Chapter Seventeen Summary: Confronting Lauren's Fear

⚠️ 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

The chapter opens the morning after the confrontation with McLean. Nic picks up Jenna and suggests they talk at the animal shelter, where Nic feels calm. They sit in the cat room with Banksy, the one-eyed cat Nic has been visiting. Nic presses Jenna about McLean’s reactions when they mentioned their sisters’ names. Jenna agrees it was creepy, especially how McLean grew quiet at the mention of Jules but was dismissive of Kasey. Jenna notes that a falling out between Kasey and Lauren could explain both Kasey’s odd behavior that summer and the parking-lot argument. Nic struggles to order her memories of that summer—she remembers flashes but cannot sequence them. They decide they need to talk to Lauren again. Nic calls her father to get the Perkinses’ contact information; the conversation is strained, with Nic’s father sounding surprised by her call and failing to ask why she needs the address. After getting the numbers, Nic and Jenna drive to Lauren’s house. Lauren arrives home with her kids and reacts with visible anger and fear, demanding they leave. She says she has two kids and will not put them in any more danger, implying that since Nic reemerged, something frightening has happened. She disappears into the garage, leaving Nic and Jenna to conclude that someone has scared Lauren off from cooperating.

Key Events

Nic and Jenna meet at the animal shelter to discuss the previous night’s events in a calm setting.
They analyze McLean’s distinct reactions to the names Jules and Kasey.
Jenna suggests a possible falling-out between Kasey and Lauren could explain Kasey’s behavior.
Nic calls her father, who gives her Lauren’s parents’ phone number without asking why.
Nic obtains Lauren’s address from Mrs. Perkins.
At Lauren’s house, Lauren reacts with hostility, claiming she won’t put her family in danger.
Lauren refuses to explain what scared her and orders Nic and Jenna to leave.
Nic and Jenna deduce that something occurred in the past week that made Lauren afraid to talk.

Character Development

Nic: Shows growth in her investigative approach—she recognizes the need for a non-confrontational setting and actively seeks help from Jenna. Her strained call with her father reveals her deep loneliness and her father’s grief-driven neglect. Her attachment to Banksy underscores her longing for stability and care.
Jenna: Proves to be a perceptive partner, pointing out the significance of the falling-out theory and noticing that Lauren’s fear is new. She provides emotional support without pushing.
Lauren: Transitions from a cautious but cooperative witness to a frightened woman protecting her family. Her mention of “any more danger” introduces a tangible threat connected to Nic’s investigation.
Nic’s father: His grief is so consuming that he cannot engage with Nic as a living daughter. His failure to ask about her investigation reflects his emotional paralysis.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Memory and Uncertainty: Nic’s struggle to order her memories highlights the unreliability of recollection and the difficulty of piecing together a past trauma. The narrative emphasizes gaps rather than clear answers.
The Animal Shelter as Sanctuary: The cat room represents a safe, controlled space where Nic can process difficult emotions. Banksy, with his physical scars and wariness, mirrors Nic’s own guardedness.
Fear and Danger: Lauren’s fear suggests that the investigation has activated real-world peril. The word “danger” becomes a motif, raising the stakes for Nic and Jenna.
Grief and Distance: The phone call with Nic’s father illustrates how unresolved grief can sever family bonds. Nic’s father is present yet absent, unable to see his surviving daughter.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter marks a turning point in the investigation. The direct confrontation with Lauren reveals that outside forces are actively trying to suppress information about Kasey’s disappearance. The chapter also deepens Nic’s personal arc by showing her strained relationship with her father and her growing bond with Banksy, which hints at her desire for a stable attachment. The unresolved tension around McLean’s behavior and Lauren’s fear propels the story forward.

Study Questions and Answers

Why does Nic choose the animal shelter as the location to talk with Jenna?
Nic associates the shelter, especially the cat room with Banksy, with calmness and safety. She wants to have a serious conversation without the adrenaline of the previous night.
What does the conversation with Nic’s father reveal about his emotional state?
He is so consumed by grief for Kasey that he fails to show interest in Nic’s life or her investigation. He never asks why she needs the Perkinses’ number, and he rarely calls her, indicating emotional withdrawal.
How does Lauren’s reaction change the understanding of the investigation so far?
Lauren’s fear and her statement about “any more danger” imply that someone has threatened her or her family since Nic started asking questions. This suggests that the investigation is touching on something that powerful people want hidden, raising the stakes significantly.