Man, she’d like to get him alone and away from the two men currently flanking him. “I’m assuming a lot of people saw you and Ruby together in this small town. Did you take Ruby out?”
He sighed. “No. But we spent time together in a group.”
“Tell me about her.”
His eyebrows rose. “Ruby was a sweetheart. She worked over at the drug store, but she, ah, wanted to be a writer.” His voice softened at the end.
“What kind of books did she write?” Mia asked.
Erik’s shoulders lowered. “Mysteries. She really liked the suspense in a good mystery.” He laughed, the sound lacking humor. “That’s ironic now, isn’t it?”
“Yes.” Mia clasped her hands together. “Where did she live?”
“She lived in the apartment complex over on Main Street—by herself. No roommates.”
Seth’s shoulders straightened slightly, and Benjamin’s head tilted. Erik seemed oblivious to the sudden tension.
Mia kept her focus on his blue eyes. This close, they appeared several shades lighter than Seth’s. “What was her apartment like?”
“Clean. Ruby was a neat freak. And everything was gingham—lots of different colors of gingham.” Erik scrubbed both hands down his face. “Somehow, it really worked. She had a gift.”
So, he admitted to knowing Ruby, being friends, and seeing the inside of her apartment. “Was Ruby dating anybody?”
Erik paused and then licked his lips. “I don’t think so, but I wouldn’t really know. We weren’t that close.”
Liar.Mia nodded slowly. “Okay. When was the last time you saw Ruby?”
He swallowed. “Earlier the day she died. A bunch of us met to watch the football game over at Smiley’s Tavern.”
“What was she wearing?”
“Blue shorts, green top, and gold sandals,” Erik said, his gaze darting to the floor.
Interesting he could remember that so clearly. “What were you wearing?”
He shrugged. “Probably jeans and a shirt. Who knows?”
“Did she leave with anybody?”
Erik drew air in through his nose, his gaze rising to meet hers. “Not that I know of.”
Time for Mia to lie. “Witnesses said you walked out with her.”
“No, they didn’t.” Erik lowered his chin, his gaze direct, a small smirk on his lips. “Nobody told you that.”
“Because it isn’t true, or because nobody would speak against you?” Mia asked, her gaze raking the wealth in the room.
“Does it matter?” Erik shot back.
Mia pressed her hands against her dark jeans. “I think it might.” She’d never had money or understood people who had a bunch of it. Somehow, they thought little pieces of paper decorated with the faces of old presidents made the rules different for them. “Was Ruby drinking?”
“We had pitchers of beer on every table.” Erik frowned. “But I don’t think she drank any. For some reason, I remember her ordering a soda.” He glanced at his wristwatch.
Mia lifted her gaze to Seth. “Were you there?”
“No.” His voice was much lower and smoother than his brother’s. The rumbling tone slid over her skin like silk.
Erik barked out a laugh. “Seth isn’t interested in football games.”
