Sometimes when Shelley is on her break, she sits quietly and writes little notes to herself in shorthand. This case has made her remember things she doesn’t want to remember, but it has also left her to note how lucky she is that Brent is Brent and not like the monster there in orange. Brent did not physically hurt her; he didn’t even really threaten her. He just called it quits and left, so how lucky is that?

She has thought that perhaps she will someday write an exposé, or maybe even a novel or movie about all this, and so she jots down her notes about the real story and how she would tell it, and how she would describe people if it were a television show, because that is so much easier than thinking about herself. Then, if she has time on her break, she types it all up. She types all that comes galloping into her head, things like: There once was an ugly, pompous asshole given a pass in society because he had money and a degree, and not even a great degree, but what do you call the worst student at the worst medical school in the world? Doctor. So, ladies, pay attention; it pays to be choosy.

The accused withheld important information from the young woman he murdered. She trusted him, and that was her big mistake. He wanted to be in charge of everything and was capable of compartmentalizing, so he dealt with it block by simple block, his brain no more advanced than a preschooler—apologies to preschoolers everywhere. And that is why this case is so disturbing. How many have willingly trusted someone they loved? How many have wanted to believe in someone with whole heart and faith? How many hear someone has this degree or that or this job and think that means everything else lines up? The young woman made a terrible mistake and paid for it with her life. He promised her a house. He promised a future of love and devotion, the two of them raising their little boy together. But the young single woman working hard in a nursing home and living over a fast-food drive-through (Harvey calls her the Dog House Girl) couldn’t have really liked that man in the beginning. How could she? Why would she? He’s a squat pig—apologies to pigs everywhere.