Page 53 of Freeing Ruby

“You don’t need him. You’re coming home with me where you’ll be safe. It was a mistake to let you move out in the first place. You’re not capable of taking care of yourself.”

My lungs seize up on me and suddenly I can’t get enough air. “I’m not moving back home.”

“Yes, you are. End of discussion, Ruby.”

A pretty brunette with short dark hair, dressed in a white lab coat, walks into my room. She smiles warmly. “Ruby! I’m so glad to see you’re awake. I’m Dr. Callejo. I’ll be taking care of you here in the ICU.” She stops in front of the machines I’m connected to and frowns as she reads the printouts. “Your pulse and respiration rates are still pretty high. How are you feeling?”

“Fine. I want to go home. Please, I need to go home.”

The doctor looks at my father, who shakes his head.

“Ruby,” Dr. Callejo says, “I’ll be happy to release you just as soon as we make sure you’re all right. You had a close call, young lady. I want to make sure there aren’t any lingering effects from your overdose.”

“Overdose?”

“You overdosed on gamma hydroxybutyrate and alcohol. That’s a dangerous combination. You’re lucky you didn’t consume more than you did.”

“That’s impossible. I don’t take drugs, and I don’t drink alcohol.”

“Someone drugged you, Ruby,” my father says. “I think I can guess who.”

“Drugged me?” Oh, my God, my coffee?

“Mr. Foster,” the doctor says. “Can I ask you to wait outside? I’d like to examine Ruby.”

As soon as my father leaves, Dr. Callejo steps forward. “Ruby, can you tell me what month it is?”

My mind is muddled and it takes me moment to think. “It’s June.”

The doctor nods. “Good.” Then she proceeds to check my eyes. “Follow my finger. That’s right. Keep looking at my finger.”

After the doctor leaves, the nurse—Doris, according to her nametag—asks me if I need anything.

“My phone,” I tell her. “Do you know if anyone brought my phone?”

Doris opens the door to a cabinet and searches the contents of a large plastic bag. “I’m sorry, honey, but I don’t see anything here other than your clothes.”

My stomach sinks. Without my phone, I have no way to contact Miguel.

After she sets a glass of water on the bedside table, Doris dims the lights in the room. “Drink some water and try to rest. I’ll check on you in a little bit.” She pats my leg as she walks around the foot of the bed. “Everything’s going to be okay. You’ll see.”

I’m desperate to talk to Miguel. Surely, he didn’t quit. How could he just walk away from me without a word?

Chapter 19

Miguel

Detective Cartwright sits in the chair beside me. “Ruby’s father has filed a complaint with the police department accusing you of giving his daughter a dangerous mix of drugs and alcohol.” The man pulls a small black notepad and a pen from his jacket pocket. “Why don’t we start at the beginning? Tell me what happened tonight.”

I tell him everything, from the moment the coffees showed up until we arrived here at the hospital.

He makes notes, saying nothing until I finish.

“So, you’re claiming that Ruby’s drink was spiked before it arrived at your apartment?”

“Yes.” Then I give him the basic rundown, starting with when I was assigned to Ruby’s case. “And you suspect her neighbor?” The detective consults his notes. “Darren Ingles?”

I nod. “He had both opportunity and motive.”

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