Lean Mean Thirteen (Stephanie Plum 13)

'What's your angle?"

“No angle,” Ranger said. "Like I told you, I'm looking to retain counsel and I like the firm.

I'm just having a hard time finding someone to talk to. No one's answering the phone.“ ”Do you have something to… barter?"

“You want to stay away from Jimmy Monster. He's wearing a wire.”

“Ow.”

“And?” Ranger said.

"I'm meeting Victor Gorvich tonight. He has a package for me. We used to make the drop

at a warehouse, but the warehouse burned down, so I'm seeing him at ten at Domino's.“ ”The strip club on Third Street?"

“That's the one. Just make sure my business is concluded before you move in.” Ranger stood. “Be careful,” he said to Rufus.

“Fuck that,” Rufus said.

We were a couple blocks away from the apartment building when my cell phone rang. “I can't talk long,” Morelli said. "I just wanted to pass some information on to you. The guy

in the warehouse was identified by his wedding band and key ring. It was Peter Smullen.“ ”Holy crap.

“The guy in the warehouse was Peter Smullen,” I said to Ranger.

'Who are you talking to?" Morelli asked.

“Ranger.”

“You're with Ranger?”

“You told him to take care of me.”

“Yeah, but I didn't mean-”

“I'm getting static,” I said to Morelli. “Hello? Hello?” And I disconnected. "He needed a

moment to collect himself," I said to Ranger.

“Understandable.”

“Let's recap,” I said to Ranger. "First the law firm's accountant goes swimming with the

fishes. Then Dickie gets dragged out of his house. And now Peter Smullen is dead." My cell phone rang again.

“We got cut off,” Morelli said.

“Cell phones,” I said. “Go figure.”

"I wanted to tell you Marty Gobel might want to talk to you again. Smullen s secretary said

Smullen was supposed to meet with you the night he disappeared."

“Are you suggesting I might be under suspicion for Smullen's murder?”

“You have an alibi, right?”

I hung up and slouched in my seat. "Smullen s secretary told the police I was supposed to