Free Witch Hearts by Liz Long Page A

Phillips muttered, continuing to scribble information down. “I need to see the armoire.”
    Ruby's hand flew to the key at her neck. No way was she opening it for him; her Book of Shadows needed to remain safe and unseen, plus he’d probably think she was nuts if he saw her altar. She didn’t even want Michael near it at the moment.  
    “What do you mean, you’re a new tenant?” Michael asked Cooper. Perhaps he hadn’t meant to save Ruby just then, but all the same, she’d take the distraction.  
    “I’m not going to leave her unprotected. I’m going to stay here until the killer is…discovered,” Cooper said as he shot a look at the detective. Ruby knew he almost said “handled” but that would probably be bad form in front of the law.
    “Nonsense. I have tons of room at my place and there’s no way he’ll get into my building. You should stay with me, Ruby.”
    Ruby snorted. “With you and Queen Bee? I’ll pass, thanks.”
    “Rebecca doesn’t live with me, but I’ll make sure she understands all the same. Your protection must be taken seriously,” Michael responded.
    “Which is why I’m staying here,” Cooper jumped in.
    Ruby restrained rolling her eyes into the back of her head. The testosterone in the room was beginning to stifle her.
    “Guys. Thanks for all your help, really. Michael, I’m not staying with you, but I suppose I appreciate the offer. Cooper, I don’t guess I can stop you from camping out in the guest room?” He shook his head. “All right, then enjoy your stay at Casa de Jackson. Hope you don’t expect mints on your pillow. Detective, it’s late. May I please continue this with you tomorrow at the precinct or something?”
    She thought she caught a small smile under his bushy mustache as she gave her spiel. “Yes, ma’am, I know it’s been a long night. Here’s my card. Please give me a call in the morning at your convenience and we’ll arrange a meeting. In the meantime, I’m taking this note to see if we can get any prints off it.”
    Ruby nodded and walked him to the door. She gave him a firm handshake. “Thank you for coming by so late. I’m going to talk to my landlord first thing to get my locks changed and then we’ll talk.”
    “We have an officer who lives in this building on the basement floor. I’m going to let him know what’s going on, as well as have a car stationed out in the lot to let this guy know the police are looking out for him.”
    “Oh, okay. Should I meet with your cop?”
    “Yeah, I’ll tell him to stop by in a day or two. His name is Ben Marshall; he’s a fine officer and will take this seriously.”
    “Thank you.”  
    “See you tomorrow,” he said. He turned on his heel and exited the apartment as Ruby held the door open.
    “Michael, I think you should go home now, too,” she said. He hadn’t left his post by the doorway where he faced Cooper.  
    Michael turned to face her with a worried expression. “Are you sure? I don’t mind staying…”
    “I’m putting a protection spell back up and going to bed the moment I shut this door. I’m fine and Cooper is here to make sure this prick doesn’t come back. I’ll talk to you later.”
    Michael walked to the door, placing his hand on her shoulder. “Call me if you need anything. I’ll have a transport spell ready in case I need to get to you quickly, okay?”
    “Don’t waste the unnecessary energy, Michael. I’ll be fine.”
    “All the same…I’m here for you. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
    “Yeah, okay. ‘Night.” Ruby swung the door a little and he seemed to get the point. He turned to give Cooper a quick look before squeezing Ruby's shoulder. He walked out and Ruby immediately locked the door behind him.  

CHAPTER TEN

    Without another word, Ruby got her chalk and herbs out of the armoire and recreated her protection spell. Cooper said nothing, watching her every move from his seat on the couch. Once she was done, she went into her room to change into