As in a stranger murder. “We’re exploring everything including the possibility that the crime was done by someone she didn’t know. I’m sending a team out to canvass her apartment complex. Had Adrianna ever complained about someone bothering her…maybe stalking her?”

“Like someone who lived in her complex?”

“Someone who lived in her complex, someone at work, anything like that.”

There was a moment of silence. “I don’t recall her ever mentioning a stalker. But she was a very friendly person. It’s possible that someone mistook her sociability for something deeper.”

“Of course,” Decker said. “Would you happen to know any of her favorite hangouts?”

“She loved movies.”

“How about restaurants?” More like restaurants with bars, but Decker didn’t amend the statement.

“Her friend Crystal worked at Garage downtown. She’d go there sometimes. Also, I know she liked the Marina.”

“How about restaurants closer to work? I know her friend Sela Graydon sometimes goes to Ice.”

“I really don’t know, Lieutenant. We were mother and daughter, not drinking buddies.”

“That’s fine, Mrs. Blanc. I just need to ask. Is there anything else that I can help you with right now?”

“Just find out…when we can pick her up.”

“I will. Call me if you need anything else.”

“I need a lot of things, Lieutenant, but I doubt you can help with any of that.”

MARGE KNOCKED ON the frame and walked into the open door. She was dressed for summer even though spring had just begun—ecru linen pants, a white blouse, and white sneakers. She plunked a cup of hot coffee on his desk. “For you.”

Decker picked up the mug and sipped without looking up. “Good stuff.” He raked his fingers through his hair and smoothed his mustache and then smiled at his favorite sergeant. “Thanks for the brew.”

“You’re welcome. You look exhausted and it’s only ten in the morning.”

“Catching up on my phone calls.” He pointed to a chair and Marge sat down. “Adrianna died from asphyxiation. But there was nothing on her body other than the ligature marks from the cable wire: no bruises, no scratches, nothing under her fingernails. My opinion? She was drugged or strangled before she was hanged—or both. The cable wire around her neck could have obliterated manual marks.”

“What about the stomach contents?”

“At the time she died, she didn’t have much undigested food. We did test the blood for alcohol and that was negative. There didn’t appear to be any cocaine or pot in her system either. For the more exotic drugs, we’ll have to wait until the lab work comes back.”

“Any evidence of sexual assault?”

“No semen found, but these days our psychos are getting very clever about leaving evidence behind. He could have worn a rubber.”

“Any indication of sexual activity?”

“Nothing forced.”