by Rickie Blair
“A few more minutes and you might have been towed,” Ruby said.
“I’ve been around long enough to have a few friends in the neighborhood. So, where to?”
Fifteen minutes later, Greaves parked the Buick across the street from the homeless shelter.
“It’s a bit of a walk, I’m afraid,” Ruby said. Sighing, she looked down at her shoes. Tramping through the field, not to mention the mud in the drain, would ruin these ones, too.
“Where is everybody?” Greaves asked.
“I don’t know. Normally there would be campfires. And people.” She peered through the gloom, but the campsite was deserted. They picked their way across the expanse by moonlight. At the entrance to the storm drain, a thin yellow dog trotted by with his nose to the ground. It stopped to snap up something tangled in a fast food wrapper, and then faded into the shadows. Clouds obscured the full moon while lightning flashed in the distant mountains.
Ruby ducked her head to peer into the drain then pulled out her cellphone to turn on the flashlight app. Hair rose on the back of her neck and she jerked her head around with a sharp intake of breath. No one there. She exhaled.
“Norris will be inside. Let’s go in. Stay close behind me,” she called over her shoulder, inching along with one hand touching the wall on her right. When the wall came to an end she turned to the right. This must be the secondary drain.
“Mr. Greaves?” The flashlight lit up about twenty feet behind her, but no one was there. Her shoulders shook and the hair on her arms rose. Water dripped somewhere, unseen.
“Mr. Greaves? We have to turn right. Follow my voice.”
She turned the corner. There was a faint light ahead so she turned off the flashlight app and dropped the phone into her purse. A man’s silhouette became clearer, facing away from her, as she walked toward it.
“Norris? Is that you? It’s Ruby.”
She stepped through the mud until she was a yard away.
“Norris?”
The man turned, holding up the light so it glowed on his face, and grinned at her.
Ruby stared in horror at Dragos Luca.
Chapter Forty-Three
Millie knew not to open the motel room door. Both Ruby and Norris had told her not to, several times. Anyone would think that she was a simpleton, the way they talked.
She sighed, reaching for the photo that was propped up on the night table. In it, Norris stood next to her on the edge of the Grand Canyon, grinning into the camera. Harold had snapped it on a road trip to the South Rim decades ago. They had braved hours of desert and scrubland before reaching the Canyon. Even with the windows open the car had been stifling. Millie’s hair had stuck to her forehead and sweat drenched her dress, but that was forgotten when they stood on the Rim and gazed at the enormous rock walls that filled the landscape and faded into the distance. Harold said he felt like an ant standing at a ditch. But Millie’s heart took flight as she traced the limitless expanse with her finger.
They ate their sandwiches on a bench, watching shadows lengthen and darken on the purple canyon walls. Harold snapped pictures, but most turned out blurry because of his constant cough. This one was perfect, though. Less than a year after their trip, Millie had framed it and placed it by Harold’s urn.
The photo had sat next to the urn ever since. It felt wrong to have the picture without Harold’s ashes nearby. That nice woman—what was her name?—said she would get the urn back. Millie hoped that was true. She never should have left the house without it. She should have insisted.
The cheap bed sagged under her as she sipped her water. The cool liquid was nice, but hot tea would be better. The door with its lock and chain called to her. Everyone told her not to open it. Still, a cup of tea was so nice in the evening. The neon sign of the coffee shop gleamed through the curtain. They had ginger biscuits, too. But Ruby—that was her name, such a pleasant woman—insisted she not open the door.
Teabags sat, tempting her, next to the coffee maker. But the coffee maker itself had resisted attempts to turn it on and make tea. Millie tugged her sweater closer, eyeing the door. Of course she wouldn’t open it.
She put the glass on the night table next to the photo before walking into the tiny bathroom. There wasn’t any tub, only a stall shower, so a bath would have to wait, too. The motel’s thin cotton washcloth was sufficient to wash her face and there was a new nightgown in a plastic bag on the floor. When she shook out the wrinkles, the price tag stuck out on a plastic wire. Maybe the emery board in her purse would remove it.
Millie diligently worked at the plastic wire holding the tag until it split in two. She placed the pieces on the night table and shook out the nightgown, glancing at the bedside alarm. Nine o’clock. Too early for bed. The television remote lay next to her on the bedspread. She peered at the tiny writing under each button, frowning. Who on Earth could read that?
The door was calling her again. A cup of tea, and maybe a biscuit? Wouldn’t that be nice? She reclined against the headboard and closed her eyes. The motel room was quiet except for the muted sound of traffic outside. Somewhere a door slammed shut and a television came on, but not loud enough that Millie could make out the program. Muffled voices. Someone knocked on her door.
Her eyes snapped open. Someone had knocked on her door. She sat up and stared at it.
“Millie?” a voice called, “Millie, are you there?”
It wasn’t Norris’s voice, and it wasn’t Ruby’s. It might be the chambermaid, but—no, how would the chambermaid know her name? Millie’s heart leapt into her throat while she held her breath. A figure appeared in the window, silhouetted against the curtains, and tapped on the glass. She gasped.
“Millie? It’s Kingsley Greaves. From the bank.”
She placed a hand on her throat. Mr. Greaves? That nice man from the bank? Millie walked to the door and placed her hand against it. She leaned nearer.
“What are you doing here?” she said, as loud she could.
“I have something for you.”
Her hand strayed to the chain lock, then she yanked it back.
Don’t let anyone in, Norris and Ruby had warned.
“Come to the window. I’ll show you.”
No one said anything about the window. Biting her lip, she pinched the curtain between her fingers to pull it back. Mr. Greaves stood outside her room and in his arms he held—
“Tinks!”
Her hands trembled as she pulled back the chain, turned the lock, and opened the door.
Mr. Greaves walked in and put Tinks on the floor. The little dog was frantic, bouncing on all fours and scrambling into her arms. Millie sat on the bed, laughing as Tinks licked her face.
“Thank you, Mr. Greaves, this is so kind. I wasn’t expecting to see Tinkerbelle until tomorrow.”
“I went by your house, just to check up on things, and there was a note on the door saying your dog was at the vet’s. I assumed Miss Edwards left it. Didn’t she call to tell you that I was on my way?”
Millie stared at him. Miss Edwards? Who was that?
“Your accountant?” Greaves said.
“I’m sorry…” What had she forgotten now? She ruffled the soft hair on Tinks’s neck, trying to remember.
“Doesn’t matter. She asked me to pick you up and take you to see your new apartment. Norris is already there.”
“My apartment?”
“You have to make a decision tonight. That’s why we’re going over there. The landlord has agreed to meet us.”
“Us?”
Mr. Greaves rubbed a hand across his lower lip.
“I told you, Miss Edwards and Norris are meeting us there, but we don’t have much time.”
Millie clutched Tinks. “What about—”
“Oh, you can bring your little dog. Why not?” Greaves held the door open.
Chapter Forty-Four
Felicity returned to the Starship Lounge and sat at the bar beside Sam, grinning.
“Guess what?”
“We have the chef’s table in Calliope’s kitchen, ten minutes. Where’s Ruby?”
“She left with that bank manager. He’s taking her to see an apartment. I told her to wait until you got back, but—”
“What apartment?”
“For a woman and her son.”
“Did she say how long it would take?”
“No. She said they were going to a campsite first, and then to the apartment.”
“Is that the same place she went yesterday with Hari?”
The bartender rubbed his chin, shaking his head.
“Like I said before, those campsites are not a good place to go at night.”
“He’s right,” Felicity said. “We can’t let Ruby go there alone. I think she got lucky last time. She mentioned one of those tricks you taught her in L.A.”
“That doesn’t sound good.” Sam tapped his fingers on the bar. “Maybe I should go after them.”
Frowning, Felicity typed out a text on her phone and hit send.
“Do you know how to find the place?”
“Not really. I think it’s in Henderson somewhere.”
“Ruby’s not replying. I don’t like it, Sam.” She tapped out another text and hit send again. “That’s not like her.”
“Didn’t you say she went there this morning with Hari Bhatt?”
Felicity nodded, still looking at the phone.
“He must know where it is, then.”
She looked up, her face brightening.
“That’s right. So he can show you the way.”
“But will he? Didn’t they have a huge fight?”
“I’ve been watching them circle each other for years,” Felicity huffed. “They always find a way to mess it up.”
He gave her a wistful look.
“They’re not the only ones.”
She swallowed a lump in her throat.
“I guess not.” Felicity slid off her stool, whirling around to walk to the door. “Fight or no fight, Hari will want to know if Ruby’s in trouble.”
* * *
In the Andromeda Suite, Hari glared at Ana.
“Was that necessary?”
“Yes, it was, because you were wavering. I could hear you from the bedroom.”
“I was wavering because this is a mistake.”
“You want to keep Ruby safe, don’t you?”
“Of course, but she might be safer right here with me.” His throat closed and he clutched a hand to his neck, recalling the stricken look on Ruby’s face. I have other plans, he had told her. What the hell had he been thinking?
Ana, exasperated with him now, had both hands on her hips.
“And here I thought your partner was the pig-headed one.”
He jerked his head around.
“Don’t call her that.”
Ana raised her hands in the air, retreating.
“I’m sorry. But Hari, I’m right about this.”
He fell onto the sofa before resting his head in his hands. Why hadn’t he trusted Ruby with the truth, after all they’d been through? How could he ever explain?
“I can walk away. Follow her to Los Angeles and leave Dragos Luca to Watson. He doesn’t need me. Oliver can find Luca for him.”
Ana sat opposite him and fanned out the photos on the coffee table.
“Maybe you should take another look at these.”
“That’s not necessary.” He stared at the floor.
“Ruby isn’t the only one in danger here, Hari. What about Zeke? You said he was set up. Who do you think did that? And what do you think will happen to him now?”
Hair lifted on the back of Hari’s neck as he sat hunched over with his shoulders curled.
“I never should have come here.”
“Why did you, then?”
“I don’t know.”
Ana swiveled her eyes around the suite.
“Don’t you?”
He followed her gaze, remembering the taste of single malt on his tongue and the tickle of champagne bubbles in his nose, the rustle of silk pajamas against his skin and ivory leather seats in a private plane. A bluestripe snapper flapped its lemon-yellow tail in one corner of his eye. And a python curled around its owner.
“I’ve been a fool.”
“There’s a lot of that going around.”
He rubbed his hands across his face.
“Ruby will never forgive me.”
“She’s going to be pissed, for sure, but she’ll be safe. Isn’t that preferable? You can’t make it up to her if she’s dead.” Ana swept the photos back into their envelope. “It’s past eight. Zeke trusts you. If you want Ruby to stay safe, you have to find him and end this.”
Hari rose to his feet, ran his hands down his shirt and turned to the door.
“Where’s Watson?”
“Oliver drove him and Jayden to a restaurant on the other side of town for dinner. But he’s got his phone and he’ll be in touch. I’m going to the station to see if they’ve found anything new.”
Hari nodded. “I’ll go back to the drain. It’s the last place I saw Zeke and he might have come back.” His cellphone beeped with a text from Watson and he read it as he walked to the door.
anything to report?
He tapped in a reply.
not so far.
Before he could put the phone away, it beeped again. He looked at the screen then whirled around, waving the phone at Ana.
“It’s Zeke.”
“What does he say?”
“He’s sorry he ran away, but he had no choice. He won’t tell me where he is.” Hari bent over the phone and she moved closer to read the texts over his shoulder. He tapped in a reply.
zeke come to hotel we can help u.
it’s not safe.
i can meet u somewhr else. name it.
do u have my $$?
not yet. but watson will pay u i’m sure.
Hari cradled the phone, pacing while he waited.
zeke, r u stil ther?
i have passwrd.
good work. can u send it 2 me?
not safe.
Hari showed the text to Ana, who spread her arms and shrugged. He bent over the phone again.
zeke, ur friends could be in danger.
what do u mean?
police talked to them. If Luca finds out…
Shit.
Send me password & we can shut him down.
Hari held his breath.
zeke? i will get ur $$.
No answer.
“He’s gone.” Bloody hell. How would they find him now?
“Can we trace the text?” Ana asked.
“Wouldn’t help. He could be anywhere.”
Hari’s chest tightened as he stared at the phone. It beeped again, with a one-word email.
ok.
A click on the attachment revealed the password. With one click, Hari forwarded it to Watson.
“We did it.” He high-fived Ana in triumph before drawing a satisfied breath. Ruby was safe. Maybe he could even catch up with her at the airport before she got on a plane.
A knock sounded at the door. Ana walked over and opened it.
“Is Hari here?” a woman asked. Ana opened the door wider and let Felicity in, along with a broad-shouldered man in his mid-thirties.
“Felicity, what are you doing here?” Hari asked.
“Sam and I are worried about Ruby.”
“What do you mean? I just saw her…” His throat tightened. “Has something happened?”
Sam frowned and held out both hands.
“We don’t know, that’s the thing. She went—”
Felicity broke in.
“Sam’s working with Ruby on the film. She went to that homeless campsite, Hari.”
“What?” His throat constricted. “Why? She was supposed to go back to Los Angeles. Why didn’t she go back to Los Angeles?”
“We were planning to g
o tomorrow, but this man came to see her—”
“What man?”
“His name is Greaves,” Sam said, “he’s a bank manager. He came to see Ruby about an apartment for a woman and her son.”
With his heart pounding, Hari grabbed the Glock off the coffee table and slid it into his waistband. Then he slipped on his jacket, dropping the spare magazine into a pocket.
“We have to go after them.”
“That’s why we’re here,” Felicity said. “We can’t find the place without you.”
“We can get a cab.”
Ana stepped up and put a hand on his arm.
“Don’t take a cab. I’ll text Oliver so he can pick you up at the front door. I’ll stay here and wait for Watson. We only have until midnight to contact the authorities and shut down that website.”
“Tell Oliver to pick us up at the corner,” Hari said. “We’ll be back way before midnight.”
As they stepped through the door and into the hallway, Sam pulled Felicity back.
“You should stay here in case Ruby returns,” he said. “There’s no point in all of us hustling off to the other side of town. She could be fine and just ignoring her phone.”
“He’s right,” Hari said. “It’s a good idea, Felicity.”
Felicity stared at them, chewing on her lip.
“Okay, I’ll wait here in the suite. But text me the minute you find her.”
Oliver picked Hari and Sam up at the hotel entrance before pulling into traffic. In the back seat, Hari slammed a fist into his thigh. If anything happened to Ruby, it would be his fault.
At the campsite, Hari and Sam climbed out of the car and stood on the embankment. The air was heavy with humidity, and a flash of lightning revealed the distant mountains.
Oliver walked up behind them.
“I can’t go in with you. Watson asked me to pick him and Jayden up. I can come back, but not for an hour or so.”
“Thanks, Iain,” Hari said. “We’ll get a cab back. Let’s go, Sam.”
They pushed their way through the torn fence and picked their way down the embankment.
“What exactly are we walking into?” Sam asked.
“What do you mean?”
“You’re using a fake name and working with William Watson. It’s obvious you’re investigating something. So what is it? What are we up against?”
