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Clean Up

I arrived at the safe house to see Carlos' truck was still in the drive. I parked my car and hurried in to greet Carlos and Hector. Hector praised my research in broken English, before sitting me down at the monitors and demonstrating how to switch between the cameras and watch the streets. I took over. I gave Carlos the address and McGarrity's details, and he leaned over and kissed the top of my head, before they headed out to McGarrity's house.

I watched the monitors anxiously for another five minutes, before I saw our van heading out of the main gate at Fort Dix. We had worked out all the angles with the Dix Security staff, and we knew we could not have our cameras pointing directly toward the base, but we had two mounted to show the road in both directions away from the main base gate. In the police reports, Logan had been driving a dirty white Oldsmobile Cutlass, so I kept watch on the van and looked for any sign of white cars that might be following or waiting to intercept the van. Of course, Logan might have found a different vehicle, although honestly, he had not really demonstrated that level of intelligence, but I also kept a watch for any other vehicles that might seem to be following the van.

In order to try and tempt Logan, Zip and Manny had been avoiding the main McGuire Access Highway to the base. Instead, they had been taking the less busy Sykesville Road north, passing through rural farmland and lightly wooded areas with opportunities to hide and ambush a van under trees or behind bushes. The van took the route up through Chesterfield Township as the 'delivery run', before heading over to Bordentown, where the safe house was located. If there were no signs of being followed, they parked the van inside an old warehouse about a block away from the safe house. This was just in case we had not spotted the tail, and Logan was watching the van. The warehouse was empty and backed onto the street where the safe house was. Hector and Carlos had done a bit of 'legally grey' B to get into the warehouse and temporarily replace the locks to make it look like it was being used. Zip and Manny had been coming out the back exit to head to and from the safe house.

I watched as the van crossed into another camera zone. This was the third last that I could monitor on the return journey. I felt my heart skip a beat when I saw a dirty white Oldsmobile pull out behind the van from under a stand of dense trees after they crossed Monmouth Road. I picked up the desk phone immediately and dialled Manny's cell.

"You got Manny," the quiet answer came.

"Manny, a white Oldsmobile just pulled in behind you, that's the same model as Logan was driving."

"Steph?" came Manny's puzzled query, "What happened to Hector?"

"Hector and Carlos left to check out another lead. But Logan could be following you now."

Manny spoke quietly to Zip, who was driving, "Affirmative Steph, we can see the Oldsmobile now. Ranger's instructions were to drive to Chesterfield if we were being followed and stop at a gas station to see if they followed and stopped too." I knew this, we wanted to check if the van was really being followed. Hector had managed to plant a camera up high on a power pole to observe the gas station. It was not a really good angle to see details, but if we were watching a specific vehicle, we could see if it stopped nearby when the van stopped.

"Okay," I said, "I've only got a couple more cameras that will see you before the gas station. Call me immediately if you need help or backup. Hector and Ranger won't be far away now. The place they were going to check out was at North Hanover."

"Ten-four Steph," Manny said, and hung up.

I tried not to start chewing my fingernails as I saw the van pass the last camera, and the Oldsmobile still following a minute later. I wondered if I should call Carlos and decided it would be worth the risk of disturbing him.

"Babe," he answered, "We just pulled up at the North Hanover address."

"Carlos, there's a white Oldsmobile following the van. They just went past my last camera. I warned Manny and Zip but thought you should know in case they need backup."

"They're heading to Chesterfield?"

"Yes, they'll stop at the gas station as agreed."

"Ten-four, Steph, we'll head out to meet them as soon as we've checked out the house. We're just going to see if anyone's home."

"Okay, don't get shot," I joked nervously.

"Babe."

I waited nervously, trying to distract myself by making travel arrangements. Next month, Carlos and I would be travelling to Miami for the Annual General Meeting of Rangeman. I was arranging for Bobby and Raoul Rodriguez to accompany us as well. Bobby was coming to do a few fitness evaluations to prepare for them in Trenton, as well as talking with Marco and Tank about whether an infirmary could be built in Miami.

Raoul was coming to provide some training and consultations for Rangeman Miami on fire security. Carlos had quietly offered him the investment opportunity for Trenton, if he wanted to use part of his settlement; Raoul was considering it. Raoul had laid out the fire plans and was working with Carlos on mapping the security system for Haywood Street as part of his training for sales. He had decided to relocate to Trenton when the office opened, needing to get away from the memories in Newark and would be taking one of the fourth-floor apartments.

I was booking a hotel suite for Bobby and Raoul, since there were no open apartments in Miami at the moment. I confirmed the airline tickets; first class for four. I had never travelled first class before I started working for Rangeman. It felt like an extravagance to travel like that, but Carlos did not want to travel coach and would not relegate anyone he was travelling with. I guess I could understand that.

Rachel had agreed that we could spend some time with Julie, and we were taking her to the Miami Seaquarium on the Saturday. Apparently, Julie loved sea lions and was thrilled about the visit. Carlos had booked us for VIP tours, which included the sea lions, since he was keen to foster her scientific interest. For me, I barely knew what sea lions were, but I was happy to spend the time together. She was then going to stay with us in a hotel suite, since the apartment was too small and had no spare room, and we would finish the visit with brunch and shopping in Little Havana. We had agreed she would be back Sunday afternoon, since she had school Monday.

I checked off the flights and hotel bookings from my checklist and once again, tried not to stress about what was happening.

I saw the van pull into the gas station. The camera showed the tail end of the van, and I saw Manny get out to talk to the attendant. Was Logan still following Zip and Manny? I scanned around and saw what I thought was the white Oldsmobile pulled up about half a block down the street. It was hard to be certain, and I couldn't see into the windscreen to see if it was Logan, but it seemed like we were right. He was following!

I wondered where Carlos and Hector were and when they might catch up with them? What would Logan do if they confronted him?

Once again, I resisted the urge to chew on my nails. I didn't want to ruin my manicure.

About ten minutes passed. Manny followed the attendant into the gas station, and I checked the white sedan again. Time seemed to stand still, until eventually, I saw Manny step out of the gas station, holding his cell phone up to his ear, as if talking on it. He walked slowly toward the van, and my eyes flicked back to the white sedan.

Suddenly, I saw a black truck, Ranger's truck, pull up behind the Oldsmobile. I watched as Carlos and Hector got out of the truck and started walking up to the car. I saw Carlos' hand pull his gun from behind his back, and I held my breath as they approached the sedan. Suddenly, the Oldsmobile pulled out into the traffic, almost causing a yellow Buick to swerve into oncoming traffic. Within seconds, the Oldsmobile had disappeared from my camera-view. The figures of Carlos and Hector ran back toward the black truck, but I saw them both stop as they got to the doors, looking frustratedly out into the street. Obviously, they had already lost Logan. I couldn't hear anything, but I bet the air was turning blue right now. I know I wanted to curse. So close!

I watched as Carlos said something to Hector and walked up to the van. He went into shadows, and I could not see them under the gas station awning, but a couple minutes later, he walked back to the truck, Zip trailing behind. They got into the truck and pulled out. I wondered if they were going to try McGarrity's house again.

I couldn't help jumping as the phone rang. I picked it up and answered, "It's Steph."

"Steph, it's Manny. Ranger said to let you know what was happening."

I nodded impatiently, "Yes?"

"We stopped at the gas station, and the Oldsmobile stopped down the street. We figured it had to be Logan, so I went in to pay for the gas, and tried to stall in the station for a few minutes, like I was using the john or something. When I couldn't stall any longer, I walked out, pretending to talk on the cell phone and walking slowly."

"Yeah, Manny, I saw all this on the camera." If he didn't get to the point soon, I was going to leap through the phone and start strangling him!

"Oh," came the sheepish reply, "Well anyway, he must have got spooked when Ranger and Hector approached, 'cause he took off immediately. By the time they got back in their truck, he'd disappeared into traffic. Ranger took Zip and told me to drive the van back to you, but to call you first. He thinks he knows where to find him when he took off."

Carlos must think Logan was heading back to McGarrity's house. "Ok, thanks, Manny. So, you're heading back to the safe house?"

"Yeah. Ranger doesn't think the van is compromised, so if they can't find him, we'll try again with the deliveries." We said brief goodbyes and hung up.

Manny arrived back at the safe house after about twenty minutes, and we waited together anxiously. I explained to Manny about where we thought Logan was staying and why, and Manny seemed impressed that I had tracked down this lead. We both hoped that, if Logan had gone back there, they could pick him up easily at McGarrity's house.

It was over an hour later that the phone rang again, and I picked it up. "It's Steph."

"Babe," came the honey baritone, sounding smooth with a hint of satisfaction. "We got him." See that's how you check in and let me know what's going on, I thought. But I didn't say it to Manny.

"You picked up Logan? At McGarrity's house?" I wanted to be sure.

"Sure did, Babe. When we checked it out first time nobody was home, but we saw signs that there were two bedrooms being used. Place is a pigsty too. We thought it was likely you were right, and Logan was staying there. So, when he disappeared, we headed straight back there. We stopped around the corner, since we didn't want to spook him again, and Zip and I went in the front, while Hector took the rear. The idiot answered the door, if you can believe that. Tried to rabbit, but I didn't give him the chance. When we were cuffing Logan, McGarrity came in the door. Fucker pulled a gun, but Hector had us covered and subdued him. We decided to bring them both in, because there was a lot of evidence in that house. Plans and diagrams, and bomb-making instructions." Carlos sounded angry, and I knew it was because these morons were domestic terrorists, and targeting the Army. Or at least Army deliveries and weapons. It sounded like Logan had at least got some brains since the last two times. This time, he was planning and seemed to have an accomplice.

"Anyway, we're in Trenton now, at the police station. We'll probably be here a while. We're all giving statements and showing the TPD some photos of the house. They're contacting the local station and putting together an evidence team to go back out and gather everything. I'm going to call Ziegler next, and he'll want to come out to make a statement. We're not gonna let this fucker get away again," he said in grim determination.

I sighed in relief and my own sense of satisfaction, "Ok Carlos, do you want Manny and I to head back to the office? Should we shut down the monitors?"

"No, not yet," he replied. "Hector's going to head out tonight with Zip and Manny to take down the cameras. But Hector's heading back there with Zip after they give statements. He's going to put together tapes from your surveillance this afternoon, showing everything to give to the TPD. Tell Manny to wait for Hector and Zip. You can head back to the office, if you want."

I smiled, a cheeky thought coming into my head, "I might head home. After you get done, we can do something to celebrate tonight."

I heard his own grin through the phone, "What are we celebrating, Babe?" he teased.

"My genius, of course!"

"Genius?" he was still teasing.

"My plan to catch the bad guy. My lead on his partner in crime. My genius," I said smugly.

"Touche," Carlos said, "Ok, Babe, we'll celebrate. You want to go out?"

I didn't have to think about it, "No, I think you should bring home something yummy for dinner. Oh, and Carlos?"

"Hmm?"

"I hope you have your uniform here." I hung up before he could reply and grinned to myself. Celebration indeed.

The next day, I was sitting in the office, feeling smug, satisfied, and a little bit sore. Turns out, Carlos did have his uniform at my place. It was a bit wrinkled, since it had been in a box under the bed and I didn't have an iron, but we didn't really care.

Carlos was out meeting with Captain Ziegler and the detective assigned to Logan's case to finalise a few issues. I was doing a little paperwork and then heading over to the Bonds Office to claim our bounty. It was Saturday, so we had started a little later than usual, and I was only intending to work until early afternoon. We had our monthly dinner at Carlos' parents house tonight, so would be heading up to Newark later this afternoon.

This was a new arrangement, and Carlos seemed a bit bemused by it, but Maria had called me about a week into the New Year and asked if Carlos would bring me back for a quieter dinner so they could get to know me. I had agreed tentatively, and asked Carlos, who had looked a bit resigned but agreed as well. "Just be aware, Babe, my mother is as bad as yours. Don't be surprised if she starts asking about wedding plans and babies," he warned me.

I gulped, but decided I had to wear my big-girl panties and deal with it. Carlos had shut down my grandma, so I was sure I could handle Maria. I would use the same line. It was too soon. But I had to wonder how long that would satisfy our families, especially when we moved into the building apartment.

I tucked the body receipt for Marcus Logan into my bag and headed to the Bonds Office. I greeted Connie cheerfully, and she smiled up at me. "You got him?" she asked.

"Yup. We picked him up yesterday." I described the sting operation and my research into Logan's background and friends. "Turns out, he and his friend are budding terrorists," I finished with a grimace.

Connie shuddered, "I'm really glad we've got you, Ranger and Rangeman to bring these scumbags in," she said with some emphasis. I picked up that there was something more than just relief in her tone.

"Problems?" I inquired.

Connie sighed, "Not really. I mean not especially." She hesitated, then went on, "Morty Beyers resigned. Someone threw a Molotov cocktail through his car window when he was picking up their brother, and he decided he'd rather have a quieter life as a crash-test dummy or something." I smiled at her humour. "Anyway, you know we haven't been able to get anyone to do the lower-level bonds for months now, and Beyers was doing everything that you don't. So, we had nobody to do them when he quit."

Connie's expression lightened to almost a smile, "Lula somehow convinced Vinnie to let her do some of the low-level skips."

"Lula?" I asked incredulously.

Connie nodded and then shook her head, "The first skips she got were for Dougie Kruper and Mooner Dunphy. You remember them from high school?"

I nodded, "Stoners. They were always high and had the weirdest ideas."

Connie snorted, "Well, nothing's changed there. They get busted about once a month for possession. Pretty much just weed, but they keep forgetting their court dates, since, well, you can guess." I nodded in agreement. "So, Lula goes to pick them up; they share an apartment, and they invite her in to watch television and join them."

"She didn't!" I gasped.

"She sure did. She got high with them, then drove them to the police station. She was clearly as stoned as they were, so she got arrested in the police station for possession and DUI." I was shaking my head in disbelief at this point. "There's more," Connie assured me.

"More?" I couldn't see how.

"Lula reckons she's allergic to cops. I guess it's severe anxiety. Anyway, she was in the holding cell, getting more and more agitated, and then she got diarrhoea. Explosive diarrhoea. She had to use the toilet in the holding cell, and I'm told the smell and noise was pretty horrific. They had to move the other women out of the holding cell and lock them in a meeting room, after a couple threw up. By the time I managed to bond her out, she was pretty humiliated, and the cops were torn between laughing at her and being disgusted, depending on whether they had to go into the cells."

I was horrified. I could only imagine how humiliating that would have been.

Connie sighed, and then went on, "So she was pretty subdued for a week or so, but then she got her bravado back and convinced Vinnie to let her try again. Skip was a middle-aged, fat guy wanted for shoplifting. No history of drugs or guns, so I thought it would be safe. Name was Punky Balog, if you can believe. When Lula turned up to pick him up, he was naked, hairy all over, and greased up head-to-toe in Vaseline. Lula was chasing him all over the house while he taunted her. I'm sure it was a circus," Connie smirked, "And I'm just sorry nobody was filming for Funniest Home Videos, but Lula was getting frustrated and angry. She got covered in grease and ended up pulling out that cannon she carries."

I had my hand over my mouth at this point, "She didn't…" I couldn't say it.

Connie shook her head, "She actually let off a shot and put a bullet hole in one of his walls. He swore at her for about five minutes, but he settled down and went in with her after that. But, of course, all the cops started in on her again for being covered in Vaseline. Balog told them she had almost shot him. Lula was also given a warning for discharging a weapon. She was smart enough not to take it into the police station and that was the only reason she was not arrested for carrying without a license. Or else they didn't want her back in the holding cells with diarrhoea again."

"I… I just don't know what to say to that," I stuttered. "So is Lula still working here?"

Connie nodded, "She's gone back to filing, but she's pretty depressed and sulky. I don't know if she's going to want to try again. I mean, technically she brought all three skips in, but…"

I nodded, yeah that might be enough to put me off trying. I settled my business with Connie and left to go back to the office. When I got there, Bobby and Manny were there with Carlos, and they were chatting about things. I was curious about what had happened about Logan and McGarrity, but before I could ask, Carlos seemed to notice my shell-shocked expression. "What's wrong, Babe? Did something happen at the Bonds Office?" he asked me in concern.

I related the story Connie told me. Bobby was literally on the floor, having rolled off his chair laughing, and Manny wasn't much better. It was actually the first time I had ever seen Carlos laugh out loud for several minutes and I couldn't help smiling at his mirth. I understood the humour but could not help thinking that it could easily be me in these types of situations. I knew I would always have a partner if I went into fieldwork, but that would be even more embarrassing if I screwed up with a witness.

I believed, very strongly, that a woman could do the job. Women could do anything they wanted to. But I was also coming to understand that nobody could really do the job well if they weren't trained properly. I didn't know if I wanted to undertake the training. I was going to have to make up my mind soon, since the gun range was finished, the gym equipment was being installed even now, and Bobby and Carlos were starting to plan out the evaluations for the current employees.

A knot formed in my tummy as I thought about stumbling around, with Manny or Bobby telling tales of the Bumbling Bounty Hunter. Or humiliating Carlos or Rangeman if I screwed up a takedown.

Was fieldwork really for me? Or should I stick to research? Maybe just sales and office management?

Please review if you can. I know FFnet is having problems (again!), so I hope this publishes ok. I hope you enjoyed my Lula stories (no doubt familiar!). It just occurred to me as I was writing, and I couldn't resist! :)