Look Alive Twenty-Five (Stephanie Plum 25)

“Kulicki needs to check in with the court,” I said to Morelli. “He’s my FTA. And when they pry Ernie Sitz out of the trash receptacle, he has my name on him too. He’s way overdue, but Vinnie should still be able to get something back on his bond.”

“I’ll take care of it,” Morelli said. “I’m going to be tied up here for a while. Can you walk Bob for me?”

“What about Anthony?”

“He’s back home with the wife and kids.”

* * *

¦ ¦ ¦

Ranger parked in the lot behind my apartment building.

“This has been interesting,” he said.

“Do you think Harry had Sitz killed?”

“Yes.”

“Do you think the police will be able to prove it?”

“No. Harry will eventually get convicted of something and get sent away for a while, but I don’t think it will be for Sitz. Some loyal lieutenant did Sitz. Probably Connie’s Uncle Jimmy.”

“He’s in his nineties!”

“He’s fearless. He has nothing to lose. He’s too old to die young. And he works with Billy Raguzzi.”

I knew Billy. I went to school with him. He was a quiet, skinny little guy. His nickname was Billy Coldcock. Also, Billy the Eye Gouger.

“Billy is taking up the trade?” I asked.

“Learning from the best,” Ranger said.

I glanced over my shoulder at my laundry basket in the back seat. “I need to check on Rex and make sure nothing is fermenting in my refrigerator.”

Ranger carried my laundry basket to my door and waited while I rummaged around in my bag for my key. He got tired of waiting, produced his own key, and let me into my apartment.

“Thanks,” I said. “And thanks for carrying my basket, and thanks for keeping me safe. It looks like I’m not in danger anymore, so you and Morelli don’t have to keep tag team guarding me.”

“No more than usual,” Ranger said.

He nudged me inside, set the basket on the floor, and kissed me. “I’m cutting you loose,” he said, “but feel free to drop in if you get a sudden desire to use my shower or my bed.”

He kissed me again with enough passion to make me think twice about his offer.

“Jeez Louise,” I said.

“Babe,” Ranger said. And he left.

I stood for a moment regrouping, thinking it felt good to be home. I went to the kitchen and looked into the fridge. No green slime growing on anything. I tapped on Rex’s cage and said “Hello!” Rex stuck his head out, twitched his whiskers, blinked his black eyes at me, and retreated back into his soup can. This all made me feel happy inside.

I carted my laundry basket into my bedroom, brushed my hair and retied my ponytail, applied some lip gloss, and smiled at myself in the mirror.

I was about to leave for Morelli’s house to walk Bob when Grandma Mazur called.

“I’ve got news,” she said. “Don’t tell your mother, but I’m running off to live in sin with my honey.”

“Again?”