Page 48 of Freeing Ruby

“There have been some significant developments.” I tell him about the car alarm last night and the two guys who jumped me.

“Are you injured?”

“Just minor cuts, abrasions, and a black eye. I’m fine. Shane, did Edward McCall mention to you that Ruby is going to receive a trust fund when she turns twenty-five? That’s in two months.”

“A trust fund?” He sounds surprised. “No, he never mentioned it. How much money are we talking about?”

“A lot, Shane. Enough to motivate someone to take desperate measures to try to gain control of her assets.”

“How much are we talking about?”

“Five hundred million dollars.”

Shane whistles. “Half a billion, with a b? I’m surprised Edward didn’t mention that. This changes everything.”

“I’d say we found the motive.”

“I think you’re probably right. So, who knows about the money?”

“Allen Foster knows, as well as Edward, as he’s the trustee. Ruby says she hasn’t told anyone. I have a strong suspicion that Ruby’s neighbor, Darren Ingles, knows. He’s been on my radar screen since I arrived. I think he resents my presence in Ruby’s life. I wouldn’t rule him out as a suspect.”

“I’ll have a talk with Edward and Allen. We need to know who else knows about the money, because there’s our list of suspects.”

“Agreed. People do crazy things when it comes to money.”

“I’ll do some digging into Allen Foster’s finances. In the meanwhile, sit tight and keep doing what you’re doing. Keep an eye out for more trouble as the stakes just increased significantly.”

“Will do.”

I end the call with Shane, then get on my laptop to do a little digging of my own, into Ruby’s father and godfather.

* * *

That evening, after the dinner dishes are done and the kitchen’s been cleaned up, Ruby and I decide to watch a movie—Black Panther. She drops down on the sofa, careful to leave a good two feet of open space between us. I think she’s still self-conscious about the kiss we shared.

“Let’s order coffee,” she suggests, giving me a hopeful smile. “There’s a coffee shop two blocks away that makes the best iced coffee concoctions ever. They’re like dessert.”

“You won’t get any argument from me.”

She’s already on her phone placing an order. “What would you like?”

“Anything with caramel,” I say. “Surprise me.”

“Done.” She smiles as she taps away on her phone. “Mocha peppermint with chocolate sprinkles and whipped cream for me.”

As we start the movie, Pumpkin jumps up on the sofa and curls into a ball between us, purring so loudly Ruby has to turn up the volume on the TV.

Thirty minutes later, there’s a knock at the door.

“I’ll get it,” I say as I jump up from the sofa. When I glance out the peephole, I’m surprised to see Darren standing there holding our drinks. Asshole. I open the door and glance down the hall. “What are you doing with those? Where’s the delivery driver?”

He shrugs. “I was just coming in from work when he arrived. I asked if they were for Ruby—I figured they were as she orders from them a lot. He said yes, so I offered to bring them up. It’s no problem. I was coming this way anyway.” He hands me the cups.

“Thanks,” I say automatically.

Darren peers through the open door, undoubtedly looking for Ruby. When he spots her sitting on the sofa, he waves. “Hi, Ruby.”

She waves back. “Hi, Darren.”

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