Page 90 of The Advocate’s Ultimatum

The woman’s expression darkened. “That’s over, isn’t it?”

“Not exactly,” JP replied. “I just need to ask a few questions.”

She hesitated, then opened the door wider. “I’m Stella.”

But she didn’t invite him in. They stood just inside the doorway, the smell of coffee lingering in the air.

“Maddox lived next door?” JP asked.

“For three years.”

“What kind of neighbor was he?”

She gave a short, humorless laugh. “Depends on who you ask.”

“I’m asking you.”

She crossed her arms. “He kept to himself. He didn’t cause trouble. He wasn’t loud, and he paid his rent on time, mostly.”

JP waited.

“That’s the part everyone saw,” she added.

“What didn’t they see?”

She lowered her voice. “He had young girls over regularly.”

“How young?”

“They all looked like teenagers to me.”

JP kept his expression neutral. “Did you ever report it?”

Her eyes narrowed. “Report what? A guy having company? You need more than a suspicion for that.”

“Were they the same girls all the time, or different ones?”

Stella shook her head. “I’m not sure. They didn’t stay long. They were in and out at different times of day.” She paused, then added, “But there was one.”

JP’s attention sharpened. “What was she like?”

“Quiet. She didn’t look like she wanted to be there.”

“Did you ever talk to her?”

“No. She didn’t look at anyone.” Stella pressed her lips together. “She was here the day he got killed. I just got a glimpse, but I’m pretty sure she was the same girl I saw once before. Then I didn’t see her after all the chaos started.”

“I need you to describe her.”

“I told you, I didn’t see her clearly.”

“I don’t need perfect,” JP said. “Just what you remember.”

She leaned against the doorframe, thinking. “She was younger than the other one,” Stella said.

“Which other one?”

“The one they arrested.”