Page 11 of Choosing Stella

My tarot bag sat where I’d left it.

I was in black leggings and a charcoal long-sleeved shirt instead of my dress, with my makeup washed off except for the stubborn shadow under my eyes.

The pounding came again.

“Ms. Moon? Cascade Point Police.”

My stomach dropped.

I got up without answering.

The security screen beside the door showed a man and a woman in plain clothes, both holding badges toward the camera. The man was stocky under a dark wool coat, with short brown hair graying at the temples and faint shadows beneath his eyes. The woman beside him wore a charcoal coat over a black sweater, her brown hair pulled into a low knot.

I checked the deadbolt anyway.

Then I opened the door with the chain still latched.

“Yes?”

The man closest to the door lifted his badge again.

“Stella Moon?”

“Yes.”

He angled the badge so I could read it. “Detective Brian Dempsey. This is Detective Erica Talbot. I’m leading an investigation involving Antonio Bellacorte. We need to speak with you.”

Every muscle in my shoulders tightened.

“What happened?”

“May we come in?”

“What happened?”

Dempsey and Talbot exchanged a brief look.

Dempsey answered.

“Mr. Bellacorte was found dead in his penthouse tonight.”

The hallway went strangely quiet.

My fingers tightened around the chain.

“No.”

“I’m sorry.”

“No. I left him alive.”

Both detectives stayed still. Talbot’s expression sharpened while Dempsey’s mouth flattened.

“When did you leave?” Talbot asked.

I unlatched the chain.

“You’d better come in.”