Page 23 of Choosing Stella

Stella’s expression changed only slightly; her fingers tightened where they rested against her thigh.

“The Tower.”

I waited for more.

“It’s a tarot card. Antonio hired me for a reading after the rest of the booking.”

“The rest being the private appointment?”

“Sex.”

I nodded.

Stella watched my face for a reaction.

I gave her none.

“During the reading,” she continued, “I pulled The Tower. Antonio asked me to leave it with him overnight.”

“And you did.”

“Yes. The police found it beside his body.”

A tarot card belonging to the last known private visitor sitting beside a dead man would matter to homicide detectives, whether or not I believed cardboard predicted murders.

“Was leaving cards with clients normal?”

“No.”

“Why did you agree?”

“He asked. It was one card, and I expected to get it back today.”

“Bellacorte was alive when you left?”

“Yes.”

“He was standing beside the bar when I walked out.”

“And the safety check happened afterward.”

“Once I was outside the casino.”

I leaned back.

“I believe that’s what you told Locke. I’m not asking you to convince me you’re innocent.”

“That’s good, because I’ve had enough of that conversation for one morning.”

“What I need to know is whether anybody besides police has contacted you since Bellacorte died.”

“Not yet.”

“Anybody unusual in the last few days?”

“No.”

“Anyone who knew about the booking?”