Seth Winters
I pulled up to the apartment house and parked. Julianna and James were sitting outside in the Adirondack chairs sipping lemonade. Both of them watched me warily as I approached. I wiped my sweating palms on my pants as I climbed the stairs. In all my years of police work, this was about to be the most awkward conversation I have ever had.
“Hey,” I greeted them.
“Good afternoon Detective Winters.” James greeted me, but there was an icy edge to his voice that wasn’t quite welcoming. Julianna just stared at me silently, with those big, haunted, doe-like eyes. I could feel her fear and uncertainty wafting off from her.
“Julianna, could I have a word with you?”
James watched her carefully, and when she nodded reluctantly, he started to rise from his chair. Her hand
