Contents
Chapter 61
Overview
Floyd records a confession explaining his lifelong isolation, his overwhelming attachment to Poppy, and why he withheld what he knew after Ellie’s disappearance. Fearing legal culpability and losing Poppy, he avoided police and a DNA test. After witnessing Laurel’s grief at Ellie’s funeral, Floyd resolves to give Poppy to Laurel.
Summary
Floyd addresses Laurel, recounting a childhood of constant moves, social alienation, and precocious intelligence that isolated him. A rare period of stability in Germany offered a glimpse of normality, but it ended abruptly. He says he never truly loved anyone until Poppy, whose arrival gave his life meaning.
Floyd explains why he did not go to police after recognizing Ellie on Crimewatch. He was uncertain if Ellie was alive or dead and confused by conflicting reports. More critically, Noelle had told him Poppy wasn’t his biological daughter and that the baby came from purchased sperm, leaving him terrified that any report would implicate him in aiding a crime or in the rape of a minor he had never met.
Despite knowing a DNA test could free him to speak, Floyd avoided it to preserve his bond with Poppy. Poppy, unlike his older daughter Sara who had rejected him as a child, was affectionate and brilliant; losing her would destroy his sense of purpose.
After reading Laurel’s interview about the agony of not knowing, Floyd attended Ellie’s funeral from a distance and saw Laurel collapse with grief, realizing “closure” brought only a box of bones. Concluding he could give Laurel something real, he resolves to give her Poppy.
Who Appears
- Floyd DunnNarrates a confession; reveals isolation, love for Poppy, fear of legal culpability, avoided DNA testing, witnessed Ellie’s funeral, decides to give Poppy to Laurel.
- Laurel MackSilent addressee of Floyd’s confession; her public grief and funeral move Floyd to act.
- PoppyChild Floyd adores; central to his dilemma; he resolves to give her to Laurel.
- Noelle DonnellyTold Floyd conflicting claims about Poppy’s paternity; implicated in Ellie’s abduction.
- Ellie MackHer disappearance and funeral drive Floyd’s decisions; he suspects she bore Poppy.
- SaraFloyd’s older daughter; childhood rejection contrasts with Poppy’s affection.