“Haven’t you asked these questions before?” Marcia said. “Aren’t you bored?”

“Did you meet Vallejo three years ago or not?” Ruby asked dryly.

Marcia wanted to build up the mystique about herself whether it was true or not. Maybe that was the performer in her, but it made interrogating her very trying. Even if she wasn’t guilty, she could gain clout by even insinuating her contact with a killer.

“Let’s say we have a mutual respect for each others’ art,” Marcia says. “I’ve seen his work, he’s seen mine.”

“Does killing women impress him?” Gabe asked. “Are you trying to get his attention?”

Marcia looked at Gabe for a long time. If Ruby had to guess, she'd say Gabe was reading the suspect's facial expressions.

“Do you think I'm capable of doing this?” Marcia asked.

Ruby cocked her head.

“I think you're capable of being a bad person,” she said.

“You're here because you didn't catch Vincent fast enough and you're trying to do better this time,” Marcia said.

“And you're here because you always seem to be in the wrong place at the wrong time,” Ruby said.

Gabe looked away, but Ruby ignored him, focusing on Marcia again.

“I'm here because Vincent is much smarter than you are, sweetheart,” Marcia said. “He's got you barking up all the wrong trees so he can work unimpeded. Looks like it's working.”

“If he's so smart, then why is he in prison?” Ruby replied.

The moment she said it, she regretted it. It was a subtle sign that Marcia was getting under her skin, finding the right buttons to push.

If Ruby didn't get out of there and take a break, she would crack.

She pushed herself away from the table, wordlessly exiting the room.

Of course, leaving so abruptly, Gabe followed quickly after her. He shut the door behind them.

“I like her for this. I'm sorry I resisted you before. It makes sense. She was involved with your original case and she just happens to be here again now? I'm not buying it.”

Ruby should've been pleased. Gabe had fought her through so much of the investigation, and now finally he was coming around to her line of thinking.

Only problem was, Ruby didn't believe that Marcia did this.

“She's right. Vallejo's got us paying attention to the wrong person. The real killer now has no one chasing him,” Ruby said.

“What? Come on. Look, you went back, you looked at the files, and you were right. It's got to be her. Can't you just be happy about that?” Gabe said.

Ruby looked through the glass at Marcia, examining her nails at the table. She was hiding something. Ruby was positive about that, but prying it out of her would only be a distraction.

“What about the second victim? Her sister said Alannah saw a man on her way home,” Ruby said.