A Fresh Start

Chapter 16

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Stephanie's POV

As arranged, I met Hector in the lobby of my hotel, ever the punctual man, he was waiting in the reception lounge. He gave me the once over and grinned with a complimentary nod.

"What?"

"You look good, all in black," he smirked.

I looked down at my business suit, tailored pants, black camisole and a light jacket with three-quarter sleeves. With my peep-toe black heels, not quite FMPs, I looked smart and professional. That's the image I wanted to project. I don't usually wear black, but it just felt right for today. I had my hair loose, the curls behaving in the Miami climate without the crazy frizz of before, and I wore minimal make up. My healthy complexion was natural and I only added some mascara and some lip gloss to finish the look.

The valet was waiting with the passenger door open to a shiny black SUV. I chuckled to myself thinking, not a Porsche.

My first appointment was a genuine, reputable company which had offices in three states, with agency links in London and Paris being considered in their work proposals. Perhaps it would offer travel as part of the package? I had already sent my resumé. Their reply was prompt and professional. I had done my research and background checks of the senior personnel. I was feeling quietly confident.

Hector parked the SUV in their parking garage, in the allocated visitors' bays, following the directions provided, we went to the reception area. After security clearance protocols, we were greeted by a polite receptionist guy who stood in front of a computer on a standard reception counter. Hector surveyed the cameras and general security, giving me a wink as he pointed out five discreet cameras. They were not obvious, only to the experienced eyes of a tech expert such as Hector.

After confirming our identity and appointment, Michael directed us to an elevator waiting with the doors open to our left. We arrived on the third floor, to be met by a senior staff member who introduced himself as Emmanuel. He was professional and polite, but I could tell he was very interested in Hector. He knocked on a door and ushered us inside.

A tall man stood up from behind his large mahogany desk, smiled warmly and introduced himself, "Peter Sharman, head investigator and CEO of Prime Investigations. Welcome. Please sit down Ms Plum and …"

"Mr Hernandez." He nodded politely at Hector.

"Are you a team?"

"We have worked together, but I am considering the position advertised."

I wasn't going to explain that Hector was more like my minder come body guard. Nor was I about to explain my very recent arrival in Miami, although my resumé does indicate my work history predominantly around Douglass College, and mainly at Rutgers, New Brunswick. I kept the formality with names, as in not on a first name basis just yet. I had sound vibes about the work place here and nothing set off any red flags nor my spidey senses. It was a small operation, perhaps smaller than what I was searching for, but I wanted to keep an open mind.

After all, job experience, other than the cadetship, was what I was really after, something I could get my teeth into. It's all very well having these degrees, electives and courses completed, with great success, but it was actual work experience which I needed to broaden my horizons. However, in saying that, Agent Horsham was keen to offer me a permanent position, which unfortunately meant staying in New Jersey, and likely working in and around Trenton. Trenton? Nope. That was a hard no for me. He also made it clear that he didn't want to share me with another interstate agency. It was a bit stingy on his part, in a weird possessive kind of way. Because of that, it was like the coup de grâce in helping me to seriously consider the transition to Miami. I don't need any more control freaks interfering in my life. It was time. The new opportunities would be refreshing, which is what both Daddy and Amy, my therapist, said to me.

"To be honest, Ms Plum, I think you are over qualified for the position we advertised. I mean that with the utmost respect. Our division here is a small set up of twelve staff. Given your experiences with the joint task force recently, and your impressive credentials, I honestly think that what we have to offer is inadequate for someone with your skill set and talents. As much as I would welcome you on our team, I feel we wouldn't be enough for you. Private investigations and tracking people, suspicious infidelities in marriages and fraudulent practices might not be substantial enough for you. I strongly recommend you pursue something more tangible and challenging. I'd hate to be the cause of discontent. However, in saying that, our door will always be open to you should you wish to reconsider the position." He smiled genuinely.

"Thank you for your candour and honesty. I appreciate that. Thank you for your time and consideration, Mr Sharman."

"I wish you well, Ms Plum. As much as I will regret losing your expertise, as I said before, you have excellent qualifications which a larger operation or company can better utilise, and offer you broader horizons to best fulfil your potential. I see a huge future for you and I wish you all the best. Thank you for considering us."

As we left, Hector was grinning at me.

"He's right, you know. You are made for bigger and better things. You would likely have become bored with that work, especially since we did the cadetship and all the intense searches and all that deep probing which you really love. I could see it in your eyes. At least, Mr Sharman was up front."

"Yes, he was. And not a creep."

Since we had time, we stopped for a coffee in a small café en route to my next appointment, which it seems Hector was known to frequent considering the familiarity with which he was greeted.

He chuckled. "You're doing it again."

"What?" I tried for innocence but his smiling eyes and those raised eyebrows got to me. I grinned back as I nibbled on my little almond biscotti. "Okay. I can't help it. Do you come here often?"

"You know it. So why ask?"

"Just chilling, while people watching, because you know how I like people watching, especially while sipping my coffee. I already figured that barista guy is really into you by the way, and so is the waitress with the tattoos."

He casually glanced at the girl and then at the barista guy who caught his eye and winked at him. I nudged Hector. His sly side-eye to me did not hide his grin.

"Come on," he said as he left a tip for the tattooed waitress with a nod to her, "time to go. I can tell you are excited." He certainly was right there.

On our way to the second appointment, the one for which I was most hopeful and optimistic, Hector reminded me that these men were mostly military. I already figured that but I just nodded. He nudged me, knowing I had done my homework, as I do. To be honest, I am curious to meet my contact while I was freelancing for him. Meeting face to face is so much more interesting, because that was the one thing I was not cleared to view. You know the saying, putting a name to a face – this is the reverse, putting a face to a name. I was able to obtain information about their company profile and structure, but no faces or names. Confidentiality and discretion, were obviously of the utmost importance, being predominantly staffed by military personnel, some of whom still active or between deployments. Because of the high clearance, I surmised they were involved in black ops and government missions. Maybe that's why Daddy recommended them, since I was already aware of the protocols. The philosophy behind the creation of this company really appealed to me, in securing a safe and supportive working zone which enabled them to utilise their skills and expertise safely in a civilian environment, whilst still pursuing an active military career.

Considering the fact that Daddy, being a general, had recommended this company for my freelance work, that had made me curious.

Yes, I was curious. I tried. Oh yes, I tried a number of alternative angles, cross references and pathways, but the barriers were well-covered, tight and secure. I bet Hector had something to do with the firewalls and security, given the nature of their work. As I looked at him he raised his eyebrows like he knew what I was thinking. Did I talk out loud? It was then that I realised we had stopped, idling in front of a building. He waggled his eyebrows, but said nothing as he turned and approached a gated entry to an underground parking area. He pressed a fob and the gates opened. Inside there were many SUVs, all black and shiny. I also spotted a truck further back, and a Porsche Macan near the elevator, also black and shiny. Interesting. There were a variety of other vehicles beyond, probably personal vehicles which would likely mean that these shiny SUVs might be their work vehicles. That seemed to make sense.

Okay. I gave myself a little pep talk, feeling a twinge of excitement and anticipation. I can do this. All the vibes felt good. I took a deep breath and stepped out of the SUV as Hector held the door open for me. I grabbed my bag and together we walked to the lobby door.

Hector's POV

I acknowledged our man in the lobby, Woody, at the front reception, automatically clearing our arrival.

"Stephanie, this is Woody."

"Ma'am," he nodded politely.

"Please call me Steph, or Stephanie. Not Ma'am, thank you. Nice to meet you, Woody."

He bowed in accordance with her wishes, once again checking the schedule with eyes back at me with just a flicker. His curious expression was quickly masked, indicating that she was not whom he had expected. I gave him a small nod while signalling a zip of his lips. I pointed to the appointment for her and he raised his eyebrows in surprise. Of course, it did not say "Stephanie Plum". I just gave him a raised eyebrow and knuckle bumped him. He'll figure it out soon enough, once the info trickles back down to him.

Back to business, he was already talking into his headset and tapping on his computer, confirming that the 1100 appointment had arrived. I walked Stephanie over to the elevator and pressed 5.

"I'd say, given his posture and that firm nod as he spoke into his headset, he was talking to a commanding officer, like you would expect with military personnel." I chuckled as Stephanie muttered under her breath. I smiled at her observation but didn't let on. She side-eyed me and rolled her eyes. She knew I heard her.

We arrived on the fifth floor amid a lot of curious meerkat behaviour, with heads popping up over their cubbies. I gave them a sharp look, noting that the monitors had tracked our arrival, of course. A woman arriving unexpectedly has that effect, considering that no women have entered the control room before. Without further delay, I directed her to Tank's office and knocked.

"Enter."

He was already standing, waiting to receive his unexpected guest, his 1100 appointment. He sized her up very quickly, but that was as far as he got. I was going to enjoy this, watching his reactions. Never underestimate your opponent, or contender, Tank. Was I going to warn him? Hell no!

"Hello. I'm Stephanie Plum, your 1100 appointment," as she reached out her hand to shake his. "You must be Mr Sherman."

Smiling, he confirmed. Not many people call him Mr Sherman. Not many people can make him smile, as she easily disarmed him with her natural poise.

"I won't waste your time, so I'll get straight to the point. I have applied for the advertised position. Just so you know, we have liaised closely over the last four months, when I was doing freelance investigations for you and this company."

She let that hang there, waiting for him to figure out their connection. The advertisement was not run through civilian channels which misdirected him, and, likewise with her application as SM Plum. She grinned when he had that light bulb moment and nodded.

"Well. This is a remarkable situation, coming here like a bolt from the blue with a bombshell like that. My apologies for my delayed reaction."

"De nada. I know. I couldn't give you a heads up, but that was part of the arrangements designated in the first place with my referee. You expected a man, of course."

Tank tightened his lips in a moment of acknowledgement and apology.

"When you indicated you had already liaised successfully with our Trenton branch I was already impressed with your investigations. You come highly recommended. Do I call you by your moniker, or do you prefer Ms Plum?" He'd glanced at me, acknowledging my recommendation.

"Steph or Stephanie will be fine. What do I call you?" I chuckled at her directness.

"Tank."

"Of course, that makes sense," she added with a winning smile, which earned her a significant Tank look, for her cheekiness. "No disrespect intended, Tank."

Dios. She's good. I like watching her in action. This was going to be good. I was enjoying this first encounter so much. The rest should be just as entertaining. I could read the quick flashes cross his visage, as could Stephanie. He was now back as Tank, 2IC for Rangeman, Miami.

"I have one question that I am curious about."

She waited expectantly, her lips tightened briefly, knowing what was coming.

"Well, two questions. You saw the advertisement? And, your referee?"

"Yes?"

Inwardly I chuckled as she forced his hand. He gazed at her, while considering how to reframe his question. This was an impressive stand-off: Tank tall, dark and imposing and, Stephanie, much smaller, not even intimidated, standing her ground confidently. The corner of his mouth tilted ever so slightly.

"How did you happen sight the advertisement?"

"It was despatched to me directly."

"By whom?"

"My referee."

"Right."

I had to turn around to hide my grin. Tank was puzzled and Steph's staccato answers were brilliant. She's going to fit in well here, for sure. That was never a doubt in my mind. She held his gaze unwaveringly.

"Your profile shows no military experience yet I assume your referee has military experience to warrant your high clearance."

"That is correct."

Stephanie waited him out, as he stared at her expectantly. The look he gave her was one of those "I'll let you off the hook for now" looks. He knew from where it came, via the handlers, but that was it. Coded and approved at the highest level did not warrant questioning. But Tank is human, he is curious. Knowing that path was sealed for now, he moved on with the interview. He would discover that path in due time.

"I have already reviewed your qualifications and credentials. Your reputation precedes you. I have no hesitation in approving your application as you have met all the requirements and prerequisites, pending final approval by our CEO. As a member of our team, you are required to pass a physical assessment and gun range time. I see you already have those skills covered, and from your work with Hector, you also have self-defence skills. That is good to see. That too will be reviewed as part of your employment during your probationary period."

Tank deliberately didn't explain about said CEO, Ranger, being on leave for the present time, nor that he was due back today.

"Your work under your moniker was most impressive. Our team was able to make those captures in quick succession because of your thorough background checks. The recommendations and connections you made for locating our targets made the job very safe and expedient. Your local knowledge was exceptional, certainly nothing we would have been able to tap, even with our informants. Your assistance was invaluable, at all levels."

"Thank you. It helped that I used to live in Trenton, for a while." She decided not to elaborate any further. He took that on board, reading between the lines that there was a story there. "In saying that, through our work with the Cadetship, my experience is not limited to Trenton. Many of my skills are transferrable to a Miami context, just not the local knowledge I had garnered over many years. Hector and I, as you probably know, were partners, in a variety of successfully deep investigations."

Go Stephanie. I smiled at her extra marketing ploy. Tank grinned and nodded.

"Do you have any questions?"

"I'd like to continue by my moniker, but I am happy to be on first name basis, if that is the protocol. You obviously go by Tank. Does everyone else go by first name basis?"

I smiled openly at Tank, which earned me a fleeting side-eye glance from the big man. She had him there. However, knowing Stephanie, she will soon discover his actual first name. I know she was frustrated not being able to break the firewalls, so the anonymity of the personnel here at Rangeman, Miami, was protected. Maintaining that secrecy was essential especially with their contract work for the government. Many times, she had tried to break the barriers as I watched from here. I knew it had to be her. From having worked so closely together, I knew her MO.

"Let's introduce you to the team," he said as I opened the door while Tank led her to the main floor, to be met by a curious bunch of onlookers, the welcoming committee. I grinned as Stephanie glanced around at them, one at a time, taking her time. She was not fazed by their formidable size and presence. With her dressed all in black, she fitted right in, but definitely in a classier manner of course. I knew the instant that recognition dawned on her. She glanced back at me and then at Tank. Her smirk was one of calculated recognition, not confusion, which was a mere fleeting flash across her beautiful face.

"Men. This is Stephanie Plum, the newest member of our investigative team. Some of you may already know her by her reputation, having worked closely with her under her moniker, Phoenix."

"Phoenix? Ma'am, you're a…" which earned him a smack upside from Tank.

At the same time, the stairwell door opened.

"Hooah!"

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