That would be Andi’s (ex) stepmother, Ruby. To Andi’s continuing regret, she promised her dad, that if anything happened to him, she’d look after his widow. Even she, however, didn’t suspect that would include a murder charge!

In case you think Andi overreacts when it comes to Ruby, here’s a bit of dialogue between them.

Ruby ran full tilt through the door of the dimly lit visitation room. I held out my arms in self-defense.

Despite my best efforts, she screamed, pinned my arms to my sides, and squeezed the breath out of me. “Oh, thank the Lord you’re here! What am I gonna dooo!”

“First,” I said, “Let. Me. Go.”

She stepped back and added bawling to the list of responses. I studied the emotional wreck standing before me and questioned if I was up to the task my dad had bestowed. I summoned every ounce of patience. “C’mon Ruby. That’s not going to help.” I pulled a linty tissue from my purse and handed it to the sobbing woman.

“Oh, thank you, hon.” Honk. Sniff, Honnnk. “I’m okay. As long as I don’t think about poor Lenny. Oh, my poor, sweet Lenny.”

That did it. Patience had limits. I grabbed Ruby by the shoulders. “Snap out of it. You barely knew the guy.”

Her tears shut off instantly. “Well! You don’t have to be rude.” She dabbed at streaks of mascara, and tried, unsuccessfully, to straighten her flea market hairpiece.

Why in the world did they let her keep that monstrosity on her head? She could hide a grenade inside that mop.

“Oh, I’ll bet I’m a sight.”

I bit my lip to keep from answering honestly and called for strength from any higher power willing to help. “Sorry, Ruby. Didn’t mean to upset you. I know you’re scared, but you need to calm down if we’re going to figure this out.”

She produced a final loud honk and thrust the well-used tissue in my direction.

“Uh, no thanks. You can keep it.”

When I originally wrote the character of Ruby, I pictured an actress from years ago. If you’re old enough, you may recognize her.

However, recently, I believe Annie Potts (Meemaw on Young Shelton) is the perfect choice to play Ruby in a movie! (Hey, I can dream)

Margaritas, Mayhem & Murder is available on Amazon, B & N, or you favorite online bookstore!

Want more Ruby & Andi?

And watch for An Andi Anna Jones Mystery, Book # 2, Sazerac, Sleuth & Slay, releasing February 27, 2023!