“It’s okay,” I said. “I won’t tell anyone.”
She lowered her gaze and licked her lips. “You promise not to say anything to Harlon or the others?”
“I swear,” I answered.
“We’ve been dating for six months,” she said with a sheepish smile. “The others don’t know.”
My eyes widened. I didn’t even know why I was surprised. Ruby was a beautiful woman, and in the vision, I’d seen of Suzie, she rivaled her in looks. “Congrats,” I said, taking a sip of my drink. “So, you know her well, then,” I said. “Do you think she’s going to show up here?”
“I think she’s already here,” Ruby said, glancing around the room. “I haven’t seen her yet, but I’m sure she is. She warned me that it will all be over by tonight.”
“What will? What did she find out?” I asked.
“Come take a walk with me,” Ruby said, rising from her seat.
I stood and caught Harlon’s eye across the room. He pushed through the crowds, heading in our direction. When he reached me, he stopped me with a single touch and met my gaze. “You know those guests you were expecting? They’re at my house waiting on me.”
That was fast. I’d guessed it was coming but surely thought it wouldn’t be during this event. Or had that been exactly why it had been during this event? Was there something more going on here?
“Let me get my—”
“No,” he cut me off. “I don’t want you anywhere near this. I’ll take a cab home and leave Dean to drive you, but only after I give him the all clear. If it takes all night, then he’ll put you up in a hotel.”
“But, Harlon—”
He cut me off this time with a kiss. “Everything will be fine.”
My heart clenched as I watched him leave.
“What guests?” Ruby asked, leading me around the room.
“Guests we’ve been expecting,” I answered, and my words slurred. When my foot caught on a chair, Ruby caught my arm.
“You must not be a drinker. It looks like the champagne has gone to your head. Come on. Let’s get some air.”
She guided me to the patio doors, but I pulled to a stop. Riley Wilcox was across the room, slipping out a side door. “What is he doing here?”
“Who?” Ruby asked.
I pointed to where Riley had disappeared. “Riley. He was right over there.”
Ruby threaded her arm around mine. “I didn’t see him, but he still comes to these things from time to time. His latest invention was a flop. A dog whistle that…get this...doesn’t call the dog but drives them insane, making ready to attack whoever blew it.”
She tried to pull me again, but I dug my feet in. “How do you know that his latest invention was a failure?”
Ruby looked confused. “What do you mean?”
“I mean you guys no longer work together, right? So how do you know it failed? Was it in the paper? Did you overhear people talking about it? Or are you and he still talking?”
Ruby lifted her shoulders. “I don’t remember, but why does it matter where I heard it?” Ruby leaned in. “Suzie said this was all about drugs.”
I stepped out onto the patio, and this time, it was Ruby who fell, and I caught her. Sweat beaded her brow, and her breaths turned shallow and her face white.
“Ruby, how much did you have to drink?” I asked as I eased her down into a chair. Her eyes started rolling as if she were trying to focus.
“Ruby, how many?” I asked louder, tapping her face. Her gaze focused for a mere minute.
“I only had those two. I drank one, and I gave you one.” She held up her finger before it fell on her lap.
