Hi everyone. Yes I know! It has been a really long time again. I am writing slowly, but work and everything else has been super busy. Plus, we have had a literal cyclone recently! (I live in south-east Queensland, so we had Cyclone Alfred) Anyway, I am still writing and determined to finish this story. Thanks to everyone who reads and reviews my story and I hope you enjoy.

Smarten Up

Half an hour later, Bobby and Manny were back in the office, while I briefed them about the situation at Fort Dix. Carlos emerged from his office after another twenty minutes and flashed me a quick grin that told me the Army was on board with our sting operation. We started to flesh out a discrete surveillance plan when Zip called and told me he had found a suitable rental van. I headed out to them with my Rangeman credit card to complete the hire.

We arrived back at the office like a road crew. I couldn't wait until the building was finished; it was getting difficult to find street parking around the temporary office. Not to mention, when the office was filled with five men, I felt a little claustrophobic. Okay, it was a nice kind of claustrophobia! But still, it was pretty crowded in the small office now.

Carlos sent Zip and Manny out to the rental bungalow we were still using as a safe house to set up a monitoring base so we could start surveillance. Hector went to his workroom that Carlos had set up temporarily in the basement carpark level of Haywood Street to gather equipment and Bobby and I went to scout the area around Fort Dix to identify potential places to place the surveillance equipment.

I had never been on an Army base, and it was impressive to see. Even more so, since it bordered both an Air Force and Navy Base, it was expansive. I wondered if it might be more difficult to monitor if Logan decided to target deliveries to either of the neighbouring bases but dismissed the thought. So far, he had targeted Dix twice, so there was no real reason to think he would change direction now. And Dix was the largest. Bobby and I drove slowly around, noting the security entrance on our street map, and highlighting several places where we thought cameras or hidden people would be able to watch.

Bobby had pulled off the road into a semi-hidden layby near a side entrance to the base as we discussed angles and options. Both of us were huddled over the map and so were startled by a knock on Bobby's window. We looked up and saw a stern man in an Army uniform standing at the driver's door, and another man holding a two-way radio standing nearby beside an Army jeep. Bobby rolled down the window and the man spoke, "Good afternoon, sir, ma'am. Can I ask why you are parked here?"

I remembered Carlos had told me the Army was keeping a careful eye out, after the last two incidents with Logan, and we realised we had tripped their alerts. I debated what to say; should we just claim to be lost and looking for directions? On the other hand, we were working with the Army on this, and there was no real reason to be secretive.

Bobby looked a little lost, so I spoke up, "Good afternoon, sir. We work for Rangeman Security," I pulled out one of my business cards and handed it to the soldier. He glanced at it, and I went on, "We spoke to your base security this morning about an operation to hopefully catch Marcus Logan, who has defaulted on his bail bond. We are out scouting monitoring locations."

The soldier's eyes sharpened and his expression cleared. It was apparent that he was aware of both Logan's activities and the involvement of Rangeman. "You work with Ranger Manoso?" he asked.

"Yes sir, we both work for Rangeman Trenton. I'm sorry if we caused any alarm with our activities."

"No, it's no problem, ma'am," he returned, "We've been on alert for Logan, but we were briefed at the beginning of our shift about Rangeman and the sting operation."

Bobby spoke up, "I'm Robert Brown, and this is Stephanie Plum. We were actually scouting for locations for monitoring with cameras and discreet hideouts. I imagine you would know the layout around here better than us. Do you or your partner have any ideas?"

The soldier motioned to his partner who approached cautiously. The soldier told the other man that we worked for Rangeman and were scouting monitoring locations for Logan. He turned back to us, "I'm Staff Sergeant Ryan, and this is Staff Sergeant Lammas. We'd be happy to help, but we are supposed to be on patrol. We finish our route in about half an hour. If you meet us back at the main gate, we can sit down and talk. Our commanding officer, Captain Ziegler, will want to be in the discussion, since he is in charge of base security."

We agreed and the soldiers left to continue their patrol. Bobby restarted the car and drove us toward Pemberton Heights. I called Carlos while Bobby was driving.

"Yo, Babe, what's up?" came his warm baritone.

"Carlos, while we were scouting, we were approached by base security. After we told them who we are, they agreed to help us identify the best locations. We are meeting them at the base gate in about twenty-five minutes. Did you want to be there? They said their commander, Captain Ziegler would be talking to us."

"Ziegler's the one I spoke to, he's security chief."

"That's what the officers said."

"I'd like to be there, thanks Babe. I'll meet you at the base. If I can't get there on time, just go ahead and I'll catch up. Let them know I'll be coming."

"Ok, no problem. See you soon."

"Babe," was his only response and he hung up. I shook my head; I was never going to get him to use phone manners.

We found a convenience store and I went in to get myself a soda and Bobby a water. We walked over to a nearby park and sat for about fifteen minutes to drink our drinks, before heading back to the base gate.

As we pulled up, we told the base guard that we were meeting Staff Sergeants Ryan and Lammas after their patrol. The guard asked for our names and checked a clipboard, and we were directed to a nearby carpark. After parking, we walked back to the gate and the sergeants pulled up as we arrived. They greeted us politely, and I told them about Ranger arriving soon to join the meeting. The men seemed to look a little awed and slightly intimidated at that news, but they invited us to get into the jeep and drove toward a building off to the side, parking in front. The sergeants led us into the building, into a clean, if somewhat sparsely decorated meeting room. We sat, and were offered coffee, but we both declined.

We chatted politely with the sergeants, and a few minutes later, we heard Carlos' voice greeting another man. Both Sergeants stood as the door opened and saluted at the two men coming into the room. To my surprise, they both returned the salute. Carlos flashed me a grin at my wide-eyed look. As everyone took seats. Carlos sat beside me and briefly pressed my hand under the table. A discussion began and I pulled out the map I had been using and pointed out the places Bobby and I had identified for cameras and surveillance. The sergeants seemed a little hesitant at first, but as Carlos deferred to me, they seemed to regain their confidence and began making their own suggestions. We adjusted several locations and identified one we had not considered. The captain then offered to share their own security feeds if there was any sighting of Logan, which we eagerly accepted. Carlos told them that two of his men would come out tonight to install the cameras under the cover of darkness. The discussion then led onto the fake deliveries we would be making. I gave the captain the license plate number of our rented van, and Carlos fixed a schedule for 'deliveries' tomorrow and the next day. It felt like the sting operation had fallen into place so quickly, I was almost breathless at the speed.

After some more polite conversation, we stood to leave. The captain shook Carlos' hand, and the sergeants saluted him again, before shaking our hands. Carlos' truck was parked out front of the building, of course, and Carlos told Bobby he would drive me back to the office. Bobby nodded and headed off to the car park after a cheeky salute to both of us. I chuckled as Carlos shook his head.

As we were driving back to the office, I asked Carlos, "Do you still have your uniform?"

He looked at me puzzled, "Of course, Babe. Why?"

I blushed beet-red and mumbled, "Just curious."

Carlos' smile turned predatory at that, "Want to play dress-up, Babe?"

I didn't think I could get any redder, so I decided to play along, "Sir, yes sir!"

Carlos burst out laughing at that. But I think we both knew we'd make it happen.

My hands shook slightly as I picked up the folder of photographs and product specifications I had put together, labelled and sectioned to demonstrate options and ideas. Today Carlos and I were off to the first of six businesses that had scheduled a security assessment from Rangeman Trenton. I had been cold-calling business owners, based on extensive research that Raoul and I had collated, and we were about to try and recruit our first clients.

My marketing strategy had been to target small to medium sized businesses with no security or with just simple door alarms, rather than immediately try to go after large accounts with existing systems. In this way, we could build both clientele and reputation, even while still not being able to provide full monitoring and patrol services as yet. The building was coming along, and I could almost see how it would look complete now, but we were still several weeks away from offering even the most basic of coordinated monitoring. I hoped I wasn't being pre-emptive, but Carlos had been confident and impressed at my strategy, so I took a deep breath and straightened my spine.

We stepped into Giatelli's Insurance in downtown Trenton and were met with Leo and Sophia Giatelli. Introductions and handshakes were shared, and I launched into a pre-rehearsed spiel about Rangeman Trenton, our premises we were currently building, and the services of Rangeman Miami. Smoothly, Carlos took over to outline how our services would evolve over the next few months, and the types of services we would be offering. The Giatellis led us around their offices; it was a small company with four staff who sold personal and business insurance. It was underwritten by one of the major national companies, and they had had several incidents of graffiti and attempted break-ins. Carlos pointed out vulnerable areas, and discussed options for cameras and alarms, and I showed them relevant photographs and diagrams from my folder of the options we would provide. I pulled out a schedule of fees that identified costs for static monitoring, where the cameras recorded to a local VCR, and monitored surveillance, which would be available when the office opened.

The Giatellis seemed enthusiastic about the ideas we had presented and told us they would be in touch when they had decided. I barely held in my excitement until Carlos and I were again sitting in his car, before I threw myself into his arms, almost crying in relief and joy that the pitch had gone off so well. Carlos hugged me and murmured how proud he was of me.

I was proud of me too.

The next presentation was scheduled for two days ahead, but meanwhile Zip and Manny had been on three 'deliveries' to Fort Dix over the last two days. The cameras so far had not picked up anyone following our van or watching it. We could only hope Logan was out there somewhere, wanting to take the bait.

Thanks to our coordination with the base, the deliveries were looking very official. Zip and Manny were wearing army green-coloured plain uniforms. No insignia but blending in perfectly. They were met at the gates by an escort each time and drove to a building beside the armoury, where they parked with the rear of the van facing into the building, before opening the rear doors. Several people from their security and logistics staff would walk around the van with Zip and Manny, for about twenty minutes, before the van was closed up and they left, looking just as official as they departed. Anyone watching through binoculars would be seeing what looked like perfectly normal deliveries. And they looked like they were delivering arms too, we hoped.

Carlos and Hector were out at the safe house, monitoring the cameras as Zip and Manny were scheduled to make another delivery this afternoon. I was trying not to think about it, but always hoping they'd spot him. I started wondering where Logan might be staying while this was all happening. Obviously, he was not staying with his uncle or mother and was apparently not staying at his apartment. Did he have friends? Former colleagues? According to the information we had on him, he had worked at a local gas station until he had quit about four months ago.

I left the office and drove the address for the gas station. I went inside and saw a young guy at the register, who looked to be about sixteen with a bad case of acne. "Hello," I started, "I was wondering if I could speak to the owner or manager?"

"Why?" he glanced up at me from a magazine, "Whadda ya need?"

"I was wanting to ask about a man who used to work here. I am trying to track him down, and wondered if someone might have some ideas where he could be."

The kid shrugged, "I dunno. I've only worked here about three weeks."

"Is the manager or owner here?"

He heaved a sigh before reluctantly pushing away from the counter and going to a door down a short hallway. He knocked once and called out "Mike!" A voice answered and he opened the door. "Some chick, I dunno. Wants to talk to you."

A short man with thinning hair and a pack-a-day rough voice came out of the office. He walked up to me, looking curious but cautious, "Help you?" he asked.

I handed him a business card, "My name is Stephanie. I work for Rangeman, a local security company that does bond enforcement. We're looking for Marcus Logan, as he skipped his court date. I understand he used to work here, and I'm trying to identify any former friends or associates. I hoped you might be able to help."

His face had darkened at the name, "Mike Skylar," he growled, "And that loser is long gone. Good riddance."

I tried to look sympathetic, "I take it he wasn't a good employee?"

Mike grunted, "He was a complete loser, not that I seem to find the cream of the crop here." He shot a suspicious glance over to the pimply kid, who was thankfully serving a customer and not listening in. "Stupid moron was always on about how he was gonna be some big shot, selling military weapons and making millions. He was always reading Guns and Ammo and talking to his loser friends, rather than workin'. Quit just before I could fire him."

"He was arrested for trying to steal military weapons," I confirmed. "Do you remember anything about his friends?"

Mike thought for a minute or so, "Not much, but they were always in here. He called them Sonny and Lobe, or some such shit. They called him Swear. I asked him why one day, and he said he went by 'Cuss' instead of Marcus, so his friends started calling him Swear." Mike shook his head, "Like I said, always full of shit and never working."

I sighed. The nicknames were not really enough to go on to try and track these guys down. "They never used their real names?" I asked a bit desperately.

Mike shook his head, "The Lobe guy though, I once saw he had an old school backpack he carried around. It was open one day, and I saw a name, though it was faded. Said McGarrity." Mike spelled it out, "Dunno if it was his name or even his backpack, but that's all I got."

I thanked Mike for the information and left the gas station, heading back to the office. On the way, I drove past the end of Allison Logan's street and I slowed. His mother might know his friends' real names, and we had not followed back up with her. It was four o'clock on a Friday, and I suspected she might be home.

I drove up and parked and traipsed up to her apartment. A tired-looking woman with grey streaking her hair and callouses on her hands answered the door. "Allison Logan?" I asked.

"Yes," came her tentative reply, "Who are you?"

I handed her a business card and repeated my spiel about looking for Marcus. Allison seemed to shrink inward at the information. "I don't know where Markie is, he hasn't been by in weeks. Louise told me you were here asking, but we haven't seen him."

I looked sympathetic, "Do you know if he has any friends he might be staying with, Mrs Logan? I understand he has a couple of close friends…" I pretended to consult a notebook, "Sonny and Lobe."

Allison blinked at the nicknames. "Sean Pozzi and Lobhesh McGarrity. They called each other by those silly names. Markie even insisted they call him 'Cuss'." Apparently, he hadn't told his mom about the 'Swear' nickname.

"Do you know where they live Mrs Logan? I was hoping they might help me find Marcus."

She was starting to look like she regretted opening the door, "No," she said shortly, "I don't know where they are living now. And I don't want you throwing Markie back in jail, so I don't think I can help you anymore."

"Marcus needs to register with the courts, Mrs Logan. He's only going to be in worse trouble if he doesn't. And your brother could lose his plumbing business, if he forfeits the bond money."

He expression wavered, "Markie wouldn't do that to his Uncle Andrew," she insisted haltingly. Her face closed off again, "Anyway, I don't know where he is. I'd prefer if you go now," she said, and began to close the door. I knew it would be pointless to ask her to call me with more information; she was determined to stay blind to her son's faults. So, I took the hint and left, heading back to the office to try and track down Sean Pozzi and Lobhesh McGarrity.

I spent an hour talking with Silvio on the phone and checking local directories. Eventually, I managed to find an address for Lobhesh McGarrity in North Hanover, suspiciously close to Fort Dix. And he was employed at the military cemetery near Dix as a groundskeeper! I thought this connection was all too coincidental and I picked up my phone to ring Carlos immediately.

"Babe," came the honey baritone.

"Carlos!" I exclaimed in excitement, "I think I have another lead. A really good one!" It took me several minutes to explain about tracking down Logan's former employer and then his mother to confirm his friends, and then finding McGarrity's address with Silvio.

"Wow, Babe, that's good work," Carlos praised me warmly. He paused, "Hmm, I might have to head out to check it out alone. Hector needs to stay here to man the monitors. The guys are at Dix now, making the 'delivery'. They won't be finished for another twenty minutes or so."

I was concerned about him going alone, "Are you sure you shouldn't wait? If the guys come back, you could take one of them or take Hector with you. I could even come out to man the monitors while you go?" I paused for a moment before saying in a small voice, "You should have backup. This guy is armed."

He considered that for a minute, "Yes, ok, come out Babe. And we'll wait for you. If the guys are back before you get here, I'll take one of them; if you get here first, I'll head out with Hector."

We hung up and I picked up my gear to head out immediately. The hunt was on, and now we had two sides to attack!

I know absolutely nothing about Army operations or how they work with civilians – so if this is unrealistic, you'll just have to chalk it up to creative license. Please review if you can.