Chapter 10
Celia’s New Year’s Resolution: Learn to resurrect the dead, then kill them again.
So far, the new year sucked big donkey balls. I thought things would blow over when the detectives released me from custody on Christmas Eve. They had no evidence to tie me to Octavio’s murder. I’d never been in the new house he shared with this much younger trophy wife.
Fortunately, I didn't have to face the woman at the funeral because detectives held Octavio’s body at the morgue. They cited the ongoing murder investigation as the reason. And no one seemed that upset about waiting to pay their final respects. Probably because Octavio did very little to earn respect - final or otherwise.
I hoped to put everything behind me and get some semblance of control back in my life. But when I got to work this morning, I knew that was just a pipe dream.
My boss waited in my office.
Neva DeLoza took me under her wing when I joined an ICE/FBI task force several years ago. The Latina woman knew how hard it was for women in this business. Especially women of color. Neva was an invaluable resource for my career. Mentoring me, providing a listening ear, and a shoulder to cry on. And when it came time for promotions, she put in stellar recommendations for me.
That’s why it was a surprise to see her in Tampa when her office was in D.C. I knew the holyspitwas about to hit the fan. Especially since she was sitting in my chair.
Mother of pearl.
“Celia,” Neva waved tomyvisitor’s chair. “Please, have a seat.”
I dropped my tote on the floor and slumped into the chair. “Are you firing me?”
Her brows furrowed. “No, why would you ask that?”
“Don’t deflect a question with a question,” I pointed at her. “You taught me that little maneuver, remember?”
She smirked. “That I did. No, you’re not getting fired. But you are suspended.”
I shot up out of my chair. “Why the heck would I be suspended? I did nothing wrong!”
“Maybe, maybe not,” Neva folded her hands on my desk, cool as a cucumber. “But until detectives solve the murder of your ex-husband, you’re suspended.”
“This ishorse pucky!” I yelled as my hands fisted at my side.
“You crack me up with your not-cussing,” Neva chuckled, then a severe expression fell onto her face. “Listen, you need to take this seriously. That little stunt your ex-husband did calling the Director’s office brought the spotlight on you. Then, the ex turns up dead - you’re suspect number one, even though I know you didn’t do it.”
“Of course I didn’t kill thatjackwagon!” I deflated back into the seat.
Neva stood up, rounded my desk, and stood in front of me. Her green eyes leveled at me. “You have so many weeks of vacation on the books. It’s ridiculous! Take a month. Take two! Figure out who did this and clear your name. That’s the only way you’re going to be able to get your job back.”
My eyes blurred as I stared at my longtime friend. I was afraid to speak because I knew the tears would let loose if I opened my mouth.
“When was the last time you did something just for yourself? Take some time off. Relax. Recharge. Read a book. Take a bubble bath. I don’t know, but do something besides work,” Neva softened her voice. “You deserve some fun in this life, and I just don’t think you’ve been having too much of it lately.”
I shook my head. Fun? What was that? I had a demanding job. Two demanding sons. A giant turd of an ex-husband.
Althoughthatwasn’t a problem anymore, this whole pesky murder investigation was.
My eyes closed for a beat as I breathed in and counted to ten. Then twenty. Then a hundred. “Fine. Fine. Everything’s fine. I’ll take a month off and figure out who did this to me.”
“You mean who did this to your ex-husband?”
I frowned at her. “You know what I mean.”
“I do, my friend. I do,” Neva patted my back as she led me to the elevator. “Let me know if you need any help in your unofficial investigation.”
I gave her a half-smile and got into the elevator. When the doors closed, I stabbed the button for the ground floor. Several times.
Freaking Octavio. Still causing me trouble even from the grave.
