“I’m a nervous wreck. I can’t concentrate at work. I have to read everything over twice.” She bit her thumbnail. “I’m very sad, of course. It’s so horrible. I keep wondering what Adrianna got herself into.”

Marge said, “Until we know, it’s good to be cautious.”

“Cautious about what? I mean, this doesn’t have anything to do with me, right?”

“Can you think of a reason why Adrianna’s death would have something to do with you?” Marge responded.

“No. I mean just because we were friends doesn’t mean that we were involved in the same things.” A long pause. “Should I be worried?”

“One step at a time,” Oliver said. “Do you have the key to Crystal’s apartment?”

Sela held up a ring with about a dozen keys on it. “Help yourself.”

“Crystal gave you the key,” Marge said. “With it, she gave you implicit permission to enter her property. So we’ll let you do the honors.”

The trio walked upstairs. When they reached Crystal’s door, Oliver knocked hard. “Crystal?” Another knock. “Crystal, are you there?”

Sela bit her thumbnail. “Is it my imagination or am I smelling something yucky?”

“No, something stinks,” Marge said. “Could you open the door?”

“I don’t want to go in.”

Oliver said, “Tell us that you called us and wanted us to check out her apartment because you suspect something might not be right.”

“I called you to check out her place. I suspect something might not be right.”

“Great,” Oliver said. “Unlock the door and we’ll take it from there.”

With a shaking hand, Sela managed to insert the key and turn the dead bolt. As the door fell open, the stench blew stronger. Not exactly the stink of a rotting body; more like overripe garbage.

Sela was ashen. Marge said, “How about if you wait downstairs in your car?”

“Good idea.” She swooned and Oliver caught her arm. “Let me help you down the stairs.”

“I’m…okay.”

“I’m sure you are, but the steps are steep and you’re wearing heels.”

She offered no resistance as Oliver guided her to the first floor. A minute later, he came bounding back up. Marge was already inside, scoping out the kitchen. She had put on latex gloves and had opened one of the two bags of garbage stacked against the wall. “Whew, that’s strong! I should have brought up a face mask.”

“Shoulda, coulda, woulda.” Oliver put on gloves as well, shooing away a couple of buzzing flies—never a good sign. “Find any body parts?”

“No, just a lot of slimy vegetables.” She looked up, waved a fly away, and wrinkled her nose in disgust. “As long as I started the dirty job, I’ll finish it up. Why don’t you look around and tell me if you find something interesting.”