Eight

Call it coincidental. Angie knew there was no way in hell Shayla was a part of this conference. Efficiency? Shayla refused to recycle. She took hour long showers. She pretended to be horrified as her Burger King bag flew out of her car window - feigning concern just in case someone was watching. Shayla would laugh open-mouthed as Angie lectured about landfills and global warming.
When Angie had first visited Shayla’s apartment, a window was cracked open and the heat was turned on. The detectives had asked about it, but both Jeff and Angie assured them open windows were just typical Shayla.
Angie stared out the hotel window and wished she had a cigarette. She had smoked a couple of times at bars in college. A drink and cigarette fit at the time, but she couldn't stand the stench in her hair and on her clothes. She had never been addicted to anything. Now wished she was. Sort of in that way you wish you wore glasses – they make you look so smart – until you get them. Or braces.