At the Plus-One Party in 2017, Connor catches up to Avery. Although she initially refuses to speak with him, she eventually apologizes for how they broke up. Still, Avery cannot help but wonder if Connor’s relationship with Sadie was meant to hurt her personally. Luce emerges from the loft’s bedroom highly upset. Avery assumes she saw her and Parker in the bathroom earlier and begins to explain, but Luce cuts her off, saying, “I have never seen so many liars in one place” (173).

Bianca kicks Avery out of the guesthouse. Avery remembers their confrontation at Sadie’s funeral; they fought over Avery’s involvement in some missing funds, and Bianca accused Avery of letting Sadie take the blame. The missing money also fractured their friendship, and Sadie ignored Avery for nearly a full month. Avery recalls they had only been reconciled for approximately two weeks before Sadie’s death. In the present, Avery temporarily moves into the Sea Rose.

That afternoon, Avery goes to the docks to speak with Connor. The two go out on his boat to avoid Detective Collins. Avery learns that Sadie had asked Connor for a private tour, and they went out to the Horseshoe, a sheltered island with a hidden cove.