Joe held Stephanie and rubbed comforting circles on her back. Stephanie sobbed as Grandma Edna read the eulogy, which was sweet, loving and genuinely wonderful. "I should have visited more," Stephanie mumbled into Joe's chest.
"Harry knew you loved him," Joe quietly replied. "He wanted you to move away from Trenton to spread your wings and fly."
"I know," she cried. Stephanie bit her tongue before accidentally mentioning Ric and Hanna not meeting their great-grandpa Harry.
"Shhh," Joe said when Stephanie mumbled incoherently into his chest. "Steph, it's time to put the flowers on the coffin." It wasn't a tradition for the Mazur family. Grandma saw it in a movie and loved the sentiment it represented. She asked the florist about flowers and their meanings. There was enough money in the funeral budget to get enough for the family.
Stephanie's hand shook as she placed the white rose and carnation on the casket. She held Mary Alice's hand as she stretched forward to add hers. Angie and Valerie followed suit. Edna let the remaining family add their flowers to the coffin before placing her red rose where Harry's head lie. "Goodbye, my love," Edna shakily said. Stephanie and Mary Alice wrapped their arms around Edna after the emotional moment. Edna held her granddaughter and great-granddaughter as tears streaked their cheeks. Stephanie passed Mary Alice a tissue to wipe her eyes and nose. She opened her purse for Mary Alice to toss the tissue.
"Grandma, I need to get home. I can't attend the repast," Stephanie whispered. She glanced over her shoulder, attempting to detect who she sensed was watching her. The men were instantly on alert, searching for the threat to Stephanie.
"It's okay, baby granddaughter," Edna replied. She hugged Stephanie tightly before letting her leave the cemetery.
Hector waited for Stephanie to arrive. The others blocked the exit, preventing anyone from following her car back to Rangeman. Stephanie texted Joe, telling him she had left the gravesite and why she had to go. He was free to attend the repost without her. Stephanie suggested telling Helen that she had errands to run.
"Grandma Edna, what's a repost?" Mary Alice quietly asked.
"A repast," Edna corrected, "is the technical name for the reception after a funeral service."
"Oh. Does that mean there's food?" Mary Alice asked.
"Yes, sweetie. There's food," Edna replied. She couldn't help thinking about Stephanie at Mary Alice's age. They were two peas in a unique pod.
Helen stood with her lips pressed tightly together. She noticed a few men wearing black standing in the background, watching the interment at the cemetery. The same men were in the church during the funeral mass and the previous night's visitation. It irritated Helen to have thugs and criminals at her father's funeral.
She wondered how the city permitted the re-zoning of the black building on Haywood. Helen thought Karen circumvented the security business from opening. Karen caught Helen's eye and shook her head. Discussing business at the gravesite was inappropriate. It could wait for the reception gathering at the church.
When Helen arrived at the church with her mother, Valerie and the girls, Karen pulled her away from the others. "I'm sorry, Helen. I tried to stop Terry from approving the zone change," Karen quietly said.
"You couldn't stop it forever. Wasn't Terry aspiring to become the next governor?" Helen asked.
"Yes, which was why he approved the application. It would help his platform to reduce crime in New Jersey," Karen explained.
"There isn't anything we can do now except tell everyone not to hire Rangeman for their security needs," Helen said. She looked around the church hall for Stephanie. Her youngest daughter was visibly absent - and thankfully, so were the thugs dressed in black.
Smiling, Helen visited with the other Burg residents to accept their condolences and share stories about her father.
Edna watched and listened to her daughter. With how Helen talked, one would think Helen lost her spouse, not her father. It disgusted Edna. She searched the room for anyone asking about Stephanie's whereabouts.
A strange-looking man entered the church hall. He wasn't strange as in unfamiliar, but in a way that his smile didn't make his cheeks react as it should. Edna narrowed her eyes as the man walked around, asking if anyone saw Stephanie. It made Edna incredibly suspicious and thankful that Stephanie wasn't at the gathering.
"Excuse me, Ma'am," the stranger said. "Have you seen Stephanie? I have something to deliver and hoped to find her here. I need to deliver it myself."
"I'm sorry. She never arrived," Helen politely replied. "Do you have a number where I can reach you?" The man passed Helen a business card displaying his name as Henry Higgins and a local phone number. He quickly left before anyone could approach him.
"What was that?" Edna asked as Helen tucked the card into her purse. Helen dismissed her mother. She spotted Joseph across the room and decided to speak to him to ask why Stephanie wasn't at the reception.
"Where's Stephanie, Joseph?" Helen asked, gently touching his shirt sleeve. His muscles tensed beneath her touch. Helen removed her hand and nervously swiped it down the skirt of her black dress. She prayed the neighbours missed his reaction to her. What would they think?
"She had errands," Joe lied. He wasn't about to tell Helen that Stephanie felt someone was watching her during the burial. She left the cemetery, hoping the person would follow. Stephanie texted Joe that her plan was a bust. She asked him to be on alert at the repast.
Before Helen could interrogate Joe further, Angie Morelli arrived. Helen and Angie discussed the pending wedding between Joe and Stephanie while he grabbed some food. Disgusted with the conversation topic, Joe went to talk with Valerie.
The energy in the air shifted as Joe closed the distance between them. It took him by surprise. "How are you holding up?" Joe asked, ignoring the reaction because of the poor timing. He would discuss it with Stephanie later.
"I'm good. My grandpa's death was bad timing," Valerie confessed.
"That's because Daddy ran away with the babysitter," Mary Alice added. Joe raised an eyebrow, wondering if the child resembling Stephanie was telling the truth.
"Not here, Mary Alice. People don't need to know our private business," Valerie scolded, inadvertently confirming Mary Alice's announcement.
Mary Alice swayed before tossing her arms up in frustration, "But Grandma already told everyone. She's trying to find a new Daddy for Angie and me." The curls bounced as Mary Alice galloped around the room.
"She has a lot of energy," Joe laughed. He watched as concern and embarrassment washed over Valerie's face. "Is Mary Alice hurting anyone?"
Valerie shook her head and replied, "No, but she needs to behave like a proper lady."
"Did that ever work for Stephanie?" Joe asked, quirking an eyebrow. Valerie's lip twitched. She tried to suppress the laughter, but it slipped through. Joe chuckled with Valerie. "Mary Alice has her aunt's spirit. Don't push your daughter away by doing what your mother did to Stephanie. We both know how that went."
Joe popped a deep-fried cheese ball into his mouth. He barely had time to chew it when Valerie replied, "Yup. Steph left the second she could escape. Mom said she joined a convent." The breading from the cheese lodged into Joe's throat, making him choke. Valerie pounded a fist on his back, attempting to dislodge the food.
Edna passed Joe a cup filled with cola. "Drink this," she said.
"Thanks," Joe gasped after drinking the cold drink. "That's better."
"What happened?" Edna wondered.
Smiling, Valerie repeated the conversation. Edna laughed and slapped her thigh, causing the people inside the church to stare at her in disgust. "She shouldn't be laughing today of all days," Karen Smile admonished. Helen's face turned red from anger. She stormed over to Valerie, Joe and her mother to order them to behave.
"Why did you lie to Valerie?" Edna asked when she stopped laughing.
"I never lie," Helen scolded. Edna rolled her eyes.
"Yes, you did. You told Valerie Stephanie entered a convent," Edna challenged.
"Shh. I don't want everyone to hear. I said Stephanie ran away and likely joined a convent," Helen replied. Valerie shook her head. That wasn't what her mother said.
"Where did she go?" Valerie asked.
"She joined the Air Force," Edna proudly replied. Valerie's mouth popped open in surprise. She knew how much Stephanie loved to fly her godfather, Joe Juniak's, planes. Valerie felt ashamed for not seeing the lie at the time. Stephanie never missed sending the girls a gift for Christmas or their birthdays. Had Stephanie joined a convent, she wouldn't be allowed to contact her family until she made her final vows.
"I'm happy she found a way to escape the confines of the Burg," Valerie said, much to her mother's chagrin. While living in LA, Valerie missed her family, but she wasn't under the microscope to behave a specific way. For the first time, Valerie felt ashamed for how she treated Stephanie and vowed to become a better mother for Angie and Mary Alice. She never wanted to admit that Joseph Morelli was right. Forcing Mary Alice to act as the Burg expected would break her spirit and push her away.
Joe checked his watch for the time. "I have to get back to the precinct to finish the paperwork. I'll see you around, Valerie," Joe said. He was almost at the door when Valerie caught up.
"Wait!" Valerie called. Joe stopped and turned on his heel to face Valerie and listen to her comment. "What you said earlier about Mary Alice - do you honestly believe that's why Stephanie joined the Air Force?"
"Absolutely," Joe replied.
"Okay. Thanks for the advice. Um," Valerie said. She glanced over her shoulder when she heard Mary Alice cry. "Can you help me find a place to live?"
"Valerie, a few things are going on that I'm not free to discuss. You're safe at your mother's house for now. Once the issue gets resolved, I'll help you find a home for the girls," Joe promised.
"Thank you," Valerie whispered. She stood on her toes to kiss his cheek. Valerie touched her lips. The tingling sensation lasted for several minutes. Her face flushed as she shook away the thoughts. "Morelli and me?" she mumbled. Edna watched as Valerie walked to Angie and Mary Alice. Valerie gently pushed Mary Alice behind her and quietly talked to her mother.
Helen stomped away, furious that Valerie got any about her slapping Mary Alice's butt to stop misbehaving. "It's about damned time she stood up to you," Edna said when Helen complained to her. "You have no right disciplining Valerie's daughters."
Unable to get Edna on her side, Helen returned to her friends. She was determined to get the other Burg mothers on her side.
The next few weeks proved challenging for Stephanie. Helen, being true to herself, wanted Stephanie to marry Joseph Morelli. The prodding worsened when Stephanie arrived at her mom's house for dinner. Stephanie chose her words carefully and pretended to date Joe.
When Joe drove Stephanie to her apartment after dinner at Helen's house, she invited him upstairs to continue the ruse. She placed a finger to her lips to stop him from talking. "Joe, we have a problem," Stephanie said after checking her apartment for bugs and dust bunnies.
Carlos slipped out of the bedroom. "Besides me being home?" Carlos asked.
"You are never a problem, Carlos. It's pretending to date Joe that's causing issues," Stephanie replied.
"How so?" Joe wondered.
"Valerie confessed to feeling a spark with you. I don't want her to think she's second best," Stephanie explained.
Joe blushed, and Stephanie realized he had noticed. He scratched his neck in embarrassment. "What should I do?" Joe asked. "We can't tell her the truth."
Stephanie dropped to the couch. Carlos sat beside her before tugging her onto his lap. "Mom thinks I'm working for Vinnie, right?" Stephanie asked. Joe quirked a brow as he tried to see where Stephanie was going with her thoughts.
"I can visit Vinnie's to pick up the Rangeman files," Carlos replied.
"And you can say you need to talk to me," Stephanie continued. She turned to straddle Carlos.
He pressed a chaste kiss to her lips. "I can take you to the alley," he said.
"And kiss me until my knees weaken," Stephanie breathily replied.
Joe watched their actions and listened to their plans. He snorted when Carlos asked, "Like this?" Carlos pulled Stephanie closer and kissed her until she was rocking against him.
"Guys!" Joe shouted, forcing them to jump apart.
"Yes, Carlos. Just like that," Stephanie replied. "Sorry, Joe. We didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."
"No problem. I'll have to catch you in the act and make a scene," Joe said.
"Yup. Make it bigger than the scene you made when the piece of crap Nova caught fire. I know the rumour will get back to Mom and Valerie. Could you help that along?" Stephanie asked.
"Definitely," Joe laughed. "Your face got plastered across the front of the Trenton Times."
"Don't remind me of that. I think it worked to bring Javier to town. Would those rumours make it awkward for you and Valerie?" Stephanie asked.
"I'll tell her the truth once we catch that asshole," Joe replied. "Why can't we find him?"
"He's a master of disguise. You could be staring at him and not realize it. In the meantime, I'll assure Valerie we aren't sleeping together," Stephanie helpfully added.
"It's not necessary. Once the rumours hit the Burg, she'll know you aren't knocking boots with me," Joe replied.
Stephanie pressed her lips to Carlos' forehead before shifting off his lap. She giggled and covered his crotch with a pillow. "I'll help you with the problem after Joe leaves." Stephanie turned to face Joe. "Sit," she ordered, pointing to the lumpy armchair.
Joe grabbed a throw pillow to sit on. Stephanie giggled. "You're not fooling me. The chair has a broken spring poking through the cushion," Joe grumbled. Stephanie shrugged, feigning innocence. The damn spring was why Stephanie refused to sit there.
"Don't screw around if you want to build something with my sister. Valerie had enough shit handed to her from Steve," Stephanie warned.
"What do you mean? I thought Steve ran away with the babysitter. Was there more to the story?" Joe asked, feeling concerned for Valerie.
"Yes. Did you ever hear about the babysitter's age?" Stephanie waited for Joe to search his memory. He shook his head. "The babysitter was seventeen. Steve emptied the bank account. He left her with an enormous amount of debt and went into foreclosure on their house. Valerie used her own money for the down payment. They had a prenuptial agreement stating Valerie would receive that money and half the equity in the house if they separated or divorced. She got nothing. Any equity for the house got used to pay the debt," Stephanie explained.
"Was it enough?" Joe whispered. He realized Valerie didn't have a job, and the interest rate on the debt would create more issues down the road. Joe wanted to help.
"No. I have a team at Rangeman checking into his finances and tracing where he moved the money," Stephanie replied. Joe realized the men she assigned hadn't found a crumb.
"Where did the trail end?" Joe quietly asked.
"Cayman Islands," Stephanie replied.
"It's gone."
"Every last penny," Stephanie agreed. "Valerie needs to find a job before Mom convinces her to settle for the next Burg loser." Stephanie winked at Joe, letting him know he wasn't in that group. He chuckled before standing.
"I should head home. Let me know how Valerie reacts to your affair with Carlos," Joe laughed.
Stephanie rolled her eyes. She walked behind Joe to the door. "Thanks for doing this for us. Let me know if it gets too much, and we'll drop the charade," Stephanie reminded him. She didn't want to ruin any chance of Joe and Valerie getting together.
"I felt the connection with Val, too," Joe confessed as he hugged Stephanie. "Trust your plan in the morning to work." He shook Carlos' hand before opening the door to leave. Joe chuckled when he heard the door lock, followed by Stephanie's squeal.
As he walked to his car, Joe wondered why he had never felt that buzzing, electrical sensation around Valerie. He must have ignored it in the past while chasing after Stephanie, whom most of the boys wanted. She was oblivious to her appeal to the opposite sex. The woman was a natural beauty and completely fearless. Once she grew breasts and developed curves, she grew more alluring. Joe may have been her first sexual encounter, but he never won her heart.
The harsh reality hit Joe as he drove home. He never gave Valerie a second glance because she was the perfect Burg daughter who dated the Burg's ideal man, Steve. Joe always thought Valerie was too good for him. He prayed fake dating Stephanie wouldn't ruin his chances with Valerie.
Stephanie and Carlos got caught kissing in the alley many times. Joe had to pretend to be disgusted and angry with Stephanie, causing a public scene whenever possible. She had fun pulling the wool over the Burg bitches' eyes. Valerie cornered Stephanie at Vinnie's office after she heard about the third incident. "How could you do this to Joe?" Valerie whisper-shouted.
"Come with me," Stephanie whispered. She pulled Valerie into the alley. "Please, Valerie. Don't get mad. I'm not sleeping with or dating Joe. It's a ruse to draw someone out into the open, and we're getting close. He's around here somewhere. I can feel it."
"Are you sure about Joe?" Valerie quietly asked, allowing hope to fill her heart and mind.
"Positive. Wait a little longer. It should be over soon," Stephanie promised. She kissed Valerie's cheek and led her back to the front of the building. Stephanie relaxed when Valerie drove away.
Unknown to Stephanie, Helen was watching from up the street. She called Henry Higgins to provide Stephanie's location. He answered the phone, stated he was out of town, and thanked Helen for her assistance.
Javier smiled as he ended the call. Everything was going according to plan. Amber, the naive bitch, was sitting in the warehouse, tied to the wall. Javier quickly corrected his thought. Amber was gagged and hanging on the wall in shackles. He stripped her of the clothes and cut her pale body in strategic places guaranteed to keep her from escaping. The woman was more challenging to catch than Stephanie Plum. Javier knew Stephanie's type. She would trade her life to save another.
"Hello," Maria answered when the phone rang. "Oh. It's you, Rosa. I'll call you back," she said when the back door opened. Before Maria could speak, something hit her chest. She convulsed and fell to the floor. Maria barely registered Ricardo Sr lying on the floor.
Stephanie suddenly felt the impending doom looming over her. She had to do something soon. Her first thought was to call Maria, her mother-in-law. When Maria never answered, Stephanie called Jeanne Ellen. "Where are you," Stephanie demanded before Jeanne could speak.
"At the outlet mall in Newark. Why?" Jeanne asked.
"How far are you from Mama's house?" Stephanie wondered. Her heart threatened to jump into her throat. She quickly patched Carlos into the conversation. He was in a client meeting but excused himself to take her call.
"Ten minutes. I'm on my way," Jeanne replied, understanding the urgency in Stephanie's tone. "I'll stay on the line. What's going on?"
"I tried to call Mama for the past hour, and she isn't answering. She was supposed to be home after her doctor's appointment this morning. Mama left a message for me to return her call," Stephanie said.
"Did you call her again?" Jeanne asked.
"Yes, but she never answered," Stephanie said.
Jeanne and Stephanie talked, attempting to keep the other one focused on the task. "She isn't here," Jeanne announced. "Oh my God. There's blood on the kitchen floor. Shit. Stephanie, Mama and Papa are in trouble. Their phones are on the counter."
"Jeanne. Jeanne!" Stephanie shouted. "I know who has them."
"Who?" Jeanne Ellen whispered. She was crying too hard to speak louder.
"Javier," Stephanie replied. "I know what to do." Carlos cursed and hung up.
Stephanie called her mom. "You've reached the Plum residence. Helen speaking," she answered.
"Mom, has anyone given you a business card with a phone number?" Stephanie asked.
Helen pressed a hand to her chest, surprised Stephanie knew. "Yes," she replied.
"Do you still have it?" Stephanie asked between clenched teeth. She connected the call to Hector to hack into Helen's phone.
"No. I tossed it," Helen lied.
"Did you call the number?" Stephanie demanded. An angry tear slipped from her eye. Stephanie climbed into her car to head toward Newark. There was an industrial area just outside Trenton off the highway. Her spidey sense guided her.
"Of course not. I don't know anyone named Henry Higgins," Helen snapped.
"My Fair Lady. I should have known," Stephanie sighed. Hector interrupted the call and gave Stephanie the phone number. "Bye, Mom." Helen stared at the receiver, shocked that Stephanie hung up on her. She attempted to call Stephanie, but the number bounced to a voicemail message.
"I wondered when I would hear from you," Javier said when he accepted the call from the unknown number. He knew it was Stephanie. She played into his trap.
"Let Maria and Ricardo go, and you can have me," Stephanie offered, knowing that's what Javier wanted. She knew it was a trap, and he wouldn't likely let anyone go.
"Okay. Drive to the Motel off Route 1. Leave the car and the phone," Javier ordered.
Stephanie prayed that Carlos dispatched the men to find her. She knew Carlos and the others would be tracking her location. The Motel wasn't too far from her position. Stephanie parked in the lot. A man approached her. She smiled out of politeness.
Her spidey sense screamed as she walked past him. Everything faded to black.