Chapter Twenty-Eight

In the vault, Holland discovers her father’s missing screenplay and, with minutes left on the clock, begins to read. The pages depict Red Westcott grieving his wife Sophia, seeking help from Alma Hernandez and being told to find the Watch Man to reach the Source—warnings that reviving the dead carries consequences. Holland recognizes the Hollybells bowling team and realizes the screenplay is a deliberate clue trail from her father.

As hope rises, the vault is plunged into darkness. Believing Gabe may have triggered a blackout, Holland stashes the pages in her father’s satchel and gropes through the dark to an emergency exit. She slips into the lobby, grabs a discarded cowboy hat to disguise herself, and sprints outside, escaping with seconds to spare.

Eileen screeches up in a cherry-red 1940s car and urges Holland to get in. Though wary, Holland accepts. During the high-speed getaway, Eileen’s NDA-limited answers imply she works for the Bank and was granted a modest ability—uncannily good parking. Eileen reveals a green-ink tattoo matching January’s, Gabe’s, and Adam’s, confirming it marks those with abilities.

Gabe’s terse text—“What have you done?”—confirms he’s at large and knows she turned him in. Then a billboard for the Regal Hotel appears from nowhere, visible only to those with a key. When Holland touches January’s plastic motel keychain, it transforms into a golden skeleton key labeled The Regal, signaling a new doorway in her father’s treasure hunt.