AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I waited until Potts disappeared inside his house before I drove off. I returned to Hamilton, cruised past the bail bonds office on my way to State Street, and I picked up a tail. It looked like a dark-colored SUV. I couldn’t see the occupants. I called Rangeman control and asked if it was one of their cars. I was told that it wasn’t, and I was patched over to Ranger.
“I’m pretty sure I’m being followed,” I told him. “It’s not like they’re being subtle about it. They’re right on my bumper.”
“I can see you on my screen,” he said. “You’re about a half mile away. Go straight into the garage.”
The car disappeared a block before Rangeman. The gate was already open for me. A Rangeman car was idling nearby. I slipped into the garage and parked in one of Ranger’s spaces. I took the elevator to the seventh floor and let myself into Ranger’s apartment.
He was waiting for me in the kitchen.
“Calvin said you didn’t have a tail when you pulled in,” Ranger said.
“They cut away at Monroe Street.”
“Any idea who they were?”
“Yes. That’s why I’m here.”
“I thought you were here for my sheets and my shower.”
I smiled. “I’ve been found out.”
“I’m having a late dinner. Ella left me a salad that would feed four people, if you want to join me.”
“Thanks, but I had dinner with my parents.”
“Wine?”
“Yes.”
I sat across from him at his dining room table and sipped my wine while he ate.
“Talk to me,” Ranger said.
“Charlie Shine’s brought in some muscle from Florida. I ran across some of the new goons today. Apparently, I’m on their to-snatch list. Two of them had Grandma and me at gunpoint but Potts bumbled in and we were able to escape. I imagine they were the ones following me.”
“Potts?”
“Long story short, he’s sort of a sad sack that I captured and then bailed out. It was a small bond and I put it on my credit card. Anyway, he’s latched on to me. Says it’s his job to be my lifelong protector.”
Ranger had stopped eating, with the fork halfway to his mouth.
“Is that a grimace I just saw on your face?” I asked him. “I’ve never seen you grimace before. This is a first.”
“Why was he arrested?”
“It’s not important.”
“I think it’s important.”
“He had an accident in front of Tasty Bakery.”
“What kind of accident?”
“It was personal.”
Ranger leaned forward a little. “And?”
“He pooped! He pooped in front of Tasty Bakery. He’s the pooper.”
