Game On: Tempting Twenty-Eight (Stephanie Plum #28)(74)

“We’re on the top floor,” I said. “Don’t yell at Melvin and Charlotte. They tried to do the right thing.”

“I’ll have words with them and then I’ll offer them jobs,” Ranger said.

Minutes later Ranger, Tank, Ranger’s explosive expert Eugene, and Diesel walked into the bedroom and stopped just short of Oswald. They stood hands on hips, looking down at him.

“He looks like he’s been shot with a cannon,” Diesel said.

“Smith and Wesson .44 Magnum,” Charlotte said, still holding the gun.

Diesel nodded. “Yep. That’ll do it.”

“I borrowed it from the gun range in the basement of Rangeman,” Charlotte said. “I didn’t expect to use it.”

Eugene crossed the room to Lula and examined the vest. “Someone knew what they were doing with this,” he said. “State of the art. Do you have the remote?”

“It might be on Oswald,” I said.

Ranger bent over Oswald, found the remote, and handed it to Eugene. Eugene pressed a button and a small green diode blinked out on Lula’s vest. Eugene took a pair of scissors from his backpack and cut away Lula’s cuffs and the duct tape that was securing the vest.

“I’ll take care of the vest,” Eugene said to Ranger. “I’ll set it off at our outdoor range.”

Ranger nodded. “Hal should be in the garage. He was following us. He’ll give you a ride.”

“I wouldn’t mind getting a ride, either,” Lula said. “I need tequila. I need a cheeseburger. I’m done. Stick a fork in me.”

“Get someone to take Lula home,” Ranger said to Tank.

“It would be best if everyone keeps everything that happened here to him or herself,” Diesel said.

“I already forgot it,” Lula said.

Ranger unlocked my cuffs. “Did you call Morelli?” he asked me.

“No. Should I?”

Ranger looked at Diesel. “Your call.”

“It would put him in a bad position,” Diesel said. “I’m sure he could handle it, but let’s leave him out.”

Wulf walked into the room from the kitchen. He looked at Oswald and smiled. “Nice,” he said.

“No cape,” I said to Wulf.

“A cape is evening wear,” Wulf said. “It would be tacky to wear one before midnight.” He took a photo of Oswald and sent it to someone. An answer immediately came back.

“What’s the word?” Diesel asked.

“Auntie is pleased,” Wulf said. “She wants the body. There’s a chopper on the way. It will help to avoid paperwork.” He looked at Melvin. “Can we land a helicopter on the roof?”

“I don’t think there’s room,” Melvin said. “It’s mostly air-conditioning units.”

“Then we’ll have to hoist the body,” Wulf said.

Twenty minutes later, Oswald was wrapped in black plastic garbage bags, and we were all on the roof, watching the chopper get closer and closer. It hovered above us and dropped a basket. Diesel and Ranger secured Oswald in the basket, the basket got hoisted up and pulled inside, and the chopper flew off.

“I have a plane waiting for us. The usual location,” Wulf said to Diesel. “See you, cuz.”

There was a flash of light and a lot of green smoke, and Wulf was gone.

“Holy cow,” Melvin said.

Diesel was smiling. “Elvis has left the building.”

We returned to the apartment. Diesel packed Oswald’s belongings into his backpack. He gave me a kiss on the cheek and whispered “next time,” in my ear. “Ana has already collected my things from your apartment.” He nodded at Ranger and left the apartment.

“Jeez,” I said to Ranger.

“Babe,” Ranger said, wrapping an arm around me, steering me toward the door.

We all trooped down the stairs and got into cars. Melvin and Charlotte went with Tank. I went with Ranger in my car. Two Rangeman SUVs were parked in the garage and four Rangemen were standing, waiting by the cars. They would sweep the apartment and make sure everything was tidy.

We drove the short distance to Rangeman, and Ranger, Melvin, Charlotte, and I gathered in Ranger’s office.

“You need to stay here for one more day,” Ranger said to Melvin and Charlotte. “There’s a possibility that Diesel’s organization will want to debrief you. After that you’re free to go. Make sure you come see me before you leave.”

Melvin and Charlotte went to the dining area, and I went upstairs with Ranger to his apartment. He closed the door behind us and I stood for a moment feeling the calm wash over me. The lighting was subdued and the air was slightly cool. The space was mildly masculine with everything in order thanks to his housekeeper, Ella. We went into the kitchen and Ranger gave me a glass of wine.

“Hungry?” he asked.

I nodded. “Yes.”

Ella had left a fruit and cheese tray in the fridge. She’d also left a tray with assorted finger sandwiches that included smoked salmon and caviar with crème fra?che. Ranger lived well. We took the wine and food to the small dining area.

“This is nice,” I said. “Thanks for helping me.”

“It’s been interesting.”

“How much do you know?” I asked him.