Page 146 of Tear Me Apart

Jasper starts to shout. “Do not say another word, Lauren. Not a word. I want it on the record my wife has been given painkillers, that extenuating circumstances exist, she hasn’t been Mirandized, that this confession is illegitimate—”

“That sounded pretty legitimate to me, sir. Please, step back, or I’ll have someone do it for you,” Stockton says.

Jasper’s mouth opens and closes a few times, but Lauren catches his eye and nods. She knows what she’s doing. She’s always known what she’s doing.

“Honey, it’s okay. I’ve been holding on to these secrets for too long. It’s time. I need to come clean. I can’t carry this with me anymore.”

“Lauren, please, don’t—” His voice cracks.

Stockton steps between Jasper and Lauren. “What about your sister, Juliet Ryder? Do you admit trying to kill her?”

Trying? She’s not dead? Shit. Shit!

She shuts her eyes for a moment, mind whirling. What difference does it make at this point? “Yes. I tried to kill my sister.”

A low moan starts from the corner of the room. Jasper, crooning, begging.

But Lauren ignores him. Stockton is speaking, the Miranda warning this time, so he won’t have to throw out her confession, then makes her say it all again while he writes everything down, looking around the room as if making sure everyone there is hearing her confession. This is gold, she knows. This is going to make his career. Not only has he caught Lauren Wright, but he is also getting her to confess. Without a lawyer present, on painkillers, any decent lawyer could have a shot at getting it thrown out, but still. She offers to sign the confession.

“Lauren, stop, I’m begging you.” The plaintive cry from Jasper almost breaks her resolve, but she shuts out his pleas. It is time for all the truths to come to light. They can only put her to death once, after all. She takes a deep breath. The room quiets in anticipation.

“And I would also like to confess to murdering Detective Gorman. He threatened my family, threatened my daughter, threatened to put me in jail, and I pushed him off the side of a mountain.”

89

THREE DAYS LATER

“Tell me. Do you think she’s telling the truth?”

Zack Armstrong is sitting by Juliet’s hospital bed, absently stroking her hand. Parks is standing by the window, leaning back against the windowsill, his legs crossed at the ankles. He is tired. It has been a long three days since Lauren’s confession, full of paperwork and interviews. Cases to close. Widows, and widowers, to speak with.

“Why would she confess to something if she didn’t do it?”

“I don’t know.” Zack runs a hand over his face. He looks as tired as Parks feels. Parks knows he’s been here nonstop for the past three days, cycling between floors, spending time with Mindy, then Juliet, then Mindy, then Juliet. It is the latter’s turn now, which means Mindy is asleep upstairs.

“You need to get some sleep,” Parks says, and Armstrong nods, though it’s clear he isn’t going to try to remedy the situation right now. “How’s Mindy?”

“She’s doing well. Dr. Oliver is very optimistic. Her numbers aren’t getting worse. But with all the chaos...”

He drifts off, and Parks shifts gears.

“Listen, I know this is early to discuss, but are you going to be okay testifying? Lauren won’t be going to trial, not with her confessions, but the sentencing hearing will be in another month, and they are going to want you on the stand. And that means digging into your past.”

“I have nothing to hide.”

“Are you sure, Zack? Nothing at all?”

Zack’s hand stills.

“Everyone has something to hide,” Parks continues. “And Lauren, while she’s not exactly defending herself, has said a few things.”

“A few things like what?” Armstrong’s dark eyes are on fire, and Parks is reminded yet again that this man was, at one time, a professional killer.

“She claims you were abusive to Vivian. That Vivian asked her to take the baby because she was afraid for her safety.”

“And you believe this?”

Parks holds up his hands. “Hey, don’t shoot the messenger. If her lawyer has any moxie whatsoever, they’ll get an insanity defense started, and if they do, all kinds of weird shit might come out. I’m just saying, if there is anything you aren’t comfy with the world knowing, I’d be prepared to decline testimony.”