Prologue
June 8, 2017
The Honorable Jessie Macaulay
Charlottesville Circuit Court
315 East High Street
Charlottesville, VA 22902
Dear Jess,
I was in your courtroom today when Kate Strange was convicted of murder. Your facial expression, the one I know so well, told me you were pleased. Why?
I followed this trial because I knew Jason Worthy. I hated the man. But that young woman didn’t kill him. There was a ton of reasonable doubt. You know it and I know it. But you let her go down. Why?
We’ve known each other our whole lives. Except maybe for Jimmy, no one knows you better. Or so I thought. Maybe I don’t know you at all.
What the hell happened to you?
Sam
June 12, 2017
Samantha Picken, Esq.
Picken & Lloyd, LLP
127 Court St.
Woodstock, VA 22664
Sam, oh Sam—
You really are a good friend. No one, not even Jimmy, knows me like you do. What can I say? I did what I had to.
Let’s get together soon.
Love, Jess