One Split Second Characters

Seattle police detective and cold-case investigator, and Jenny Almond's friend from the police academy. She drives to Klickitat County with Dan to support Jenny, documents the Alvarez scene, obtains a warrant, and pursues the Jacquelyn Parker cold case. She is persistent, forensically minded, and haunted by her sister Sarah's murder.

Arc: She moves from supporting Jenny after the shooting to uncovering the conspiracy, finding Jan Oliva's cassette tape, surviving Marcus Kane, and closing Buzz Almond's remaining investigations. In the epilogue she accepts Buzz's badge and commits to a life beside Dan and Daniella.

• Dan O'Leary — her husband and trial partner
• Jenny Almond — friend from the police academy and the sheriff she helps defend
• Daniella — her daughter
• Sarah Crosswhite — her murdered younger sister
• Buzz Almond — former sheriff whose evidence and badge help close his cases
• Marcus Kane — adversary who captures her and tries to kill her
• Jan Oliva — witness she interviews about the cassette tape
• Kaylee Wright — crime scene and bootprint analyst she consults
• Sam Goldman — retired reporter and source of local history

Klickitat County sheriff's posse member and Carson Cattle Ranch manager, also the man Tracy calls the Doberman after a restaurant confrontation. He is the hidden conspirator who abducted and killed Jacquelyn Parker, framed Anthony Alvarez, shot Alvarez in the back, and killed Jerry Ostertag. He manipulates Curtis Parker and tries to silence Tracy.

Arc: He moves from suspicious witness and intimidating posse member to revealed murderer. He captures Tracy in Alvarez's underground shelter, tries to kill her, and is shot dead by Curtis Parker.

• Evelyn Carson — employer and co-conspirator
• Curtis Parker — accomplice he manipulates
• Amanda Kane — his wife
• Jacquelyn Parker — her killer
• Anthony Alvarez — shot him in the back
• Jerry Ostertag — blackmailer and victim
• Buzz Almond — suspect in Buzz's investigation
• Travis Beaumont — sheriff whose posse he belongs to

Co-owner of the CCR ranch with her husband Levi and mother of Thomas. She hired Jacquelyn Parker to babysit the night she disappeared and later participated in the conspiracy to fake the kidnapping for water access and ranch goodwill. She is evasive and protective of the ranch's interests.

Arc: She moves from evasive ranch witness to arrested co-conspirator after Curtis Parker testifies and Will George arrests her for conspiracy to abduct Jacquelyn Parker and cover up her murder.

• Levi Carson — her husband
• Wyatt Carson — her father-in-law
• Shirley Carson — her mother-in-law
• Thomas Carson — her son
• Marcus Kane — employee and co-conspirator
• Jacquelyn Parker — hired her as babysitter
• Curtis Parker — used him in the plot and he testifies against her
• Will George — arrests her

Newly elected Klickitat County sheriff who defeated Jenny Almond in a nasty campaign and formed a volunteer posse. He confronts Tracy at Alvarez's trailer and after court, warning her not to impede his investigation. He represents local political authority hostile to outside interference.

Arc: He remains an opposing county authority whose actions help frame the hostility facing Tracy and Jenny, though the murder charges later collapse.

• Jenny Almond — electoral rival
• Erik Mitchell — political ally
• Marcus Kane — member of his posse
• Tracy Crosswhite — threatens her with jail if she impedes his investigation
• Dan O'Leary — meets him at the Alvarez scene

Klickitat County sheriff and Buzz Almond's daughter. She shoots Anthony Alvarez when he charges at her in the dark with what she thinks is a gun, then is charged with first-degree murder. She wants to resolve Jacquelyn Parker's disappearance to honor her father.

Arc: She moves from administrative leave and arrest to pleading not guilty, being released on bail, standing trial, and ultimately having all charges dismissed. She gives Tracy her father's badge and plans to work with Will George while spending time with Neil and her children.

• Neil Almond — her husband
• Buzz Almond — her father
• Tracy Crosswhite — friend and investigator who helps prove her innocence
• Dan O'Leary — her defense attorney
• Anthony Alvarez — the man she shot and killed
• Travis Beaumont — electoral rival who became sheriff
• Maria — her sister
• Sophia — her sister

Tracy's husband and an attorney representing Jenny Almond. He advises Jenny and Neil on legal procedure, preserves attorney-client privilege, obtains bail, argues discovery motions, and presents the defense at trial. He is cautious, loyal, and determined not to concede after his opening statement.

Arc: He moves from advising Jenny not to speak to anyone to securing her release, tying Anthony Alvarez's killing to Jacquelyn Parker's abduction, and seeing all charges dismissed. He ends by agreeing to weekly date nights with Tracy.

• Tracy Crosswhite — his wife and investigative partner
• Jenny Almond — his client
• Neil Almond — discusses trial strategy and legal matters with him
• Erik Mitchell — opposing counsel
• Daniella — his daughter
• Judge Colton Blackwood — presiding judge before whom he argues

Jenny Almond's deceased father, a former Klickitat County sheriff and Vietnam veteran. In 1980 he investigated Jacquelyn Parker's disappearance, suspected Marcus Kane, sponsored Anthony Alvarez in AA and VA therapy, and preserved the case file. He is defined by empathy, persistence, and investigative thoroughness.

Arc: Though dead before the present, his records, photographs, and badge help Tracy close the Jackie Parker and Kimi Kanasket matters and restore Jenny's freedom. His example drives Jenny to resolve the old case.

• Jenny Almond — his daughter
• Anne — his wife
• Anthony Alvarez — his AA sponsee
• Jacquelyn Parker — investigated her disappearance
• Jerry Ostertag — fellow detective on the Jackie Parker case
• Kaylee Wright — used his photographs in cold-case analysis
• Tracy Crosswhite — his evidence and badge help close his remaining cases

Vietnam veteran with PTSD who lived on a remote property and was wrongly made a person of interest in Jacquelyn Parker's disappearance. He called Jenny's home asking for Buzz about newspaper articles and something Buzz would want to hear, and Jenny shot him when he charged in the dark with a flashlight.

Arc: He is killed during the conspiracy; later evidence shows Marcus Kane shot him in the back and Tracy finds Jan Oliva's tape hidden in his underground shelter. He is posthumously cleared as the person who was framed.

• Buzz Almond — his AA sponsor
• Jenny Almond — shot and killed him
• Marcus Kane — shot him in the back
• Jan Oliva — she left him the original cassette tape
• Curtis Parker — arranged to meet him about the tape
• Jacquelyn Parker — wrongly treated as a person of interest in her disappearance

Fifteen-year-old Stoneridge High sophomore who disappeared on November 14, 1980, while babysitting Thomas Carson at the Carson Cattle Ranch. Her case remained unsolved for forty-five years and drove both Buzz Almond's investigation and Tracy's pursuit. She is also called Jackie Parker.

Arc: She is revealed to have been killed by Marcus Kane and buried by Curtis Parker, turning the cold case into the center of Jenny's defense and leading to Evelyn Carson's arrest.

• Curtis Parker — her brother
• Leonard Parker — her father
• Patty Parker — her mother
• Evelyn Carson — hired her to babysit
• Marcus Kane — her killer
• Buzz Almond — investigated her disappearance
• Jan Oliva — high school classmate and friend
• Anthony Alvarez — wrongly suspected in her disappearance

Jacquelyn Parker's brother, who stayed on the Parker Pear Farm to care for his broken parents and later granted the Carsons an easement. He found the 1980 blood trail, was manipulated by Marcus Kane, supplied with narcotics, and buried Jackie after Kane left her in a shallow grave.

Arc: He moves from grieving brother and suspect to Kane's accomplice, then learns Kane lied, shoots Kane to save Tracy, confesses, and testifies against Evelyn Carson. He ends by saying he will answer all questions for Jackie.

• Jacquelyn Parker — his sister
• Marcus Kane — manipulator and accomplice
• Evelyn Carson — co-conspirator he testifies against
• Tracy Crosswhite — confronts her, then saves her from Kane
• Leonard Parker — his father
• Patty Parker — his mother
• Will George — receives his testimony

Klickitat County prosecuting attorney, politically aligned with Travis Beaumont. He prosecutes Jenny Almond, argues against bail and discovery, and cross-examines defense witnesses. He is focused on keeping the trial centered on Alvarez's death.

Arc: He moves from opposing Jenny at arraignment to presenting the State's case at trial, then dismisses all charges after Curtis Parker's testimony.

• Dan O'Leary — opposing counsel
• Jenny Almond — prosecutes her
• Travis Beaumont — ally
• Judge Colton Blackwood — presiding judge he appears before
• Jan Oliva — cross-examines her
• Tracy Crosswhite — cross-examines her

The Klickitat County superior court judge who presides over Jenny's arraignment, the discovery hearing, and the trial. He is noted as a friend of Jenny's father, Buzz Almond. He tries to ensure order and a fair trial.

Arc: He grants Jenny bail, orders the Jacquelyn Parker file produced, allows Jan Oliva's late testimony, and ultimately presides when the charges are dismissed.

• Jenny Almond — defendant in his court
• Dan O'Leary — defense counsel before him
• Erik Mitchell — prosecutor before him
• Buzz Almond — friend of Jenny's father

Retired Stoneridge Sentinel reporter who keeps labeled archives of the newspaper and remembers the town's history. He helps Tracy with the Jacquelyn Parker case, discusses Alvarez's reputation, and offers information about Marcus Kane. He is defined by his love of reporting and local memory.

Arc: He remains a source and courtroom observer, ending as a friend who advises Tracy and Dan about marriage.

• Adele Goldman — his wife
• Tracy Crosswhite — source and friend
• Marcus Kane — provides background about him
• Daniella — meets her in the epilogue

Sam Goldman's wife of fifty-five years, protective of his health and fond of their weekly date nights. She greets Tracy and later Daniella at their home. She is a warm, grounding presence.

Arc: She remains a warm supporting presence and joins Sam in advising Tracy about marriage.

• Sam Goldman — her husband
• Tracy Crosswhite — friend
• Daniella — meets her and gives her cookies

Young woman who works at LegendCraft, stays at Tracy and Dan's home two nights a week, and wants to become a detective. She analyzes the Jackie Parker articles, argues the evidence was staged, and trains Tracy's reactions with video games. She is literal, focused, and analytically gifted.

Arc: She grows from household helper to effective investigative assistant, while Tracy learns to respect her focused thinking and sensory needs.

• Tracy Crosswhite — mentor and employer in detective work
• Dan O'Leary — gives her driving lessons
• Mason Pettibone — her grandfather
• Daniella — plays with her

Jackie Parker's high school classmate and friend, who found a cassette tape in her father's musical diary on which two men discussed Jackie's abduction. She gave a copy to Detective Ostertag and the original to Anthony Alvarez, then testified at Jenny's trial. She is traumatized by Jackie's disappearance.

Arc: She moves from reluctant, traumatized witness to courtroom witness whose testimony helps expose the conspiracy. She leaves the stand wiping tears.

• Jacquelyn Parker — high school classmate and friend
• Jerry Ostertag — gave him a copy of the tape
• Anthony Alvarez — gave him the original cassette tape
• Tracy Crosswhite — interviewed her about the tape
• Dan O'Leary — calls her as a late defense witness
• Erik Mitchell — cross-examines her

Klickitat County detective who took over the 1980 Jackie Parker investigation, argued with Buzz, and later concealed Jan Oliva's cassette tape. He checked out the 911 recording, blackmailed Marcus Kane and Evelyn Carson, and died by gunshot. He is stubborn, publicity-conscious, and ultimately corrupt.

Arc: He moves from lead detective to corrupt blackmailer; Stuart Funk later testifies his death was homicide, not suicide.

• Buzz Almond — colleague and conflict
• Jan Oliva — she gave him the cassette tape
• Marcus Kane — blackmailer and victim
• Marjorie Ostertag — his ex-wife
• Leslie — his daughter
• Tracy Crosswhite — investigates his death

King County tracker and crime scene analyst who examined bootprint photographs for Tracy and testified about shoeprints and supination. She had previously analyzed Buzz Almond's old photographs in the Kimi Kanasket cold case. She is a precise expert witness.

Arc: She becomes a defense expert whose testimony undermines the idea that Alvarez made the tree-line bootprints.

• Tracy Crosswhite — expert she consults
• Buzz Almond — used his old photographs
• Kimi Kanasket — helped reconstruct her cold case
• Dan O'Leary — calls her as a defense witness
• Erik Mitchell — cross-examines her

Head of the Washington State Patrol Crime Lab, who tests cigarette butts for Tracy but cannot match them to Marcus Kane or anyone in CODIS. He warns that the lab is overwhelmed by a rape-kit backlog. He remains a helpful forensic contact.

Arc: He provides an inconclusive DNA result that forces the defense to rely on other evidence.

• Tracy Crosswhite — forensic contact
• Dan O'Leary — listed on the defense witness list
• Marcus Kane — DNA comparison does not match him

King County medical examiner whom Tracy asks to re-examine Jerry Ostertag's autopsy. He testifies that Ostertag died by homicide rather than suicide, citing trajectory, weapon position, and lack of gunshot residue testing. He is a key forensic expert.

Arc: He becomes a key defense expert witness at Jenny's trial.

• Tracy Crosswhite — she sends him the autopsy report
• Dan O'Leary — calls him as a defense witness
• Erik Mitchell — cross-examines him
• Jerry Ostertag — testifies about his autopsy

Medical examiner who testifies for the prosecution about Anthony Alvarez's autopsy and toxicology, including two gunshots and PTSD medications. She has worked with Jenny on numerous cases and is described as a straight shooter.

Arc: On cross-examination she concedes Alvarez could have been flashing back to the 1980 Jacquelyn Parker abduction rather than Vietnam.

• Erik Mitchell — calls her as a prosecution witness
• Dan O'Leary — cross-examines her
• Jenny Almond — colleague on prior cases
• Anthony Alvarez — performed or reviewed his autopsy

Washington State Patrol detective who investigated Jenny Almond's shooting and testified that she was not legally justified and did not act as sheriff. He focused on Jenny's mindset rather than Alvarez's PTSD medication. He is the State's lead investigator witness.

Arc: He is cross-examined by Dan and then questioned by Mitchell about the shell casing and the coroner's two-wound finding.

• Jenny Almond — investigated her shooting
• Dan O'Leary — cross-examines him
• Erik Mitchell — redirects him

The Carsons' regular babysitter, who was not asked to sit the night Jackie Parker disappeared. She tells Tracy she only went to homecoming because she was not needed and feels survivor guilt. Her account helps confirm the Carsons' unusual hiring of Jackie that night.

Arc: Her interview supports the theory that the Carsons intended Jackie to babysit that night.

• Evelyn Carson — former employer
• Jacquelyn Parker — alternate babysitter the night she disappeared
• Thomas Carson — child she regularly babysat
• Tracy Crosswhite — interviewed her

Jacquelyn Parker's father, who reported her missing and led the public appeals for her return. He found evidence at the Carson house and later moved away with Patty because the grief was too much. He is a broken, grieving parent.

Arc: He moves from frantic father to broken parent whose family is shattered by Jackie's disappearance.

• Jacquelyn Parker — his daughter
• Patty Parker — his wife
• Curtis Parker — his son
• Buzz Almond — works with him to find Jackie

Jacquelyn Parker's mother, who sensed something was wrong when Jackie did not call home and appeared at the press conference. She confirmed Jackie's clothing and grieved with Leonard. She is a grieving mother in the cold case.

Arc: She remains a grieving mother in the background of the cold case.

• Leonard Parker — her husband
• Jacquelyn Parker — her daughter
• Curtis Parker — her son
• Buzz Almond — speaks with him about Jackie

Eldest Carson child who runs the ranch, husband of Evelyn and father of Thomas. He picked up Jackie Parker before she babysat and wanted to enter the house after the disappearance. He is a ranch owner and family figure in the 1980 investigation.

Arc: He remains a ranch owner and family figure in the 1980 investigation.

• Evelyn Carson — his wife
• Wyatt Carson — his father
• Shirley Carson — his mother
• Thomas Carson — his son
• Jacquelyn Parker — picked her up before she babysat
• Marcus Kane — ranch context and employee

Carson family patriarch, a gun collector and historian who told Chief Devoe to stand down at the 1980 scene. He contributed personal funds to the reward for information about Jackie Parker. He is a powerful ranch patriarch.

Arc: He remains a powerful ranch patriarch in the 1980 investigation.

• Shirley Carson — his wife
• Levi Carson — his son
• Evelyn Carson — his daughter-in-law
• Thomas Carson — his grandson

Wyatt Carson's wife and Levi's mother, who appears at the reward news conference. She is a minor family presence in the 1980 case.

Arc: She remains a minor family presence in the 1980 case.

• Wyatt Carson — her husband
• Levi Carson — her son
• Evelyn Carson — her daughter-in-law

The Carson child Jacquelyn Parker was babysitting the night she disappeared. Evelyn worried about paint fumes and the open basement window. He is the child at the center of the 1980 scene.

Arc: He is the child at the center of the 1980 scene but otherwise remains in the background.

• Levi Carson — his father
• Evelyn Carson — his mother
• Jacquelyn Parker — his babysitter the night she disappeared
• Linda McCuen — his regular babysitter

Caretaker at the Carson Cattle Ranch who let Leonard Parker into the house and told Buzz where to find the family. Buzz checked his car, ID, and possible movements. He is a minor witness in the 1980 investigation.

Arc: He remains a minor witness in the 1980 investigation.

• Buzz Almond — Buzz checks his car, ID, and whereabouts
• Leonard Parker — lets him into the Carson house
• Carson Cattle Ranch — caretaker

Tracker who used bloodhounds to follow Jacquelyn Parker's scent and later searched Temple Road for clothing. He treats his hounds as family and works closely with Buzz. He is a recurring search figure in the 1980 investigation.

Arc: He remains a recurring search figure as the investigation shifts from a scent trail to evidence of staged clothing.

• Buzz Almond — works with him on searches
• Andrew Johns — leaves with him on errands
• Jacquelyn Parker — tracked her scent
• Jerry Ostertag — reports to him

Deputy sheriff under Buzz Almond who secured the Carson scene, collected evidence, and handled the Temple Road tip. He kept the clothing tip from Ostertag to avoid media coverage. He is a minor law-enforcement aide in the 1980 investigation.

Arc: He remains a minor law-enforcement aide in the 1980 investigation.

• Buzz Almond — his superior
• Curley Stevens — works with him
• Brad Clemons — instructs him at the clothing site
• Jerry Ostertag — fears he will leak the tip

Deputy sheriff who guarded the clothing site on Temple Road and showed Buzz the bra and underpants on the fence. He reports that he did not touch or move them. He is a minor deputy in the 1980 investigation.

Arc: He remains a minor deputy in the 1980 investigation.

• Buzz Almond — assists him at the clothing site
• Andrew Johns — instructed him to watch the site

Stoneridge Chief of Police who arrived drunk at the Carson scene, argued with Buzz over jurisdiction, and was told to stand down by Wyatt Carson. He later staged publicity stunts and may have leaked to the media. He is an obstructive local official in the 1980 case.

Arc: He remains an obstructive local official in the 1980 case.

• Buzz Almond — argues with him over jurisdiction
• Wyatt Carson — tells him to stand down
• Jerry Ostertag — fellow official and possible media leaker
• Hastey Devoe — his son

Klickitat County sheriff in 1980 who issued the APB for Jackie Parker, ordered roadblocks, and called in the National Guard and Civil Air Patrol. He also approved Ostertag's sex-offender roundup. He remains the 1980 sheriff overseeing the search.

Arc: He remains the 1980 sheriff overseeing the search and investigation.

• Buzz Almond — Buzz reports to him
• Jerry Ostertag — convinced him to approve the roundup
• Curley Stevens — receives reports

Washington State Patrol forensic serologist who told Buzz the blood from Alvarez's trailer, the handprint, and Jackie Parker's clothing was deer blood, not human blood. His report exposes the staging that framed Anthony Alvarez.

Arc: His report exposes the staging that framed Anthony Alvarez.

• Buzz Almond — contacts him about the blood evidence

Stoneridge Chief of Police who breaks up the posse confrontation outside the restaurant and later helps Tracy at the Parker Pear Farm. He arrests Evelyn Carson and calls the FBI about possible corruption. He becomes a local ally.

Arc: He moves from local peacekeeper to ally who helps close the case and detains Amanda Kane.

• Tracy Crosswhite — law enforcement colleague and ally
• Marcus Kane — knows him as a posse member
• Evelyn Carson — arrests her
• Curtis Parker — receives his testimony
• Amanda Kane — detains her

Marcus Kane's wife, who gives Buzz a false alibi and claims Marcus's scratches came from a mill accident. She is guarded, avoids eye contact, and has a black eye. She is later detained, with charges undecided because of extenuating circumstances.

Arc: She remains a fearful spouse and is later detained, with charges undecided because of extenuating circumstances.

• Marcus Kane — her husband
• Buzz Almond — gives him a false alibi
• Will George — detains her

A posse member who confronts Tracy outside the restaurant with Marcus Kane. He is sent away by Chief Will George. He is a minor intimidator in the posse.

Arc: He remains a minor intimidator in the posse.

• Marcus Kane — posse colleague
• Tracy Crosswhite — confronts her
• Will George — sends him away

Carson Cattle Ranch foreman who normally attended the Toppenish auction but was not sent the night Jackie Parker disappeared. Kane uses this to explain why he went instead. He is a minor ranch employee referenced in Kane's alibi.

Arc: He remains a minor ranch employee referenced in Kane's alibi.

• Evelyn Carson — ranch owner/employer
• Levi Carson — ranch owner/employer
• Marcus Kane — mentions him in his alibi

Lydia Johnson's grandfather who taught Tracy to shoot single-action revolvers. He also worked with Lydia so Tracy would play video games to speed her reasoning and reaction times. He is a minor figure connecting Tracy and Lydia.

Arc: He remains a minor figure connecting Tracy and Lydia.

• Lydia Johnson — her grandfather
• Tracy Crosswhite — taught her to shoot

Seventeen-year-old Native American woman whose decades-old disappearance Tracy solved ten years earlier using Kaylee Wright's analysis of Buzz Almond's old photographs. Her case is referenced as prior proof of Kaylee's skill.

Arc: She remains a past cold case that informs the present investigation.

• Tracy Crosswhite — solved her cold case
• Kaylee Wright — analyzed photographs for her case
• Buzz Almond — documented the scene with photographs

Correctional officer at the Klickitat County Jail who escorts Jenny into the visitation room and apologizes for having to cuff her. He has a wife and two babies at home and another on the way. He is a minor sympathetic jail figure.

Arc: He remains a minor sympathetic jail figure.

• Jenny Almond — escorts her and apologizes for cuffing her

Buzz Almond's wife, who calls him to pick up household supplies and tells him to come to bed rather than driving himself crazy over the case. She is a minor family presence in Buzz's 1980 story.

Arc: She remains a minor family presence in Buzz's 1980 story.

• Buzz Almond — his wife
• Jenny Almond — her daughter
• Maria — her daughter
• Sophia — her daughter

Jerry Ostertag's ex-wife, interviewed by Tracy in a wheelchair. She says Jerry was right-handed, an alcoholic, in debt, and that police questioned her after he shot himself. Her information helps Tracy challenge the official suicide ruling.

Arc: Her information helps Tracy challenge the official suicide ruling.

• Jerry Ostertag — her ex-husband
• Leslie — her daughter
• Tracy Crosswhite — Tracy interviews her

Marjorie Ostertag's daughter and caregiver, who warns Tracy not to upset her mother and later asks whether Tracy believes her father did not shoot himself. She is a minor witness in the Ostertag death investigation.

Arc: She remains a minor witness in the Ostertag death investigation.

• Marjorie Ostertag — her mother and care recipient
• Jerry Ostertag — her father
• Tracy Crosswhite — questions her after the interview

Jenny Almond's husband, who is anxious about the investigation and its effect on their family. He pulls his children from school, sits in on legal conversations where allowed, and supports Jenny through the trial. He is protective and worried.

Arc: He moves from anxious husband worried about his family to relieved husband when Jenny's charges are dismissed.

• Jenny Almond — her husband
• Sarah Almond — his daughter
• Trey Almond — his son
• Maria — his sister-in-law
• Sophia — his sister-in-law
• Dan O'Leary — seeks legal guidance from him

Jenny Almond's sister, who is protective, helps the household, comforts Neil, cooks, and supports Jenny through the arrest and trial. She is part of the family solidarity surrounding Jenny.

Arc: She remains a steadfast family supporter who says they will get through the ordeal.

• Jenny Almond — her sister
• Sophia — her sister
• Neil Almond — her brother-in-law
• Sarah Almond — her niece
• Trey Almond — her nephew

Jenny Almond's sister, who has always worried about Jenny as the youngest and helps with the children. She is part of the family support system during the arrest and trial.

Arc: She remains a family supporter helping with the children and household.

• Jenny Almond — her sister
• Maria — her sister
• Neil Almond — her brother-in-law
• Sarah Almond — her niece
• Trey Almond — her nephew

Jenny and Neil Almond's daughter, mentioned as part of the family affected if something happened to Jenny. Maria and Sophia say they will look after Trey and Sarah. She is part of the family affected by Jenny's arrest and trial.

Arc: She remains a minor family figure in the background of Jenny's ordeal.

• Neil Almond — her father
• Jenny Almond — her mother
• Trey Almond — her brother
• Maria — her aunt
• Sophia — her aunt

Jenny and Neil Almond's son, whom Maria and Sophia say they will look after during Jenny's legal ordeal. He is a minor family figure in the background.

Arc: He remains a minor family figure in the background of Jenny's ordeal.

• Neil Almond — his father
• Jenny Almond — his mother
• Sarah Almond — his sister
• Maria — his aunt
• Sophia — his aunt

Tracy's younger sister, who disappeared and was killed by a serial killer when she was eighteen. Tracy remembers her as fearless, a competitor in skiing and shooting, and still feels guilt and sometimes hears her speak. Her death motivates Tracy's pursuit of cold cases.

Arc: Her death motivates Tracy's pursuit of cold cases and her commitment not to let Jacquelyn Parker be forgotten.

• Tracy Crosswhite — her sister

Caregiver for Daniella and household helper for Tracy and Dan. She takes college courses, cooks, and prepares exhibits for Dan during the trial. She is a steady domestic support.

Arc: She remains a steady domestic support while taking classes and helping with the trial.

• Tracy Crosswhite — works for her family
• Dan O'Leary — works for him part-time and prepares exhibits
• Daniella — her caregiver, called Tazey

Tracy and Dan's young daughter. She plays with Legos and race cars, insists Mommy read to her at bedtime, misses her pets, and meets Sam and Adele in the epilogue. She is the family anchor for Tracy and Dan.

Arc: She remains the emotional center of Tracy's home life as Tracy resolves the case and recommits to family.

• Tracy Crosswhite — her mother
• Dan O'Leary — her father
• Therese — her caregiver
• Lydia Johnson — plays with her
• Sam Goldman — meets him
• Adele Goldman — meets her

Tracy's captain at Seattle police headquarters who approves her assistance at the Alvarez scene and her trip to Goldendale. He warns her that Beaumont and his posse will not welcome outside law enforcement. He is a supportive but cautious superior.

Arc: He remains a supportive superior managing departmental and county tensions.

• Tracy Crosswhite — her captain

Tracy's colleague who participates in the pizza bet and lends her a go bag with crime scene equipment. He is part of the Seattle police workplace banter.

Arc: He remains a minor colleague providing equipment and comic relief.

• Tracy Crosswhite — colleague
• Del Castigliano — colleague

Tracy's colleague who argues over the pizza bet and lends her a go bag with crime scene tools. He is part of the Seattle police workplace banter.

Arc: He remains a minor colleague providing equipment and comic relief.

• Tracy Crosswhite — colleague
• Vic Fazzio — colleague

Prosecutor contact who receives Tracy's affidavit, creates a search warrant, and contacts a Klickitat County judge so she can lawfully enter Alvarez's trailer. He helps facilitate a lawful search without involving the local prosecutor's office.

Arc: He remains a helpful legal contact in obtaining the warrant.

• Tracy Crosswhite — prosecutor contact who helps obtain a warrant