“Being a criminal defender is like being a chef,” LeMarcus told me. “You use every ingredient you have to put together your defense, but you have to take special care that nothing spoils the broth. And a lie, no matter how small, poisons everything.”

At the same time, I think my testimony is critical. Richard Trofino is going to swear to the jury that he loved Lauren and would never in a million years have harmed her. I’m certain that to obtain my freedom, I’m going to need to say exactly the same thing.

I wonder what that will do to Stuart. He’s convinced himself that my relationship with Lauren was a mistake that I regret. But to make my defense convincing, I’ll need to say that I was in love. That there was no reason for me to kill Lauren because she loved me too. I’ll need to be convincing that my happily-ever-after hopes involved being with her, not Stuart.

Just as this thought rolls through my head, Stuart approaches the defense table. He’s allowed to watch the proceedings as long as they don’t include witness testimony, which means he’s seen firsthand that my hope of acquittal has just been dashed with the admission of the text message.

He places a supportive hand on my shoulder. “I’m sorry,” he says. “I really thought the judge was going to exclude it.”

LeMarcus suggests that we talk outside, glancing at Ella, who sits only a few feet away from us. She’s looking down at her notes, seemingly oblivious to our discussion.

Without waiting for our consent, LeMarcus gets up and makes his way to the hallway. Stuart and I follow him out.

When we’re in an abandoned corner of the hallway, away from prying eyes and ears, LeMarcus says, “Okay, here’s how I see the rest of the day going. The odds are very good that the prosecution is going to rest today. Maybe even before lunch, if they finish Richard’s testimony quickly. Stuart, that means you might take the stand as early as right after lunch.”

“Okay,” Stuart says. “I’m ready.”

“Good. Your testimony is now absolutely critical. Remember what we went over during prep. You need to be firm that Dana did not have her phone the night of the murder. After that testimony, you’ll provide Dana’s alibi. It’s equally important that you testify she never left your sight that night, and she definitely didn’t leave the apartment. No hesitation at all on those points. Got me?”

“Yes. That’s exactly what I’ll say.”