The Delphine was an upscale midrise, popular with young professionals. The unit had light gray hardwoods and was decorated with coastal furniture and beachy accents. The balcony offered a view of the neighboring complex. Plastic patiofurniture provided a place to sit, and a 10-speed bike took up most of the terrace.
Erica shook her head in dismay as she sat. "I can't believe she's gone."
"Were you two close?" I asked.
Erica nodded. "We met in nursing school. We've been friends ever since. Sheila used to work with me in the ER, but then went private, doing end-of-life care."
“Were you working last night?”
“Yes. 7:00 PM to 7:00 AM,” she said in an exhale, the grind apparent in her voice. "I’m on again tonight, then I’ve got a couple of days off.”
"How do you like working nights?"
"I don't mind it so much. Sheila and I were hardly ever here at the same time. It kept us out of each other's hair. It almost felt like I didn't have a roommate at times. Made the bills a lot easier." She frowned. “I don’t know what I’m going to do now.”
"Can you think of anybody who may have wanted to harm her?"
Erica looked confused. "I thought this was just random gang violence. That's what they're saying on the news.”
"We're still looking for the shooters and a motive. We don’t know who the target was or why.”
Erica thought for a long moment. "You know, I can't really think of anybody who wanted to hurt Sheila. She was such a kind and compassionate person." Erica cringed. "I guess she did have a pretty nasty breakup with her boyfriend. But I don't think Wade would mow her down, taking out a bunch of innocent people."
"Wade?"
"Wade Donnelly. They’d been dating about nine months, I'd say. I guess you could call it dating. I thought it might get serious there for a minute, but Sheila was a hard one to nail down.”
"Commitment issues?"
"You could say. She liked being light and unencumbered. She liked the idea that she could pick up and go at any time. Nursing is the kind of job where you can travel and work in different settings. Meet new people." Erica hesitated, then said, "Sheila liked to meet new people, if you know what I mean."
I knew what she meant. "I take it that didn't sit well with Wade.”
"Wade wanted a commitment. I think he was looking to settle down and start a family. But Sheila was getting a little long in the tooth for that. I don't think that was ever in her plan.”
“It’s a pretty massive commitment," JD said.
“I don't want to speak badly about my friend, but if Sheila met somebody she liked and was attracted to, she would indulge in that."
"Did Wade ever catch her indulging?"
"I guess Wade was under the impression they were dating exclusively. Sheila didn’t see it that way. There sure were fireworks when he found out.”
“Did he get violent?”
“I wasn’t there when it went down, but Wade wasn’t happy about it. There was a lot of screaming and yelling. Some pretty harsh words were exchanged, from what Sheila told me.” Her brow wrinkled as she thought about it for a moment. “Youknow, somebody did slash her tires after that.” Erica shook her head. “She couldn’t prove it was Wade.” She frowned, not totally unsympathetic to Wade’s plight. “I don't know if she ever made it clear to him that she still considered their relationship open. After a certain amount of time, especially nine months, I think a certain degree of monogamy is expected. Or at least implied. I mean, what are you doing dating that long if it’s not moving in a direction?" She paused. "Usually it’s the other way around. The guy doesn't want to commit. But Sheila liked to consider herself a free spirit.”
"What about you? Are you seeing anyone now?" JD asked, not entirely for professional reasons.
Erica looked him up and down, considering it for a moment. "I happen to be in between Mr. Wrongs at the moment.”
Jack tried to contain his grin, possibilities in the air. Erica was an attractive woman.
She looked at her watch. "I really need to run."
I dug into my pocket and handed her a card. "If you think of anything else that might be relevant, please get in touch."
"I will."
