Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Miguel

After we finish with the dishes, Ruby disappears into her bedroom to change. While she’s doing that, I take a minute to catch up on text messages and e-mails from work. One of the texts I received is from Shane, who’s checking in and wanting to know what I’ve discovered so far.

Me – Nothing yet. She needs a security system in her apartment. I’m going to talk to the building mgr about putting cameras in the hallway outside her apt. so I can see who’s coming and going.

Shane – I’ll ask Jake to get one installed ASAP.

I have nothing to go on yet. Ruby’s given me a lot of vague examples, but she has no proof to back up any of her claims. It’s understandable that she’d dispose of any evidence as soon as she got it—the notes, the roadkill. Now it’s my job to collect evidence—if any exists. I’m keeping an open mind. Ruby doesn’t seem the fanciful type, so even though there’s no evidence to back up any of her claims, I’m inclined to believe her. I’ll at least give her the benefit of the doubt.

I make a mental list of the people I need to speak to—for starters, her helpful neighbor Darren and the apartment manager, Rick. I also need to interview the other residents who live on this floor. Any one of them might have seen something suspicious, or someone, and not realized it.

Do I think this stalker is all in Ruby’s head? It’s too soon to tell.

I don’t blame her for being so fearful of the world. She witnessed something horrific, and it had a lasting impact on her. It’s not surprising that she’d internalize the idea that the world is a dangerous place. Her world—her sense of security—was shattered when she was young and impressionable.

After I catch up on work stuff, I realize my muscles are stiff from inactivity. I wish I had my home gym equipment here so I could get in a good workout. Barring that, I’d love to go for a run, but I can’t leave Ruby alone. Not yet. Not until I have a better understanding of what we’re dealing with. So I do the next best thing—I hop up from the sofa to do some old-school calisthenics. I drop down onto the floor and power through a hundred pushups, followed by just as many sit-ups. And that’s just for starters.

Man, I’d give anything for a set of free weights or a treadmill right now. If this assignment looks like it’s going to continue for a while, I might have to bring some hand weights over. I doubt there’s room for a treadmill.

While I put my body through the motions, my brain works through what little I know about Ruby’s case. It’s entirely possible that this stalker is a figment of her imagination. I’m prepared for that. I’m also prepared for the possibility that there is someone out there who’s terrorizing this poor girl. If there is—he’d better watch out. I don’t tolerate bullies.

After finishing my impromptu exercise regimen, I get out my laptop and surf the Internet.

My phone chimes with an incoming message from Shane’s brother Jake, who’s in charge of surveillance for the company.

Jake – I’m sending Philip over w/a security system ETA 30 mins

Ruby comes out of the bathroom, her face freshly washed and flushed a light pink. Her hair is up in a ponytail, making her look even younger. Her eyes are bright, and I love her freckles.

Damn. She’s pretty.

She eyes me curiously. “Is something wrong?”

I look back at my laptop screen so I’m not staring at her. The last thing I need is for her to feel self-conscious around me. “I was just thinking we should install a security system in your apartment. I also want surveillance cameras installed in the hallway so I have visibility on your door.”

She frowns. “You’ll have to talk to Rick about the cameras. He’s really funny about letting us put things in the hallway. We had to get everyone in the building to sign a petition just so we could put welcome mats in front of our doors.”

“I’ll talk to him tomorrow about the cameras. In the meantime, we need to install a security system in your apartment.” I give her a minute to let that sink in. “Is that okay with you?”

She seems wary. “I suppose so.”

“Great. I’ll have someone come over this evening to install it.”

Ruby’s eyes widen and the blood practically drains from her face. “Come here? Tonight?”

“Hey, it’s okay.” I rise from the table and take a step toward her. My impulse is to reassure her—comfort her—but I stop myself. I doubt she’d want a hug from me right now. “His name is Philip Underwood, and he’s a personal friend of mine. There’s absolutely nothing to worry about, I promise.”

Suddenly, there’s a light rap on Ruby’s door.

“That’s Darren stopping by with my mail.” Ruby walks up to the door and looks through the peephole. “It’s Darren.” She unlocks the door but leaves the chain.

I walk up behind her to get a look at her neighbor.

“Hi, Darren,” she says, seeming perfectly at ease with the guy.

“Hi, Ruby,” says the blond man standing outside her door. He’s dressed in a tan suit and white dress shirt, no tie. He slips a small stack of envelopes through the opening.

“Thanks,” she says.

Darren finally directs his attention at me. He stares at me a moment, his brow furrowing, before he turns his gaze back to Ruby. “Is everything okay, Ruby?”

She nods. “Yes, fine.”

Darren scowls my way. “Who is this guy?”

Ruby glances back at me and smiles. “Oh,” she replies, clearly caught off guard. “This is my friend, Miguel.”

Darren’s scowl morphs into a glare. “Friend? Since when? How did you meet this guy?”

Ruby looks helplessly back at me. “Well—I—he’s a friend of my godfather. You’ve met Edward before. He’s a friend of Edward’s.”

There’s skepticism written all over Darren’s face. “Really.”

“That’s right,” she says, starting to recover. “I met him through Edward.”

“What’s he doing here?”

“He’s visiting,” Ruby says.

Darren looks more than a bit agitated now. “For how long?”

Ruby shrugs. “I’m not sure. As long as he wants, I guess.” She chuckles, but there’s a detectable quaver in the sound. “Thanks for bringing up my mail, Darren. I appreciate it.” And then she gives him a dismissive nod, softened by a smile, and starts to close the door.

Darren blocks the door with his foot. “Ruby, wait.”

“What is it?”

He leans close and whispers. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

“I’m fine. Thanks for bringing my mail.” She pushes the door closed, locks the deadbolts, and turns to lean against the door. “Oh, my God. That was awkward.”

I watch as she rifles through her mail. “Junk mail, junk mail, junk mail, credit card application. It’s all junk.” She walks to the kitchen and tosses the mail into a box marked SHRED.

“From now on, I’ll collect your mail, okay?”

“Sure. If you don’t mind.”

“Not at all.” I head for the door and start to unlock the deadbolts. “I’ll be right back. Why don’t you lock up after I leave?”

“Wait! Where are you going?” Ruby asks as she joins me at the door. Her voice is laced with panic.

“I’m going to have a talk with your neighbor.”

“Who? Darren?”

“Yes. I want to feel him out. Besides, I’ll let him know I’ll be getting your mail from now on.”

“No!” She grabs my wrist. “Don’t go out there, please.”

I lower my arm and face her. “Why not?”

She looks truly afraid. Her voice drops to a whisper. “You know why. It’s not safe.”

My chest tightens, and I realize it’s because I hurt for Ruby. I stare down at her pale expression, her eyes filled with panic. She’s practically paralyzed with fear. It’s sad because she’s missing out on so much in life. She’s young and talented and beautiful. She should be out in the world living her best life and experiencing all the good the world has to offer, not trapped here inside her apartment, living a life devoid of sunshine and fresh air.

I pry her grip from my wrist and squeeze her hand. “I’ll be fine, Ruby. There’s nothing to worry about. I’m just going next door to pay Darren a friendly visit. That’s all. What’s his last name?”

“Ingles.” Ruby still doesn’t look happy. In fact, she looks like she’s about to jump out of her skin.

“You can lock the door after I leave,” I tell her, but I have a feeling that’s a given.

She nods.

And then I let myself out of the apartment. Before I take a step toward Darren’s unit, I hear all three deadbolts locking, one right after another. Then I hear the chain slide into place.

Darren’s apartment, 2A, is to the left of Ruby’s unit. I walk to his door and knock. The door opens almost immediately.

His suit jacket is off, and his shirt collar is unbuttoned. “Yes?” He’s glaring at me. “What do you want?”

There’s a lot of unjustified hostility in his voice. The guy doesn’t even know me. He has no reason to dislike me.

Unless he’s jealous that I’m in Ruby’s apartment. He’s never made it past her threshold.

“Darren, we need to talk.”