Contents
Chapter Three
Overview
Before dawn, Ardnakelty mobilizes to find missing Rachel Holohan. Cal and Trey search toward the river while Lena realizes Rachel visited her earlier. Cal and Francie Gannon recover Rachel from the fast current, but she is already dead. The tragedy hardens tensions around Eugene and pulls Cal and Trey deeper into village stakes.
Summary
Woken by Mart before dawn, Cal learns Rachel Holohan is missing. He brings Trey, uneasy about leaving her alone, and they join the community search coordinated by Tommy Moynihan. Cal and Trey methodically check roadside verges toward the river, wary of grim possibilities.
Elsewhere, Lena wakes sensing unrest and calls Noreen, who confirms Rachel’s disappearance. Lena remembers Rachel had visited around half five about a scratched cat and seemed mostly fine. She checks her property, finds nothing, and keeps vigil, watching scattered search lights across the fields.
Cal and Trey press into the dark riverside woods, aiming only to reach the bank before turning back. Hearing shouts upstream, they push through undergrowth and spot a white shape snagged in the current. Cal anchors Francie Gannon as Francie wades in and grabs Rachel’s wrist; together they haul Rachel to a flat patch of bank.
Cal performs CPR despite broken ribs and river-cold skin, but finds no pulse. As voices close in, he calls for help; Francie holds back onlookers. When Senan arrives, he tells Cal to take Trey home.
At gray dawn, Cal and Trey walk back through mist. Trey confirms what she already knows—Rachel is dead—and asks about Eugene. Cal dismisses Eugene as unlikely to have killed her, notes most such deaths are accident or suicide, and urges Trey not to spread theories. They reach Cal’s house, cold and exhausted, and head in to warm up.
Who Appears
- Cal HooperLeads a night search for missing Rachel; helps pull her from the river and performs futile CPR; comforts and cautions Trey.
- TreyInsists on joining the search; assists Cal at the river; processes Rachel’s death and agrees to avoid rumors.
- LenaSenses unrest, learns Rachel is missing, recalls Rachel’s visit about her cat, and quietly checks her land.
- Rachel HolohanThe missing young woman; found face down, snagged in the river; not revived despite CPR.
- Francie GannonSearcher who spots Rachel in the river and wades in; assists Cal in recovering her to the bank.
- MartRaises the alarm with Cal and assigns search areas with P.J.; coordinates with Tommy’s effort.
- P.J.Search volunteer with Mart; brings a hot water bottle, anxious and practical.
- Tommy MoynihanCoordinates the community search effort and coverage of roads.
- NoreenInforms Lena of the disappearance; worries over Rachel and her parents.
- Eugene MoynihanRachel’s controlling boyfriend; last saw her earlier; viewed by Cal as unlikely killer.
- SenanArrives at the river scene and tells Cal to take Trey home.
- Claire and Fintan HolohanRachel’s parents; frantic as the search unfolds through the night.