Golden’s wider community realizes after Theo’s death that few people truly knew him; most only recognized him as a cheerful presence downtown. As stories spread through news and gossip, townspeople build a near-mythic picture of the man who lived anonymously among them, while Theo’s closest friends refuse interviews and keep silence out of loyalty and reverence.

Reporters aggressively pursue leads, including trying to approach Ellen during her hospitalization after the attack. When Tony learns of the intrusion (through Mrs. Van Blarcum), Tony confronts the reporters with furious threats and vows to protect Ellen, staying close to Ellen as Theo would have wanted.

A memorial is announced at St. James two weeks after Theo’s fall, drawing a packed sanctuary and tempting the press to gather details. Theo’s body has already been flown to France and buried beside Theo’s daughter in a private ceremony; Mr. Ponder handles estate matters but continues to guard Theo’s confidences.

At the service, those who received Theo’s portraits are seated in the front rows “as if they were family,” along with a few close associates who had not yet received portraits. Ellen attends, still bruised and bandaged, and brings Ellen’s bicycle to the front; strict signage and police presence enforce a ban on photography and recording, creating an unusually solemn, undisturbed atmosphere.

Father Lundy opens by contrasting “Zila the famous” with “Theo the familiar,” then reads scripture and prays that Theo’s influence will not be in vain. Professor Gobelli follows by playing a mournful “Fado for Theo,” written by Simone as a tribute that has become a requiem, moving the room to grief.

Father Lundy delivers a longer eulogy shaped around the Road to Emmaus story, framing Theo as a “mysterious other” whose presence made people’s “hearts burn within” them toward faith, beauty, and generosity. Father Lundy acknowledges the town may never know why Theo came to Golden, but insists Theo chose quiet service over fame because Theo loved those Theo befriended, and urges everyone to honor Theo by doing good and seeking lasting life.