The Electrician's Code by Clarissa Draper

screen. He was about to text a message to Evans when the woman in the bed next to him stirred.
    “Don’t get up yet,” she mumbled and pulled the blankets over her head.
    “I have to get to work, Sarah. I’m on an important case right now.” He found his clothes in a pile beside the bed and dragged the whole lot with his feet into the bathroom. And what the hell was he supposed to do with the car? Was he supposed to meet Sophia at her flat? He knew he should just ring her but he felt ashamed.
    He turned on the shower and climbed in. The cool water jolted him awake. As the water warmed, he quickly soaped up. A few minutes later, Sarah joined him.
    “You don’t mind, do you? I should have enough time if you drop me off at home to change and get to work.”
    Yes. That would be a bother. He had to make it to Sophia’s flat before she left and he wouldn’t have time if he took Sarah to her flat. And he really didn’t want Sophia and Sarah to meet. How did it take only hours for life to complicate itself? “Actually, I’m not going into the office this morning. I have something to do first. But I can give you money for a taxi if you like.”
    He thought he could see her heart sink in her chest. “Yeah, sure, I understand.”
    He kissed her on the forehead. “But don’t you worry, I’ll see you later today.”
    “Really? You mean tonight?”
    “Well, I meant at the office. But, if you want more beer . . .”
    Sarah laughed. She hadn’t even got through a third of the first bottle. The liar.
    “You can come round my flat. I’ll cook something you like. What do you like to eat?”
    “You can cook?”
    “Of course, silly. I make a mean stuffed pepper. How about that? I might be able to wrestle up some beer. They have beer stores near my flat too.”
    He leaned over and kissed her. “What time do you have to be at work?”
    “Nine,” she replied.
    “Hmm,” he replied, kissing her neck, taking in the smell of the soap and shampoo. “I think we have time.”
    Liam tied a half-Windsor and looked himself over in the mirror. He needed a haircut, and when he rubbed his hand over his chin, he realized he could do with a wet shave as well. An indulgence he hadn’t had in three weeks. More time than money, for his case load had doubled due to cutbacks. Still, he felt he looked presentable and his ability to bring a fine lady home when he cared to only boosted his self-confidence.
    His buzzer rang.
    Liam went over to the intercom and pressed the talk button. “Who is it?” Sarah came and stood beside him, putting in her earrings.
    “It’s Sophia. Can I come up?”
    Shit.
    “Yeah, yeah, come up.” He pressed the button to open the door and then focused his attention on Sarah. “Sophia’s here. Please stay in the bedroom. I don’t want us to be the talk of the office quite yet.”
    “Sophia? Sophia who? Is she one of the . . .” She snapped her fingers trying to remember. “Computer people.”
    “Computer people? She’s an analyst.” How was she ever recruited for government work? Turning her round, he pushed her into his room and grabbed the Merc keys off the chest of drawers. “It’ll just be a minute. Please keep quiet.” He shut the door behind him just as he heard a knock at the door.
    “Evans.” With all his might, he tried to keep back a smile but she wore a long pink puffer jacket and a knitted hat. “Is it really that cold outside?” Turning to the side, she walked past him into the entrance of his flat. She looked around.
    “Not outside, but I’ve been cloistered in a flat that would freeze the North Pole. I’m not wearing blue lipstick; I’m just suffering from hypothermia. Anyway . . .”
    “Ah right, you want your Merc back.”
    “No. That would mean I would have to drive it back to that neighborhood. No, I came to give you the keys to your car and the code to my underground car park. Please, return my car sometime today. Your car is sitting in space C19 .” With