Category: Change in the Wind

The Full Story, with all Side Stories and the Housekeepers’ War series integrated in.

Chapter 70: The Crown has Passed!

Ram’s POV—Monday Morning

I hit the floor at 0700. Junior is grinning. Does this man ever go home?

“Check your email?”

“Nah. Why?”

Junior is choking back laughs. “I want a Candy look-a-like. Make that happen.”

I lift an eyebrow but head to my office. Ten minutes later, I’m grinning.

FROM THE DESK OF THE CO OF RANGEMAN LLC.

RE: The Crown has PASSED!

It is my great pleasure and delight to announce that the Trenton Branch of RangeMan, LLC has taken the number one position as ‘Most Profitable Branch’ in the company. Please extend your congratulations to Hal Linden and his men for their work over the past five months. Congratulations, Trenton!

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Chapter 69.7: Girls Night Out, Part II

A/N: Although I am occasionally kinda smart, I do miss the simple things (cringe). I keep forgetting you guys don’t have my timeline. So I’m putting a sanitized version out there (can’t give away secrets!) so you understand what’s happening when. Check my profile for the link.

Steph’s POV—Saturday Night

Honestly, I was more interested in getting some sleep this weekend, but ML and Connie insisted.

“You’ve been at the beach, surrounded by handsome, buff RangeMen for six weeks! Time for girl time!”

I still had no interest in going until Lula calls. “Steph! You coming out with us tonight?”

I yawn. “I was thinking of calling it a night.”

“Damn. I was looking forward to showing you the ring.”

I perk up. “Well, maybe a few minutes. What’s the plan?”

“So far, dinner at that fancy ass place Tank took us to. We have big things to celebrate.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Yeah. I’m getting married, you’re blowing RangeMan up, Connie had a date—”

“Really?”

“A doctor, girl! She’s excited.”

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Chapter 69.5: This Shit is Real

Manny’s POV—Baltimore, MD, Thursday

Today’s fishing session is probably my most dangerous. Juana Baez is an ex-girlfriend of mine, the only time I ever mixed the job with my personal life. She works in Major Crimes. I saved her life, twice, and it wasn’t a bad breakup, so she was happy to hear from me.

Every time I see her again, I wonder why we broke up. Juana is 34, my age, with long brown hair and brown eyes. Coke bottle shape that looks good in everything she wears. Everything about her turns me on. We loved each other, had fun, shared the same interests, and our families got along. We were the perfect couple. Oh. Right. That was the problem. Juana wants someone who adores her, worships her, and lives only to cater to her every whim. I want a woman a little more independent. My salary (at the time) did not support Juana’s preferred lifestyle. When I moved to Jersey, that was the end. Trenton was not the place she wanted to be. Oh well. It was wonderful while it lasted.

“Manny!” We’re at a sidewalk café in a safer area of town. The Wire was not a storybook fantasy. We hug and I motion for her to sit.

“How’s it going, Juana?”

She sighs. “I hate the Bureau. Simple shit takes a fucking miracle now. We’re so concerned with terrorism that unless your warrant application has some sort of terrorism angle, good luck getting it approved in the next six weeks.”

“Shit,” I mutter. My instincts are ringing. Something’s off. I cough twice, pound my chest and motion for her to take a menu.

“Otherwise? Eh,” she says.

Ranger is about three tables over, in disguise (excellent disguise) and listening. I see him point a bug detector at her and widen his eyes. She’s bugged. Great. We’re both bugged.

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Chapter 69: Mercy Granted

Danny’s POV—Thursday Morning

We gather outside after breakfast. It’s a repeat of Saturday.

Javier blows out a breath. “Straw poll. In favor of keeping him?” Not a single hand. We look toward Hal. He has his eyes closed and appears to be in prayer. Finally, he lifts his head and looks at each of us. He shakes his head. No. Done deal. Mark failed.

Mark steps outside and nods at us before heading off to the beach. We watch him silently. Moments later, Stephanie walks out and takes the head seat.

“Have you guys made a decision?” Hal nods but Steph raises a hand to stop him. “Before you tell me, I need to tell you two things. One, Mark submitted a resignation letter yesterday and I’ve accepted it.”

We all sit back, stunned. Steph allows us some time to consider that before speaking.

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I Don’t Fight for Me

A/N: Assume all conversations among the LC are in Spanish

“It gives me strength to have somebody to fight for;
I can never fight for myself, but, for others, I can kill.”

Trenton, 4 years ago

I’m outside of the restaurant watching him. I’ve been waiting on his arrival for an hour and I’m still uncertain. I’m thinking of trusting my life to this man and I cannot read him. This is a first. I look east. I spotted the first lookout 30 minutes ago. There’s no reason for a well-dressed black man to be in this area, so he’s deliberate. 15 minutes later I spotted a Hispanic, but I know him.

Lester Santos. I recognize him from childhood. He went inside and spoke to the man but left again. He’s sitting in the car.

I haven’t spotted the black man I’m told is his partner, and I’m not moving until I do. I like to know where possible enemies are before I move. It keeps me alive. He should be easy to spot. He’s supposed to be huge.

I check my watch. I’m now five minutes late and I’m told he never waits. I must be interesting. He’s waiting.

“He’s getting pissed about waiting.”

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Chapter 68.5: Calls to NYC

Mack’s POV—Wednesday night

My phone always seems to ring during dinner. Homie can never eat in peace.

“Yo.”

“Yo, Mack?”

“Sup.” Who the fuck is this?

“Hi, this is Stephanie Plum.”

Yo . . . the Boss Lady. I set the wing down and wipe my fingers. This is gonna be major. She need me to come shank that asshole Mark? I can ride in minutes.

“Yo, Boss Lady, good to hear from you. Please tell me Javi managed to convince you to come back and visit us.”

Laughter. I like the CO. She major, she’s real, and she’s pretty fucking hot. Ain’t a lotta women like her. Makes me respect Ranger even more. The man is a fucking genius.

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Chapter 68: Relief at Last

Steph’s POV—Tuesday Morning

The difficult discussions are finished. Now for the fun ones. Danny and I decide to hold his discussion outside on the porch.

“Trying to avoid the bugs?” I tease.

Danny laughs. “Nah. Unnecessary now. Hal called the office and reinstated the audio and video monitoring.”

I shake my head. “Why am I not surprised? Ok, Danny, hit me. What do you need?”

“A way to convince the CO to stop poaching my men!” We laugh and I write that down and underline it, which makes Danny grin. “No, seriously, we’re d oing great in Atlanta. My concerns all centered on Charlotte, but since you intend to move Armando there for six weeks, I can discuss those concerns with him. Make sure he’s fully aware of what needs to happen at that location.”

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Chapter 67.5: The Housekeepers’ War, Part X

Timeline: Starts during ‘The Noose is Fitted’. This chapter ends at Steph’s clearance (but no additional hints.).
This is the final installment in the Housekeepers’ War.

Week Three

Diego’s POV

I love Ella Guzman. I never thought I’d say that, but hell. I do. I love her.

The men of Miami are some tired motherfuckas.

They miss Maria and Rafe now. They’re desperate for her to come home. They can’t wait to tell her how much they missed her and how they’re willing to work with her now.

Antonio had the nerve to suggest, during today’s staff meeting, that we needed to get professional cleaners in here before the CO’s arrival to ensure everything was perfect. I stared at him.

“Since when do you care about the CO’s opinion?”

Antonio snorted. “Well, we’ve seen that women can find dust anywhere.”

B cut me off. “My mother can find dust anywhere because that’s her job, but you forget, I worked in the business too. I can spot dirt and dust too and I know you want to bring in a housekeeper cuz you half-assing the windows. Get ’em clean, muthafucka. Quit leaving streaks.”

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Chapter 67: Trojan Horse Redux

Steph’s POV—Monday Evening

I hate to do this again, but it has to be done. I back the XOs, but I need to see if Armando is worth backing. So far, I’m not sure how to classify him as a manager but, if I’m totally honest and fair, the word ‘shit’ is coming to mind. There has to be a reason the guys put him in charge of Miami, but I don’t see it right now and I need to in order to recommend he stay in his position.

Thomas said that, before he hired his cousin, Armando was a ‘beast‘, which I think means he was really good. The talk with Lucia helped me understand how he got where he is now, and I think this plan will work. If it doesn’t, he’ll have to be demoted. There’s no way around it.

Amazing. I think the senior XOs are going to end up on a 90-day probation.

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Chapter 66: I Want Some Brotherhood

Armando’s POV—Monday Morning

Finally! My turn and I’m eager to talk to Stephanie. I’ve outlined what I want to cover and I’m ready.

“Stephanie.”

She’s all smiles. “Good morning, Armando.” I get a hug, which is nice and surprising. “Do you think we need to check for bugs?”

I walk to the window and look out. The guys are on the patio and they wave, smiling. Mark’s disappeared again. Probably at the beach, wondering how to save his ass.

I shake my head and turn around. “I think we’d waste valuable time trying.”

Laughter. “OK. Anything you need to tell me that’s confidential?”

“Nah. What I’m going to cover they already know about.”

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