Belle nodded. "The ruby knows. Now you do too."
Inside, sat alone at the corner table, the ruby's red glow pulsing faintly against her cheek. She wasn't drinking. She was waiting. charlee chase belle de tit
"Because the ruby doesn't bleed light for confessions," Belle whispered. "It bleeds truth. And your mother's truth, Chase, is that she gave it to me on her deathbed. She wanted me to keep it safe. From you ." Belle nodded
He wasn't on the list. Chase never was. He wore a tweed cap pulled low and carried a violin case that probably didn't hold a violin. Charlee put a hand on his chest. sat alone at the corner table