“Whatever it is, we need to convince the detectives that we need to stay here longer.” Zoe said.
“Huh?” Ruby reflected. “Oh Yes, I could get used to living here.”
Ruby heard footsteps. “Nice house you have here, girls.” Jack walked up to greet then both. Catherine was close behind, placing pizza boxes on the table.
The pizzas smelled divine, and Ruby had to fight off her pig-like intentions.
“I’m sure you people can forgo your healthy diets for one brief time,” Jack said.
“That may be hard. Could anyone tell me why things that are bad for you taste so good?” Zoe asked.
“We’re addicted, and unbeknown to us, those lovely, naughty foods have changed our taste buds. Now they’re shot. Blame your parents, blame the marketing machines. Regardless let’s pig out,” Catherine said.
“Well said, Cath.” Jack grabbed a slice of pizza covered in ham, pineapple, cheese. “But things can change. We can retrain our taste buds. Years back, people would have laughed at you if you said you bought water in a bottle. There’s nothing, no zing in water, but hey, we relented and bottled water is the way to go.” He took a long swig from his can of Coke.
“And the world is drowning in plastic bottles,” Zoe said. “And Jack, that stuff you’re drinking is not good for you.”
He nodded. “But it tastes nice.”
“I’m not listening to any of you. I’m just going to eat.” Ruby said.
They scattered themselves around the lounge room, sitting on the oversized couch and on the floor, except for Ruby, she wandered out to the porch with two slices of pizza balancing on a large paper napkin. The river was calling her.
She looked back over towards the high point on the other side of the river. The light from the lamp looked dimmer. Black shadows criss-crossed the light. Bats or maybe big bugs magnified by the light. She gave herself a quick shake and was glad the creatures were over there. She had hoped the person would still be there but they were gone. Her chest tightened. She wanted that person to be still there. Why? She was not sure.
44 – The good news
RUBY TURNED TO RETURN INSIDE and jumped in fright. It was Catherine.
“Sorry, Ruby, didn’t mean to scare you,” Catherine placed a hand on Ruby’s shoulder. “How are you doing?”
Yes, she was on edge. Needed to relax. “Sorry, bit oversensitive.” She gave a smile. “This place has been good. T1 and T2 have been kind and protective.”
Jack joined them, pizza in hand, as they came back into the room.
“T1 and T2, are they robots or something?” Catherine asked.
Ruby smiled and nodded towards the protective agents on the couch.
Jack looked at them and shrugged. “T1 and T2. Has a cuteness about it.” He took a bite of his pizza and brought his reflexes into action to catch a piece of falling pineapple.
“Thanks, Jack, you’re cute too,” T1 said.
Jack looked to flick the pineapple towards T1.
“It’s their names.” Ruby said, to help Jack out.
“Yep, Tanner and Teasdale,” Catherine said.
Ruby was glad Catherine jumped in because she couldn’t actually remember their real names.
“You’re not slow, Jack. Are you? You knew that,” T2 said.
Jack nodded and changed his aim with the pineapple.
Ruby noticed a slight redness appear, ever so slight. Ruby smiled and watched as Jack sought refuge with more pizza. He munched away at his pizza and then washed it down with more Coke. He raised his hand to his mouth to try and conceal a burp but was unsuccessful.
“Jack, that’s disgusting,” Catherine said, then let out a smaller version.
Jack raised his eyebrows and gave her a look. “What goes around comes around.”
Ruby smiled at Jack’s pizza entertainment. He turned around and looked at her.
“Now that the gases have been released.” He wiped his hands and face with a paper napkin and then threw it in an empty pizza box. “I have some good news for you, Ruby.”
“Good news?” A heaviness came upon her.
“Yes, good news.” He switched into a formal mode. “We found the high priestess.”
“That’s good news.” Ruby said, and felt something lift from her.
“Not sure how to put this, but she’s deceased. No longer with us.”
Ruby swallowed and looked around the room. She returned her gaze to Jack. “And I’m not sure what to say or ask.” She took a deep breath and gave a soft sigh. “I feel sad for her friends and loved ones.”
“That’s okay, Ruby. You don’t have to say or ask anything.” Catherine said. “We’re investigating the death, and wanted to let you know.”
“That’s good news, Ruby,” Zoe said. “But sad also because it means we may have to leave here.”
