Chapter Text
Visiting Maximilian was Riftan’s priority for the time being while the rest of the officers were back in Anatol still celebrating their win. He wanted to buy his way into staying at the hospital as long as she was there, but the staff wouldn’t allow it.
At some point he tried using his status for the first time to get what he wanted, but failure met him in the end. The closest hotel was one of the most expensive in the city, but that didn’t worry him at all. Riftan spent a portion of his nights following up with the last bits of the criminals’ whereabouts before totally putting the matter away, and the rest of the time thinking about Maximilian as if she wasn’t a call away.
It was almost eight in the morning when he made his way to what became a familiar bakery. Riftan had brought the nurse an assortment one day and continued the pattern until she spoke up about it.
Maximilian was staring at the box of goods in her hands when the sheriff noticed she didn’t immediately dig in. Sitting in the arm chair, zoning out the sound of the television to listen to anything that came out of her mouth, Riftan asked worriedly, “Is something wrong?”
Maximilian looked up, a little shocked by his voice yet again before replying, “Oh, n-nothing’s wrong. But Riftan, y-you’ve been bringing me f-food for the l-last couple of d-days, and not once h-have you answered m-my question. A-and that’s not to say I’m n-not grateful for it e-every time, but d-don’t you agree it’s good t-to get things off y-your chest?”
He knew exactly what she meant, but just like the first time she asked, he wasn’t planning on giving an honest answer. After taking a deep breath, Riftan kept his eyes locked with the nurse’s before she let her head lay low again from the slight intimidation.