AN: Thank you for the positive response to this story.

I'm not positive of the jurisdiction where Steph's apartment is but we're putting it in Hamilton Township for the purposes of this story.

Chapter 11: Contracts and Laundry

My day started like normal and I dressed for my appointment with the lawyer. I put on my new lavender Lily Pulitzer sundress and a pair of low healed sandals for my appointment with my new attorney. I went down to the office and noticed the door was boarded up. I walked into the office and said, "Krista what happened to the door?"

"That is courtesy of Officer Morelli when we refused to let him in your apartment without a warrant. It's a good thing Rangeman put cameras in here. We have video of him storming out and slamming the door making it shatter. Hector is taking a copy to the Hamilton PD. I filed a complaint and the management group is going to sue for damages. It's going to cost $6300 to have the door fixed and he should pay for his temper tantrum," Krista said.

"I'm sorry you had to deal with him Krista."

"it's not your fault Steph. He's responsible for his own actions," she said.

"I just want to say thank you for keeping him out of my place."

"You're welcome but it's really just following the rules. I can't wait until the keyless entry is installed. One code for the front door and your apartment. Rangeman is installing them starting Monday. I think they are starting with your building but it'll take a few days to get them installed and there is a meeting to show everyone. Just don't give the door code to everyone. The buzzer will still work for food deliveries. We're also installing package lockers for deliveries."

"That's great, and more secure. I love it. Well, I'm off to an appointment. I just wanted to check in," I said as I left.

I slid in my car and noticed Morelli's jeep was gone, yes, he was there again this morning when we went for our run. I used the blue tooth feature to call Mare and told her about the door.

"Steph, this isn't good. Be careful, he is stalking you," she warned.

"I'll seek advice from the lawyer on that as well as the contract. It's tricky with mommy dearest involved. I have to go I'm pulling into the lot now."

I made my way into the office for Skylar Tiburón. The building was two stories with medical offices on the first floor and an architecture and engineering firm taking up most of the second floor. The lobby was decorated in soothing shades of green with plenty of plants and what looked like comfortable chairs. There was a muscular gentleman sitting at the reception desk.

"Hi, Stephanie Plum. I have an appointment."

"Good morning Ms. Plum, have a seat, Skylar will be with you in a moment," he said.

"Are you ex-military?"

"Why yes, I was in Marine Force Recon for the last few years, Sargent Raoul Tiburón, my nickname was Zip. My sister hired me as her receptionist until I find something else. I just got out last month. What branch were you in?"

"Lieutenant Stephanie Plum, Army. I worked in cybersecurity. I just got out earlier this week. I was looking to work for a military contractor but I've accepted a position at Rangeman instead," I replied.

"Oh man, I was hoping they were hiring. But my friend heard they didn't have any openings," Zip said.

"I don't know about hiring. My uncle mentioned me to Ranger and then I happened to meet him when I stopped at a diner. We discussed my credentials and he offered me a contract working in cybersecurity. They are opening an office in Trenton. Keep your CV ready. If I hear of an opening, I'll let you know," I said as two women walked out of the short hall to the side of the reception desk."

He quickly scribbled something and said, "here's my cell number."

I smiled and quickly wrote mine on the paper below his and tore it off, "here's mine and text me in a couple weeks to remind me. I live in the same building as the guys and they will be installing a security system there and they are chasing bail jumpers so they may be looking to expand quickly."

A professional woman of about 30, dressed in a beige pant suit with a teal blue shell and flats asked, "Ms. Plum I presume."

I reached out to shake her hand, "please call me Steph."

We went to her office which was pretty with feminine furniture and pale blue walls. We reviewed the contract and she noted it was pretty generous. She said if I wanted the position, it was a good offer. She had of course heard of the company from her brother.

"I have another issue I'd like to get a legal opinion on," I inquired.

"Of course, I'll be happy to assist," she replied.

I explained what has gone on in the week I've been home with Morelli and my mother. I included the times I've seen him at my apartment building and how he broke the door.

"This is dangerous Steph. He sounds unstable and is portraying stalker tendencies. I'd keep a diary of all interactions. You will need proof if this results in charges against him. I'd also record any future conversations with him. Be very careful," she said.

"I will and the apartments have him on video breaking the door. I'm sure we can find a small bodycam I can wear. I'll be working for a security company after all,"

"Now, I take it my brother told you his dream of working for Rangeman," she said with a smile.

"Well to be fair I asked if he was former military. I will keep him in mind when we are hiring. I don't know what my role in the process will be but everyone I've met is ex-military so far,"

"Good, he's not a bad receptionist but I know he's not very happy. He goes to the gym and runs ten miles a day to stay in shape but mama keeps trying to feed him and he doesn't want to hurt her feelings. I know his diet was strict to stay in shape," she said.

"Yup, my mother refuses to change even with my grandparents moving in and my grandfather is supposed to be on a heart healthy diet," I said.

I left the office saying goodbye to Zip. I sent a quick text to Ranger and he sent me the address for his office. I drove over and took the contract in.

"Well Lt. Plum, what did your lawyer say," he inquired.

"She said I was good to sign it, so I did. She signed as a witness. When do you want me to start?"

Ranger smiled, "Today is Friday, so how about Monday?"

"Sounds good, I'm off to buy a TV today. Then I'll go to the laundromat. What time is dinner and a movie?"

"We'll meet at 7, Hector is joining us tonight. He's one of the best techs I have. He works with Silvo Rivera and Mario Rodriguez in Miami to design our systems. While they are all incredible hackers none of them have a background in cybersecurity like you do. I hope the four of you can work well together," he said.

"I look forward to meeting Hector and the rest of the team. Oh, my lawyer's brother just got out of Marine Force Recon last month. He was hoping you were hiring but said he was told no, when you are ready to hire, I think he may be someone you'll want to interview," I said handing him Zip's phone number which I had already added to my phone.

"Gotta name for me," he asked.

"Sargent Raoul Tiburón, he went by Zip," I said.

"I'll check him out, we're getting a lot of skips from your cousin, Sebring and the government. We've also got the apartment building install and I'm already bringing up some men from Miami for a few days. I'm trying to limit that because we'll have to put them up in extended stay hotels. We have some monitoring equipment in the back office so we can start adding business clients. We'll likely have to move locations if we get more business clients to have enough room to add more monitors," he said.

I left the office and went to Best Buy to find a television and mounting kit. They were able to send someone out tomorrow to deliver and mount it on the wall. I'm sure one of the guys could do it but I also know they would be working. I chose a 55" Samsung. I wouldn't need a streaming device and I was already paying for some streaming services.

After leaving the store, I sent a text to Bobby and we agreed to have a quick lunch and go to the laundromat. I had everything by the door, I just needed to change.

I arrived at the building breathing a sigh of relief to not see Joe there. I quickly changed and answered the knock. Bobby kindly took my bags down while I made a quick grilled chicken salad for us. I had some chicken, I grilled this morning, and threw it all together on dinner plates and set out bottles of water. Bobby came back and we dug in.

"This is good with all the extras you added. We usually have just chicken, cucumbers, some carrot shavings and red onion. I like the fact that you added bell peppers, strawberries, blueberries and pecans. It makes it heartier," Bobby said.

"I didn't grow up eating many vegetables and salad was never served unless in a restaurant. So, I had to learn to do things to make vegetables more palatable. Fruit was eaten in pies, maybe a shortcake. It's so strange that the Burg tries being the 1950's but I'm sure people ate vegetables. I mean people had victory gardens during World War 2. My mother would serve overcooked broccoli, usually covered in cheese. Sometimes green bean casserole or corn but usually just mashed potatoes with at least a stick of butter. I doubt she's changed; my grandfather had a heart attack last year and is supposed to be on a heart healthy diet," I said.

"That's too bad, he needs to eat better or he'll have another one this year," Bobby sagely said.

We finished eating and Bobby drove us to the laundromat. We got our clothes started. He was playing a game on his phone and I was reading with my headphones in when my phone rang. It was my sister, why would she be calling me?