Burn Me Once, Burn With Me novel Chapter 17

"Ruby, you're not getting paid this month."

Fiona Hart, the neighborhood supervisor, tossed a slip of paper onto the bench in front of her, her face twisted in disdain.

It was just past dawn, the sky barely beginning to lighten.

The cold wind stung Ruby's hands, leaving her fingers so numb she could hardly keep hold of her broom.

She turned, shocked. "What did you say, Director Hart? How can that be? It's only the second of the month. I've got twenty-eight more days of work ahead—how can my whole month's wages just be gone?"

That wasn't just an ordinary paycheck. It was all the money she and Mira had to survive.

Fiona, wrapped in a chic faux-fur coat, took a bite of a steaming baked potato, her gloved hands shielding it from the wind. Her over-the-knee boots clicked on the pavement, and her eyes, lined with heavy makeup, swept over Ruby with contempt.

"And you have to ask why?"

"Someone dropped a gold necklace in your area yesterday and reported you for taking it."

"You've got some nerve, pocketing a gold necklace someone else lost. We might be cleaning the streets, but we don't need thieves among us."

"I'm only withholding a month's pay. Frankly, I'm being generous."

Ruby's lips trembled, her face pale. For a long moment, she couldn't get a word out. Fury and helplessness warred inside her.

She forced herself to calm down, gently patting the small, shifting bundle strapped to her chest. Her daughter Mira squirmed, sensing her mother's distress.

"Director Hart, there has to be some mistake. I didn't see any gold necklace, let alone take it!"

"Oh, and I'm just supposed to take your word for it?" Fiona pulled her collar tighter against the wind, munching another mouthful of potato. "You think I want to be out here freezing because of you? I could be sitting in my nice warm office. Should've never hired you in the first place."

She took another bite, letting bits of potato skin and crumbs fall to the ground around her boots.

"I'm done here. Get back to work. Make sure you clean up this stretch—and get those potato skins, too."

Fiona turned to leave, but Ruby refused to let her go.

"So I'm supposed to sweep this whole street all month and not get a single penny?" she demanded, grabbing Fiona's arm. "I want to check the security footage. That'll prove I'm innocent!"

Fiona's expression darkened as she yanked her arm free. "Cameras were down. There's no footage of you."

"That's even more reason not to accuse me!" Ruby shot back. "If there's no video, how can you say the necklace was dropped in my area, or that I picked it up?"

She saw the opening and seized it.

Fiona scoffed. "You've got quite the mouth on you, Ruby. Think I'm framing you? Go ahead and sue me if you think you've got a case. What a joke."

She looked Ruby up and down—a struggling single mom. Not likely she'd actually know her rights, let alone take her to court.

"Did you really find a gold necklace?"

One of the older ladies cut in, "Don't listen to them. Ruby's not that kind of person."

Pamela, who had just returned from her shift, barely set down her bag before pulling Ruby aside and lowering her voice.

"Ruby, did you upset someone?"

Because of what happened yesterday, Pamela—the one who'd stood up for her—had been transferred to the dirtiest, hardest route in the city, the one right next to the landfill. Now she was covered in grime, shivering and exhausted.

Seeing this, Ruby quickly poured her some hot water, soaked a cloth with soap, and began gently wiping Pamela's hands and face.

Pamela tried to wave her off, attempting a smile, but her eyes shimmered with unshed tears.

"Oh, come on, I'll be fine. Don't worry about me." She tried to sound upbeat, but the fatigue in her voice betrayed her. She glanced over at little Mira, sleeping nearby, then squeezed Ruby's hand and made her sit down. "Look at you, tearing up. You're a mom now, you know. You've got to stay strong for Mira."

Ruby ducked her head, wiping her eyes with her sleeve.

"I just feel awful, dragging you into this, Pamela."

"Nonsense," Pamela said gently. "I'm just looking out for Mira—and for her mom. That's all there is to it."

Her eyes, tired as they were, brimmed with affection.