My new favorite book.
Hawk reminds me strongly of Ranger.
Chapter 20
Frank Plum can't decide if he wants to get out of his car. He, like a
lot of men his age, just wants to have some peace and quiet. He
doesn't ask much of life. He never sees eyes to eyes with his
mother-in-law. He seldom argues with his wife. He's happy and contented
as long as his dinner is served on time every night. Frank lets out a
sigh. One of his fellow cab drivers informed him of the fire, so he
decided to come over and take a look. And now he's starting to regret
his decision. He never understands his own daughters. He doesn't know
what Valerie sees in Steve and Albert. He doesn't know what is going on
between Stephanie and Joe Morelli. He has heard plenty of rumours
about Stephanie and Ranger. He has no idea what his younger daughter
really wants in her life. He sometimes wishes he has the courage to
drive his car into the sunset, have dinner at a roadside diner, get a
room in a cheap motel, sleep off all his boredom, and call home the
next morning to say how much he enjoys his freedom and that he wants a
divorce.
He sits helplessly behind the wheel watching the tension grow. He
knows he's not a good father. He knows he's too much of a coward. He
should have confronted the Morellis about their younger son's
misbehavior. He should have punched Dickie Orr in the face and broken
that cheating bastard's nose. He should have stepped up and protected
his daughter. But he just ate his dinner and kept his silence and let
his wife handle the situation. He's suddenly glad he has no sons. No
man deserves to have a father like him. He's never good at
confrontation. He's the reigning King of Denial. Everything is peachy
and fine if he covers his ears and eyes. He looks at the tall dark
muscular man and blinks back a tear. He knows Ranger will defend
Stephanie. He knows Ranger has killed to protect Stephanie. He knows
Joe Morelli should have been the one to get rid of Abruzzi. He knows
Joe Morelli will never love Stephanie or the damn society enough to
risk his career. Frank has seen and heard about everything. But he
always keeps his silence and pretends he knows nothing.
And he hates himself for this.
Joe Morelli's eyes lock on Stephanie. His brain is blank and empty.
He can feel the cold weight of his police-issued gun at the back of his
waist. It will be quick and easy. She's never aware of her
surroundings. One shot through her head and she will be dead. Nobody
cheats on him. He's Joe Morelli, Trenton police detective, former Navy.
He's the one who broke women's hearts after taking their virginity.
He's the one who needs a pay raise and deserves a promotion. He's the
one who now has a house and wants to start a family. He has his dreams.
He has his pride. He can't be humiliated like this. His hand reaches
for his gun on its own will. He knows people are watching. He knows
Ranger is near. But he doesn't care.
Ex-special forces are overrated.
The uniform police officers sense trouble coming. They reach for
their guns and start to yell. The firemen gawk. Frank Plum panics. No
one actually sees what happens the next second. Joe Morelli is face
down on the ground, unmoving. Stephanie Plum stands there and blinks
twice in bewilderment. Ranger now has a gun in his hand. A
police-issued 9mm gun. Joe Morelli's gun, as a matter of fact.
And he still looks calm and collected.