Maybe there was an extenuating circumstances clause somewhere in the rules. It was possible; Cooper didn't know everything. I drove through the city clinging to that feeble hope, the notion that maybe, just maybe, not all was lost.
23
I texted Cooper to let him know my ETA, then tossed the phone in the center console. When it vibrated in response, I picked it up to see Alan calling me, not Cooper.
“Alan? What's up?”
“I had an interesting chat with Sean the other day,” he said, sounding terribly official. “I've been looking into some leads he gave me about your boy, the Rev. They're all dead ends. Any idea as to why that would be?”
“Well, Sean told me he was no longer a threat. I guess you should interpret that any way you like.”
“And you wouldn't have any idea how he got demoted to that status, would you?”
“If you're asking me if I witnessed a crime, Alan, the answer is no. I didn't see anything. In person or otherwise.”
What I told him was technically true. I hadn't seen the Rev get shot, so in truth I hadn't seen his demise, but I sure as hell knew it happened. I was also conveniently present for the bonfire they had with his body afterward, but I thought I'd answer what was asked only, without embellishing.
“I think your boy Sean knows what happened to him.”
“Then I guess you'd better bring him down to the precinct and interrogate him.”
“I think I will once he gets back,” he said curtly. “Sounds like he's opened a can of worms down at Langley from what McGurney told me.”
“Well, it is the CIA. I don't think they're known for full disclosure or being on the up and up.”
“True,” he said, “but McGurney seemed rattled. Really rattled. It's not easy to shake an Army Ranger to the core, Ruby. There's something more to this, isn't there? Something you're not telling me.”
“I wouldn't know,” I said, trying to be evasive. “I haven't seen the file.”
“Bullshit, Ruby.”
“No, I really haven't seen it.”
“I know you haven't, but you're covering something up and I don't like it. This is more than business between us; this shit is personal. You endangered my family, Ruby. My family! You don't fuck with someone like that and expect them to take it lightly.”
“If I could tell you something I would, but I can't. I need you to trust me for right now. Sean will take care of it.”
“What's his deal anyway? Who is he, and, better yet, who is he to you?” he asked, sounding protective.
“Sean does...well, he's sort of a freelance kind of guy. He dabbles in security, surveillance...”
“Muscle for hire?” he added.
“I think he tries to keep his hands clean for the most part, Alan. That's all I'm going to say about that.”
“But who is he to you?” he asked again.
“He's my boyfriend. Sort of.”
“And Cooper?”
“Cooper's my roommate; we've been over that like a million times.”
“I know, but I always thought you were lying to me. Something in your eyes always says he's more than that.”
“My best friend?”
“Nice try, but that's not what your eyes say either.”
“Well, whatever they're telling you isn't true. We're friends and nothing more.”
“Too bad.”
“Why is that too bad?”
“Cause I actually like him,” he said with a sigh.
“Meaning you don't like Sean.”
“You could take it that way, yes,” he said plainly. “More like I don't trust him, and I don't like what he's got you mixed up in.”
“Yeah...you can't really blame Sean for that one. I seem to be pretty proficient at getting myself into trouble. He's always trying to get me out of it.”
“At any cost?”
Yes.
“No,” I protested, “but he'll go to great lengths; I'll give you that.”
“I'm guessing legalities usually fall secondary to his goal.”
“You'd have to ask him about that, Alan. I'm pretty sure he doesn't have a criminal record though.”
“Oh, I'm sure he doesn't,” he said sarcastically. “Guys like him usually don't.”
“So if he's so sketchy and morally repugnant to you, why are you helping him? Why did you put him in touch with McGurney?”
“Because at first I wanted to keep my family and you safe,” he started, sounding flustered, “but now, I want to know what's being covered up. There's nothing I hate more than dirty cops and conspiracies.”
Alan was principled, if nothing else, but he was also extremely practical. He was willing to overlook a few potential crimes involving the taking out of a serious madman if it meant finding out why he was unleashed on the public in the first place. Any evidence of our involvement would likely be swept under the rug to serve the greater purpose. Unfortunately, that wouldn't come without a hefty price tag.
“Alan,” I said softly. “Your family has been wonderful to me. I feel like you've taken me in. It means the world to me, and I would never do anything to jeopardize that. I told you about my visions—told you everything I could about the Rev. I'm really trying. I trust you—I do—but there are things that are beyond comprehension, things that you wouldn't believe even if I told you. Maybe one day I can, but, until then, I really need you to put the faith in me that I have placed in you.”
He was silent for a moment. Thoughtful.
“Where are you?” he asked randomly.
“Outside Boston. I'm almost to the NH border, why?”
“Then you need to get off of the phone before you get a ticket, young lady. I'm not bailing your ass out of that. I have to draw the line somewhere.”
I laughed out loud. It wasn't a direct answer, but an answer of sorts nonetheless. He'd allow me some leeway for now, but I knew eventually I was going to have to come clean, or develop a whopper of a story that would explain my need for secrecy. Either way, that fire was extinguished for the moment, and I was so thankful for that.
“Okay, fine,” I chuckled. “Let me know if you hear anything from the boys.”
“Roger that,” he said before hanging up.
* * *
When I was ten minutes from home, my phone rang yet again.
“Grand Central Station,” I answered starting to feel like my hand was permanently attached to the thing.
“Funny,” Peyta groused. “There's a woman here to see you. She brought you cookies and said something about the other night. She wanted to make sure you were doing better.”
“Did she give you a name?”
“No, but she's old...like old,” she said, overemphasizing the word.
“Peyta,” I said, in a tone of reprimand. “Jay is old. Sean is old. You're going to have to be more specific than that from now on. Does she have gray hair?”
“Yep.”
“Oh, I bet it's Ginger. You can let her know I'll be there in a few minutes, if she'd like to wait, or I can swing by her place on my way home. Either way is fine.”
“I'll ask her. Be right back.” She put the phone down on the desk with a clunk, and I heard her open the door to the front showroom. After a minute, she came back and picked up the receiver. “She'll wait.”
“Sounds good. I’ll be right there.”
Minutes later, I pulled up in front of the shop and sprang out of the car. With a tinkling of the bells, I entered REWORKED to see Jay and Peyta behind the counter talking with Ginger, whose face lit up when she saw me.
“Ruby!” she said, making her way over to me. “It's so good to see you again.”
“It's nice to see you too, Ginger. I take it you've met these two crazy kids,” I said gesturing towards the adorable, yet unofficial couple.
“I have, and they're darling,” she replied, throwing a smile their way.
“To what do I owe the pleasure of you stopping in?” I asked, eying the mile high plate of cookies she'd brought ov
er. “Are those chocolate chip?”
“They most certainly are,” she said with a laugh as I drooled over the sweets. “Help yourself.”
“They're my favorite,” I replied, my mouth quickly stuffed half-full with one while I grabbed for another.
“Gavin and I were a bit concerned about you after you left the other night, given all that had happened,” she said, shooting a wary eye towards Peyta and Jay.
“Don't worry about them,” I said. “They know the gist of my swimming mishap. You can speak freely in front of them if you want.”
“Oh,” she said, still hesitating slightly. “Well, we just wanted to be sure that you were all right.”
“I'm fine,” I said with a smile. “Thank you for your concern.”
“You're welcome, dear,” she said, wringing her hands in front of her. “Do you know whatever may have happened to the man who accosted you that night on the dock?”
“I do,” I said succinctly.
“Should we expect to see him down there anymore?”
“No, you shouldn't,” I said softly. “He's no longer a threat to anyone.”
I saw Peyta wince at my words. The sting of losing the father she'd never known still clearly hurt her on some level, though I was pretty confident the fact that he was a raving loony helped assuage that pain.
Ginger seemed to notice Peyta's reaction too, and frowned slightly at it.
“He was Peyta's father,” I said, figuring it wouldn't hurt for her to know.
“Oh,” she gasped, “my dear child, I'm so terribly sorry for your loss.”
Peyta forced a smile and grabbed a cookie. Ginger seemed pleased that she was partaking in the plate of goodies, and it lessened her worry.
“Well,” Ginger said, walking towards me, “I'm so glad to hear that everything turned out all right in the end.” She took my hand in hers and gave a little squeeze. “Don't be a stranger, Ruby. You're welcome in our home any time. For any reason.” She didn't say it outright, but the “good or bad” was implied heavily by the look she gave me.
“I'll stop by soon to show Gavin I'm still intact,” I said, giving a little squeeze back. It seemed to bother her deeply that he and I had been at such odds the other night. I wanted to put her at ease, even if I had no intention of following through on what I'd told her.
“He'll be thrilled to hear it,” she said, turning to Peyta and Jay. “It was so nice to meet you both.”
She made her way quickly out as we said goodbye.
Something about Ginger's mothering nature reminded me of someone. Someone I hadn't allowed myself to think about for a long time―Arianna. Growing up, she was the best thing that ever happened to me. She was my mentor, my mediator, and, at times, a referee. She eased the relationship between me and my parents, a never-ending source of calm and love. Thinking about her disappearance was too painful to bear, so I tucked her away into my mind’s vault where I put all the questions whose answers were too awful to face. I knew she was dead, but truly admitting that to myself would have taken away the hope that maybe one day, I would see her again. Ginger managed to spring her loose in my mind.
I wasn't sure that I was grateful for that.
Once I snapped myself out of my potential meltdown, two pairs of eyes were pinned on me.
“What was that all about?” they chimed in unison.
“What? What was what all about?” I asked nervously, not wanting to have to mention Arianna.
“Ginger? Her concern for you?” Peyta asked in a leading manner.
“Oh, that,” I said, letting a relieved exhale escape me. “Just some new friends I made.”
“Right,” Jay laughed. “You hanging out at the Senior Center now?”
“No, smartass, at the dock. Gavin and Ginger have a houseboat down there. They're very sweet people.”
“People?” he asked, appearing not to buy my story. “Right. And the other night?”
“The Rev tried to drown me. Didn't you know that?” I asked, surprised that they hadn't been filled in.
“No,” he said, looking irritated. “That information was never shared.”
“Well, it all happened so fast, but here’s the general synopsis. The Rev pulled me off the dock and tethered me to the bottom of the bay. Gavin saw what happened, and after he saw the Rev leave, he pulled me out. He brought me back to their boat to clean me up, and while we were discussing the events, Ginger said something that made me realize that I needed Sean. In true Ruby fashion, I jetted out of there without explanation and ran to his place to profess my undying love for him.” I paused before continuing, blood rushing to my cheeks with the memory of what we’d done right after I’d told Sean what I wanted. “Then it dawned on me that the Rev was going to go after Peyta, so we hauled ass to the house, and—”
“The rest is history,” Peyta cut in, finishing my thought.
“Exactly,” I said, moving in on the plate of cookies.
“Well, that was a short and tidy summary,” he mocked. “So it only took the Rev nearly killing you for you and Sean to get it together?” Jay asked coolly.
“Sorta,” I said, shoving another cookie in my mouth. “It took the Rev nearly killing Peyta for you two to realize you needed each other, didn't it?” They both turned red and shied away from one another ever so slightly. “Oh, don't even try it,” I said, rolling my eyes. “Jay, I've seen it written all over your face since the night Ronnie almost died. And you, Peyta, you follow him around like a love-sick puppy. I think it's fantastic. We both do.”
“You both do?” they said in synchrony. They were really starting to freak me out with that.
“Yes. Sean and I,” I replied. “We think it's a good match, though I'm not sure how your mom will take it. She thinks he's a werewolf, and we all know how much she likes those.”
“Jay's moving out,” Peyta said, head angled away from him.
“I have to, P. I can't stay there forever. Your mom will start to figure things out if she hasn't already, and I can't conduct PC business when she doesn't know about us in the first place.”
“I know,” she sighed, propping her chin in her hands. “But Boston is far away when you don't have your own car.”
“We'll figure it out,” he said, putting his arm around her shoulders. She seemed so small against his body. He would keep her safe—always. He oozed protection when she was around. It made me smile.
“I gotta jet upstairs and fill Cooper in on some things,” I said, making my way to the door. “I'm guessing you two could use some alone time to talk anyway.”
“Mom wants to see you soon,” Peyta said before I made it outside. “She said you'd know why.”
“Yeah,” I said, “I think I do. Thanks, P. I'll see you guys later.”
Shutting the door behind me quickly, I made my way upstairs. My bed was calling me to come and lay down, and I was hoping my conversation with Cooper could be kept brief. My mind was still trying to retrieve the escaping memories of Arianna and shut them away, safely trapping them again. I had neither the time nor the inclination to grieve her. To grieve meant to accept, and I was so not there yet.
“You're a little late,” he said, flipping through the channels on the TV. “Luckily for you, I heard you downstairs talking to Peyta and Jay, so I'll let it slide this time.” His smile was playful, so I let out the breath I was holding and put my stuff down. “And how was your little boyfriend? Everything went smoothly I presume.”
“He's alive and horny,” I said, flopping down onto the couch. I lay back against the arm, and kicked my feet up into Cooper's lap. “Your assumption was correct. They're mated or bonded or whatever it is. Scarlet was freaking out. I seriously thought she was going to come out of my eye sockets.”
“Guess it was a good thing you put that ring on.”
“Even better that it worked!”
“That too,” he said, turning the TV off. “Did you make it out with your virtue intact?”
“What's left of it, yes, but barely
. I told him he needed to lay low and act normal until we can figure things out.”
“There's nothing to figure out, Ruby. You have to tell Sean.”
“Yeah, I know but—”
“There's no but. Matty is going to have to be taken out.”
“Cooper,” I sighed, letting my head fall back, eyes closed. “I infected Matty.”
“You what?” he cried, shoving my feet off of him while he sprang to his own.
“Not on purpose, Coop. I scratched him in dance class. It was an honest mistake!”
“And you know it was you?” he asked, stalking through the living room.
“I saw the marks, the blood, and my finger was bleeding. I'd torn a nail off in his shirt trying to catch myself.”
“When?” he asked, eyes pinning me to the couch.
“I don't know,” I whined. “The other night...when the Rev attacked us at Ronnie's house.”
“It couldn't have been you. It's too soon,” he said aloud, sounding more like he was trying to convince himself than me.
“But you said yourself, if the wolf is powerful enough, it can happen quickly. I'm like a werewolf on steroids.”
“You're not,” he said, being careful to point out the small distinction.
“Right, but Scarlet is.”
“But she didn't scratch or bite him.”
“But isn't it the same thing?” I asked, my head starting to pain.
“I don't know,” he said, dropping down in the chair across from me, head buried in his hands. “I don't know for sure. Everything is different when it comes to you. I can't be certain.”
“It makes sense, Cooper.”
“I know it does,” he said, pulling down hard on his hair. “Fuck, Ruby! Why are you always putting your head in a noose?”
“Because I like braided accessories?” I joked, trying to remain calm. It wasn't well received. “I don't know,” I whispered. “Do you think there's a chance that I won't get into trouble?”
“No,” he said, sharply. “Not given what you are. But we can hope.”
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