Annie paced the floor. It was after seven thirty and Rohan hadn't turned up. She couldn't ring him because he didn't have a mobile phone. She smiled. That was another thing she'd have to change. Annie covered the Shepherd's Pie in cling wrap and put it in the fridge. Maybe he was held up at work. She could microwave it when he came. Annie sighed and turned on the TV but she couldn't concentrate on the show. What if he'd changed his mind? He'd been a bit like his old self today. Annie shook her head, smiled and brushed it aside. Rohan had explained that.

The door buzzer went off. Annie beamed, jumped up from her seat and pressed the button. "Hey. I was starting to worry about you," she said as she chuckled into the intercom.

"Annie. It's Ruby. Can I come up, hun?"

"Ruby?" This puzzled Annie. "I thought you were Rohan." She released the main lock and opened her door as Ruby climbed the stairs. "What are you doing here?" She cocked her head and frowned at her boss.

Ruby waved her hand and gasped for breath. "Give me a minute." She smiled to ease any panic Annie might be feeling. "Why can't you live on the ground floor, Annie?" She took a huge lungful of air. "Can we talk inside?"

"Sure, Ruby." Annie frowned again. "What's going on?" She dragged in a lungful of air. "Is something wrong? Is it Rohan? He's was supposed to be here an hour ago!"

"Come and sit down, Annie." Ruby patted the table.

Annie paced. "No. No... Ruby. Please don't tell me he's hurt." She gulped and covered her mouth. "Not Rohan." Tears filled her eyes.

"Annie, calm down. He's not hurt." Ruby patted the chair. "Come and sit down." When Annie sat Ruby took hold of her hand. "There's no easy way to say this, Annie, so I'm just going to come out with it." She took a breath. "You know the girl who fell down the stairs at Rohan's work."

"Yes. Sally."

"Well, it turns out the police are saying she was murdered."

Annie sucked in more air.

Ruby continued, "They're holding Rohan for questioning. That's what Harry's phone call was about today. He asked me to come and tell you." Ruby watched Annie's face whiten as she shook her head. She added, "Harry says they have some evidence that's enough to hold Rohan for twenty-four hours without charge. Now, now." Ruby tutted. "Take a breath, Annie." Ruby patted her hand. "Good girl. Harry says he'll have him out by tomorrow afternoon and not to worry."

"How can I not worry, Ruby." Tears rolled down Annie's face. She held back a sob. "He wouldn't do something like that. I know he didn't like her but she did terrible things to him. He wouldn't have killed her, Ruby. He just wouldn't have."

"I know, baby. I know." Ruby cuddled and cradled Annie against her. "Don't you worry none. Harry'll sort it."

Poor Annie.

Did Ruby do a good job in passing on the news? Sympathy doesn't seem to be one of her strengths.

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