Early the next morning, Gray sits in the same room where Tom was interrogated. Gray admits to his role in the rape of the Kerry sisters but denies any knowledge of how the girls fell in the river. The police tape his confession of the rapes. They also have a taped confession from Clemons. Both Gray and Clemons have incriminated Richardson and Winfrey as well.

The Cummins family reluctantly packs up to return to Gaithersburg. A squad car is nearby, as the police have assigned a protective duty to the family after all the bad press. Gene reflects on how much Tom has matured in the last few days. Ginna arrives to say goodbye and to ask the Cummins their advice on songs for the funeral. The kids marvel at Ginna’s ability to be a comforting figure to them even as her own life has been devastated. Ginna remembers that Robin always knew she would die young; she had asked Ginna to have a funeral with bright colors and happy music. The Cummins family leaves, passing over the New Chain of Rocks Bridge, which runs parallel to the old one where Julie and Robin were lost.

Two detectives search the house of Robert Troncalli, a friend of Gray’s, looking for Tom’s stolen watch.