Ruby Redfort: try not to scream

Ruby, forgetting that she was still wearing her pajamas, laced up her sneakers and rushed down to Hitch's apartment. If she was correct in her thinking, which she often was, there would be a little clue waiting for her. She opened the door and entered the large room. She was looking for a fly symbol of some sort or a note that would explain something. Sure enough after a couple of minutes of careful examination she saw a little carving of a fly in the wooden floorboards. She lifted up the board and there she found a ladder. Dan climbed down after her, leaving Clancy alone in Greenwood house.

Ruby and Dan emerged into Spectrum 8 HQ through a door Ruby had never seen before. Probably because they were in a room she had never seen before.
"The Green Room," mumbled Ruby, under her breath. On the walls there were multiple photos of previous missions and agents. There she saw a picture of a younger looking Hitch, on a motorcycle. Ruby marvelled over the talents of her 'house manager'. Then as she continued to scan the room she saw a perfectly organised desk with the name tag A. H Zachery. So this is Hitch's office, thought Ruby. On the desk there were several picture frames. One of which made Ruby beam. It was a close up photo of her and Hitch climbing up the side of one of the abandoned office buildings in downtown Twinford.
"Is that Bradley Baker?" asked Dan, pointing at one of the wall canvases.  The one in particular was of four agents. Ruby, Hitch, LB and Bradley Baker. It was the four of them eating dinner at Greenwood House.
"Yep, the man himself," called Hitch as he came out from his store cupboard.
"So this is where you hang out then," said Ruby grinning.
"It would seem so. I see you didn't bother to change, kid,"
"It would seem so," said Ruby, doing a very good impersonation of Hitch. He smirked and led Ruby and Dan out of his office and towards The Blue Room. As they walked they passed a picture of Kekoa. All of the agents in Spectrum had paid their respects by leaving flowers and photos. Ruby smiled faintly. She refused to shed any more tears; Kekoa would hate to see her cry over her. They walked into The Blue Room to see LB, Blacker and Froghorn.
"What've you got for me then?" asked Ruby.
"Boy, do we have some news," said Blacker "We dug deep into the core memory card of the laptop and found a list of The Count's helpers," Blacker projected his screen onto the wall and flicked through slides of faces. LB read the names until a face appeared that Ruby recognised.
"Wait. I know him," Ruby tilted her head and finally managed to put her finger on where she had seen him before. "His name is Alexander Rodriguez. He's one of Ambassador Crew's business partners. I've seen him at parties,"
"You go to Ambassador Crew's parties?" asked LB, slightly shocked to hear that Ruby had a life outside of Spectrum and school.
"Hello. I'm a Redfort, plus I'm always there to keep Clancy sane," ruby grinned. Hitch smirked a little. Nobody wanted Clancy and Ruby to end up together more than Hitch. Although he was extremely protective of Ruby, he knew no one was better for her than Clancy.
"There's another party next week. He might be there if you want me to check it out,"
LB glanced over at Hitch. Usually he would've had no problem with Ruby attending a party with Clancy but it was more than likely that this man knew who Ruby was working for. Ruby noticed the concern in their faces.
"Look, I've been going to these parties since I was nine. If he knows I work here, he's never done anything about it before. I'll wear an earpiece if you want, so you can keep an eye on me."
"I don't see a problem in that," said LB. "It's up to you Hitch,"
He looked down at Ruby who was smiling so innocently. How on earth can I say no to that face, he thought.
"Fine, but you are wearing an earpiece and both you and Clancy will be equipped with weapons at all times,"
"How are we going to get any information out of him though?" asked Dan.
They sat thoughtfully for a few minutes until an idea set in her brain.
"Connor," she whispered.
"Connor? Who's Connor?" asked Blacker.
"His son. He's my age and he's been obsessed with me for years. I'll bet I can get something out of him. I'll get what I need and then all we have to do is find a suitable distraction for his wife and then we can corner him."
"A distraction for his wife? That should be easy enough," said LB turning to Hitch. Ruby's head swirled round to face Hitch. He rolled his eyes.
"Why do you all have it in your heads that I'm some kind of player?" Ruby pulled a pleading expression.
"If you don't help out, something might go wrong on my end," she fluttered her eyelashes up at him and gave him the puppy dog eyes.
"The things I do for you, Redfort," he said rolling his eyes again.
"Don't act like you wont thank her later," smirked Blacker. Hitch shot him a disapproving look.
"What? It's not like she's a kid anymore Hitch."
"Alright, that's enough of that. All of you spend the next few days creating a plan. You are all allowed any equipment you may need but keep it as subtle as possible. Froghorn and Dan, on the night I want you both here with me to listen in through the earpieces. Blacker, you will be waiting outside with the swat team, ready for the arrest. Hitch, Ruby and Clancy will be inside the party." LB walked towards the door. "And Redfort, don't do anything stupid,"

"She has no faith in me," tuted Ruby after LB had left the room.
"Then prove her wrong kid," Hitch placed his hand on her shoulder. "For Kekoa"
Ruby nodded, giving Hitch her most genuine smile. A smile that made everyone in the room stop and take notice. She picked up a jelly donut from the open box on Blacker's desk and sat down. It didn't take them long to decide what they were going to do. Ruby knew the Crew house like she knew her own so it was easy for them to plan. These parties always consisted of the same things. Dancing, drinks, food and lots of small talk. All areas in which Ruby was an expert. As they wrapped up the meeting, Ruby saw a hint of a smile on Hitch's face. Maybe she can actually pull this off.

Thanks for reading xxx