Page 41 of Together at Ruby's

“What’s wrong?” Tate asked as she quickly moved around the room to join Liza. “Oh wow.”

“Oh, wow is right,” Liza said. “Why does Nikki have a handgun? Beside her bed?”

“That is not something I can answer,” Tate said softly, and Liza quickly closed the drawer.

“I don’t want to search anymore,” she said. “I think I may have crossed the line by seeing that gun. This is Nikki’s private life.”

Tate nodded. “You’re right. We should go.”

Thankful, Liza followed Tate through the condo, and they let themselves out. As Tate locked the door behind them, her phone chimed. Liza knew the sound by heart. It was a work email, which was not usually a good sign so late. Tate sighed. “What’s wrong?” Liza asked. “Is that Aurora Price emailing you?”

“No, she wouldn’t do anything like that,” Tate said. “At least not anything that would give her away. I have a feeling it’s from Chad.”

Liza raised an eyebrow. “Your boss Chad?” Liza asked as they walked toward the elevator. “Why do I get the feeling you think it will be bad?”

Pushing the elevator’s call button, Tate winced. “Because I walked out in the middle of my presentation today. I told him I didn’t want to waste anymore of anyone’s time,” Tate said. “He didn’t take it very well.”

“You did what?” Liza asked, a mixture of positive and negative emotions rolling through her as she thought of the consequences of doing something so drastic. “You should read the email.”

As they stepped into the elevator Tate fished her phone from her pocket and read the message. She blew out her breath. “He wants me to come to his office first thing in the morning. I have a feeling that is not going to be a pleasant experience.”

“How unpleasant?” Liza asked, her heart beating faster. “You don’t think you’re going to get fired over this do you?”

“Maybe,” Tate said. “It’s a combination of things actually. I think Aurora Price has been making up stuff and telling it to Chad. Things to make me look like incompetent.”

Liza’s face flushed. “I’m going to kill her,” Liza said. “How could she do that to you?”

“She’s trying to control me,” Tate said. “And so far, she’s getting away with it.” Liza’s mind whirled as she thought about what the ramifications would be if Tate got fired. A part of her was scared because it was the only life they knew, and the large salary made everything comfortable for them. Another part of her was exhilarated at the idea. Tate’s job had encompassed their lives and taken Tate away from her evening after evening. So many weekends, especially over the last few years, were sucked up by Tate’s job. She would not miss those parts when it was gone.But if Tate doesn’t work for that firm, she thought.What would she do? It’s her whole identity.

“You’re awfully quiet,” Tate said as they walked out of the building toward the car.

Liza took Tate’s hand and pulled her to a stop. “Tate, I love you,” she said. “And no matter what happens tomorrow, we will be okay.”

28

Walking into the waiting room at the hospital, Tate saw Vivian with Allie cuddled up next to her on one of the small couches. It looked like Allie was asleep, and Tate hated to interrupt because her friend was taking the news extremely hard. Still, when Vivian saw them, she gave a little nod, and the movement was enough for Allie to open her eyes. Seeing them she sat upright. “Hey,” she said. “Did you find anything?”

Tate shook her head. “Unfortunately, no.”

“Well, that’s not quite true,” Liza added. “We did find something.” Tate shot her a look but Liza either didn’t register it or was determined to share what she had found. Tate had mixed feelings about telling the others about the gun in Nikki’s nightstand. It was alarming of course to think their friend would need a weapon at her bedside but was also her private affair.If there is a reason Nikki thinks she needs a gun, Tate thought,then is it for us to question it?

“What did you find?” Vivian asked, and Liza sat on the couch across from them. “We found a gun,” she said in almost a whisper. “In the nightstand beside her bed.”

“What?” Allie said, her eyes wide. “Why would Nikki have a gun?”

“I know, right?” Liza said. “I mean, she’s always been so mysterious, but I don’t know what to think.”

Tate held up her hands to slow them down. “Let’s not jump to conclusions,” she said. “Lots of people have weapons.”

“Sure,” Liza said looking at her. “But Nikki?”

Not wanting to talk about it anymore, Tate shrugged. “I’m just saying this is her business, and we need to pretend we never saw it.”

“I agree with Tate,” Vivian said. “We have other things to focus about right now.”

Liza’s eyes widened. “Why?” Liza asked. “Did you learn something new?”

Rubbing her red eyes, Allie took a deep breath. “No, nothing new,” she added. “It’s just all so horrible.” A tear trickled down her cheek. Tate could understand how she felt. She was a mess inside over Nikki’s situation, but it was never her style to let things show.

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