The chapter is set in 1969 and centers around a sheriff investigating a potential murder scene in a sandy area, hoping to find traces left by anyone driving in that area.
As they walk, they note that the shifting sand is not preserving any useful evidence such as tire treads.
In a muddy area close by, they observed various animal tracks, but still found no sign of human activity.
One of the officers, Joe, spots a possible vehicular tread in the prints, but the sheriff dismisses it as deer tracks on turkey prints that give it a geometric semblance.
Deciding to expand their search area, the Sheriff suggests they check a nearby bay for signs of boat activity.
Again, despite numerous prints of animals like crabs, herons, and pipers, they find no human footprints or any other man-made signs.
Joe points out a large semi-circular pattern in the sand that he surmises could be caused by a boat pulled ashore but the Sheriff counters again, saying it's likely due to wind-blown grass.
The chapter ends with an observation that the beach is covered in shells from various sea-animals which are described as the 'best secret-keepers of all.'