“Finnley, this isn’t just an appeal,” Nora said. “This is a massive setup. We’re talking fraud, identity theft, forgery, and concealing a body. If we do this right, we can clear your name—but they’re going to fight dirty.”

“They already ruined my life once,” I told her. “I’m not running away this time.”

Nora nodded and shut the folder.

“Alright. Let’s get to work.”

The court notices went out eleven days later. The judge immediately froze all of Carter’s bank accounts, demanded records for his fake companies, and ordered an emergency review of my old case.

That same afternoon, Reagan called my phone.