“I’d already graduated by the time you arrived, Jessica.”

“But you still had him. No one else measured up.” The crazed, bright smile Jessica shot Erin curdled her stomach. “But you could never be to him what I was. He said I was a natural. I did for him what you wouldn’t. Couldn’t. And then you took him away from me.”

“The shooting was an accident, Jessica. You saw it.”

“If you hadn’t forced him to punish you, he never would have died.” Her voice broke and the gun dipped. “I had to do it for him. Avenge him.”

“You could have killed me a thousand times, Jessica. Why did you kill the others first?”

Jessica frowned. “I thought you’d have realized that by now. I killed them for research, naturally. My dissertation is on the interplay of disciplines in criminal behavior.”

“The connection of linguistics and psychology.”

In a reasonable tone, Jessica explained her theory. “How language can subvert generally accepted theories of criminal behavior. Sociolinguistics, as Dr. Bernard so elegantly put it.”

“As you commanded.” The connection snapped into place. “The lashes on his back. Your work?”

Jessica nodded in approval. “Excellent, Professor. Kenneth likes being told what to do. I’m very good at telling him.” She smiled knowingly. “We had an understanding.”

“He hired me because of you.” That explained the lack of scrutiny of her application. “How long have you been in New Orleans?”

“Two years. Two very long years, waiting for my chance. Then, like a Christmas present, there you were.” Jessica crossed her legs demurely. “I saw you in the Quarter one day, buying trinkets. I wanted to kill you then. Shoot you in the heart. But then I saw Dr. Fordham with you, and I knew. I knew what had to be done.”

The banging on the door had stopped, but Jessica didn’t seem to notice. Erin leaned forward, scooting away when the gun waved her back. Her mouth still throbbing, she asked, “Why Julian? Why did you kill him first?”

“I watched you. For weeks. Every morning, you would go to the gym and tease him.” Disgust edged her words. “He would watch you like a dog in heat. Salivating over you. Lusting after you. And you just ate it up.” The gun wavered slightly.

“He was nothing to me.”

“You didn’t see him. You never saw anyone. But I did. I paid attention.” Her eyes shone with resentment. “I went to his office. Invited him home with me. He said no. I asked him about you and he smiled.”

“So you killed him.” Erin blanched, her stomach turning. “Because he wouldn’t sleep with you?”