Page 55 of The Six Murders of Daphne St Clair

RUTH:Where exactly in Colorado were you?

DAPHNE:Near Aspen.

RUTH:Oh, I have family in Colorado. My mom grew up there. They moved to Florida after my grandfather left the family for another woman.

DAPHNE:Jesus, the women in your family sure can’t keep a man.

RUTH:Men or women, we can’t seem to keep anyone. . . so how long did the marriage last?

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DAPHNE:The marriage lasted two years. Maybe less. At first, I thought there’d be enough luxury to keep me occupied. I’d seenDynasty; I knew Colorado was full of rich people. But eventually I got bored of snowed-out roads and stories about how Donald used to be a big shot. So, I had to kill him to save myself from another winter in the mountains. I was back in New York with neon in my eyes before Christmas ’91! And that’s all I can really say about Donald. Our marriage was short, but one thing lived on. His last name. I liked Daphne St Clair so much that I decided to keep it.

RUTH:So that’s it? You talked for ages about some of your other murders, but this poor man barely gets a paragraph? You know how insulting that is for his family?

DAPHNE:Well, how much more offended are they gonna get? I already killed the guy!

RUTH:At first, you seemed to have been murdering guys who mistreated you, but it seems like now no one was good enough for you. That these men didn’tmatterto you at all.

DAPHNE:Ooh fascinating insight into the criminal psyche. I don’t know what you’re getting so worked up about, this guy was nothing special.

[Ruth takes a deep breath and doesn’t say anything for a minute.]

RUTH:What about his children? Do you know their names? I’d like to interview one. Their father deserved better.

DAPHNE:God, why waste your time?

RUTH:We’ve discussed this before. You might as well tell me what you remember. Whether you help me or not, I’ll find out.

DAPHNE:Is that a threat?

RUTH:More of a promise. Of course, that’s only if you’re taking me for a ride.

DAPHNE:Christ you’re paranoid! I’ve told you nothing but the truth!

RUTH:The whole truth?

DAPHNE:So help me God.

RUTH:Because you should know, a lot of people are discussing this case online, trying to connect you to famous unsolved murders. I’ve read the threads: the Tylenol Murders, the Black Dahlia, some small-town murders in New York State, even the Miami New Year’s poisonings. . . I just want to confirm that you didn’t killanyoneelse.

DAPHNE:Ruth, what are you trying to say?

RUTH:I’m wondering if you’ve confessed to all the murders you’ve committed.

DAPHNE:That’s ridiculous. Why would I lie? The only reason people know that I’m a killer, that any of these people were even murdered, is because of me!

RUTH:Well. . . lots of killers lie, even after they’re caught. Sometimes it’s a control thing, like how a lot of people believe Charles Manson ordered more murders but he liked keeping that secret from the public. And for others, it’s a bargaining chip. Ted Bundy used to say he’d committed more murders than people knew, and that he would help the police if they delayed his execution.

DAPHNE:Yes, but those killers all didn’t want to be caught. Iconfessed. So again, why would I lie?

RUTH:That’s a very good question. . . Maybe you’ve killed quite a few more people than you’re letting on. . . Or maybe you’ve done things that might make people think worse of you. Or maybe you’re doing this to taunt me. The thing is, no one really getswhyyou confessed. People ask me about it all the time. I don’t know what your motivations are with this, so for all I know you could be lying about lots of things.

DAPHNE:Honestly, you’re getting tiresome! I don’t know if you need a stiff drink or a roll in the sheets, but something has to change! Get out!

ShockAndBlah:

Wow Donald got short shrift didn’t he?

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