Chapter 6

Alex Ramos' jet arrived on Corfu as the sun was rising. The reserve pilot helped Grandma Edna down the narrow steps. Alex came down on my arm.

Standing next to the large Land Rover dressed in khaki pants and a long-sleeved white shirt with the shelves rolled up and dock shoes stood the love of my life, Carlos Manoso. His smile shone brightly in the Ionia sea sunshine. Rushing ahead, I threw my arms around him, squealing, "We are free of Trenton and the Burg!"

Epilogue:

Grandma and I relaxed in Corfu, throwing off the last of the Burg. Grandma met Alex Ramos years ago while she was married to Grandpa Harry. He admired her quick wit and well-honed brain. She became a widow and portrayed the ditzy Burg woman, causing the other Burg women to underestimate her abilities. The act was to protect me from too much Burg scrutiny and to annoy her daughter. In her youth, she looked like I do now, which may be what drew Alex to me years later. When Alex learned Edna was my grandmother, he contrived a meet and greet. They have been seeing each other on the sly since.

Once Edna told Alex about her adulterous daughter and how Helen mistreated me, Alex joined the Rangeman men gathering information on Helen, Morelli, and Terri Gilman. While spying on another mob family was expected and rarely resulted in retribution, Alex decided it was time to retire to Greece, offering his home in Corfu as a place for Grandma Edna and I to hide, decompress, and maybe live.

When I nearly bled to death, the misinformation from the Trenton Times was the finale. The editor was from the Burg and supported Joe Morelli's rants against the thugs at Rangeman. No number of contrary letters from those outside of the Burg could sway the paper's position. The Core Team decided to pull up the stake and move elsewhere. Before they left, they apologized to their clients stating the Trenton Times' lies was endangering their employees. In the letter they listed by rank all the military Rangemen reminding their clients these men had sworn to uphold the country and the Constitution.

Ranger was finishing his government contract and wanted to return to Miami as he had planned before meeting me. Plus, Trenton had changed. The Families who once controlled Trenton and New Jersey were losing control. Immigrants from Central and South America and Eastern Europe were younger with no honor or scruples. They would shoot first and never negotiate. The courts were no help, turning them out as fast as the police and Rangeman could bring them in.

Many of the younger Rangeman employees moved to the Boston office. The rest, including the Core Team and those employed the longest: Hector, Woody, Manny, Hal, Cal, Carl, Junior, Vince, Ram, Bink, and several others, moved to Miami. They were tired of snow was their overwhelming reason. The Miami office set up a satellite office in St. Petersburg on Florida's west coast. Several from Trenton joined those from Miami in the new office.

On October 31, two marriages were held on Corfu. I became Stephanie Manoso, and Grandma Edna became Edna Ramos. Ranger's parents and the LTB, Lester, Tank, and Bobby were in attendance. Ranger flew Mary Lou and Lennie over as a thank-you for helping us in the investigation. Connie Risolli was also present, having flown in from Italy, where she planned to spend the winter. After my cluster bomb exploded in Pino's and I left Trenton, she quit Vinnie. Ranger offered her the office manager job in St. Petersburg, which she quickly accepted.

Carlos and I returned to Miami after the New Year. It seemed perfect for starting a new life. We were busy finishing the Florida expansion, traveling between Miami and Tampa-St Petersburg for the next six months. Manny stayed in Trenton to finalize the office closure. Next February, he'll be moving to Miami Rangeman. He's been my ears on post-apocalyptic Burg happenings.

When the Chief saw the pictures of Joe with his daughter, Georgianne, the 6'4" 250 lbs father reared back and sent his fist into Joe's face. Morelli's teeth flew, blood spurted from a broken nose, but the crack sound was Joe's jaw breaking. There was no hiding the assault from security cameras in the TPD lobby. After Joe went to the hospital, the mayor called. "Couldn't you have waited until you got behind closed doors?"

"Mr. Mayor, if you could see the evidence on my desk against that man, you would be congratulating me for not shooting the SOB. I'll plead temporary insanity of a father if it comes to trial. Joe had not time to file a charge against his superior. The FBI immediately arrested Joe and Terri Gilman. In addition to the RICO charges, racketeering, and money laundering charges, Joe was guilty of providing the Grizolli information on investigations against them. He was never undercover with the FBI. He was under the covers with Terri.

After the Burg saw Pino's video where I mentioned Joe's side pieces, women ran to the Oak Street clinic to be tested or were leaving town. Other women and men not mentioned by name also sought testing. Robin Russell transferred to the Allentown police. When a man heard his fiancée was one of Joe's regular partners, he canceled the wedding. Two divorces also ensued.

The remaining Morellis faded away. Bella died with a broken heart as Joey had no male heir, but several female daughters, one nearly eight-year-old Joe refused to claim. Angie moved in with her daughter in Hamilton Township and no longer shopped in the Burg. Mooch was in prison on drug trafficking charges. Anthony Jr continued in his father's footsteps of drunkenness, abuse, and adultery until his wife had enough, took their six children, and left town.

Carlos and I sought other OBGYN's opinions on my ability to conceive and carry to term. The news was not good. Between the scarring and my age, the doctors suggested we not even try. Now that I am half Morelli, I don't want to continue the line. We looked at adoption and surrogate pregnancy. Price was not the question, but I had never gotten on board with a baby. Being a stepmother to Carlos' daughter Julie was enough.

Life with Carlos is fast and exciting. With his government contract behind him, we have time to travel, fulfilling my dream of seeing the world while having a challenging and rewarding job at Rangeman with my soul mate.

We often visit Corfu. Grandma and Alex planned to remain on the island for as long as they lived. May they have many happy years.