Page 49 of Witness 8
Ruby kept her eyes on her shoes.
She knew the painting like she knew her own face.
The whispering was louder now.
Ruubeeee.
Ruuuubbbbeeeeee.
Her head shot up and stared at the painting.
You could have killed them all by now. There isn’t much time. You need to get the money, said the red priest.
Ruby didn’t need to speak aloud for the priest to hear her. He could hear her thoughts, just as she could hear his. All the same, she couldn’t help but move her lips, soundlessly, as her voice flowed through her mind.
Killing them won’t help. It will make things worse, said Ruby.
They are coming for you, Ruby. Just kill them and . . .
No.
Then do something . . .
Ruby nodded.
‘Who are you talking to?’ said a voice.
Out loud.
A female voice.
Ruby swung round toward the front door.
There, in the hallway, Alison’s mom, Esther, stood in her blue slacks, white blouse, Tommy Hilfiger bag and her heels, and her accusing eyes.
‘Isaid, who are you talking to?’ repeated Esther.
Ruby shook her head. The priest’s voice shouted at her, but she couldn’t listen. Not now.
She didn’t like having that voice so loud in her head. It sometimes gave her a migraine. Once, she had talked with the priest for hours, while babysitting one evening – little Tomas asleep upstairs. It was only when the blood fell over her lips that she realized her nose was bleeding. The voice was too loud to listen to for very long.
‘Sorry, I’m just talking to myself,’ said Ruby innocently.
Esther held her ice-queen gaze upon Ruby for what felt like a long time.
‘Just do your job. Look after my grandson, keep your mouth shut and your greedy eyes to yourself,’ said Esther. Then she turned, closed the front door and greeted her daughter. Alison was in a state again. And her mother held her, but as she gripped her child she eyed Ruby warily.
John Jackson’s last words replayed in Ruby’s mind.
Things will get better soon, he’d said, just a moment ago in the hallway.
No they won’t, thought Ruby.
She would make sure of it.
17
Eddie
