"No need to be nervous. We don't mean anything else. We just wanted to ask the two ladies about the upstairs..."
Smack!
Russell picked up his badge and slapped David in the face with it again, cutting off the kid's attempt to flirt. "What do you know about Neilhan Shadori, the resident upstairs? He was found dead in his home three days ago."
"Wow, so that's what the guy upstairs was called."
Max blinked, while Caroline beside her looked completely confused. Neither of them knew anything about their neighbor.
"Sorry for disturbing you."
After saying that, Russell turned and dragged away David, who still refused to give up. Then he suddenly remembered something, turned back, and warned the two women, "I live on the third floor. As for the horse you keep in the garden, I hope you clean up its manure immediately. Otherwise..."
"Otherwise what? Are you threatening two women who live alone?"
Max put her hands on her hips, her ample chest rising proudly without the slightest fear. She had seen plenty of cops like him.
"Otherwise, the next time you're smoking, I'll arrest you on the spot." Russell turned and left, leaving Max and Caroline staring in shock.
"M-Max, you... you were caught smoking by our police officer neighbor. Damn it, you must have been exposed ages ago!"
Caroline panicked, trembling as she said, "I told you, this is New York. What you're doing is illegal."
"I-It's fine. He has no proof. Next time, I'll stay in the bathroom. If he dares barge in, I'll call the police!"
Max pretended to be calm. "Besides, it's not that big a deal. In Washington, Massachusetts, and California, it's perfectly reasonable and legal."
"I hope so!"
Caroline rubbed her forehead, then suddenly brightened. "What did you think of Officer David