Page 21 of One Last Secret

"It was hard to tell. There was definitely some tension between the three of them, however all three seemed very concerned that the tension not become an actual fight. Marcus and Lisa seemed to respect Victor's talents, and Victor seemed to respect their business acumen."

“So it was important to them that they maintain a positive working relationship.”

“Oh yes. That was more important to them than anything.”

She nods. “That matches Mrs. Torres’s version of events. What about Celeste?”

My hackles rise slightly. I have a feeling I know where this is going. “What about her?”

“How did she feel about the guests?”

I don’t answer right away. It is important to me to protect Celeste. I’m not above thinking that children are capable of malice, but Celeste clearly couldn’t have been responsible for her father’s disappearance.

Then again, the way she looked at Lisa… I chalked it up to jealousy, I suppose, but now that I think about it…

“She didn’t like them at all. She particularly seemed to dislike Lisa.”

“She said so?”

"No, but she looked at the woman with a great deal of anger. I thought that she was jealous. Her mother died when she was very young. Victor is the only family she has, as far as I know."

“She has grandparents in Utah, but they’re estranged,” Reyes replies.

I’m not sure why she volunteers this information or why she searches my face when she does. “I see. Well, I’m sorry to hear that. Maternal or paternal?”

“Maternal. I guess they blame Victor for Julia’s death.”

Again, she watches me closely. I still don’t know what she expects to find.

“Well, in any case, Celeste was very disdainful of Lisa. She didn’t seem so angry with Marcus, just a little disgusted.”

“Because of his uncouthness?”

“That would be my guess.”

Reyes nodded. “How long have you known Lisa and Marcus?”

I stare at her for a moment. That question is entirely out of left field. “Well, I don’t know them. I’ve only just met them last night.”

“And you’re already on a first-name basis with them?”

I stare for another moment. What on Earth could she possibly be insinuating? "They asked that I call them by their first name. That's fairly common."

“Sure. Of course.” She stands. “Okay, Miss Wilcox. Thank you for talking to me. One last question: do you intend to remain here?”

“Yes,” I reply firmly. “I was hired to care for Celeste, and that’s what I’ll do.”

"Good. That's what I want to hear."

She gestures for me to leave, but I lift my hand. “Please go easy on Celeste, Detective. I know that you have to interrogate her, but she couldn’t have been responsible for what happened to Victor. She was with me at the beach when Victor went missing. She’s very much in shock and she’s very worried for him. Please don’t be hard on her.”

“We won’t. Mrs. Torres already told us that you two were at Mr. Holloway’s private cove when she discovered he was missing.” She searched my face again. “You care a lot for Celeste.”

“I do.”

“Why?”

I’m once again surprised by the question. “Because she’s an innocent young girl who needs someone to care for her. Is it really so shocking that I do?”

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