As ever, thank you so much for your reviews. You might recognise the first half of this chapter! ;)

Rising Up

I took a deep breath as Carlos came around his truck to open the door and help me step down. I took his hand and tried to project confidence and assurance as I led him into the dingy-looking storefront on Slater Street that is my cousin's office building.

Carlos opened the door to let me enter first, and I walked up to the desk and the woman seated there. I recognised her vaguely; I think she was in Val's class. Corinne? Connie? Carol? I'm not entirely sure. I'm pretty sure her last name is Rosolli though. She is reasonably attractive in an Italian way, with dark hair in a teased bob, an hour-and-a-half-glass figure, and a bit too much hair on her upper lip. She was from one of the more traditional Italian families in the Burg. Possibly even one of the 'Families' if you get the distinction. I gave her my best, professional smile and opened my mouth to introduce myself.

I was interrupted when she exclaimed, "Stephanie Plum? Omigod, I saw you on tv a couple of weeks ago! You were in that elevator crash in Newark, weren't you?"

I sighed silently. This had been a relentless refrain for me. "Hi. Yes, that was me, although we certainly were not in the elevator when it crashed, thank goodness."

Her gaze switched to Carlos and her eyes widened. I have to remember to call him Ranger. I gestured to Carlos, "This is Ranger Manoso, we're here to talk to Vinnie."

She looked back at me, her eyes a little dazed. Then she stood and offered her hand to Carlos with her best smile, "Hi, I'm Connie Rosolli. I'm Vincent Plum's office manager."

Carlos gave her a brief nod and his lip-tipped smile. I was glad he didn't dazzle her with his hundred-watter, as I think she might have ripped open her straining red blouse buttons and thrown herself at him.

I interrupted her mesmerised stare to ask, "Is Vinnie in? He said he would be in now." At my question, the door behind Connie's desk opened and my weasel cousin stuck his head out to look at us. He gave us both a slimy smile, introduced himself to Carlos, and opened the door wider to invite us in. Carlos looked reluctant to take Vinnie's hand to shake. I couldn't blame him, Vinnie is the kind of guy that makes you want to wipe your hand with bleach, while you count your fingers. Carlos shook his hand briefly and led me into the inner office with a hand on my elbow.

Vinnie walked around the desk to sit behind it and gestured us to two chairs in front of it. I was reluctant to sit, wondering if it was sanitary, but there was really no choice. I will just wash these pants really well. I sat gingerly on the chair and waited for Carlos to settle beside me. Vinnie gave me another slimy smirk as he said, "Well, Steph. I hope you're not here because you need bail."

I glared at him, then smoothed out my expression to be more professional. "No, Vinnie, I don't need bail. Ranger is a security expert with a company in Miami that specialises in bond recovery, domestic and commercial security, and personal security services. Ranger is looking to expand into New Jersey, and I suggested that he could build some contacts and networks in Trenton. He and I have been researching the opportunities in Trenton for the last two weeks, and we see real potential here. So, I wanted to introduce Ranger to you to see if you can offer any bond recovery work."

Vinnie looked thoughtful, "What's the company called?" He asked Carlos.

"Rangeman," Carlos replied smoothly. Vinnie's expression changed and he looked slightly impressed.

"Your company?" He asked. At Carlos' nod, he continued, "I've had dealings with it. I had to travel to Miami five months ago to transport a high bond skip that had been apprehended in Miami by your men. Donald Martinelli."

Carlos nodded again at that. He said, "My cousin, Lester Santos, led the apprehension team. I hope everything went smoothly for you?"

Vinnie nodded enthusiastically, "Oh yeah. They were great!" Now he was coming across as sucking up to Carlos. Carlos just nodded minimally to indicate satisfaction that his team performed to expectations. Vinnie said with a smarmy tone, "Are you as good as your men?" He paused, "At apprehensions, I mean," he added in an oily drawl.

Eww! Is he trying to flirt with Carlos? I hoped to God he isn't, and I see Carlos' expression out of the corner of my eye and know he shared my feelings. Carlos just replied shortly, "I trained them. So, would there be any opportunity for FTA recovery with your company?"

I think Carlos is as anxious to get out of here as I am now. Vinnie smiled his oily smile, "Your timing couldn't be better, actually. My best bounty hunter moved to California a couple of months ago, and my other main agent, Morty Beyers, is not as effective." He looked at Carlos thoughtfully, "How about this? I have a two-hundred thousand dollar skip outstanding, due next Friday. That gives you eleven days. You get 10 percent of the bond. If you can bring him in before the deadline, I'll take you on as my lead high-bond agent."

Carlos nodded easily, "Sure, sounds fine. We'll negotiate on my percentage for future skips." Vinnie looked sour at that but didn't say anything. He stood and we followed suit, and he ushered us out of his office to Connie's desk.

"Connie, I need the file for Elon Harlan."

Connie looked confused, "Doesn't Morty have that file?" She asked.

Vinnie nodded, "Yeah, but he's been useless, and the bond is nearly due. Ranger, here, is going to bring him in."

Connie gave him a glare, "You'd better tell Beyers! I'm not gonna be the one to tell him." She moved over to a bank of filing cabinets and opened the one closest to her desk to rifle through what I assume are current files. She pulled out a file that looked nearly an inch thick, and I wondered what kind of scumbag this Elon Harlan must be. Connie walked over to a photocopier in the corner and snarked at Vinnie, "And when are you gonna hire another file clerk? I'm sick of doing everything here."

Vinnie looked uncomfortable, "I haven't been able to find anyone. Nobody sticks around."

Connie rolled her eyes, "Maybe if you'd stop groping them while they're trying to work, they would stick around." She muttered. She set the papers to copy and grabbed a file folder and a long form from the filing cabinet. She turned to Carlos, "You'll need to fill out these details on the apprehension agreement." She indicated the long form, "and then I'll make copies. It needs to be signed in triplicate. You get a copy, we keep a copy, and the last one is for the courts." She collected the file papers into the file folder and labelled it with the fugitive's name.

Carlos filled out the form quickly and efficiently, and Connie ran it through the copier. Carlos signed the forms, Vinnie stepped up to sign them as well, and Connie stapled one to the file folder and handed it to Carlos. "Welcome to Plum Bail Bonds," she said with a small smile. Carlos returned the smile with a small one of his own and, even at that, Connie looked dazed and like she wanted to start fanning herself. I guess I am just going to have to get used to that reaction with women and Carlos.

Carlos nodded to Vinnie and put his arm around my waist as he led me out the door. We had our first FTA and our first bond recovery!

Maybe, just maybe, Rangeman Trenton is on its way!

When we left Vinnie's Carlos drove us over to a building on Southard Street. It was a small commercial building in dark red brick. There was a deli on the ground floor and what looked to be offices on the second floor. The third-floor windows were blank. I looked at it curiously, wondering what we were doing there. Carlos opened the door for me, and we walked up the stairs to the second floor to see a middle-aged woman in an ill-fitting business suit waiting there.

"Mr Monosa?" she asked.

"Manoso," he corrected. "Yes, Ms Lincoln."

She blushed slightly, "Oh, I'm so sorry." She looked flustered and almost stuttered as she went on, "Th… this is the office we spoke about. It has a small outer reception area for your secretary, and the inner office for you. There's a half-bathroom that's shared with the office next door." She pointed to another door in the corridor. I bristled a little at her calling me his secretary, but I suppose she was just assuming since I was accompanying him here. Carlos made a brief inspection of the offices, not bothering with the bathroom. Everything looked a little tired, but meticulously clean and in decent condition. The windows had basic, white, Venetian blinds and the carpet was a nondescript mid-beige. There was a desk in each office area, both standard black framed metal with laminate tops, and a couple of reception chairs.

Ms Lincoln spoke again, "There are two phone outlets, one in each office, and power outlets as you can see. The rental covers the power, water, external upkeep, and building maintenance, but you are required to keep everything clean, including the shared bathroom." Carlos nodded.

"Very well, Ms Lincoln, everything looks suitable. I would be willing to sign the lease for six months." She looked pleased at that. She pulled open a folder with some forms in them, and Carlos read them carefully, before signing them. Ms Lincoln signed as well. Carlos reminded her, "I will need copies of the agreement, Ms Lincoln."

She nodded effusively, "I will make sure they are sent to you by tomorrow. Or I can leave them in the post box downstairs? There's a post box for each set of offices on the first floor beside the entrance."

Carlos agreed that would be fine, shook hands with Ms Lincoln and she handed him the keys, pointing out which were for the office, the bathroom, the entry door, and the post box. We exited the building, and I could barely wait until we were seated in the car, before asking, "Carlos, what was that?"

"What do you mean, Babe?"

"Did you just set up an office in Trenton?" He grinned at me the full hundred watts. I couldn't help myself; I threw myself across the console to hug him. I started babbling questions at him, "I guess that's just a temporary office? Are you moving to Trenton? What are you going to do next?"

"Babe," he stopped my babbling. "Ok, to answer, yes, it's just a temporary office for now. Somewhere to receive phone calls and mail, and to have as a Trenton base for documentation. I haven't decided if I should move to Trenton now or wait until I have a more long-term plan. As to what I am going to do next, I haven't sorted out the details. I have talked it through with Marco, Tank, and Lester, and we all agree, based on your research, that Trenton looks like a good option for Rangeman expansion. I'm going to need a bit more cash reserves before I purchase property or start recruiting, so the high-bond skips will be a great source of income. I've set the time to talk to Les Sebring on Monday as you suggested, and I'll get you to help me with the research on the skips, since you have the local knowledge."

This triggered me to think about something I needed to ask him. It was embarrassing though. "Umm… Carlos… can I ask you…"

"What, Babe?" he turned his intense focus onto me.

"My rent is kinda due," I half-whispered, "and I was hoping you could pay me soon, you know, for the research, if you have the money." I blushed at asking for money, but my situation was getting a little desperate. "And… I'm happy to keep helping you, but I'll need to get some kind of job soon or I'm going to be in trouble."

"Oh, Babe, I'm sorry. You should have said something earlier." He looked chagrined. "I'll write you a check tonight. My Rangeman check book is back in Newark, but I'll have it to you by tomorrow." He paused a couple of moments, before continuing, "as for a job, Babe, well…" I looked at him, not daring to hope. "I want you to continue to work with me, Babe. You've been invaluable to me. Your research report was exceptional, Marco and Tank were seriously impressed. You have a knack for seeing potential opportunities and options and that can be a really big advantage that I don't want to lose. In fact, as I look to set up the business, I want your planning and insight."

I blushed at that, and he looked at me with one eyebrow raised. "Well, about that, I…" I took a deep breath for courage, "I've kinda started on a business plan for Rangeman Trenton. Obviously, I can't complete it without a lot of information from you, financial stuff, and background about Miami. And there are a lot of things that will require your decisions before I can write it up. But I've framed the plan out with headings and the research data, and I've noted where I need to get more information to complete it."

Carlos now looked gobsmacked. "Really?" he asked. I nodded. "Wow, Babe, that's fantastic. Ok, Babe, here's the new plan. Tomorrow, I come to Trenton, and we'll buy a couple of decent chairs for the office. I'll bring some equipment from my temporary office in Newark, like phones, a fax machine, and answering machines. We'll get you a set of duplicate keys for this office. Then we can go over your plan and look at where you need more information. I have a scheduled phone meeting with Marco and Tank at two pm tomorrow afternoon, so I'll introduce you to them, and we'll talk through your plan once I've reviewed it. I'll also get Tank to fax me through a standard Rangeman employment contract, and we'll have a look to get you signed up and onboard. Then Sunday is ours to do anything we want. Next week, we'll get to work on Vinnie's skip and anything Sebring might offer me."

I was nodding through his outline of plans, excited to be part of them. "What will my role be?" I asked.

Carlos looked thoughtful, "I'm not sure, Babe. We could go for something like a Research Assistant role? I'm not sure that will do it, but we can figure it out as we go. We'll look at the contract and decide together."

I smiled. He added, "But tonight, Babe, what I think we should do is celebrate! We have our first Trenton skip, and our new office. What do you say?"

I grinned at him and jiggled in my seat in excitement. "I say yes, Carlos!"

He grinned back, "I'll drop you home and you can do your thing. I'll come back about seven tonight; we'll eat out in Trenton this time. Do you have a suggestion for tonight, Babe, somewhere nice?

"Well… We've been to Rossini's that's always a favourite. Also, Marsilio's has amazing Italian food. And if you'd like to go to the other half of my heritage, the Blue Danube is pretty good."

He chuckled, "I think you eat enough Italian food, Babe. Let's try the Blue Danube." I stuck my tongue out at him and he chuckled again. "I'll make a reservation for us at eight."

I nodded. I hesitated a moment before adding, "Um… Carlos. If you… if you want to, that is… You could… You could stay with me tonight?" I finished in a rushed breath, staring at my hands like they held the secrets of the universe.

He cupped my face to tilt it to him, "Are you sure, Babe?"

I looked at him. He is so beautiful, I thought. I definitely want him to stay. "I'm sure Carlos."

Carlos shook his head, "Please don't call me beautiful, Babe."

I turned beet-red. "Out loud?" I squeaked.

"Out loud." He leaned in to kiss me deeply, and I forgot all about my missing brain-to-mouth filter.

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