If Stella's theory was indeed correct, behind the door would be standing a slim, young blonde, perhaps younger than Danny by a few years, moderately huge breasts, a waist smaller than most children.
Instead, when Michelle Vernon opened her apartment door, they saw a woman in her forties, her curly brown hair in disarray. Her waist was indeed small but she did not have the huge breasts. Stella and Hawkes looked at each other. Guess the ex-girlfriend theory is out the window.
"Come in, officers" Michelle said.
"Thank for meeting with us, Dr. Vernon" Stella said.
"Anything to help out Danny" Michelle said. "How is he?"
"He's still unconscious but he's going to be okay" Hawkes answered.
"We found blood in Danny's apartment" Stella said "On his living room couch. And since you're a medical practitioner…."
"I'm in the database" Michelle concluded "I had a paper cut, I might have touched Danny's couch, that's how it got there".
"We also found prints on the door handle to Danny's bathroom where he was found" Hawkes said. "Would you mind giving us a sample of your prints to rule you out as a suspect?"
"I'm sure you'll find my prints in Danny's apartment, not just his bathroom. His fridge, his medicine cabinet, his cupboard. As you will definitely find his prints all over my apartment." Michelle said.
Stella gave Michelle an uncomfortable smile as Hawkes looked at her confused.
Michelle just laughed. "There is nothing going on between us, dear Lord. He's a gorgeous young detective, I'm a hunched back shrink."
"I didn't mean anything by that" Stella said.
"Danny and I, we both moved in to this building about the same time. We've become friends over the years" Michelle reached for her pocket. "You need someone to trust around here. So I gave him my keys and he gave me his."
"Like roommates" Hawkes said.
"Exactly" Michelle answered. "I would go over to his apartment when he's out, and get Cocoa Puffs --- which he always has in stock. He'd go over to my apartment when I'm out to look at my books"
Michelle showed them a whole wall's worth of books. "He shared my passion for understanding the deviant mind."
"Dr. Vernon" Hawkes said. "Do you keep any injectible drugs in your apartment?"
"Yes" Michelle said. "Just some anti-depressants, anti-anxiety, morphine"
Hawkes looked at Stella. "I think I understand now" Hawkes said as he walked towards Danny's apartment.
