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Chapter Forty-eight
Ruby walked into the Bureau with Kurt and saw a crowded office with swarms of men and women at desks and work areas, all hard at it. Monitors were mounted on walls and even on tables, and every desk showed at least one computer screen or more.
It was a scene like out of the movies and she couldn’t help her head from swiveling to see everything. At the far end of the room, offices faced out with windows that showed more people hard at work inside the spaces.
Kurt led her to one of those rooms and knocked before he entered. A man looked up and when he saw who it was, he said goodbye to the person on the other end of the phone, lowered his feet from the desk drawer, and stood to be introduced.
“Neal is my partner, Ruby. He’s a showoff, so pay no attention to his arrogance.”
Ruby laughed and held her hand out. “I remember you from the night my house had been broken into. You were there. I’m Ruby Allen. Nice to meet you. Kurt told me you’ve been working my case with him, and you’ve found some information I need to know.”
“Hi, Ruby. I’ve been warned to behave myself when you’re here so I guess I can’t ask you to give me the goods on that asshole you’ve been hanging around with. No matter. I’ve got other snitches I pay. I have enough to blackmail him if, and when, his britches get too big for his backside.”
Ruby found herself laughing so hard she had to sit down. It felt wonderful to experience such unexpected glee. “Well, now that you mention it, I might have some tidbits on him if the price were right.”
“Haha, very funny you two. Glad you’re having so much fun at my expense.” Kurt’s twinkling gaze had her heart swelling with pride. “Can I get you a ginger ale or anything, Ruby? You want some coffee, Jackass?”
“Yeah. That’d be nice. And no spitting in it.”
Ruby chuckled. “Sure. I’d love a ginger ale. Thanks.”
“Okay. And don’t talk shit about me while I’m gone. Be back in a minute.”
Ruby wondered if he meant to leave her and Neal alone. If it was some kind of a setup? “Where does Kurt work?”
Neal settled back in his chair and pointed to the other messy desk across from his. “Unfortunately, I have to be in the same room as the dude. Just so you know, he plays Free Cell and Spider Solitaire all day, man can’t keep his mind on the job unless there’s someone to watch over him.”
Ruby felt herself relax and her liking for this man deepened. “You’re such a little bitch.”
“I know, right?” Silly pride covered his face as if he appreciated that she understood his caring for his partner.
“He’s lucky to have you.”
“Ditto.” The serious look appearing on his face let her know it was a profound comment and not to be taken lightly.
Ruby scanned the files piled on Neal’s desk and her own situation sprang to mind. “Kurt says you have some information I need to hear.”
“I do.” Suddenly, he straightened in his chair and leaned his elbows on the desk. “You okay now?”
Ruby wasn’t sure why he asked her that question, but she knew it came from caring and not nosiness. She decided to reply in the same manner as it was asked… with a sincere answer. “I wasn’t for a few days… ahh, truthfully, maybe a few years. But I’m fine now. It took a suspension and a good talking to from the Commissioner to get my head straight. You can trust me and tell me what I need to know. I won’t be taking any more foolish chances from now on.”
“Good. These last few days, you about drove my buddy crazy. I’ll admit to coming close to putting him out of his misery.”
“His misery or yours?”
“See… I knew you were a keeper the moment you strutted in the door.”
She laughed. “I don’t strut.”
“Oh, yeah you do.”
“It’s the baby. I’m only walking that way to accommodate the little prince.”
Kurt returned then and stood at the door with his goodies. “What’s so funny?”
Neal reached for the mug held out to him and said, “Okay, man. You can keep her. Now let’s get to work.”
In a few minutes, his story brought a new gravity to the scene and Ruby’s heart dropped. “Wait a minute. You’re telling me that there’s more women out there who’ve gotten pregnant and had no idea how it happened?”
