“It’s the kind of bookkeeping I can’t do without,” she answered.

I deposited the check in an account bearing only my name.

It was a small amount.

But for the first time in years, I recognized myself in the person who had earned it.

PART 15

The first response from the conviction-review unit was a request for more information.

Lena called it encouraging but not decisive.

The reviewers wanted authentication for the archived digital records and fuller statements from Denise and the IT contractor.