Thirteen

Following the attack, Eddie Flynn wakes up sore in his office after a late night talking with Judge Harry Ford. He resolves to see the case through, driven by a sense of duty to Bobby Solomon and the murder victims. His investigator, Harper, calls to report she has obtained the files on the Dollar Bill murders—a series of past crimes linked by a $1 bill left at the scene. They discuss the killer’s method of framing innocent people. While examining the files, Eddie has a realization: The murders occurred in states corresponding to the 13 original colonies. He tells Harper to share this “map” theory with FBI agent Paige Delaney. He also notes a potential connection to a North Carolina killer, Richard Pena, as North Carolina is one of the 13 colonies.

In the jury room, Kane observes the other jurors discussing the hit-and-run death of a fellow juror, Brenda Kowolski. Kane was Brenda’s killer, remembering the sound of her skull cracking on the hood of the Chevy Silverado. To build rapport and influence, Kane proposes that the group collect money for a wreath for Brenda’s funeral. Judge Harry Ford enters and informs the jury that the police believe they are all in “very real danger” because Brenda may have been intentionally targeted (151). As a result, he announces that for their own safety, the entire jury will be sequestered under armed guard for the duration of the trial.

The defense team’s memo on juror Anne Koppelmann, a 27-year-old single kindergarten teacher, notes her liberal political leanings. Her social media interests include Black Lives Matter and Bernie Sanders. The consultant, Arnold L. Novoselic, estimates a 64% probability that she will vote Not Guilty.

On the first day of the trial, Bobby Solomon arrives with his lawyer, Rudy Carp, and is swarmed by a chaotic mob of reporters. In the courtroom, Eddie meets the prosecutor, Art Pryor, a charismatic but arrogant attorney with a considerable reputation for winning his cases. Eddie sees Pryor speaking with reporter Paul Benettio. As they wait for the trial to begin, Bobby suddenly collapses with an epileptic seizure on the courtroom floor.

In the jury room, Judge Ford confirms that juror Brenda Kowolski was “deliberately targeted” because she was a juror (159). He officially informs the jurors they will be sequestered, explaining they will be allowed to go home with a police escort to pack a bag before being taken to a hotel. The jurors react with shock and protest, but Kane is internally pleased, as he had anticipated this outcome and made his own arrangements accordingly.

The memo on juror Spencer Colbert, a 21-year-old barista and DJ, identifies him as gay and a regular marijuana user. He is a high-school graduate with poor financials. Arnold considers him a highly favorable option, with an estimated 88% probability of voting Not Guilty.

In the courthouse medical bay, Bobby recovers from his seizure. His lawyer, Rudy Carp, receives a call and learns that because Bobby’s epilepsy is now public, the movie studio financing his defense is pulling out and firing Carp’s firm. Since they can no longer insure Bobby as an actor, they have no financial interest in his defense. Rudy offers Eddie a high-paying job at his firm if he walks away from the case. Eddie refuses, choosing to remain as Bobby’s lawyer, stating he has already been paid enough by Rudy’s firm. Bobby, looking like a frightened child, gratefully accepts Eddie’s help.

While waiting in the jury room, Kane recalls his past. He remembers killing his biological father as a boy when the man assaulted his mother, an act that gave him a sense of pleasure. Together with his mother, he buried the man in the ditch behind their home where Kane had already been burying the bodies of animals he had killed. Back in the present, Kane identifies two jurors, Spencer Colbert and Manuel Ortega, as likely to vote for acquittal and decides he must eliminate them as obstacles.

The memo on juror Elizabeth “Betsy” Muller, a 35-year-old housewife and karate instructor, notes she is a Republican with five young children and tight finances. Arnold gives her a 45% probability of voting Not Guilty.

Jury consultant Arnold informs Eddie that he will stay on the case despite Rudy Carp’s departure. Eddie, who had initially disliked Arnold, is pleased that he has some support. In Judge Ford’s chambers, Eddie and prosecutor Art Pryor agree to expedite the trial due to the jury’s sequestration. They all know that sequestering a jury can have unexpected effects on a trial. Harry confirms that the police believe juror Brenda Kowolski was murdered. Back in the courtroom, Eddie receives the updated juror list from Arnold and gets a text from Harper stating that they have found more of the killer’s victims.

From the jury box, Kane watches the opening statements. Prosecutor Art Pryor delivers a confident and compelling speech, making three promises to the jury: He will present facts proving Bobby Solomon’s guilt, show that he lied to the police about his whereabouts, and provide forensic evidence directly linking him to an object inserted into a victim’s throat. Kane is deeply impressed by Pryor’s masterful performance and command of the courtroom.

Eddie presents his opening statement, countering Art Pryor’s confidence by asking the jury to remain skeptical and remember their oath. He suggests that the evidence will point to a different culprit, a serial killer the FBI has been hunting for years. The prosecution calls its first witness, Detective Joseph Anderson. Eddie immediately recognizes Anderson as one of the police officers who assaulted him the previous night.

The memo on juror Terry Andrews, a 49-year-old restaurant owner and former basketball prospect, indicates he is divorced with poor financials. He has no voting history or political affiliations. Arnold estimates a 55% probability of a Not Guilty vote.

Kane reflects on his past. After the death of his father, he and his mother moved many times across the country. Throughout this time, they were very poor. His mother struggled to find work. He recalls how his mother died after his graduation and how he then burned the apartment to hide evidence of his crimes before leaving. He remembers the thrill of seeing his real name, Joshua Kane, in an old newspaper clipping about the first man he killed. During Eddie’s opening statement, the mention of an FBI investigation into a serial killer unnerves Kane. He feels a flash of fear and exposure, and notices jury consultant Arnold staring at him intently, believing Arnold has seen his “true face” (189).

On the witness stand, Detective Anderson testifies that the crime scene felt “personal” (190). A graphic photo of the victims, Ariella Bloom and Carl Tozer, is displayed. Anderson explains that Tozer was killed with a baseball bat bearing Bobby’s fingerprints. Ariella was stabbed multiple times. He then reveals to the jury that $1 bill, folded into a butterfly, was found in Tozer’s throat. Forensic analysis of the bill found both Bobby’s fingerprints and his DNA. Pryor plays Bobby’s 911 call for the jury, then discusses a smashed vase and a table. The knife used to kill Ariella, Detective Anderson says, was not initially found at the scene. In a surprise reveal, however, Anderson describes how he found the knife hidden in a lampshade above the table that held the broken vase, implying that Bobby hid the knife after calling 911.

Detective Anderson explains that tread marks from Bobby’s sneakers were found on the overturned table, suggesting Bobby stood on it to hide the knife. Anderson argues the sound of the table falling and a vase breaking is audible on Bobby’s 911 call. This new evidence severely damages Bobby’s defense. Eddie cross-examines Detective Anderson. After sending Arnold to the evidence room, he quizzes Anderson about his injured arm. Anderson grimly claims to have fallen, choosing not to mention that it was Eddie who hurt his arm after Anderson attacked him. Arnold returns with evidence and Eddie must convince the judge to stage an important demonstration.

The memo on juror Rita Veste, a 33-year-old child psychologist, notes she is married with no children and is a Democrat who did not vote in the last election. Her financials are sound. Arnold estimates a 65% probability that she will vote Not Guilty.

During Detective Anderson’s testimony, Kane carefully studies juror Spencer Colbert’s handwriting in his notebook. While the other jurors are distracted, Kane forges the word “Guilty” (204) on a separate piece of paper, mimicking Spencer’s script. When the judge excuses the jury for a legal motion, Kane goes to the bathroom, takes out the note he prepared, and crumples it into a small ball.

Eddie continues to cross-examine Detective Anderson. He stages a dramatic courtroom demonstration using a mattress identical to the one from the crime scene. With kettlebells representing the victims’ weights and a corn syrup mixture simulating blood, Eddie proves that due to the weight difference, blood from Ariella would have flowed onto Carl Tozer if he had been in the bed when she was killed. Since no blood was found on Tozer, Eddie argues he must have been placed in the bed after Ariella died. 

To counter the prosecution’s objections, Eddie has Mr. Cheeseman, the mattress’s inventor, stand up in the audience and identifies him as available to testify, which prompts Harry to allow the demonstration to continue. As Eddie makes his point, a loud argument breaks out among the jurors.

The memo on juror Manuel Ortega, a 38-year-old session musician, highlights his poor financial situation and a brother in prison. His social media shows a strong anti-prison stance. Arnold views him as extremely favorable, with a 90% probability of voting Not Guilty.

Kane subtly kicks the crumpled note under the bench in front of him. Juror Betsy Muller finds it and reads the word “Guilty” (217). Seeing that it appears to be in Spencer Colbert’s handwriting, Betsy accuses Spencer of trying to manipulate the jury. The accusation quickly escalates and the entire jury box erupts into a shouting match.

After security restores order, Judge Ford calls Eddie and Art Pryor into his chambers. He shows them the crumpled note and says the handwriting appears to match Spencer Colbert’s. When questioned, Spencer denies writing the note but reveals he has already decided Bobby is not guilty. Because he has prematurely made up his mind, the judge dismisses Spencer from the jury for misconduct. He is replaced by an alternate juror.

The memo on juror James Johnston, a 43-year-old translator, describes him as a non-voter with sound financials and little social life. Arnold is uncertain about him, giving him a 50% probability of voting Not Guilty.

With Spencer dismissed, a new juror named Valerie Burlington joins the panel. Judge Ford instructs the jury to disregard the note and warns them against discussing the case. The trial is adjourned until the next day. Kane is pleased that one of his targets, Spencer, has been removed. Now, he only needs to deal with the other pro-defense juror, Manuel. He is determined not to underestimate Eddie Flynn anymore.

Eddie continues his cross-examination of Detective Anderson. He presents an alternative theory: An intruder subdued Carl Tozer elsewhere in the house by placing a bag over his head and pulling from behind, explaining the bruise on Tozer’s throat and the lack of blood spatter on the carpets. The killer then used Bobby’s baseball bat from the hallway to kill Tozer before placing his body in the bed to create a false crime scene that framed Bobby. Eddie argues it makes no sense for Bobby to hide the knife so carefully and then leave an overturned table pointing directly to its location. He forces Anderson to concede that the detective’s version of events may not necessarily be the only scenario that could have occurred. 

After his final question, Eddie makes a scathing allusion to Anderson’s problems with internal affairs. Anderson leaves the stand with a deadly scowl directed at Eddie. As the court breaks for lunch, Arnold assures Eddie that the jury reacted positively to him. Studying Bobby, however, Eddie is sure that his client is withholding something from him. Harper calls with news from the FBI.

The memo on juror Bradley Summers, a 64-year-old retired postal worker, describes him as estranged from both children with no debts or assets. Arnold is positive about him, giving him a 66% probability of voting Not Guilty.

During the lunch recess, Kane is escorted home by a police officer to pack a bag. He packs a basic murder kit in a hidden compartment. Back at the courthouse, he tosses a coin to decide his next target. The coin lands tails, meaning he makes a new plan. He calls his unnamed accomplice from a bathroom, changing the target from Rudy Carp to Eddie Flynn. The accomplice reveals that Detective Anderson is their partner and will be pleased with the new plan as he “hates Flynn” (234).

During a court recess, Harper and FBI agent Delaney meet with Eddie. They reveal that the Dollar Bill killer has operated in at least eight of the 13 original colony states, framing innocent people for at least 18 murders. The cases include an arson in Georgia, a “ripper” in Pennsylvania, a “pitstop killer” in Connecticut, and a rape-murder in Maryland, all linked by marked $1 bills. Delaney initially resists, insisting she cannot compromise the investigation, but agrees to share the case files and be available as a listed witness after Eddie promises he can orchestrate a situation that will cause the killer to reveal himself and walk directly into an FBI trap within 24 hours.

The memo on juror Cassandra Deneuve, a 23-year-old NYU undergrad working at McDonald’s, notes she previously changed her name from Molly Freudenberger. She is financially supported by her parents and has a large Instagram following. Arnold views her as unfavorable, with only a 38% probability of voting Not Guilty.

After court is adjourned, the new juror, Valerie Burlington, annoys Kane with her noisy jewelry. The sequestered jury is transported to a rundown hotel called Grady’s Inn, a location Kane secretly arranged. He tricks Valerie into swapping rooms, giving him one with an accessible window. That night, after the other jurors are asleep, Kane wakes up at one o’clock in the morning, puts on a ski mask, and climbs out of his window.

The memo on juror Alec Wynn, a 46-year-old unemployed air-conditioning engineer, identifies him as a Republican loner and outdoor enthusiast with a firearms license for three handguns and a rifle. His online interests include Breitbart News and extreme pornography. Arnold considers him highly likely to convict, with only a 20% probability of a Not Guilty vote.

After Judge Ford grants a continuance, Eddie warns Bobby he must reveal his alibi. Bobby continues to stonewall Eddie, insisting that he cannot remember his location on the night of the murder. Eddie is frustrated but believes that Bobby is being framed by the true murderer.

Later, jury consultant Arnold Novoselic tells Eddie he saw a juror’s face momentarily twist into something “evil,” but second-guesses himself and attributes it to fatigue and overwork. Eddie spends the night analyzing the Dollar Bill case files and realizes the true targets are the people framed for the crimes. He discovers that each framed person had recently experienced a stroke of good fortune, like winning the lottery, which was reported in local news. He calls Harper to share his theory and learns she is with her new romantic partner, Holten. Unsettled by Arnold’s story, Eddie calls him back and asks what juror he saw. Arnold identifies him as Alec Wynn, unaware that Kane is posing as Wynn.