Summary

Chapter 3 begins about two years after Rebecca Shaw’s disappearance. Martin and Ruth Fowler separate, much to Martin’s surprise and dismay. Martin is still unemployed at this time, although he has some prospects for work. Rumors begin to circulate that Liam, James, and Lynsey had become friends with Rebecca Shaw before her disappearance. The police interview them. They say that they hardly knew her. Ruth moves to the town of Harefield and plans to open an organic foods store. Mr. Jackson is still mostly paralyzed from his stroke, and Will helps him with his physiotherapy exercises. James eventually admits to his parents that he and his friends had actually spent a substantial amount of time with Rebecca Shaw. His father has James admit this to the police, but the information is not of much use.

Richard Clark spends more time in town to...