Chapter 16

It's been two days since Ellen's funeral, and Stephanie can finally leave the hospital. She was ready to go the morning after waking up, but unfortunately, her equilibrium didn't agree. Every time Stephanie tried to sit up or stand, she would get extremely dizzy. She felt like an old lady with the "fall hazard" sign outside her hospital room.

Much to Stephanie's surprise, Ranger did not leave her side, except when he was asked to leave by the medical staff. He stayed beside her, holding her hand, getting her water, and even helping her to the bathroom. She felt even closer to Ranger now than she did before. In fact, Stephanie had never felt closer to anyone before.

"Where are we going when I leave here? I don't want to go to the White House. It's like living in a damned fishbowl, and Valerie's house is too crazy. Obviously, my apartment is out of the question. Besides, I don't want to be in Jersey."

"You will be staying at one of the properties I own in Miami. We'll be taking the train down to Florida. It will take us almost a day, but we don't have to worry about stopping at a hotel. I don't trust hotels right now. I have already purchased tickets for both of us using aliases."

Ranger handed Stephanie her new identification. Her identification stated that she was Elizabeth Prado, age 30. The rest of the information was the same, except her hair was blonde and straight.

"And who might you be?"

"I'm your husband, Marco Prado. I have a wig you will put on in the car, so if you can't put your hair in a braid, I will do so. We have a private room which will make the journey more comfortable."

Stephanie was somewhat surprised that he had everything ready so quickly. "Who knows where we are going?"

"Only my men in Trenton and Miami. Trenton is where we work the investigation, and Miami will secure my residence."

"My father doesn't know?"

"No, he asked to be kept in the dark. If he doesn't know where you are, then he can't slip. We have left some breadcrumbs that you will be staying in a rental somewhere in Maryland. When we leave, Hector will put on a curly wig and sunglasses and drive with Lester to a point near the Maryland coast. That will hopefully throw off someone. We will be leaving in a four-year-old blue Buick. It's not what anyone who knows me would think I would drive. You will give your sweatshirt to Hector, and he will give you his jacket and baseball cap in the elevator. Lester and I will wear our Rangeman uniform with a baseball cap. Anyone watching will assume you are with me going into the black Cadillac because that is something I would be driving."

"When will I put on the wig?"

"We will drive to another parking garage when we are in the car. There we will get out and walk to an elevator bank. You will put on a wig and a different jacket and shoes in that elevator. You will also be wearing a pregnancy belly. We will exit a different elevator, get into a Honda, and drive to the train station. You can remove the belly in the car."

Stephanie evaluated Ranger's plan and felt that this could work to keep her hidden. She was grateful for his planning capabilities. "Wow, I feel like I'm in a spy movie like the Bourne movies."

"Well, you know what they say; even fiction has a basis in reality."

Stephanie suddenly had a moment of panic. "Are you sure it was safe to discuss the plan here? I know this is a military hospital, but could a bug be in the room?"

Stephanie knew what Cal had discovered and what they were looking for. She, for her part, was trying to remember if she had worked with any female agents and if there was a reason for them to be upset with her.

"Proud of you for thinking about that, but we are good. Every time Hector visits, he scans the room. He gave me a small scanner that I use after the staff leaves."

Stephanie felt a sense of relief for the first time since her mother died. While she wasn't thrilled to be stuck on a train for 24 hours, at least she was alive.

Angie Morelli was beside herself. She knew Joseph was a cheater and could be controlling, but she had no idea he was a rapist. Every time Angie thought of the charges her son faced, she crossed herself. Angie knew what it felt like to be forced to have sex. She still had a few physical scars from her husband, but the psychological scars were much deeper.

Joseph called her yesterday, begging for help in securing a top-of-the-line attorney. Someone who could get him off of the charges. Angie felt disgusted that her son felt no remorse or even acknowledged he was wrong. She outright refused to lift a finger to help her no-good son. She couldn't fathom how he could throw away his promising career just for sex. It amazed her how a man would stoop to many low levels to satisfy his carnal desires.

Anthony and Cathy, Joseph's siblings, were equally as disgusted with their brother. Cathy and her sister-in-law decided that Joseph would not be allowed near their children ever again. Who knows what messages he would teach their sons? Anthony and Cathy were determined to raise their boys as respectful, upstanding citizens. Thankfully, Cathy's husband, Carl, was a gem. He was a member of the Trenton Police Department. He came from a good family and spent his days off with his children.

Anthony worked hard to be a better man than his father. When he was a freshman in college, he found himself following in his big brother's footsteps. One night, when he had one too many, he yelled at his girlfriend for laughing too loud. His friend recorded his tirade and showed him the next day. He was mortified. He went to his girl and begged for her forgiveness and vowed that day to never drink in excess again. Anthony realized he had issues to work through and found a good psychologist to go to. There, Anthony learned why he behaved the way he did and talked about what person he wanted to become. Anthony spoke with Frank Plum and, with his help, found a support group. It wasn't easy, but Anthony was proud to say he broke the Morelli family curse. Though Anthony and that girl eventually broke up, he never again raised his voice angrily at his partners or children. He only yells when coaching his kids' teams, so all the players can hear him.

As Angie's children arrived at her home, they all sat and thought about Joseph and his actions. Cathy tried to talk to her brother about his womanizing ways before, but he brushed her off. Even though he would be angry if someone did that to her, he didn't see a problem doing it to other women. Even Anthony tried to talk some sense into him, but he was lost.

"I don't know what happened. Uncle Frank spent so much time with us after Dad died. He took both Joe and me fishing and coached our teams. Frank always told us we should treat women well, respect their wishes, support them financially, and be good to our children. Over the last ten years, he started to tell us to be present at home, and I think he released he missed out on things with Steph and Val. Even though I went through that dark spot, I recognized how I behaved once someone told me."

"I agree. Uncle Frank encouraged me to be what I wanted and do what would make me happy. How did Joe miss it?" Cathy said.

"Remember, Anthony, you were only ten, and Cathy, you were seven when your father died. At that age, you were more moldable. Your brother was 16. It's my fault. I should have left your father years ago. But I was too weak and too stupid. I believe his lies. Maybe if I had left sooner, Joseph would be different."

"Ma, you can't blame yourself. You were a victim. Dad controlled the money. Where would you have gone? You said he barely gave you enough for the groceries each week. Back then, there were no places to help victims of domestic violence like there are today," Cathy said.

Angie shook her head. "I won't have us sitting thinking would've, should've, or could've. We need to remember the past but look towards to future while living in the present. From this moment on, your brother is dead to me. If you wish to continue talking to and supporting him, you may, but I cannot. It kills me to say this, but I will not put my support behind a person who did to others what was done to me."

Without hesitation, both Anthony and Cathy agreed with their mom. From this day forward, it is only the three of them and Grandma Bella.

Cal, Ram, and Hector were busy digging through the General's life to determine his motivation. It was unsettling to see someone supposed to be on their team going against everything they stood for as soldiers and mercenaries. And why was he targeting Frank Plum's daughter? Did this connect to the President, or was it only related to Stephanie?

Hector worked almost twenty hours a day trying to get ahead of the investigation, wanting to know where they were and why. It surprised everyone when Hector suddenly said, "Te tengo ahora, pendejo!"

Cal and Ram stopped what they were doing a looked at Hector, waiting for him to share what he had discovered.

"Should we call the boss before we share?"

"No good idea. On el tren."

"Shit, I guess you can share with us so we can get out some bigger shovels," Ram said.

"Encontré correos electrónicos y mensajes de texto. Necesidad de hacer más, pero en el olor ahora."

"How far back do they go?" Cal asked. Even though Hector predominately speaks Spanish, he is fully fluent in English. He prefers for people to think he doesn't understand since they tend to have looser lips around him.

"Casi un año."

"Fuck. But now we have a point to try and determine when the daughter crossed paths with Stephanie," Cal said.

"Yes, the start of a timeline will help. What time is Ranger and Stephanie supposed to arrive in Miami?"

"In about two hours. We are briefing them in four or five hours. Ranger will let us know when he gets to the location."

The train ride, while long, did get Stephanie a chance to rest further and recover. She was still having some light sensitivity issues and problems with overstimulation. Watching the scenery go by was enough to keep her mind active, but it didn't require much concentration. Since the train left around dinner time, she fell asleep on Ranger once more around ten and didn't wake up until the following day at seven.

Ranger used the time to coordinate with Maribel, Miami's Ella, to prepare his house for them. He initially told Stephanie they would stay in his penthouse at the Miami Rangeman. However, he felt his home would be a better option since she was still struggling with environmental stimuli. They would be alone there, and she could lounge at the pool or in his library. Ranger was concerned she was still getting some headaches, though they weren't intense.

Ranger told Stephanie about the aftermath of her mother's funeral. How a drone was used to fire the bullets, and the link they found to a General and his daughter. Stephanie tried to think back on any female Secret Service agents who might have guarded her but couldn't think of any before she started to get headaches.

Stephanie was able to hear the regret and admonishment in Ranger's voice. She said, "Carlos if it wasn't for your quick thinking to push me out of the way, I would be dead. But instead, I am here with you, alive and mostly well."

Her lack of blame or second-guessing did wonders for Ranger's soul and allowed him to stop punishing himself. But now that they were only about three hours out, Ranger felt it was best to share some of himself with Stephanie, especially since she would see personal items around his house.

"I was married once and have a daughter. Her name is Julie, and she's nine going on twenty. She lives with her mother and her mother's husband. I don't get to see her much. In fact, until three years ago, she didn't even know I existed."

Ranger paused, unsure if he should go on. He always felt foolish when he thought back on what happened and hated to let anyone know how stupid he could be.

"If you don't want to share, you don't have to," Stephanie said, understanding that talking about himself was difficult for Ranger.

"No, I want to tell you. When I was twenty-two, I was on leave. I was casually dating this woman. Her name was Rachel Reyes. We met my first day back from my second tour and spent almost every Friday and Saturday night together for a month. On our last night together, before I went out for my next tour, we had sex. Rachel told me she was on the pill, and I used a condom. I didn't think anything unusual happened. We said our goodbyes, and she promised to write me.

"Well, she wrote me for two months. In her last letter, she said she was pregnant, and the baby was mine. I was confused about how she became pregnant. I still had a few condoms from that box, and when I checked them, I noticed tiny holes in the packaging. I guess she put holes in them to become pregnant. Anyway, I was due back home a few days later. My grandfather had died, and the Army granted me leave, which was shocking. I went to see her and decided to get married. She didn't have health insurance and was living in a studio apartment. As my wife, she would be covered under my Army health insurance and would be able to live on base. I got her set up and went back overseas a few weeks after. When I returned two months after Julie's birth, I expected to find her and my daughter in our house. Instead, I found it empty, with a letter on the kitchen table.

"She said she was mistaken; the baby wasn't mine and was someone else's, a man named Ron Martine. Rachel even sent me a copy of the birth certificate with Ron listed as Julie's father. She and Ron were living together, and she needed me to sign the divorce decree so she could marry him. I was heartbroken. At first, I didn't want a wife and child, but I fell in love with the idea as I kept thinking about it. It would be a chance for me to be better than my father. I was crushed, young, and stupid. I signed the decree without even asking to see a picture of Julie.

"I didn't think much about her or Julie for five years. Then, my sister Celia lived in Miami and worked as a teacher's assistant while finishing school in a Miami suburb. While greeting the kindergarteners on the first day of school, she saw a student who looked almost exactly like herself. Celia and I most resemble each other. She knew about Rachel and the baby and, like me, never thought about the little girl. After seeing Julie, she looked at her contact information, seeing that Rachel and Ron Martine were her parents. Celia took a picture of Julie and sent it to me.

"When I saw the picture, I knew, without a doubt, that she was my daughter. I had opened Rangeman a year before and was doing well for myself. I hired a fancy attorney and contacted Rachel. After a year of court proceedings and a DNA test, it was confirmed that Julie Martine was my daughter. Rachel hoped I would walk away and let Julie be, but I couldn't walk away from my flesh and blood. Eventually, I got back my parental rights and was ordered to pay child support. Thankfully, the judge denied her request for back pay."

"Damn, that sounds like something that would happen in the Burg," Stephanie said, putting her head on Ranger's shoulder and offering comfort.

"That's not the worst of it. Ron knew, all along, that I was Julie's father. However, he told Rachel to put his name on the birth certificate so I would grant the divorce. He didn't want to worry about Rachel being entangled with another man. Since I couldn't even bother to be around for Rachel's pregnancy and would probably be killed anyway, why does Julie need to know about me?" Ranger shook his head. "The first year was awkward. My daughter wanted nothing to do with me. But, during the second year, we started to develop a bond. We are getting closer, and I hope to return to Miami permanently in a few months. Rachel and Ron have two kids together, and as they get older and Julie and I become closer, they start to push Julie aside. I would love to get full custody of my daughter, but my job and lifestyle aren't screaming stable family life."

"I'm sorry that happened to you, Carlos. You didn't deserve that. I don't understand how a woman could be so callous as to keep a child from their father. You stepped up to the plate and married Rachel. You ensured she could get the medical she needed for her and the baby, while providing housing and money. Then, she goes and betrays you." Stephanie shook her head. "Do you have any pictures of Julie?"

Ranger took out his phone and went through his gallery until he found one of them together from their last visit. Julie was wearing a pink Rangeman shirt and black leggings. Ranger was in his usual black uniform. They were looking at each other and laughing. Stephanie could see how much Julie resembled her father. There would be no denying that Julie was Ranger's daughter. She could also see the evident love that they both had for each other.

"She's beautiful. She has your eyes and your smile. I can tell Julie loves you."

"I hope that's true. I talked Rachel into sending her to a highly-ranked private school. Rachel was against it, but though they live in a good middle-class neighborhood, their school district is not the best. It wasn't until I told her I'd pay the full tuition and buy Julie's uniform that she agreed. I feel like Rachel is using me for my bank account, but if it benefits my daughter, I look the other way."

"Maybe, if it's safe, I can meet Julie."

Ranger's heart soared. He was sure that once Stephanie learned about his daughter, she would move away from him, not wanting to become a mother overnight. He felt that they would have a real chance at a future if Stephanie met Julie now.

"I can arrange that. Let's see how your recovery is first. Julie can be loud sometimes, and I don't want her bothering you."

"Okay. That sounds good. Is anyone going to stay with us?"

"No. My home is my home. I have a guest house in case someone needs to stay, but I prefer to be alone. My home is monitored, and Lester's home is around the block, so he can be there fast if there is a threat. No one knows you are staying with me. Until I feel your safety will be at risk, it will be just me and you. Is that okay?"

Stephanie was thrilled to be alone with Ranger. She felt he was the man for her and knew that if she could get along with him one-on-one in a domestic situation, he was it. Stephanie couldn't wait to see his home. She only hoped that he felt t same way. The prospect of meeting his daughter was also exciting. Stephanie loved kids and spent a lot of time with her nieces. She hoped that Julie liked her because if they got along and she and Ranger were together, she would talk to Ranger about getting custody of his daughter. It was clear to her that Ranger loved Julie and wanted her to be a more significant part of his life, and Stephanie would do what was needed to make that happen for him.

"What do you mean you don't know where Stephanie Plum is staying? How could the Secret Service not know where the President's daughter is?"

"We are closed out. We have nothing to do with Stephanie's safety. No one from the agency is guarding her."

"Did you ask the President?"

"I spoke to those who work at the White House, not agents but other staff. No one knows where she is, not even the President. They heard his other daughter, Valerie, ask him, and he said he had no clue."

Z slammed his hand down on the table. How could this be happening? He never imagined Frank would turn his daughter's protection over to civilians.

"Do you know who was with her at the funeral?"

"Yeah. Some company called Rangeman."

"Rangeman? Was the person with Stephanie about 5'11", dark hair on the longer side, built, Hispanic?"

"Yes, why?"

"Fuck us to hell and back. That's Ranger who's guarding her. I'll find out where she is. In the meantime, you find a way to take her out. It must be done with stealth, and you must think outside the box. The drone was good, but you need better. Understand?"

"Yes, Daddy."

Z slammed his phone down. He always knew you should never let a woman do a man's job.

Joseph Morelli was sitting in his cell, which was empty for the moment. His cellmate was meeting with his lawyer. Morelli was waiting for his lawyer to meet with him. He wasn't quite sure of how effective his lawyer would be. After all, Joe didn't have a lot of money. He was banking on his mother and grandmother helping him out, but to his disbelief, they and his siblings completely cut him off. As a stab in the dark, he even tried to contact the President, only to find out that his calls weren't welcomed.

For the first time in a long time, Morelli regretted not listening to his mother when she told him to save his money. He made good money as a Secret Service agent and lived like any bachelor. Joe got himself a lovely apartment and filled it with the things Joe loved, a 50-inch flat-screen tv, a top-of-the-line entertainment system, all the latest video game consoles, and a pool table for his second bedroom. He would have the guys over on the weekends and play cards to his heart's content.

Stephanie wasn't someone who wanted to be wined and dined. She was okay with picking up a couple of heroes or a pizza for dinner while watching a movie at home. He didn't need to treat her to a dinner out. Only on her birthday and their anniversary did he bother with that. Besides, they spent more time in the bedroom when their relationship was good. Granted, she left a lot to be desired. He managed to fuck her anally once, but then she never let him do it again. Stephanie enjoyed it, as all women do. He couldn't understand why she resisted. Hell, a good anal fuck got him off so hard. Why doesn't she want him to be pleasured?

After that one time, Stephanie started to freeze Morelli out. Then, he was never in DC when she was. It was causing him to get a case of blue balls. His boys needed their release. So what if he sampled other women? What was the big deal? They were willing, and they let him use any hole he wanted. If he got it from others, he could deal with Stephanie being a prude. Hell, Stephanie should be happy that he was getting what he needed from other women; then, she didn't have to put out for him. He'll never understand how a woman's mind works, especially that woman's.

He was sitting in a cell in the Gaithersburg Police Department. He had no idea why he was being held in this little station in Maryland. Joe didn't even understand why he was arrested. No one has told him the charges yet. That scumbag thug asshole Manoso must have something to do with this. When Stephanie discovers that Manoso had Joe arrested, she'll walk away from him and fire their asses. Then, she'll do whatever she can to help him. Once all the charges are dropped, Joe will propose, and Stephanie will accept. He'll promise to stay on the straight and narrow, at least until they are married. When Stephanie is knocked up, then Joe will resume his entertainment. After Stephanie has three kids, she won't give a shit where Joe sticks his cock, as long as it's not inside her.

"Morelli, your lawyer is here. Put your hands through the bars," an African American guard instructed. Joe stuck his hands through as they were cuffed. The guard opened the cell and escorted Joe to a meeting room, leaving him cuffed in the chair. A moment later, his attorney entered.

Albert Kloughn was an overweight, dough-boy-looking man. He was about 5'8" and weighed about 190. Albert resembled a lost puppy with how his large, dark brown eyes looked at you. He had thinning hair, but a good amount. He wore a shit brown suit with a beige shirt and a brown and orange chevron tie. His brown dress shoes looked like they were ready to be replaced, along with his battered brown briefcase. He put his briefcase down, opened it, and removed a yellow legal pad and black Bic pen.

"Good morning, Joseph, my name is Albert Kloughn, and I am with the public defender's office," he said as he sat down. "Today, I am here to share the charges brought against you and to hear your side of the story."

"Great. I have no idea why I'm here. I'm a Secret Service Agent. I didn't break any laws."

Albert rolled his eyes internally. No one in the office wanted to take this case. They all knew he was guilty as sin, but Albert drew the short straw, literally. "You are being charged with two counts of rape here in Maryland, with two more coming in Atlanta, Georgia, and one in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. While I will be your attorney of record here in Maryland, you must secure attorneys in Georgia and Pennsylvania. From what I've been told, other charges may be forthcoming."

"Rape? What the fuck! I didn't rape anyone. Joseph Morelli, the Italian Stallion, does not need to rape a woman."

"Well, Mr. Morelli, apparently, some women felt differently about their encounter with you. Here in Maryland, the first charge is from a 24-year-old waitress at Lucky 13 Bar and Restaurant, and the second from a 19-year-old maid at the Marriot. Here are their pictures. Do you remember having sex with them?"

Joe looked at the two women and remembered their time together. Both were lookers, and they were pretty decent fucks. But, they didn't know how to give head.

"Yeah, I remember her," Joe said, pointing to the waitress. "She invited me back to her apartment, and when we got there, we had a drink. I kissed her, she pushed me away, then I kissed her again, and soon, we were on her bed. I made her give me head, but she wasn't terrific, so I fucked her. We both orgasmed, then I left."

It took all of Albert's self-control to remain calm. He wanted to punch his client in the nose. Albert never had luck with women. Frankly, he was too shy and introverted. But, when he managed to date someone, he always treated her respectfully. "Did she say no or indicate she didn't want to be with you that way?"

"Well, she did try to push me away, but all women do. It's foreplay for them."

"What about the second woman?"

"I had just finished my shift and went back to my room. She was in the process of cleaning my room. She was leaning over the bed, putting the clean sheets on, when I walked behind and put my hands around her waist. She jumped and giggled. She had a killer rack, maybe a D cup or bigger. I touched her breasts, and her breath hitched. I kissed her neck. She tried to wiggle away, but I held on to her. There was no more pushback once I put my hand under her skirt. In fact, she let me do whatever I wanted to."

Albert felt the bile in his mouth. There was no way he could defend this man. The way he spoke, if this went to trial, he would be found guilty in a moment. Albert could never put Joe on the witness stand. After a few moments of thought, he said, "Mr. Morelli, I'm afraid the only advice I have for you is to plead guilty to both charges. I can work out a deal for you in Maryland and most likely get you community service. I can also have the records sealed so they can't use this deal against you in Philly or Atlanta, but that is the best I can do. If we go to trial, you are going to jail."

"No, that is unacceptable. I did nothing wrong. I will not plea guilty."

"There is no other option, Mr. Morelli. I cannot argue this case any other way. However, if you disagree with me, you can always try your luck with a different attorney."

"I will be doing that. I'm not letting a clown take me down. You probably have never gotten laid. Get out of here."

"Good luck, Mr. Morelli," Albert said as he gathered his stuff and knocked on the door. The guard opened the door, and Albert walked away. The first thing Albert was going to do when he got out of there was to go home and take a shower. Then, Albert would look for a job in the prosecutor's office or behind the scenes. He couldn't stand to have to defend another asshole like Morelli again.

Meanwhile, back in the room, Joe put his head in his hands. Rape? I never fucking raped a woman. Who the fuck is getting them to lie? It must be Manoso. When the guards opened the door, they roughly pulled him out of his seat, returning him to his cell. Why me?