Contents
Chapter 60
Overview
Lee confronts Casey about the news timing of Jolene’s death but pointedly provides Casey a firm alibi, signaling his loyalty and moral alignment against Jolene. As they part, Lee accidentally calls Casey “Ella,” exposing prior knowledge he denies. Casey remains committed to helping Nell but distrusts Lee.
Summary
Exhausted and ready to sleep, Casey answers a knock to find Lee at her door. His cold, unreadable demeanor unsettles her, especially after Rudy’s revelation that Lee had asked about her before she moved in. They briefly discuss Nell’s reaction to the truth about her mother.
Lee then raises the news report stating Jolene was killed “today,” not earlier, implicitly confronting Casey. After a tense pause, Lee deliberately fabricates an alibi, asserting that he and Nell were with Casey all afternoon and would tell police she was never out of their sight. Casey recognizes he knows what she did and accepts his cover.
Lee adds that someone who could do what Jolene did to a child doesn’t deserve to live, his glance noting Casey’s burn scars. He leaves to return to Nell, and Casey offers future help with raising a teenage girl, momentarily easing the tension.
As they part, Lee slips and calls her “Ella.” When Casey challenges him, he claims he saw the name on a letter, but Casey knows that’s false. She presses him about Rudy’s claim he asked about her by name before moving in; Lee denies it and casts doubt on Rudy’s reliability.
Studying Lee’s features, Casey feels a fleeting recognition but cannot place him. Lee invites her to visit the next day. After he departs, Casey resolves to help Nell yet maintains her distrust of Lee and, by extension, of everyone.
Who Appears
- CaseyNarrator. Confronted by Lee about Jolene’s death timing; accepts his alibi but grows suspicious after he calls her “Ella.”
- LeeVisits Casey, provides an alibi for the murder, condemns Jolene, slips calling Casey “Ella,” and denies prior knowledge.
- Nell (Eleanor)Offstage; recently learned the truth about her mother. Serves as part of Lee’s alibi and his motivation to leave.