Look Alive Twenty-Five (Stephanie Plum 25)

“Harry must have mixed emotions about the deli,” I said. “He took possession of it and instantly started having problems. On the other hand, the problems seem to be making the deli a huge success.”

“I doubt Harry would be bothered by any of those problems,” Ranger said. “He’s made his share of people disappear in the past. The only difference is that most of those people were found shortly after they were shot, choked, or bludgeoned with a shovel.”

We moved from the bread aisle to frozen foods and filled a second cart with French fries and onion rings.

“I’m seeing a whole new side of you,” I said to Ranger. “Who would have thought you’d be so at home making sandwiches and shopping for food?”

“Domestic Ranger.”

“Exactly. You’re going to make some lucky lady a wonderful husband someday.”

He wrapped an arm around me and pulled me close. “I have other marital skills. Would you like to see them?”

“Not in the frozen food section.”

Ranger grinned. “Name the place.”

“I’ll give it some thought.”

“You’re playing with me,” Ranger said.

“And you?”

“I’m not playing.”

When I’m this close to Ranger, and his lips are brushing against my ear, it’s difficult to think beyond the desire to rip his clothes off. Fortunately, we were in a supermarket, and by the time we got to the car I would have my mind redirected to other activities . . . like finding Hal.

We added jars of pickles and sauerkraut to the cart and checked out.

“Maybe you should add extra cameras to the deli,” I said to Ranger.

He loaded the groceries into the back of the SUV. “I don’t want to make another kidnapping seem impossible. Our best shot is still for them to go after you or me.”

“You’re sure you can find me, right?”

He looked down at my shoes. “Your shoes are equipped with locators. Both of them.”

“When did that happen?”

“Right after you bought them. About a month ago.”

A couple years ago I would have been incensed and outraged. This afternoon I was resigned. I had no control over Ranger.

“What if I don’t get to keep a shoe?” I asked him.

“Glad you asked. I have a miniaturized transponder I’d like to implant.”

“Implant? Where?”

“You get to choose. I get to assist,” Ranger said.

“No, no, no. No way. No how.”

“It’s small. You won’t know you’re carrying it.”

“How do I get it out?”

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