Contents
Chapter 16
Overview
News breaks that teen Audrey Barbour is missing, echoing the Trawler’s pattern and deepening Bret’s dread. At Susan’s unsupervised party for Robert, tensions flare: Ryan rebuffs Bret, Thom accuses Susan, and Susan and Debbie reveal Robert’s medication. Robert drinks anyway, spirals into a dangerous pool episode, and Thom and Susan pull him out, exposing fragile alliances.
Summary
Bret fixates on Susan’s “secret” party for Robert, viewing it as appeasement after learning Robert spent time in a mental institution. Robert’s effortless popularity grows, and Bret keeps calling a number marked RM from Matt’s drawer with no answer.
On Monday, Bret reads that Audrey Barbour, 17, vanished after leaving the Promenade mall. Details mirror Trawler patterns: obscene silent calls, targeted attention, and a Gang of Four Entertainment! poster left at her home. Her car is found untouched. Bret’s dread mounts; classmates remain indifferent.
Astrology chatter contrasts with Bret’s suspicion that Robert left float-building early the night Audrey disappeared. Saturday, at Susan’s parent-free Beverly Hills house, the party swells. Bret and Ryan share a tense exchange; Ryan advises Bret to avoid “drama” and leaves. Bret spies Debbie bringing Robert upstairs to Susan, who warns him not to drink due to medication; later, Susan names Thorazine among several meds.
Back outside, Thom publicly confronts Susan about her absence; Jeff and Dominic restrain him as Susan retreats. Robert comforts Thom. The group regathers, drinks and cocaine circulate, while Robert avoids coke but keeps drinking. Drunk, Robert strips naked and dives into the heated pool, behaving erratically and submerging.
Susan orders Thom to help; Thom dives in, struggling to steady Robert. Susan wades in wearing only bra and panties; together they coax Robert out as he drunkenly kisses at both of them indiscriminately. Thom carries the shivering, exhausted Robert inside to the couch. The party dissolves. Thom crashes in Susan’s room; Jeff and Tracy take a guest room. Susan and Debbie clean, monitor Robert’s fitful night, and the uneasy alliances harden.
Who Appears
- BretNarrator; obsesses over Audrey’s disappearance, spies on party dynamics, clashes internally about Ryan, and witnesses Robert’s breakdown.
- Robert MalloryEnigmatic new senior; on Thorazine and other meds; drinks heavily, strips, has a dangerous pool episode, rescued by Thom and Susan.
- Susan ReynoldsHost; secretly protective of Robert, confronts his drinking due to meds, clashes with Thom, helps rescue Robert from the pool.
- Thom WrightSusan’s boyfriend; publicly confronts her, then aids Robert in the pool and carries him inside; later passes out at the house.
- Debbie SchafferBret’s girlfriend; supplies coke, facilitates Susan’s talk with Robert about meds, has sex with Bret, helps Susan after the meltdown.
- Ryan VaughnKeeps distance from Bret, advises him to avoid drama, leaves the party early.
- Jeff TaylorFriend; tries to calm Thom during his confrontation and hangs with the group by the pool.
- TracyPart of the core friend group at the party; later crashes in a guest room.
- Michelle StevensonServes margaritas; supports party logistics during escalating tensions.
- Bruce JohnsonBartends margaritas; part of the party’s escalating intoxication.
- DominicHelps restrain Thom during his blowup with Susan.
- AnthonyHangs poolside with the guys as the party intensifies.
- DougPart of the poolside group during Robert’s unraveling.
- Audrey BarbourOffstage; newly missing teen linked by media to the Trawler, triggering Bret’s dread.