The Way You Are (4 page)

Chapter 6

“Mr. McDermott, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Joe Smith.”

After shaking her father’s han
d,
the man in the wheelchair rolled himself through the front door and into the foyer, followed by another man wearing a tracksuit. Joe Smith glanced around at the black marble floor and white marble columns that reached up to the twenty-foot high ceilings.

“It’s nice to meet yo
u,
as well,” Ruby’s father said. “I’ve heard great things about you.”

Joe nodded as his gaze met Ruby’s. “I assume this lovely young woman is Ms. McDermott?”

“Yes. That’s my daughter, Ruby. The one I contacted you about.”

Ruby stepped forward and extended her hand. Joe’s cool, smoot
h,
and firm handshake sent a shiver through her as his warm blue gaze studied her. She’d met more than a few world leaders and oil barons, and Joe gave off the same air as they did—powerful and confident, with an undercurrent of something she couldn’t quite put her finger on. Danger, perhaps?

And maybe she was just imagining things. The past couple of days had been difficult as her father wouldn’t allow her to return to her apartment or go to work, making her stir crazy and probably sending her imagination into overdriv
e.
Joe seemed harmless enough.

She understood the danger, but it didn’t make living under this monstrous roof any easier. To her, it seemed as if everyone here had their own lives, and if they all happened to be around a six p.m., they congregated for dinner. John showed up every couple of days; her father left the house by six; her mother busied herself with all her affairs. Even living alone hadn’t felt so lonely.

“Ms. McDermot
t,
it’s lovely to make your acquaintance. However, I must say I wish it was under different circumstances.”

Ruby smiled. “I d
o,
as well.”

“I would like to introduce my assistant, Thomas,” Joe said. “I can assure you he can be trusted, Mr. McDermott.”

“Of course,” Ruby’s dad said, shaking Thomas’s hand. “Let’s head into the library, shall we?”

Her father led the way. Joe Smith and Thomas followed, and Ruby brought up the rear. As they entered the double doors, she glanced around at the impressive room, and frankly, her favorite place at her parents’ house besides the barn. Two walls held floo
r-
t
o-
ceiling bookcases, every inch filled with books. Her father, an avid reader, had never liked the idea of reading on a device. He preferred the weight of the pages in his hands, reading fiction, books on leadership, money management, the global warming debate, the scientific makeup of the Earth itself  … really, anything that piqued his interest at the moment. He’d passed down his love of books and knowledge to her, and oftentimes, they’d read the same book and have lively discussions afterward.

“I like a well-read man, Mr. McDermott,” Joe said. “And I can see that these books aren’t for show. The small creases in the spines are a dead giveaway.”

Her father chuckled. “Yes, I do love to read. That’s just one of the things Ruby and I have in common, righ
t,
honey?”

Ruby nodded and sat down on the black leather couch while Thomas and her father took the other one. A small, glass coffee table littered with magazines and an empty coffee cup separated the sofas. Apparently, her father had kicked out the housekeeper from his private sanctuary again yesterday, a common occurrence.

“Well, Ms. McDermott, again, I’m terribly sorry for your scare. However, I want to assure you that my company is dedicated to solving this problem with the utmost professionalism and confidentiality.”

“We appreciate that, Mr. Smith,” her father said. “I’ve always worried that something like this would occur, but now that the problem has landed directly on my doorstep, I want swift, precise action taken.”

“Of course you do, Mr. McDermott. That’s exactly why you called me.”

Ruby sat back against the couch, the cool leather chilling her through her shirt. She still didn’t understand what ‘swift, precise action’ meant. Her father hadn’t involved the police, so no one would be jailed. What would become of her attackers if caught? And honestly, did she really want to know?

“Now, Ms. McDermott, I was hoping you could tell us about your kidnappers, and be very specific. In my business, we thrive on details. The mor
e,
the better.”

She nodded and ran her hand through her hair. She told Joe how she’d taken Midnight out for a ride and what happened once they arrived at the creek.

“Did you notice anything strange? Did something not feel right to you?” he asked.

She shook her head. “No. Everything was normal. I’ve taken that same ride dozens and dozens of times, and—”

Just then, her mother breezed into the room. “I’m so sorry I’m late,” she said.

Ruby rolled her eyes, knowing her mother had been ready an hour before Joe and Thomas showed up, and she’d simply wanted to make a grand entrance and really be noticed. Her father introduced her, Joe tossed a couple of compliments her way, which sent her mother fluttering, then finally, she sat down on the couch next to Ruby.

As she stared at her mother’s shoulder-length, perfectly styled blonde locks, she wondered how she’d come out of her mother’s womb. Not only were they different physically, but personality-wise, they couldn’t have been on more opposite ends of the spectrum. Ruby considered herself a down-to-Earth, simple person who appreciated the basic things in life, like a pretty sunset, a field of wildflowers, rock n’ roll, a good book, or a great burger. Her mother, on the other hand, found all those things trivial. She’d much rather discuss fashion or gossip, or go see the opera. Ruby tried to recall the last time she’d seen her mother eat a burger, and couldn’t. The woman hardly ever touched red meat, and maybe that’s why she remained so thin and Ruby tended to hover on the chubby side.

Ruby’s wardrobe of choice consisted of Levi’s and shirts, except when working where she wore slacks and blouses. Her mother wouldn’t be caught dead in a pair of Levi’s, opting instead for the latest trends in denim and tight, low-cut shirts that flattered her doctor-given cleavage and tiny waist.

Despite their differences, Ruby loved her mother, and smiled as the woman grinned at her and patted her hand.

“Let’s get back to our questioning now, Ms. McDermott, shall we?” Joe asked.

She told the rest of her story while Thomas jotted down notes. Joe’s relentless stare pierced her, as if he studied every gesture and nuance of hers, making her a bit uncomfortable.

“What time of day was this?” Joe asked.

“I guess about eleven,” she answered.

“Yes, because your father came home just as Mrs. Torn was getting ready to serve lunch,” her mother chimed in.

Mrs. Torn was the live-in head housekeeper who oversaw the cook and the cleaning staff that came in twice a week, as well as one of the nicest people Ruby had ever met. Now in her sixties, she’d also acted as a nanny to Ruby and her brother when they’d been younger, and she baked a mean chocolate chip cookie. Ruby adored her.

“How was the weather that day, Ms. McDermott? Sunny? Rain?” Joe asked.

“It was sunny, about seventy. A really nice spring day.”

“Perfect for horseback riding, correct?” Joe asked with a smile.

“Yes. Exactly.”

Thomas took more notes, Joe asked a few more questions, and an hour later, Ruby wondered when he would ask what color underwear she’d been wearing that day.

“Was there anything in particular you noticed about the man and woman?” Joe asked.

Ruby had already given a description of them, as well as told Joe the woman’s name was Rebecca.

“I don’t think so,” she said, unsure of herself. There
had
been something she noticed, but she couldn’t place it.

“Well, if that’s everything, then we need to discuss our plan options. I would suggest that—”

“A tattoo!”  Ruby exclaimed. “He had a tattoo!”

Joe grinned and pushed his glasses up his nose. “Excellent, Rub
y.
Please describe it.”

“I only caught a glimpse of it, but it looked like a leaf with some writing circling it.”

“Could you see what it said?”

She shook her head. “I’m not even sure if it was writing.”

“Well done, Ruby. This should give us a good clue as to who is behind this,” Joe said. “If you all will excuse us now, Thomas and I will take our leave and we’ll be in touch soon. I would suggest that you not allow strangers in the house until we have the threat pinpointed. It was a pleasure to meet all of you.”

Her father walked them out of the library, their voices echoing in the hall and foyer, and then the front door shut.

He returned to the library and sat down on the couch across from her. “How’re you doing, honey?”

She shrugged. “I’m okay. I’d like to go home, though.”

“You
are
home,” her mother said, patting her hand again.

“We can’t allow that, Ruby,” her father said. “We need Mr. Smith to identify the threat and figure out where to go from there. You’re safe here, baby, and that’s the most important thing.”

Ruby sighed. “Okay, Daddy, but why doesn’t John need to stay hom
e,
as well?”

“No one has tried to kidnap him,” her mother answered. “Stewart, we can’t cancel the dinner with the Canadian Oil CEO and the Saudi sheik.”

Her father nodded. “I know. We’ll have to figure something out.”

“All those strangers in our home … the bartenders, caterers, not to mention the set up crew beforehand … I don’t know, Stewart, it makes me nervous,” her mother said. “Perhaps we can make some other arrangements for Ruby.”

“You don’t need to talk about me like I’m not in the room,” Ruby said. “And I can’t imagine a safer place with all the big-wigs rolling in here. They’ll all have their security teams and you also hire security for the big dinners, Daddy.”

“Yes, honey, but we need to keep you safe,” her mother  insiste
d.
“Besides, I know I’ll be very distracted trying to keep an eye on you.”

“Yes. I’ll put in a call to Joe Smith and see what he recommends,” her father agreed.

“How about what I want?” Ruby said, her irritation growing. “I’m not a child anymore!”

“Of course you aren’t, honey, but we’re so worried about you. Everyone is. The girls at the club just can’t believe what’s happened,” her mother said.

Of cours
e,
her mother would share the big gossip with her country club friends. Ruby could imagine them tittering over Mimosas as her mother told the grand tale of her daughter’s attempted kidnapping.

“Now that we’ve got everything cleared up, do you know what we’re having for dinner, Cheryl?” her father asked.

“N
o.
” She stood. “But I’ve got cocktails with my Bridge club tonight.”

“And I’ve got that Skype chat with the Saudi sheik,” her father said. “I’ll ask Mrs. Torn to hold a plate for me for later. I have a feeling I’ll be on the call for quite a while.”

They walked out the door, their footsteps echoing in the hall. As their voices faded, Ruby leaned forward and put her elbows on her knees, then placed her head in her hand. She would be eating alone again tonight, and couldn’t help but feel that to her parents, she was simply a more serious problem that needed to be dealt with—something like a broken pipe or a hole in the roof.

Maybe she should just leave—she doubted they’d notice for quite a long time. That being said, someone had tried to kidnap her, and fear ran through her at the thought. If she did leave and her kidnappers succeeded, it could be a couple of days before anyone noticed. Who knows what could happen to her in that period of time. They could rape her, torture her … she shuddered.

However, she felt the need to get out of this house. Maybe her father could arrange for some security to accompany her back to her apartment. She’d talk to him about it, but didn’t hold out much hope. The fact of the matter was that she remained safe right here.

She’d become a prisoner in her childhood home with a family so wrapped up in themselves; it was as if she didn’t exist except as the freak someone had attempted to kidnap. How she longed to go back to her own apartment, or go anywhere, just to escape this house, but she didn’t see that happening any time soon.

Chapter 7

Ruby stood outside her father’s library and listened as he spoke on the phone.

“I think that’s a very reasonable idea,” he said. “Yes, thank you, Joe. I appreciate you understanding my fears as a father. I think she’ll be much safer away from here.”

Away from here?
And where exactly did her destination entail? A small part of her grew angry that her life decisions were being made for her, while she also smiled at the thought of getting out of this house and away from her family.

“Sure, I can have her ready for pick-up tomorrow afternoon. That won’t be an issue. Thanks again, Joe.”

She heard the distinct rattle of the phone hitting the desk.

“What are you doing?”

Gasping, she turned to find her brother, John, right behind her. She’d been so focused on listening to her father, she hadn’t heard him approach.

“I’m eavesdropping,” she whispered.

John smiled, his blue eyes gleaming, his blond locks curling at his neck. At three in the afternoon, he looked tired, but he’d probably been out all night and just starting his day.

“What for?” he murmured.

“To see what’s to be done with me with this big dinner coming up.”

“Why does anything have to be done with you? Just put on a dress and smile like you usually do. I don’t see what the big deal is.”

She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest. She’d forgotten John hadn’t been around all week, and apparently, hadn’t spoken to their parents.

“I was almost kidnapped. Now Daddy’s worried about opening up the house for the big dinner with my kidnappers still on the loose.”

John’s eyes widened and he let out a low whistle. “No kidding?”

She shook her head. “No. Daddy’s in there talking to a man he hired to find the kidnappers. They’re trying to figure out what they’re going to do with me. It’s like I’m some lamp they aren’t sure where to put.”

He laughed and pushed the door open. “Hey, Dad!”

“John!” her father bellowed. “Good to see you, son!”

Ruby trailed in behind her brother and watched the two men hug. It seemed as though John had lost a little weight.

“Why didn’t anyone tell me about Ruby getting kidnapped?” he asked, sitting down on the far leather couch.

“We haven’t seen you, although I’ve tried to call a few times. You never pick up that damn phone, though,” her father answered, taking the sofa across from him. “Come sit down, Ruby.”

After she’d plopped down next to her father, he put his arm around her shoulders.

“I caught her outside eavesdropping,” John said, grinning.

She glared at him as her father chuckled.

“Don’t be a tattletale, John. How much did you hear, Ruby?”

“I heard that you think Joe has a good solution to this pretend-problem.”

“It’s not a pretend-problem, honey. This is a real threat. I want my daughter safe.”

She sighed. “So what’s the plan?”

“I’m having Joe take you to a secure location where you will be watched over by very capable men who specialize in protection situations such as this.”

“Where’s she going?” John asked.

“Northern Arizona, a place called Flagstaff, or just outside of the town, I guess. Joe said the location is secure, and I trust him.”

“You don’t even know him, Daddy.”

“That’s true, but his firm came highly recommended to me through many sources.”

She sat in silence staring at the glass table in front of her, trying to find the positives in this situation. First, she wouldn’t have to attend that stupid dinner. Second, she’d get out of the house. Third, she’d never been to Arizona, so it would be fun to visit a new place.

As far as the negatives went, someone else would still be in control of her life.

Glancing over at John, she found him staring at her as if he thought her some strange exhibit at the zoo.

“What?” she asked.

He shook his head, as if trying to clear his thoughts. “Nothing.”

“They’re coming to get you tomorrow, Ruby,” her father said. “They said they’d be here about three, so make sure you’re packed, and I’ll let your mother know about the plan.”

She nodded, and her father turned his attention to John, asking him about the nightclub deal.

Tuning them out, she decided she would focus on the positives and enjoy her trip to Arizona.