Page 22 of Freeing Ruby

I’m not divulging anything to this guy. “It’s personal.”

Rick frowns. “Cameras? Hell no.”

“They’re really small. No one will even notice them.”

He shakes his head adamantly. “It’s a violation of people’s privacy.”

“Look, someone’s harassing Ruby. I just want to see who comes to her door, that’s all. I’m not spying on her neighbors.”

Rick takes a step toward me. “I said no. This is private property, so what I say goes. End of discussion.” He resumes his work.

I leave Rick to his hammering and head back toward the stairs just as a young blonde woman attempts to come down. She’s standing at the top of the steps clutching a small child in one arm and carrying an umbrella stroller in her other hand. She takes one wavering step as she tries to balance herself.

I rush up to meet her. “Here, let me help you.”

Smiling gratefully, she hands me the stroller, freeing up one hand so she can grasp the railing. “Thank you so much.”

I carry the stroller down to the lobby, while she follows after me with her little boy in her arms.

“It’s a shame we don’t have an elevator in this building,” she says as she sets the child in the stroller and buckles him in.

“Yeah, a lot of these older buildings don’t have them. I’m Miguel, by the way. I’m here visiting Ruby Foster in 2B. Do you know her?”

“I’m Becky.” She tucks her hair behind her ear. “I live right next door, in 2C.” She shakes her head. “I rarely see anyone coming or going from 2B.”

“Have you ever seen anyone loitering outside her apartment or leaving anything outside the door?”

She thinks for a minute. “She has groceries delivered regularly. Those bags are left at her door. And I see the blond guy who lives down the hall picking up trash bags outside her door. I’ve seen an older guy stop by a few times. But other than that, no. Sorry.”

“What about Rick, the building manager? Do you ever see him hanging around her door?”

“Yeah, sometimes. He’s a real busybody, you know? He’s always trying to stick his nose in everyone’s business.”

“Can I give you my card?” I pull out my wallet and hand her my card. “If you do see anything or anyone hanging around her door, would you please let me know?”

She tucks my card into her purse. “Sure.”

I open the front door for Becky, and she rolls her son out onto the sidewalk. Since I’m down here, I check Ruby’s mailbox and find a few envelopes in there. I pull them out and rifle through them. It’s mostly junk mail again, which is typical, and her cell phone bill. But there’s nothing weird or suspicious.

I jog up the stairs and knock on Ruby’s door. “It’s me, Miguel.”

A moment later, I hear the deadbolts turning, followed by the chain sliding free. She opens the door, and I step inside, closing the door behind me.

She turns all the locks. “Is that my mail?”

“Yes.” I hand her the mail and watch as she flips through the envelopes.

She frowns, which makes me think she might be disappointed that there’s nothing suspicious. “Did you talk to Rick?”

“I did. He said no to the cameras.”

She frowns. “I was afraid of that.”

“I met one of your neighbors, a young woman named Becky. I asked her if she’s seen anyone hanging around your door. She mentioned Darren and Rick and the guy who delivers your groceries, but no one else. Certainly nothing out of place. She seems nice, though.”

“I watch her sometimes playing with her son in the park.” Her smile fades, leaving her looking wistful and sad.

“What’s wrong?”

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