CHAPTER 9
“FIFTEEN MINUTES,” THE GUARD SAID.
Sidney nodded and looked back to Grace. “If I can frame it correctly, and explain away the doubts and misinformation about Allison Harbor and Daniel Greaves, I can imagine your love story with Julian making up the early narrative of the documentary. I can see this pulling the audience onto your side. But eventually the guts of the film will delve into Julian’s murder.
I’ll have to present the case against you, Grace.
Before I can refute the claims or highlight any inconsistencies, I’ll need to show the audience everything that convicted you. All the evidence.”
“I understand,” Grace said.
“The problem is, there’s a helluva lot to show. The print that puts you on the bluff, the blood in your room, the cleanup.”
Grace exhaled and shook her head in defeat.
“I just want the opportunity to tell my side. When viewed only through the lens the detectives offer, even I wonder how so much evidence could exist against me. But please remember that everything about this investigation was tainted, from the collection of evidence to the analysis. From the physical evidence to the DNA evidence to the proposed motives and methods . . . Sidney, it’s all contrived.
It was wrong then and it’s still wrong today, ten years later.
The detectives did exactly what they’re trained not to do.
They picked a suspect first, and then looked for evidence that supported their theory.
And the problem with investigating a crime in that manner is that any evidence they came across that didn’t support their theory was ignored or discarded. ”
Sidney nodded. She paused before she spoke again.
“But the murder weapon, Grace. It’s a sticking point for me, and likely will be for the audience.”