Hunter later learns that bodies are being hidden beneath Walter Conrad’s lodge, but in the present Hunter, Rink, Jason Mercer, and Harvey take shelter at one of Sue Bouchard’s remote Florida properties near the Apalachicola River. Because the ranch has a separate locked garage, they use it as the most private place to lay out Sue’s body with as much care as they can manage until she can be properly buried. Mercer spends a few private minutes with Sue before joining the others inside.

Harvey, drawing on his Ranger medical experience, examines Mercer and finds that the gunshot only gouged his side, though two ribs are cracked and the pain is severe. After Harvey cleans and dresses the wound, Mercer falls asleep on the couch from exhaustion. Hunter, Rink, and Harvey are all depleted as well, but they still need food, water, and basic supplies, so Harvey is chosen to make a run to Wewahitchka because Hunter and Rink are more likely to be recognized or wanted by the police. Harvey cleans off his camouflage paint, changes clothes, and takes the Ford to shop without attracting attention.

While Harvey is gone, Hunter and Rink wait in the kitchen, drink tap water, and try to keep their minds off Sue’s death by discussing what to do next. Hunter reflects that he already warned Walter Conrad about the failed rescue and Vince’s escape, not yet realizing Walter has started retaliating on his own. Their conversation grows loud enough to wake Mercer, who comes in weak, pale, and disoriented. Mercer admits that he feared he had been abandoned, and Hunter gently tries to reassure him by inviting him into the discussion and helping him get water.

Rink decides that reassurance alone is not enough and directly challenges Mercer to decide whether he is fit to fight or not. After pushing Mercer hard, Rink explains that despite their history, he and Hunter did not sacrifice Mercer when they could have, and they are not keeping him alive only to discard him later. Rink says Sue’s death must be avenged and that survival now depends on taking the offensive against Vince and Arrowsake. Mercer, moved by the memory that Sue saved him and refused to betray him under torture, fully commits himself to that plan, and the three men seal their new understanding.