Chapter 2

Detective Marcos Romano's POV

This has to be in the top ten most bizarre crime scene dealings I have ever been in. Whether it involved ATF, FBI, NSA or any other department… Why were the cops exchanging money and laughing while at an active crime scene where someone's car got bombed or blown up?

Recently transferred from an alphabet agency to pose as a detective to get the inside scoop of how the mob and gangs are run in Trenton, my cover story was a detective that recently transferred from the New York Police Department. Ultimately, to see the dealings of the human trafficking, arms and drugs that goes through the mobs here. Anyway, I've been here just a few scant days and I noticed that there are a lot of close knit groups and everyone knows everyone and maybe even their business.

Back to the scene, the car fire has been put out. The woman is being talked to by Detective Morelli, and another man that is dressed completely in black. In the background, there were more men in black scattered all across the area, even behind the yellow tape at times. The cops did not seem phased at all by the presence of the men in black… interesting. I have no doubt that the majority of the men in black have served the country, maybe even special forces depending on the branch. Understanding where they stand with the TPD would be a good task to do after I get a play by play statement from the woman. It seems like she is well liked by both the TPD as well as the men in black. Let's see what I can learn from her. Thus, I walk over to her and Morelli.

"Morelli" gave him and nod and looked at the woman for him to introduce us.

"Hey Romano, this is Stephanie Plum. Cupcake, this is Detective Romano with Vice and Homicide"

That got an eyebrow raise from me. Cupcake? Hmmm… Anyway, looking back at Stephanie, I say "Ms. Plum, can you tell me how this happened? A play by play if you will."

"Stephanie or Steph" she said.

"Of course, Steph" to which she gave me a small smile.

"Well, I don't really know what happened either. I was just coming to grab lunch at Pinos after surveilling one of my skips to see if I could bring them in to reschedule for her court date."

"You're a Bounty Hunter?" I say, not with surprise but curiosity.

"Yup! Might not be the best, but I always do my best" she shrugged

"Interesting, can you let me know who you were surveilling?" I asked.

"Sure, I was surveilling Claire Munez over by the outskirts of the Burg. I got hungry then decided to have an early lunch so I drove here. Then, right before I got to my car to head to Pinos, I got a molitov cocktail thrown through my car window. So I booked it as fast as I could away before I got caught up on it. Luckily I only got a few scrapes and singes, but my car went to car heaven."

As she was explaining this, I saw Morelli with his jaw clenched and lips pulled into a line. Wonder what made him seem so mad?

"Dammit Cupcake, why were you surveiling Claire Munez? Why weren't you looking to make sure you did not have a tail gunning for you?!" He shouted.

Now, I had to step in "Detective Morelli, I don't think yelling at her or making a scene at my crime scene would help anything, much less your way of handling being on a crime scene."

That got an annoyed look from Morelli, a stunned look from Stephanie, and all of a sudden, the entire crime scene went radio silent. I looked around and saw the men in black with their blank face on with a hint of curiosity headed in my direction. Did I say something wrong or am I tripping here?

"I like you, thank you for saying that" she gave me a big smile and then turned to Morelli. "Joe, we went over this, we're not together anymore and I do not need you to blow this up more than it already is. No more shouting matches and arm waving. If you need to talk to me, at least put away your Italian temper or don't talk to me at all. This isn't your crime scene."

She turned to me and said "That was basically my day that led up til my car went to car heaven after eating a Molitov cocktail as its last meal. I have no idea why someone would go after my car or me. Maybe it might be old skips but I do not think it is." She shrugged, "I've brought many psychos and murderers back to jail in the three years I have been doing this. So take your pick."

Wow, three years and still in the game. She must be good at it for her to still be in the game.

"Understood. Thank you for your statement, if I have any more questions, can I contact you?"

"Sure, let me write it down. If you need to get a hold of me, just ask around. Everyone knows where everyone is usually around here. Not much is kept secrets" she said.