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“Mm-hmm.” Once again, I was skeptical of Julia’s optimism. It was easy for Julia to see the dating world through rose-tinted glasses because she never had trouble being in a relationship. I rolled my eyes in defeat. “It’s still early, so why don’t we grab some bagels before we drop into Annisa’s place?”
“Good idea,” she said.
I went to the bedroom to throw on some black leggings and an oversized sweatshirt that had become my standard uniform. I looked at the mirror. My head resembled a matted bird’s nest. “Yikes!” I grabbed a hairbrush and gave it a few quick strokes before I gathered my hair into a high ponytail.
“I’m ready,” I said and slipped into some foam-soled tennis shoes.
“You look like you’re still in college,” Julia teased, taking in my casual outfit.
“Thanks, ajumma,” I said and dodged out of the way before Julia could swat me with her hand.
“Aigoo!” she cried out, but she got the hint.
“Let’s go.” We both stopped to give Grumpy kisses on the nose before we left the apartment. I wasn’t sure if it was because Grumpy was older, but he handled Julia’s departure pretty well. Julia told me that when she first got him, she would go home during her lunch break and rush home after work because he didn’t like being alone.
When I looked back one last time before I shut the door, he was already curled on the couch asleep.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Julia and I were standing outside Annisa’s apartment when I heard a noise coming from inside.
“Do you hear a cat meowing?” I asked, grabbing onto Julia’s arm. We both pressed our heads against the door.
“There’s the sound again.” I raised my hand to knock, but Julia pushed me aside and shoved the bag of bagels into my hands.
“I hear it, too. Something’s wrong.” Julia quickly fished out Annisa’s key out of her purse. She inserted the key and gasped when she turned the knob. “It’s unlocked!”
“ANNISA,” Julia yelled when she opened the door. We didn’t get a response, so we walked in.
“What a mess!” I shouted when I saw the overturned furniture in what used to be her pristine apartment.
Julia didn’t respond but ran toward the bedroom. I followed her with a sinking feeling in my stomach.
Julia stopped at the bedroom doorway. A hand flew over her mouth as she looked at the scene inside with disbelief. When I reached where she was standing, I peeked over Julia’s shoulder and let out a scream.
The bed was still made, and Annisa was still wearing the clothes from yesterday, so she hadn’t even had time to get settled. I walked closer, and I spotted the blood matted on the floor next to her motionless body.
“What are you doing?” Julia asked when she saw me bending down.
“I’m going to check for a pulse.” I was positive from the lifeless look in her eyes that Annisa was gone, but I put two fingers on her neck just to make sure.
After a minute or two, I said in a strangled whisper, “I can’t feel a pulse. Julia, we have to call the police.” When I didn’t receive a response, I looked back to see Julia leaning against the door.
“Jules,” I said more forcefully. “We have to call the police.”
“Is she—dead?” Julia closed her eyes.
“Yes,” I said and gently nudged Julia out of the room and closed the door behind me. We walked back to the living room, and I righted a dining room chair and pushed Julia onto it. Then I grabbed the phone in my bag and dialed 9-1-1.
I hung up the call once I gave the operator Annisa’s address and explained the situation, but I didn’t put the phone away.
“Julia, what’s Will’s phone number?”
I waved my hand over her eyes. She didn’t blink. She’s in shock, I thought and dialed Tristan’s number, hoping that he wasn’t in surgery or making his rounds.
Please pick up! I said a silent prayer.
“Hey, Claire.” His voice was upbeat when he answered the call.
