Chapter 58

Driving back from Massachusetts, Casey confirms to herself that Jolene will never harm Nell again; she has used Jolene’s own kitchen knives and destroyed the cigarettes, framing the act as justice for child abuse. She spends the first half of the drive fearing police pursuit, then relaxes once she crosses into New Hampshire, convinced she has again evaded capture.

To protect Nell, Casey stops at a gas station pay phone and makes an anonymous call to the police about the body, certain Nell has an alibi because she stayed at Casey’s cabin. Casey rehearses how to break the news to Nell, recognizing Nell’s love for her mother and anticipating backlash despite believing she helped Nell.

At Lee’s door, Casey bluntly tells Lee, “She’s dead.” When Lee asks about the police, Casey states Nell is not in trouble. Lee looks to the sleeping Nell and struggles with how to tell her, while Casey insists it can wait until Nell wakes and offers to handle the conversation if needed.

Lee decides it must come from him as Nell’s only family. Casey advises him to emphasize Nell’s safety, lack of culpability, and that she has a home with him for as long as she wants. Lee commits to providing that home and, angered by Nell’s injuries, condemns Jolene’s abuse.

As Lee returns to Nell, Casey reflects on her own past and hopes he lets Nell sleep before learning the truth. The chapter ends with Jolene dead, the police anonymously notified, and Lee prepared to assume guardianship, signaling the end of Nell’s traumatic past and the start of a new stability.