Page 49 of He Doesn't Deserve You

The detectives had barely entered the apartment when they spottedMaggie sprawled on the living room floor. Staring down at her, Martin noticed her face was gray, and her lips were purple—clear signs of a lifeless body. Nonetheless, he felt for a pulse. Finding none, he looked up at Johnson and shook his head somberly.

After contacting the paramedics, the coroner, and the crime scene lab, Detective Martin stood over the body, carefully assessing the scene. A woman’s scarf was tightly wrapped around Maggie’s neck, and there were no visible bullet wounds or signs of blood.

“It looks like strangulation, and she’s been dead for a while,” Detective Martin observed grimly.

Minutes later, the paramedics and crime scene technicians arrived, filling the small apartment with activity. Martin turned to Johnson and said, “They’ve got this covered. Let’s interview the neighbors and see if anyone saw or heard anything.”

No one answered the first two apartment doors they knocked on, which didn’t surprise them; it was midday, and most young residents were likely at work. They got lucky at the third apartment. After knocking, the door cracked open as far as the chain would allow, and a little old lady peered through the narrow gap.

“Hello,” she said cautiously.

“Hello, ma’am.” Detective Martin held his badge close enough so she could see it. “We’re from the Hudson County Police Department. We’d like to have a word with you.”

“Just a minute,” she replied, closing the door to remove the chain. A moment later, she reopened it wider, allowing them to see her fully.

The lady exited her apartment and glanced around at the fleet of emergency vehicles and flashing lights surrounding the complex. Her eyes widened knitting her brows together.

“What’s going on?” she asked, wringing her hands nervously.

“I’m afraid there’s been an incident in apartment three,” Detective Martin said gently.

“Maggie’s apartment?” the lady asked, her voice trembling. “Is she okay?”

Detective Martin shook his head. “I’m afraid not. She’s deceased.”

The lady gasped, throwing a trembling hand over her mouth. “Oh, my God. She was so young.”

“Yes, ma’am, she was,” Martin replied. “We were wondering if you happened to have seen or heard anything unusual over the past several days—any unusual visitors to her apartment? Did you hear any fighting?”

“No, I’m sorry. My hearing is not what it used to be. The only visitor I saw was her nice boyfriend; I don’t know his name, but he would always wave hello when he saw me. He’s quite handsome. Do you think he had something to do with her death?”

“We have just begun investigating, but it is possible. When was the last time he visited Maggie’s apartment? Do you remember?”

She scratched her head thoughtfully. “Oh, that’s a tough one. My memory isn’t what it used to be either. It might have been a few days ago.”

“And when he was here, did you happen to hear any arguments or disturbances between them?”

“No, as I said, my hearing isn’t what it used to be. I wouldn’t have heard them even if they had been fighting.”

“That’s all right,” said Detective Martin, handing her his business card. “Here’s my card. Please call me if you remember anything else.”

“Do you think this was a random act of violence? Should I be worried?”

“There were no signs of forced entry, which might suggest that Maggie may have known her assailant. However, keeping your doors locked is always wise, just to be safe.”

“I will, thank you, officer,” the elderly lady replied before heading inside. Detective Martin heard the locks clicking shut. A moment later, he saw her at the window, pulling back the curtains to watch as the coroner wheeled Maggie’s sheet-covered body into the hearse.

After knocking on several more doors, Detective Martin finally found another person at home— Anna Stevenson, a stay-at-home mother of three.

After introducing himself, and showing her his badge, Anna let the officers into her apartment, “What can I do for you, officers?” she asked.

“I’m sorry to inform you, but your neighbor in apartment three is deceased. Have you noticed anything unusual over the past few days?”

Anna placed a hand over her mouth. “Was she murdered?”

“There appears to be some foul play involved, yes.”

Anna sank into the couch, her voice trembling. “This is all my fault. I should have called the police.”

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