ascend them sideways, like a crab, using both my cane and the handrail.
'We do have an elevator, Lieut,' mentioned more than one of the uniforms who passed me going up or down.
'It's not the destination so much as how you get there.' I'd grin through my sweat, but after the twentieth stair I began to doubt my own wisdom.
Benedict was waiting for me when I reached my office. 'I see you took the stairs. Or are you fresh from the sauna?'
'The leg keeps stiffening up. I need to stretch it.'
'That's a nice sweater.'
'Just got it. Thanks.'
'Are you wearing perfume?'
'Maybe a touch. Why?'
'No reason. So how'd that lead pan out at Lunch Mates?'
Smart-ass. 'Shouldn't you be eating something about this time of day?'
'That does sound tempting. We'll stop on the way. I'll drive, if you don't mind. And unless you'd like me to carry you on my shoulders, I think we should take advantage of modern technology and use the elevator.'
'If it's convenient for you, who am I to argue?'
We took the elevator, and Herb's car, and after a quick stop at the local Burger King drive-thru we headed for Theresa Metcalf's apartment.
'So, did you join up or not?' Herb asked, finishing off his last bite of burger.
'I don't want to talk about it.'
'Must have been expensive.'
'It was. Now let's pretend for a moment that we're both cops and we have other things to discuss.'
'Sure. You gonna eat those fries?'
I gave Herb my fries.
Benedict turned off Addison and on to Christiana. The houses here were city houses; two-story, built in the late forties, with concrete porch steps and just enough front lawn to be able to mow with scissors. Unlike the suburbs, where every fourth house was the same model, these were each unique in their design, brickwork, and layout. Herb had a house like one of these. I might have had one, had I made some better decisions in my past.
Herb found the address and parked by the nearest fireplug. Theresa's roommate, Elisa Saroto, answered the door after the fourth knock. She was in her mid-twenties, thin, wearing jeans and a white blouse. Her dark brown hair hung down to her shoulders, framing a face that would have been pretty if not for the expression of grief.
After introductions she led us into the kitchen, where she sat down in front of a cup of coffee. Next to the mug was a photo album. She'd been reliving memories.
'We went to Fort Lauderdale last year.' She opened the album and began to flip through it. After finding the right photo she pulled it from its slot and handed it to Herb. A close-up of two women, obviously Theresa and Elisa, both smiling and sporting deep tans. I thought of the picture in my pocket that we'd taken of Theresa at the morgue. We'd found our second Jane Doe.
'These two surfer guys tried to pick us up,' she continued. 'Bob and Rob. It was so funny, Theresa and Elisa and Bob and Rob.'
We lost her to sobbing. Herb located a box of tissue on the counter and offered her one.
'Ms. Saroto.' I eased it in while she was catching her breath. 'What kind of person was Theresa?'
Elisa wiped her nose and snuffled.
'She...she was my best friend. We met in college. We've been roommates for five years.'
'Did she have enemies?' Benedict asked. 'Ex-boyfriends who couldn't let go, problems at work, with the family...'
'Everyone loved her. I know that sounds stupid, but it's true. She was a great person.'
'Did anyone ever call and make threats? Obscene phone calls?'
She shook her head.
'Had she been acting strange lately? Afraid?'
'She's been fine...Shit. Why did someone do this?'
A new round of sobs. Benedict and I stood there, uncomfortable with her show of grief, wishing we could take it away. You never get used to people's suffering. If you do, it's time to get out of the job.
'How about boyfriends?' I broke in. 'Was she dating anyone?'
'No one steady since Johnny. He's her ex-boyfriend...fiance. They were going to get married. I was her maid of honor. She pulled out a month before the wedding.'
'Why was that?'
'He was cheating on her. When she found out, she dropped him cold. He kept calling, begging her to reconsider. Jerk.'
