While Max was upstairs, Brian sat down on the sofa, knees on his elbows and his head in his hands. He couldn't think. He couldn't fucking stop thinking. Jesus, what a fucking mess.

At the sound of Max's footsteps on the stairs, he lifted his head.

"She got out as soon as I got home from the office. She's a lot smarter than she looks," he muttered, his mouth pressed into a thin line. He drew in a breath and finally asked, "Where the hell were you?"