“Okay.” Max gave her his work schedule for the next week. She promised to call and let him know when to come back in. “You have my number,” he said nodding once at his official statement. “Call me whenever.”
“Great,” Deputy Blythe said, making a notation in a small notebook.
“Is that all you need?”
She nodded. “I’ll call you in a day or two at the latest.”
Before he stood from Deputy Blythe’s desk, someone entered the station from outside. The sound of fast footsteps approaching came from the direction of the front entrance. He turned and his mouth fell open.
Ruby stopped right next to him. “Please, don’t arrest him,” she said to the deputy. “I truly don’t believe he did anything.”
“We aren’t arresting him.”
“I’m just giving a statement,” Max said. He stood up, but kept his eyes focused on hers.
“A statement?” The gaze she returned was filled with what looked like relief.
“Yes.”
“What statement?”
Deputy Blythe told Max, “You don’t have to discuss your statement with others.”
“Is it a secret?” Ruby asked.
“No. However, this is an ongoing investigation.” The deputy glanced back toward the office the Sheriff had disappeared into.
Ruby nodded. “I understand. No worries.” She smiled up at Max in a way that he understood to mean she only had to ask him a direct question and he’d be forced—by whatever spellbound force had hold of him—to tell her the truth.
“Are you free to go?” she asked.
Deputy Blythe nodded. Max smiled.
“Could we go somewhere and chat?” she asked seemingly unable to stop staring at him.
“Sure. Want to go back to my place? It’s not far from here.”
“Yes. Lead the way.” Ruby glanced at his ring finger again. If she asked, he’d be compelled to tell her the truth, if not rip his ring right off his finger and serve up his greatest secret without a moment’s hesitation. He clenched his hand protectively in a fist and shoved it into a pocket. He was a bit surprised she agreed to go back to his home. Perhaps a paranormal investigator had extra bravery built-in or more likely she had suitable self-defense skills.
“I’ll be in touch,” Deputy Blythe repeated as they moved away from her desk.
Max held out his arm for Ruby. She linked her arm in his and together they exited the station.
“Where do you live?”
“Not far.” He pointed to the left and recited his full address.The truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.She squeezed his arm and they strolled along Main Street toward his apartment.
“Are you still compelled to tell me the truth?”
“Yes. But could we wait until we’re off the streets before I confess all that I know?”
“Sure.”
Arm in arm, they reached his apartment building in no time. He entered the vestibule, bypassed checking his mailbox and headed for the stairs. “I hope you have stamina. I’m on the fourth floor and there isn’t an elevator.”
She shrugged. “No worries. It’ll help me get my minimum exercise for today.”
Arms still linked, they traversed all four flights of stairs together. He didn’t slow his steps and she kept up with him. Perhaps being a witch made her stronger than regular humans. He liked everything about her. Was it because he was spellbound? He hoped not. He liked being in love with Ruby. Everything he learned about her made him love her even more.
