Four

Pip runs under the pretense of exercise but heads to Luke Eaton’s house to buy pills so she can sleep. Luke offers her Rohypnol as a stronger option, which Pip rejects due to past trauma. She purchases two-milligram Xanax instead and, before leaving, demands to know if Luke sells Rohypnol to Max Hastings; Luke refuses to answer, reminding her of his no-questions rule.

Outside, Pip spirals, fearing Max may still drug women and that their paths might cross at Luke’s. Overwhelmed, she breaks a Xanax in half and swallows it. Neighbor Gail Yardley briefly encounters her with a dog, prompting Pip to compose herself and hide her purchase.

Walking home, Pip is consumed by guilt and insomnia, recalling prior prescriptions, abandoned therapy, and the irreconcilable beliefs about Stanley Forbes: that he didn’t deserve to die and that Charlie Green’s vengeance is understandable. She concludes only Charlie might understand and help her live with what happened, contemplating finding him.

Near her house, Pip momentarily thinks someone is watching from the trees before dismissing it as anxiety the pill will soon dull. The chapter ends with Pip publishing a detailed post on time-of-death estimation using rigor, livor, and algor mortis, emphasizing their limits and environmental effects.