Page 58 of Claimed by the Lawman

She nodded. “She needed to earn money. The drugs she used didn’t come cheap.”

“You’re still saying that she used hardcore drugs?”

“Does it matter, honey? Drugs are drugs. She didn’t turn up her nose at anything. That’s why I fired her. She wasn’t reliable.”

“Do you also know that she had a branding of an M on her?”

“What makes you think I’d know anything about that?” She lit another cigarette and the lighter reflected the light.

“Several reasons come to mind, after all, you did see her undress every evening. I looked back on unsolved deaths here in Bohannan.” He tapped his fingers. “Did you know an eighteen-year-old by the name of Clara Rucker?” He saw a glimpse of recognition in her expression, although she quickly hid it. “Not only did she work here, just as Susannah did, but she had the same brand on her back. An M. Now, I might talk slow but that doesn’t mean I’m dumb. Not possible that could be considered a mere coincidence.”

Ruby’s hands shook slightly. “Listen, I don’t know what you’re trying to say, but maybe I need to speak to my attorney.”

“Is that really what you want to do?”

“I don’t have any idea about a brand,” she snuffed out her half-smoked cigarette.

“Come clean, Ruby. What do you know about Susannah and the brand? Does it stand for a name? What is the connection?”

She took a sip of her drink and sighed. “The connection between Susannah and the other girl is two addicts who needed money.”

“Who was Susannah seeing? There was a man, wasn’t there?”

“How the hell do I know?” Ruby said in an agitated voice.

“Let’s not play these games. I know you and I know you keep tabs on all your girls. If she worked for you, you knew what she was doing. Was she prostituting on the side?”

She crossed her legs and her skirt raised high on her thigh. There was a long hesitation and he wondered if she’d answer. “A lot of my girls need to eat, Sheriff. That’s something you wouldn’t understand. I have a couple of sweet morsels that have a thing for men with a badge. I could introduce you. They’d take care of that stick you have shoved—”

“No thank you.”

Her smile was lethal. “Maybe that’ll change down the road.”

“I’m not here for entertainment, Ruby. I need answers. Who were Susy’s johns?”

She sniffed loudly. “You should go now.” She slid off the stool, but he caught her wrist and she snapped her gaze to his fingers, then back to his face. He was certain that if she had a weapon, he’d be dead.

“Tell me. Who was she sleeping with for money? Did someone kill her because she was going to rat him out, or was it something else? She wrote in her diary that she was afraid. Someone was breaking into her house and following her. That wasn’t the drugs talking, Ruby. You know something. I know you do and I won’t give up until I find out. If you think me coming here today is bad for business, you should see the decline once I start sitting in the parking lot day in and day out.”

“You wouldn’t dare!”

“You don’t think?”

“The girl killed herself.”

“No, she didn’t.”

Her bottom lip trembled. “I-I can’t. Don’t do this,” she whispered.

“What are you afraid of?”

“You’re in over your head, Sheriff.” She jerked her wrist free from his hold. “Telling you anything is like signing my death warrant.”

“Then don’t tell me.” He reached for a napkin, dropped it in front of her and tapped the paper.

She looked from the napkin back to him.

Finally, he stood, grabbed his hat and resituated it on his head. “Fine. Maybe it’s time the DCI comes in and checks out this place. I think we have probable cause to get a warrant to search the premises.” He started for the door, getting further this time. He was afraid she was going to let him walk.

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