148Happy October! (AKA Spooky Season;)
Disclaimer: The Plum universe belongs to JE. Typos are my bad.
Lula's POV
Reaching for my cell, I typed up a quick text.
Gurl, where ya at? Hurry!
Stephanie is really good about responding to texts, especially when we have important plans like lunch and snacks on our calendar.
"Still no answer?" Connie asked as she blew on her freshly painted nails.
"Nah." I answered, deciding to give it a bit more time.
When Stephanie stopped by this morning, White Gurl said she was gonna deposit her check for her latest capture and then stop for donuts at Tasty Pastry. That was like two hours ago though. Ugh, all because her janky ass credit union don't got mobile check deposit and Vinnie be too cheap for direct deposit.
"I'll go get the snacks." I said to Connie, grabbing my keys and hiking my purse on my shoulder before sashaying to my Firebird parked out front.
My intention was to go get the snacks and return, saving Stephanie the trip, but I was sidetracked when I spotted my friend Nisha's trash of a boyfriend driving down Hamilton Ave with some ho that was not Nisha. Learning from my gurl Stephanie, I tailed him all over town to make sure I had the receipts. When I had a good visual confirmation, and photographic proof, of that bitch he was cheating with, I called up Nisha to share the deets.
"Gurl, it's me!" Nisha hollered after I gave her the quick rundown. Twisting in the front passenger seat of the ride I was tailing, I could see someone waving at me as I kept a close tail.
"Fosho?" I asked in disbelief as I followed the jerked maneuver of driver as the vehicle in my sights pulled over to the side of the road.
The line disconnected just as the passenger door swung open. I was so shocked at not recognizing someone I know so personally that I had to do a double take when Nisha said she found a new wig spot. Of course, I had to follow her as she headed there this morning because these were some quality wigs! I could'a sworn Darrell really was a sleazy one when I spotted a blonde all cozy riding as a passenger princess.
I forgot all about my hunger as I entered legit heaven. Tomeka, the owner, swore she had good quality shit and she was not kidding. I completely got lost in the moment until my phone rang who knows how long after I stepped foot in Tomeka's shop.
"Where did you go?" Connie asked, miffed for a second about me not returning to the office quickly. That was until I showed her a cute bob that would really go with her current nails once I switched us to FaceTime. "Uuu, yeah, I want it." Connie gave me a thumbs up before telling me what she wanted for our now late lunch.
After making my goodie purchases, adding some satin bonnets for Stephanie, I dropped my loot in the trunk before waving Nisha goodbye. Placing a phone order for pick up from the Mexican restaurant by the Bonds Office, I headed for the Tasty Pastry. Even though Stephanie hasn't replied yet, I know her usual order, so at least she can join us for our chow down and share what took her so long. Knowing her, she'll have a heck of a story to tell us.
As soon as I walked into the bakery, my head snapped up from my cell screen when some gossipy bitch was talking smack about White Gurl Steph.
"Mhmm, I tell you. Stephanie Plum was kissing that Ranger guy." She was saying, giving some salacious details about a supposed make out session at the TPD starring the hottest man in black and my favorite white gurl, Stephanie.
"I know you lyin'!" I roared, using my loud voice to cut her off before she could further insinuate what I know for a fact couldn't have happened like she's saying it did.
"I uhm…" The woman had that shocked look of someone clutching their imaginary pearls, instantly trying to backpedal. Of course she would act offended after being the one spreading some heavily obscene lies.
"You talking shit about my friend?!" I kept using my loud voice so her bitch ass could keep quiet for a change. "Cuz I know you did not just call my gurl Stephanie a ho!" The woman paled to a shade below Steph's already fair tone, eyes wide as she tried to retreat back to the shithole she must have crawled out of. "Cuz she ain't a ho, and I would know on account of I was a ho in my previous profession. You can ask your husband." Smirking at the horror that flashed across the bitch's face was too sweet. I don't even know who she is, much less her husband, but that line nevah fails to get the desired reaction. "Y'all be too obsessed with my gurl, hating just cuz y'all can't be her." Shaking my head exaggeratedly, I made sure to tell this bitch and any other venomous ones within earshot of the real reason why I think they're so obsessed with Steph. "Just cuz Stephanie left her cheating husband and y'all don't, don't mean you gotta take out your frustrations with my homegurl." I'll always be extra grateful that she saved my life when she didn't really know me after Ramirez left me to die. Stephanie is too damn nice and these repressed housewives loathe it. Cuz if I were her, uff, I'd be petty enough to shit talk back every single time one of them Burg bitches had something to say. I'd make it my life's goal.
The woman made such a speedy escape that her movements looked cartoony in comparison to everyone else's. I kept my vigilant eyes zeroed in on the woman until she hopped into her car and sped away.
A muffled laugh had me whipping my head so fast that my wig would have fell off had it not been properly secured and of excellent quality. Arching an eyebrow at the little old lady sitting in a corner behind the counter, I made it known I wasn't done. I ain't nearly done. These Burg wannabes need to learn their lesson. Stephanie be too nice and these hoes like to gang up while they jump on the bandwagon.
The granny made a gesture with her hand and said something I couldn't understand. Usually, Stephanie translates for me. To keep the peace most likely, the woman manning the counter, good ol' Lorraine, beamed at me with what looked like a legit sincere smile.
"Mia nonna says your order is on the house for standing up to Ginevra." Lorraine shared that Ginevra Amato is one of them Burg people that enjoys gossiping about everyone. The type that think their shit don't stink. Okay, she didn't say the last bit like that, but I get what she means.
"Amato?" I made a show of humming and hawing in an elaborate show of me jogging my memory. I deliberately let it be known that Mr. Amato was a repeat customer back when I was a professional ho, just for good measure. See how Mrs. Amato likes it when she's the hot topic of the tongue wagers of this town, the same ones she be rubbing elbows with. Ha! "The married ones do be the best repeat shoppers." The woman standing behind me made a strangled sound in the back of her throat before she scurried off. Oh look, the grapevine is already off to the races!
When I finally got back to the Bonds office I had to balance the food and shopping bags as I pushed the glass door open with my back.
"You're not gonna believe…" My words died in my throat when Connie made a gesture for me to keep quiet. Wanting to know who was on the other end of the line, I deposited my shopping loot on the couch and our food on Connie's desk.
After she hung up we were left with a lot of questions. It now made sense why Steph never made it back to us. Something really, really bad did happen to her. To be acting so out of character, then Rangeman trying to retrace and piece together her day as Ranger rushes her to the ER? Yeah, something big went down.
Soon after, the rumor mill buzzed with the allegation that Detective Italian Stallion roughed up our homegirl. The streets are saying a lot of stuff that they've never open whispered before, which makes me believe this whole situation is of epic proportions. I don't think Stephanie's life will ever be the same once the dust settles, because some pretty hard accusations are flying around the more protective Ranger has become in the past several hours. He must have threatened to unleash all hell, because the peeps at St. Francis are being tight lipped about everything. For once, no violations from her supposed medical professionals. That alone tells me that this is monumental.
Shit.
And then, the grapevine exploded with the news that Ranger and White Girl have been husband and wife since who knows when! I'm not even sure who started that rumor, but it picked up steam so fast.
"Did we wake up in an alternate reality?" Connie asked me as we remained glued to our phones for further updates. The Bonds office has been technically closed for a couple hours but we're still here, hoping to get good news.
"Nah, this the reality they was supposed to be in a long time ago." If it's true that they are married, who knows what is to come next once Stephanie is out of the hospital. It's monumental for sure. I personally am leaning towards Ranger telling the truth, despite the Burg trying to stir the pot and claim he may be lying. When Stephanie came back from Hawaii she had very obvious tan lines on her ring finger from a clearly big ass set of rings. On top of that hint, Ranger and Hot Cop sported some bruises from a clear brawl when they too came back to town. I'm not a hundred percent sure if Ranger really is telling the truth and White Girl is really his wife, or if he's more like bending the truth.
Has Stephanie really been married to Ranger since Hawaii? We'll know eventually.
S&R
Suggs's POV
I was waiting at a red light when a familiar face pulled up beside me on the left lane.
"You gotta be fucking kidding me!" I gritted under my breath when I confirmed it was that damn bounty hunter. Jesus, the woman won't give it up!
Not wanting her to meddle with the good streak I've got going on, I pulled out my piece from the waistband of my pants. Removing the safety, I put my finger on the trigger and waited for her to turn around and do that stupid finger wave I've seen her do. I'll have the last laugh, putting a bullet between those big blue eyes of hers. I'll be the last face she sees before she dies!
I waited and waited… and nothing. She never glanced at me despite the heat of my gaze. The light turned green, and even that didn't get her to move on. Raising my gun, I figured now was as a good a time as any to blow her brains out.
Luckily for her, the car behind her had an impatient ass driver who leaned on the horn insistently the second the light changed. The noise startled her into action, driving forward at an unusually slow speed for the current traffic flow. I've witnessed this woman absolutely fly when she's been on my tail, so I know she's got a heavy foot on that accelerator when she wants to.
Catching my curiosity, I tailed her. There was no real pattern to the madness. She'd stop somewhere, wander for a bit then would eventually climb back into her car. Wanting to test the waters, I followed her on foot at her third stop, some bakery.
When I shoulder checked her, bumping into her on purpose, there was no response. It was literally the definition of lights are on but no one is home. She was a long ways away, empty stare and everything.
"Oh baby." I laughed to myself as I watched her continue towards her car without noticing me. Guess she likes to party with them hard drugs.
Keeping on her tail, I called up my homies to let them know we'd be having some good ole fun with a pretty face and okay bod.
"Come thru!" My boys were all on board. Sweet!
"Bitch!" Of course she'd try some shit like this. I gritted my teeth when she hooked a left to head into the visitor's lot at the TPD.
Fuck!
I waited so long until none other than The Ranger Mañoso conveniently showed up at the station. That bitch must have called him. Well, this was obviously too good to be true.
I'll get you next time, bitch. I vowed as I peeled out of there, earning me several honks and choice words as I cut into traffic. There won't be a next time that I get this golden opportunity and waste it. I'll have to settle for a quick and efficient send off.
S&R
Ranger's POV
As I watch Babe sleep, I hear the roaring thunder of the raging storm outside. It seems like nature built and unfolded ominously in a similar fashion as the day's events.
The slight whimpering that escaped Babe's parted lips left my heart aching. She's hurting and there isn't much I can do about it. She's been in and out of consciousness throughout the night, on a strict medication schedule that gives her some partial relief until the cycle begins again.
"Babe." Kissing her cheek, I offered words of encouragement. "I need you to come back, Stephanie." At this moment, despite my planning and strategizing ways, I can't think about what will happen if my Babe isn't the one that's left standing on the other side once this is all over.
I guarded her sleep, being quick to note and tap in the night shift on Babe's team whenever her whimpering turned into hard sobs again. First thing in the morning, once Dr. Bankey had thoughts to share with us, I knew this battle would likely be a long and complicated road to recovery.
"Boss." Bones gave me a curt nod to convey that he would keep his post outside of Babe's room and will not let anyone near her that isn't part of her care team.
I cut my eyes to Bobby as soon as Dr. Bankey started off by saying that he's shocked at how much trauma Stephanie's body has endured just in the last handful of years. Prior to becoming a bounty hunter, aside from a broken arm as a child, Babe's trips to the ER were minimal, if any.
"The brain is a very sensitive…" I nearly rolled my eyes at the doctor's very diplomatic answer to what I need to know.
"Will she regain her sense of self? And how can we make sure she has the best fighting chance to do so?" I asked once more, my clipped tone earning me a warning glare from Bobby. I know, I know. Intimidating the neurologist isn't what I should be focusing on right about now.
"It's too early to tell." There. Without so much preamble, finally Dr. Bankey is talking like I need him to. No bullshit fluff.
"She wasn't even speaking English during the brief moments of consciousness she had overnight." I bit out, partially knowing that I'm taking out my frustration on the wrong person.
"I'm aware." Dr. Bankey said he's ordered additional scans, which will happen shortly.
"This is all a lot." Bobby kept it brief after we left Dr. Bankey's office so that he could be by Babe's side during her trip to get additional brain scans.
I nodded my understanding, knowing that he was right. It hasn't been twenty four hours since Babe's injury. It's just that patience isn't my virtue where she's concerned, especially when Stephanie's hurt.
As I not so patiently waited in Babe's room for her return, my phone rang with good news for a change. It was Tank, informing me that Suggs was finally awake in our custody. He's been iced in our underground holding cells since yesterday and will remain that way until I can get there. The fucker thought he could target Babe and that I wouldn't hear about it. I've got eyes and ears everywhere, so it was just a matter of time until we caught up with him. The scumbag went on a bender early afternoon so I've been waiting for him to return to the land of the living to teach him a very overdue lesson. Looks like I will have an outlet for this pent up energy after all.