Part 2 Chapter 18 Summary

Two and a half days after Clement disappears without word—and leaving his cars behind—Theresa is worried. Sheriff Kuhtz is blasé. Imogene, who is staying at the house, keeps Ruth abreast of rumors (there are few facts). Mention of Clement's missing heart pills makes Ruth suspicious of the box. Ruth figures that Amanda is with Clement in the boat and wonders if she has him hidden somewhere on the farm. Learning that Imogene is staying at the house, Amanda insists that Ruth forge a letter on the letterhead that she has fished out of the trash. Amanda's language seems unnatural, but Ruth writes as dictated: Arthur has fallen in love with another and wants not to hurt Imogene. It would be wrong not to let her find someone who will truly love her. He asks Ruth's advice. Ruth...