Contents
Chapter Six
Overview
Lena reconciles with Noreen and commits to attending Rachel’s funeral, then quietly probes townspeople and traces the “Rachel cheated” rumor back to Clodagh, concluding the Moynihans are shaping the narrative to protect Eugene. Meanwhile, Cal refuses Tommy’s request to investigate, and Mart hints Tommy is grooming Eugene for politics. Lena decides to keep her findings from Cal and press on for Trey’s sake.
Summary
Lena brings Nutella to Noreen to apologize and they reconcile. They discuss Rachel’s impending funeral, Noreen’s fears about judgment over suicide, and Lena’s surprise promise to attend. Probing gently for Trey’s sake, Lena raises why Rachel might have killed herself, and Noreen suspects trouble with Eugene while rejecting talk that Rachel strayed. Emotion breaks through; the women share a vulnerable laugh and cry.
At Cal’s, Mart arrives after noticing Tommy’s visit. Cal confirms he refused Tommy’s offer to investigate Rachel’s reasons. Mart speculates Tommy is preparing Eugene for local politics and needs control of the story—either exonerating Eugene or learning any damaging truths (pregnancy, disease). He recalls the Boss Moynihan’s abusive power, warning old dynamics linger despite modern airs. Mart urges information-sharing, predicting Tommy will keep pushing.
Lena undertakes a covert circuit with jars of jam to gather talk. Michelle Healy, Julie Quinn, Laura Barry, and Yvonne McCabe echo vague rumors that Rachel “played offside,” though Niamh (via Julie) denies it. Doireann Cunniffe finally claims Clodagh said Rachel confessed to cheating but withheld the name. Lena concludes Clodagh seeded the rumor to protect Eugene and divert blame, meaning Tommy never needed Cal to learn this.
Driving home, overwhelmed, Lena decides not to tell Cal—fearing Mart will weaponize her findings. She believes the Moynihans are actively shaping Rachel’s death and resolves to keep digging independently for Trey’s sake, despite her instincts to back off.
Who Appears
- LenaReconciles with Noreen, vows to attend the funeral, canvasses gossip via jam, traces the cheating rumor to Clodagh, and withholds findings from Cal to protect Trey.
- Noreen DugganAccepts Lena’s apology; grieves Rachel; discusses funeral and rumors; offers local insight and emotional support.
- CalRefuses Tommy’s request to investigate Rachel; debates motives with Mart; cautions against stirring trouble.
- Mart LavinInterprets Tommy’s move as political grooming for Eugene; warns Tommy will keep pushing; urges information-sharing.
- Tommy MoynihanSought Cal as a private investigator; seen as managing fallout and possibly Eugene’s political prospects.
- Eugene MoynihanSubject of town suspicion and possible political grooming; central to rumors about Rachel’s motives.
- Clodagh MoynihanAllegedly told Doireann that Rachel confessed to cheating; identified by Lena as seeding a protective rumor.
- Doireann CunniffeGossips that Clodagh said Rachel cheated; key link that clarifies the rumor’s source.
- Yvonne McCabeProvides blunt commentary; confirms rumor circulation while deriding Eugene.
- Michelle HealyFrazzled grandmother who repeats vague cheating rumor amid family drama.
- Julie QuinnShares that her daughter Niamh, Rachel’s friend, doesn’t believe the cheating rumor.
- Laura BarryRelays that Yvonne mentioned Rachel ‘spreading her wings,’ but affects disapproval of speculation.
- Rachel HolohanDeceased; focus of funeral plans and rumors about alleged infidelity used to shape her story.
- Dessie DugganNoreen’s steady husband, discussed as predictable yet good-hearted.