Another theme in this novel is control. Marlee and Fitch are vying for control so that they can secure a verdict. At first, both of them have nothing to do with one another, even though both of them have preplanned a verdict and taken measures to secure it. Then, Marlee makes her first of many calls to Fitch. As these calls progress, he loses his control over the trial. With nearly every call she makes, a juror that would side with the defense is bumped. Fitch’s plan falls into shambles and chaos as his control falls into Marlee’s hands. She begins calling the shots, and Fitch all but begs her to help him. She ends up screwing Fitch in the end, but he never harbors a grudge. He even seems happy, maybe because he has met his match and has a promise that they will be pitted against one another again someday.