The girl at the window seemed to be lost in her book. Her bright red hair appeared to be on fire under the soft light. She seemed so peaceful. Kate hesitated; she didn’t want to be the one bringing the bad news, ruining the girl’s afternoon.

Café Grove was not hard to find. The red brick building looked exactly like Alice’s drawing in her sketchpad. The barista was enthusiastic in helping them, but looked disappointed that he knew nothing about the mysterious Tommy.

“Sorry,” he said, spreading out his arms after looking at the pictures the detectives had shown him. “I only work Mondays and Wednesdays. I remember Alice though. She used to come here often with her friend. But I never saw her with a guy.”

“Friend?” Kate asked, leaning on the bar. “Do you happen to know her?”

The barista nodded towards the window. “That’s her. The redhead. Her name is Cecilia. The past couple weeks she’s been alone. I was wondering where’s Alice. But never asked.”

With a cinnamon latte each – the barista’s personal recommendation, wouldn’t take no for an answer -, the two detectives walked up to the table at the window. The girl did not seem to register their presence.

Kate cleared her throat. “Cecilia?”

A pair of grey eyes lifted from the book and looked at Kate under raised eyebrows. “Yes?”

Kate introduced themselves. “We’ve been told you are friends with Alice. Alice Draper. May we sit down?”

The girl swallowed hard, and nodded to the empty chairs.

“When was the last time you saw Alice?” Kate asked.

The girl dropped her eyes, and carefully closed her book. She shrugged. “It’s been a while.”

“You two are friends, right?”

A sad little laugh left Cecilia’s lips. “You can say that, I suppose.”

Ben shifted in his seat. “Cecilia, we are investigating a case involving Alice.” His voice was quiet. The grey eyes shifted to him, desperately searching his face. Cecilia opened his mouth, but no sound came out. Ben continued. “It’s a murder investigation, Cecilia. I’m sorry you had to learn it this way.”

Cecilia shook her head as her eyes filled with tears. “No, that’s… How? What happened?” Her lips quivered and she hugged herself with trembling arms.

Ben leaned over and put a hand on her shoulder. “Perhaps it would be better to talk elsewhere? Somewhere more private. Our car is –”

The girl wiped her nose and nodded. “I live just next door.”

Ben nodded.

The sobbing started as soon as they entered Cecilia’s flat. Kate and Ben waited until the stream of tears stopped and the girl was focused again.

“I’m sorry,” she said, wiping at her nose. “It’s just… If I knew I’ll see her for the last time when we’d met a few weeks ago, I wouldn’t have… You know… I said those things to her. Mean things.”

Kate nodded.

Cecilia pulled up her legs and curled up on the sofa like a cat. “What exactly happened?”

Kate gave Ben a small nod. It was his turn. Somehow people took the bad news better if it was presented by him. It was probably his soft voice, rather than his choice of words, for he was never the one to beat around the bush.

“She was murdered.” Ben said. “Strangled, to be precise. She was up north, in Pine Creek. A local lady found her in the forest. Everything seems to suggest that she was abducted from her car when she stopped to make a call, and the crime was committed elsewhere.”

With every word she heard, Cecilia turned whiter and whiter. “This is… I can’t believe it,” she said, shaking her head. “Who would do this?”

Kate moved closer. “We think her boyfriend, or ex-boyfriend might have been involved.”

Cecilia froze. “Her what?”

“Boyfriend?” Kate asked, rather than said.

The girl ran her hands through her hair and a little squeak escaped her half open mouth. “That explains… But no, it can’t be… I mean…”

“Am I right in thinking that you didn’t know about Alice’s boyfriend?” Kate asked.

Cecilia’s mouth twisted into a bitter smile. “You can say that… I mean, I haven’t seen her for about three weeks, but that’s just a bit quick. What did you say this dude’s name was?”

“I didn’t,” Kate replied. “But our queries suggest that we are looking for someone called Tommy.”

Cecilia drew in a sharp breath, and for a moment just stared at Kate like she saw her for the first time. Then slowly, she started laughing. First just quiet little bursts, then she threw her head back and roared. Kate searched Ben’s face but he seemed equally perplexed by the scene. A minute passed before Cecilia regained her composure.

“I’m sorry,” she said, still panting. “It’s just… You got it so wrong!”

“What do you mean?” Kate asked, trying to keep her voice even. She was confused, and for some reason felt like an idiot, and that was not a feeling she often experienced nowadays.

“Tommy! You said Tommy was her boyfriend…” Cecilia shook her head again and looked at them, bemused.

“Do you know him?” Ben asked as he leaned forward.

Cecilia slapped her knees like she’s having the greatest time of her live. “Do I?” she said. “Of course. Because I’m Tommy.”

Kate felt her jaw drop, she couldn’t help it. From the corner of the eye she noticed Ben stiffening up as well, although he had a much better control over his face.

“You are…?” Kate asked.

Cecilia’s head bobbed up and down. “Alice called me like that. Because of my name. Cecilia Altomi,” she said and gave a little shrug. “Altomi… Tommy…”

“So you were…?” Kate let the question dangle.

Cecilia leaned back on the sofa and spread her arms. “Yep. She was my girlfriend, and I was her best kept secret…” Her smile disappeared and her voice trembled. “We’ve been together for about a year. The last time I met her, I told her I can’t bear the secrecy anymore. Not even her closest friends knew about me. Her family? She said her father would disown her if he knew she’s dating a woman. I loved her. But I do have some self-respect as well. I gave her an ultimatum… Never saw her again.”

Kate cleared her throat and glanced at Ben without moving her head.

Cecilia scoffed. “Now you’re gonna ask me what I did Friday night?” Before Kate could say anything, she continued. “I save you the trouble. I was at work. I’m a bartender at the Eagle Club. Check with my boss.”

Ben nodded. “Thank you, Cecilia. It can’t be easy for you right now. Do you want me to call anyone to be with you?”

Cecilia stared into the empty space and sniffled. “It’s my fault… She wouldn’t have left to go on that trip alone if I hadn’t pushed her away.”

“You don’t know that.” Ben said. “You should stop thinking you could have changed things. It leads nowhere.”

The girl nodded. “I know… Eventually I might even convince myself about it.”

There was nothing else left for them to say. Instead of getting closer to the truth they seemed to have taken a step backwards. They stepped into the dark hallway, and Kate pretended not to hear the heart wrenching sob that emerged from behind the slowly closing door.