Page 55 of Freeing Ruby

“Looks like no one’s home,” the detective says. “I’ll apply for a search warrant.”

“Am I free to go? I need to get back to the hospital to check on Ruby.”

Cartwright nods. “Yeah, go ahead.” He narrows his eyes. “I don’t think I need to say it, but—don’t leave town, okay.”

“Yeah, I assumed as much. Don’t worry. I’m not going anywhere.”

As soon as Cartwright leaves, I return to Ruby’s apartment to check on Pumpkin. He’s still under Ruby’s bed. “Hey, buddy,” I say as I reach under the bed to scratch his chin. “You okay?”

He stares at me for a long moment, blinks, and starts purring.

“How about a snack before I take off?”

Pumpkin follows me to the kitchen, and I put a bit of food in his bowl and give him fresh water. “I’ll be back to check on you,” I tell him.

Before I leave, I grab Ruby’s phone and charger and stuff them into a bag. I know she’s going to want her phone. After locking up the apartment, I head for the stairs, hoping to run into Darren, but no such luck. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s gone into hiding.

As I’m getting into my car, my phone chimes with an incoming message from Shane.

Shane – She’s in stable condition. They’re monitoring her vitals.

I hightail it to the hospital and walk into the ICU waiting room, where I find Shane. “Any word?” I ask as I sit beside him.

He shakes his head. “Nothing more since I texted you. Foster isn’t being very forthcoming.”

A little while later, Allen Foster walks into the waiting room and heads for the coffee machine.

I follow him. “How’s Ruby?”

Allen turns to glare at me. “None of your business. Why haven’t the police arrested you yet?”

“Maybe because I didn’t do it. Answer me—how is she?”

He ignores me as he waits for the machine to fill his cup.

I’m tempted to grab him and shake the hell out of him, but I know that won’t get me anywhere except perhaps in a jail cell.

“Allen!” Edward McCall races into the waiting room, out of breath and flushed. “How is she? Is she okay?”

Foster’s eyes narrow on Edward, then he turns them on me. “Both of you, get out of here. You have no business being here.”

“How can you say that, Allen?” Edward says. His expression falls, and he looks genuinely hurt. “You know how much Ruby means to me. She’s like family.”

“Well, she’s not your family!” Allen practically spits out the words. “She’s my daughter. And I say you’re not welcome here.” Then Allen looks my way. “Both of you, just leave.”

Allen takes his cup of coffee and stalks out of the waiting room, heading back toward the intensive care unit. I start to follow him, but Edward grabs my arm.

“Don’t waste your time, son,” Edward says. He pats my back.

“I need to know she’s okay.” My stomach knots.

Edward shakes his head. “Don’t worry. She’s going to be okay.” He squeezes my shoulder. “You just have to have faith.”

Edward gets some coffee and takes a seat by a window.

I return to sit with Shane. “It’s my fault she’s hurt. I was supposed to protect her, and I let her down. She put her trust in me, and I let someone hurt her on my watch.”

He shakes his head. “You couldn’t have anticipated this.” Shane pats my back. “We need to plan for what happens after she’s released from the hospital. She can’t go back to her apartment. It’s not safe.”

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