On October 28, 1969, Kya stops at Jumpin’s to say goodbye, then goes to town, enduring the villagers’ stares. Carrying a suitcase and knapsack—and having buried most of her royalties near the lagoon—she buys a bus ticket to Greenville and leaves Barkley Cove.

Two days later, at 1:16 p.m., Kya returns. With even more people watching, she retrieves her suitcase and heads straight home, deciding to visit Jumpin’ the next day to avoid the crowd and to get back to her gulls.

On October 31, Kya docks at Jumpin’s, and he tells her that Chase Andrews was found dead at the base of the old fire tower, his neck broken and skull crushed. The town is divided between accident and murder: a tower floor grate was left open, some say kids often leave them that way, but others suspect foul play. Gossip intensifies when it is reported that Chase’s shell necklace—worn daily—was missing, and that the sheriff found no footprints at the scene.

Jumpin’ mentions the funeral, knowing Kya won’t attend, and silently thanks that she was in Greenville when Chase died. Kya returns home and reflects with an Amanda Hamilton verse about the heart’s dictates, as suspicion rises in town while her trip potentially shields her.