Lena visits Noreen at the shop and learns that Ardnakelty is buzzing with theories about Rushborough's murder. Noreen reveals, reluctantly, that talk is starting to drift toward Cal as a convenient outsider to blame should Detective Nealon press too hard. The townland would prefer to sacrifice a blow-in rather than one of their own, with the suggested motive being that Cal killed Rushborough to protect Trey from supposed predatory behavior.

To shut down this rumor, Lena impulsively announces to Noreen that she and Cal are engaged, knowing the family tie to Noreen will make Cal harder to throw to the wolves. She heads to Cal's workshop and informs him of the fictional engagement, explaining her reasoning. Cal, stunned but understanding, accepts the cover story. Lena chooses not to tell Trey the truth, sensing the fragile shifts between Cal and Trey.

That evening, Mart drags Cal to Seán Óg's pub, where the regulars—Senan, Bobby, P.J., Francie, and Malachy—celebrate his engagement with relentless slagging and invented "traditions" like the Marriage Mile, which Cal eventually calls out as bullshit, earning their approval.

The conversation shifts to Nealon's investigation. The men reveal that Nealon is focusing exclusively on Ardnakelty residents, asking who was up the mountain that night—suggesting he has a witness or specific lead. They probe Cal for information and hint that Trey's testimony may be the source. Mart steers the discussion toward Johnny Reddy, framing him as an "outlaw" who betrayed his people by selling their stories and bad luck to Rushborough.

Mart lays out a clear plan: they want Nealon to pursue Johnny hard enough that Johnny flees, which would close the case. They invite Cal to help direct Nealon's suspicion toward Johnny. Cal, recognizing this would solve everything but unwilling to override Trey's plan, refuses, saying he wants nothing more to do with Johnny. The men accept his refusal in silence, then pivot to teaching Cal Fifty-Five and breaking out poteen, the warmth returning genuinely even as the underlying tensions remain.