Chapter 4

In a therapy session one month after the shooting, Charlotte struggles to keep her eyes open as therapist Amy guides her, praising her and testing name recognition. Amy explains Charlotte’s left hemispatial neglect to Mrs. McKenna, noting impaired perception on the left and even in dreams or memories. When Charlotte gives a faint response to her name, Mrs. McKenna insists it was intentional, and Charlotte becomes distressed and cries.

Charlotte then dreams of the gunshot, perceiving only the right side of her apartment as footsteps approach from the left, illustrating her neglect within the dream. She awakens in her small room, seated in a wheelchair, while Mrs. McKenna urgently phones someone—implied to be Charlotte’s husband—pressing him to visit.

Detective Simpson arrives despite prior assurances, intent on obtaining a statement from Charlotte. Mrs. McKenna objects, but the detective argues urgency, referencing missing jewelry, lack of fingerprints or eyewitnesses, and that the weapon used was Charlotte’s own gun.

Detective Simpson also mentions Charlotte’s substantial life insurance policy and that Clark, her husband, would receive two million dollars, prompting Mrs. McKenna to defend Clark before leaving the room in distress. Alone with Charlotte, the detective asks about the night of December ninth, but Charlotte’s impaired attention locks onto the red cap of his pen instead of answering.