Chapter 146

• I drove ten minutes away to a quiet residential area in the Spring Branch neighborhood. At the end of a cul-de-sac, I saw Alyssa the realtor's BMW SUV parked in the driveway of a sprawling, secluded ranch house. It was set back fifty feet from the street, had a long driveway, a three-car garage, and a new privacy fence around the back. The four-bedroom, 3,000-square-foot house sat on an acre and featured a large pool and a lot of mature trees. More importantly, it was at least 75-feet from any other neighbors and had a 25-foot utility easement behind the large backyard. It was, Jess believed, the perfect location to ensure privacy for the debauchery that she envisioned would take place within.
• I walked in the front door and was immediately struck with the renovation that had occurred inside. My appreciation of the work, however, was interrupted by the unmistakable sound of someone sniffing cocaine. It was followed by a brief giggle and then, in rapid succession, two more sniffs. I followed the sounds to the kitchen, where Alyssa was just stepping away from a small mirror and rubbing her index finger across her gums.
• Jess saw me as I rounded the corner and smiled. She immediately launched into excited, coke-fueled chatter about the house.