the last thing you wanted was the police to discover who had the necklace and how they’d gotten it.”
Toni added, “You convinced her to give you the flash drive, so you could check it out and make sure it was really the same necklace. But instead of meeting with Maria yourself to get the flash drive, you had Headley meet up with her at the gun range. The night she was killed was the night you supposedly dropped by to return the flash drive to her. Instead, you went there to kill her. You also took her bracelet because you knew how much your father had paid for it. I assume your plans were to one day sell it on Wizzin, as well. Unfortunately for you, Byron Nettles figured things out when he later recalled Maria telling him she had given the flash drive to you. At the time, he had thought she was lying, but when he remembered, he called you. That made him a liability and an easy fall guy for you to set up as Maria’s killer.”
Pausing a second to let her words sink in, Toni then continued, “But what you didn’t know was that we’d already searched Nettles’s home a couple of weeks before and the bracelet wasn’t there. We also know that, although you convinced Headley to rent both cars, you were the driver both times. Your fingerprints were on the steering wheel of the car that killed Nettles, as well as particles of your clothing and strands of your hair. Last night, while you were at a hotel on the eve of your wedding day, a warrant was issued to search your home.”
“And,” Andrew added, “when Headley planted the bracelet, he was picked up on Nettles’ security camera. You didn’t just kill one person, you killed four.”
“My father’s murder was already investigated. They said it was a home invasion. Why won’t you believe that?” Jennifer said, pleadingly.
“The detectives investigating your father and stepmother’s deaths had no reason to suspect you, and you made sure of it by throwing suspicion on your stepmother,” Drew said.
“By the way,” Toni spoke up to say, “While searching your home, we found the photo album that was taken from Maria’s home the night she was murdered, as well as a key to your safety deposit box. Guess what was in it? The necklace and other pieces of your stepmother’s jewelry that had been stolen during that home invasion six years ago.”
“And just so you know, your bridesmaids have thrown you under the bus. They admitted to knowing about all three murders, as well as to lying and providing you with an alibi when they knew what you had done,” Drew informed her.
Andrew and Toni stood, and Toni said, “When you take off that beautiful wedding gown, I want you to know that it’ll probably be the last one you’ll ever wear. There’s not a lot of need for wedding gowns in prison.”
• • •
On Monday morning, at ten o’ clock, Jennifer Evans stood before Judge Wilen Wells. She’d been charged with four counts of first-degree murder and denied bail. Her attorney entered a plea of not guilty. The arrests made national news. Her fiancé, who had been in the courtroom, gave a statement to reporters after the arraignment. He’d stated that she was not the woman he’d thought she was, and that he would not stand by her, or give her any support. On national television, he had ended their engagement.
The other two women had lawyered up but were still denied bail. Since they had been fully aware of Jennifer’s role in all four murders, they too were facing charges. There was a good chance that like Headley, they would be serving some time. All three were working with the DA, spilling their guts in exchange for lesser charges.
It was everything a detective could ask for. Justice had been served.
“THIS IS SUTTON HILLS, Toni. Shep’s homestead.”
Toni leaned forward to glance out the window as they drove on the long, winding road canopied by large oak trees. “This place is beautiful. I love the immaculate lawns and the beautiful mountains in the background. What’s that building over there?”
Andrew glanced to where Toni was pointing. “That’s the equestrian center. Sutton Hills is considered a horse ranch because of the beautiful thoroughbreds they have here. A number of them are entered into the major races each year.”