Before Max knew it, it was early afternoon and time to get ready for the Christmas party. He’d hoped Smitty would return to the WBIS in time for them to go to the party together, but that was unlikely. Smitty had phoned Max just after lunch to say complications had arisen, and he was still involved with the autopsy he’d told Max about, but he would arrive as soon as he could.
Max showered and shaved, then slicked back his damp hair and dressed in the clothes he’d brought. He admired the cut of the black moiré suit Smitty had given him for his birthday. None of Max’s other lovers had been so thoughtful.
Satisfied he would do Smitty proud, Max gave a final tug to his jacket cuffs, picked up the present, and left Medical. He chose to take the stairs to the cafeteria on the second floor rath
