Judge Sims calls the defense. Sarah Singletary, the Piggly Wiggly clerk, testifies she saw Kya board the 2:30 P.M. bus to Greenville on October 28 and return on the 1:16 P.M. bus on October 30. The prosecution accepts these facts, blunting the alibi’s impact, which frustrates Tom Milton.

Lang Furlough, owner of the Three Mountains Motel, states Kya stayed there October 28–30 and that her room faced his desk; he says he never saw her leave during the night of the 29th. On cross, Eric Chastain highlights Furlough’s frequent distractions, arguing Kya could have slipped out, taken the bus to Barkley Cove, killed Chase, and returned unnoticed.

After lunch, Scupper arrives to support Tate. Robert Foster, Kya’s editor, testifies he dined with Kya and returned her to the motel at 9:55 P.M., seeing her enter, and met her for breakfast at 7:30 A.M. the next morning. Eric emphasizes Kya requested the motel nearest the bus station; Tom reframes this as consistent with her reclusive nature and practical concerns about walking with a suitcase.

Kya, overwhelmed, has a brief breakdown; court recesses, then resumes. Tom recalls Sheriff Jackson and lays out the state’s timeline: given bus times, boating, walking, climbing, and waiting, there wasn’t enough time for Kya to commit the murder and catch the return bus.

The sheriff concedes the timing is tight and, without evidence, posits a land route. Tom underscores there is no proof she went by land. Eric suggests currents could have sped a boat enough to save time; the sheriff agrees in theory. On redirect, Tom secures the admission that there is no evidence of favorable currents that night or any land travel by Kya.