Kya enters court after Tate’s visit and, hearing a familiar sound, sees Jumpin’ and Mabel seated with Tate in the downstairs “white area.” When the bailiff reports the stir, Judge Sims orders integrated seating, which steadies Kya.

The prosecution calls Dr. Steward Cone, the coroner. He confirms Chase died between midnight and 2 a.m. from a sixty-three-foot fall through the fire-tower grate, striking the back of his head on a support beam, and had no alcohol in his system. Prosecutor Eric argues this backward head wound is consistent with being pushed, which Dr. Cone allows is possible. Dr. Cone also states Chase was not wearing the shell necklace and that red wool fibers on Chase’s denim jacket match a red cap found in Kya’s home containing strands of her hair.

As this testimony lands, Kya distracts herself by watching Sunday Justice and recalling a skunk, “Chanel,” from childhood. Eric summarizes the implications: backward fall plus fibers from Kya’s cap. Murmurs ripple through the courtroom.

Defense attorney Tom Milton cross-examines, establishing that a backward fall could be accidental; there are no bruises indicating a shove; and no evidence proves Chase was pushed. He underscores that the red fibers could have transferred anytime over years, even through washings, and that no fingerprints, skin cells, or hair link Kya to Chase that night.

Judge Sims calls an early lunch recess. Handcuffed back to her cell, Kya resists calling Jodie despite having his number. She holds Tate’s World War I compass for steadiness and whispers a line of Emily Dickinson, bracing herself for what comes next.