Sarah Koenig

She was polite.

There was the sheriff's deputy who looked like Judd Hirsch, who slipped him a candy bar.

The eighth grade teacher whose name he can't remember, who wrote him that nice letter.

I can imagine how you'd seize these kindnesses and that they'd nestle into your brain forever.

Last spring, Dana and I went to Krista's house.

Krista was good friends with Hayen and Nan.

She was Krista Myers back then.

She dug out a trove of photos and yearbook stuff and letters.

Krista and Nan wrote to each other during his first year in jail, through his trial.

She visited him frequently when he was in prison in Jessup, Maryland, much closer than where he is now in Cumberland.

Krista is clear-eyed, organized, and thoughtful.

Hay's death was the defining event of her youth.

It messed with her, as did Adnan's arrest and conviction.

She's not in the Rabia camp of 100% there's no way in the world Adnan did this.

She's more, if he did it, then I don't understand human beings, because the guy I knew, etc.

Here's the guy she knew, June 2nd, 1999.

Did you get that really expensive prom dress you wanted?

And who'd you go with, if you don't mind me asking?

Smiley face.

He asks how things are going with Andy.