Chapter 31

Half an hour later, Myles sat silently in the passenger seat of Frank's burgundy Town & Country, his thoughts a jangled mess inside his head. His partner tried to make small talk but abandoned the effort once it was obvious Myles was in no mood to respond. He hadn't ignored his friend intentionally, he just wasn't able to focus on the words coming from his mouth.

"How are you holding up?" Frank asked after a long span of silence.

Myles bit the inside of cheek, praying the sting might distract him. "I feel like shit. I feel like this is all my fault. I should have went after Nick Lockhart the second Hudson mentioned him. I knew he had something to do with this!"

"Hey, wait a minute. We don't know anything yet. First, we have to bring this guy in for questioning. And until we can prove he was involved in the attack, he's innocent until proven guilty. Don't forget that. Don't let your emotions overrule your need to remain professional. You're smarter than that, rookie. Don't jeopardize your future on the force. You took an Oath of Honor not too long ago. Remember that?"

Of course, he remembered that! Being the best cop he could be was important to him. He had plans for his future. Working the night shift as a patrol officer was just the first step in what he hoped would be a long and fulfilling career in law enforcement. Who knew where he might end up one day. Ever since he was a kid watching reruns of reality cop shows, the thought of becoming a detective had appealed to him. And due to the competitiveness of the position, he knew his performance record would need to be nothing less than excellent.

On the other hand, what about his budding relationship with Hudson? He'd really fallen for her. Hard. And he sensed she felt the same way. It had crossed his mind on more then one occasion that they might actually have a future together. Something more than just a few dates and a couple of orgasms. This could be the real deal. He needed to take what had happened seriously, look into every possible lead he could find. Because until they caught this monster, the woman he had come to care for might still be in danger.

Frank parked across from the red brick building and Myles' gaze immediately connected with the open window on the fourth floor. Was Jacob in there now? Was Annie? How would they respond once they discovered what had happened to their friend? Were they even wondering where Hudson was? Why she'd never returned home? Did they care?

Anxiety tightened inside his chest as they made their way across the street and into the old building. The morning sun had finally burned off the last ghostly swirls of fog. As they climbed four flights of stairs, a staggering dizziness settled in his head. The stress of the morning overshadowed the coffee Frank had so thoughtfully provided when he'd picked him up, but the caffeine was no match against his exhaustion and frayed nerves. Myles felt emotionally drained and hungover. And his day was only just starting.

When they arrived in front of Hudson's apartment, Frank rapped his knuckles in quick, sharp blows against the manufactured wood. No one answered. He tried again, louder. Myles nudged him aside and pounded against the door until his arm ached. Still, no one appeared.

Before he had time to rationalize the decision, Myles heaved his side against the door, the frame cracking as it gave way. As he stepped into the apartment, he nearly tripped over black heels. He kicked the shoes to the side. "Are you coming?" he asked, looking over his shoulder at his partner.

Frank gave a nod and followed him inside.

Other than the sounds of honking horns and screeching tires from rush hour traffic floating in through the open window, everything was silent.

"Didn't you say she had a friend over last night?" Frank asked.

Myles nodded. "That's what she said. She said her friend Jacob came home early from a trip so she wouldn't be alone." He shook his head, his eyes taking in the empty apartment. "This doesn't make sense. Wouldn't he still be here? It's early."

Not waiting for an answer, Myles wandered down the narrow hallway and stood in front of the spare bedroom. He knocked once, then flung the door open in a rush. His gaze swept over a made-up bed, and a long white dresser decorated with a fine layer of dust. The room looked as if it hadn't been touched in months. Wouldn't Jacob have stayed in there last night?

A sickening weight  anchored in his stomach. If Hudson's friend hadn't slept in that room, where had he slept?

He turned and eyed Hudson's bedroom door, a wave of nausea moving through him. Holding his breath, he moved further down the hall until he paused in front of the second closed door. With his fingers on the handle, he forced himself to turn the knob.

Myles' eyebrows scrunched together as he took in the sight. "What. The. Fuck. Is. Going. On?"

The bedroom sat empty, same as the first. Sheets on the bed were twisted and unmade, and a small pile of clothing left tossed in a heap on the floor. Long strands of silky black hair spread out like a fan underneath. Myles reached into the pile.

"What is it?" Frank asked from the hallway. He walked into the room and stood behind him. "A wig?"

Myles shook his head again, growing more confused. "But why?" he wondered out loud. He flung the hairpiece onto the bed and charged down the hall.

"Where are you going?" his partner called after him.

He didn't answer. He walked out of the apartment and across the hall, banging as loud as he could on the door opposite Hudson's. "Annie? Are you in there?" He was shouting now, but it didn't matter. Who cared if he woke up her friend? He needed answers, and he needed them now. "Annie! Open up!"

A slow creak came from a few feet away. "What's going on out here?" a female voice asked. Myles turned to the large wire-rimmed glasses peeking from around a door frame. He recognized them immediately. It was the woman who'd been there the first time he and Frank had visited the building. After the call they'd received the night Hudson was attacked.

"Don't I know you?" she asked, stepping into the soft light of the hall. Her brown hair clung to her head in frizzy curls and the dark-red lipstick she wore slashed across her two front teeth. "Aren't you that cop that was here several weeks ago?"

"Jenni Pelton. Isn't that right?" Frank said from the doorway of Hudson's apartment. His partner had a memory like an elephant.

The woman's plump cheeks grew rosy underneath her pale complexion. "That's right," she said, stealing a glance at her slippered feet. "I'm surprised you remember my name."

Frank raised his eyebrows. "You left quite an impression with me. It's not every day we have a witness give such a thorough police report."

Her blush grew darker. "Well, I did dream of a career in law enforcement when I was younger. And I learned observation techniques from watching NCIS. It's my favorite show."

His partner nodded and gave her a kind smile. "I remember you saying that. It's obvious you've done your homework. Can we get your help now? We could really use it."

The woman straightened her stance, her eyes growing wide beneath her glasses. "Of course. Anything you need!"

Frank took a few steps closer. "Does the apartment manager live on site? We need access to this room," he said, glancing toward the closed door.

Ms. Pelton nodded eagerly. "Yes, he does. I'll fetch him for you now. Be right back." She waddled away as fast as her legs could carry her and disappeared down the steps.

Frank turned to Myles and gave him a look. "We don't need you breaking down anymore doors."

The men stood in awkward silence until the woman returned with a skinny, annoyed-looking man by her side. "See, I told you," she said, pointing at both of them. "They're standing right here. Exactly where I said they'd be." She flashed the cops a triumphant smile.

"Jenni, how many times have I told you to stay out of other people's business? You make the neighbors nervous," the man announced in a nasally voice. He pushed a hand through thinning, black hair.

"I wasn't in their business," she retorted with a huff. "They asked me to get you. Isn't that right, Officer?" She threw Frank a sharp look.

"That's right, Ms Pelton. Thank you for your help." Frank stepped forward and shook the man's hand. "My name's Officer Williams and this is my partner, Officer Young. The woman who lives here isn't answering her door, and we need to speak with her about something that happened earlier this morning. Can you help us?"

The man crinkled his forehead. "I'm afraid not. This apartment's been empty for the past three months. Ever since the former tenant passed away. But I do have someone coming by this evening to check it out. It's not always easy to fill a top floor apartment, you know. Not everyone likes to—"

"Wait a minute," Myles said, interrupting. "You mean, no one lives here? What about Annie Ross?"

The manager shook his head. "Never heard of her."

"That's impossible! I know for a fact she lives here." He turned to Hudson's neighbor who only shrugged.

"Sorry, Officer, but this apartment's vacant." The manager glanced at Ms. Pelton and then back at the door. "There's nothing in there but a few cobwebs and some dust bunnies."

"I want in," Myles demanded. "Right now." This man was nuts, and he was about to prove it. What kind of building manager couldn't keep track of their own tenants?

"Is it possible to open the door?" Frank asked the man in a much calmer tone. "We'd appreciate looking inside for ourselves."

"Of course." He dug into the deep, side pocket of his lightweight jacket, Harrison Place Apartments stitched in navy across the chest. He pulled out a large ring of keys and riffled through them until he found the one he was looking for. He stepped forward and slid the small, golden key into the hole and swung open the door, moving aside to let them through.

Myles walked in, his eyes traveling around in astonishment. The apartment was completely empty.

His heart thudded inside his chest as his gaze collided with his partner's. And for the first time since they'd met, Frank looked utterly shocked.