out years ago? I had no idea what ideals Marianne had but from what I'd seen and heard from her she wasn't overly happy with the charade that Joe's mother and Bella had put her through.

"It shouldn't matter what Angie and Bella want. Joe and Marianne got married because they love each other"

"Don't talk nonsense. Her job is as bad as yours was. Working with criminals is not an acceptable occupation for a married woman"

I remembered that Joe had told me that Marianne worked for the probationary service which in my eyes was perfectly acceptable. Besides Joe knew that when he met her and I knew from talking to him that he understood what her job entailed.

"So, how are grandma and dad? I expected to see them here today?"

Wanting to change the subject. Okay it was also a dig at her for being here on her own. I could understand dad not wanting to come but grandma? Since when did she miss out on a Burg gathering like this when the gossip would be there for the listening to?

"Your father promised me that he would be here. As for your grandmother, well she decided that a week in Atlantic City with her friends would be, in her words, more entertaining"

Yep, that was grandma. Never one to miss out on a chance of seeing naked male strippers and there were probably plenty of eligible men that she would try to get her hands on, literally.

"I'm sorry that I'll miss seeing her. We're only here in Trenton until tomorrow"

Hoping that by saying that she might actually acknowledge that Carlos was stood close up next to me.

"Nonsense. You need to be back here with your family. How am I to find you a suitable husband when you're hardly here"

Gees, when would she get past saying that and finally acknowledge that it would never happen. Ooh, I know how. I lifted my left hand up in front of me pleased when she at least looked at it.

"I am married mum, to the love of my life"

Her mouth opened and closed a few times, obviously lost for what to say, but come on, when has my mother ever not been able to come up with a response. I was aware of how she now looked at Carlos, how her eyes narrowed, and her lips pursed together.

"You. He's not good enough for you. Look what he's done to our city. Those men that he employs, they ruined the place and then up and left for us to try and cope"

Okay, now I was confused. What the hell did she mean by that? Rangeman had never been anything but honorable and descent to any of the inhabitants of Trenton. Well, unless you were a criminal.

"It's all your fault"

Whoa. How was anything my fault, I hadn't even been here in Trenton. I was about to shout back at her to tell her just that when my father suddenly appeared between us.

"Don't be stupid Helen. How can it be Stephanie's fault. If anyone is to blame, then maybe we should blame you"

Before anyone could ask what he was talking about my dad stepped forward and extended his hand for Carlos to shake. Carlos accepted his hand but it was after he had taken a step back to my side that my dad surprised the hell out of me.

"Glad to see that you eventually saw the light. It's a shame though that it couldn't have happened sooner, before my girl decided to leave Trenton. Was it because of her that you pulled out from Trenton?"

Alien pods had definitely landed. I couldn't believe what my dad had just said to Carlos, so I looked up to Carlos waiting to see what he'd say.

"Partly. I was prepared to follow her to the ends of the earth when I had the opportunity. As for Rangeman pulling out. It was time. The atmosphere here for my men was oppressing and critical, not good for morale, and then with how FTAs were dealt with we felt that it was time for the company to move on"

I frowned because I hadn't realized that morale was low with the men. They had always seemed so welcoming and chatty whenever I'd seen them.

"See. Part of that is down to you and how you always criticized those fine young men. What was it you called them Helen? Oh yes, thugs and criminals. Gossip and rumors can do a lot of damage, so now we're facing the consequences"

I was mystified with what dad was saying, but in my mind, I was replaying what Carlos had said to me as an explanation for why Rangeman here in Trenton would close. The residents. They didn't show them any respect or appreciate how they kept the streets in their neighborhoods safe.

"Dad, are you saying that the Burg isn't safe anymore?"

He had no answer, only the shake of his head as he looked at my mother. I doubted that she'd ever own up to anything that had been said. Her Burg attitude had always been so unyielding, so against outsiders or change. I knew that the Burg had been a part of the patrol teams remit so obviously now that area was without any kind of protection.

"You pushed our daughter away with your stupid ideas Helen. She's happy, can't you see that and accept that? All of the smart ones are leaving, moving on, maybe it's time for us to do the same"

With a sigh my dad turned and walked away from us leaving my mother stood on her own watching his departure. Looking back at my mother I wasn't sure what she was thinking. Was my dad serious when he'd said that it was time for them to move on as well?

"I have a reception to get to, Angie needs me to help organize the caterers"

As she turned and walked away from us I was pretty sure that I wouldn't be going anywhere that she and her cronies were.

"I'll send my apologies to Joe"

Was all that I said as we made our way back to the car. Once inside I knew where I wanted to go.

"A last look, because I won't be coming back here"

"Are you sure?"

I nodded my head as Carlos turned on the engine and we slowly moved from our parking space. A few minutes later I was sat looking at the duplex that had been my childhood home. It looked just the same with its clean windows, perfectly moved lawn and rows of flowers in the borders. Even the color had never changed only repainted the same brown color. Looking down the street, though, the changes were obvious. Houses with gardens filled with weeds, graffiti on the walls and some windows that had been broken so had wood across them. There was even the wreck of a burnt out car sat in the distance.

"How did this happen?"

I asked as I continued to look around, dismayed with how run down some of the properties seemed to be.

"Slowly. We would try to deter the vandals, but the residents didn't trust us. They blamed us instead for what was happening"

They'd brought this on themselves, the likes of my mother, Angie Morelli and the women who looked up to them like they were their matriarchs.

"Let's go back to the hotel"

I suggested as I brought my lipstick out of my bag and reapplied some to my lips. Carlos gave me a look that promised that the evening and night would be everything that I could imagine, and maybe some things that I had yet to imagine.