Lean Mean Thirteen (Stephanie Plum 13)

“Nothing.” At least nothing I wanted to share with Ranger.

“It s something. What is it?”

“Cramps.”

“Babe.”

“I need… you know,” I said to him.

“You don't have anything with you?”

“I was planning on staying in my apartment. And then I left in a hurry. And I forgot until just now.”

“Do you want me to send one of my men out for something?”

“Would they do that?”

“I'd have to pay him extra.”

“Maybe Ella can help me.”

I ran downstairs to see Ella, and ten minutes later, I was back on the couch.

“Everything okay?” Ranger asked.

“Yes. Ella had some.”

Bruce Lee was kicking ass on the screen, and God knows what this was doing to Rangers libido, but I now realized nature had come through for me. What had at first seemed like an embarrassing disaster was in actuality a blessing. This was my lucky week. First Joyce, and now nature.

Ranger slid an arm around me and nuzzled my neck. Bruce Lee was getting to him.

“Lula has a theory that violent movies put a man in the mood,” I said to Ranger.

“Everything puts a man in the mood,” Ranger said.

“Good thing I got cramps, eh? I'm safe.”

“Not from me,” Ranger said.

Eek. “Guess again,” I told him.

Ranger changed channels to Jane Eyre. “The two toys we found in your bag were simple transmitters. With the exception of my device, you're supposed to be clean. How did Joyce find you this afternoon?”

“She picked me up at the bonds office.”

I opened MY eyes and looked at the clock. Almost eight A.M. No Ranger. I checked under the covers. I was still wearing all the clothes I'd started with when I went to bed. Another night of successfully dodging the bullet. I scrambled out of bed and into the shower.

Fd had a brilliant idea halfway through Jane Eyre. I knew how I was going to get Coglin to court to re-register. I'd have Grandma babysit his house. I got dressed in more RangeMan black and went to the kitchen to forage for breakfast. I called Ranger with a fast message while I finished my coffee.

“I'm heading out,” I said. “I'm going to get Grandma and take her to Coglin s house. I've got the pen transmitter with me. See you later.”

Morelli was up next.

“What's new?” I said.

“Unfortunately, nothing. What's new with you?”

I told him about Dave and Joyce.