Before school, Avery goes to the kitchen to speak privately with Mrs. Laughlin. Eli gives them only a little distance, and Mrs. Laughlin reacts tensely as Avery says she needs to talk about Toby.

Avery confronts Mrs. Laughlin with what Avery has inferred: Mrs. Laughlin's daughter became pregnant, the family hid it, and the Hawthornes adopted the baby. Avery says Toby was Mrs. Laughlin's grandson, then adds that Avery believes Toby is Avery's father.

Mrs. Laughlin is shaken and initially tries to deny or silence the subject. Avery offers evidence from Tobias Hawthorne's study, including Avery's birth certificate and private detective photographs of Avery with Harry, the man Avery now believes was Toby.

Avery explains that Harry appeared after Avery's mother died and became Avery's chess companion in the park. Although Mrs. Laughlin says the man in the photos could be anyone, Avery presses the larger question: why Tobias Hawthorne would have left Avery his fortune.

The evidence and Avery's emotional appeal break through Mrs. Laughlin's defenses. Mrs. Laughlin whispers Tobias Hawthorne's name and wonders what he did, and when Avery says they are still trying to figure it out, Mrs. Laughlin embraces Avery tightly.