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Cora rang the doorbell. When no one answered, Liam raised his hand and knocked. Still no answer. He made a fist and pounded hard on the door.
The music lowered, and the door swung open to reveal a flush-faced young woman chomping on a wad of chewing gum. She looked annoyed and slightly out of breath, wearing nothing but an oversize T-shirt that barely covered the important bits. “Can I help you?”
Cora flashed her badge and introduced herself and Liam. “Are you Zoe?”
The girl nodded, eyeing them like they were door-to-door snake oil salesmen. Liam was familiar with that look. He’d been on the receiving end of it countless times in his past life—usually for good reason. It was oddly comforting to know the world might appear different, but people didn’t change much.
“I spoke to you on the phone last week,” Cora said, putting her badge back in her pocket. “We’re looking for your roommate, Lindsey Albright. Is she here?”
“Nuh-uh.” Zoe blew a small bubble, then popped it in her mouth.
“Do you know where we can find her?”
Zoe scoffed. “Probably in The Doghouse with the rest of the freaks.”
“Doghouse?” Liam asked.
“Yeah, that motorcycle compound on the north side. She’s dating one of the Booze Dogs but keeping it on the down low because her parents are crazy conservative. Her dad’s a pastor, if that tells you anything.”
“Zo!” a young man’s voice called from inside the apartment. “Bring the pizza and get your fine ass in here, girl.”
Zoe gave an impatient flip of her hair, revealing a purple love bite on her neck. “I gotta get back to my study group.”
Liam raised a brow. Was that what they were calling it these days?
“Can you tell us Lindsey’s boyfriend’s name?” Cora pressed. “Or anything else that might help us find her? It’s important that we talk to her.”
“Look, she doesn’t hang out here much, okay? Me and Lindsey don’t run in the same crowd. We’re just roommates, and we stay out of each other’s business. Don’t ask, don’t tell. All I know is her boyfriend rides with the Booze Dogs.”Snapwent the gum. “And he likes K-pop music.”
“He...” Cora looked skeptical.
“I know, right?” Zoe gave a derisive snort. “You’d think he’d be into death metal or something more eighties-hair-bandy, but nope. Lindsey wears his BTS shirt to bed at night.”
“Anything else?” Liam asked.
Zoe leaned against the door frame and gave him a coy smile. “Underwear, I guess. But like I said, I don’t ask.”
“Anything else you can tell us to helpfindher,” Cora explained in a voice filled with infinite patience. Liam had no idea how she managed to deal with the public on a daily basis and still remain calm and collected. It was a true gift. One he didn’t possess.
“That’s all I’ve got. Why? Is she in trouble?”
“Not at all,” Cora assured her. “We just wanted to ask her some questions.”
Zoe jammed a hand onto her hip. “Well, when you find her, tell her she needs to get her ass back here because rent’s due, and I don’t have the money to spot her again like last time.”
“Babe!” The music volume increased, and the man inside made a sound like a great jungle cat. “Don’t make me come haul you over my shoulder!”
Zoe rolled her eyes and said, “Later.” Then she shut the door in their faces.
Cora blinked at the wood paneling. “Thanks.”
“She was a treat.” Liam turned to go.
“No wonder Lindsey’s never home.”
“Yes. I imagine it’s difficult to live with someone who has such...vigorous study habits.”
Zoe’s piercing giggle and a deep male growl could still be heard over the music as they walked away.
