“He told me he had some changes in mind. Setting up separate accounts for Curedon once it hit the market. Accounts in his name only. Separate property…as opposed to community property. Naturally, I asked him why.”

Another hesitation.

“Then he just…blurted it out. I was…stunned…repulsed.”

He looked beseechingly at Kent.

“What really disgusted me was his complete…lack of remorse. He told me he was going to drop out for a while to think over who he was. He was planning to do evil in the form of an abomination…and he spoke as if he needed a simple vacation.”

Waterson’s eyes became hot flames.

“He was going to leave her…just like that. Forty years of marriage and suddenly, he was going to desert her. How could he do that?”

Webster said, “Must have pissed you off. Especially since you stuck with your wife through thick and thin.”

“You’d better believe it pissed me off,” Waterson spat. “But that was Azor. An egotist who thought he was God. I couldn’t let him do that to Dolly. At the very least, I had to warn her.”

“So you told her Azor’s plans to drop out,” Martinez said.

“Of course, I told her. She was entitled to know.”

“What’d she say?”

“She was in shock. Utter, complete shock!” Waterson’s lower lip trembled. “I couldn’t stand to see her in such pain. He was going to ruin her life, everything she worked so hard for. Don’t you understand anything!”

“Of course, we understand, Mr. Waterson.” Martinez nodded encouragingly. “Whose idea was it to kill him?”

Waterson was silent.

“Mr. Waterson, whose idea was—”

“I heard you.”

The cops waited for him to continue.

Waterson said, “That was never the plan.”

“Then what was the plan?” Webster asked.

Waterson buried his head in his hands. “What difference does it make? I told her I’d take care of things.” Again, he looked at Kent. “Dear God, what is to become of my damnable soul?”

“You want a lawyer now, Mr. Waterson?”

Waterson didn’t answer.

Kent said, “Let’s give you some representation, sir. Then perhaps I can help you.”

Waterson looked at Kent. “I’m a sixty-three-year-old man. Even if you’d plead it down to life in prison, eligible for parole in twenty…what does that make me…eighty-three? Assuming I can last that long.” His eyes were filled with tears. “I’ve had enough hardship. I think I’d rather die.”

“What about the monsters who killed without remorse?” The DA sat next to Waterson. “Don’t let the real sinners go unpunished. That’s a crime even Jesus could not forgive.”

“What kind of a life do I have in prison?”

“A chance to serve God, sir. A chance to do penance. Do penance here on earth, sir. And Jesus will forgive you. Take you into His bosom and save you from eternal damnation.”