Page 27 of The Me I Left Behind

“Oh Julia, no.”

“Not arguing with you, Maggie. This is what we are doing.”

“Are you sure?”

“Positive.”

“I’ll pay you back. Somehow.”

“Not necessary.”

Maggie felt like letting her tears fall. She held them back earlier, but now… Once again, Julia was bailing her out of trouble. “Thank you.”

With a sigh, Julia leaned forward and embraced her. Then a couple of seconds later, she stood and said louder, “I’m glad you’re feeling better now, Mags. Just sit for a minute and I’ll be right back.”

She did that for Max’s benefit, if he was listening, she guessed. Julia headed down the hall toward Max’s office and returned a minute later with paper and a pen. She scribbled a note to her.

Write notes. No text. Phone bugged?

Maggie shrugged and wrote.O.K.

Julia took back the pen.Office. Then Carol, get littles, and disappear.

Maggie nodded again, fully understanding what she meant. They’d clear the office, get the kids, and then get the fuck out of Dodge.

“Okay,so let’s make quick work of this.” Julia scanned the room. “At first glance, I don’t see any devices, but you never know.” She headed to the window wall and took down a picture, ran her hand over the back of it, then replaced it. Rounding the room, she examined every piece of art on the wall. “Pretty sure the room is clear.”

“So, it’s okay to talk?”

“Yes.”

“Great. Where do we start?”

“We could tackle this back wall of bookshelves, to see if he has any hidey-holes for stashing shit.”

“Wow. This is sort of spy like.” Maggie grinned.

Julia laughed. “You’re getting a goddamned kick out of this, aren’t you?”

“Most fun I’ve had in a while.” But she knew this would not be fun. Dealing with Max and the aftermath was never fun. “I have to confess, that when I was crowbarring those devices and unhinging the door, I felt a strange feeling of satisfaction.”

“I can certainly understand why, Mags.”

“If I found something on him, something to hold over his head, I’d feel even more giddy.”

Nudging her, Julia said, “Stop it. I can see hunger in your eyes. Don’t linger over that thought right now, just concentrate on the tasks. Let’s see what we can find.” Julia pulled down three books. “I promise, we will find something. Anything unusual shout out or put aside.”

“I can do that.”

Maggie laid her hand on the shiny desk surface. “Maybe I should finish the desk.”

Julia turned back. “Didn’t you go through everything in there?”

“No.” Maggie stepped closer. “I emptied a few drawers, that’s it. One drawer was full of old planners, another with files of receipts. For taxes, I guess.”

“Receipts?”

Maggie nodded. “Yes.”