the DA and others have leveled at me.’’
‘‘Rumors and accusations?’’
‘‘That I’ve had many more husbands and killed them all. I know that’s what the DA believes—and so does my profiler,’’ she said. ‘‘So that’s what Noel believes. And in my capacity as a serial black-widow murderer I must have many wonderful secrets for capturing a man.’’ Clymene’s mouth turned up in an amused expression.
‘‘That’s what she wanted? Secrets to getting a man? What are you worried about? That she’s looking for Mr. Goodbar?’’ said Diane.
‘‘No. She had already met the man—a new member of her church. She wanted him to notice her, to be drawn to her. So I gave her the benefit of my expertise.’’
‘‘Is this an admission?’’ asked Diane. ‘‘You have expertise to give?’’
‘‘For my trial I researched the kind of person the DA thought I was. Yes, I’ve become quite the expert.’’ She shrugged. ‘‘I’ve also had two husbands and many boyfriends, so I figured I would give her some pointers and stay in her good graces—so to speak.’’ She smiled at her own pun.
‘‘What did you tell her?’’ asked Diane.
‘‘To research the man of interest—find out what he likes and dislikes and become the person he wants.’’ She shrugged again.
‘‘Just how did this put her in danger?’’ Diane glanced down at her arm for her watch. Clymene seemed not to notice.
‘‘Noel didn’t know how to begin with such a plan and she wanted me to help her. I asked her to tell me all about him. This is what she told me. Eric Tully, that’s his name, is an accountant. He likes camping, hiking, boating—anything outdoors. He likes country music, reality TV, and action movies—but he also likes poetry.’’ Clymene arched a brow as she said the last statement. ‘‘His most recent wife died giving birth to his daughter, now five years old. Before that he lost a wife to leukemia, and both his parents died when he was a teenager. He’s had a very sad life, Grace told me.’’ Clymene leaned forward. ‘‘Too sad, I told her.’’
‘‘What are you saying?’’ asked Diane.
‘‘I’m saying that I recognized the kind of person I’d been reading about during my trial.’’
‘‘Are you saying he’s a serial murderer?’’ Diane was skeptical.
Clymene leaned back in her chair. ‘‘I told her I was suspicious of him, but she insisted that he was the man of her dreams.’’
‘‘Did you help her with a plan?’’ asked Diane.
‘‘Yes. It was just a basic plan that any girlfriend would come up with. Nothing in it was guaranteed to work.’’
‘‘You can guarantee your work?’’
Clymene eyed Diane for a long moment, then smiled again as if she found the conversation humorous. ‘‘Just a figure of speech. I mean there was nothing fantastic about the plan. But it worked. I was surprised.’’
‘‘Why?’’
‘‘Not to put too fine a point on it, he is a handsome man; she isn’t a beautiful woman. Like it or not, handsome men rarely choose plain women to marry... not without some ulterior motive.’’
This time Diane arched an eyebrow. She was thinking of herself. She had never considered herself beautiful, yet Frank was drop-dead gorgeous.
Clymene shook her head. ‘‘You’re not plain. Your face is interesting and intelligent. I imagine you attract a lot of good-looking and intelligent men,’’ she said.
Diane was disconcerted by the way Clymene kept reading her mind.
‘‘You were thinking that you are an exception, therefore Grace might also be an exception,’’ said Clymene, ‘‘But you’re not an exception.’’
‘‘To know that you would have to know who I date or who I’m married to,’’ said Diane.
‘‘You’re not married and I know who you date. Don’t look so suspicious; I didn’t dig it out, my lawyer did. In preparing my case he researched everyone on the witness list so as not to miss any angle. You have to know that. He was an expensive lawyer.’’
Diane did, but she still didn’t like the fact that Clymene knew so much about her. ‘‘Grace . . . and . . . Tully got together?’’ she said after a moment.
‘‘Yes. They had a fast courtship and marriage. Another bad sign,’’ said Clymene.
‘‘You warned her?’’
‘‘Of course. Many times. She blew me off. When it became imminent, I told her not to take a honeymoon that involved being over water or near a cliff. She thought that was terribly funny.’’
‘‘When was this?’’ asked Diane.
‘‘She got married three weeks ago,’’ responded Clymene.
‘‘So why did you call me now?’’ asked Diane.
Clymene leaned forward again. ‘‘Because I overheard one of the guards say she’s overdue and they haven’t heard from her.’’
Chapter 3
‘‘Why didn’t you just ask the guards to check on Grace?’’ said Diane.
