The Perfect Couple(63)
Bruce had a secret, an intense crush. He never acted on it; this, Karen believes.
And Karen has a secret of her own: the three pills in the bottle, among the oxy.
Karen issues Bruce a silent pardon—it had been a confusing time. And, as Karen had wanted to tell Celeste, there is no such thing as a perfect couple.
Karen will tell Celeste this in the morning. She closes her eyes.
Saturday, July 7, 2018, 12:45 p.m.
NANTUCKET
Nick “the Greek” Diamantopoulos is driving from 333 Monomoy Road to the Nantucket Cottage Hospital, where he is finally going to talk to the bride. She wants to be interviewed at the hospital, and Nick hopes this means she has real information. He’s eager to find out, but when he rolls around the rotary, he catches the scent of Lola Burger through his open window and the smell is too much to resist. One thing about Nantucket, Nick thinks, the food is top-notch. Even the burger joints. Nick pulls into takeout parking and races inside to charm Marva, the hostess, who scores him a medium-rare Lolaburger (aged cheddar, onion compote, foie gras dipping sauce) with a side of fries. Nick leaves Marva a nice big tip and she says, “Don’t be a stranger, Greek man. Come back and see me!”
Nick hops back in his car, stuffing fries in his mouth.
At the hospital, the Greek is greeted by a trio of nurses—Margaret, Suzanne, and Patty. Nick has been on dates with both Suzanne and Patty—nothing serious, just fun. He smiles at all three and says, “Where am I going and what do I need to know?”
Patty links her arm through his and leads him down the hall to an exam room. “She came in early this morning and we treated her for hysteria slash panic attack, meaning we took her vitals and gave her some Valium to calm her down. She slept for a little while. I wish there were something more we could do. Her best friend drowned out in front of the house? And Celeste found her? On her wedding day?”
“Wedding was canceled,” Nick says. “Obviously.”
“Obviously.”
“The deceased was the maid of honor,” Nick says.
“That’s what Celeste told me,” Patty says. She gives a dry laugh. “Maybe she didn’t like the dress.”
Nick shakes his head. He can’t make a joke at Merritt’s expense. He just can’t.
“What happened when the groom showed up here?” he asks.
“That was about an hour ago. Seemed like a nice guy. He was worried about Celeste and he expected to take her home. He was in her room for about ten minutes, then he left. And she asked to speak to you.”
“Okay, Patty. Thank you. It’s okay if I question her in here?”
“Sure,” Patty says. “One strange thing? Celeste came with a bag packed. I’m just not sure what to make of that. When I asked her about it, she started to cry, so I let it be.”
“Okay,” Nick says. That is strange, but there’s probably an explanation.
“My shift ends at three,” Patty says. “Call me if you want to get together tonight.”
The idea is tempting, but he knows he won’t relax until he cracks this case. Hopefully the bride has the answer.
“Will do,” he says.
He finds Celeste in a hospital gown, lying back on the examining table. When she sees him, she sits up. “Are you the police?”
“State police detective Nick Diamantopoulos,” he says. “I’m very sorry about your friend.”
Celeste nods. “You’re here to take my statement.”
“I am,” Nick says. “It’s a tragedy, what happened to Merritt.”
“She’s dead?” Celeste says. “Is she… I mean, she’s dead, right?”
Nick takes a seat in the chair at the foot of the examining table. The fries start to churn in his stomach. “I’m sorry, yes. She’s dead.”
Celeste bows her head and cries softly. “It’s all my fault.”
“Excuse me?”
“It’s my fault. I knew something bad would happen. I thought it would be my mother but it wasn’t—it was Merritt. She’s dead!”
“I’m very sorry,” Nick says again. “I know you have a lot to deal with right now.”
“You don’t know,” Celeste says. “You have no idea.”
Nick takes out his notepad. “The best way to help Merritt is to help me figure out what happened to her. She was your best friend, your maid of honor. She confided in you, right?”
Celeste nods.
“And here’s the funny thing about weddings,” Nick says. “They bring together people who don’t know each other. I’ve interviewed two people already but neither of them really knew Merritt. So you are a key part of this investigation.”
Celeste takes a deep breath. “I’m not sure I want to break Merritt’s confidence. Other people are involved. Other people I care about.”
“I understand,” Nick says. His sympathy is genuine, but he is a sapper looking for land mines. “Why don’t you just tell me what you know and we’ll see if it’s relevant.”
Celeste stares at him.
“I have someone who witnessed you and Ms. Monaco in the Winburys’ rose garden after the party ended,” Nick says. “This person said Ms. Monaco was crying and you were comforting her. Do you want to tell me what that was about?”