Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of graphic violence, death, child death, rape, child sexual abuse, addiction, mental illness, and cursing.

A newspaper clipping from June 1985 reveals that a 15-year-old Decatur resident named Mary Alice Feeney has been found murdered in her home. Her father is the assistant district attorney. Mary Alice is remembered as being popular, very active in school, and well loved by her peers.

In 2006, Detective Michael Ormewood drives to an impoverished area of Atlanta called Grady Homes to investigate the murder of Aleesha Monroe. He notices that the streets are emptier than usual because the Falcons are playing in the Super Bowl. Four police cars are waiting in front of Aleesha’s apartment building. When Michael sees the local gang members’ expensive cars, he becomes enraged at the thought that he could never afford such vehicles on his police officer’s salary.

Collier, a young beat cop, asks for an update on Michael’s partner, Ken, who has had a stroke. Meanwhile, Lieutenant Ted Greer tells Michael that the murder victim is on the sixth floor and warns him that the crime scene is particularly violent. It took 32 minutes for law enforcement to arrive. Michael questions four older women who live in the building.