I told her that charging decisions belonged to investigators and prosecutors.

She asked whether I felt vindicated.

I said I felt grateful that the court was examining evidence rather than rumors.

The reporter looked disappointed.

I suspected she had hoped for an angry quotation.

I had spent months disappointing people who wanted to turn my anger into a product.

That seemed like a habit worth keeping.

THE UNEXPECTED ALLY

A week before trial, Karen’s former friend Lydia Shaw contacted Mara.

Lydia had served on a neighborhood committee that Karen once chaired.

She said she had avoided speaking because Karen knew private details about her divorce.

Lydia feared that those details would become neighborhood gossip.

Mara assured her that she could discuss her concerns with an attorney before deciding whether to cooperate.

Lydia eventually provided a statement and several messages.

The messages showed Karen discussing ways to make my property appear neglected.

She had suggested photographing the damaged fence before I could repair it.

She had also instructed committee members to report every minor exterior defect.

One message referred to a confrontation that would make the owner reveal his true character.

Lydia said she had initially believed Karen meant a heated public meeting.

She changed her mind after the brick struck my window.

Karen had called her that morning and asked whether anyone had recorded my reaction.

Lydia remembered saying that she hoped nobody had been hurt.

Karen had replied that the outcome depended on whether I came outside.

Lydia ended the call and stopped attending committee meetings.

She had kept the messages because she feared becoming a target herself.

Mara explained that Lydia’s testimony could establish Karen’s intent more directly than the property records.

I asked whether Lydia would be safe from retaliation.

Mara said the court could address harassment, but nobody could promise that testifying would feel easy.

I wrote Lydia a short note thanking her for speaking truthfully.

I did not mention the case details.

She replied that she wished she had spoken sooner.

I told her that courage did not arrive on a schedule.

THE TRIAL BEGINS

The first morning of trial was colder than I expected for the season.

Sophie drove me to the courthouse because she knew I would otherwise arrive an hour early and sit alone.

Mara met us outside the courtroom with a folder under one arm.

She reminded me to answer only the question asked and to avoid guessing about anyone’s motives.