Page 37 of Conflicted
“Tolbert,” the answer was curt, he must not be looking at the caller ID.
“Hi, it’s Ruby. I’ve found out more about the tattoo and the guy who has it.”
“That’s great! Wait a minute. How did you find out?”
With rapid fire Ruby rattled off the facts. “The drawing fell out of my bag at work. Rebecca recognized it. She keeps really good records. She found it in her files, and she’s only done it once. His name is Matthew Morrison.”
“Good work.” Will’s praise made her chest swell. “Do you happen to have an address?”
“As a matter of fact we do.” Ruby gave Will the details.
“I’ll check him out.” Muffled noises indicated Will was speaking to someone in the background. “We’re on this. You stay safe.”
“I’m always safe.” Ruby paused. “Will you tell me when you find him?”
“I’ll keep you apprised as much as possible.” His voice lowered. Whether it was to keep from being overheard or not, the low, seductive tone made her shiver. “See you at the club this weekend?”
“I hope so. I’m curious to see what you and Nathan come up with after last time.”
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Ruby was taking a break between clients the next day when her phone rang. “Skins and Needles Body Designs.”
“Hey.” Will didn’t waste any time on formalities. “I just wanted to let you know that we arrested Matthew Morrison last night for the muggings.” He sounded like himself, but more excited than usual. “It wasn’t easy to get a warrant, but eventually we found a judge to sign. A search of his apartment discovered several rings and other pieces of jewelry from the muggings and today we got a positive ID from two of the victims. He’s the guy.”
A tension Ruby didn’t know she was holding left her body. “What about Momma? Will she have to try to ID him? She didn’t see anything but the tattoo.”
“There’s no point in stressing her out with a lineup.” Will’s rumbling voice was reassuring. “She may be called to testify in his trial, to identify the tattoo then, but the tattoo by itself doesn’t count as identification. Someone else could have the same one in the same place.”
Unlikely. Before she could utter a protest, Will continued, “With any luck, he’ll take a plea and the DA will get him some real time. It looks like he’s been working at this for quite a while now.”
“So, it’s over?” Ruby wasn’t sure why she felt out of sorts at the news, but she did.
“Yes. For now, it is. I’ll call Jewel and tell her unless you want to do the honors?”
“She’ll believe you more than she will me.” Ruby struggled to compose herself and managed to tease, “You can be all official about it.”
“Consider it done. See you tonight?”
“Yes, Will. You’ll see me tonight.” She softened her tone. “Thanks for helping me with this.”
“Just doing my job, ma’am, just doing my job.”
She chuckled at his lame joke. “You and Joe Friday. See you later, Will.”
Ruby watched Jewel move through her cozy kitchen with the energy of a woman twice her age.
“Momma, if you’re not up to this, why don’t you cancel him?” Although Ruby had agreed to meet the sperm donor for coffee at Jewel’s place, she would gladly postpone. Again.
“Oh, honey.” Her momma turned and wiped her wet hands on a towel, “that’s not it at all. I’m looking forward to seeing your dad.” Ruby wrinkled her nose. That man was less of a father than Gisela Duncan was a mother. Her mother continued as if she hadn’t noticed Ruby’s expression. Maybe she didn’t. “He’s eager to see you and was disappointed when we cancelled last week.”
Before Ruby could comment on Jewel’s statement, Momma held up her hand. “He totally understood and agreed that a less stressful day would be better, so don’t judge him, please.”
Ruby sucked her bottom lip between her teeth and ran the tip of her tongue over the piercing. I guess I’m kind of biased when it comes to him. Reluctantly she bobbed her head. “You’re right and I’m sorry.”
Jewel gave her a weak smile and gently blinked. “I know you are.” She placed the towel on the rack and turned back to face Ruby. “All I ask from you is an effort to get to know him like I do. Can you do that? For me?”
There was nothing Ruby wouldn’t give her momma or wouldn’t do to wipe the tired expression from Jewel’s face.
