Chapter 35: Trouble Brewing

“I first spotted it on the camera, then when I got in there, I could see it,” Roxanne said.
“What’s that?” Tom asked.
“They’re going to brew something in there. I saw the tanks. They use them to make beer.”
“So?” Tom asked, his hands on the wheel, staring at the road.
“Don’t you see? That’s why the first question that came to mind had to do with beer.” She held down her bile for a second. “Sorry, the baby is not liking that.” She sat back. “I bet it has something to do with those clover leaf cans I’ve been seeing.”
“Those cans could be from anywhere.”
Roxanne shook her head. “I’ve looked online. I can’t find any brand with that logo.”
“Plus, why were they in the ash at the building Owen sent me to? Why did I find one at the police station? It’s connected. I know it is. And I heard that guy mention Baxter.”
“So he’s making beer?” Tom seemed apathetic. His lack of excitement surrounding the new clue bothered Roxanne.
“Tom,” she looked at him aghast. “With an illegal company?”
“It just doesn’t explain why he would be behind the stolen permit. Your building project wasn’t a rival beer company.” He said the words in a bored tone, his face not exposing any emotion.
“You’re right,” Roxanne hated to admit it, “but I bet it has something to do with who’s behind all of this.” Roxanne knew there was some connection. She stared out the windshield. They had the clues, now they needed to prove Baxter was involved and why he wanted Roxanne’s building project to fail.
Tom heard a ding and looked at his phone.
“Well, we’re going to have to hold off on that. Ruby wants to meet.”
Roxanne sat up. Maybe she had agreed to sell Tom her land, then their deal would work and she and her dad would be safe.
“She wants to meet at the symphony tonight,” Tom said.
“The symphony?” Roxanne asked. “Who goes to the symphony?”
“It’’ll be fine,” Tom assured her, still looking at the road.
“Ugh,” Roxanne rolled her eyes. “Music by old dead guys?”
“Look, I just risked myself at a construction site where I didn’t know anything,” Tom said.
“Yeah, and look how well that went,” Roxanne replied.
“This will be much easier. Just follow my lead. Like I told you, Ruby likes the finer things, but she’s perfectly approachable.”
“Alright,” Roxanne said.
At her apartment with Tom waiting in the living room, Roxanne tried to shimmy on a tight sequined dress. She wasn’t showing much, but still didn’t like the tightness of the dress around her midsection. Next, she threw on a skirt and blouse ensemble that made her appear a little dowdy.
When she came out in a short flower patterned number, Tom shook his head. “I don’t have anything to wear,” she said.
“Something long, black?” Tom asked.
Roxanne thought about it and returned to her closet. She pulled out a long black skirt and pale pink top. Then she threw on a black blazer. Staring at herself in the mirror, it didn’t look half bad.
She stepped out. “How about this?”
Tom stood up. “It’s nice,” he said. “I don’t think I tell you enough how beautiful you are,” he threaded his arm around her waist.
“I don’t think you’ve ever told me.”
“Sorry,” Tom looked a little hurt by her comment. “I’m still learning.”
“It’s okay.” She lifted her lips, and they kissed. Then she pushed Tom away. “Now you better go home and get cleaned up.” She looked at the pants and shirt she smeared with dirt earlier. “I can finish my hair and make-up here. Pick me up in an hour?” she asked.
While she applied eye shadow to her lids, Roxanne thought about how she and Tom had never really had a proper date. Their first outing to the bar sort of happened by accident. Then came his baby proposal and their first kiss took place in the woods after target practice. They never got to finish their date at the coffee shop before she was kidnapped.
Despite the fact that this date would include Ruby, Roxanne was excited to be out with Tom. With such a terrible track record, she craved a normal night. However, an evening at the symphony was nothing normal for Roxanne. She felt more comfortable at a rodeo than a fancy theater, and she made a mental note to use her best lady-like behavior.
Tom knocked on the door as Roxanne applied a coat of lip gloss. She puckered her lips and smacked them together. On the way to the door, she grabbed her purse and slipped her feet into a pair of black pumps. This was one night where she expected to keep her shoes on.
When she answered the door, Tom handed her a single pink rose. “Aw, that’s so nice of you,” she said. He looked debonair in a black tuxedo and black bowtie.
She gave him a kiss on the cheek, then, took his arm, and they were off to the symphony.
Once at the theater, they waited for Ruby. People milled about in the lobby, most people well-dressed and looking sophisticated in Roxanne’s view.
Ruby waltzed into the lobby in a long champagne colored gown, her blond hair swept back from her face. She looked vibrant and enchanting as Tom stared at her approaching them.
“Hi, y’all. Glad you could join me,” her southern drawl sounded warm and friendly.
“I’m lucky to be here with two beautiful ladies,” Tom said with a little bow.
Roxanne smiled, but felt a little inferior. Ruby clearly had access to a superior wardrobe, and Roxanne couldn’t help but notice her dazzling teardrop diamond earrings.
“I like your earrings,” Roxanne said to Ruby.
“Ah, thank you. They were my grandma’s.”
Roxanne nodded. Her family heirlooms consisted of a rusty hammer her grandpa used and a multi-colored patchwork quilt from her grandmother. Normally, Roxanne didn’t think about her lack of wealth or fancy items; her dad provided what he could. But seeing how stunning Ruby looked amidst the crowd of high society, Roxanne felt a little out of place.
Even though she was having Tom’s baby, she didn’t expect him to buy her expensive diamonds or clothes. What she wanted, however, was for him to look at her the way he looked at Ruby when she sashayed into the room.
“Shall we?” Tom offered each woman an arm, and they walked into the theater to find their seats.
From the first note that resonated in Roxanne’s ear, she could feel the excitement in the music. She looked at Tom and squeezed his hand. Little did she know, her exuberance would set her apart.