Virginia Safehouse

Stephanie

"Bossman, I just got a message from my cousin Ulysses. You know he came up to Trenton to ensure the Ramos Family holdings are taken care of." Manny Ramos joined Carlos and me in the workroom. We had finished a really great day on the range and were back at work on the case. "He approached me in Pinos. Like he knew I would be there."

"What did your cousin have to say, oh dear husband of mine," I asked Manny, who I claimed as my husband when he had been shot at the bond office a while age. I think I heard Carlos growl when I kissed Manny on the cheek, but his joke eased some of the tension.

"Funny you should ask, Wifey. My uncle, who if memory serves, once wanted you as his, what, sixth wife, needs to see you both, in person."

Alexander Ramos was in Greece the last I heard. And with Ulysses as the family connection, he had no reason to get involved.

"Is he here in the States?"

"Ulysses thought the yacht would be in Boston in the next week but the location is subject to change." Manny said in a slightly evasive way.

"Based on Coast Guard activity, I'm guessing?" I asked. Manny didn't respond.

Alexander is an arms dealer and he was clearly carrying what was needed to supply his people on the East Coast. The ongoing battle zone that was Trenton needed to be resupplied. The gangs were getting what they needed from the Russians so the Families are depending on their Greek connection.

Manny smiled. "Something like that."

"Any idea what the topic will be?"

"My cousin told me Uncle Alex said he has answers for you that he cannot share with anyone else, not even Ulysses- and Ulysses was pretty pissed about that. He thinks his dad is trying to protect him as if he is still a child."

"I can't travel to Boston now." Carlos didn't elaborate.

"Uncle Alex won't come this close to DC."

"Can you ask him if I am good enough? I am happy to meet with him." I asked. "Tank and I are going up to Boston next week to do annual reviews since most of the Trenton staff is up there now."

"I am sure he can make that work."

Boston RangeMan, Day One

Stephanie

After the long trip and a good meal, Tank and I reviewed the schedule for the next day. Charlotte created a software program to simplify the review process so we could finish all the reviews, meet with Alexander Ramos, and be back in Virginia with my husband in the shortest timespan possible.

All the men were able to self-schedule in advance of our arrival- we had the day and night shift and all the contractors and we wanted to make sure not to disrupt the patrols. I for one was a huge fan of the new program.

My father was going to "sightsee" in Boston tomorrow and show the two RangeMen he would have with him everywhere he went with Sal Bava.

I just hope they were able to turn up a lead…

Boston RangeMan, Day Two

Stephanie

"Are you telling me you have finished scheduling the entire RangeMan day shift for their annual reviews?" Eagle, the Managing Director of the Boston office seemed amazed.

"No Eagle," Tank said with a wide smile. "Stephanie and I have finished the Day teams reviews and most the contractors you use. We have the rest of the contractors and the night shift scheduled tomorrow afternoon and evening."

"How is that possible? It usually takes a week or more…"

"When Charlotte, Hector and Silvia were doing the full staff review after Ranger was shot, Charlotte decided to overhaul the review process, to better capture performance markers. It is a huge time saver. Each man is able to read his review in advance and we are able to streamline the meetings without anyone feeling shortchanged."

"Did your dad find any new leads?"

"Nothing so far. But it's been a few years. I don't want to give up when we have so few leads.

Boston Harbor, the next morning

Stephanie

Alexander welcomed me and Tank onto his yacht, and took us to the living room area- a beautiful cabin with oak paneling and a large bar area. After the pleasantries, we each had a glass of fine whiskey in hand, Alex had us sit and launched into the story we are here for.

Two minutes in, I understood why he gave us scotch. Holy sweet mother of God!

He had helped hide Ranger's son, in part because he owed Jimmy, in part because Dmitri was a supplier in his delivery chain, but mostly because, at one time, the woman who served as a grandmother to the child had been Alexander's wife.

So many people knew this secret. And nobody gave it away over all these years.

"I have been in charge of the boy's security since Jimmy first asked me to intervene on his behalf years ago. The woman the boy knows of as his grandmother, my Maria, had just taken custody of the boy after the couple he knew as his parents died with their biological son in a house fire." Alexander sipped his whiskey. "I had no idea who the boy was to Jimmy, only that it had to do with protecting Jimmy's niece. I assumed it was a youthful indiscretion he was trying to protect her from… A romance with someone in a rival Family, perhaps. Not that I ever asked Maria or Jimmy- it was none of my business, and Jimmy rarely asked anyone for a favor." Stretching his legs, he continued, "I hosted them for years when Dmitri came to see the boy, but only confirmed the truth about his parents after Jimmy died and I received the documents I have with me for you."

I felt my heart break for the boy who lost his whole family. "A fire killed the family?"

"The fire was intentional, but the boy was in Athens that weekend- a school trip of some kind, I understand. He was a prodigy and was already finished with what would be high school in the States by then and he was looking to get into University."

"How did they discover where he was? It had been years…"

"The boy had participated in a DNA study with his friend at school and I believe that is how the Russians found the family. At least that is what Maria believed led to their discovery. Jimmy received an emergency communication from her and asked me for assistance. I got them smuggled out on one of my shipping vessels under an alias."

"Do we know who it is that is hunting for him? Ana's family? I hope you know Carlos will reimburse you for all the expenses you have incurred that Jimmy didn't cover, and all expenses since Jimmy died."

"I think, before we get into all of that, you should read this." Alexander handed me a letter addressed to Connie's Uncle Jimmy and then sat back when I unfolded the aged paper and read:

Dear James,

I am writing you to thank you for finding the child and providing the identities to ensure their continued anonymity. And I agree with the decision to protect the father- there are those around me who could use the information against me.

I do not believe Felix ever loved Ana. I think in the end she discovered the truth. She found she was a means to an end, a link to me and my supply network. And when she brought shame on him, he destroyed her and would have killed the child without intervention.

I am grateful to have established a relationship with the woman who is serving as the child's grandmother. Your associate has made it possible for us to meet and I spent time with him. I have made arrangements to keep them safe and ensure their comfort, and I am grateful to you and the men assisting you. I realize you do this because of the friendship between our mothers, formed as girls while at school in Switzerland. I believe your mother, God rest her soul, would be proud of what you have done to protect my grandchild.

His green eyes are those of my sweet angel.

Carlos had a son with green eyes…

I stopped reading the letter and looked up at Alexander.

"Dmitri knew where he was? Before the fire? But how?

"When Nickoli, you knew him as Sal Bava, got to Trenton, Jimmy reached out to Maria. He knew Dmitri, well, the two mothers were great friends since childhood. He asked Maria what help was needed for the boy to be kept hidden. By that time Felix was dead and Dmitri was despondent about the loss of his daughter. You have to understand, Ana was his whole world. Her death, on top of the death of her mother and younger brother only a few years before… Dmitri was shattered that they never fully reconciled… that he would go to his grave with regret on his soul."

It was just so much tragedy for one family. I drank my scotch and poured more for all of us as Alexander continued.

"Jimmy promised to protect the boy- that he could ensure his safety, but that he was sure his grandfather would never harm him."

"Maria agreed to meet Jimmy and Dmitri in a villa outside of Naples. The boy never knew Dmitri's name. Each year the grandmother brought him on the anniversary of Ana's death. When Jimmy could no longer travel, I took over providing security for the meetings in Greece. Dmitri wanted none of his people to be aware of the boy."

"But they found out about him. And killed his whole family." I said, feeling the tears burning in my eyes.

Alexander nodded. "And there were no more meetings after the fire. They stayed on a property of mine while I arranged for a new life for them. Dmitri ordered me never to tell him where they went so he couldn't give them away."

Tank spoke then, when I just couldn't. "If it isn't his grandfather who had the boy on the run, who is chasing him?"

"Whoever wants Dmitri's place in that organization has motive." Alexander shook his head. "I have lost contact with Dmitri over the last two years. He was diagnosed with a neurodegenerative disease… he was dying and was afraid he put a target on the boy when he was not in his right mind. Which is why he told me to hide the boy and tell him nothing." Alexander shook his head. "I don't know how he survived saying goodbye to that child. When I heard he died I was sure it was the broken heart that killed him. Giving up the last connection he had with his daughter."

I found my voice. "Do you think Dmitri left something with them, something his replacement wants to get hold of. And the boy, or perhaps the grandmother, have whatever they are looking for?"

Alexander nodded. "That is my belief, but I have no proof. Dmitri was always five steps ahead and he planned for all contingencies in business. I cannot imagine he would do less for his grandchild."

"Do we risk giving him away if we keep looking for him?" Tank asked

"As they have not yet found him, it may be that they are watching Trenton so they know when the boy surfaces. But I don't think searching for him will be necessary."

Tank shook his head. "Ramos, are you telling me Dmitri Smirnoff set up a reconnection between Ranger and his son."

"I think he always planned ahead. I think he always knew we would end up here. And he prepared for it."

"Am I to understand that you believe the boy will come to us, Alexander?" I asked, my disbelief evident on my face. "We just need to wait till he turns up?"

"I believe it likely."

Have you ever felt your world tip on its axis?