‘And let’s also vote as to whether the death took place in St. Louis County in the state of Minnesota?’

The same result.

‘Finally – and if any of you disagree, we can postpone this question – can we vote that whoever killed Jay Ferris did so with an intent to murder him? My own opinion is that if you point a gun at someone’s head and pull the trigger, your intent is pretty clear. But that’s just me.’

They voted, and they agreed that intent had been established.

‘That’s progress,’ Eleanor announced with a smile. ‘That leaves us with one question, and it’s the big one. We have to decide whether the state proved beyond a reasonable doubt that Janine Snow caused the death of Jay Ferris. I think it’s important that we review all the evidence carefully regardless of what any of us is thinking at this particular moment. Right? But I also think it would be useful for each of us to share our preliminary opinion, recognizing that our opinion might change as we look at the facts. Okay?’

Howard felt his body tense. Sweat gathered on his neck. This was the moment he’d anticipated, but he had no idea what to say.

Reasonable doubt. The judge had told them: Reasonable doubt is just what it sounds like. It’s doubt based in reason and common sense. The state does not have to prove its case beyond all doubt. Some doubt always exists about most things in life.

‘Let’s go around the room,’ Eleanor said.

Answer yes or no, she told them. Answer yes if you think the state proved its case. Yes if you’re ready to declare Janine Snow guilty of murder.

The juror on the other side of Eleanor answered first. ‘Yes.’

And another. ‘Yes.’

One juror declined to answer. So did the next. And then:

‘Yes.’

‘Yes.’

Howard stared at their faces. They made it look so easy. They’d sat in the same courtroom as him, and the case was already clear in their minds. They’d looked into Janine’s face and seen a killer there.

‘Yes.’

‘Yes.’

Don’t be influenced by emotion or passion, the judge had said. The only thing you should look at are the facts of the case.

‘Yes.’

‘Yes.’

The vote around the table reached Howard. There hadn’t been a single person to vote no. Not a single person with doubt. Only two jurors had declined to vote openly, and the rest had made up their minds.

Guilty.

‘I – I’m not sure,’ Howard said. ‘I guess I have to say no.’

There was silence in the room. Howard felt their eyes on him, and his skin burned with embarrassment. Did they know? Did they know how he felt about Janine? Don’t be influenced by emotion or passion.