“Don’t stress, it was a good idea.”
They stood stock-still, waiting for footsteps to come hammering down the stairs to investigate the noise. After several tense seconds, the knot in Max’s stomach tightened. “It’s no good. The sound must be traveling down the vent. I can hear people talking.”
He pressed his ear against the grate, acutely aware of how close his face was to Julia’s.
“Got much on for tonight?”
Max recognized the broad, flat voice as Sergeant Daly.
“Missus has a roast going.”That was Grant Jackson, one of the detectives.“Feel like a beer first?”
“You’ve got the right idea. Let’s head out the front and walk to the pub. I’ll lock up on the way out.”
Julia banged a fist against the vent. “If they go out the front they won’t pass the property office. They won’t hear us.”
Max gritted his teeth. “I can’t be that unlucky. Surely to God I can’t be.”
“We’re the last people in, yeah?”Jackson called.“Where’s Connor?”
“I’m here,” Max shouted. “I’m in the property office, you tool.”
Julia giggled nervously.
“Connor left half an hour ago. What about that IT bird? Was she in today?”
“Who?”
“You know, the brunette with legs up to her chin? The one Halloran wants a crack at?”
“I know who you’re talking about. Julia Something. I don’t like Halloran’s chances of getting her legs apart.”
“Oh, man, gross.” Julia groaned.
All at once, Max felt quite capable of tearing the evidence room door from its hinges. He jammed his hands in his pockets willing his superiors to shut the fuck up.
“Yeah, she’s all right. She’d look better without that stupid thing in her nose. Why do women do that to themselves?”
Julia touched her stud, looking pained.
“Don’t listen to them.” Max gestured to his nose. “It looks good.”
It did. Like a little point of light, highlighting how delicate everything around it was.
“Come on, let’s get out of here, Jackson. Beer awaits.”
Daly and Jackson’s footsteps faded away, taking their last chance of escape with them. Max sighed heavily. "Who says men don't bitch, huh?"
"Men say men don't bitch.” Julia’s smile was bitter. “I guess I’ll just wear an enormous paper bag to work from now on.”
“Don’t worry about what those old bastards think. You think they know style when they see it?”
Julia scuffed the ground with her boots. “I don’t mind. Seriously.”
“I mind. You don’t deserve to hear that shit.”
Julia smiled, freckles collecting on her nose. “Thanks.”
“Anytime.” Without thinking, Max touched her arm. Sparks shot up his fingers and they both jerked away like two magnets repelling each other.