Summary

In Chapter 9, set in September 2017, Shea had seen a picture of Beth leaving the police department after her initial questioning. She looked beautiful and sexy, but also cold and hard, like a murderess. The people of the town made up their minds that Beth was guilty when they saw that photo. As far as Shea knew, Beth had never been diagnosed with a mental illness. Regardless, Ransom had stated to a reporter when he was interviewed about Beth: “I know pure evil when I see it” (46).

The next day, Shea felt paranoid when she saw a man sitting in his car in the parking lot of her apartment building. She tried to mind her own business, but could not help but feel keeping an eye on him. She learned later the man was the ex-husband of the woman across the hall. He...