Chapter 15

Contains spoilers

Overview

At Summer's swim meet, Sarah Morgan is confronted by her estranged husband, Bob Miller, who demands to know if Sarah is involved in the disappearance of Stacy Howard. Sarah deflects, challenges Bob's ignorance about Stacy, and physically rebuffs him when he grabs her. The scene ends with Summer winning her race while Bob remains distracted and distressed.

Summary

Sarah Morgan attends her daughter Summer's swim meet, sitting apart from other parents and focusing on Summer, who is leading her race. Bob Miller arrives angrily, sits beside Sarah, and demands to know where Stacy Howard is, revealing that Stacy is missing and that he was questioned by the Prince William County Sheriff's Office.

Sarah initially feigns ignorance and mocks Bob for calling Stacy his mistress, then pointedly calls her his "whore." Bob insists he is serious and accuses Sarah of being involved, grabbing Sarah's arm. Sarah forcefully frees herself by driving her elbow into Bob's jaw and warns him never to touch her again.

Bob presses, asking if Sarah plans to frame him or if Stacy is already dead. Sarah denies these scenarios and challenges Bob on how little he knows about Stacy—whether she is a prostitute, a drug user, a criminal, or seeing anyone else—highlighting that he has no real information about her or her life.

Bob discloses that Stacy has been missing about three days and that Stacy's roommate said Stacy planned to meet Bob the night she disappeared, though Bob claims he had not contacted her in weeks. Sarah suggests Stacy might be manipulating him or could simply be on a bender or have left town, noting Stacy is young and might make impulsive choices.

As the race concludes, Sarah cheers when Summer wins, while Bob remains hunched and distracted. Sarah tells Bob to smile at his daughter; he forces a strained wave, underscoring his preoccupation and anxiety over the investigation and his potential involvement.

Who Appears

  • Sarah Morgan
    attorney and mother; confronts Bob, denies involvement in Stacy’s disappearance, and physically defends herself when grabbed.
  • Bob Miller
    Sarah’s estranged husband; reveals he was questioned by law enforcement about Stacy Howard’s disappearance, accuses Sarah, and shows distress.
  • Summer Morgan
    Sarah and Bob’s daughter; competes in a swim meet and wins her race.
  • Stacy Howard
    missing woman connected to Bob; discussed extensively but not present.
  • Prince William County Sheriff’s Office
    law enforcement entity questioning Bob about Stacy’s disappearance; referenced.
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