Chapter 5
Chapter Five
Ruby and the other inmates filed into the courtroom. The chains binding her wrists and ankles jangled as she walked. She was wearing a green cotton top and pants that said West Oaks County Corrections.
“Keep moving down,” one of the guards said. “All the way to the end.”
Ruby reached her chair and sat. There were eight other jail inmates besides her. They’d all spent the night in the county lockup. Not that Ruby had slept. Or eaten. The thought of breakfast had almost made her vomit.
It could’ve been worse, though. She’d survived plenty of shitty moments in her life, and she could survive this. Just so long as she got to go home to Haley.
In the meantime, Ruby was determined to keep her spirits up. She’d even made a friend.
Destiny nudged her. “Hey, check out the eye candy that just walked in. Usually, the view isn’t anywhere near so nice at these things.”
Ruby followed her new friend’s gaze.
Devon, Chase, and another man were sitting in the front row of the audience. The three of them definitely stuck out in the room. And they were all staring at Ruby with cautious smiles.
“My brother and his friends,” Ruby whispered.
Destiny whistled quietly. “Lucky girl. Well, except for the murder charge. That part stinks.”
“Yeah, there’s that.”
Last night, Ruby and Destiny had been arrested around the same time, so the police had transported them to the jail together and placed them in the same cell. After fingerprinting, a strip search, and their lovely wardrobe change, of course.
In the cell, Ruby had occupied herself by French-braiding her own hair. It was like meditation, a way to force her mind quiet. And she’d desperately needed a way to channel her terror and frustration.
Then Destiny had spoken up. Could you fix my hair too? They’d ended up chatting most of the night.
Destiny was twenty-six, the same age as Ruby.
She’d been arrested for prostitution. She wasn’t the kind of person Ruby would ever have met outside these walls.
But they’d found they had things in common.
A love for bubble gum ice cream, a fondness for black and white movies.
Destiny was struggling to raise a younger sister after their parents had died.
Ruby had told her about Haley. That had been cause enough to smile, even in that bleak jail cell. Her memories of Haley’s silly antics and hugs.
In the audience, Chase lifted his hand to Ruby. He looked even more exhausted than she felt. Instead of his police uniform, he’d worn a button-down white shirt that was a little too tight on his arms.
“All rise,” the bailiff said, and the judge walked in.
“Now they’ll call us up one at a time,” Destiny whispered. “That’s when we talk to the lawyers.”
The first case was called, and Ruby caught Chase’s eye again. Haley? she asked silently, moving her mouth to make the word clear.
Chase nodded, and she exhaled. Haley was okay. Of course she was. He wouldn’t be here otherwise.
Destiny’s boney shoulder nudged hers. “He has a thing for you.”
“Chase? Um, no.”
“Keeps on staring. Poor guy’s pining away for you over there. And you know what? He looks familiar.”
Ruby’s head turned sharply. “Familiar?”
Destiny cackled, and a guard shushed them. “Not like that. Not a john. He’s a cop, right? I’ve seen him around. He’s one of the kind ones.”
“Yeah. He is.”
“But I’ll bet he’s got a wild streak.”
“Hardly. Chase is a sweetheart, but he’s a straight arrow like my brother.”
“I can usually spot the naughty ones who want to get really freaky. Sometimes, it’s the types you’d least expect.”
Ruby closed her mouth as she giggled.
It was bizarre to laugh right now, when her hands and feet were cuffed and chained. But it felt really good. Rebellious. Like she and Destiny had found a tiny bright spot together in this sea of darkness.
Chase’s eyebrows lifted in a question.
“People versus Ruby Whitestone,” someone called, along with her case number.
Immediately, Ruby sobered.
The bailiff escorted her to a table in the center of the room.
A woman with an expensive suit already sat there. She put her hand on Ruby’s shoulder and leaned in. “Ruby, I’m Jane Simon. Your lawyer. I apologize for not getting here earlier this morning to meet you, but I had another commitment. Are you well?”
She’d spoken so fast that it took Ruby a second to catch up.
“Um, yeah. I don’t really know what’s going on. Are you a public defender?”
Jane smiled. “Nope. Noah Vandermeer hired me.”
“Who?”
“A friend of yours. But we can discuss that later. After your advisement.” She pressed a button on the microphone on the table. “We’re ready to proceed, your honor.”
“What’s the People’s position on bond?” the judge asked.
The man at the opposite table spoke. The prosecutor, Ruby assumed. “Your honor, Ms. Whitestone is charged with second-degree murder.”
Ruby felt these words like a punch to the gut, even though she’d expected them.
The prosecutor continued. “Given the serious and violent nature of the crime, Ms. Whitestone is a flight risk. We would ask for a significant cash bond, if any.”
“My client has never been arrested before,” Jane said. “She comes from a family of LAPD officers, two of whom gave their lives serving their community. Ruby also has an eighteen-month-old daughter. She doesn’t pose any danger.”
“No danger? Seventeen stab wounds doesn’t sound like a danger?”
Seventeen? Chills ran through Ruby’s insides. Her chains rustled as she shifted in the chair.
The judge sighed. “Enough. You’ll address me, counsel, not each other. Let me hear from the defense.”
Jane regarded the prosecutor calmly. “Accusations are not proof, your honor. I’ve presented evidence of the People’s shoddy investigations in prior cases. Ms. Whitestone deserves a chance to defend herself adequately.”
“Bail is granted,” the judge said. “I set bond at one million dollars, cash only, no collateral.”
Then Jane was standing up and smiling. The whole exchange had happened in a matter of minutes, and the bailiff was already gesturing Ruby back to her seat.
Jane walked alongside her. “This is great news. You’ll be out in no time. After the advisements are finished, you’ll return to the jail, and they’ll process the bond payment and then your release.” She squeezed Ruby’s shoulder.
“But…”
A million dollars cash? A million?
How in the world was she supposed to pay that?
A few hours later, Ruby found herself walking out the door of the jail with Destiny alongside her. Destiny had been granted release as well, on personal recognizance rather than bond.
A million dollars in bail. Somebody had paid it. She couldn’t imagine who would have that kind of money.
It was hot and sunny outside, and immediately Ruby started to sweat.
“You have a way better welcoming party than I do,” Destiny said. “All I have to look forward to is the bus.”
Chase, Devon, and their friend were waiting in the parking lot.
Devon practically leaped across the street. He pulled her into a hug. “Thank god you’re out of there. Can’t imagine what you’ve been dealing with.”
“I survived. Maybe I’m a little tougher than you thought?”
“You’re tougher than most of my army buddies. Male or female.”
“I probably smell worse, too.”
“That, I can’t argue with.”
Ruby looked over her brother’s shoulder and found Chase right there, his ethereal blue eyes fixed on her.
“Hey,” Chase said softly. “You all right?”
She was surprised to find herself blinking back tears. “I’m hanging in. And really grateful for all the help. All your help. Where’s Haley?”
“With mom and Aurora,” Devon said, releasing her. “We’ll take you home to see her. But first, this is Noah. He works at Bennett Security with me. He’s a captain of our bodyguard team.”
This was the third man who’d been with them in the audience. Ruby hadn’t met many of Devon’s co-workers. She’d been too busy the last year with Haley and her own responsibilities.
Noah stuck out his hand, a disarming smile on his face. “I’m surprised we’ve never met. It’s about time. Though a barbecue or a holiday party would’ve been more fun than this.”
“Yeah, this venue sucks.” So this was the Noah Vandermeer her lawyer had mentioned. The pieces kept falling into place. “You’re paying for my lawyer. Did you cover my bail, too?”
Noah exchanged a glance with Chase and Devon. “We’re a family at Bennett Security. We stick together. And I owed Chase a pretty big favor, so when he called me last night…”
“But a million dollars? In cash?”
“Ruby,” Devon murmured, “don’t worry about that right now.”
“How can I not?”
Noah shrugged. “I’m lucky enough to have a banker who acts quickly. Couldn’t imagine a better use for it than helping out a friend.”
He still had his hand out. She hugged him instead. “Thank you. I don’t know how to ever repay you—literally—but thank you.”
“Just show up to your court dates, and they’ll give the money back. No big deal.”
“That, I can do.”
Suddenly, Ruby remembered Destiny. She’d been so swept up in seeing her brother and Chase.
After scanning the street, she spotted Destiny at a bus shelter down the block. “Do any of you have money? Well, more money.”
“How much?” Chase asked.
“Not a million dollars. But whatever cash you have. For another friend. I think she could use some help too.”
“You already made a friend in there?” Devon asked. “Why am I not surprised?”
“I’m a hair stylist. Talking to people is my superpower.”
Chase opened his wallet first and handed her the bills from inside. Devon and Noah did the same.
Ruby ran over to the bus shelter. Destiny looked up as she approached. “Hey, my brother can give you a ride wherever you’re going.” Ruby pumped her eyebrows. “I’ll even introduce you.”
“Tempting offer. But I’m good with the bus.”
“Will you at least take this?” Ruby held out the bundle of cash. “Thanks for keeping me company last night.”
Destiny’s lips pressed together. “You kept me company, too. And you fixed my hair. No payment necessary.”
“Please. I want you to have this.”
Her eyes hardened. “But I don’t want your charity.”
“It’s not charity if it’s between friends. That’s what I’m telling myself right now, because my brother’s friend put up my bail. I just want to pay it forward.” Ruby would add this money to the tab of everything else she owed her friends.
Destiny hesitated, then took the bundle. “Fine. If it makes you happy.”
“Can I give you a hug goodbye? If it’s not too much to ask. Sorry, I’m a hugger.”
“Then don’t apologize for it. Just be whatever you are.” Destiny stood up and embraced her.
“Maybe I’ll see you around?” Ruby asked.
“Probably won’t. Unless your brother’s single?”
“Afraid not.”
“Too bad. If that changes, feel free to track me down.”
“Chase is single.”
“I bet, but that man’s all yours.” Destiny winked. “Take care of yourself.”
“You too.”
The bus pulled up, and Ruby watched her friend mount the steps.
Noah left in his own car to head wherever he was going. Devon drove Ruby and Chase to her apartment.
She took shotgun. The car pulled onto the road, and Ruby turned around. Chase was frowning with his hands clasped in his lap. “You look tired,” she said.
Chase perked up, his smile returning. He hadn’t shaved, and the shadow across his chin made him look rougher than usual. Not like such a perfect Prince Charming. His eyes were red at the edges.
“I’m just glad you’re free. We’re going to sort all this out.”
“But helping the defendant in a murder case? Can’t be a good look for you at the station.”
A wrinkle appeared at his forehead. “I don’t care what anyone else thinks.” The rumble in his voice hinted that Ruby’s case might’ve caused him trouble already. She really hoped not.
Chase was just the type of guy to swoop in to a girl’s rescue, consequences for himself be damned.
But is he a freak in the sheets, like Destiny said?
It felt good to smile. But she was not going to imagine Chase having sex. Some lines just couldn’t be crossed.
“Well, I appreciate you calling in Noah and his big bank account,” Ruby joked. “Glad somebody was thinking on their feet.” She poked her brother in the ribs.
“Hey! I’ve had my hands full keeping Mom from storming the West Oaks County Jail.”
“Ugh.” Ruby’s head fell back against the seat.
Their mom didn’t handle stress all that well.
Megan Whitestone had lost both her husband and her son, which had toughened her, but she also had a quick trigger finger as a result.
Their mom could go from zero to freak out in less than a second where her family was concerned.
Ruby hoped her mother had calmed down by now, because she really didn’t need that anxious energy. Ruby was struggling to keep herself together as it was.
“Everybody’s at your place waiting for you,” Devon said. “Mom, Aurora, Haley. Lana stopped by, but it’s a little awkward for her, given her position in the DA’s office.”
“Yeah. I get it.” Lana worked with the prosecutor who’d gone against Ruby in court that morning.
I’ve been charged with murder.
Those words were only beginning to sink in.
I’ve been charged with Mickey’s murder.
Ruby felt Chase watching her. She turned toward the back seat again.
She’d just realized she hadn’t hugged Chase that day. She’d hugged everyone else—Noah, Devon, even Destiny. But not Chase. Made her feel like a crappy friend.
“What is it?” The tenderness in his voice made a lump gather in her throat.
“Everything,” she whispered. “Just…everything.”
He put a hand on the seat by her shoulder, though he didn’t touch her. Then Ruby put her hand on top of his. Chase turned his wrist so his palm was against hers.
His fingers were warm. Strong. His callouses created gentle friction with her skin, and she shivered at the sensation. Somehow, it was better than a hug.
The contact was almost…intimate.
Which seemed strange since only their palms were touching, but that was the word that popped into Ruby’s mind.
She startled when Devon drove over a pothole. Ruby pulled her hand away. “Thank you again, Chase. Really. For all you’ve done.”
He nodded. “Want to swing by a drive-through on the way? You’re probably starving. Unless you filled up on jail food?”
“Oh, you know it. I asked for their recipes.” She forced the smile back onto her face. “I need to get home first. No delays. I want to hug Haley, eat a giant cheeseburger, and take a shower. In that order.”
And she was going to keep on smiling and joking and laughing through it all. No way was she letting her daughter see her fall apart.