Frank opens Chapter 23 by saying that “Knowing was far worse than not knowing,” in regard to Ariel’s fate (181). Ariel’s body is transported to van Der Waal’s funeral home. Frank says that “an awful hush settled over [the Drum] house”; Frank sobs at times, but Jake’s response is anger, which “spilled out at everyone and everything but it seemed especially directed at God” (183). Jake begins to refuse to pray, and the two brothers cease to get along.

Frank also admits he’s refused to accept the fact that Ariel was murdered, a possibility that Jake views as fact. In retrospect, Frank is able to view his incorrect belief more clearly: “Looking back now, it’s easy to see what I was really afraid of. Which was that if Ariel’s death wasn’t accidental, then I had let the man most probably responsible for [her murder] get away” (184).

Gus takes Frank and Jake on a motorcycle ride, then to Halderson’s drugstore, to get root beers. Officer Doyle arrives and informs Frank, Jake and Gus that the coroner believes Ariel was murdered. Doyle is sure Redstone did it; Frank voices that he thinks Redstone is innocent, with Doyle responding that his next choice for culprit would be

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