You Looked Down on Me Once Now You Look Up (Patricia and Oliver) novel Chapter 745

“They’re just handing her over, just like that?”

It was late. The street below Ruby’s apartment was almost empty. She hadn’t even bothered to take off her coat, just grabbed her things and rushed downstairs. Now she stood in front of her lawyer, eyes rimmed red, doing her best to keep her anger in check.

The lawyer let out a long sigh. She understood why Ruby was desperate, but there was nothing she could do. Everything was set, and fighting it wouldn’t change a thing. In the end, everyone pays for what they’ve done or said. No one gets a free pass.

Ruby caught the look in her lawyer’s eyes. Pity. It hit her right in the chest, sharp and deep, leaving her feeling exposed and small. She hated being pitied.

Her voice broke as she pleaded, “Isn’t there anything else we can try? I have nothing left.”

“Ruby, your mom just wants you to live your life. You’re still young. You have your whole future ahead of you.”

“She also asked me to tell you this. Tie up your assets back home and leave Riverdale as soon as you can.”

Ruby’s heart squeezed tight. She remembered that day when Tina talked about leaving the country. If only she’d said yes, instead of letting her pride get in the way, maybe they’d be somewhere far away by now, living the life they dreamed of. Not stuck here, like this.

Her sobs echoed through the empty parking garage. The lawyer got out of her car, grabbed some tissues, and handed them over. There wasn’t anything else she could do.

...

Tina’s case has been handed over to the prosecutors. Court’s on Friday.

At Cloud Peak, Patricia was picking at her breakfast when the message popped up on her phone. She glanced down, frowning a little, not quite believing what she saw. She set her fork aside and leaned back, phone in hand, thinking.

Her fingers moved quickly across the screen. I thought it was at the end of the month. Why’d they move it up?

Brandon answered right away. Orders from above. We got the notice last night.

He stopped typing. Brandon looked up at the person waiting, locked his phone, and walked to the office.

Inside, the chief handed him a folder. “Go through this.”

“It’s your personnel file.”

Then he grabbed a piece of paper from the printer and gave it to him. “Here’s what you’ll need to get ready. There’s an opening for deputy chief in economic development. We’re transferring you.”

Brandon just stared. He was still so young. How was he moving from lead detective straight to deputy chief?

He hesitated, not sure if he should take the paper. “Sir...”

“If you want to move up, you need real experience on the ground. This is the plan. No rush, the process will start after the holidays. Just get yourself ready.”