"I think we got through about as much as we could today. I must go back to D. C. for the next week. If anything urgent arises, I can be here, but until then, I'll check in each day. Agent Plum, don't disappoint me."
Stephanie internally rolled her eyes. She hated Meyers and his condescending attitude toward her. She knew it was because she pissed him off when she rejected his advances. Not only was he almost twenty years her senior, but he was married. He rarely asked her to work with him, but given the nature of this case, she could understand why.
"See you around," Stephanie said without looking up from her computer. Once Meyers was gone and out of sight, Ranger addressed her.
"Okay, Stephanie, I think it's time you let us in on your history."
Stephanie closed her eyes and sighed. She knew this moment was coming, but it didn't make it any easier. The only person, aside from those directly involved in the incident, who knew her story was the Director, and he was the one who gave her permission to bury her background.
"I don't want to talk about my past. It's tough for me to do so. However, I know you have a right to know what you might get involved in having me around. I will tell you, Tank, Bobby, and Lester, but no one else. The only reason I will tell the four of you is that you are all equally involved in Rangeman and would be the ones to suffer the most at my expense."
Ranger gave the other men a look, and they all got up and left the room. Hector paused and tapped his heart and the teardrop tattoo on his face. The gesture didn't go unnoticed by Ranger, who understood that Hector had just vowed to protect Stephanie with his life.
Stephanie stood up and paced the conference room, still wearing her dress but having removed her shoes. She was working to control her emotions, remembering how to report as if she were the agent investigating the crime.
"Before I begin, I need you all to promise me you will divulge nothing I'm telling you to another person outside this room. When I finish, you will understand why I am asking you to keep this a secret. I know you all have high-security clearance, so I know I can trust you, so think of this as a need to know. There may come a time when you feel that other Rangemen employees need to know about me for their protection. I only ask that you inform me what you will tell them and clarify what information I'm comfortable with them knowing. Do I have your word?"
Each of the four owners of Rangeman shook their head. They knew what it was like to have secrets that couldn't be shared or spoken of. Hell, all of them had information in their heads that even they weren't sure they should have. "You have our word on our honor," Ranger said.
"I guess I should start at the beginning. I was born at St. Francis, the second child of Ellen and Frank Plum. My older sister, Valerie, was two. My childhood was normal for someone growing up in the Burg. Chambersburg, to be exact. I got into the usual pickles as a kid and teenager, and until I hit high school, my life was rather boring. However, that all changed when I was about to enter my sophomore year of high school. My parents often argued and would stop if they saw me or my sister around. I just guessed they were trying to figure out how they were paying for Valerie's college since she was graduating the following June. In July, everything changed. I had gone on vacation with my best friend, Mary Lou, to Point Pleasant. Valerie was in Trenton, working. My parents had gone to a barbeque at a friend's house. On their way home, they were in a car accident, and they both died."
Stephanie paused, remembering Mrs. Molnar, Mary Lou's mother, waking her in the middle of the night to tell her. She remembers crying in her arms and the long trip back to Trenton the next day, seeing her Grandma Mazur, who was always full of life and joy, reduced to a small, grieving mother. She shook her head and refocused, staring at the seascape on the wall.
"After the dust settled, my grandparents sold my parent's home and placed the money in a college fund for my sister and me. We moved in with my mother's parents and continued high school, living in their home. Things seemed to settle down after a few months, and life continued. Then, in January, the house burned down where we were living. Fortunately, we were not home, but everything was a total loss. The fire department said it was faulty wiring, but I don't believe that was the case, at least not any longer.
"We moved into a new home, but that was just the beginning. Someone burglarized the house several times, sending threatening letters to Valerie and me. Once again, the police got involved but couldn't find any information. Valerie's car blew up on the first anniversary of my parent's death. She wasn't in it, and no one was hurt. A week later, Grandpa Mazur got into an accident, and the police said someone cut his brakes. That was the final straw. My grandparents sold the house we were living in, and we moved to Princeton.
"Val went to school in Philly, and I started my junior year at a new high school. Life returned to normal, with no major problems. Living in Trenton was the key. Towards the end of Val's first year of college, she met Steve, a pre-law student, and she was on her way to becoming a housewife. Right before my graduation, Val and Steve got engaged. They married in August since Steve was attending law school in California, and Val wanted to go with him. It was the only proper thing to do." Steph said, rolling her eyes. "I was accepted into Pace University and settled into life in NYC at the dorms.
"Val got pregnant, and in February, my grandparents moved to California to help her. After my first year, three friends and I rented an apartment. We lived in Woodside, Queens, sharing a three-bedroom apartment.
"We never found out what happened to my parents or why someone targeted us after the fact. My parents were involved in something, but it was by accident. My dad drove a cab, and I feel he heard or saw something he shouldn't have seen, and they killed him to prevent him from talking. I can't prove it, but I also put it behind me. I'm in Treton for the first time since Mary Lou's wedding, and even on that day, I had a threatening letter on my car's windshield. Since then, I have severed all ties with anyone from Trenton, not wanting someone to hurt them on my account. Therefore, I need the security measures that I asked for. I am afraid that if anyone finds out I'm back in Trenton, the threats will begin again, and they will try to kill me. If you feel this is too risky for your company, I can work remotely from Quantico or hand the case over to another analyst."
The men in the room were stunned. There was a lot more to Agent Stephanie Plum than any of them thought. She pursued a career in law enforcement after what happened to her, which is evidence of her integrity and personal strength. They all understood that she needed the protection she asked for and would stand with her. However, Lester was not happy about it.
"Stephanie, I'm sorry that you went through that ordeal. Rangeman has no problem keeping you safe while you are in Trenton. I will be more than happy to show you to your quarters and introduce you to Ella. She can assist you in getting anything you need. She also provides three meals a day for the employees. Eat your meals here if you wish.
"However, there are a few things that we need to discuss. First, you are one of two women regularly working in the building. The men who work here are mostly military and act like they are still in the barracks or frat houses. I hope you are not easily offended by their macho and often chauvinistic attitude. Second, we need to discuss your wardrobe."
Stephanie laughed, and Ranger was perplexed. Why was she laughing at him? "I only dressed like this because Jeanne Ellen said this is how you would picture me, a dumb bimbo. I hate dressing like this for work. To go to a club or out on a date, yes. I typically wear pantsuits or jeans and t-shirts or sweaters."
Ranger was relieved. One problem is solved. "Jeans and tees are fine. The employees of Rangeman wear cargo pants and t-shirts most of the time, so that will fit in better. Sneakers or cat boots are needed when we go out in the field. I also expected you to be always armed, even in the building. Your fob will give you access to your apartment, this floor, the main lobby, the elevator, the garage, the stairwells, the gym, and the medical suite. We will show you around after you settle. You may use the gym, but unfortunately, I do not have a female locker room. Water and towels are always available. I know you are versed in physical fitness. Still, I ask that you don't use equipment until Bobby reviews everything with you for your safety and our liability. We have one designated female bathroom on this floor and the main floor. All others are for the men. I hope that isn't a problem."
"With only me here, that will be fine. I appreciate everything you are doing for me. I know it is an inconvenience for you and a liability."
"Nonsense. It is our pleasure if you are as good as you claim to be. If you don't mind, I need you to sign this contract, which names you as a contract worker and will cover you under the Rangeman insurance should anything happen to you while you are working with us, especially on the grounds or in our vehicles. We have over a dozen SUVs available to you in the garage. Just check the manifest to make sure it isn't reserved. Some teams are particular about which vehicle they use."
"To be honest, I'm not comfortable driving around Trenton. Most likely, I will stay in the building. There are too many risks for me here. If possible, I prefer not to be in the room if you meet with local law enforcement. I would appreciate it if you could call me via camera feed during meetings. The Burg comprises individuals who do not know how to keep a secret. If one person sees me, the entire community will know I am here in an hour, two hours tops."
"Is there a pseudonym we can use so we don't accidentally announce that you are working with us here?" Tank asked.
Stephanie thought for a moment. She knew they needed to refer to her differently than "the agent" or "the analyst." After a few moments, she smiled and responded, "Diana Prince."
Bobby let out a belly laugh, his eyes twinkling. The name suited her. Wonder Woman. Yeah, she had the killer body and seemed to have the skills. Only he hoped Stephanie didn't have a lasso of truth.
Rolling his eyes, Lester sighed and shook his head. Here was this Agent Plum. Another woman who was full of herself, looking to outshine men. He knew she would be the same. Lester knew better than to trust a woman.
"If your sob story is over, can we return to work?"
Ranger sent Lester a look that meant shut the fuck up. Santos hung his head, knowing that he had overstepped his boundary. Still, he did not make eye contact with Agent Plum or apologize.
"Since it is almost 1700, I will show you to your quarters. We will start promptly at 0800. Meet Hector here at 0730 so he can download some of our programs. You will need those programs to access the camera feeds during our meetings with the local law enforcement."
Ranger stood, indicating that Steph should do the same. She quickly shut down her laptop, gathered her supplies, grimaced, slipped her shoes back on, and nodded when ready.
"It was great to meet you. I hope we can close this case quickly. Thank you for understanding my unique situation." Stephanie said.
"The pleasure is all ours. I'm still not sure how you found out what you did. Hopefully, your skills will give us the edge we need," said Tank, referring to how Stephanie got their complete dossier.
Stephanie blushed and smirked. "It wasn't easy. Hector did a mighty fine burying the information, but I found a hole. Don't worry. I already told Hector what the hole was and how to fix it. I also gave him some suggestions to make it impenetrable. He got some of my information but not all of it."
The four men looked as though she slapped them in the face. They couldn't understand why Hector didn't say anything to them, why he told them he had got nothing.
"Hacker code. When we bury info that deep, we don't reveal it. It's honor among thieves' code. If it makes you feel better, he has public data, the information that is in the newspapers. None of the police reports or the FBI file."
Shaking his head, Ranger held the door open for Stephanie. He knew the looks his men were giving her, and he couldn't blame them. She had a body on her and carried herself with such confidence. She ignored them, not acknowledging their ogles and stares, making them stare more. "Too bad," Ranger thought. "If I weren't happily married, I'd try to get this woman."
Stephanie felt the eyes on her. She always hated the way men would leer at her. That was part of the reason Steph hated wearing dresses and skirts to work. However, she had long ago learned that the best defense was ignorance. She pretended not to feel the lust and want, allowing her to get past with no catcalls or whistles. Once in the elevator's safety with Ranger, she finally exhaled. She looked around the car, noticed the eyes and ears, and smiled. Ranger didn't miss a beat and had every nook and cranny monitored.
"You will stay on the sixth floor. The rest of the staff has quarters on the third and fourth floors. For obvious reasons, I thought you'd be more comfortable here. Ella, along with her husband Luis, has their suite here too. The only other apartment on this floor is Lester's. As for Tank, he has an apartment off-site. He takes one of the spare rooms downstairs if he needs to stay here. Bobby has his quarters next to the medical suite."
Stephanie shook her head, trying to take everything in.
"You can have visitors but must clear them with me beforehand. Since you are unmarried, you may have no one stay the night."
"I understand about the security of your building. You don't have to worry about me."
The elevator dinged, and the doors opened to a small lobby area, with one door to the right, one straight ahead, and the last to the left. The door in front of the pair opened, and a woman with dark brown hair pulled into a sloppy twist emerged, wearing a Rangeman polo in purple and black leggings with sneakers. She looked about 50, with minimal make-up, lip gloss, blush, and mascara.
"You must be Stephanie. I'm Ella. I'll take over from here."
"Steph, if you need anything, just contact the control room. If you choose to have food delivered here, just let the front desk know beforehand; they will receive it and deliver it to your door. Dial 1000 for the front desk. All our extensions are four digits. Ella will show you the list. Have a good evening, Agent."
"Good night, Ranger."