Chapter 28 Summary: Beth's Hiding Place and a Road Trip to Vermont
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
After tracking Beth to a ski resort in Vermont via Instagram, Bodie enlists Britt to drive her there. During the two-and-a-half-hour trip, Britt reveals she and Alder have been in a relationship since Bodie's time at Granby—a fact that surprises Bodie. The two discuss Omar's case and the fragile hope that his conviction might be vacated. Upon arriving at the sprawling resort, Britt impersonates Beth over the phone to confirm Beth's whereabouts. The chapter ends with the pair laughing at their successful ruse, setting the stage for a direct confrontation.
Key Events
- Bodie discovers Beth's location – Beth's Instagram shows her at a luxury ski resort in Stowe, Vermont, with her husband.
- Bodie calls Britt – Despite sequestration restrictions, Bodie asks Britt to drive her to Vermont.
- Britt reveals her relationship with Alder – Britt shares that she and Alder have been together since Bodie's senior year.
- Discussion of Omar's future – Bodie imagines Omar's release and the obstacles that remain, even if the conviction is vacated.
- Arrival at the resort – The resort is far larger than expected, and it is already 3 p.m.
- Britt's phone trick – Britt calls the spa, pretending to be Beth, and learns Beth has a facial at 2:30 (already checked in).
- Laughter and reminiscence – Bodie notes that Britt's prank would have been useful at Granby.
Character Development
- Bodie Kane – Shows determined initiative by traveling to Vermont despite sequestration. Her inner monologue reveals a new, fragile hope for Omar, balanced with realistic pessimism about legal delays. She also reflects warmly on Britt's relationship, taking it as proof that her time at Granby wasn't purely destructive.
- Britt – Demonstrates quick thinking and loyalty by driving Bodie and using deception to locate Beth. Her revelation about Alder adds depth to her character and shows she has kept personal matters private.
- Beth Docherty – Though absent physically, her opulent Instagram presence contrasts with the grim circumstances of Omar's case, reinforcing her role as a gatekeeper of privileged information.
Themes, Symbols, and Motifs
- Hope vs. Optimism – Bodie explicitly distinguishes between the two, preferring to "hedge against optimism" while still allowing herself to hope. Her detailed daydreams of Omar's freedom illustrate the emotional cost of that hope.
- Deception as a tool – Britt's phone impersonation mirrors the larger theme of using lies to uncover truth. The chapter frames such deception as playful and necessary, not malicious.
- Mountain roads and ice – The drive through icy mountain roads symbolizes the precarious journey toward justice: progress is slow, dangerous, and uncertain.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter marks a turning point in Bodie's investigation: she moves from passive social-media monitoring to active pursuit. The revelation of Britt and Alder's relationship humanizes the podcast team and deepens Bodie's connection to them. More importantly, Bodie's hopeful fantasies about Omar's release raise the emotional stakes for the reader, who now understands how much is riding on the outcome of the hearing—and how easily that hope can be dashed.
Study Questions and Answers
Q1: Why does Bodie call Britt rather than someone else? A: Bodie trusts Britt's discretion and knows Britt has a car. Britt is not sequestered like Alder, so she is free to drive Bodie without breaching court rules.
Q2: What does Bodie's imagined future for Omar reveal about her emotional state? A: It shows she has allowed herself to hope, despite her usual caution. The detailed sensory images (ice cream, hot bread, a massage) indicate she is clinging to the possibility of a life outside prison for Omar, a stark contrast to his current reality.
Q3: How does Britt's phone trick relate to the book's larger themes? A: The trick exemplifies the theme of constructing truth through narrative and performance. It also echoes the way the podcast manipulates public opinion—using a false identity to get information that might ultimately serve justice.