Page 64 of Missing White Woman

“No one saw anything?” Adore said.

“Jeff and Carl didn’t. Lori and Rod were out of town. I’m sure they’ve spoken with Drew the most.”

I piped up again. “That makes sense. He happened to be walking his dog when I found Janelle. He was the one who called the police.”

Ms. Morgane nodded. “He also was the one who made the flyers. He was Janelle’s first client on the block. Was probably why everyone else used her. He said Puffy loved her.”

Adore jumped on that. “So they were close?”

She pulled out her phone as Ms. Morgane shook her head. “I don’t know if I’d describe it as that. She never mentioned him other than saying he tipped well.”

“Did he say anything to you about finding her?” Adore said.

Ms. Morgane shook her head again. “I haven’t seen much of him since, which is why I know he’s taking things hard. Usually he’s always out, giving people hell for lawn length and noise like we have some HOA. He’s not the friendliest, but he’s consistent.”

“Maybe he hates the crowds?” I glanced over at Adore, but she was too focused on her phone.

“They’re nonstop,” Ms. Morgane said. “It was worse a few days ago, but it’s thinned out considerably since…” She trailed off, not wanting to remind me Ty’s body had been found. Good thing I didn’t need a reminder. She finally picked up the convo again. “Anyway, I think he’s been letting Puffy out in the backyard. But then we all are. You try to walk outside and all you see are people with their phones out.”

I was about to respond when Adore’s phone rang. She finally glanced up. “Sorry, but I have to go. Meeting. Thank you so much for letting us stop by.”

Adore barely looked at me as she stood, just assuming I’d follow her, and of course I did. But only after I flashed an apologetic look at Ms. Morgane. “I’m sorry. I really do appreciate you talking to us. I know it hasn’t been easy.”

“I can only imagine what you’re going through.” She stood and placed her hand on my arm. “I’m here whenever you need to talk.”

I nodded. “You don’t have to walk us out.”

But, of course, she did.

* * *

Adore was already in the car by the time I got through Ms. Morgane’s back gate. “What was that about?” I said as soon as I closed the passenger door.

“That was about Andrew Martin, owner of 109 Little Street, Jersey City, New Jersey, 07302.”

So much for a meeting. “You looked him up that quick?” I said.

She turned on the car. “You’ve clearly never stalked someone. It’s not too hard to find who owns a house. Background checks are a bit harder. We need to do that back at my place.”

“What did she say to make you think Drew is involved?”

“I just found it interesting how he’s been taking the murder. Didn’t she say he’s been hiding out?”

He’d also seen the body. Maybe it was haunting him like it was haunting me.

I waited until we got to the corner before I spoke again. “The few times I met him he was a jerk, but he also helped me that day. He had the wherewithal to call the police. I just stood there in shock.”

“So he wasn’t surprised?”

I sighed. “Of course he was. He immediately went inside to check on Janelle. He looked spooked when he came out. I’m sure I looked the exact same way.”

“It seems like he took an extra interest in her, but she clearly wanted to keep it professional.”

“Ms. Morgane literally said he liked her because she was good to his dog. Puffy,” I said.

“And that he was the one who’s been the most upset since she went missing. It’s just notable he happened to be outside the exact moment you came running out.”

We’d just covered that. “Maybe he was taking a walk. In his neighborhood. Like he probably did every morning—until he found someone bludgeoned to death.”

---