Soon the houses started to spread out and the
driveways grew longer. He guided her to a gate where hedges
kept anyone from the street from seeing in.
"This is your house?"
"No, this is my gate."
Janet stopped at the voice box and rolled down her
window. "There are no numbers."
"No, there isn't." Max leaned over her body, his face mere
inches from hers. "Excuse me." He reached out and pressed
one of the buttons on the call box. No one answered. Instead,
a small door opened and a laser type camera emerged.
23
Before the Moon Rises
by Catherine Bybee
She sat back and watched the laser scan his eye. Done, a
British voice came over the intercom. "Welcome home, Mr.
Ritter."
Janet gawked at him. How could she not? He was so damn
close. Before Max settled back into the passenger seat he
nudged closer and deliberately sniffed her hair. His eyes
closed briefly as if savoring the smell.
She squeezed her legs together in an attempt to block out
the tingling between her thighs.
A metallic hum of the automatic gate opening broke the
spell. "Shall we?" she asked.
She knew he wasn't homeless, but this was ridiculous. He
had a butler. Who has a butler? His house was huge! Thirty-
foot ceilings, massive archways and marble columns made up
the entryway and hall. Artwork the size of her car covered the
immense walls of what had to be a formal living room.
James, the butler, helped her out of her sweater and
offered her coffee when Max went off to get dressed. She
accepted the coffee, but instead of sitting to drink it, she
wandered around Mr. Naked Man's home.
Could this really be his house? If it was, then why the hell
was he naked on the streets if he lived like this?
Was he into drugs? Suddenly nervous, Janet put her coffee
cup down. She noticed cameras, or what she knew were
cameras, hidden by small black disks on the walls and ceiling.
Was he spying on her now?
Max glanced over at the bank of monitors on the wall. He
watched her pace his home. Her hands skimmed over several
pricy pieces of art. He could see her breath quicken.
24
Before the Moon Rises
by Catherine Bybee
He slipped into a casual sweater, but decided against a
shave. From the expression on Miss O'Brien's face, she was
ready to bolt. He ran a hand through his hair and grabbed the
remote controlling the surveillance equipment. After pressing
a button, the wall of monitors disappeared.
He yanked his keys off the dresser and shoved his wallet in
his pocket before heading out the door.
"You ready?" He bounced down the stairs. She had already
headed for the door.
"Why is it locked?" She tossed an accusing look his way.
"It's locked?"
"Yeah, it is." She tugged on the door.
Max strode over to the control panel by its side and started
punching buttons. "I have a new security system. Damn
things too complicated."
She stood back, her trembling hand slipped into her purse.
"New security system?" she asked.
"Yeah, someone robbed me a few months ago, my
insurance agency suggested this." He continued with the
buttons he knew weren't connected with the lock on the door.
"Shit," he exclaimed when he tested the door himself.
"James?" he hollered.
"Sir?"
"Can you get me the phone, the door's jammed again."
The butler returned moments later, a cordless in his hand.
Max smiled down at Janet who seemed to ease up. He dialed
his brother's number.
"Holy shit, Max is that you?"
"Hey Rich, the door is locking itself again."
25
Before the Moon Rises
by Catherine Bybee
Richard, knowing Max only called him Rich when he wasn't
at liberty to talk candidly, picked up on his cue and starting to
ask yes and no questions. "Are you all right?"
"Yes, I tried that." Max rolled his eyes in Janet's direction.
"What the hell happened last night?"
"If I could tell you that, I wouldn't be standing here
instead of taking a pretty lady out for breakfast."
Richard started to laugh. "Man you work fast. Who is she?"
"Ah huh."
"Oops,