Chapter 16 Summary: The Investigation into Coco’s Disappearance

Spoiler Alert: This summary and analysis contains spoilers for Chapter 16 of Swan Song.

Summary

The chapter opens at 9:15 P.M. on Thursday, August 22, with a welcome breeze clearing some of the smoke from the air. Stu Vick’s team is investigating the fire site. Chief Zara Washington strides over to where Ed Kapenash is standing with his daughter Kacy and Lamont Oakley. Zara introduces herself to Kacy, hitting the word “Chief” hard for Ed’s benefit, and expresses sympathy about Coco’s disappearance. She tells Kacy they will find her but now needs to question Lamont. Kacy sinks onto a low granite wall and continues calling Coco’s phone. Ed reflects on the unique torment of a missing-person case—how it generates both hope and despair, and how a disappearance at sea feels especially agonizing.

Ed squeezes Kacy’s shoulder and assures her they will be just a minute. Zara and Ed sit with Lamont on a private wooden bench in a circle of hydrangea bushes. Ed asks Lamont to walk them through the evening. Lamont reports that Coco seemed normal: she worked in uniform, served welcome cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, and did not eat or drink on the job. Lamont was sailing the boat alone because his two usual crew members were off for their abuela’s birthday. He needed to give the sailing his full attention.

Zara asks when Lamont last saw Coco. He says she passed around champagne right after Leslee and Bull Richardson’s vow renewal, which Lamont knew about but was a surprise for the guests. Coco had helped them pull vows from the internet. The renewal happened at sunset, as Leslee wanted a specific sun angle for photos. Coco stood next to Lamont in the cockpit during the vows. After the toast, Coco collected the glasses. Zara confirms Coco was not drinking. Ed notes that if she didn’t eat or drink, she probably wasn’t drugged, but they cannot rule it out.

Lamont turned the boat around and headed back to Pocomo. When asked about the fire, his eyes are red from smoke or emotion. He asks if the Coast Guard is searching right now. Ed says Lucy has two boats out and is asking for a helicopter from Woods Hole, and they will find her. Zara presses Lamont for the timeline: where was Coco when news of the fire broke, and who saw her last? Lamont says she was cleaning up, coming and going, and he lost track of her. Another guest saw Coco clearing champagne glasses right before the fire news. Lamont assumes Coco was still on the boat when the news broke, but it was chaos—Bull ordered him to lower sails and motor back. Lamont starts to say something else but stops, and Zara picks up on it. Lamont dismisses it as not important.

Zara asks about Bull and Leslee’s locations. Bull was on the bow when he heard about the fire, calling for Leslee. Lamont does not remember where Leslee was; she might have been below deck or using the head. His focus was getting back to Pocomo because the Richardsons’ house was on fire. He thought Coco was in the galley washing glasses or helping locate Leslee. It never occurred to him that she had gone overboard; she was sure-footed on the boat. Then Lamont mentions a spot in the back of the boat where people can dive off, secured by a gate with a broken latch. The latch does not close firmly with a click. Lamont ordered a new part but it hadn’t arrived; when he told Bull and Leslee, they said not to worry and to proceed with the sail. The Chief is surprised the Coast Guard did not mention this, but they were looking for the girl, not inspecting boat safety.

Zara concludes that Coco possibly fell. Lamont says Coco is a strong swimmer, which is the only reason he is halfway sane. Zara, as a mother, senses Lamont is holding something back. She asks if there is something else he wants to say. Lamont looks from Zara to the Chief and asks, “You’re questioning the Richardsons, right?”

Key Events

Zara introduces herself to Kacy and takes charge of the interview with Lamont.
Lamont describes the evening’s timeline: Coco worked normally, served at the vow renewal, and did not drink or eat.
Lamont reveals a faulty gate latch on the boat’s swim area that does not close properly; the Richardsons were aware but allowed the sail to proceed.
Zara learns that Lamont was the sole crew member aboard due to his regular crew having a family event.
Lamont becomes emotional when asking about the Coast Guard search, and Zara suspects he is withholding information.
Lamont deflects by asking whether the Richardsons are being questioned.

Character Development

Zara Washington: Demonstrates investigative instincts and empathy. She presses for details, notices Lamont’s hesitation, and uses her maternal intuition to identify deception. Her introduction to Kacy establishes authority without cruelty.
Ed Kapenash: Draws on prior knowledge of missing persons cases, reflecting on the psychological torment of not knowing. He supports his daughter while staying focused on the investigation.
Kacy Kapenash: Shows resilience mixed with distress, determined to keep calling Coco. Her presence humanizes the investigation.
Lamont Oakley: Comes across as earnest and cooperative but is clearly hiding something. His question about the Richardsons suggests he may suspect them or has information he is reluctant to share.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Missing Persons vs. Death: Ed’s internal reflection highlights the unique agony of a disappearance—the mind craves answers and oscillates between hope and desolation. This theme is central to the chapter’s emotional core.
Secrets and Responsibility: Lamont’s withheld information and the broken gate latch symbolize negligence and the ripple effects of small failures. The Richardsons’ dismissal of the gate repair foreshadows potential tragedy.
Trust: The interview dynamic shows the tension between cooperation and concealment. Zara and Ed must decipher whom to trust.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 16 shifts the focus from the fire to Coco’s disappearance, introducing a pivotal clue: the faulty gate latch. It deepens the mystery by suggesting that Coco may have fallen overboard accidentally, but Lamont’s evasiveness hints at foul play or cover-up. The chapter also explores the psychological impact of missing persons on loved ones, exemplified by Kacy and Ed’s reflections. Zara and Ed’s questioning technique establishes their partnership and sets up the need to interview the Richardsons.

Study Questions and Answers

What does Ed Kapenash reveal about his understanding of missing persons cases?
Ed reflects that missing persons often create a special hell for loved ones because they swing between despondency and hope, unlike a definite death. This insight explains his gentle tone with Kacy and his focus on finding Coco.
What potential safety hazard does Lamont describe, and how might it connect to Coco’s disappearance?
Lamont describes a gate latch on the stern that does not secure properly. The Richardsons ignored his warning about the faulty part. If Coco fell overboard, this broken latch would be a direct cause.
Why does Zara suspect Lamont is hiding something?
Zara notices Lamont stop himself from saying something and dismiss it as “not important.” Later, he deflects by asking if the Richardsons are being questioned, suggesting he may have knowledge about them that he is unwilling to share.