The first chapter begins with Irene Redfield reading a letter from Clare Kendry, a childhood friend. Irene knows who sent the letter without even having to look at the name, and though she does not want to have anything to do with Clare ever again, she is compelled to read the letter. This, in turn, prompts Irene to recall her childhood acquaintance with Clare. Specifically, she remembers how Clare initially seemed unfazed by her father’s death, but then suddenly burst into tears in front of everyone. Clare left to live with aunts after her father’s death, and then disappeared altogether, leaving Chicago behind.

The second chapter explains why Irene is so hesitant to engage with Clare Kendry again by recalling an earlier meeting the two had in Chicago. On a rather hot day in the city, Irene felt faint while shopping. She takes a cab to the Drayton Hotel so that she can cool down with some tea. As Irene sits on the roof of the hotel in an airy café, a couple sitting next to her disrupt her peace. The man leaves, but the beautiful blond woman remains. After a time, Irene notices that the woman is staring intently at her.