Question O

[Jonetta]

Themes from the Stoneridge case were instructive to Tracy in solving the Collins case. How so? Why did Atticus Berkshire resign as his daughter’s counsel?

[Robin]

I read this book two weeks ago and have forgotten how Tracy figured out the Collins case.

I think Atticus Berkshire could have learned the truth from his grandson. Connor may have confided in him that his mother had lured his father to the home to kill him. He may have decided his daughter needed more help than he could give her. He would defend Connor if any charges were brought against him.

[Charlene]

I cannot remember.

[Jonetta]

When Tracy realized that Ron Reynolds used his son to leverage his own career and cover up him murdering Kimi, she applied that same rationale towards Angela Collins and her relationship with her son. It changed the way Tracy looked at the dynamics of what was going on. Ron duped Eric into believing he was helping to protect him; Angela was using Connor by telling him lies to get away with her own plot. In both circumstances, the children were trusting their parents. Tracy used that to expose Angela to Connor, which had him finally tell the truth. And, she knew Atticus had resigned from Angela’s case because he was aware she was lying. So, she had him there to support his grandson.

I loved the illustration of how perspective can guide how you manage a case. Without this new point of view, I’m not sure Tracy would have figured out how to get Connor to tell the truth.

[Sharon]

It was a big Ah Ha moment for Tracy. She saw how a parent could manipulate a child for personal gain. It made her look at Angela's motives closer.

Atticus started out protecting his daughter and grandson. Once he realized his daughter would throw her son, his grandson, to the wolves he knew that he could not protect her any longer. She showed her true nature. Atticus would not sacrifice his grandson,

[Charlene]

Jonetta, I appreciate your insight here -- I missed the parent/son connection as bringing the aha moment for Tracy. Sharon, you got it, too!

I saw these individually but didn't make the crime solving connection at all.

[Jonetta]

Sharon wrote: "It was a big Ah Ha moment for Tracy. She saw how a parent could manipulate a child for personal gain. It made her look at Angela's motives closer.

Atticus started out protecting his daughter and g..."

Exactly!

[Jonetta]

Charlene wrote: "Jonetta, I appreciate your insight here -- I missed the parent/son connection as bringing the aha moment for Tracy. Sharon, you got it, too!

I saw these individually but didn't make the crime solv..."

Charlene, I actually had to stop and rewind because it was subtle. Tracy didn’t come right out and acknowledge it but she did have that aha moment.

When you come from a loving family environment with parents who would die to protect you, as did Tracy, envisioning the opposite is harder to do. I would imagine that you, as a parent, may have had the same difficulty here.

[Charlene]

For sure, Jonetta. It's a kind way to look at it from my own experience with four children!