Contents
Twenty-One
Overview
As Cal recovers, he resolves Trey's demand for proof by trekking with Mart to Brendan’s bog grave, confirming the fatal injuries and reclaiming Brendan’s watch. Cal chooses secrecy over reporting, reburies Brendan, and returns the watch to Trey. He recommits to supporting her, even arranging a pup and resuming their carpentry routine.
Summary
Rain pins Cal indoors for over a week as his collarbone and knee heal. He wrestles with whether to tell Officer Dennis but leans away from it, aware of the tangled loyalties and Trey’s needs. He visits Noreen’s, notes Fergal’s evasiveness, and considers leaving Ireland once Trey has proof. Feeling the risk of his next step, he calls Alyssa, who advises how to support a grieving teen and stresses consistency.
When the weather clears, Cal meets Mart, who brings a spade and leads him up hidden mountain trails, refusing photos. After a long, disorienting hike, Mart points out a bog plot. Despite warnings about the bog, Cal digs. He uncovers Brendan’s well-preserved but distorted body, notes the broken jaw, damaged teeth, and fatal skull injury, and carefully removes Brendan’s inscribed watch.
Tempted to alert authorities, Cal remembers Alyssa’s plea for stability for Trey and decides against it. He repositions Brendan’s arm, reburies him gently to keep the grave inconspicuous, and sings Wayfaring Stranger. On the descent, Mart insists the truth stays within the family, muses about discreetly helping Sheila, and agrees the townland will not hassle Cal or Trey.
Home again, Cal tries to shed the cold and the bog’s smell. The next day Trey arrives; Cal gives her the cleaned watch and tells her only Sheila should know the story. Trey asks where Brendan lies; Cal describes the mountain burial and she retreats to grieve by Cal’s woods.
Cal texts Lena to arrange a pup for Trey and a visit the next afternoon. He moves their carpentry outdoors, begins repairing the desk side with glue and clamps, and draws Trey back into the work. Together they test wood stains and share fruitcake under a clear winter sky, quietly resuming their routine.
Who Appears
- Cal HooperRecuperates, debates going to police, retrieves Brendan’s watch from the bog, chooses secrecy, supports Trey, arranges a pup, resumes carpentry.
- Mart LavinGuides Cal to the bog grave, confirms Brendan’s burial, insists on silence, contemplates aiding Sheila, jokes yet guards the townland’s interests.
- Trey ReddyComes for proof, receives Brendan’s watch, asks where he lies, grieves alone, returns to work on the desk with Cal.
- Brendan ReddyRecovered as a bog body; injuries match accidental death after a punch and fall; his inscribed watch is retrieved.
- Alyssa HooperBy phone, advises Cal on supporting a grieving teen and stresses consistency; her competence influences Cal’s decision.
- LenaBy text, offers pups; schedules a visit for Cal and Trey, signaling ongoing support.
- NoreenHears Cal’s cover story about a fall; fusses over remedies and promises to loop in Lena.
- Fergal O’ConnorBriefly encountered; avoids Cal, reflecting his denial about Brendan’s fate.
- Sheila ReddyOff-page focus; to be told the truth about Brendan; potential recipient of discreet community help.