Page 50 of Freeing Ruby

“Keep up,” the woman says as the firefighters carry Ruby out the door.

After verifying that Pumpkin is still under Ruby’s bed, I close the bedroom door to keep him safely contained. He’s got water and a litter box in there to tide him over. After locking up the apartment, I follow the others down the stairs. There’s an ambulance waiting out front, lights flashing, along with a firetruck and a police cruiser. A cop is directing traffic.

After the firefighters load Ruby into the ambulance and transfer her to a gurney, I’m instructed to climb into the front cab with the driver.

I text Shane to let him know we’re en route to the hospital.

Shane – On my way. I’ll notify Foster and McCall

When the ambulance pulls up to the entrance to the ER, Ruby is wheeled directly into the emergency treatment area. I try to stay with her, but I’m stopped at the front desk by a woman wanting Ruby’s information. I give her as much as I can.

Shane arrives minutes later and joins me at the counter. “How is she?” he asks me.

“She was unresponsive when we arrived. I think she’s had an overdose.”

Shane scowls. “How in the hell is that possible?”

I recount everything that happened. “She didn’t drink that much, Shane. Just a few sips. I can’t imagine what would have happened if she’d consumed more.”

Shane shakes his head. “But how?”

“I’ll tell you how,” I say, shock giving way to anger. “Ruby’s neighbor, Darren, intercepted the drinks from the delivery person and brought them to her apartment. He could have spiked Ruby’s coffee easily.”

“But why would he drug her? That makes no sense. How is that going to help him in any way?”

“What the hell’s going on?” Allen Foster bears down on us from the entrance to the ER, his expression furious.

“That’s Ruby’s father,” I say to Shane.

Allen Foster grabs my shirt, his grip on my neckline practically choking me.

Shane gives me a curt shake of his head. Don’t respond.

It kills me to stand there passively while Foster glares at me.

“Let him go, Mr. Foster,” Shane says in a low voice.

Foster releases me and steps back to glare at Shane. “Who the hell are you?”

“I’m Shane McIntyre.” Shane offers Foster his hand.

Allen Foster refuses to shake hands. Instead, he grits his teeth and turns his attention back to me. “What the hell happened to my daughter?”

“I’m pretty sure she was drugged,” I say.

Foster’s eyes narrow on me. “How?”

“We ordered coffee from a local shop. Shortly after she started drinking hers, she lost consciousness. I think her coffee was spiked with something.”

A woman wearing light blue scrubs comes through the treatment doors and says, “For Ruby?”

“I’m Ruby’s father,” Allen says, pushing forward. “How’s my daughter?”

“Would you come with me, please?”

Foster follows the woman into the treatment area.

I start pacing, running my fingers through my hair. “That son of a bitch.”

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