Several weeks later, Nathaniel invited Ruby and Claire back to Graves Tower.
This time the receptionist greeted Ruby by name.
She was not the same receptionist who had threatened to call security.
That woman, Caroline Pierce, was still employed there.
Ruby saw her near the elevators.
Caroline hesitated before approaching.
“Ruby?”
“Hi.”
Caroline looked uncomfortable.
“I owe you an apology.”
Ruby waited.
“I judged you when you walked into the lobby.”
Ruby glanced at her patched backpack.
She still used it.
One strap had been repaired again.
Caroline continued.
“I thought you didn’t belong here.”
“Nobody really belongs in a lobby,” Ruby said.
Caroline blinked.
Claire covered a smile.
Ruby explained, “It’s where people wait before going somewhere else.”
Caroline laughed.
“That’s a fair point.”
Ruby nodded.
“Apology accepted.”
Then she walked toward the elevator.
Claire followed.
Nathaniel was waiting upstairs.
On his desk sat the same black wallet.
