Chapter 16
“Have I mentioned how much I hate surprises?”
-Celia
Flint was holding on to more than just a deep breath. First, he acted strange when we were at LSS headquarters. Then, we’re in the middle of having a laugh with a woman who cusses more than sailors and Wysdom Ward combined, and the big lug freezes. It was weird. But, since he shut me down cold, I didn’t press.
We had bigger fish to fry. Like Octavio’s business partner.
Tenley and Cruz Financial Services took up the top two floors of a skyscraper in downtown Tampa. Keeton Tenley’s assistant pursed her lips when we arrived. She was apparently in the process of leaving for lunch, and we ruined her progress.
The assistant was new. But then again, I hadn’t been to the office since my divorce, so she could have been here the whole time.
“Can I help you?” she gave us the stink-eye.
“Yes, please,” I smiled sweetly at her. “Would you tell Keeton that Celia Cruz is out here to see him?”
Her stink-eye was replaced with a forced smile. “Yes, Ms. Cruz. Right away.”
She picked up her phone. Within 15 seconds, Keeton Tenley came striding out to meet us in the waiting room.
“Celia!” Keeton grabbed me into a big bear hug. “It has been way too long, girl! You look amazing!”
Flint sucked in a breath when Keeton grabbed me, but I gave him a look that said it was alright. Keeton and I went way back. I always liked the larger-than-life black man. He looked a decade younger than his 58 years, and his gray eyes were sharp as ever.
“Keeton Tenley, this is Flint Mendota,” I introduced the men. “Can we talk in your office?”
Keeton jerked his chin toward his office, then dismissed his assistant. When we were settled, I began. “Keeton, I’m sorry you have such a mess on your hands right now.”
His eyes widened. “Who told you about the mess?”
“The current Mrs. Cruz,” I winked.
“What didthat womantell you?”
“That there was something wrong with the estate,” I answered.
Keeton sighed and sank into his chair. “It’s far worse than that, I’m afraid.”
The hair on the back of my neck stood up. “How worse?”
“Cruz had been embezzling from the clients,” Keeton breathed out.
“Embezzlement?” Flint frowned. “For how long?”
“We think it’s been going on for years,” Keeton rubbed his forehead. “I discovered it right before Cruz’s death. I mean hismurder. A church treasurer came to see me. We manage their investments. The man was new to the role of treasurer. He was going through the books and found a lot of discrepancies. When I opened a financial audit, I found where Cruz siphoned off millions from our accounts and deposited the money into offshore banks.”
I snorted. “I don’t know why this surprises you.”
Keeton grimaced. “Listen, Celia, when you told me he squirreled away your money, I thought you were just a disgruntled ex-wife.”
“Yeah, I was disgruntled,” my voice rising with each word. “Because he stole our FREAKING MONEY!”
Flint gave me a look that told me to settle down.
“How big is the hole he left?” Flint leaned forward.
“Six-point-eight million dollars,” Keeton moaned.
