The Widow

The jury finds Simon Latch guilty of first-degree murder. Jerry Korsak calls Teddy Hammer to celebrate. Deputies unnecessarily handcuff Simon and lead him through a televised perp walk for their own glorification before booking him into the city jail. Lassiter secures protective custody for him. Paula sees the news, and their son Danny calls her in tears. In his cell, an inmate gives Simon a copy of The Lonely Silver Rain, a 1985 mystery by John D. MacDonald that “featured a private investigator named Travis McGee” (331). Landy visits Simon.

On Monday morning, Judge Shyam grants Lassiter’s request to let Simon remain free on bond until his August 22 sentencing. Released, Simon returns to his deserted office with 84 days to find the real killer.

The day after Simon’s release, Teddy Hammer files wrongful death lawsuits against Simon and the hospital. To Simon’s bitter amusement, he is being sued for $10 million when he has only $5,000 to his name. Simon shuts down his law practice, and Paula tells him not to visit their children. He meets Lassiter and theorizes that the killer swapped poisoned cookies for his gift. They narrow a list of hospital employees to 10 suspects.