The apartment was quiet in a way that felt haunting, silence that settled deep into the walls. A soft lamp glowed in the corner, casting warm light across the room where Detective Lola sat on her couch, her glasses resting low on her nose as she read from her Bible, one leg crossed over the other, her robe loosely tied.
Then something moved in her home.
Lola's eyes paused on the page, though she did not turn. Her head tilted just slightly, listening, as if confirming something she had already expected.
After a moment, she closed the Bible gently and placed it beside her. Her hand reached for the glass of water on the table as she exhaled.
"I was wondering how long it would take you to come."
Her voice carried calmly through the room.
Behind her, a woman's voice answered. "How do you know me?"
Lola took a slow sip before setting the glass down, then rose to her feet, smoothing a loose strand of blonde hair behind her ear as she turned.
Karen stood near the door.
