Here is a free sampleĀ of Ruby, Between the Cracks for your reading pleasure!
UBY AWOKE DISORIENTED, IN a fog. She rolled over and almost fell on the floor. Steadying herself, Ruby opened her eyes and looked around. She was at home, sleeping on the couch. She sat up slowly and looked around. It still smelled the same. Stale cooking, cigarette smoke, sweat, dirty shoes tumbled around the back of the door.
āRubyās home,ā Chloe called out. Ruby turned and looked at her.
āHi, Chloā.ā
āHi, Ruby. Whatācha doinā here?ā
Ruby shrugged. Chloe walked into the kitchen, out of sight. Their mom came down the stairs.
āWhat did you say, Chloe?ā She saw Ruby. āOh. Youāre here. What time did you get here?ā
āI dunno. Two, threeā¦ā
āWhy? Your foster family kick you out?ā
āNo. I was just out too late. They lock me out after midnight.ā
āWell, you shouldnāt be coming back here. You should be going back to your foster family before midnight. Does your social worker know youāre staying out late?ā
āSometimes.ā
āIām going to call him,ā her mother warned.
āOkay,ā Ruby said, shrugging.
āGo have breakfast with Chloe. I want to talk to you before you leave. Okay?ā
āYeah.ā
Ruby got up and went into the kitchen. Chloe was eating a bowl of cereal. Ruby poured a cup of coffee for herself.
āCoffeeās bad for you,ā Chloe pointed out.
āI donāt want to get fat,ā Ruby countered.
āYouāre not fat.ā
āI plan on keeping it that way,ā Ruby agreed.
āYou still shouldnāt do it.ā
June and Justin came into the kitchen, and Chloe got bowls out for them. Chloe was dirty blond, with shoulder length hair. The twins both had dark hair and round faces.
āHow old are they now?ā Ruby questioned.
āWeāre six,ā June answered, for herself.
āI remember when they were born,ā Ruby told Chloe.
āWere you here?ā Chloe questioned.
āMmmā¦ yeah. When they were born, I was.ā
āYou must have left right after.ā
āYeah. Pretty much. Whereās Ronnie?ā Ruby looked around for their other sister.
āFoster family,ā Chloe advised.
āRonnie too? When did that happen?ā
āCouple weeks ago.ā
āWhy?ā
āShe wanted to. Sheās been getting into trouble from Mom and at school and all, and she thought it would be fun.ā
āReally? I never would have thought sheād have the guts. So why are you still here?ā
āI get along with Mom and Dad,ā Chloe said loftily. āIām responsible.ā
āWell, I guess every family gets one. Itās your funeral.ā
āItās my life,ā Chloe corrected primly.
Rubyās mom walked in.
āYou have an appointment with your social worker today.ā
āWhen?ā
āTen. If you leave now, you can still get the bus.ā
āOkay. See you around.ā
āBye.ā
āBye, Chloā.ā
Ruby did make the bus, and wondered on her way to the Social Services office if she should actually bother to go or not. But her mom might follow up to see if she was there or not.
Ruby didnāt have to wait long at the Social Services reception area before the woman showed her in for her appointment. Ruby had enough time to grab another cup of coffee, but not long enough to browse through the newest magazine on the side table, which happened to be a good six months old.
āHello, Ruby,ā her social worker greeted without looking away from his computer.
Ruby sat down in the chair in front of his desk.
āHi, Chuck,ā she crooned.
āMr. Samuels here, Ruby. You know that,ā Chuck insisted his eyes darting around to make sure that no one had heard.
Ruby just grinned. Other foster kids called their social workers by the first name, but it made Chuck really nervous. Ruby kind of liked to see him get flustered over her.
āSo why did your mom call me today?ā he asked, frowning down at the pink message slip on the desk.
āYou werenāt around last night, and I couldnāt find any of the friends I stay over with, so I went home.ā Ruby shrugged, and leaned her chair back, looking up at the ceiling. āI told her my foster family locks me out after midnight.ā
āYou could go to one of the shelters,ā he pointed out.
āThey do lock their doors at midnight.ā
āIf you canāt find one of your friends before eleven,ā Chuck said, wording his statement carefully. āYou arenāt going to see them.ā
āI know. But I donāt like the shelters. Theyāre justā¦ gross.ā
āWell, I donāt think your mom minds you staying there every now and then. I just donāt want her to start asking questions about your foster family. So donāt do it too often,ā he warned.
āItās been at least a month since I was there last.ā
āOkay,ā Chuck approved, nodding.
Ruby let the front legs of her chair drop back to the floor with a thump.
āYou know what?ā Ruby offered. āMy little sister Ronnieās in foster care now.ā
āI know.ā
āYou know?ā Ruby was surprised. āWhy didnāt you tell me?ā
āClient privilege. That information is confidential.ā
āClient? Does that mean that youāre her social worker too?ā
āIāve been trying to get her file. I think I would be more effective, already knowing the background sheās coming from.ā
āHuh. That would be cool, hey? Having both of us? And you could arrange for us to meet, couldnāt you? If sheās not at home anymore, I can see her, right?ā Ruby pressed.
āYes, you could probably meet. Iāll see if I can arrange a āreunionā for the two of you. Saturday?ā
āYeah. That would be great. I canāt believe Ronnieās in foster care! She wasnāt ever a black sheep like me.ā Ruby laughed. She released her hair from the pony tail elastic, and ran her fingers through the length of her hair, toying with it.
āWell, everyone has their own set of problems,ā Chuck observed.
āWhy did she leave?ā
āThatās confidential. You know Iām not allowed to tell you things like that.ā
āItās not like I donāt know the āfamily situation.’ā
āItās still not allowed. And I imagine there are things going on that you donāt have any idea about. Itās been quite a while since you lived there.ā
āYeah. Well, Ronnie can tell me on Saturday.ā
āRight. Well, is there anything else we need to discuss?ā
Ruby massaged her scalp, and then pulled her hair back through the elastic again.
āJust whether Iāll see you tonight,ā she said lowly.
āHush. Iāll try, but you keep your mouth shut, all right?ā
āI know,ā Ruby said with a smile. āYou just keep me happy, and I wonāt say a word.ā
Chuck frowned, looking at her. He took out his appointment book and looked at it.
āNine oāclock,ā he said shortly, and put his book back away.
Ruby smiled.
āNine it is. Youād better be there.ā
He nodded. Ruby stood up.
āBye then, Mr. Samuels,ā Ruby said demurely.
āGood-bye, Ruby.ā
Ruby waited excitedly for her meeting with Ronnie. She had arrived early so that there was no way theyād miss each other. Ruby and Ronnie had never been close at home. They were five years apart in age, so Ronnie had hardly been more than a baby when Ruby first went into foster care. Now Ronnie was eight, and theyād really never had a conversation of more than a couple minutes in length. But with Ronnie leaving the family and going into foster care, Ruby suddenly had a longing to become close to her sister. For the first time, she felt like she had something in common with someone in her family.
It seemed like hours before Chuckās car pulled into the parking lot. Ruby stood up and waved at them. Ronnie looked different than she expected. When Ruby had left the family, sheād been wild and rebellious, and made herself appear a lot older than she really was. But Ronnie was the same little girl Ruby remembered. She didnāt look any older or more mature. You could tell she was with a foster family instead of at home, because she had on designer pants and a blouse instead of cutāoffs and a tank top. If anything, the clothes made her seem even younger, like a little girl going to her first day of school. Her thick brown hair was carefully braided into two pigtails, with ribbons around them. She looked like a doll, not Rubyās sister.
Ronnie submitted to being hugged, but didnāt hug Ruby back. She looked uncomfortable. Ronnie sat down on the bench of the picnic table where Ruby had been waiting for them. Chuck looked hesitant, like he didnāt know whether to join them or go back to his car. Ruby motioned him away, and he went back and sat in the car.
āSo how come you didnāt tell me you were in foster care now?ā Ruby demanded.
āI donāt exactly have your phone number,ā Ronnie pointed out.
āYou could have told your social worker; they would have got in touch with me.ā
Ronnie shrugged.
āSo is Chuck your social worker now?ā Ruby questioned.
āWho?ā
āMr. Samuels,ā Ruby corrected quickly, realizing her mistake.
āI guess so. Heās the one who picked me up.ā
āYouāll like him. Heās cool.ā
āYeah, okay.ā
āSo why did you leave? Just get tired of Mom and Dad getting on your case?ā
āI guess,ā Ronnie avoided her eyes.
Ruby sat down, moving in close.
āWell, then, why?ā she persisted. āYou can tell me. Itās not exactly like Iām gonna tattle to Mom. Or Social Services.ā
Ronnie shrugged, looking down at the grass. She dug a hole with her toe.
āRonnie?ā
āRubyā¦ā
āYeah?ā
āDo you like your foster family?ā
āYeah, I love my foster family,ā Ruby said briskly. āWhy?ā
āNo, I meanādo you really like them? Better than Mom and Dad?ā
Ruby studied her little sister, trying to see where she was going.
āI donāt know. Theyāre different,ā she was floundering, āI guess I like them a different way.ā
Ronnie looked relieved.
āYeah, just different,ā she agreed.
āAre they okay? If you donāt have a good family, Mr. Samuels can move you.ā
āNo, I like them.ā Ronnie was silent for a few minutes. āRubyā¦ have you ever thought about what it would be like to be adopted?ā
Ruby sat on the bench beside Ronnie.
āAdopted? By someone else? No.ā
āThe family youāre withāhave you been with them since you left?ā
āNo.ā
āHow long?ā
āUmāa year,ā Ruby invented.
āWould you like them to adopt you?ā
āNo,ā Ruby said firmly. Ronnie nodded. āWhy, are they talking about adopting you?ā
Ronnie nodded again. Ruby understood. Ronnieās carefully braided hair and cute schoolgirl outfit, they were all part of a foster family trying to mold her into a daughter that they could adopt.
āYouāve only been there two weeks, and theyāre talking adoption?ā she questioned in disbelief.
āUh-huh.ā
āTheyāre not supposed to do that. Theyāre supposed to be working for reunification!ā
āIām not going back home.ā
āI know that, and you know that, but the systemāthey donāt know that. They try to bring families back together. It doesnāt mean anything; just that foster parents arenāt usually allowed to adopt.ā
āSo they canāt?ā
āThey might be able to, but not for quite a while.ā
āOh.ā
āItās all rightāitās not like theyāre going to send you back home. But no oneās going to adopt you. Not for a few years.ā
Ronnie was silent for a while.
āWhy did you decide not to stay with Mom and Dad?ā she questioned.
Ruby thought back. It was a long time ago now. She hardly remembered the reasons; the restrictions put on her. She could remember being deeply unhappy, trapped, and angry. She remembered feeling desperately alone in a houseful of people. When Mom and Dad had started talking about having her taken out of the family, it had been such a relief. Getting out of there had been such a relief. The foster families she had gone to had been better, most of them less constricting, but she still didnāt have what she needed. Now she was really on her own, making her own choices. When she could, she stayed with Chuck. If she couldnāt be with Chuck, she would try to stay with one of her other friends. Foster care was really not for her. She wanted more freedom than that.
āI donāt know, Ronnie. I just couldnāt stay there anymore. I felt like I was being strangled,ā she explained.
āBy Dad?ā Ronnie questioned.
āNo, more by Mom.ā
āMomās okayā¦ā
āWe never really got along. She wished I was never born.ā
āWhy?ā Ronnie questioned, shocked.
āWell, she and Dad broke up, you know. Then she found out she was pregnant with me, so they got back together again and got married. So whenever sheās unhappy about the way things turned outāitās my fault.ā
āI didnāt know that,ā Ronnie said, wide-eyed.
āYeah. Well, you werenāt exactly around to know what was going on while I was there,ā Ruby pointed out with a shrug.
āI donāt think Mom hates you.ā
āNo, she just doesnāt like having me around.ā Ruby thought about it and shook her head. āBut you donāt get along with Dad? How come? He never really was around much when I was there.ā
āI dunno. We just donātā¦ get along so good.ā
āWell, he canāt shout at you or anything now. You like your foster folks okay?ā
āYeah, theyāre nice,ā Ronnie agreed.
āWhatās your phone number? Can I call you?ā
Ronnie gave her the phone number.
āWhat about yours?ā
āOh, Iām not there very often. You just call Mr. Samuels, and he can usually get a hold of me.ā
Chuck had gotten out of the car and was coming towards them.
āWhy arenāt you usually with your foster family?ā Ronnie asked, puzzled.
Ruby hesitated.
āWeāll talk again later. Maybe next week. But if you need anything, you find me, okay?ā
āOkay.ā
Chuck reached them.
āYou guys have a good talk?ā
Both girls nodded.
āRonnie, why donāt you go back to the car. I just want to talk to Ruby for a minute.ā
Ronnie walked away from them. Ruby watched her make her way back to the car and get in.
āWhy did she leave?ā Ruby questioned.
āIf she didnāt tell you, I donāt think itās my place.ā
āWell, I have some information that might interest you, as her social worker.ā
āWhat?ā
āYou tell me why she left, and Iāll tell you what I know,ā Ruby bargained.
Chuck sighed.
āDonāt play these games with me, Ruby. If thereās something I should know about Ronnie, youād better tell me.ā
Ruby considered.
āShe doesnāt want to be removed from the family, though, so thatās not why Iām telling you.ā
āWhat, then?ā he said, tilting his head to the side, waiting.
āTheyāre talking about adopting her.ā
āWhat?ā Chuckās voice came out in a yelp.
Ruby nodded.
āShe wants to stay with themābut tell them to lay off a bit. Sheās confused; she doesnāt know what to think.ā
Chuck nodded.
āIāll tell them, all right,ā he agreed. āWould you be interested in being placed in the same foster family as Ronnie? I havenāt asked them if they would take you, but theyāve looked after sibling groups before.ā
Ruby shook her head resolutely.
āI donāt want another foster family.ā
āWell, think about it. It would give you a chance to spend some time with a family member without being with your parents.ā
Ruby shrugged uncomfortably.
āWeāll just stick to visits for now.ā
Chuck nodded.
āOkay. Iāll see you later.ā
They couldnāt exactly kiss goodbye, with Ronnie watching out the window. Chuck touched Ruby on the arm and gave her a little smile, then returned to the car.
Ruby ran into Mike at the arcade late in the afternoon. Although she considered herself too mature to have āa crushā on any boy, she had to admit that even just the sound of Mikeās voice gave her goose bumps. She had never met another man who made her feel like that.
āHey, itās Ruby,ā he said from behind her, putting his arms around her. Ruby forgot her game and turned around in his embrace.
āMike!ā
āHi, baby.ā
He was handsome, smooth and cool as ice. He was tall and slim, and wore the jacket of the Jaguars, a local gang. His hair was dark and lank, his eyes brilliant blue. Sharp, prominent cheekbones. If he was with one of the boys from his gang, he paid no attention to her, but on the rare days that he was alone, he treated her like she was the only person in the world.
āYou looking for some company?ā Ruby questioned, snuggling close.
āAre you free?ā
āYeah, always.ā
āLetās go back to my place.ā
Ruby nodded eagerly and went with him. Mike took out a couple of joints as they left the arcade.
āSmoke?ā
āSure, thanks.ā
She took the joint, and he lit it for her. Rubyās heart was beating quickly, and she wondered if Mike could tell she was breathing faster. He turned on the TV as soon as they walked in the door of the apartment. Ruby got a couple of beers out of the fridge for them, and they cuddled up on the couch.
Chuck pulled up in front of the bar. One of the ladies walked up to the car.
āOh, hi, there. Looking for Ruby?ā she questioned.
āWhere is she?ā he demanded.
āI havenāt seen her tonight. Anyone seen Ruby?ā she looked around at the other hookers. They all shrugged or shook their heads. Chuck looked at his watch and took an impatient glance up and down the street.
āWhere is she? I canāt sit around here waiting for her.ā
āMaybe she has other plans tonight,ā the girl suggested.
āLike what?ā Chuck snapped irritably. He looked at his watch again, and pulled away.
Monique grinned, enjoying seeing Chuck frustrated and disappointed instead of Ruby for once.
āGood for you, Ruby,ā she said under her breath. āYou show him whoās the boss of this relationship.ā
Ruby turned over again and cuddled closer to Mike. She was cold, almost shivering. They must have been having trouble with the buildingās boiler. Mike didnāt seem to notice the temperature. Ruby tried to tuck her feet under his legs to warm them up, but he shifted and moved away in his sleep. Ruby curled up in a ball. There was a noise in the hall outside the apartment, and she strained her ears trying to hear what it was. There were voices, but it was late for anyone to be out. Ruby sat up. It sounded like the voices were right outside the apartment door.
There was a crash. Ruby jumped, and so did Mike, beside her.
āWhat was that?ā he hissed, sitting up and fumbling on the bedside table, knocking things off. There was a blinding light in Rubyās eyes; she couldnāt open them. She covered her eyes with her hand.
āGet your hands up, Mikey!ā a harsh voice screamed. Ruby tried to squint through her fingers to see what was going on. All that she could see was the light pointing at her eyes. She tried to shade her eyes from the light and turned aside to look at Mike. He was frozen, one hand on the nightstand, grasping for a gun that he must have knocked to the floor. He was as white as the sheet on the bed, his eyes wild.
āMikey, Mikeyā¦ Didnāt you hear me? I said get your hands up!ā the voice screamed.
Mike slowly raised his hands. The light divided in two and one of the lights moved towards them. Mike started to lower his hands.
āKeepāem still,ā the voice warned. He approached on Rubyās side of the bed. Ruby cowered back, trying to avoid him. She could just barely see his outline, his shadow, behind the light. He reached towards her. Ruby tried to avoid his grasp. He wrapped his fingers around her long, blond hair and jerked her towards him. Ruby winced in pain and couldnāt resist.
āThis your girlfriend? Sheās very cute.ā
āLeave her alone,ā Mike said shakily.
The hand in her hair jerked again, hard. Ruby choked back a cry. The light that the man was holding went out. Then there was a gun pressing against her temple. Ruby held her breath and tried not to blink her eyes, hoping that she wouldnāt cry.
āHowād you like us to kill her, Mikey?ā the voice taunted. āWhat do you think of that?ā
Mike swore quietly.
āPleaseā¦ā
The hand let go of her hair. He sat on the edge of the bed, running his hand provocatively down the smooth skin of Rubyās neck and shoulder.
āMmm, I could spend some time here.ā
Mike swore angrily and lunged for him. There was an explosion. Ruby yelped and closed her eyes. Her ears rang and her face burned. When she opened her eyes again, the light was no longer shining directly on her eyes, but was playing over the bed. Mike was laying across her, still. Blood was splattered everywhere.
āHe dead?ā a different voice questioned.
The man who was closest to Ruby leaned across her to check Mike for a pulse.
āYep,ā he sat back up and touched Ruby briefly. āWhat do you think of that, baby?ā
āWhat a waste,ā the other voice said. āWell, weād better blow before the cops show up. What are you going to do about her?ā
āHmm. No time for what Iād like to do. Are you going to keep your mouth shut, sweetie? ācause if youāre not, weāll settle this now.ā
Ruby tried to answer. There was a lump in her throat, and she couldnāt speak. She nodded a bit, and covered her eyes.
āGood. ācause I will find you if you talk.ā
He bent over and picked up her knapsack.
āThis is yours?ā
Ruby could see him through the cracks in her fingers. She nodded again. He unzipped the front pocket and found her wallet. He looked through it, and nodded, throwing the contents on the floor.
āIāll look you up,ā he promised, and he and his friend walked out of the room. Ruby cuddled up and held Mike close.
Holt was one of the first ones to the scene. They had a few brief words with the neighbors who had called in. Then they entered the apartment with their guns drawn and a shouted warning of āpolice!ā Holt groped for a switch and flipped on the lights as they went in. The bedroom was a mess. There was blood everywhere. After clearing the apartment, Holt holstered his gun and leaned over to check that the couple in the bed were both dead. The boy was lifeless. The girl, however, flinched away when he touched her throat to check for a pulse.
āGet an ambulance,ā Holt told Jarislow.
Jarislow nodded and stepped out of the room to make the call. Holt tried to separate the couple and examine the girl. She jumped every time his fingers brushed her skin. He finally got the two of them untwined.
āItās all right,ā he said softly to the girl. āItās okay; everything is all right. Youāre safe. Are you hurt?ā
The girl shook her head, her hands covering her face. She was splattered and smeared with blood. She was very young.
āCan you tell me what happened?ā Holt asked. She shook her head. Holt gently tugged her hands away from her face. There was an ugly bullet-path across her forehead. He took her radial pulse. It was strong. Her eyes were wide and staring.
āAre you okay?ā he questioned. She couldnāt answer. Holt turned his head to speak to Jarislow.
āGet me a wet cloth.ā
Jarislow nodded and ducked into the bathroom. He came out with a towel and handed it to Holt. He carefully dabbed at the black and red mark across her head. She didnāt seem to feel it.
āItās just a powder burn,ā Jarislow observed, watching.
āYes,ā Holt agreed with relief. He glanced around the room, analyzing the scene. āThere was only one shot reportedā¦ the shooter must have been standing here. One bullet got them both.ā
āSheās lucky.ā
āYeah. Homicide on the way?ā
āSomeone will be here any minute.ā
āSee if you can find a blanket or coat or something.ā
Holt picked up the girlās clothes from the floor.
āLetās get you dressed, all right? So you can warm up a bit.ā
She had goose bumps, and she was shivering. Even fully dressed and with a jacket, Holt found the room chilly. The girlās movements were slow and clumsy, but Holt guided her hands into the shirt and helped pull on her blue jean cut-offs. Jarislow came in with a dark jacket.
āThis is all I could find. The closets are pretty bare.ā
Holt took the jacket and turned it around to look at the logo on the back.
āOur vicās a Jaguar. Things have been pretty hot with the Jags and other gangs lately.ā Holt pulled the girl gently to her feet. Her knees buckled. Holt put his arm around her and tried to get her steadied on her feet. Jarislow went over to the bed.
āWho is he?ā he questioned. āI know a lot of the Jagās by sight.ā He turned the boy over, and gagged, covering his mouth and turning quickly away. Holt glanced over, his emotions shut off. He hadnāt looked at the boy before, except to make sure that he was dead. His face had been taken off by a soft-nosed bullet. There was no way they could recognize him now. The girl moaned, wilting, and Holt took her into the bathroom. He held her up against the sink, splashing water on her face to keep her conscious.
āCome on, stay with me, here. None of that.ā
She shuddered and started to come back to herself. Holt heard the homicide officers come into the bedroom. He slowly let go of the girl.
āAre you okay? Can you stand here a minute?ā
She stayed steady, and he stepped out into the bedroom.
āYou moved him?ā one of the homicide cops questioned.
āThe girl moved him. We had to shift him to get the two of them apart.ā
āThe girl? Where was she?ā
āBeside him.ā
āHas she told you anything?ā
āNo. Sheās scared. And hurt. Hasnāt said a peep.ā
The homicide officer studied the scene carefully. He looked closely at the wall and the bed sheets.
āThey werenāt asleep.ā
āI donāt expect so. Iād probably wake up when someone kicked the door in. His gunās on the floor. Must not have had it under the pillow.ā
āDangerous if youāre sleeping with someone else. I want to talk to this girl. Put her in the kitchen with a hot coffee and see if it gets rid of the shakes.ā
āIāll give it a try.ā
Holt went back into the bathroom and found the girl hunched over on the floor, in the corner by the grungy shower.
āOh, no. Come on. Letās go have a nice hot drink. Come on.ā
He pulled her to her feet again and half-carried her into the kitchen. He settled her in a chair.
āThere, you just sit there, and Iāll get you a coffee. Lots of sugar.ā
He talked gently to her as he started the water boiling. There was only instant coffee, but it would work. A couple of paramedics came in.
āHi, do you guys want to check her over? Iām getting her a coffee. Youāve got blankets with you, donāt you?ā
āSure.ā
āSheās cold.ā
One of the medics stayed to check her over, and the other one went back out to the hallway to take a blanket off the stretcher. The water started boiling, and Holt sloshed some into a cup with some crystals and stirred in a couple of spoons full of sugar. The paramedic gave it to the girl, helping to steady her shaking hands. They wrapped the blanket around her. The medic continued to examine the girl while she drank.
āIs she going to be okay?ā Holt questioned.
āWe should take her to the hospital. Sheās shockie. She should be kept under observation.ā
āCan we keep her for just a few more minutes?ā
āSure. Not too long.ā
āIāll be right back, then.ā
Holt went back into the bedroom. He motioned to the homicide cop.
āDetective Merrill? If you want to try the girl now?ā
āThanks.ā
Merrill followed him into the kitchen. He sat down across the table from the girl.
āHi there, honey. You feeling a little bit better?ā
She shrugged, not looking up at him.
āWhatās your name?ā
She mumbled something.
āWhat?ā
āRuby.ā
āHi, Ruby. Iām Merrill, okay? How long have you been here tonight?ā
She sank further into the blanket, pulling it close.
āI donāt know,ā she said in a hoarse whisper.
āDid you just meet the boy tonight?ā
āNo.ā
āYou guys know each other?ā
āUh-huh.ā
āSpend the day together?ā
Ruby nodded.
āPart of it,ā she acknowledged.
āYou want another coffee?ā
She nodded at gave him her cup. Holt took it and put the kettle back on the burner.
āCan you tell me who came in here tonight?ā
Ruby shook her head.
āHow many were there?ā
Ruby put her head down and didnāt answer, pulling the blanket tightly around her.
āDid they threaten you?ā Merrill questioned.
Ruby didnāt respond.
āOf course they threatened you. And probably scared the heck out of you. Did they know who you are?ā
She didnāt answer.
āHer ID is on the floor in the bedroom,ā Holt contributed.
āSo he found out your name and address, and he told you that if you said anything, heād kill you.ā
Ruby stayed quiet. She shook her head and closed her eyes.
āI think we should get her to the hospital,ā one of the medics advised.
Merrill nodded.
āWe can catch up again later. We need to call your parents, Ruby. Whatās your phone number?ā
She stirred herself slightly, clearing her throat.
āNot my parentsāmy social worker.ā
āOkay. Whatās the number?ā
Ruby gave it to him. Then she left with the medics to go the hospital. Holt went back into the bedroom.
āJarislow. Come on, letās follow the girl to the hospital. Weāll call her social worker on the way.ā
āDo you want me to bring her bag?ā
āYeah. Letās take a look first, though.ā
Jarislow brought the bag into the kitchen and emptied the contents onto the table. The two of them sorted through her stuff, and Holt nodded and they repacked. They headed to the hospital.
The phone trilled loudly, waking Chuck Samuels from a sound sleep. He fumbled for the receiver, swearing. He knocked the phone down, then picked it up, pulling the cord until he reached the receiver, and put it to his ear.
āHello?ā he growled. His heart was racing from the rude awakening.
āIs this Charles Samuels?ā an official sounding voice questioned on the other end.
āYeah,ā he snuffled and rubbed his eyes. āWhoās this?ā
āMy name is Holt. Youāre Ruby Simpsonās social worker?ā
Chuck sat up straight.
āRuby?ā he repeated. āYesāwhatās wrong?ā
āRubyās been in a small accident. She gave us your number.ā
āYes. Where are you?ā
āAt the General.ā
āSheās okay?ā
āSheās just under observation. I would appreciate it, though, if you could get in contact with someone who could sit with her,ā Holt suggested.
āIāll come down myself.ā
āIāll see you when you get here, then.ā
Holt saw the nurse motion a man in their direction, and he stood up. They walked towards each other.
āHolt?ā
āYou must be Mr. Samuels.ā
āYeah. Howās Ruby? What happened?ā
āShe was spending the night with a friend. Intruders came into the apartment, and her friend was shot in the scuffle.ā
āShot,ā he said in disbelief, āand Ruby was hurt?ā
āShe only has some minor scrapes. Itās more the scare than anything. Sheās pretty confused.ā
āCan I talk with her?ā
āI think that would be a good idea.ā
Holt took Samuels in to see Ruby. Jarislow was sitting by the bed, and he stood up and moved back when Holt and Samuels entered. Samuels nodded to Jarislow and sat down in the visitor chair. He leaned close to Ruby, touching her arm.
āRubyā¦ā he said softly.
She opened her eyes.
āChuck.ā
āWhat happened, Ruby?ā
āChuck?ā
āThe officer said you stayed at a friendās. Where did you stay, Ruby?ā
āMikeāsā¦ā she said in a distant voice, āI was at Mikeās.ā
āWhoās Mike?ā
āI been seeing him for a whileā¦ā
āWhat happened?ā
āThey came inā¦ā her eyes searched his face. āThey held the gun at my head.ā He squeezed her hand as they stared at each other and she tried to get the words out properly. āThey shot Mikeā¦ā
Samuels swore.
āYou must have been scared out of your wits, you poor kid.ā He stroked the bandage on her head, his fingers light. āAre you okay?ā
āThey shot Mike,ā she repeated.
āI know, Ruby. Did you see who it was?ā
āThey put a gun against my head,ā she repeated touching the bandage.
Samuels held both of Rubyās hands, trying to comfort her, to give her strength.
āItās okay, Ruby. Itāll be okay. Itās over.ā
She held his hand to her face, closing her eyes. Samuels sat with her until he figured she was falling asleep. He pulled his hand away slowly and carefully so as not to disturb her. He got up quietly to talk to Holt.
āWho is this guy she was staying with?ā he questioned.
āHeās in a gang. We suspect that the killing was gang-related.ā
Samuels shook his head.
āShe should know better. She should have been home with her foster family.ā
āAre you sure sheās still with her foster family?ā Holt countered.
Samuels looked startled.
āWhat? Why do you ask?ā
āHer knapsack. Why would a kid in a foster family need anything more than she could put in a purse? She has full changes of clothing and other overnight items. I suspect sheās living on the street.ā
āWellā¦ Thatās serious. Iāll have to look into it.ā
āA girl her age should not be out on her own. If she is, this wonāt be the last time she gets mixed up in something like this.ā
Samuels nodded.
āI completely agree. Iāll contact her foster family and find out whatās going on. I know that she was staying out late some nights, but living on the streetāthatās another story. Has she said anything to you? About what happened?ā
āNo. She wasnāt able to tell us anything. She didnāt even say anything about them holding the gun to her head. About all she managed to get out was her name.ā
āHow could someone do that to her?ā Samuels said, shaking his head. āSheās such a sweet kid.ā
āSheās lucky they didnāt kill her too. Most of the bangers I know wouldnāt have hesitated to shoot all witnesses.ā
āThatās horribleā¦ā Nothing was said for a few awkward moments. āDo you deal much with the gangs?ā
āSomewhat.ā
āRuby doesnāt hang around with them much, does she? You havenāt seen her with them before?ā
āNot that I remember. There arenāt a lot of girls in with the gangs around here.ā
āI hope thatās not what she spends her time doing.ā
āSheās not in school?ā
āSheās absent a lot. Sheās not very academic.ā
āFrom the sounds of things, I think she needs a lot more supervision than sheās getting,ā Holt suggested, eyes narrowed.
āI may have to recommend a different foster family for her,ā Samuels said.
āI suspect so.ā
āI appreciate you being here tonight. Rubyās a good kid, and Iām glad you were there to look out for her, and not someone who would have been rough with her, being involved in a gang shooting.ā
āI can see sheās basically a good kid. Iād like to see her settled in with a family for a few more years yet.ā
āShe really shouldnāt be on her own like this,ā Samuels agreed.
Holt nodded.
āWell, weāll leave her with you tonight. We will need to talk to her about this whole thing again. The homicide officers will probably want to see her tomorrow after theyāve been over the scene a little more carefully. Ruby should be up to it; I would think. Should they contact you?ā
āYes,ā Samuels took out a business card. āThereās my daytime number. Give me a call.ā
āThanks. Someone will.ā
Holt stepped back into the hospital stall and motioned to Jarislow. They headed back to their car.
āNow thereās a social worker who really cares about his kids,ā Jarislow commented.
āYesā¦ā Holt agreed, āhe seemed very attached to Ruby.ā
I hope you enjoyed this sample of
Ruby, Between the Cracks
By P.D. Workman