To the outsider observer, her response was sincere, but Becca heard mocking in her tone. It was the smile that nearly broke her. All rational thought faded. In a matter of seconds, Becca crossed the distance between them, wrapping her hands around Mo’s neck, and squeezing, wanting to erase that smile from Mo’s face. The lawyer stepped back, wildly gesticulating for help.

“Somebody stop this woman. She’s attacking my client. For God’s sake, somebody do something.”

There was more shouting. Becca’s ignored it. All she wanted was for Mo to confess.

“Tell them what you did to her. Tell them,” Becca shouted, her hands gripping even tighter. No matter how hard Becca squeezed, the godforsaken woman never blinked, never showed even a glimmer of fear.

She would have kept squeezing if Christian hadn’t pulled her away. She could feel his arms around her, pinning her arms to her sides so she couldn’t move. His grip was tight. The pain was nothing compared to the rage Becca felt.

You have to calm down,” she heard Christian whisper in her ear. “Do you hear me? You can’t do this. Not now.”

“This is unacceptable,” the lawyer muttered, returning to Mo’s side now that Becca had been contained.

“It’s okay, Graham. This woman is clearly troubled. I understand that. I do,” Mo said.

The look on her face and the taunting tone were unbearable. Becca strained against Christian. His voice was low, barely a whisper. “Stop it. Stop it right now. She’s baiting you. This is what she wants.”

She heard Christian’s voice, like an echo. This is what she wants. This is what she wants. Like a balloon deflating, Becca’s rage dissipated. She blinked, clocking the brightness in Mo’s eyes, that glint of pleasure at triggering Becca’s outburst.

Becca turned, now acutely aware the entire bull pen had ground to a halt. Every cop, the support staff, and even some of the suspects were regarding her with pity and concern as though Becca were the crazy one. There was no denying it. Mo had just outsmarted her. Becca instantly stopped struggling, her body going slack.

“I’m okay,” she said. The officers remained, Christian still restraining her so she couldn’t move. “I swear to you, Chris, I won’t do anything else.”

He hesitated. “Let her go, Christian. Everyone else get back to work,” Wishard demanded, her tone leaving no room for argument. On her orders, Christian released Becca. For the first time she saw pity on Wishard’s face. Becca’s face flushed, hating that Wishard had witnessed her meltdown.

“Come with me, Dr. Ortiz,” she said. This time Becca resisted the urge to look back at Mo. She followed Wishard, Christian trailing them as they hurried down another hallway. Wishard led her into a small cramped room, complete with a large two-sided mirror.

“I want to explain what happened,” Becca began.