I tossed on a pretty navy dress that had tiny little flowers on it and one-inch-thick shoulder straps. It had an awesome corset-style bodice that was woven into the fabric, so my boobs were lifted and looking voluptuous as all get out. I added a thin white cardigan to hide the scars and slipped my feet into a pair of bright white Keds-style shoes that were actually Kate Spade. I’d accidentally walked off a fashion shoot wearing the shoes and had called my agent, who in turn notified the client, but they told me to keep them. Rich people didn’t stay rich by being spenders. They stayed rich by holding onto their money and investing smartly. To me, this meant I got a free pair of cute tennis shoes and a fat paycheck for the job.
With quick feet I dashed down the stairs and was not only met by Mr. Holt, Lance, Jonah, and Ryan, but also a frowning Mama Kerri who was busily making tea and putting out cookies.
Tea and cookies meant bad news.
“What’s going on?” I asked shoving my wild hair out of my face.
Jonah’s jaw was tight, and his face set at grim. “Come here, Addy. We need to have a talk.”
“I need to get to work…” I wanted to shove whatever the hell it was as far away as possible and put my head firmly in the sand where no one could hurt me.
“Baby girl.” Mama wrapped her arm around my shoulders and led me to the kitchen table where we’d had an amazing family dinner filled with love and laughter just last night. I wanted instantly to go back to that. She then retreated and got me a cup of tea and a plate of cookies.
I closed my eyes knowing whatever was coming was going to be very bad.
“When was the last time you’ve been to your apartment?” Jonah asked sitting next to me.
My apartment. “Um, I don’t know… Maybe a couple months? After the situation, I went back to get most of my clothing and essentials, but I’ve not been there since.”
“You haven’t been back to your place in months? What about your mail?”
“I had it forward here. Why?”
Jonah looked at Ryan and then reached out and took my hand. Mama Kerri cuddled against my back and my heart started to pound an erratic beat.
“I’m so sorry to tell you this, Addy. Last night neighbors complained to the super that the floor of your building stunk to high heaven. They narrowed it down to your apartment. The super went in to check it out. No one had seen you in a while and they suspected that you weren’t there. They uh… Sweetheart, they found another murdered woman.”
I jerked back but Mama held on. “What?!” I gasped.
Jonah held my hand between both of his. “She’s been there a while, Addy. At least a month according to the coroner’s initial findings last night. Her purse was there so we know her identity and she looks very similar to you. Not only that, but we also found clothes lying next to her body that had been torn. The body was dressed in something that we believe was yours.”
“Wh-what?” I couldn’t even comprehend what they were saying.
“She’d been strangled just like the others and burnt with cigarettes up and down her inner forearms just like you. Based on the estimated time of the murder, we believe she was killed and left for you to find. Since you didn’t go back to your apartment, the killer didn’t catch your attention. Then he killed Hillary Johnson, the woman in the park, making a more public attempt to get your notice.”
I closed my eyes as my body shook. “I-I don’t know what to say.”
Mama Kerri tucked me to her side. “You don’t have to say anything, baby girl.” She wrapped her arms around me, and I held on. Instead of tears, I went completely numb. Shock being the prevailing feeling setting in.
Jonah ran his hand up and down my arm from shoulder to elbow. “Do you know a woman by the name of Alison Wills? She was a receptionist at a law firm downtown. Maybe you crossed paths with her in the city or for work?”
I shook my head, the name not ringing a bell at all.
“Okay, I know this is hard to hear and you need some time to process but, sweetheart, we’re going to need to take you to your apartment.”