5. The Broken Road
Smoke Screen: The Greatest Scam Ever Written
Deep Dive
Why did Karen initially hesitate to go to the police department when they called her?
Karen was nervous and overwhelmed, having spent almost 50 years hunting for her sister's murderer, and she sensed the truth might finally be revealed.
Why did Detective Rob Anzalotti personally inform Karen about the confession?
Anzalotti wanted to personally look Karen in the eye and tell her that they had solved her sister Denise's murder, as he had made a promise to never stop pursuing the case.
Why did Karen have doubts about the confession's validity?
Karen was skeptical because Anzalotti provided no official report or DNA evidence, only his word, and asked her to keep the confession secret.
Why did Anzalotti ask Karen not to tell anyone about the confession?
Anzalotti was concerned that Richard Cottingham might stop talking if the confession became public, as Cottingham had a deal with the authorities.
Why did Karen secretly record her conversation with Detective Anzalotti?
Karen wanted a record of the conversation to ensure she had proof of the details discussed, given her doubts about the confession's validity.
Why did Cottingham's confession seem incomplete to Karen?
Cottingham's confession was vague about crucial details, such as the time of day and the specific location, which conflicted with Karen's memories.
Why did Karen feel a sense of guilt about the night of Denise's murder?
Karen felt guilty because she believed she could have been the one who was targeted, and she remembered a man in a blue car who had given her an evil look.
Why did Karen decide to message Richard Cottingham directly?
Karen wanted to get the answers directly from the source, as she felt that secondhand information and transcripts were not enough to resolve her doubts.
- Karen's sister Denise was murdered.
- Richard Cottingham confessed to the murder.
- Karen doubts the validity of the confession due to lack of evidence and Cottingham's deal.
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