I’ve been waiting a long time for this moment—ever since the day Garrett told me about the rumors swirling around Cole Wright since his college days. I may never be able to pin Garrett’s murder on the First Gentleman, so seeing him sent away for Suzanne Bonanno’s will have to do.

Cole Wright stands up behind the table. I see Tess Hardy place one hand on his back—a show of support for her client and a bit of theater for the rest of us.

My brain fogs out for a few seconds during the reading of the charges.

Focus, Brea!

I clench my fists. The fog clears. I hear the next part clearly.

The important part.

“Cole Wright, with force and arms, did commit the crime of second-degree murder, RSA six-thirty, one-b, in that Cole Wright caused the death of Suzanne Bonanno, age twenty-two, under circumstances manifesting an extreme indifference to the value of human life, to wit, strangling Suzanne Bonanno in a manner resulting in her death. Said acts being contrary to the form of statute, in such case made and provided, and against the peace and dignity of the State.”

I think of Suzanne being wrapped in a sheet and dumped in that miserable hole in the dirt. If there was ever an act against peace and dignity, that was it.

The next few minutes are all legal housekeeping. Dow reminds the jury of what being sequestered means. They are not to talk among themselves or to members of the news media or even with their families, and they are not to do any independent research on the case.

In his instructions to the jury, one part stands out.

“The fact that the defendant has been arrested and charged is not evidence of guilt. It is up to you and you alone to reach a verdict based on the evidence presented here.”

I hope these jurors pay attention. I hope they hear the truth. All of it.

Dow nods to the deputy AG. “Counselor, we’re ready for your opening.”

Nobody’s more ready than I am.

CHAPTER
88

Thank you, Your Honor,” the prosecutor says as he steps up to the lectern. He sets down the thick blue binder in his hands and walks over to the jury box.

“Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I’m Deputy Attorney General Hugh Bastinelli. I am here to prove to you, beyond a reasonable doubt, that Cole Wright murdered Suzanne Bonanno.”

Music to my ears. He pauses to let the charge sink in.

“Before I get into the details of the case, I want to take just a few moments to discuss the extraordinary nature of this situation.” His voice is clear and confident. I can feel warmth and empathy in his delivery. His tone says We’re all in this together.

I look at the faces of the jurors. They seem alert, like students who know they’re being graded on class participation.