Contents
Eight
Overview
Cal visits Sheila Reddy under a pretext and learns she claims Brendan simply left, though her anxiety suggests deeper worries. Back home, Mart reveals a ewe gruesomely killed and vows a night stakeout. Cal acquires a rifle. Trey reports Brendan left nearly everything behind, sharpening Cal’s suspicion and prompting plans to interview Brendan’s friends.
Summary
Cal hikes into the mountains to the Reddy home, meets Sheila and the younger children Liam and Alanna, and uses a wet-boot pretext to talk. Sheila admits Brendan left in spring without saying where, claims he was fed up and likely ran off, but shows sharp, guarded worry. She offers little concrete information; Cal notes her fear and poverty, and leaves.
On the walk back, Cal reflects that Sheila’s hope is flimsy but her concern is solid, deciding Brendan’s friends may know more. At his gate, neighbor Mart brings him to a field where a prime ewe lies mutilated with precise-looking wounds. Mart, suspecting something deliberate or aberrant, plans solitary night stakeouts from Cal’s wood with a view of P.J. Fallon’s flock; Cal offers help but Mart declines.
Cal receives his firearm license, researches bus times that Brendan might have used, and calls Brendan’s phone, reaching only voicemail. He buys a Henry .22 rifle from Kevin (“Daniel Boone”), intending mainly for rabbits but now also for security amid the sheep killings.
Trey arrives with news: Brendan’s charger, toiletries, school bag, and most clothes remain; only the grandfather’s watch is missing. Cal cautions that cash could replace items but logs the watch detail. He outlines next steps, targeting Brendan’s friends—Fergal and Eugene Moynihan—for conversation, and orders Trey to avoid them and to stay away after dark because of Mart’s stakeout. Trey mentions seeing people slipping into houses at night, then leaves. Cal watches him disappear into the dusk, the investigation newly focused.
Who Appears
- Cal HooperRetired cop investigating Brendan’s disappearance; visits Sheila, examines a mutilated ewe with Mart, buys a .22 rifle, plans to question Brendan’s friends.
- Sheila ReddyBrendan and Trey’s mother; wary and exhausted, says Brendan ran off but shows clear worry and offers little concrete detail.
- Trey ReddyTeen who pushes Cal to investigate; reports Brendan left most belongings except a watch; mentions nocturnal trespassers; seeks gun lessons.
- MartNeighbor farmer; shows Cal a ewe mutilated like Bobby Feeney’s; plans solo night stakeouts overlooking P.J. Fallon’s land.
- Kevin (Daniel Boone)Gun shop owner; supplies Cal with a Henry .22 and banters about rabbits and ammunition.
- Brendan ReddyMissing 19-year-old; said to have left in spring; left most possessions behind, likely took his grandfather’s watch.
- Liam ReddyYoung Reddy sibling; meets Cal at the gate and fetches Sheila; accepts chocolate.
- Alanna ReddyYoung Reddy sibling; giggles at Cal’s wet boot and accepts chocolate.
- Eugene MoynihanBrendan’s friend; student at Sligo Tech with a motorbike; on Cal’s list to question.
- FergalBrendan’s friend; considered the most reliable of the group; on Cal’s list to question.