Chapter 9
"Ican't say that I'm totally surprised," Celeste said when we caught up with her at her condo in the Nautilus Tower. It was a luxury high-rise with all the amenities.
"Why do you say that?" I asked.
She shrugged as she stood in the doorway.
"I take it you’re not a fan of his new bride," I said.
She scoffed. "That little slut wrecked my marriage. I can't say that it was the best marriage, but it was mine, and we were happy. At least I thought we were happy.”
"I'm sorry."
She sighed, and her eyes misted. “I told myself I wasn't going to cry over that man. I spilled enough tears over the years. Please tell me you're going to arrest that bitch.”
“Tiffany?”
"Yes. Who else would have killed him?"
"I don't know. That's what I'm hoping you can help us with.”
She scoffed. "She only married him for his money. He was such a fool.”
"She says she signed a prenup.”
Celeste lifted a curious brow. "Oh, really?"
"That's what she says."
"I wouldn't believe anything that comes out of that little tramp’s mouth.
And Lord knows her mouth has been just about everywhere," she said with a raised eyebrow and a salacious tone.
“You know she's a hooker, right? A hooker!” Celeste huffed.
"What was he thinking? He wasn't thinking. I’ll tell you that.
He was letting something else call the shots.
" Then she muttered aside. "And let me tell you, he was no prize in that department either.”
"How long have you been divorced?”
"Maybe a year, tops. He married that little skank as soon as the paperwork cleared.
God knows how long he'd been seeing her before we got divorced.” A look of disgust snarled her face.
"I understand you men go through your midlife crazies. You’ve gotta get the convertible sports car.
You've gotta bang the 25-year-old model, just to prove you still can.
I was willing to accept a few indiscretions.
But this was ridiculous." She exhaled again.
"But I guess it all worked out. Now I've got a 25-year-old hard dick that treats me like a blowup doll whenever I want. And the best thing is, when I get what I want, he goes away until I summon him again.”
I had no doubt she had plenty of boy toys lined up.
"Can you tell me where you were last night between 9 and 10:30 PM?”
She gave me an incredulous look. "You really think I'm a suspect? What would I possibly have to gain?”
I shrugged. "Satisfaction?”
"Was his dick cut off?” she asked dryly.
JD and I winced at the mere thought of it.
"We can't discuss the details of the case," I said.
"Because I would have snipped that little sausage off. That would be satisfaction."
"What you're saying is the divorce was amicable, and you had a great relationship with your ex-husband," JD snarked.
Celeste gave him a look. “You’re wasting your time. Focus on the tramp.”
“We’re looking into all possible suspects,” I assured.
We stared at each other for an awkward moment.
"You were about to tell me where you were last night."
Her mouth tightened, and she huffed. "I was here."
"All night?”
"Yes. I went out to dinner from seven to nine, then came back to the apartment, watched some TV, and went to sleep.”
"Were you with anybody last night?"
"No. I didn't feel like being with anyone last night," she said, lifting her nose.
"Who did you go to dinner with?"
"I met a girlfriend at the Five Fathoms. Have you been? Their key lime pie is to die for.”
I nodded. "Yes, it's excellent. Can you tell me your girlfriend’s name?"
“Sadie."
"I'll need contact information for her."
"Certainly. You really are pushing the suspect thing, aren't you?”
"We like to be thorough.” I dug into my pocket and gave her a card. “You can text her number to me."
"Do you need that now?
"Before we go.”
"You have more questions?"
"Just a few."
She sighed again. "Give me a second. I'll get my phone." She stepped away from the door. "I guess you can come in."
We followed her inside as she walked down the hallway to the living room. JD and I stepped into the foyer and closed the door behind us, then continued.
Typical for the Nautilus, it was a nice condo.
There was a large living room with an open concept kitchen.
Floor-to-ceiling window walls opened to the terrace, which offered a view of the ocean beyond.
There were bedrooms on either side of the living room, and stairs led up to a second-floor loft area and another guest bedroom.
Celeste grabbed her phone from the glass coffee table and scrolled through her contacts. A moment later, my phone buzzed with the information.
The furniture was sleek and modern. A large 77-inch flatscreen was mounted flush to the wall. Beachy abstracts in teal and gold added a touch of color.
"I hate to bring up a delicate topic, but I read an interesting article online,” JD said. “It seems your daughter, Hailey, made quite shocking allegations against Brock recently. Can you comment on that?"