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He cleared his throat and tamped down on the emotions threatening to swell as they exited Dalton’s office and continued to the lobby. “Did Fresh Start help you?”
“No. I had to go through rehab twice more since the last time we saw each other. The final straw was when I overdosed and nearly died. I fought to get clean and stay that way. I’ve been sober for three years. Went back to school, got my bachelor’s degree in psychology.”
“You graduated from college in less than three years?” Sienna asked, incredulous.
Dalton grinned. “I was determined. Eli can tell you: once I put my mind to something, I do it.”
He snorted and grinned back. “Ain’t that the truth.”
They exited the building. The sun had risen in the sky but did little to erase the frigid temperatures. Thunderclouds hovered on the horizon. Meteorologists predicted rain this afternoon. Most of the evening too. Looked like they would be right.
Eli settled his cowboy hat on his head. He was eager to hear what his brother had to say about Ruby.
Apparently, so was Sienna. She tucked her hands in her pockets and kept her voice pitched low as she said, “Okay, Dalton, spill it. What do you know about Ruby?”
“First of all, I never believed she simply left town, no matter what the police chief claimed. Ruby was far too responsible for that, and she adored her grandmother. I’ve never heard anyone speak so lovingly about someone. I told as much to Chief Ramirez, but he didn’t take my observations seriously.”
“You’re not the only one.” Sienna rolled her eyes.
“There’s more. Ruby was struggling with something in the days before her disappearance.” Dalton’s expression was grave. “I caught her crying and tried to get her to confide in me what was going on, but she refused.”
“Do you think it had something to do with Gideon?” Eli asked.
His brother glanced back at the building. “I don’t know. I’ve worked with Gideon for a year, but can’t say I really know him. He can be testy at times. It’s a bit like walking on eggshells. Don’t get me wrong, he’s a good boss, and he believes in the work we’re doing at Fresh Start, but…” Dalton shrugged. “At the time of Ruby’s disappearance, they were working on one of our biggest fundraisers of the year. I figured the stress was getting to him and he might’ve taken it out on her. Gideon isn’t always careful with his words.”
Interesting. Eli leaned against his truck. “Who keeps track of the money coming in and out of Fresh Start?”
Dalton frowned. “Gideon’s officially in charge, but I know Ruby helped him. Like I said, we get a lot of donations and bookkeeping is a tedious job. Why are you asking?”
He didn’t want to explain about the money laundering. Not yet. “Do you know Jesse O’Neal?”
A shadow crossed Dalton’s face. “I do. He was a member of our community but started using again a few months ago. It’s not uncommon for addicts to relapse. It can take several tries before they get sober.”
“He was arrested yesterday. Jesse broke into Mrs. Morales’s home and attacked her. Can you think of any reason he would do that?”
Dalton’s mouth dropped open in shock. “No. Jesse and Ruby barely knew each other.” His brow creased. “What on earth is going on?”
“That’s what we’re trying to find out.” Eli switched topics. “Do you know Albert Greer?”
“Not personally. I’ve heard some of the staff talk about him though. He used to be one of the teachers here at Fresh Start, but they had to fire him after several members complained.”
“Do you know if Ruby and Albert had any interaction?”
“No. Albert was long gone by the time I was hired.” He raised a finger as if a thought had just occurred to him. “I know Ruby had a problem with someone else.” Dalton paused and then winced. “I’m not sure how much I should say. This person was a member.”
“It won’t go any further than us.” Eli leveled his gaze at his brother. “We have evidence Ruby is alive and being held against her will. Anything you can tell us would be helpful. All we want is to find her.”
Dalton seemed stunned by Eli’s statement, but he quickly recovered. “Do you know Dallas Redding?”
The tour guide. The same man who’d been stalking Ruby.
Eli stiffened. “I know him. What happened?”
SEVENTEEN
Eli held his breath, waiting for Dalton to gather his thoughts. His brother had always been careful with his words, even as a kid. A side effect of growing up with a man who’d beat them if they so much as breathed wrong.
“Ruby complained about Dallas Redding bothering her,” Dalton said. “He flirted, followed her around, asked her out on dates, that kind of thing. She’d turned him down several times, but he persisted. I intervened and told him to stay away from her. Initially, he listened, but then he cornered her in a storage closet and wouldn’t let her leave until she explained why she wouldn’t go out with him. Ruby was understandably frightened. I immediately consulted with Gideon and we revoked Dallas’s membership.”
