The chapter opens by contrasting public narratives about Laura Ives—either victim or villain—with Laura’s own story, briefly touching on her childhood love of zebras and her father Freddy Ives’s inherited anger and private, unsent letters. After Freddy’s death, Margaret would read these letters, many written to Bernie, Laura, and Margaret. The narrative returns to the night Freddy told Margaret and Bernie that the family was being extorted for four million dollars, with the demand in Laura’s handwriting. Bernie wanted to pay to help Laura; Freddy wanted to refuse. Margaret proposed paying only in person to Laura, to force a meeting.

Anonymous calls arranged a meeting with strict conditions: no police, come alone, tell no one. The family chose Margaret to go. Darrin drove her to a grim Palm Springs diner and left her for exactly two hours. A watchful man in gray sat opposite. When Laura entered, Margaret barely recognized her: emaciated, pale, and fearful. Laura said Freddy was supposed to come. Seeing Laura’s terror, Margaret abandoned her planned interrogation and quietly asked what Laura needed to get out.

Laura, glancing toward the man, whispered that David would never let her go and that he said she belonged to him. Margaret, enraged, vowed she would protect Laura. Then Laura, suddenly blank and controlled, gave a terse message: “3488 Gates Road. September first. Eleven a.m.” A younger man with a buzz cut, likely armed, took the suitcase of money and ordered Margaret to wait in the bathroom for ten minutes before returning. She complied, then Darrin retrieved her.

Using Laura’s tip, Freddy went to the police, who involved the FBI. At the specified time, agents raided a warehouse registered to “Bill Jones,” arriving minutes after a large shipment of illegal guns. A firefight killed three People’s Moment members and one agent. Meanwhile, Laura was at the center with David Atwood and three other women he called wives; they barricaded themselves for seven hours before agents secured the scene. No contraband tied directly to David was found on-site, but Laura’s testimony could connect him to the weapons and assassination plans found at the warehouse.

When recovered, Laura was severely underweight, sleep deprived, and chemically manipulated by a regimen of stimulants, depressants, and sugary liquids David called “medicine.” A doctor later testified that David kept Laura and others highly suggestible. Laura’s mental state was fragile; she distrusted doctors and struggled to discern reality. She stayed at the Ives family home at first, rereading Lawrence’s journals for comfort, while Margaret and Cosmo or, when needed, Bernie and Roy, kept close watch. Laura flinched from Margaret’s touch, and Margaret paced nights listening to Laura’s whimpers.

With the press relentless and Laura’s self-esteem crumbling, Cosmo suggested taking Laura to Nashville to reduce scrutiny. Margaret’s love for Cosmo deepened at this kindness. Bernie, Roy, and Freddy saw them off. In Nashville, Margaret prepared a cozy tent in Laura’s room, coaxing out Laura’s first laugh in years. Over months, Laura slowly improved and began regularly seeing a doctor friend of Cosmo’s, building fragile trust.

As Cosmo toured smaller venues for older audiences, media interest shifted from scandal to dismissive reviews, wounding him. Margaret explained the public neither truly loved nor hated him; only those who know him matter. On a routine visit, Laura’s doctor also examined Margaret for fatigue and nausea and asked if she could be pregnant. This time Margaret felt pure joy at the possibility, with Laura safe nearby and Cosmo supportive, and she allowed herself to hope again.