Page 68 of Freeing Ruby

She frowns. “You’re referring to the person who drugged me.”

“Yes. We need to find out who did it. You could have died, Ruby. Whoever did it needs to be held accountable.”

“I’ll be fine by myself. I don’t want to trouble your friends.”

I’m not comfortable leaving her here alone yet. “I’d feel better if someone was here with you. Just until you settle in, okay?”

“I don’t need a babysitter. Besides, I’m really behind on my commissions, and I need to bury myself in my work and try to get caught up. You go do what you need to do. Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine. Besides, I’ve got Pumpkin for company.”

I sigh, recognizing defeat when I see it. If she’s asking for some independence, I don’t want to take that away from her. “All right. I’ll text you Layla’s number. If you need anything at all, you can call her. Her apartment is just down the hall.”

Ruby lays her hands on my chest. “I’ll be fine. You go.”

Chapter 25

Miguel

By the time I make it to Ruby’s old apartment building, it’s eight o’clock in the evening. I park behind the building and look for Darren’s car, but it’s not here. He’s still not home.

I go inside and stop in the mailroom to pick up Ruby’s mail. She’s got a few pieces of junk mail and a water bill. I make a mental note to have Ruby’s mail forwarded to the new address.

I run upstairs and knock on Darren’s door, but there’s no response. I’m not surprised. So I sit outside his apartment door to wait for him to return. Unless he’s skipped town—I wouldn’t put it past him—he’s bound to return home sooner or later. I just hope it’s sooner. I don’t like leaving Ruby alone right now.

Finally, half an hour later, I hear someone coming up the stairs. A minute later, I spot Darren. He looks awful. His face is flushed, and his suit is rumpled. He looks stressed out. He stops in his tracks when he spots me and his shoulders slump. “What do you want?”

I stand. “To talk to you.”

“Where’s Ruby?” He glances down the hall at her apartment. “Is she home?”

“She’s not here, if that’s what you’re asking.”

He doesn’t bother to hide his surprise. “Why not? She’s been released from the hospital. Where else would she be?”

“How do you know she was released?” Undoubtedly, he got the information from Allen.

Darren flinches, as if he just realized what he gave away. “I don’t know for sure. I just assumed, since you’re here—”

“Did Allen Foster tell you?”

Darren’s eyes widen. “Who? Oh, you mean Ruby’s father. No.” Darren frowns. “Why would he tell me anything? I don’t even know the man.”

Liar.

“What were you doing at the hospital earlier, arguing with him? How the hell do you know Ruby’s father?”

Darren pales. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

I fist his tie and shove him against his apartment door. “I saw you at the hospital arguing with Foster. What I want to know is what you were arguing about.”

He shakes his head. “I have no idea—”

I tighten my grip on his tie, putting pressure on his windpipe and cutting off his air. “What were you arguing about?”

He tries to pry my hand off him, but he’s about as effective as a fly swatting a human.

“How do you know Allen Foster?”

Darren’s face is turning red. “From work,” he gasps. When I loosen my grip, he sucks in a breath. “We work for the same investment firm. He’s my boss.”

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