me.”
Gemma couldn’t believe Jocelyn’s cold eyes, the lack of empathy, the lack of compassion. “But you both knew Laura Leigh had a child. If she died, that child would be left alone forever.”
“Oh, please. Spare me the concern. The child went to live with Anna Kate. Sienna was infinitely better off with her than her mother.”
“Says you,” Gemma charged.
“You obviously didn’t know Laura Leigh very well. She slept with anything in pants. No one even knew who Sienna’s father was. Plus, she had an affair with her sister’s husband. Don’t go thinking Laura Leigh was some saint just because she’s dead.”
“So your version of Laura Leigh’s death is that it was Derrick who cut the brake line and not you?”
“I didn’t kill anyone.”
“Right.” Lando began to gather up his files just as Gemma pushed back from the table and stood up. He looked over at Jocelyn. “I think we’re done here. I’ll send Dale in to take you back to your cell.”
“What happens now?”
“We charge you with three counts of first-degree murder and a host of other lesser charges. We figure something has to stick. But congratulations are in order, Jocelyn. From this point forward, you’ll be known, far and wide, as one of California’s deadliest female serial killers.”
They moved down the hallway to where Derrick Ross sat at another smaller table. But before going into the room, Gemma turned to Lando. “That might be the most heartless woman I’ve ever talked to, and that includes my mother.”
“At least Genevieve Wentworth never murdered a dozen people to get what she wanted.”
“How strong is your case? Is it solid enough to put Jocelyn away for life?”
“We have the murder weapon. We have the shell casings. We have Dinsmore’s body found in her storage unit. And we’ll add to all that when Derrick flips on her. I think he’s one man who knows all of her secrets. No matter what he says to dispute it, no matter how much he thinks he’s in love with her. When it comes to saving himself and throwing Jocelyn under the bus, I think he’ll do it in a heartbeat.”
“I guess we’ll see. Are you ready? Got your story together?”
“Let’s do this. Roll tape.”
Working as a team, they used the same technique they’d used on Jocelyn with Derrick.
“This is what we know for certain,” Lando started. “You killed Laura Leigh Baccarat, cut her brake line, and then left the country. Your wife, Anna Kate, filed for divorce. You didn’t contest it from Monte Carlo. Where you and Jocelyn were living together for six months, having a grand old time. You didn’t even stick around to attend Laura Leigh’s funeral. You left your wife to raise your kids, and the little girl, Sienna, and never gave any of them a backward glance. Jocelyn set you up in this great job, this commercial real estate game because she wanted you to kill Laura Leigh.”
Derrick became agitated. “Now, wait just a minute. I never killed anyone.”
Gemma linked her hands together and shook her head. “That’s not what Jocelyn says. She claims killing Laura Leigh was all your idea. It’s what you wanted. You cut the brake line on the Prius.”
“No. That’s wrong. I only knew Jocelyn because of Laura Leigh. She’s the one who thought Jocelyn had murdered Sandra. Laura Leigh kept going on and on about how Jocelyn got someone to do it for her. And let me tell you, Laura Leigh wouldn’t shut up about it for months. Of course, Jocelyn eventually got wind of the accusations. Anyone with ears had heard the rumors. After Laura Leigh died, I confronted Jocelyn about it. Jocelyn told me to forget everything Laura Leigh had said. She offered me six months abroad and a better paying job selling commercial real estate at five times what I was making working for the County. I jumped on it. Jocelyn saw to it I got my licensing requirements in record time, and I forgot about Laura Leigh. But I didn’t kill her.”
“I could show you Jocelyn’s taped interview,” Lando prompted. “Hear it out of her mouth in her own words. Do you know all of Jocelyn’s secrets, Derrick? Or just part of the story?”
“What do you mean?”
“Do you know how many times she’s murdered to get what she wants?”
Panic mixed with realization crossed over Derrick’s face. “What are you prepared to offer me?”
“I don’t make deals. That’s the County prosecutor’s job. But you testify against Jocelyn, tell us the truth about everything you