Page 8 of Wild Fever

“Well, I don’t really want to speak out of turn.” She wanted to speak out of turn.

"Any information you can share would be helpful to the case," I said.

Susan nodded. "Of course. I don't like to gossip." She loved to gossip. "But I think they were having some marital issues, if you get my drift.”

"Why do you say that?”

"I don't really know for sure. It's none of my business. I just know that on occasion, I've seen Mr. Stewart with another woman.” She lifted a scandalous eyebrow and let it hang there for a moment. “They think they're being all sneaky, but I’ve seenher aboard his boat on more than one occasion. Much younger," she added with a disapproving expression.

"How much younger?”

"I don't really know. He never introduced us. But if I had to guess, I would say she was probably about 25.”

"Can you give me a description?”

"Gorgeous. Thin. Young. I said that already, didn't I? Long dark hair.”

"Did you happen to catch her name?”

"No. Like I said, he didn’t introduce her. I think he was trying to keep her on the down low. That's what the kids say these days, isn't it?"

I nodded. "Did she have any identifiable features?”

"She had a tattoo that ran down her spine. Chinese characters, I think. I can't say for sure.”

"When was the last time you saw her?”

"I'm not really sure. A few days ago, maybe.”

"Did you see her today?”

"No. I was out running errands, then I came back and took a nap.”

"What do you do for a living, Mrs. Collins?”

She smirked. “It's Ms. Collins. And I live off the money I got from my ex-husband. Asshole tax for 22 years of pain and suffering.”

We chuckled.

“Did you hear the gunshot?” I asked.

Susan frowned. “No. Not really. I think maybe I heard a small snap, but didn’t think much of it.”

“Did Preston ever express any suicidal thoughts to you?”

“No. I can’t say that he did. He was always friendly. Always ready to offer a hand. We try to take care of each other around here.”

“You live aboard?”

Susan nodded.

“Did you know each other well?”

“We were neighborly.”

“How often was he in the marina?”

She thought for a moment. "Oh, I don't know. He was probably out here a couple of times a week. Maybe a little more.”