Emma and company race to find Ashley, Ruby tries to be a good friend, meet Mulder and Scully 2.0, and no one is a fan of how Mr. Gold does business.
***
The group started at the diner, questioning Ruby about Ashley's disappearance. A tow truck near them on the street was putting down Ruby's car slowly.
Emma sighed, running a hand over her hair. "So, this boyfriend of hers, you don't think he was involved in her disappearance?"
Ruby raised her eyebrows. "Uh, that would mean that he was involved with her at all, which he isn't. He left her in the lurch right after they found out they were expecting. Hasn't spoken to her since. Like I said, he's a - " She cut off when the tow truck dropped her car onto the street. "Hey, hey!" she shouted, narrowing her green eyes in fury. "Billy, be careful! You almost shattered my wolf, Billy. It's good luck!"
Billy shrugged apologetically. "I'm sorry Ruby, but look, it's fine!" He pointed, and sure enough, the figurine dangled from the rearview mirror of her car without a scratch or a ding on it.
Newt cleared his throat, regaining the waitress's attention. "Ruby, what about her family?"
Ruby frowned, thinking. "Oh, um... she's got a stepmom and two stepsisters that she doesn't talk to."
Henry, from beside Harry and Emma, spoke up. "Wait, stepmom, stepsisters, and she's a maid?"
Emma shook her head as Harry shushed him. "Henry, not now."
"Look, I don't know what you've heard, but it's wrong." Ruby turned, her hands on her hips. "Everyone thinks she's not ready to have this kid, but she's trying, taking night classes, trying to better herself, trying to get her life together. Can you understand that?"
Emma nodded, looking down at Harry softly. "Yeah, I can," she sighed.
Ruby breathed out. "Then maybe you should just stay out of it. She's been through enough already."
"I've been through it, too, Ruby, and I can help her," Emma looked at her pleadingly.
Ruby sighed. "Then try her ex."
Queenie smiled thankfully at her. "Where can we find him?"
Ruby sighed again. "He lives with his dad."
***
Ten minutes later, Emma pulled up her car to a large three-story house, getting out when she saw the Herman name on the mailbox. "Boys, stay here with Queenie. Newt, with me!" she told them matter of factly, and each of them knew not to argue with her.
Sean opened the door when Emma knocked. "Hello? Can I help you?"
Emma smiled serenely. "Sean Herman?"
Sean nodded, leaning against the doorway. "Yeah. Who are you?"
"I'm Emma Swan," she answered. "This is my brother, Newt Scamander." Newt gave a charming smile in response to his name. "We're looking for Ashley Boyd," Emma continued. "She's in trouble. We just thought maybe she came to see you."
"My son doesn't have anything to do with that girl anymore." The pair turned to see an older man in a knit cardigan walk up the sidewalk to them, his eyes narrowed. "So whatever trouble she's in, I am sorry for, but there's nothing we can do to help you."
Newt narrowed his eyes. "Are you the reason he broke up with her?" he asked.
"Absolutely," Mr. Herman nodded. "I'm not gonna let my son throw away his entire life over a mistake."
YOU ARE READING
Operation Cobra (Book Two of The Savior Fables)
Fanfiction"It was the kind of small-town with nothing to look at - unless you knew where to look. After all, it's a town no-one knows exists." In which it's time for the small, sleepy town in Nowhere, Maine to wake from its twenty-eight-year nap. When Emma Sw...
