Page 104 of A Tempting Seduction

“We brought Carla in for additional questioning yesterday evening. She asked if we knew where you were, said she and Candice wanted to speak with you if we could arrange a meeting.”

“What did you tell them?”

“That we'd ask you. It's your choice, Ruby.”

Ruby was quiet for a long moment, staring out the hotel window at the Los Angeles skyline. “Where would this meeting take place?”

“FBI headquarters in downtown LA. Secure location, completely controlled environment. You wouldn't be alone.”

“Can Ford come with me?”

“Of course.”

Ruby looked at me, and I saw a mixture of hope and dread in her eyes. “I need to do this. I hope you understand. I need to get closure with Carla. Even after everything. She’s my sister.”

I nodded.

“And then there’s Candice.” Ruby gave a faint smile. “I’d really like to meet my niece. Candice has just pretty much ignored me. Maybe she froze me out. But she’s never been really malicious. It would be nice if I could start a relationship with her.”

I smiled. “Then we'll go,” I said. “Whatever you need.”

An hour later, we were back in the FBI motorcade, heading toward the FBI building. The federal building was an imposing concrete fortress that screamed government authority from every angle.

Inside, we were escorted through multiple security checkpoints and down sterile hallways that echoed with our footsteps. Isaacson led us to a conference room with a two-way mirror and recording equipment.

“They're already inside,” he said. “Take your time. We'll be watching from the observation room.”

Ruby squared her shoulders and reached for the door handle. “Let's get this over with.”

Candice and Carla were already inside. Carla stood with her back against the far wall, her arms crossed defensively. Candice sat at the metal table facing the door, and when Ruby entered, I saw tears start to fall down her cheeks.

Ruby nodded but didn't move closer. The distance between the sisters felt like an ocean.

“Ruby,” Candice said, standing and taking a step forward. “I've been so worried about you. So scared that something terrible had happened.”

She moved like she wanted to hug Ruby, but Ruby took a step back. I steadied her. I felt her relax for just a moment, but then she straightened. Candice's face crumpled.

“I've missed you so much,” Candice continued, her voice breaking. “You weren't here when I found out I was pregnant. When Andrea was born. For her first smile. You missed everything.”

Carla laughed, a harsh sound in the sterile room. “Yeah, like Ruby cares about that. When has Ruby ever cared about family?”

Ruby tried to ignore Carla, but her sister wasn't having it.

“Don't you dare ignore me.” Carla's voice was getting louder, more aggressive. “I saved you from marrying Lance. Don't you ever forget that.”

“Saved me?” Ruby's voice was incredulous. “You were sleeping with my fiancé. That's not saving anyone, that's betrayal.”

“Lance would have completely crushed you. You were too naive to see it, but I could. I knew what kind of man he was.”

“And you decided the best way to protect me was to have an affair with him? You might be trying to sell that, but I’m sure not buying.”

I kept my expression neutral, even though I wanted to grin.

Carla's face flushed red. “You have no idea what I sacrificed for this family. What any of us sacrificed.”

“You mean what you sacrificed for Horace,” Ruby said. “Because that's what this is really about, isn't it? It's always been about Horace.”

Candice looked stricken. “Ruby, please. She never meant for anyone to get hurt.”