After announcing his decision, Judge Gold calls for a fifteen-minute recess. We all stand to watch the judge walk through the side door and back to his chambers. The moment the door closes behind him, the reporters reach for their phones, eager to tweet out this recent development.

I must be wearing my disappointment on my sleeve, because LeMarcus leans over to whisper in my ear. “We still have a shot, Dana.”

“Yeah, slim to none—and slim just left town,” I say.

“What?” he says, apparently not familiar with an expression my father used all the time.

“It means I’m going to be convicted.”

“Not yet. Stay strong. I need you to project confidence to the jury.”

I nod that I understand, but the introduction of the text message means that the prosecution is going to be able to link me directly to Lauren’s murder. When court resumes, Ella will put on her evidence of the text messages. My adultery in all its glory. Not to mention the evidence that I lured my lover to Central Park, to her death.

After that ignominy, Ella will call to the stand a cleaned-up Franklin Pearse. He’ll identify me—or at least someone fitting my description, general though it may be—as being the only other person he saw in the park at the time of the murder.

The final nail in the coffin of my defense will be the testimony of Richard Trofino, who will say over and over again how much he loved his wife. A repeat, no doubt, of his eulogy. After he finishes his song and dance, the prosecution will rest.

That will be more than enough for them to sustain their burden of proof, at least as a legal matter. Which means that I’m going to have to put on a defense.

LeMarcus has been circumspect with regard to his strategy for my defense. I know that’s because he wants to avoid a fight with his client. He’s been clear that Stuart will be our first witness, and that a lot rides on his testimony. Stuart provides me an alibi, and will corroborate that I did not have my phone after Richard Trofino left my office.

The part LeMarcus hasn’t wanted to discuss with me is what role, if any, I’m going to play in my own defense. He knows I want to testify, but every time I’ve raised the issue he’s responded by telling about the acquittals he’s obtained without his clients taking the stand.

I understand his reluctance. Defendants are usually easy pickings for a prosecutor. Too many lies to keep straight, and all it takes is for one of them to be revealed on cross for even the most expertly established defense to fail.