Game On: Tempting Twenty-Eight (Stephanie Plum #28)(52)

Charlotte and Melvin had rooms next to each other at the end of the hall. The rooms were pleasant and immaculate. Queen-size beds with white linens and comforter and a tan blanket folded at the footboard. Nightstands with lamps, a desk and chair, a two-seater couch and comfy chair, coffee table, television, window with impact glass that looked out at the street. There was a small refreshment area with an under-the-counter fridge. Bathroom with walk-in shower and a walk-in closet.

“This is really nice,” Melvin said. “This is like a hotel but better.”

I gave them their room keys and took them up to the fifth-floor dining area. There were several small tables with chairs and there was a serve-yourself buffet that was continuously restocked with salads, soups, sandwiches, fresh fruit, cereal, breads, dinner entrees, juices, tea, coffee, and whatever else was needed. Only occasionally were there cookies. There were no fat Rangemen.

“Only use the third floor and the fifth floor,” I told Charlotte and Melvin. “Call me if you have problems or questions or you have information we can use. I’ll check in on you a couple times a day.”

I left them staring at the buffet like it was Christmas morning and walked down the hall to Ranger’s office.

“Do you need extra security?” Ranger asked.

“No,” I said. “I think I’m okay.”

“My apartment is available.”

I smiled at that. “Tempting, but no.”

And it was truly tempting because not only was his apartment perfect and fantastic, but it came with Ranger, who was close to perfect and pretty darn fantastic. Problem was I had a relationship with Joe Morelli, and while I could keep Diesel at arm’s length, I would have no luck doing that with Ranger. Ranger was a guilty pleasure that was hard to resist.

I left Rangeman and drove back to Charlotte’s townhouse. The fire truck and the EMTs were gone. Morelli was still there with a single squad car. I parked and went to talk to him.

“I have Charlotte and Melvin staying at Rangeman,” I said. “Were you able to track down Oswald?”

“Not yet. The blood stopped at the end of the alley, where he must have parked his car. I put out an alert to hospitals and clinics. Haven’t gotten any response yet. The blood trail was minimal, so it’s possible he was able to take care of himself. I have one of the men looking for your round. Did you fire off more than one?”

“I’m not sure. I was flustered. I’m shocked that I hit him. I fired on instinct.”

Morelli grabbed me, hugged me to him, and kissed me on the top of my head. “You’ve always had good instincts.”

This is why I’m not staying at Rangeman, I thought. I love Ranger and Morelli and maybe even Diesel, but there’s a comfort level with Morelli that I don’t feel with anyone else. We have a long history and a lot of shared interests. When I’m with him it feels like a marriage without the paperwork and cohabitating. Even when it involves blood and fear and craziness, he has a calming effect. This is probably one of the reasons he’s such a good cop.

“It’s hard to believe this guy is still out and about,” Morelli said. “There are a lot of people looking for him.”

“It’s only a matter of time,” I said. “He’s obsessed and he’s in the red zone on the narcissistic psychopathic killer meter. It’s going to make him careless.”

“I hope you’re right. I don’t like you involved in this. Why don’t you move in with me until we catch this guy?”

“It’s Wednesday. Poker night at Squigie’s house. You won’t even be home until midnight.”

“I could skip poker.”

“It’s not necessary. I feel safe in my apartment. Diesel is there.”

“I thought he was sleeping elsewhere.”

“He had a motor home, but Oswald torched it. It’s okay. He’s on the couch.”

“What’s your plan for the rest of the day?”

“I’m going to call Connie to see how Lula is doing and maybe I’ll stop by to see her. What’s your plan?”

“I’m heading back to my desk,” Morelli said. “I have paperwork.”

I went to my car and called Connie.

“Lula’s out of surgery,” Connie said. “They’re keeping her there overnight, and she seems to be feeling okay, considering she got shot twice. I’m on my way back to the office.”

Twenty minutes later I was at the medical center. I got a pass from the front desk and went in search of Lula’s room. I found her propped up in bed looking cranky.

“How’s it going?” I asked.

“It’s been going better. All I got to wear is this unflattering hospital gown. Plus, I’m never gonna get the blood out of my skirt, and it was one of my favorites.”

“Connie said the surgery went well.”

“Yeah, if you get shot, this is the place to go. They have a lot of practice. I still can’t believe that little turd shot me twice. One of the bullets just ripped some skin off me, but the other one had to get dug out of my upper leg. They said I was lucky that I have a lot of thigh. Otherwise, I might have had bone damage.

“Are you in pain?”

“Hell yeah. I’ve been freaking shot.”

“Is there anything I can get you?”