“Yes. At the Black and Orange Ball,” Max said.
“Good luck getting them to remove it.” She laughed uproariously again. “They never remember anything after the Black and Orange Ball, especially the day after they’ve been drinking like thirsty fish.”
“Are we free to go?” Ruby asked.
“Sure. Why not?” Sheriff Merrow looked Max in the eyes. “But if I need you, I expect you will return.”
Max shared a glance with Ruby and nodded. “I promise.”
“Do you believe him, Hank?” Birdie asked, sounding surprised.
“I don’t believe he’ll stay for the sake of my investigation, but I’m confident he will stay for Ruby.”
Ruby led Max out of the station with Bubba following close behind.
Once out on the street, they waved goodbye to Bubba, who said Astrid was likely chomping at the bit to hear his report of what had happened. Hand in hand, Ruby led Max back to her office. They entered through the back so Max wouldn’t have to pass the satellite office of Bubba’s Psychic Readings.
Ruby had only just closed and locked the back entrance when someone knocked loudly on the front door.
Ruby motioned for Max to stay out of sight. She made her way to the front door, unlocked and opened it.
A bear of a man stood there with a grin on his face and what looked like a tan bucket hat crunched between his callused fingers. Ruby noted that while she was sure they’d never met, he looked familiar. His hair was more gray than original color, which looked to be reddish-blond.
“Hi there.” The man extended his hand. “Are you Ruby Hart?”
“Who is asking?” she returned warily, not lifting a hand to shake his.
“Oh. I’m Milo Vandervere.” He pushed his hand closer and Ruby shook it lightly. He didn’t seem to notice her lackluster handshake. Was that why her final payment had been so quick to deposit in her account? Because Uncle Milo was here in Nocturne Falls? Fascinating. Was he here to see Max?
“Mind if I come in and talk to you for a bit?”
Ruby looked over her shoulder. Max was staying hidden. Either he hadn’t heard who was knocking or didn’t want to be found by his uncle yet.
“Technically, I’m closed. I was just about to leave for the evening.”
“This won’t take long, I promise.” His earnest expression didn’t look in anyway nefarious.
“Okay. I’ll give you two minutes. Then I have to go. I have another appointment tonight.”
“Dandy. Two minutes is all I need.”
When he walked past her into her front office, Ruby realized that he reminded her of Max. Must be a family resemblance, although it wasn’t true in her case. She didn’t look like anyone inherfamily. Not really.
Once she closed the door, Milo said, “I wanted to thank you so much for agreeing to look for my nephew here in Nocturne Falls. I’ve wanted to get in touch, but wasn’t certain how to go about it. I was grateful to discover your detective business here in town.”
Ruby had sent the response message this morning. Had he not received it? The open sign-in book at the Pinehurst Inn suddenly flashed in her brain. The person with M starting his name had gotten here yesterday. Before she sent the message. Had it been forwarded to him?
“I was wondering if you had any news.”
Ruby frowned. “I sent a response this morning.”
The man looked flabbergasted. “Really? I didn’t get it.”
“The second half of the payment came back to me by lunchtime, too.”
Milo snapped his fingers. “Of course. I had my valet Hayward deal with the actual correspondence. I haven’t spoken to him yet. He probably has it waiting for me.”Valet? Really?
“Why are you here, then, if not because of my correspondence?”
