Page 61 of Freeing Ruby

“Miguel has arranged for us to move into an apartment in his building.” I give him the building’s location in the Gold Coast.

“That’s a fantastic piece of real estate, and it’s very secure.”

Charlie, who’s back on the sofa reading, nods. “Absolutely.”

“This is Charlie,” I say, motioning to my babysitter. “She works for the same company Miguel does. She’s hanging out with me until Miguel gets back from supervising the move.”

Edward nods in approval. “Nice to meet you, Charlie.” He pulls up another visitor chair and sits on the other side of my bed. He reaches for my hand and gives it a squeeze. “Is there anything I can do for you? Anything I can get you?”

“I don’t think so. I’m just anxious to be released and return to some sort of normalcy.”

“My apartment building isn’t far from where you’ll be staying,” Edward says. “If it’s okay, I’d like to come and visit you, see how you’re settling in.”

“I’d like that. Edward?”

“Yes?”

“Dad told me Miguel had quit. He lied to me.”

“Your father does seem a bit stressed lately. More than usual, anyway. It’s probably because he’s worried about you. We’re all worried about you. This attempt to drug you is concerning for us all.”

I lower my voice. “What did I ever do to make him hate me so much?”

“Oh, honey, Allen doesn’t hate you. You’re his daughter—you’re all he has left after Helen—” He breaks off here as shadows darken his blue eyes. He looks away. “Allen took her death hard. We all did. She was the glue that held us all together. Just be patient with him, Ruby. I’m sure he’ll ease up once your stalker is caught.”

Chapter 22

Miguel

Shane performed a miracle getting a professional moving company to move Ruby’s entire apartment full of belongings today on such short notice. I guess money talks. I imagine these people are being paid far more than overtime. They’re here now at Ruby’s apartment in Wicker Park, over a dozen uniformed people packing up her belongings.

Everything is going to the new apartment—every pot, every pan, everything in the bathroom, her bedroom, all the furniture and her clothes, every hanging plant, as well as the plants on the balcony. Even her wind chime.

Packing up her art studio is going to be the biggest challenge. Not only are her walls covered in small paintings, but the bookcase shelves are jam packed with supplies, everything from jars of paintbrushes, tubes of paint, blank canvases, art books, and numerous tools I can’t even identify. They have four people working in her studio, taking reference photos so they’ll be able to put it all back together in the new place. These people are professionals, working quickly and efficiently to sort, tag, and wrap everything securely before boxing it up, labeling it, and getting it all into the moving truck parked outside the building.

Jason and Layla come over at my request to collect Pumpkin and take him to their apartment temporarily, along with his food, cat bed, bowls, toys, and litter boxes. They’ll keep him for us until the move is completed.

Jason observes the bustling activity in the apartment. “Shane must have called in some favors to get this arranged so quickly.”

After my friends have collected all of the cat’s necessities, I secure Pumpkin in his carrier. He meows in protest. “Sorry, pal. But don’t worry. You’ll be reunited with Ruby before you know it.”

Jason takes the carrier from me, lifts it, and peers inside. “Hey, little fella. Ready to go for a ride?”

Layla sticks her finger into the carrier, and Pumpkin rubs his face against it, purring loudly.

“Hey, he still likes you,” I tell her.

She smiles. “Of course he does.” She winks at me. “He has good taste.”

Jason leans over to kiss Layla’s cheek. “So do I.”

The plan is for them to take Pumpkin back to their place, where they’ll keep him until all of Ruby’s belongings have been moved into our new apartment.

Our apartment.

I like the sound of that, but of course I have to remind myself this is only temporary until we’re sure the ones responsible for drugging Ruby have been apprehended and she’s safe. I imagine she’ll want to return to her own apartment after this is all over.

“Call us when you’re ready for him,” Jason says. “We’ll bring him to you.”

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