I, the Jury

A hot-headed private investigator driven by loyalty to his murdered friend. He’s tough, resourceful, and willing to bend rules to uncover the truth, balancing zeal with growing moral complexity as the case deepens.

Captain of the homicide squad who tries to rein in Mike and keep the case within official channels. Practical and wary of private-detective methods, he represents institutional authority clashing with personal vendetta.

A psychoanalyst and author whose charm complicates the investigation. She exerts influence and harbors ambiguous motives, acting as a potential ally and possible threat within the crime web.

Wealthy fight promoter and art collector who runs a secret jewelry operation. His public persona masks criminal cleverness and a readiness to use power to protect his interests.

A master of disguise who poses as a long-running college student while running Kalecki’s theft operation. His decades-long deception is central to the mystery’s twists.

A runaway college student entangled with the dance-school front for prostitution. Her backstory knots the personal and criminal threads of the case and motivates Mike’s pursuit.

A torch singer with a fraught past whose involvement becomes pivotal as the plot unfolds toward tragedy and truth.

Mike’s sharp secretary who organizes clues and keeps him grounded. She serves as a steady, insightful conduit between Mike and the case.

A slow-witted former boxer turned Santa who drops a warning about a looming threat. He provides a moment of dark humor amid rising danger.

The murdered one-armed insurance investigator whose death propels Mike into a dangerous chase for the truth.

Eileen’s father, a veterinarian who provides crucial background about his daughter’s history and aides in connecting key dots.