Before the Moon Rises Read Free Page A

locked with hers sending a chill
    up her spine.
    19

    Before the Moon Rises
    by Catherine Bybee
    "Hey Janet," a voice called from beyond the closed curtain.
    "I've got to go. Day shift needs report." But her feet didn't
    move. Instead, she stared at him, knowing somehow she
    would give in to his request, and if nothing else give him a
    ride home.
    Something she had never done before.
    "I'll meet you outside, by your car."
    On a sigh she said, "Yeah, okay." Janet turned away. "How
    do you know what I drive?"
    "I don't, but I'll figure it out."
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    20

    Before the Moon Rises
    by Catherine Bybee

Chapter Two
    This was crazy. No, it was stupid. Even attractive men can
    be serial killers.
    Janet changed into a simple pair of jeans and loose knit
    top. She ran a brush through her hair and slapped on some
    lip-gloss. Before leaving the women's locker room, she
    checked her purse twice, assuring herself the mace sat at the
    bottom of her bag.
    At the last minute, she dialed her home phone number and
    left a message. Just in case she ended up dead, the police
    would have an idea of who did it. "I'm leaving work to take
    Max Ritter, a patient from last night's shift, home. I've got to
    be crazy." She tossed the phone into her purse.
    "Oh, God," she groaned. This really is stupid.
    She walked to the parking lot slower than normal. Sure
    enough, Mr. Naked Man leaned against her car. This time
    dressed in scrubs, slippers on his feet.
    "I started to think you changed your mind."
    "I should." Janet clicked her alarm key and unlocked the
    doors of the car. "Get in before I do."
    Tucked behind the steering wheel, Janet fastened her
    seatbelt. "Where do you live?"
    He rambled off a few directions and a street address. Janet
    put the car in gear and left the parking lot.
    "Nice car."
    "I like it," she said, trying her best not to look at him.
    21

    Before the Moon Rises
    by Catherine Bybee
    "I didn't see you behind the wheel of a 'Vette. You seemed
    to be more like a sub-compact kind of girl."
    "What's that suppose to mean?" She dared a glance. His
    smug expression turned to one of innocence.
    Max put his hands in the air. "It wasn't meant as an
    insult."
    Janet rounded the corner a little fast; Max held the side of
    the door in an obvious attempt at avoiding injury. Sub-
    compact my foot! She smiled. "I like fast cars. My dad used to
    race when I was a kid. It's in my blood, so-to-speak."
    "Humm... I'll bet you work on it yourself."
    Janet glanced over at him again, not sure if he was
    mocking her. "As a matter of fact—"
    "I would think after all the experience you must have
    taking care of accident victims, you would drive something
    safer," he interrupted.
    "Stupid drivers and unkempt cars get in accidents. Seldom
    is it solely the car's fault. Besides, just because it will go fast,
    doesn't mean I drive it fast." She glanced down, noticed the
    speedometer inch toward 85 MPH, then eased up on the gas.
    "Tell me, Mr. Ritter."
    "Max."
    "Okay, Max. If you didn't think I drove a Corvette, then
    how did you know which car was mine?"
    "I have a keen sense of smell."
    Janet peered over the brim of her sunglasses. "You could
    smell my car on me?"
    "No, I could smell you on the car."
    22

    Before the Moon Rises
    by Catherine Bybee
    He was serious. He didn't even cut a smile with his
    explanation. "Why do I find that hard to believe?"
    Max leaned over the center console and took a deep
    breath through his nose. "The last thing you ate in here was a
    hamburger."
    "Me and half of America."
    Undaunted by her sarcasm, he went on. "Double double
    from In and Out without onions, fries and a diet coke."
    She knew her mouth was open, his laugh made her close
    it.
    "How do you keep your figure eating like that? I thought
    nurses were all health freaks."
    "Fast metabolism," she explained still put back by his
    observation.
    "This is my exit." Max pointed at the sign.
    Janet let him lead her up and into the hills above
    Hollywood.