Chapter 21:

Joe looked at Stephanie and saw her eyes light up, along with a grin that always got her into trouble.

"No, whatever you are thinking, cupcake, the answer is no," Joe said out loud. Ranger looked at his wife and shook his head. "Babe, what are you thinking?" Ranger said to his wife

'What if we used Joe as bait? It is the only way to end this craziness," Stephanie said to everyone in the room.

"No cupcake. I just want to get to my house and see Bob," Joe told everyone.

"Yeah, well, about your house, your mom sold it and gave Bob to your brother and nephews. The only way to get both of them back is to catch Chris," Stephanie told everyone.

"Well, it is that or a Rangeman safe house because Chris will show up at any time asking questions. You have no choice, Joe; if you want your house and Bob back and your Job, you must be used as bait." Stephanie

"What about my job?" Joe asked her.

"Well, your mom convinced the Trenton PD to retire your badge. In two weeks, you will not have a job anymore," Stephanie told him, and Joe's mouth dropped.

"Cupcake, do you have any good news to tell me," Joe asked her.

"Nope, sorry," Stephanie told him.

Joe put his head down and shook it. "Fine, I will be bait. How do you suppose we do this? One question: How much trouble did Ranger and Chris get into growing up?" Joe smiled.

"Carlos stayed out of trouble for the most part, but Chris was grounded every week." Tim everyone.

Ranger shook his head and noticed Stephanie was starting to get tired. "Babe, please rest for a while; I will fill you in on our next move later, promise," Ranger told her.

"Yeah, I am feeling a little tired, but Carlos, please don't rub this in on him," Stephanie said as she kissed him on his cheek. She then squeezed Joe's shoulder and left for the bedroom.

Bobby and Tank waited until Steph was gone, "Boss."

"My brother kidnapped Joe and faked his death. Morelli, I am going to say this once. Stephanie was destroyed when your mom called her; it took me two months to help her get past your death. I knew she would not do well if I left her alone, so Stephanie and I married. Also, before we lost the baby, we would name him after you. But for some reason, she lost the baby. So that is why we are going to try to adopt. But all this stays between us for now. Is that understood? That includes you, Pop, so do not tell momma about this. You are getting one warning." Ranger told everyone in the room.

"Right, so we heard Steph's idea. How are we going to do this, boss?" Tank asked him.

"I am not sure yet, but we will find a way to use Morelli as bait. I have to say it is better than using my wife as bait." Carlos told everyone.

"Yeah, she has done that plenty of times and looks happy by your side, Ranger. That is all I want from her: to be happy." Joe said to everyone.