Q. Kim, why did you really marry Troy Benning? (she cut a blue-eyed glance in my direction)

A.  He made a good trophy husband. At the time I thought I could change my ways, if you know what I mean. And in the beginning the sex was great.

Q. If given the chance would you have chosen Stephanie over Troy?

A. What kind of question is that! I was a public figure and Stephanie’s husband was running for office.  We couldn’t risk it. We had to be discrete.

Q. But Stephanie chose her husband over you. How did that make you feel?

A. Again with the silly question.  How would you feel if the person you loved, dumped you for someone else?  I was pissed.  But I made her pay in my own way. (She smiled)

Q. After all that you did to get Troy out of your life, your business still crumbled. What are you going to do now?

A. I’ll say this once.  I’m a survivor. I built my business single-handedly.  If I could do it once, I can do it again. Now if you’ll excuse me I have a plane to catch.  (She grabs her carry-on  and joins the line to board the plane)

Q. Wait, Ms. Shepherd just one more question.  If you had to . . . you know . . . kill again, would you?

A. I’ll do whatever is necessary.  Like I said, I’m a survivor. (She tosses a triumphant look at me over her shoulder and gets on the plane)

Well folks, you heard it hear first. I’m catching the next plane to Aruba.  I’ll keep you posted.

Q. Tess, did you murder your sister, Tracy Alexander? Everyone who read your story in Getting Hers believes that you did.

A. Don’t be ridiculous. What kind of woman do you think I am that I would murder my own sister. I was as stunned as everyone else when I heard the news.

(she crosses her long legs and lights a cigarette.)

Q. What’s the real story with you and Vincent?

(she looks away then back at me)

A. Vincent . . . I really cared about Vincent. Maybe I even loved him. But he had no right to follow me. I did what I had to do. You shouldn’t have followed me either. It’s going to get ugly.

Q. I can handle myself. How do you feel about Nicole and Kimberly?

(she chuckles and blows a cloud of smoke into the air)

A. I think Nikki could hold her own no matter what. She has heart. And Kim, for all her money and breeding she has the heart of a thug. Cold.

Q. Can you give us a hint as to what is going to happen in Wicked Ways? I’m sure readers are dying to know.

A. Let’s just say, nothing is as it seems and not everyone will make it to the finish line–at least not the way you expect.

Well, that’s it for now folks. Tess just hopped into her car and is headed off to meet Vincent. She had a strange look in her eyes. It gave me the chills. I’m going to hang around and see exactly what happens.