Unspeakable Things

Cass is furious at herself for not recognizing what the description of clicking referred to. She is terrified for Gabriel. She rides through town and sees posters with Gabriel’s face on them. There are picketers in front of Mr. Connelly’s house. Cass rides to the playground, where she meets up with Evie. They discuss the case, and Evie tells her that she should go to the police. Cass is afraid to do so because of Bauer. The girls play with dolls. Cass invites her to her birthday party, then heads back to Connelly’s house. She asks him why Clam was in his kitchen; Connelly says he hired him to do yard work.

Cass is excited for her birthday. She and her mom pack up the van full of food for the party at the lake. Cass asks her mom what Bauer was like when they were in high school. Cass tells her mom that she is afraid of her dad, but her mom does not want to hear it. Cass feels unequipped to handle the fear of her father as a predator to other children.

They arrive at the lake. Lynn and her mom are already there. Lynn tells Cass that she should have canceled the party out of respect for Gabriel.