Page 38 of Little Twisted Things

“No. But the first male victim we found was. I believe the killer got scared, and when he or she found out about The Last Chapter Killer, he or she used it to their advantage.”

“So you’re saying there are two serial killers running around Key West?” Agent Caine asked.

“That’s exactly what I’m saying.”

I left the crime scene and drove to Meadow Designs.

“Detective Luke Larson.” I flashed my badge. “I’m looking for Celia Meadows.”

“Follow me.” The receptionist lowered her head as she stood from her seat. “Celia, Detective Larson is here to speak with you.”

I stepped into her office and quietly shut the door behind me. Celia sat behind her desk, her eyes red and swollen, surrounded by a mountain of crumpled tissues.

“Ms. Meadows, I need to ask you some questions about Bart Rexley.”

She slowly nodded. “How can I help you, detective?”

“Did you know the victim?”

“Yes,” she cried. “I can’t believe he’s gone.”

“You sent him a text yesterday telling him you needed to talk and invited him over to your place around nine o’clock. What was the reason for that?”

“Huh?” She cocked her head. “I never texted him that yesterday.”

“Ms. Meadows, we unlocked his phone and saw the messages. Were the two of you having an affair?”

“Yes, we were.” She picked up her phone and typed in her passcode. “These are the text messages from yesterday.” She handed me her phone.

I studied them, and no text like the one we found on Bart’s phone existed.

“See. I have no clue what you’re talking about.”

“Has anyone had access to your phone recently?” I asked.

“No.” She shook her head.

“Are you sure?”

“Detective, nobody touches my phone but me. It’s always on me. I never leave it anywhere. I don’t understand what you’re implying.”

“I believe someone cloned your phone and then sent that text to Bart. How about your clients? Anyone new in the last few days? Anyone who seemed out of the ordinary? I really need you to think, Ms. Meadows.”

“No. Not that I can think of. The only new client I scheduled an appointment for was a few days ago. A woman. She was shopping down the street and walked in. She told me she had just moved here, and she and her husband wanted to redo her entire house.”

“I’ll need her address.”

“Randi,” she shouted.

“Yes, Celia?” She walked into the office.

“I need you to get Scarlett Tisdale’s address and give it to Detective Larson.”

“She didn’t leave her address?”

“What?” Celia’s brows furrowed.

“After she left your office, she just walked out. I thought you got her address when you scheduled the appointment.”