“I promise you can tell me, Jules. I won’t be a dick about it.”
She took another large swig and met his gaze. “I—-I think it’s about confidence. Capability. That’s the appeal. The guys in romance novels know what you want before you do and that’s…I can’t believe I’m talking about this with you.”
“Why not? I’m a good listener.”
“No, you’re a cop. You know how to extract information from people without them noticing. And I’m drunk so I’m giving it to you.”
Her face reddened and he knew she regretted her choice of words. “Anyway, my point is that you’re too charming for your own good. Pig.”
Max grinned. “My dad used to say if you want someone to tell you, a smile’s as good as thumbscrews.”
“Well, if his teeth were anything like yours that makes sense. What does he say about interrogation now?”
Max felt a familiar stab of pain. “Not much. He died when I was ten.”
The corners of her mouth turned down. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t worry about it, it was a long time ago.”
And yet he could still smell the meatloaf they’d had for dinner, recall the exact song playing on the radio—“Any Colour You Like” by Pink Floyd. His dad had kissed him on his head, told him to be good for his mum and gone in to the station for the last shift of his life.
Julia eyes were soft. “How did he pass?”
“He got shot on the job. A couple of guys escaped the cells and overpowered him.”
Julia flinched. “I’m so sorry.”
“It’s okay. Like I said, it was a long time ago.” Not that he’d been able to eat meatloaf or listen to Pink Floyd since.
“Is that why you became a cop? For superhero-style vigilante justice?”
Max laughed. “Why, do you think I look like Batman?”
“Sort of,” she said, blushing.
“Well, that’s flattering, but I always wanted to be a cop. Mum’s a detective and both my sisters are prosecutors. I think it’s in our blood.”
“That’s cool. I don’t know what the Bennett’s have in their blood except bourbon.”
“What does your dad do?”
“No idea. I haven’t seen him since I was a kid. He’s a complete deadbeat. Probably where Ash gets her excellent taste in guys from.”
Max had been thinking the exact same thing and felt a little guilty. “Well then, why aren’t you like that?”
“I’m too withdrawn to pick up guys after bar brawls?”
Max laughed. “I wouldn’t call you withdrawn.”
“Yeah, there are better ways of describing it, like ‘socially-handicapped nerd’.”
“You’re too pretty to be a nerd.”
The words passed his lips before he had a chance to stop them. “Sorry, I’m not trying to be…inappropriate.”
Julia stared at her boots. “I know. Um, thanks. Anyway, my dad? Total dickhead. No one I want to take life pointers from.”
“Maybe you’re lucky. It’s daunting having to follow in your old man’s footsteps.”