Chapters (41)
- Title Page
- Copyright Page
- Dedication Page
- CONTENTS
- CHAPTER 1
- CHAPTER 2
- CHAPTER 3
- CHAPTER 4
- CHAPTER 5
- CHAPTER 6
- CHAPTER 7
- CHAPTER 8
- CHAPTER 9
- CHAPTER 10
- CHAPTER 11
- CHAPTER 12
- CHAPTER 13
- CHAPTER 14
- CHAPTER 15
- CHAPTER 16
- CHAPTER 17
- CHAPTER 18
- CHAPTER 19
- CHAPTER 20
- CHAPTER 21
- CHAPTER 22
- CHAPTER 23
- CHAPTER 24
- CHAPTER 25
- CHAPTER 26
- CHAPTER 27
- CHAPTER 28
- CHAPTER 29
- CHAPTER 30
- CHAPTER 31
- CHAPTER 32
- CHAPTER 33
- CHAPTER 34
- CHAPTER 35
- ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
- ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Isa’s body was found at the house marked by the third star on Zoe’s map.
“I am totally creeped out.” Ianelli shivered. “That is one evil girl.”
“I can’t believe she did the things she did to those girls.” Louisa was still reeling from the discovery that Zoe was behind the murders. The medication was numbing her emotions as well as her pain, which was fine with her.
“She grew up on a farm,” Ianelli said. “She’d slaughtered plenty of animals. She’s physically strong.”
“Who was the second victim?” Conor asked.
“A runaway who’d been hanging around the university. Zoe picked her because she fit her basic physical description,” Jackson said.
“I still can’t wrap my brain around it.” Conor shook his head.
“She’s been pretty cooperative in questioning,” Ianelli said. “She also stole an ID from an employee out on leave and bought a stack of general admission passes to the museum to gain access in the daytime. She’d mapped out every surveillance camera. The guards’ patrols were very routine. Working around their patrols wasn’t difficult. Since she routinely helped coworkers with their computers, she knew several people’s passwords and logins. She’d stashed changes of clothes in the apparel storage room, including a pair of coveralls from the cleaning service, and borrowed wigs from the museum’s collection to use as disguises.”
“What will happen to her now?” Louisa shivered. Conor tugged the white blanket up to her chin, took her hand in his, and rubbed her cold fingers.
“I’m not sure whether they’ll play innocent or insane.” Ianelli shoved his hands into his pockets.
“She’s not insane.” Jackson unwrapped a piece of gum. “And the evidence is piling up.”
Louisa tried to concentrate, but the pain was reaching a crescendo. She wanted more answers before she tapped her morphine drip. “What about Professor English?”
Jackson’s jaw sawed on his gum with determination. “He’s up on charges, just not for murder. We’re not sure how that will pan out. English didn’t sell or distribute his home movie collection. The DA has to prove the girls weren’t aware they were being filmed. Isa and Riki are both dead. They have to identify the other girls and get them to testify. The professor had dozens of videos on his computer, and it seems like he used grants and the teaching assistant position as rewards for sex. In the past twelve years, he’s never had a male TA. He could end up serving a couple of years. Most likely, the case’ll drag out until nobody cares.”
“His career is over, regardless.” Conor was watching her, his eyes intent, as if he could sense her increasing level of pain.