Lenny crossed his legs, his teeth flashing in a predatory smile. It reminded Ruby of a documentary she once watched about crocodiles ensnaring their prey. ‘Does Nathan know you’re setting up house?’
Ruby shook her head. ‘No. And I’ve got no intention of making contact. I just need to know where she is.’
‘You’re opening a whole can of worms here; there must be a good reason for it, if you don’t wanna have a family reunion. I’m sure Mum would love to know about the secret little love child you gave away.’
Ruby leaned forward, her voice low. ‘You can’t let anyone know. Not Nathan, not your mum, nobody.’
Lenny’s eyes glinted in amusement. ‘Oh, I’ll do it. But first, I want to know why.’
‘I’m investigating a string of murders. I have reason to believe the suspect is a young woman who was given up for adoption.’
‘There’s lots of kids in London who were dumped by their parents. You must have more than that to suspect your own.’
Ruby inwardly cringed. She hated the term ‘dumped’ but was not about to justify her reasons to Lenny. ‘I’ve had indirect contact.’
‘And you want to nick her and solve the crime? Ohh that’s low, even for you, nicking your own flesh and blood… ’
Ruby stood, anger flaring through her. ‘If I was going to arrest her I wouldn’t be coming to you now, would I? Are you going to help me or not?’
The sly smile Lenny had been wearing dropped from his face, and he sprang from his chair, muscles tensing as he loomed down on her. She could smell the coffee on his breath, see the fire of fury in his eyes. ‘Who do you think you are, coming into my manor and speaking to me like that?’
Ruby bit back her retort. He was right. This was his house, and she needed him more than he needed her. ‘I’m sorry,’ she said, dropping her gaze to the floor. ‘Sometimes I forget how much things have changed.’
Silence passed between them. She would apologise, but she would not grovel. She stiffened as Lenny’s hand reached into his trouser pocket.
‘Cigarette?’ he said, opening up the pack of Marlboro Lights.
‘Don’t mind if I do,’ Ruby said, figuring she needed it.
Fingers brought in a notebook and pen as requested, and Lenny handed them over. ‘Write down everything you know about your girl. I’ll have the information in the next couple of days.’
‘Thanks.’ Ruby dragged on the cigarette, feeling the weight of the debt looming over her.
Her heart skipped a beat when the door opened, and she half expected to see Nathan stride in. But it was Frances Crosby, head of the family and mother of Nathan and Lenny. Her face broke out in a warm smile, and Ruby could not help but return her expression. She looked like she had hardly aged. Her ash blonde hair was cut into a shoulder-length bob, and she was wearing a beige dress that complemented her trim figure. But Ruby knew better than to be taken in by her soft smile. Behind the gentle looks was a powerhouse of a woman, with a deep hatred for the police.
‘I thought I heard your voice,’ she said – her East London accent had remained strong over the years. ‘So good to see you again, darling. How’s your mother?’
‘She’s much the same,’ Ruby said, knowing that Frances still visited every now and again. ‘They’re keeping her comfortable.’
‘I must pop in to see her. Take her some of those sweets she likes. What brings you here? Anything I need to be concerned about?’
‘Nothing for you to worry about,’ Lenny said, rising from his chair and pocketing the folded notepaper. ‘Just business. Now if you don’t mind I’ve got things to do.’
Frances nodded, her smile faltering only for a second before squeezing Ruby’s hand. ‘And how are you, my lovely? Are you happy? No sign of you leaving that job of yours?’
Ruby shook her head, ‘I’m afraid not, bills to pay, you know… ’ Her voice trailed off because it was blatantly obvious she did not know, given she lived off the proceeds of crime.
‘I remember when we didn’t have a pot to piss in,’ Frances said, her eyes falling on the expensive furnishings. ‘And you know what? I’d give all this up just to have my Jimmy back in our two-up two-down in our little East London estate. But come, take a seat, I want to hear all about you.’
Once their small talk had been exhausted, Ruby took the opportunity to speak to the woman frankly. A question had played on her mind since speaking to her mum at Oakwood. Joy’s memories revolved around the abuse Mr Crosby inflicted on his family, and she could not help but feel resentful of the intrusion of their time. ‘Frances,’ Ruby said, ‘can I ask you a personal question?’
Frances patted Ruby’s hand, her skin fleshy and warm. It was comforting, as Joy barely made any contact these days. Even her hugs were stiff and awkward, as if given by a stranger.
‘You can ask me whatever you like, love, you know that.’
‘Why did you put up with it all those years ago?’ Ruby said, knowing that Frances would understand exactly what she meant.
Frances smiled, her eyes cast to the left as she recalled old memories. ‘Your mother once asked me why didn’t I marry someone like your father. Someone quiet and reliable, who wouldn’t answer back. I turned to her and asked, “where would the fun be in that?” Being married to Jimmy was exciting, fresh. No two days were the same. When he met me he promised to take me places, and sure enough, he did.’
He took you down the hospital, Ruby thought, and nearly took you down the morgue.
But Frances didn’t notice Ruby’s misgiving glance; she was too busy reliving the past. ‘Nowadays, if a couple have an argument the neighbours call the police. It’s like you’re not allowed to disagree.’ She sniffed. ‘Where’s the passion, the excitement? If couples today sorted out their disagreements instead of holding them in, there wouldn’t be so many divorces.’
Ruby nodded, knowing there was no point in disagreeing. ‘I guess that’s one way of looking at it.’
‘Too right,’ Frances said. ‘Women today fight for equality. When I got pregnant, I stayed at home and raised the family. Nowadays, women have to work until they’re old; they don’t even get to enjoy their earnings because they’re paying someone else to look after their children. Where’s the sense in that?’
Ruby could not equate domestic violence with a happy marriage, no matter how much Frances tried to justify it. ‘But we’re not just talking about arguments, are we? I remember the day my mum took you and the boys in after Jimmy… Mr Crosby broke your nose and cracked your ribs. Nathan and Lenny were white with terror, too scared to move. How can that be love? And I’m not being nasty or judgemental, I’m just trying to understand.’
Frances sighed. ‘Even if I had wanted to leave, there were no refuges back then, not like today. And my family wouldn’t take me in. Jimmy had a reputation. People were scared of him, and there was no way anyone would’ve had me.’
‘But Nathan… ’ Ruby said, biting back her words, reluctant to cross the line.
Frances nodded in acknowledgement. ‘Jimmy had a hard upbringing. He wanted the boys to be tough so nobody took advantage of them when they were older. I think he did a good job of that.’
Ruby nodded. She wanted to ask if she truly knew just how much Nathan and Lenny hated their father for the cruelty he inflicted upon them, and how she lived with herself, knowing she had failed to protect the children who viewed violence as a normal way of life. But instead Ruby just smiled and made her excuses to leave.
Frances walked her to the door, her voice echoing in the vast hall. ‘You know, I’m sorry things turned out this way, Ruby. I think you and Nathan could’ve made each other happy. But I think it’s time for you both to move on, you know? He’s been dating a lovely young woman; Leona, her name is. She’s very keen. But the minute she gets serious he runs a mile. He’s still young. He can have children and get married and do all the normal things. And so can you. I don’t think it’s fair that you’re both putting your lives on hold for something that’s never going to happen.’
‘Nathan’s a free agent. We’ve been over for a very long time,’ Ruby said, feeling a dig of pain in her chest.
‘Time you made that clear then,’ Frances said, imparting a gentle smile.
But Ruby did not miss the coldness behind her eyes. If only she had been that protective when they were young, she thought, waving goodbye as Frances closed the door.