Ronan wasn’t stupid. He knew Celestina had bonded with Carson. He didn’t need the spotlight to be on him constantly. Carson was killing it and he intended to let him keep going with her.
“Look, I don’t mean to be insensitive here,” Carson began, “but you and I both know the kind of man your father is. If we’re being objective, you have to admit that he’s a viable suspect in this murder.”
“How do you know what kind of man my father is?”
“Because I grew up with one like him. My father was constantly on the grift. He was always pulling one con or another. He cheated on my mother, left, right, and sideways. When she finally kicked him out of the house. He was gone for years and only came home when he needed something, usually money. The last time he came home he needed a kidney.”
“I was going to say I can’t believe that, but I can.” Celestina took a deep breath. “My father was abusive and cruel, but for whatever reason, my mother stayed with him. Through the beatings, the infidelity, a son born to one of his lovers. I’d be lying if I told you my father wasn’t capable of killing Jack, but I can tell you for a fact that Vincent didn’t kill him.”
Carson’s eyes narrowed. “How can you be so sure?”
“I know my father didn’t kill Jack. That’s all I’m willing to say. Good day, gentlemen.” Celestina rose from her seat and walked away with her head held high.
“What did the two of you get from her?” Ronan pointed back and forth between Carson and Ten.
“Not much,” Ten said. “She’s pretty angry. Whatever she’s hiding, it’s locked down like Fort Knox.”
“I’m getting the same thing,” Carson agreed. “Celestina has a heart of gold and she’s willing to defend her father no matter what. She’s got a secret, one that’s so well protected, I can’t see anything about it. All I can tell you for certain is that this secret is a big one.”
“I get what you’re both saying,” Ronan said, “but is there anyway at all to tell what the secret’s about? If it’s not about Jack’s murder then I don’t want to waste time and valuable resources to find out Celestina binge eats PB&J sandwiches every night.”
“We’ll keep working on it,” Ten said. “I’ll go back to her dressing room and talk to her. Everly sent along a drawing to give to Celestina.” He patted his back pocket and took off after her.
“Now what?” Jude asked, sounding exhausted. “We interrogated three people and the only thing we learned is that Carson missed his calling by joining the family psychic business.”
Carson snorted. “I know how serious this case is, but I have to admit this was fun. Not only is Celestina hiding something, but Vincent is too. It feels like their secrets are somehow connected, but I have no idea how or why.”
“I think Ten may have hit on our next move when he mentioned Everly.”
“You think she’ll be able to read what’s going on with Vincent and his daughter?” Jude asked.
Ronan nodded.
“Not for nothing, but Ten’s vision shows him dead on this very floor from a gunshot wound and Everly screaming for him. Do we really want to bring her into a situation like that?” Jude asked. “I mean can’t we just put her on Facetime?”
“I don’t know.” Ronan shook his head and dropped into the seat closest to him. “The last thing I want is to put my daughter and my husband in danger. We’re all going to be here tomorrow for the dress rehearsal. All we can do is stay on guard and keep our eyes open.”
Ronan hated this plan. He knew Tennyson would too. Celestina and Vincent would be focused on making sure the dress rehearsal went off without a hitch. It was possible Everly, Ten, and the other psychics could use that distraction to their advantage. As much as Ronan wanted to find and arrest Jack’s killer, he wasn’t going to sacrifice his husband or daughter to do it.
16
Tennyson
The movable sleepover was at Fitzgibbon’s house and featured the Velociraptors. The kids were all downstairs in the rec room watching movies. They were having aLilo and Stitchmarathon and had enough snacks to last a week, leaving the adults free to talk in the kitchen without having to worry about being overheard or interrupted.
“Tell me all about my husband the detective.” Truman grinned at Carson. “He claims he was the hero. Trust me when I say I’ve heard that song and dance before and was bitterly disappointed by the outcome.”
Carson gasped. A hand fluttered to his chest. “How very dare you?”
Truman rolled his eyes. “You’re proving my point, baby cakes. Was Carson a hero or a drama queen. Don’t hold back, I can take it.”
“Both,” Ronan said with a laugh.
“Seriously?” Truman pressed a loud kiss to Carson’s cheek.
“Carson’s interrogation of Vincent was like a scene out ofLaw and Order,” Fitz said. “He used his knowledge of the case, along with his gift to grill our suspect.”
Ronan snickered. “He was doing such a great job that Vincent’s daughter had to come to his rescue. I still don’t understand that bullshit, since he’s abused the girl for her entire life, but there you have it.”
