Three days after returning to Florida, Hunter goes back to storm-ravaged Mexico Beach and spends a day and night salvaging what he can from his ruined beach house and helping neighbors do the same. During a break at a reopened oyster bar on Highway 98, Hunter catches a two-second glimpse of a man entering a steel-grey Mercedes SUV. The man’s jawline, damaged ear, silver hair, and crescent scar make Hunter think he has seen Jason Mercer, a man who should be dead.

Because Hunter cannot ignore the feeling that his eyes may be right, he abandons his meal, gets into his Audi, and follows the SUV toward Panama City. Hunter resists forcing a confrontation because he still doubts himself and does not want to involve Rink until he has proof. The SUV eventually stops at a house in a residential neighborhood, where the red-haired female driver briefly goes inside, changes clothes, and returns with a large bag, leading Hunter to assume the house is hers and memorize the address and license plate.

The woman then drives to a downtown office building with underground parking. Hunter decides not to follow the SUV into the garage because being recognized there would trap him in the wrong setting for a confrontation. Instead, Hunter enters the lobby, poses as someone waiting for an appointment, and watches the elevators, hoping to see the man clearly enough to confirm his identity.

Hunter gets his proof when the elevator doors open and he sees the couple inside. Although another passenger partly blocks the view, Hunter sees enough of the man’s face to know it is Mercer. Mercer also recognizes Hunter before the doors close, confirming that the danger is real and immediate. After returning to his car, Hunter calls Rink and tells him Mercer is alive, and Rink reacts with disbelief because he personally shot Mercer in the head.