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“Your lover tells me he misses you,” said Violet. She opened her eyes and looked directly at Ruby. A shiver went down Vickie’s spine.
“I assure you, you have the wrong person,” Ruby spoke soft and deep. Her back stiffened, and she squared back her shoulders.
Violet shook her head. “I never get the wrong person.”
Vickie’s mouth dried. As far as she ever knew, George was never inclined that way. Ever. He certainly wasn’t now, she was sure of that based on their active love life. Hearing this from a stranger in a public setting was making her incredibly uneasy. Knots twisted in her belly.
“Miguel tells me he was going to marry you,” Violet spoke louder as if ensuring that everyone else could hear the exchange.
Ruby’s face paled. “I don’t know a Miguel.”
Violet turned in a tight circle as if ensuring the attention of everyone was completely on herself. “The spirits guide me. They come to me. I’m a vessel for them to communicate with you. Perhaps you’re not willing to remember?”
Ruby shook her head. “No. There’s no Miguel in my life.”
Vickie swallowed hard. She didn’t believe in this mumbo jumbo, but she couldn’t believe how it was getting under her skin and making her question once more her marriage with George. Then, there was the obvious effect this was having on Ruby.
There has to be a mistake, she thought. That was the simplest answer.
Ruby was struggling to keep the pretense under Violet’s accusations while people in the room looked on. Vickie had to do something, so she swung out her arm flippantly, her hand deliberately collecting the champagne glass, tipping it over. Bubbles spilled out onto the white lace table cloth, and she exclaimed in mock surprise as it rolled quickly toward Violet, forcing the woman to jump back as it rolled off the edge of the table smashing on the floor.
“I’m so sorry,” exclaimed Vickie, resting her hand on her chest, hoping she was putting on a convincing act.
“Darling,” muttered Ruby as she added some tut-tut disapproving sounds.
“Let me clean it up,” said Vickie, moving to stand.
“No, no, Otto will get someone to do that,” said Violet quickly as if trying to recompose herself from the surprise.
The presenter appeared with a brush and dustpan in hand, stepping into the soft spotlight highlighting Violet in the darkened room. He looked confident, charming, and not at all concerned about the broken glass.
Violet, on the other hand, looked unsettled. Did she know something? Was she trying to make something up about George? Start malicious gossip? But then he hadn’t been on the invitation, only her name. This wasn’t adding up right. The familiar tingle in her belly she felt when there was a case to solve intensified. She needed answers.
Otto smiled charmingly at her before drawing his attention to the audience. Violet was conveniently stepping behind him. It would look odd if she rushed after her now. Besides, Ruby looked unsettled, and she couldn’t leave her friend sitting alone after what had just happened.
How can I get to speak to them?Her mind repeated the question but only drew blanks. She was going to have to do her own orchestration to get answers.
“Time for an intermission to let the wonderful Violet recharge and be ready to receive more messages for you,” announced the presenter. “If you enjoyed yourself, please show your gratification with a donation.” A few spotlights switched on to highlight strategically-placed crystal bowls around the room. “Only if you’re pleased with tonight’s events.” He gave a cheeky grin and bowed. The spotlights dimmed, leaving a soft glow on the bowls.
Vickie put her hand on Ruby’s arm. “Are you all right?”
She didn’t like how this had seemed to upset Ruby. Perhaps it was a bad idea to have pretended she was George. And now, there was doubt in her mind that she didn’t really know her husband and his preferences. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Otto slink away and knew her chance to corner him for questions had gone. At least, this time. Would there be another? Not if this was really such an exclusive club, with invitations sent at the last moment. Sure, Ruby and apparently others were wrapped up in this, but there was something more going on, and she needed to blow the cover on this club.
Ruby smiled at her weakly, took a deep breath, then picked up the glass of bubbles and finished it in one big drink. That was her Ruby. But it didn’t make her worry any less. Vickie bit back the questions she had about Miguel. Clearly, Ruby’s heart had been broken with his passing, and there was so much hurt she was trying to push away.
A few people stood, walked to the various crystal bowls set around the room, and dropped in cash. Lots of cash. Anger simmered inside of Vickie. Violet and whoever else ran this Black Hearts Club were playing on the grief of people. Vickie didn’t like this fact one bit. This had to be what this was really all about—people making money. It was all bogus, and she couldn’t understand why people were lapping it up and believing this nonsense. What she suspected was true. But then how did they find out about Miguel and George? Especially when they didn’t know she was going to bring Ruby instead of George. Doubt whirled around her mind, and the effects of the champagne made it harder to think clearly.
Ruby leaned forward and hissed, “Let’s go.”
Vickie couldn’t agree more. “Yes, let’s. This is nothing more than cheap tricks,” said Vickie in a posh voice, loud enough for everyone in the darkened room to hear her.
Ruby stood and started to move toward the exit. Though, as she walked past one of the collection bowls, she reached into her pocket and dropped in a handful of money.
Vickie couldn’t believe it. Why would Ruby give money for what just happened? Vickie could see she was distressed and was struggling to hold what she’d just been told together.
Was there something I had missed?Had Ruby kept some secrets from her even though they were best friends? This night was turning out far from the fun they had come for, and now there were too many questions she needed answers to. And she was going to get answers from Ruby and blow this stupid talking to spirits as a fraud that it was.
Chapter 6
