Page 7 of She Didn't See It Coming
“We put in a new system a couple of weeks ago, but there’s something wrong with it.”
She watches the team set off to start the search on the lower levels and then rides back up to the eighth floor.
It’s a fairly new building, about five years old, in good condition, and expensively appointed. The lighting fixtures are tasteful, the carpet good quality. Jayne was impressed by the spaciousness of the Frosts’ apartment—the large rooms with lots of windows; the modern, high-end kitchen; the expensive finishes. She wonders how much a unit in this place costs.
She begins with the neighbor who was friendly with Bryden, in unit 808. A woman in her thirties, her dark hair swept up in a ponytail, quickly answers the door, looking anxious. Jayne holds up her badge. “I’m Detective Jayne Salter of Albany Police,” she says. “Are you Angela Romano?” The woman nods. “Can I talk to you for a minute?”
“This is about Bryden, isn’t it?” she says nervously. “Have you found her?”
“Not yet.”
Angela’s face falls. She lets Jayne in, lowering her voice to a whisper. “Clara is here. I’ve got her and my daughter settled in front of the TV. We can talk in the kitchen.”
At a glance, Jayne can see that this unit is very similar to the Frosts’ down the hall. But where the Frosts’ unit is decorated in Scandinavian style, with pale woods and washed-out beiges, this one is much more colorful. It’s also messier, with kids’ toys everywhere. Angela leads her through to the kitchen, where they sit down at a marble island, after Angela clears away some dishes.
Jayne had learned from Sam and Lizzie that Bryden spends a lot of time with Angela Romano. She’s the only other person on the floor with a young child, so they have naturally gravitated to each other. The two little girls are both three years old and good playmates. Angela is clearly upset that her friend is missing.
“Angela,” Jayne begins, as they sit in the messy kitchen. “We want to find Bryden, and I’m hoping you can help us.” The other woman nods. “How well do you know her?”
“We’ve been close since the girls were born—our daughters are almost the same age. We spend quite a bit of time together, mostly on the weekends. We both work full time and have the girls in day care—different day cares—during the week.”
“When was the last time you saw her?”
“On Sunday. The girls had a playdate here in the afternoon, while Bryden went out.”
“Do you know where she went?”
“Yes, she went to get a haircut. We often spell each other like that.”
“Do you have any idea where she might be?”
She shakes her head. “No.”
“Has she mentioned anything out of the ordinary to you recently?”
She shakes her head again. “No, nothing.”
“Anyone she’s had problems with at all? Here in the building?”
“No.”
“Any problems with anyone else? At work maybe?”
“No. She really likes her job and the people there.”
“Does she confide in you?”
“Yes. I think so. I mean, we confide in each other.”
“About what?”
“Everything. Our kids. Balancing work and motherhood. Our husbands. Our plans for the future. Everything.”
“How would you describe her relationship with her husband?” Jayne asks.
“I know she’s very happy with Sam. They seem perfect for each other. I mean, we both complain about our husbands from time to time, but who doesn’t?”
“What does she complain about?”
