Thomas Hayden had a lifetime of experience reading people. The speech, mannerisms and body language of those questioned usually let him know immediately if he believed someone or not. “Convince me as to why you are innocent. I don’t care that the judicial system likes it the other way around. To me, you’re guilty until I get some type of proof that shows otherwise. This is what I want to know right now and if you choose to waste my time with anything less, I’ll walk out of here taking any hope you have with me.”

Colin spoke, his voice cracking, “I didn’t kill her or anyone else because I don’t kill people. What in the hell would that do for me?” He looked Thomas straight in the eye and didn’t move. “What would I have to gain from her death or anyone else’s? You want me to say it? I’ll say it. I’m a player. I use women and I get money from them. If they’re dead, I get nothing. That’s why I’m innocent.”

Thomas placed his elbows on the table and leaned forward. He absorbed what Colin said and deliberated the decision to move further with this interview or not. He sat back in his chair, put his hand to his face and rubbed his chin. The room was silent, waiting for Thomas to say something. He finally spoke. “Okay. Now, tell me what you did the evening your wife was murdered.”

“She had it all planned to ruin me financially. The house was in foreclosure and her surgery practice was worthless. She owed about five million. As her husband, I get half of what she owns. And owes. I’m also responsible for her debt. I was in for about 2.5 million, is what she told me,” Colin said. “She set this up. She wasn’t poor. She must have withdrawn the money from the account somehow, hidden it somewhere and then messed around with everything else. The mortgage, her practice… she wanted to make them worthless. She also said that she cancelled her malpractice insurance, that I was getting nothing from that either, but I didn’t believe her. Julia’s lawyer had just met with Lauren and they discussed settling the case.”

“You said that the property was worthless. Is there any possibility that she was tricking you with this? That maybe she just wanted to scare you?” Thomas asked.

“She showed me the bills. Collectors were sending her notices. That was real. That’s how she was going to get revenge on me. But she had the money hidden. I know she did.”

“Didn’t that make you angry?” Jack asked.

“Of course, I was angry, but I was also screwed at the moment, so I was worried.”

“What happened next?” Thomas asked.