After realizing that Dean's father was a serial killer, Cassie reevaluates everything she has learned about Dean: Briggs seeking Dean's help when Dean was twelve, Michael's remarks about Dean's insight into killers, Lia's warnings, and the stairwell photos meant for Dean. Hurt that Dean never told her, Cassie puts the interview binder away and runs back to the house, ignoring Michael.

Dean is waiting at the top of the stairs and immediately knows Cassie has been reading the killer interviews. Dean responds with sarcasm and cruelty, trying to steer the conversation toward the graphic details of another killer's interview before naming the real subject: his father. Dean reveals that Briggs used pictures of Dean, and then pictures of the murdered women, to try to get Dean's father to talk.

Cassie insists that Dean's father's crimes do not change who Dean is and says Dean should have told her because they are partners. Dean rejects that bond, saying they are not and will never be partners. Dean argues that his ability to understand killers comes too easily and suggests that heredity and his childhood environment make him fundamentally damaged.

When Cassie asks whether Dean knew about his father, Dean says he did not know at first but believes he should have. Dean explains that by the time Briggs came to him with case questions, his father was in prison, Dean was in foster care, and Dean already felt unlike other children. Cassie tries to stay and support Dean, but Dean pushes her away, saying Cassie is better off with Michael.

Lia intervenes by physically turning Cassie away from Dean. Lia tells Cassie to leave Dean alone and sharply reminds Cassie that Cassie ignored Lia's request not to bring the interviews to Dean, ending the chapter with Cassie forced out of the confrontation.