Stuart Goodwin will claim it isn’t him. Or, at the very least, that no one can be certain beyond a reasonable doubt that it’s his face on the surveillance footage. Gabriel said he was sure, but I think he was seeing what he wanted to see. I’m not certain. But the one thing I do know for sure is that I now have reasonable doubt that Dana murdered Lauren.

“All rise,” the court clerk bellows.

Everyone in the courtroom stands to watch Judge Gold walk in. When he’s seated, he commands that we all do the same. Then the same ritual is observed when the jury enters, but this time I remain upright.

“Your Honor, before we begin today, I would like to be heard,” I say.

He tilts his head slightly. “We’re all ears, Ms. Broden.”

I can feel the eyes on me. It reminds me of how I feel before the music starts at Lava. Now, as when I prepare to sing, I allow myself a moment alone and shut my eyes. Charlotte is there, and Lauren too. They both approve of what I’m going to do. I’m certain of that.

“The People move to dismiss the indictment against Dana L. Goodwin.”

The gallery erupts. Aside from Kayla, Gabriel, and Richard Trofino, no one knew that I was about to utter those words. Actually, my conversation about it with Richard was one of the calmer talks we’ve had. I explained my reasoning, and he said that he understood and was in no position to question my judgment. “Nothing is going to bring Lauren back,” he said, “and as much as I want justice for her, it’s got to be the kind of justice she believed in for it to matter. I know this sounds terrible, but it’s easier for me to accept that Dana’s husband killed Lauren, and not someone she loved.”

Drake McKenney was not given a heads-up because I knew he’d try to talk me out of it. I didn’t even tell LeMarcus, not out of any sense of drama, but because I wanted to leave myself the option to proceed with the case to verdict until I was certain. But my brief moment of solitude has brought me home.

Judge Gold gavels twice. Although his judicial temperament usually keeps him poised, he looks shocked.

“Care to share your reasons, Ms. Broden?”

“The People have recently come into evidence that casts doubt on Ms. Goodwin’s guilt.”

The judge nods and smiles at me. It might be the first time this trial he has.