Standard disclaimer ... all characters belong to Janet Evanovich. Nothing belongs to me. Not making any money yadda, yadda, yadda...

SPOV
I must be out of my mind. Who would have thought I would ever sink so low as to need to blackmail my sleaze-ball cousin Vinnie for a job. Since being laid off as a lingerie buyer at EE Martin my life has gone steadily downhill... the economic climate has made it impossible for me to get a job, despite my Business Degree and experience. Well, I suppose coming from a company that was closed due to money laundering and Mob ties may also have something to do with it. I was only one of many innocent workers at EE Martin to suffer from the fallout.

After being unemployed for six months and having my car repossessed I am now reduced to driving Big Blue, a classic 56 Buick left to my Granma Mazur after Uncle Sandor died. Since Grandma doesn't drive anymore the car has just sat in the garage as she doesn't want to part with it... "It's a classic Baby Granddaughter... I bet you could pick up some real hotties if you cruise around." The fact that it's a gas guzzler and handles like a fridge on wheels is beside the point ... and as the saying goes, beggars can't be choosers.

Vinnie had just lost one of his bounty hunters and his office manager Connie helped me to blackmail him into giving me a try. I have no experience with this job what-so-ever but Connie has set me up to meet with someone to hopefully give me some tips. So that's where I am now, parked outside the Bluebird Diner working up the courage to go in and meet some guy called Ranger.

I cast my eyes along the booths as I walked in the door trying to pick out this Ranger guy. Totally built, dressed in black, and dangerous looking. That was Connie's description and it had to be the guy at the back of the diner. What the hell have I got myself into? Well it can't hurt to just talk to him can it? What's the worst he can do? Say no?

RPOV
Fuck. This is the last thing I need at the moment. Meeting some bounty-hunter-wanna-be chic who has no idea what she's getting herself into. This has disaster written all over it but Connie has never asked me for anything before and I owe her. The work she's given me over the last couple of years has really helped to get my company up and running. I'm sitting in the back booth so I can watch everyone coming through the front door. I give a mental groan when I see a curly haired brunette walk through the door and scan the diner looking for someone. She lays eyes on me and starts to walk towards my booth. I'm mentally cataloguing her as she approaches ... slender build, small waist, nice breasts outlined through her T shirt and from the glimpse I saw as she entered the diner maybe a nice ass under those jeans. I mentally make a bet with myself, 3 minutes, before she realises she's in over her head and runs. She stops at my table and I look at her over the top of my shades... into the most amazing blue eyes I've ever seen.

"Ranger?"

"Babe" I reply...hiding again behind my sunglasses so I can study her face more discreetly. Babe? Where the fuck did that come from.

"Hi. I'm Stephanie Plum" she introduces, offering her hand to shake. I take her hand in mine, surprised at the warmth and energy that seems to radiate from her then watch her slide into the seat opposite. "Connie tells me you may be able to give me some pointers on bounty hunting".

"Maybe. What makes you want to be a bounty hunter?" ... I'm curious if nothing else, as to why she would even consider bounty hunting.

"I need a job. This is all I can get."

"Babe. This is a dangerous job. It's not for everyone" ... I'm impressed that I manage to keep my tone neutral. Despite thinking this is a stupid idea of epic proportions.

"In other words you don't think it's the job for me"

"I never said that."

"You didn't have to. Your thoughts are obvious." Hmm, neutral tone as well, interesting.

I contemplate her for a minute, reassessing my original impressions. She may not look like bounty hunter material but she doesn't appear to be nervous of me at all ...which is unusual. Dressed as I am in my street gear most people avoid me and are afraid to make eye contact. Intimidating people is my specialty. She sighs and drops her gaze to her hands on the table, this is it...the 3 minute break point. She looks back up at me, her gaze penetrating my soul despite my eyes being hidden behind the glasses.

"Sorry to waste your time." As she stands and turns to leave I decide to soften the blow, she seems nice and for some reason I feel the need to offer her re-assurance. What the hell is wrong with me?

"Don't worry Babe. I'm sure you'll find a more suitable job".

She turns and looks at me straight on with her head tilted slightly to one side.

"I'm not quitting. I'm just going to find some training elsewhere. You obviously don't think I'm up to the job so I'll find someone who does."

And with that she turned and left...showing I was right...she does have a great ass.

I watch her leave and climb into the behemoth of a car in the lot. I have to say I have a certain amount of admiration for her spunk. She was not intimidated by me in the least and then effectively blew me off. I can't remember the last person to do that to me. She seems to have a certain amount of determination to her so I decide to phone Connie to smooth things over. Maybe Connie can give her some of the lower bond skips that have simply forgotten their court dates. Rangeman usually handles the higher and more dangerous bonds.

"What do you mean she has Morelli..." unable to hide the disbelief and anger in my voice,

"She has his file. She's going to bring him in" Connie is cool and unfazed as always

Silence...

"What do you care Ranger. At least she's not taking up your time." Unable to reply to this comment I simply hang up.

Shit. Could this get any worse? I was busy enough when Connie called in the first place to see if I could "mentor" this Stephanie Plum. Now I'm going to be responsible for her getting killed because she's going after Morelli, a seasoned vice cop trying to clear his name from allegedly being framed for murder and with other hit men no doubt after him as well. She'll get caught in the cross fire for sure.