Gifford Knox is a writer and environmental activist. Known for a series of books that feature the same protagonist, Gifford enjoys mainstream success. He hates developers and spends his time and money supporting land preservation. He’s Bruce’s friend, and they meet to discuss the development plans and Mercer’s work. Gifford immediately asks how they can stop Tidal Breeze, and Bruce asks him to galvanize environmental groups. Gifford recalls how Bruce helped him develop the main character in his books and agrees to help. Later, they go to Bruce’s bookstore to have lunch with Bruce’s literary friends, and Gifford rants about his activism. The group discusses Dark Isle’s notorious stories of people’s disappearances. Gifford declares that he doesn’t believe in “ghosts and spirits” (90), but Bruce is reluctant to visit the island.

Mercer expects that Lovely will agree to start working on the book. They arrange a meeting in the church at The Docks. Lovely arrives dressed like an “African queen” and tells Mercer she doesn’t understand why she wants to author the book. Mercer responds that she’s fascinated by people’s history and wants to connect the past to the present. She explains the prospect of a book deal.