Category: Change in the Wind

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

Chapter 96: This is a Trick, Right?

A/N: For everyone who wondered why Thomas Mann didn’t spot them securing Drew in the last chapter: A Molotov cocktail takes about 10 minutes to create, due to volatility. So Thomas spotted Steph and the RangeMen taking down Drew. He ran around to the garage/shed/carport, chugged a beer (thus giving him a bottle), filled the now empty beer bottle with gasoline, found a piece of fabric to act as a wick, stuffed one end in the beer bottle, lit the other end, and ran and tossed it into the SUV. Of course, he was drunk, so not all of this went as smoothly as I’ve described it, but that’s the general idea. While he was doing all that, Steph had secured Drew in the SUV and returned to the front door with Zip and Binkie. He missed that part making the bomb.
Drunks don’t always think clearly. He didn’t consider who was missing until the screaming started. Everyone clear now? Plus, you now have a quick lesson on how to make an incendiary. Alternate beginning to that chapter will be posted on my site today at noon.

Hector’s POV

The day after Drew Stefanic died

This is the first year I’m taking Mijo trick or treating. Nikki says he’s excited. Getting to dress up, visit people and eat candy? He’s thrilled.

I know. That’s all he asks me about when we talk, whether or not I’m going to take him trick or treating. I keep telling him that I will and I’ll dress up as a ninja. So now he wants to dress up as a ninja. Nikki’s amused. She planned to dress him up as something cute, like a bum or a nerd.

Or a Pokémon.

He was excited to dress up as a Pokémon and I ask him if he still wants to be a Pokémon. Well, yes, but I’m going as a ninja so he wants to be a ninja.

He wants to be just like me.

I smile. I want him to be much better than me. I want him to never know the ugly side of life I know. So I consider this and do some research. I tell Nikki to buy him a Pokémon costume.

We’re going trick or treating as Pikachu and Ash Ketchum. Continue reading →

I FINALLY Get It–Alternate Beginning

This is how Chapter 95 was going to start at one point. I scrapped this because it didn’t take me where I needed to go in this chapter.

Steph’s POV

“Steph?” I turn. Zip. “Want to try again?”

I quickly grab my things, check with Hector on 3, and join Binkie and Zip in the garage. Just like yesterday, we travel to Franklin Park and set up. It’s 0800, we have breakfast burritos from Ella and we’re feeling good, although it’s chilly. I wonder when the cold front from Boston will travel down here. I bet Mijo would love to play with some snow before he goes home.

Minutes later, he arrives.

Zip clears his throat. “Verify.” Continue reading →

‘I’m Sorry’ is NOT Enough

A/N: UnBeta’d. I’m sorry it’s so late. We are BOTH having internet problems.

Lula’s POV

Ches Deuce ain’t saying much. That’s not unusual. RangeMen don’t talk in cars, no matter how long or short the distance. This is one of those times when I really miss Steph. We used to talk, debate, laugh, and jam to my tunes. I get in cars with RangeMen and go to sleep.

We’re in Ches’s personal car, a green Chevy Trailblazer with the naked girl mud flaps. Classy. Ches has the radio on and he’s singing along to some country song, smiling and happy. He looks like a country boy, brown hair, brown eyes, skinny like the Marlboro Man. He’s even wearing the plaid shirt and dusty looking blue jeans tucked into black cowboy boots.

“Where are you from?”

He glances at me for a moment. “Austin.” Continue reading →

Chapter 95: I FINALLY Get It

Steph’s POV

“Steph?” I turn. Zip. “Want to try again?”

I quickly grab my things, check with Hector on 3, and join Binkie and Zip in the garage. Just like yesterday, we travel to Franklin Park and set up. It’s 0800, we have breakfast burritos from Ella and we’re feeling good, although it’s chilly. I wonder when the cold front from Boston will travel down here. I bet Mijo would love to play with some snow before he goes home.

Zip clears his throat. “Verify.”

I look. Yup, that’s the target. Drew Stefanic. He’s just climbing out of his car when I approach.

“Hi, Drew!” I’m extra loud to accommodate his hangover. Continue reading →

Chapter 94: One Successful Day

Steph’s POV

I’m staring out of the windows, desperate for something new to do besides paperwork. Being in the building is driving me insane.

No one should be awake at 0800. It’s a crime against nature. I’ve been awake for two hours already. I think it’s time for me to do some ‘thinking’.

“Sis?” I turn. Hal. He and Ram step into my office.

“What’s up, guys?” We sit at my table and I grab a monogrammed pen. Hal rolls his eyes. “It’s not clothes.”

“I know. Anyway, I thought about what happened with the mall thing two days ago and I went looking through the SOPs and realized that the definition of ‘offline’ wasn’t clearly defined.” Continue reading →

A Mind is a Terrible Thing to Waste

A/N: All quotes from Sun Tzu, The Art of War, unless otherwise noted.

Even the finest sword plunged into salt water will eventually rust.

Les’s POV—Two weeks ago

I’m listening to everything Hec’s passing back.

Damian is a pissed man. Good.

Didn’t take me long to figure out which member of MS-13 was the set captain. Damian is trying to make a name for himself. He was a rising member in Oakland, a tough area to make your bones, and he’s garnered attention inside and outside the organization. Our former Mexican Mafia members worked their contacts to get me a name.

I might have to buy Emilio a drink. He’s at RMSA, in research, and he kept at it until he got the name.

I’ve been watching Damian for a month and I’m impressed. Piman’s not.

“He’s striking at my men. They want to strike back.” Piman’s staring at me, cold. “I don’t believe in collateral damage, Les. This shit’s pissing me off.”

I nod. I know. He’s ready to blow some shit up and protect his men but not yet. They have to accept this with patience.

A week later, Piman acknowledges that waiting was the right method to use. They made a mistake. The FBI followed them and arrested 106 in a raid.

I fought not to allow the grin. I knew they would.

Appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak.

Johanssen and I are now friends. These next strikes, in Charlotte and Miami simultaneously, will cement Marsden.

I’m rolling up the carpet now. Time to bring this op to a close. Continue reading →

Chapter 93.5: Girls Night Out, Part III

Connie’s POV

“What in the hell is a shiksa?” I’m contemplating a pedicure. I need to go get one, the sooner the better.

Marvin sighs. “It means non-Jew.”

I’m eyeing him, annoyed. “And your mother chose to call me one, because?”

Marvin rolls on top of me and smiles. “Because you’re not a Jew. It’s not an insult. It’s an endearment, really.” He kisses the side of my neck but I can tell he really wants to try for round three. “All the years you’ve lived in Jersey and you’ve never heard the word shiksa?”

“Italian. I heard every insult for Italians ever invented. I have every insult for mobster memorized. Unless you were a Meyer Lansky, I wasn’t gonna meet you.” Continue reading →

Chapter 93: The Window Slams Shut

Steph’s POV

I’m standing in line at Giovichinni’s watching everyone look at me. I hate being conspicuous, but it can’t be helped.

Hector is with me.

The entire store got quiet when we both stepped in but I nodded at Gina and got into line. No one has approached me, spoken to me or said a word. They’re just watching me.

“Nosy idiots,” Hector mutters. “You are not an exhibit.” Hector continues to mutter angry words next to me and it’s fueling my own irritation. He’s right. I’m not a side-show. Continue reading →

Chapter 92: A Door Closes

Joe’s POV

After the disaster with Torres, I’ve gotten smarter about not trusting my fellow agents, but it is hard having my only contact be Mañoso. However, I have to give him credit. He’s leading me in the right directions. His information is spot-on and it makes the job of getting these guys to talk much easier. He can tell me their likes, dislikes, vulnerabilities and obsessions and I’m not having any problems finding common ground with my suspects.

Shit, if I had Mañoso passing information to me all the time like this, I would have a 100% conviction rate.

Lately I’ve been wondering about staying at Trenton PD. On one hand, I love my hometown and I’m proud to be an officer there. Trenton needs help more than any city I know, but the opportunities for promotion stink. I checked the website; there’s a new Chief of D’s, someone named Lt. Ward. I know him. He’s from Newark and he has a good rep but he doesn’t have half the years of experience I do. My conviction rate is better and I know the area. I would have been better but I’m on this op. Continue reading →

Upcoming Chapters

You asked for it. This page will be refreshed as I add them in!

Title Anticipated Publication Date
Chapter 111: The Power to Hurt Me 2/28/2014
Chapter 112: Reset 3/4/2014
Chapter 113: Welcome Home 3/7/2014
Chapter 114: Your Words? My Actions! 3/11/2014
Chapter 114.5: Unpleasant Duties, Part IV 3/12/2014
Chapter 115: Business and Pleasure 3/14/2014
Chapter 116: Brown has lost his F*ing mind 3/18/2014
Home for the Holidays, Part I: Thanksgiving
Blinds: A Holiday Story in Three Parts (Ram) 3/21/2014
Home is Where the Horror is (Mando) 3/23/2014
Uneasy Truce (Hector/Mark) 3/25/2014
Nobody’s Perfect (Hal/Candy) 3/27/2014
Cooking Lessons (Steph) 3/29/2014
Your Struggle is Just Like Mine (Mack/Jorge) 3/31/2014
 Back to Regular Chapters/Side Stories
I Learned My Lesson 4/3/2014
Chapter 117: Surprise Me 4/4/2014
Chapter 118: Perhaps I Should Explain … 4/8/2014
I Learn to Waltz, Part IV 4/9/2014
Chapter 119: Star Signs 4/11/2014
Chapter 120: This Feels Like Deja Vu 4/15/2014
Chapter 121: Chance Encounters 4/18/2014
One Shot: Red Meat and Dairy will Kill You 4/20/2014
Bye Week: No Publishable Chapters Ready 4/22-25/2014
Chapter 122: Love is a Choice 4/29/2014
Chapter 123: Judgment Day 5/2/2014
Chapter 124: Highs and Lows 5/6/2014
Chapter 125: The Brotherhood Strikes Again! 5/9/2014
Chapter 126: How Do I Love Thee? 5/13/2014
Chapter 127: And Now You Tell Me 5/16/2014
One-Shot: Goodbye … 5/18/2014
Chapter 128: Meet Miriam 5/20/2014
Chapter 129: Another Complication 5/23/2014
Chapter 130: New York, NY, Part II 6/6/2014
Chapter 130.5: Knowledge Drop 6/8/2014
Chapter 130.7: The LC at Play 6/9/2014
Chapter 131: Let Me Do What You Do 6/10/2014
Chapter 132: I Resign 6/13/2014
Chapter 133: And That’s Gonna Cost You 6/17/2014
Chapter 134: I Didn’t Anticipate That 6/19/2014
Chapter 135: Sounding Boards 6/21/2014
One-Shot: A Mother’s Lament 6/22/2014
Chapter 136: New Year Plans 6/23/2014
Christmas!!!
A Much Needed Break 6/24/2014
What’s Important to Me TBA
Tough Choices TBA
The True Meaning of the Season TBA
Family, Faith, and Forgiveness TBA