Justice Delayed, but Justice Served

I was watching one of those “Cold Cases” programs on cable television over the weekend. I guess I could consider it research for further writing projects. The documentary focused on the shooting of two police officers in a small California town back in 1957. Despite relentless investigating by various levels of law enforcement, the cop killer evaded justices for more than forty years. It was only after technology progressed to the point through which digital imagery and re-creation was possible and detailed computer records were maintained that the shooter was discovered alive and well on the other side of the country.

We often hear that the first 24 hours following a crime are the most critical in apprehending the perpetrator, and this certainly is true. The evidence is still fresh and the crime scene hopefully has been preserved. And, if the criminal is trying to flee, he probably has not drifted too far into obscure anonymity in only one day. However, as the case I detailed above demonstrates, there is good reason to maintain hope that a case will be solved even if decades have passed.

In my new book Compulsion, Emily Stone tracks the criminals in her community and gathers evidence against them whether the stake out takes a couple of days or requires her patient monitoring over several weeks or months. She knows that building the most solid case possible is crucial. With her camera and recording equipment, as well as her innate sense for a pedophile or criminal’s next move, Emily will remain vigilant until another dangerous person is off the streets.

I hope you will read Compulsion and discover one woman’s patient mission to bring the violent among us to justice.