The Fortune Hunter
In 1995, the 70-year-old widow Beard married the 32-year-old mother of twin teenagers and gave her homes, cars, and more jewelry and designer clothes than she could ever wear. But it wasn’t enough for Celeste. Claiming she was depressed, she checked into a psychiatric facility, where she met fellow patient Tracey Tarlton, a prominent bookstore manager. Celeste seduced Tracey, convincing her that the only way they could be together would be to kill Steve. In the wee hours of an October morning, Steve awoke to a shotgun blast to his gut. Tracey was arrested but refused to implicate Celeste…until she learned the truth about her lover. In a sordid trial sensationalized even more by the antics of famed Texas defense attorney Dick DeGeurin, the depths of Celeste’s lies were revealed in a tale of lust, betrayal, and regret.