Mr. Smith demands Evie be in Atlanta by Friday, but Evie refuses Rachel’s plan to travel together and prep, insisting she will arrive on her own. She gives Rachel her word she’ll be there and postpones conflict when Ryan returns with food. Over dinner, Evie urges Ryan to stay for James’s funeral, but Ryan says he already told the Bernards he has an emergency; Rachel shares a final, sour history with James and bows out.

That night, Evie tells Ryan she needs to handle things alone; he declines to talk further and they go to bed. In the morning, Evie prepares a handwritten brief and signals Devon using a coded Instagram comment. When Devon answers with a coded Spotify reply, Evie packs to leave.

Upstairs, Ryan is packing too. He pushes to come, offering “skills” and secrets if Evie shares hers. Evie refuses to trade histories but, seeking unpredictability against Mr. Smith, agrees to bring Ryan with conditions: she makes all decisions and can operate solo without argument. Ryan warns her not to ditch him, acknowledging the risk.

They depart in Evie’s 4Runner despite Rachel’s objections and reminder to be in Atlanta by 8:30 a.m. Friday for a detectives meeting. At a gas station, Evie leaves her folded letter under Twinkies; Devon retrieves it. On the road east through the Delta, Ryan pays cash, hinting at his own shady readiness. He admits he spent years “saving” James, while Evie makes clear she doesn’t need saving, and they continue toward Atlanta.