Well, of course, that's the whole premise of this book, right? Poor Delores a hard-bitten working-woman is accused of murdering her wealthy, yet kindred spirit, Vera Donovan. Both women are from the school of hard knocks, but differentiated because of their respective economic statuses. Vera recognizes the same steel in Delores that she has within herself. She gives her the confidence she needs to keep her husband from "goin' after" their daughter permanently. Still, the idea that she was responsible for killing the elderly Vera simply emerges out of the possible motive that Vera left all of her money to Delores. After Vera suffered a stroke, it was Delores who cared for her years afterwards. Of course it was only natural for a local police officer who suspected her of murdering her husband to repeat the crime, only this time for money. After all, even after it was never proven, the detective had already judged her guilty. Of course, when it's revealed that she didn't, the judgemental nature of the detective is revealed and Delores's character is also illustrated.