Chapter 64
Contains spoilersOverview
Dennis intervenes and forces Jackson to leave, averting a private confrontation. Tegan senses a strange connection between Dennis and Jackson and recalls fear in Jackson’s eyes. Pressed about finances, Tegan refuses Lamar’s hush money. Reassured by Dennis, she sleeps, though her unease and unanswered questions deepen the tension.
Summary
Dennis arrives and interrupts Jackson alone with Tegan, insisting Jackson leave. Jackson warns they must talk “first thing” tomorrow, and departs. Tegan resolves not to be alone with Jackson again yet remains on edge.
Even after Jackson goes, Tegan feels uneasy and notices Dennis called Jackson by name, suggesting a prior familiarity. Dennis offers to keep the lawyer away, but Tegan recalls the fear in Jackson’s eyes and wonders what he meant to say.
They talk about Tegan’s pain and Dennis’s own history of a severe leg fracture from a past snowy-night car crash after rushing to Tegan during a breakup, a memory that carries a faint edge of blame.
When money comes up, Tegan admits her insurance is poor. Dennis urges her to accept money from Lamar, but Tegan firmly refuses any hush payment. Dennis starts to argue, then relents.
Dennis reassures Tegan that she’s safe and should rest. Exhausted and medicated, Tegan’s eyelids grow heavy, and she finally falls asleep, still unsettled.
Who Appears
- Tegan
Protagonist; frightened yet resolute, rejects hush money, notices Dennis knows Jackson, and falls asleep uneasy.
- Dennis
Brother; arrives, ejects Jackson, oddly knows him, pushes hush money, then urges Tegan to rest.
- Jackson
Lawyer; tries to talk, shows fear, leaves under Dennis’s pressure, vows to speak tomorrow.