South of Nowhere

A rainy Wednesday morning in June brings three vehicles across a dangerous levee road near the town of Hinowah, California. The Never Summer river rages unusually high due to torrential rainfall, nearly reaching the top of the levee as the vehicles make their careful journey across the precarious stretch of road.

The first vehicle is a Chevrolet Camaro driven by Fiona Lavelle, a 26-year-old former teacher pursuing her dream of writing a fantasy novel. Behind her is Louis Bell, a 50-year-old drywall worker in his F-150 pickup truck, who's heading to work while enjoying breakfast and music. The third vehicle is a Chevrolet Suburban carrying the Garvey family - George, Sonja, and their children Kim and Travis - who chose this scenic route for their journey home.

At precisely 6:15 AM, disaster strikes as the levee suddenly collapses. Fiona attempts to gun her Camaro to safety, trying to reach the asphalt at the end of the levee. Louis Bell's truck begins to sink into the dissolving ground, leaving him trapped between drowning in his cab or risking death in the rushing waters. The Garvey family's Suburban suffers the worst fate, rolling completely upside down over the edge of the collapsing levee. The chapter ends with Bell making his final decision to roll down his window as the icy waters flood in.

This chapter summary appears to be from an entirely different book and should be replaced with content that continues the levee disaster story established in Chapter 1. The summary should focus on the immediate aftermath of the collapse, the fate of the three vehicles and their occupants (Fiona Lavelle's Camaro, Louis Bell's F-150, and the Garvey family's Suburban), rescue efforts, or the impact on the town of Hinowah. All character introductions and plot elements should relate to the established disaster scenario.

The levee collapse leaves Hanlon Tolifson surveying the disaster from what remains of Route 13. The breach has created a thirty-foot-wide waterfall pouring into a retention pond and spillway, temporarily protecting the town but threatening to overflow. Tolifson, who took on the role of police chief after Hiram Folk's departure, sees this crisis as a test of his leadership and an opportunity to secure the permanent position.

The search for the Garvey family continues, with Tomas Martinez leading a six-person volunteer team along the treacherous riverbanks. The Never Summer River's muddy waters, now twenty to thirty feet deep, make it impossible to see below the surface. Despite Martinez's suggestion to use boats, Tolifson refuses, prioritizing rescuer safety while maintaining hope for finding survivors.

A command post is established at the municipal park, the highest point in town, with Debi Starr, a former teacher turned patrol officer, helping to set up tents and equipment. Marissa Fell, who runs the administrative side of the police department, arrives with communications equipment and reports that the 911 system is operational. The chapter ends with a mysterious figure referred to as 'DRB' criticizing Tolifson's handling of people taking selfies near the breach.

DRB, the disaster response specialist, arrived in Hinowah just 45 minutes after the levee collapse with her associate Eduardo Gutiérrez. Despite her abrasive manner that earns her an unflattering nickname from Tolifson, she quickly takes charge of the situation, demonstrating extensive experience from previous disasters including the Jenkins Canyon blaze and a classified nuclear incident.

DRB initiates a confrontational video call with County Supervisor Prescott Moore, demanding immediate assistance for Hinowah. Moore refuses, prioritizing Fort Pleasant's safety due to its larger population, despite his personal connections to Hinowah through property ownership and business interests.

Meanwhile, Gutiérrez's measurements reveal the levee is dissolving faster than anticipated, leading DRB to call for an immediate evacuation of the entire town. The situation grows more urgent as DRB attempts to implement emergency measures, including a failed attempt to secure explosives from the Redding copper mine to modify the spillway.

She orchestrates a detailed evacuation plan, selecting Hanover College as the evacuation center and arranging for tent deliveries. The chapter ends with DRB instructing Tolifson on the specific details of the evacuation order, including strict limitations on what residents can bring and the legal consequences for non-compliance under Government Code Section 8630.

Responding to the emergency text from earlier, Colter Shaw races his Winnebago toward Hinowah at dangerous speeds, drawing mental parallels between his current driving and his experience in motocross racing. This new Winnebago replaces his previous one, which was destroyed by criminals during an earlier case - marking the third or fourth motor home he's lost in his line of work.

As Shaw drives, he reflects on the nature of his profession as a reward seeker, deliberately eschewing the pretentious term 'rewardist' used by some colleagues. He explains the legal framework of reward-seeking, describing it as a unilateral contract where payment is only due upon successful completion. While most clients pay promptly, Shaw occasionally has to pursue legal action against those who try to renege on their agreements, though he sometimes reduces or waives his fee entirely, much to his accountants' dismay.

Upon arriving at the scene near the Never Summer River, Shaw observes the treacherous conditions firsthand. The raging waters appear more than capable of having swept away the Garvey family's Suburban, and Shaw realizes the enormous challenge ahead of him in locating any survivors beneath the turbulent gray surface. This case represents another type of job Shaw takes on - one without any reward offered - driven purely by his need to solve seemingly impossible problems, a trait that earned him the childhood nickname 'the Restless One.'

Shaw retrieves specialized equipment from his Winnebago to begin his search for the missing Garvey family. He deploys an innovative system consisting of an orange float device and a VidEye drone working in tandem - the float follows the river's current while the drone tracks it from above, using radar and visual sensors to search for submerged vehicles or bodies. Though Shaw acknowledges the system has only an 80% detection rate, it represents his methodical approach to an otherwise impossible search scenario.

Shaw's research into Hinowah reveals its history as a former silver mining town from the 1840s, with most current structures built from wood rather than stone or brick. His analysis of the town's vulnerable position in a bowl-like formation leads him to estimate that a complete levee collapse would create a devastating 10-12 foot wall of water. Drawing from his survivalist knowledge, he considers the various dangers of floods, from drowning to the lethal projectiles created by debris, while observing the ongoing evacuation to Hanover College.

At the command post, Shaw meets with TC McGuire and Tolifson, offering his services free of charge despite Tolifson's initial concerns about payment. The chapter culminates in a surprising revelation when Tolifson warns Shaw about a supposedly difficult blonde woman approaching - who turns out to be Shaw's sister, creating an unexpected moment of connection between the ongoing crisis and Shaw's personal life.

At the command post, Shaw explains his presence to Tolifson and McGuire, revealing that his sister Dorion and Eduardo Gutiérrez had come from a Bay Area conference upon hearing about the disaster. The group, including Debi Starr, discusses the ongoing evacuation efforts while noting the concerning lack of county and state response, as all resources have been diverted to Fort Pleasant despite Hinowah facing the more immediate danger.

The discussion turns to the challenges of evacuation, with Dorion explaining the concept of 'remainers' - people who refuse to leave their homes during disasters for various reasons ranging from obstinance to emotional attachment to possessions. The group also addresses the pressing matter of the submerged Garvey family, with Shaw providing detailed technical analysis of survival possibilities in the submerged Suburban, explaining the crucial distinction between air depletion and carbon dioxide poisoning.

Shaw calculates that the family could potentially survive for around three hours in the vehicle due to its approximate 200 cubic feet of air space, though the situation remains dire due to rising CO2 levels. As the group strategizes rescue efforts, a portion of the levee collapses further, causing a substation explosion that cuts power to part of the town. The chapter concludes with Shaw's drone detecting a possible vehicle roof underwater three miles downstream, prompting him to race off on his Yamaha motorcycle, navigating treacherous conditions to reach the potential rescue site.

Dorion Shaw's professional expertise comes into sharp focus as she analyzes the Hinowah crisis through the lens of historical water disasters. Drawing from her work at Shaw Incident Services, LLC, she examines devastating examples like the 2004 Boxing Day and 2011 Tohoku tsunamis, noting how floods can move at catastrophic speeds with immense destructive power, even at relatively low heights.

Dorion reflects on the story of Tilly Smith, a ten-year-old girl who saved over a hundred lives during the 2004 tsunami in Thailand by recognizing the warning signs and insisting on evacuation. She draws a parallel between Tilly's persistence and her own current situation in Hinowah, where she must similarly advocate strongly for life-saving measures. During a conversation with Tolifson, Dorion shows a softer side, comforting the mayor about his earlier decisions regarding the highway closure, while acknowledging her own reputation for being difficult when lives are at stake.

The chapter culminates with the arrival of the Army Corps of Engineers, represented by Sergeant Tamara Olsen and her team in two black SUVs. After a preliminary assessment of the levee situation, Olsen makes her way to the command post, where she meets with Dorion, Tolifson, and Debi Starr. The chapter ends on a note of hope as Olsen announces they have a battle plan that might save the town, marking the first significant federal response to the crisis.

Sergeant Olsen establishes operations at the command post while Dorion monitors the ongoing evacuation efforts through texts from Eduardo Gutiérrez, who has recruited twelve townspeople to help clear residents from their homes. The situation is complicated by numerous 'remainers' refusing to leave, including patrons at a bar near the levee who mock evacuation orders, prompting Dorion to authorize TC McGuire to arrest the most disruptive individuals.

Dorion and Olsen develop a quick rapport as they discuss the Army Corps of Engineers' extensive authority and capabilities in flood control situations. Olsen reveals her plan to deploy sandbags and Hydroseal, an underwater-drying sealant, to slow the levee's erosion. The two women find common ground in their dedication to disaster response, with Olsen appreciating Dorion's comprehensive evacuation preparations, including arrangements for supplies, medical care, and emergency facilities at Hanover College.

The search for the Garvey family continues, with Martinez reporting back from Fort Pleasant with no sign of the SUV. Dorion shares Colter's analysis of survival possibilities in the submerged vehicle with Olsen, who expresses skepticism about the family's chances of survival. The chapter highlights the contrast between Olsen's pragmatic assessment and Colter's persistent belief that the family might still be alive, reflecting different approaches to the rescue operation.

Trapped beneath the floodwaters in their overturned Suburban, George Garvey assesses their precarious situation with methodical determination. Despite the vehicle's complete submersion, several factors offer hope: no one sustained serious injuries during the rollover, the battery still functions to power their flashers and horn, and they managed to capture several precious minutes of fresh air before sealing themselves inside. The SUV's deep embedding in river mud has created a relatively airtight seal, transforming their metal tomb into a temporary survival chamber.

The fragile calm shatters when Kimberly erupts into hysterical screaming, her panic threatening to consume their limited oxygen supply. George makes a brutal calculation, physically restraining his daughter and silencing her with harsh words that cut deeper than any physical blow. This moment fractures something fundamental between father and daughter, replacing his role as gentle mediator with that of ruthless protector willing to sacrifice emotional bonds for survival.

Working together in desperate cooperation, the family attempts to seal water leaks using nail polish, though the makeshift solution introduces new dangers as chemical fumes fill the confined space. Their situation deteriorates further when gasoline vapors begin infiltrating the cabin, forcing George to cut all electrical power to eliminate any spark risk. Plunged into absolute darkness, the family battles the creeping effects of oxygen deprivation—lightheadedness, mounting anxiety, and waves of nausea—while struggling to maintain calm and conserve their dwindling air supply through controlled, shallow breathing.

Shaw races along Route 13 toward a potential sighting from his drone and float system, which detected a vague discoloration in the water that might be the roof of a submerged vehicle. The urgency of the Garvey family's situation drives him forward as he contemplates various possibilities regarding their fate—whether they might have escaped and be walking along the road, or if his earlier calculations about their oxygen supply proved accurate. The uncertainty gnaws at him, compounded by Martinez's fruitless sweep of the area despite his best efforts.

Dorion's decision to focus resources on evacuation rather than expanding the search team weighs on Shaw's mind, though he acknowledges the logic behind prioritizing the town's safety. After receiving an update from Martinez about the lack of vehicles in the Fort Pleasant area where the Never Summer meets the Little Silver, Shaw arrives at the geotagged location and discovers a path through a shallow stream that leads to the river.

Armed with specialized rescue equipment including a diamond-edged saw, drill, and scuba gear, Shaw makes his way through difficult terrain to reach the suspected vehicle location. His hopes are crushed upon discovering that the metal object in the water is merely an abandoned refrigerator. After texting Martinez and Dorion about the false alarm and receiving updates about the Army engineers' sandbagging efforts, Shaw returns to his motorcycle. The chapter ends with a moment of sudden danger as Shaw hears both a twig snap behind him and the breath of someone preparing to attack him with a weapon.

At the levee site, Dorion Shaw oversees the arrival of Army Corps of Engineers personnel, Corporals Williams and McPherson, who have delivered a massive load of sand and burlap bags for emergency flood control. The military efficiency and presence impress Dorion, who observes their precise protocols and posture while they demonstrate the proper sandbag filling technique. The operation quickly takes shape as local volunteers arrive and naturally organize themselves into an assembly line, with lighter individuals filling bags while stronger ones transport them.

Sergeant Olsen directs the corporals to make the wall four bags wide as she supervises the sandbagging operation. Though Dorion has concerns about the water's force potentially launching the sandbags down the levee's town-side, she defers to Olsen's expertise. The initial results show promise as the sandbag wall begins to hold against the angry, roiling waters that seem to resist their intervention.

Meanwhile, the evacuation efforts continue throughout Hinowah, with Eduardo Gutiérrez reporting an unexpected aid to their cause: online rumors about divine retribution for historical sins during the Silver Rush have convinced some resistant residents to flee. However, Dorion encounters ongoing resistance when she finds a group of residents casually drinking coffee despite the danger, with some explicitly refusing to comply with evacuation orders on anti-government principles. The contrast between those heeding warnings and those defying them highlights the continuing challenges of the evacuation effort.

A sudden attack from a large, bearded man interrupts Shaw's search near the abandoned refrigerator. Drawing on his father's combat training rules, Shaw carefully assesses the situation while dodging strikes from his attacker's shovel. The assailant, whom Shaw mentally nicknames 'Bear,' refuses to explain his motives, only claiming Shaw was trespassing despite being on unmarked land. The confrontation demonstrates Shaw's extensive combat training and strategic thinking as he methodically works to neutralize the threat.

The fight culminates in Shaw successfully subduing Bear using a combination of wrestling techniques and tactical thinking. During a search of his attacker, Shaw notices several oddities: the man carries no ID or car keys, only cash, and wears expensive aftershave that seems incongruous with his appearance. Before Shaw can get more information, he receives another alert from his drone about a possible vehicle sighting, forcing him to let Bear escape when he breaks free and runs.

Following the drone's signal, Shaw arrives at another location along the Never Summer River, only to discover another false lead - this time a Kenmore dryer submerged in the water. Martinez arrives at the scene, and they discuss the possibility of the Garvey family's SUV being hidden in one of the area's numerous caves or old mines. Despite Martinez suggesting they shift from rescue to recovery operations given the time elapsed, Shaw firmly maintains his belief that it's too early to give up on finding survivors.

Dorion Shaw's evacuation efforts in Hinowah continue as she draws from her extensive experience with disaster aftermath. Her stern demeanor, which her family knows is largely a facade, proves effective in convincing residents to evacuate. As she works, she analyzes the town's architecture, noting that newer houses with their thinner materials would likely be more vulnerable to the flood than the older, sturdier structures built with tamarack, cedar, and oak.

During her door-to-door efforts, Dorion discovers fresh footprints near Prescott Moore's abandoned house and observes its ransacked appearance. She continues her evacuation work, encountering a young mother who reveals the town's nickname 'Nowhere' (derived from 'Hi-nowah') and demonstrates the residents' naive trust in their community's safety by not typically locking their doors. Dorion insists on security measures, aware that disasters often attract opportunistic criminals.

The chapter culminates in Dorion's visit to Mrs. Petaluma's ornate two-story log house, which features elaborate decorations and an extensive garden reminiscent of the Shaw family compound. The encounter takes an unexpected turn when Mrs. Petaluma, rather than responding verbally to Dorion's evacuation instructions, reveals an antique Colt Dragoon pistol tucked in her apron, silently but clearly conveying her refusal to leave. The interaction prompts Dorion to make a strategic retreat, demonstrating the challenges faced in evacuation efforts when dealing with resistant residents.

Trapped inside the submerged Suburban, George Garvey faces the horrifying reality of his family's situation as carbon dioxide poisoning begins to take its toll. His thoughts become increasingly scattered as he struggles with oxygen deprivation, experiencing muscle cramps, sweating, and gagging. The empty pill bottle on the floor serves as a grim reminder of his final act - ensuring his wife and children had enough to end their suffering peacefully, though leaving none for himself.

As his consciousness wavers, George torments himself with 'what if' scenarios that could have prevented their presence on the levee at that fatal moment - leaving the rest stop earlier, Kim spending less time deciding on coffee, or setting the alarm differently. He philosophically reflects on the nature of death in storytelling, both real and fictional, considering how death drives narratives forward and prompts reflection on justice and meaning.

In his final moments, George makes peace with his earlier harsh treatment of Kim during her panic attack, silently apologizing as he kisses each family member's head, noting their distinct scents even in the darkness. After drinking a warm beer from their travel supplies, he locates Sonja's dry cleaning, planning to use the plastic wrap to end his own life. His last words to his unconscious family are a simple expression of love and goodbye, though he knows they cannot hear him.

Shaw observes the Army Corps of Engineers' sandbagging operation at Route 13 upon his return to Hinowah, noting its apparent effectiveness despite his skepticism about placing sandbags on a fragile levee. After traversing the increasingly flooded south side of town, he arrives at the command post to report his findings to Tolifson and Debi Starr, confirming that neither his drone surveillance nor physical searches with Martinez yielded any sign of the Garvey family.

Shaw proposes searching the caves along the Never Summer River as a final possibility, but Debi Starr's firsthand knowledge of the caves' limited internal clearance quickly eliminates this option. The failure to locate the family weighs heavily on Shaw, triggering his characteristic sense of responsibility and frustration when unable to complete a mission successfully, even though he recognizes the unreasonableness of these feelings.

The conversation shifts to the ongoing evacuation challenges, with Dorion reporting continued resistance from remainers, including Mrs. Petaluma and her antique Dragoon pistol. The discussion of Mrs. Petaluma leads to revelations about Hinowah's history with the Silver Rush and the displacement of Native peoples, providing context for her steadfast refusal to leave her ancestral property. In a crucial breakthrough, Shaw suddenly realizes that Louis Bell's mirror-based observation of the Garvey family's SUV might have created a reversed perspective, leading him to conclude that the vehicle might actually be trapped in the retaining pond at the base of the levee rather than swept away by the river.

Shaw's insight about the reversed mirror perspective drives him to immediate action at the retention pond beneath the levee. After surveying the murky water, he commandeers a nearby fire truck, overcoming initial resistance from its operator, Buddy, through his authoritative manner and clear expertise in emergency operations.

Drawing from his comprehensive survival training, Shaw demonstrates detailed knowledge of fire truck specifications and capabilities as he coordinates the search effort. He positions the truck strategically and directs Buddy to use the attack line to systematically search the pond, while simultaneously orchestrating the delivery of sandbags from the levee operation. Shaw's methodical approach shows his ability to leverage available resources effectively in crisis situations.

The search effort proves successful when Shaw's theory is validated by both circumstantial evidence - a displaced 'No Fishing' sign that had crossed from the river side - and the actual discovery of a vehicle roof in the pond. The chapter ends with the water supply running low just as Debi Starr spots the vehicle, prompting Shaw to call for a ladder as they transition to the next phase of the rescue operation.

Shaw immediately mobilizes the rescue operation, deploying manual ladders from the fire truck to create a makeshift bridge across the retention pond. He orchestrates the establishment of a sandbag barrier on the Suburban's roof to prevent flooding when cutting an access hole. Working with Buddy, they carefully cut through the roof using a chainsaw while maintaining the integrity of their defensive sandbag wall, creating a controlled access point to the vehicle's interior.

Upon entering the Suburban, Shaw discovers Sonja Garvey and her two children unconscious but alive, having ingeniously used over-the-counter decongestants to minimize their oxygen consumption while trapped. The rescue proceeds methodically, with Shaw prioritizing the children's extraction before helping Sonja, all while battling rising water levels inside the vehicle. The family members begin to regain consciousness during their extraction, though remaining groggy from the medication.

The final rescue focuses on George Garvey, found alive in the rear of the vehicle. Shaw discovers George clutching plastic dry cleaning wrap, revealing his intended sacrifice - planning to end his own life to preserve oxygen for his family, though he passed out before completing the act. After George's extraction, the vehicle completely floods, marking the successful conclusion of the rescue. The family reunites at an ambulance as the rescue team quickly retreats to higher ground, mindful of the continuing threat from the unstable levee.

Shaw and Dorion take brief showers in his Winnebago after the successful Garvey family rescue before returning to monitor the levee situation. The Garveys are examined at County North Medical Center and released without serious injuries, with George offering Shaw free funeral home services as thanks. Meanwhile, Eduardo Gutiérrez reports alarming news about accelerating levee erosion, with several inches lost in the past hour, while attempts to secure helicopter delivery of stabilizing materials remain delayed due to weather.

The discussion turns to Shaw's earlier altercation with 'Bear,' prompting detailed analysis from Debi Starr and Tolifson about potential connections to Gerard Redding's copper mine. Shaw's observation about the attacker's expensive aftershave and lack of identification raises suspicions, with Starr suggesting possible criminal implications. The mysterious assailant's presence adds another layer of complexity to the already tense situation in Hinowah.

The chapter culminates with Shaw sharing critical information with Dorion about their newly discovered half-sister, Margaret. Through a letter found in Ashton's papers, they learn of her mother Sarah's apparent mental instability and paranoid behavior, mirroring their father's own struggles. The siblings analyze various scenarios regarding Margaret's motives for seeking the Compound, estimating a concerning fifty percent chance of hostile intent. Recognizing the potential threat, they decide to bring Mary Dove to Hinowah for her safety, with Dorion confident in her ability to convince their mother to leave the Compound.

Shaw and Dorion devise a plan to handle Mrs. Petaluma's resistance to evacuation by leveraging their mother Mary Dove's Ohlone heritage, which is related to Mrs. Petaluma's Miwok background. This strategy serves a dual purpose - not only might it help convince Mrs. Petaluma to evacuate, but it would also remove Mary Dove from potential danger regarding the Margaret situation.

At the levee, Sergeant Olsen oversees an operation where one of her corporals, wearing a wetsuit and tethered to a tree, investigates the levee's interior for optimal Hydroseal placement. During this time, Shaw and Olsen share a moment of mutual interest, with Shaw noting her non-regulation red nail polish and commanding presence. The evacuation progress remains problematic, with only 70-80% compliance, complicated by residents' skepticism and conspiracy theories about government intervention.

The situation takes a dramatic turn when Shaw makes a crucial discovery while getting coffee with Debi Starr. After smelling explosive residue on Starr's mud-stained sleeve and confirming the same scent on Tolifson's clothing, Shaw realizes the levee collapse wasn't natural - it was deliberately sabotaged. This revelation prompts immediate action as Shaw urgently calls for the removal of Olsen's diver and orders all sandbag workers to retreat from the levee.

Shaw's discovery of explosive residue demands immediate confirmation, leading him to devise an unconventional detection method using bees—a technique drawn from his father's survival training. After determining that Hinowah lacks forensic facilities, he requests mud samples from different sections of the mudslide and, surprisingly, asks for a beekeeper's assistance.

At the Hinowah Motor Inn, Shaw sets up an impromptu explosive detection test while wealthier evacuees shelter in other rooms. News reports show the contrast between Hinowah's dire situation and Fort Pleasant's relatively minor flooding, confirming that Fort Pleasant would benefit from Hinowah's levee failure by having its water diverted. Shaw remains skeptical of Tolifson's terrorism theory, recalling Dorion's company's experience with only one confirmed terror incident in Pittsburgh.

The detection test proves successful when beekeeper Arthur Simmons's insects, conditioned with sugar syrup and gunpowder, demonstrate a clear attraction to explosive residue in the mud samples collected by TC McGuire. This confirmation of sabotage prompts Shaw to recommend immediate contact with federal authorities, though the local officials appear unprepared for such high-level coordination, having never needed to contact the FBI or ATF before.

An extended passage from Fiona Lavelle's fantasy novel introduces her protagonist Arana Braveblade, a 'Somewhat Person' who uses deception to escape from a castle. The novel excerpt demonstrates Fiona's writing style and themes of gender inequality, with Braveblade manipulating guards through a combination of feigned distress and clever planning to gain access to a garden as part of her escape plan.

After surviving the initial levee collapse, Fiona's Camaro became stuck in mud near a gulley at the base of a mountain. Rather than immediately attempting to free herself, she chose to take a three-hour nap and work on incorporating her real-life experience into her novel, reimagining the levee collapse as a magical attack by her story's antagonist, Thamann Hotaks.

The chapter concludes tragically as Fiona attempts to free her car while recording a video for social media. Following instructions from YouTube tutorials, she places floor mats and trunk carpeting under the wheels, but her rescue attempt goes horribly wrong when the car slides sideways over a cliff into the raging floodwaters, with her final moments captured on her recording device.

The bee-based explosive detection test confirms what the team suspected: the levee collapse was deliberate sabotage. At the command post, Sergeant Olsen receives their findings with immediate concern for Corporal McPherson's recent underwater inspection, expressing gratitude to Shaw for getting him out before any potential additional explosives could detonate. The gravity of the situation is tempered by the underwhelming response from federal authorities, as both the FBI and ATF react with skepticism to Tolifson's report, particularly when he mentions the bee-based detection method.

The team explores various theories about the sabotage's purpose, with Olsen suggesting possible extortion motives, though Marissa Fell confirms no ransom demands have been received. Debi Starr proposes investigating potential civil disputes or racial tensions, referencing the film 'Bad Day at Black Rock,' though Tolifson quickly dismisses these possibilities and warns against spreading such rumors about Hinowah.

As the investigation continues, Olsen arranges for bomb curtains to be delivered by helicopter, though weather conditions continue to delay aerial support. The steel mesh curtains would serve dual purposes - protecting against potential additional explosions and slowing erosion. The chapter concludes with Shaw suggesting a direct approach to understanding the situation: identifying and confronting those responsible for the sabotage.

Dorion shares her expertise about disaster-related property schemes with the team, explaining how 'vultures' - opportunistic real estate brokers and speculators - often exploit disaster victims by offering quick cash buyouts for damaged properties at severely reduced prices. She recounts the Yuma Vista fire case in Arizona, where Morgan Developments deliberately started a fire to acquire land for luxury estates, demonstrating that such criminal schemes, while rare, do occur.

The team's investigation leads them to Theodore Gabris, a developer with an ongoing luxury project north of Fort Pleasant. The connection emerges when Shaw recalls his earlier confrontation with 'Bear' occurred in proximity to Gabris's development area. Further research reveals surprisingly little public information about Gabris, with no social media presence and no criminal record in the NCIC database, raising suspicions about his background and potential involvement in the levee sabotage.

The discussion evolves into a theory that Gabris might be targeting Hinowah for expansion, planning to exploit the disaster to acquire property cheaply and then install a reinforced concrete levee as a selling point for future developments. Shaw proposes going undercover as a potential homebuyer to investigate further, with Starr referencing a podcast called 'Undercover Exposé' as they discuss possible approaches to gathering evidence about any connection between Gabris and the sabotage.

Shaw arms himself with his Glock 42 before heading to investigate Theodore Gabris's Windermere Development in Fort Pleasant. During his reconnaissance, Shaw observes that Fort Pleasant's flood defenses are holding against minimal water levels, raising further questions about why resources were diverted there instead of Hinowah.

Posing as potential homebuyer Carter Stone, Shaw meets with Gabris at the development's sales office. Gabris presents as a larger-than-life character with expensive tastes, wearing a Rolex and gold cufflinks while chomping an unlit cigar. During their interaction, Shaw carefully probes for information about the levee collapse and any potential interest in Hinowah property, while maintaining his cover as an interested buyer from Mountain View looking to escape Bay Area prices.

The meeting yields unexpected results as Gabris adamantly warns Shaw away from Hinowah, citing contaminated soil from old mines containing lead, arsenic, and sulfuric acid, as well as pollution from nearby fracking operations. Rather than revealing himself as a potential vulture capitalizing on the disaster, Gabris appears genuinely disinterested in Hinowah property. This leads Shaw to conclude that while Gabris isn't behind the levee sabotage, his information about the contaminated land points to a different motive for the disaster - something valuable enough to kill for.

Mary Dove texts Dorion that she's delayed by a mudslide on Route 44 and will stay at Days Inn overnight. This development raises concerns about Margaret's potential proximity to the Compound, though Dorion reasons the chances of them crossing paths are minimal. Meanwhile, the evacuation efforts continue with moderate success, though several dozen 'remainers' persist in refusing to leave, prompting TC McGuire to resort to handcuffing some resistant residents.

Tony Rossano's investigation into Ashton Shaw's papers yields a disturbing letter from Margaret's mother Sarah, revealing her paranoid state and suggesting potential betrayal by someone close to her. The letter's threatening tone reinforces concerns about Margaret's intentions toward the Shaw family. Dorion arranges with Tony to set up surveillance near the Compound using his wildlife camera, demonstrating increasing worry about Margaret's potential threats.

Following Shaw's investigation of Gabris, the team explores new theories about the levee sabotage. They discover Hinowah is designated as a brownfield due to contamination from mining operations, eliminating Gabris as a suspect. The investigation then shifts to exploring whether American Oil and Gas Extraction Company might have sabotaged the levee to obtain water for fracking operations. However, this theory is quickly dismissed when Eduardo Gutiérrez reveals the company has suspended operations in the area. The chapter concludes with the arrival of a mysterious businessman in a black limousine at the command post.

Howie Katz from GraphSet Chips arrives at the command post with his company's offer of disaster aid to Hinowah. As head of community relations, Katz explains that GraphSet, a specialized graphics-processing chip manufacturer that relocated from Silicon Valley to Fort Pleasant, is prepared to provide cash payments to flood-affected households and arrange low-interest loans for both residences and businesses. His carefully cultivated persona and precise mannerisms, including his meticulous handling of his umbrella, immediately raise suspicions among Shaw and Dorion.

Debi Starr challenges Katz's offer by pointing out the disparity in current emergency response resources between Fort Pleasant and Hinowah, suggesting that immediate aid for evacuation and flood prevention would be more valuable than post-disaster assistance. Katz deflects these requests with practiced corporate diplomacy, claiming such decisions are beyond his authority while emphasizing the inevitable flooding of south Hinowah and the mine area. His behavior becomes more revealing when he returns to his Mercedes, where he undergoes an elaborate shoe-changing ritual that further cements the team's skepticism about his authenticity.

After Katz's departure, the team discusses their growing suspicions about his true motives, with Starr comparing such corporate 'vultures' to historical conflicts like the Hatfields and McCoys. The chapter ends with the investigation seemingly at a dead end regarding the sabotage suspects, though Starr's reference to historical feuds suggests a new avenue of investigation. Meanwhile, Shaw reflects on Silicon Valley's complex nature, acknowledging both its pretentiousness and its undeniable positive impact on the world, while Dorion notes that many disaster response companies specifically plan for inevitable San Andreas Fault earthquakes in the region.

Waylon Foley, the mysterious 'Bear' from Shaw's earlier altercation, positions himself on the south hillside above Hinowah with his spotting scope trained on the command post below. Still smarting from his earlier defeat by Shaw, Foley's internal monologue reveals both his expertise in hunting and a disturbing pleasure in the act of killing.

Following Howie Katz's departure in the limousine, Foley uses his professional-grade spotting scope to surveil the command post, particularly focusing on Shaw, whom he blames for his injuries and soiled clothing from their earlier fight. His detailed knowledge of hunting and military sniper tactics becomes evident as he analyzes the shooting conditions, including precise distance measurements and wind patterns. The levee's deterioration into a 'righteous waterfall' serves as backdrop to his deadly planning.

Despite having his weapon ready in a waterproof case, Foley decides against taking immediate action due to several tactical considerations: the unpredictable storm winds that could affect his shot's accuracy, the presence of armed law enforcement officers who might return fire, and the excessive distance of 332 yards. Most tellingly, Foley's decision to delay is also influenced by his twisted philosophy that postponing violent acts increases their eventual satisfaction, applying this principle equally to 'a shot of whisky, a woman or a kill.'

Following the investigation of GraphSet Chips' suspicious offer, Debi Starr introduces the team to the 'Law of the River' principle, explaining how water rights are allocated based on seniority of usage. This leads to the revelation of a decades-old feud between two local families: the Coynes and the Reddings, who have been fighting over water rights from the Never Summer River for their respective farming and copper mining operations.

The conflict escalated forty years ago during a drought when Ezra Coyne lost four hundred acres of farmland to Henry Redding in a poker game at Butch's, leading to accusations of cheating and an ongoing bitter rivalry between their children, Annie Coyne and Gerard Redding. The feud has manifested in numerous legal disputes, including water smuggling, irrigation trough diversion, and pipeline sabotage, suggesting a possible motive for the levee sabotage - one party might be attempting to flood out the other's operation.

The team theorizes that either Annie or Gerard might have deliberately caused the levee collapse, potentially after building up savings to outlast the other's bankruptcy following the flood. Shaw agrees to investigate both parties under the cover of working with Dorion's disaster response company, while being warned about Bear's possible connection to one of the feuding parties. The chapter concludes with an unexpected interaction between Shaw and Sergeant Olsen, who reveals her romantic interest is actually in Dorion, though she learns Dorion is already married.

Shaw visits Annie Coyne's farm, where he finds her operating a Ditch Witch trencher to create flood defenses around her property. Despite the evacuation order, Coyne remains determined to protect her farm, having already dug multiple trenches and positioned hundreds of sandbags. Her immediate response to the flood threat raises questions about whether she had prior knowledge of the levee sabotage.

Inside Coyne's surprisingly ornate house, decorated in what she calls 'mining town bordello chic,' Shaw discovers photographs revealing her military background, which could potentially connect her to expertise with explosives. Their conversation about the levee situation proves inconclusive regarding her potential involvement, as she carefully sidesteps questions about the timing of her flood preparations while displaying detailed knowledge of the situation, including specific details about the Garvey family's SUV.

The discussion shifts to the broader context of water rights and politics in California, with Coyne explaining how water has become 'the new gold.' She reveals her work in phytoremediation - using plants to remove toxins from soil - and expresses concern about losing her research fields to flooding. While Shaw attempts to determine if she had advance knowledge of the levee collapse, Coyne maintains her position that she began trenching only after hearing about the disaster, ending their meeting with a reminder of farmers' early rising habits that provides a plausible explanation for her quick response.

Shaw arrives at Redding Mining to find a fortress-like facility surrounded by sharp-topped fencing and marked with ominously named mine shafts: Inferno, Hades, and Hell. Unlike Coyne's trenching approach, Redding's crew is engaged in an extensive sandbagging operation, with vehicles strategically positioned for quick escape up Hillside Road if the levee fails completely.

During his conversation with Gerard Redding, Shaw learns that the mine owner had begun preparations the day before the collapse, citing his family's long experience with the Never Summer River and his careful monitoring of weather conditions and snowmelt patterns. Redding's detailed explanation of his preventive measures, while potentially incriminating as foreknowledge, is presented with a plausible rationale based on generations of experience with local weather patterns.

The interaction reveals the deep-seated animosity between Redding and Coyne, with Redding dismissively referring to her as 'the Petticoat Junction girl' and mockingly listing her various accusations against him. The chapter ends with Redding making an unexpected offer of refuge to Shaw if the flood worsens, while also providing insight into Tolifson's conflicted position - wanting evacuations for safety but needing the mine operational to prevent unemployment-related social problems in the county.

Shaw returns to the command post where Debi Starr intercepts him to discuss potential legal actions against Coyne and Redding. Their conversation reveals Shaw's extensive legal knowledge from his childhood studying law books, leading to a personal exchange about their respective family histories. Starr shares her possible relation to outlaw Belle Starr, while Shaw explains the frontier explorer origins of his and his siblings' names, demonstrating how their backgrounds shape their current perspectives.

At the command post, the situation continues to deteriorate as the team observes the levee growing visibly thinner and more fragile. Updates reveal ongoing challenges: GraphSet's Katz hasn't followed up on his offer, bomb curtains remain delayed due to weather conditions, and evacuation efforts face continued resistance from remainers, including Mrs. Petaluma who hasn't responded to Mary Dove's calls. Additional complications arise with reports of children playing in hillside caves, adding to the emergency response team's concerns.

Shaw shares his findings from investigating both Coyne and Redding, largely clearing Coyne of suspicion based on her genuine attachment to her environmental research and the timing of her flood preparations. While Redding's advance preparations initially seem justified by his weather monitoring, Shaw reveals a crucial discovery - he spotted Bear, his attacker from earlier, hiding in one of Redding's buildings, suggesting a connection between Redding's operation and the violent enforcer who attacked Shaw.

Following Shaw's discovery of Bear's connection to Redding's operation, the team begins planning surveillance of the mining facility. TC McGuire, pulled from evacuation duty, agrees to conduct surveillance using his phone's camera. Debi Starr explains they're hoping to capture evidence of Bear and Redding together, along with vehicle information that could help build their case.

The team discusses the legal implications of their investigation, with Starr outlining how photographic evidence of Bear with Redding could support a warrant application. Sergeant Olsen's suggestion that Bear might be ex-military adds another layer to the investigation, particularly regarding potential access to explosives. The conversation reveals TC McGuire's unexpected combination of skills - being both the town's best hunter and someone who codes AI programs with his children.

The strategic planning is interrupted by the arrival of a distressed man in a Lexus SUV. The well-dressed but disheveled man explains that his fiancée, driving a blue Chevy Camaro, was heading to a spa in Fresno and hasn't been heard from since. When Starr mentions the Camaro, it becomes clear that the missing woman is Fiona Lavelle, connecting another thread to the unfolding crisis.

The distressed man in the Lexus SUV identifies himself as John Millwood, searching for his missing fiancée, Fiona Lavelle. Millwood explains that Fiona, who recently left teaching to pursue writing, was traveling from Reno to a spa in Fresno when she disappeared. Despite surviving the initial levee collapse, Fiona never reached Fort Pleasant, as confirmed by Millwood's investigation of gas station surveillance footage at Hadleyville Road.

Shaw, despite having other pressing matters including the evacuation and criminal investigation of Redding, agrees to help search for Fiona without accepting Millwood's offered reward. Drawing from his extensive experience, Shaw conducts a detailed interview with Millwood, gathering specific information about Fiona's vehicle, capabilities, and circumstances. The methodical questioning reveals crucial details about the Camaro's specifications, Fiona's driving abilities, and the resources she had available.

After analyzing the gathered information, Shaw calculates various scenarios for Fiona's disappearance, with the highest probability (over 50%) being that she pulled onto one of the mining or lumber trails to wait out the storm. Other possibilities include skidding off the road into the forest (25%) or various lower-probability scenarios. Despite Shaw's usual rule against allowing reward offerors to accompany him on searches, he agrees to let the desperate Millwood join him in the search, moved by the man's evident distress.

Shaw speeds his motorcycle to the other side of Hinowah, observing the deteriorating levee's ominous presence as he continues the search for Fiona Lavelle. After crossing the spillway bridge and climbing Route 13, he discovers fresh skid marks on the asphalt. Using his forensic knowledge and a tape measure, Shaw confirms the marks match the track dimensions of a Camaro, suggesting they were likely left by Fiona's vehicle during the levee collapse.

John Millwood arrives at the scene, and together they discover evidence that Fiona's car veered off the road onto an overgrown logging trail. The trail descends steeply for about a quarter mile into dark woods, with tire tracks in the mud confirming the Camaro's passage. Despite Shaw's warning to proceed cautiously, Millwood impatiently follows in his Lexus while Shaw trails on his motorcycle, eventually reaching a flat area near Copper Peak.

The search takes a tragic turn when they discover Fiona's Camaro upside down in about six feet of water near a cliff. Evidence suggests she got stuck in mud near the edge and lost control while trying to free the vehicle. Before Shaw can organize a proper rescue attempt with rope from his backpack, Millwood impulsively jumps into the water to reach the car. The current immediately sweeps him away, and his final desperate cries reveal he cannot swim.

The scene shifts to introduce Hire Denton, a rotund demolitions expert working on a mysterious mission near the levee. Despite his comical appearance and peculiar habit of naming his explosives, Denton demonstrates meticulous professionalism in his approach to the job, taking extensive precautions including wearing appropriate gear and disabling all GPS and remote capabilities on his vehicles to avoid detection.

Denton's expertise becomes apparent through his detailed knowledge of various explosives, particularly his favorite 'Charlie' (C-4). His internal monologue reveals an oddly affectionate relationship with his explosives, giving them names like Charlie, Ralphie (RDX), Doreen (dynamite), Nancy (nitroglycerin), Sally (Semtex), and Bob (black powder). His technical knowledge extends to the specific properties and dangers of each type, though he finds humor in C-4's warning label about toxic fumes.

The chapter reveals that Denton is preparing to place additional explosives at the levee site, suggesting the initial collapse was not the end of the saboteurs' plans. His careful preparation, including the use of a two-step authentication process for detonation (similar to banking security measures), indicates a sophisticated operation. The revelation that the town's evacuation serves the perpetrators' purposes - 'You want to empty a town—and leave it free for the pickings—just threaten to flood it to the gills' - adds a new dimension to the ongoing crisis.

Shaw quickly implements rescue protocols learned from his father's wilderness training after witnessing Millwood's impulsive leap into the frigid water following the discovery of Fiona's overturned Camaro. Drawing from his extensive survival experience, he retrieves two hundred feet of orange nylon rope from his backpack and secures it with a bowline knot around a birch tree before entering the water. His methodical approach reflects both his training and experience, including his daily practice of ending showers with cold water to maintain his body's adaptation to extreme temperatures.

Shaw's initial rescue attempt brings him within inches of Millwood, who clings desperately to a rock, but the victim loses his grip before Shaw can secure him. After gathering his rope and sprinting downstream, Shaw locates Millwood at another cluster of rocks, this time facing an even more dangerous situation. The current beneath the surface is pulling Millwood toward an underwater cave entrance, creating a potentially lethal scenario where he could become trapped like a swimmer in a pool drain.

Despite the increasing threat of hypothermia and his cramping hands, Shaw executes a daring rescue, catching Millwood by his wristwatch just as he slips toward the cave entrance. Using the rope as an anchor, Shaw manages to pull them both upstream against the current, eventually finding safety at a tree with exposed roots. After helping Millwood to the bank, Shaw immediately prepares to investigate Fiona's submerged vehicle, demonstrating his commitment to completing the full scope of his mission despite the harrowing rescue.

Shaw methodically investigates Fiona's submerged Camaro despite his own risk of hypothermia, securing himself with rope before searching the vehicle. He finds it empty except for personal items and has a brief encounter with a muskie fish that strikes his face. His thorough search confirms that Fiona is not trapped in the vehicle, leading to questions about her whereabouts.

A crucial breakthrough comes when Shaw discovers Fiona's phone positioned to record video under a rock overhang. The recovered footage reveals that Fiona had been attempting to free her car from mud while recording herself for social media, resulting in the vehicle sliding sideways over the edge. After viewing this evidence, Shaw convinces the distraught Millwood to seek warmth and rest at a motel while he continues the investigation alone.

Following a trail of clues downstream, Shaw discovers a series of Fiona's personal belongings scattered along the water's path, including a makeup bag, clothing items, and a blood-stained windbreaker. His search leads him to a cliff edge overlooking a makeshift waterfall, where he observes a stranded freight train below with three crew members assessing the flood situation. The crew appears oddly unconcerned about the scattered women's clothing in their vicinity, while Shaw notes the conspicuous absence of law enforcement despite Millwood's earlier 911 call - a circumstance he privately welcomes, preferring to work alone.

Waylon Foley positions himself in a rocky outcrop above Misfortune Row, preparing to take action against Shaw. Drawing from his extensive experience as a professional killer, Foley carefully plans to wound rather than kill his target, aiming to create fear and disruption among the emergency response team.

Foley's technical expertise becomes evident through his meticulous consideration of factors like windage, gravity, and bullet dynamics as he prepares for the shot. His disturbing obsession with his craft drives his methodical approach to what he views as another professional assignment.

The chapter culminates in Foley successfully shooting Shaw in the lower calf while the latter checks his phone on a hillside. Rather than immediately departing the scene, Foley lingers to watch his victim through his spotter scope, observing with satisfaction as Shaw attempts to create a tourniquet with his belt. Despite his assignment to only wound Shaw, Foley's final thoughts reveal his indifference to whether the wound proves fatal, suggesting his client would have to do such work personally if they object to potential deaths.

Dorion Shaw maintains her composure while FaceTiming with her daughter Rebecca, who is searching for a missing drawing tablet, even as the sound of Waylon Foley's gunshot echoes in the background. Despite hearing the concerning noise, Dorion focuses on helping her daughters resolve their dispute over the tablet, demonstrating the Shaw family's characteristic ability to compartmentalize crisis situations. The conversation reveals intimate details about Dorion's family life, including Rebecca's artistic talents and her younger daughter Mary's swimming abilities.

The chapter provides deeper insight into Dorion's personal life, introducing her husband William Sharpe, a work-from-home infrastructure engineer whose flexibility enables Dorion's disaster response career. Their modern parenting dynamic and the girls' awareness of their uncle Colter's profession (though notably not their other uncle's military operations) illustrates the delicate balance the Shaw family maintains between their dangerous work and domestic life. The conversation also reveals the children's inheritance of the Shaw family's analytical mindset, with Rebecca even joking about offering a reward to find her tablet.

The domestic scene is abruptly interrupted by an urgent text from Debi Starr requesting Dorion's presence at the County medical center's emergency room. This development, coming immediately after the sound of gunfire, suggests a connection to Shaw's shooting by Foley. Dorion's quick shift from family conversation to emergency response, ending the call with a rushed 'love you,' demonstrates how the Shaw siblings must constantly navigate between their personal lives and professional crises.

An extended passage from Fiona Lavelle's fantasy novel reveals her protagonist Arana Braveblade escaping from a castle using magic and deception. The passage includes Fiona's self-critical notes about word choice and metaphors, demonstrating her dedication to improving her craft despite the challenging circumstances.

Following her escape from the submerged Camaro, Fiona has taken refuge in the abandoned Good Luck and Fortune Mine near Copper Peak. The mine shaft, closed since 1875 after producing significant amounts of silver, serves as her temporary shelter. She has managed to salvage some supplies, including food, drinks, clothing, and first aid equipment, using them to treat a cut on her forearm while continuing to work on her novel despite her precarious situation.

Shaw's tracking leads him to the mine entrance, where Fiona initially prepares to defend herself with a rock. Their tense first encounter reveals Fiona's transformation through her ordeal, as she channels her protagonist Arana Braveblade's strength while contemplating whether she could actually strike an attacker. The situation defuses when Shaw identifies himself and demonstrates his non-threatening intentions, though Fiona maintains her defensive posture until she can verify his identity.

Dorion Shaw calls Eduardo's wife Martina Alonzo to inform her of the shooting, demonstrating her characteristic efficiency by immediately assuring Martina of Eduardo's survival before explaining the circumstances, arranging first-class travel to Fresno, and confirming that highway patrol officers will guard him around the clock.

At the Olechu County Medical Center, located ten miles southwest of Hinowah, Dorion and Tolifson receive an update from a doctor about Eduardo's condition. The surgery reveals that while the hunting rifle round caused significant damage, it missed the bone, and Eduardo is expected to regain most use of his leg with rehabilitation. The doctor's stern warning about how close the shot came to being fatal emphasizes the gravity of the situation.

Concerned by the escalating violence, Dorion questions Tolifson about possible criminal activities in Hinowah, drawing from her extensive experience with hidden political dynamics in disaster zones. Though she ultimately concludes that Tolifson's ignorance stems from naive obliviousness rather than deception, Dorion takes precautionary measures by arming herself with her Glock 42, following her father's rule to never be unprepared for anything. Her growing worry about Shaw's lack of response to her texts suggests further complications ahead.

Shaw confirms his suspicions about Fiona's situation with John Millwood after finding her in the abandoned Good Luck and Fortune Mine. Through their conversation, Shaw reveals how he deduced the truth - from the suspicious skid mark patterns to the deliberately positioned phone recording, all indicating a staged accident. Fiona admits to using the levee collapse as an opportunity to fake her death and escape her abusive relationship with Millwood, who had been tracking her car with hidden AirTags.

Fiona shares the disturbing details of her relationship with Millwood, describing how he isolated her from her teaching career, monitored her constantly, and escalated to physical abuse. She reveals a particularly chilling incident where Millwood deliberately injured himself and called the police, creating a false record of her as an abuser to use against her. Despite her initial hope that her staged death would allow her to escape, Shaw explains why her plan wouldn't work in the modern era of digital surveillance and facial recognition.

Returning to the command post, Shaw updates Dorion and Sergeant Olsen about both Fiona's situation and Eduardo's shooting. The team's discussion is interrupted by Debi Starr, who has made a crucial breakthrough in the investigation. Using forensic techniques, she has matched boot prints from the shooting scene to those at the location of Shaw's earlier encounter with Bear, definitively connecting the two incidents. This evidence allows them to pursue a warrant to investigate Redding's connection to the shooter.

Gerard Redding oversees final flood preparations at his mining facility, where he has constructed a five-foot-high sandbag barrier around the perimeter. After dismissing his workers with cash bonuses, Redding discusses the situation with his operations manager Hugh, revealing their shared contempt for Annie Coyne and satisfaction in keeping her father's lost farmland deliberately unproductive despite its valuable mineral rights.

The chapter provides new insight into Redding's character through his peculiar metaphorical view of his mining operation as Cerberus, the three-headed dog of mythology, with the main yard as the body and the three mine shafts - Hell, Hades, and Inferno - as the necks leading to snarling rock face 'heads.' The interaction between Redding and Hugh reveals subtle undertones of an unspoken attraction, while their conversation about snow days demonstrates the mining industry's heightened awareness of liability issues.

In a shocking turn of events, Redding's inspection of his revolutionary ore-detection robot in the windowless workshop leads to his violent death by explosion. While attempting to dismantle and protect the unpatented device from potential flood damage, a massive fireball approximately ten feet in diameter obliterates the workshop, destroying Redding's body and filling the room with an ominously blood-red mist rather than the typical gray-white fumes associated with plastic explosives. The precise nature of the explosion, which disabled the fire suppression system, suggests careful planning and inside knowledge of the facility.

Hanlon Tolifson attempts to secure investigative support from the California Highway Patrol following Gerard Redding's explosive death at his mining facility. While waiting on hold with Captain Diego Rivera, Tolifson reflects on his performance during the crisis, giving himself a solid B and confirming his desire to become Hinowah's permanent police chief. His self-assessment reveals both his ambitions and his romanticized view of law enforcement, complete with references to Clint Eastwood and Yellowstone.

The situation at the command post grows increasingly complex as the team manages multiple crises: the ongoing flood threat, Eduardo Gutiérrez's shooting, Fiona Lavelle's situation (which Shaw cryptically assures is resolved), and now Redding's death. Hugh Davies, the mining company's operations manager, describes the scene in Workshop One as 'unimaginable,' with his emotional response suggesting a particularly gruesome death. When CHP estimates a five to six hour response time for investigators, the delay threatens to compromise the investigation.

Dorion Shaw demonstrates her tactical expertise by manipulating Captain Rivera into granting local authority to investigate the scene. By fabricating pressure from non-existent reporters and suggesting potential media criticism of the delayed response, she successfully secures permission for the local team to begin their investigation. The chapter concludes with Shaw offering his demolition investigation expertise to Tolifson, who reluctantly agrees to 'stand down' for the good of the case, marking a significant shift in the investigation's direction.

Shaw arrives at the mining facility to investigate the scene, where he finds Debi Starr interviewing a distraught Hugh Davies. Davies's emotional description of Redding's remains emphasizes the devastating power of the explosion, which transformed the victim's body beyond recognition. Starr, drawing from her experience with highway fatalities, provides Davies with contact information for trauma counselors while gathering preliminary information about the incident.

The investigation reveals several crucial details about the explosion. Shaw identifies the explosive as C-4, contradicting Redding's earlier claim that no explosives were stored on site. Davies confirms this through a call to their demolition contractor, who exclusively uses gel explosives, but mentions an unrelated theft of four kilos of C-4 from a Seattle land-mine manufacturer three days prior. The team discovers footprints near the workshop that could match Bear's size, with a security camera potentially having captured the perpetrator's movements.

As the investigation proceeds, Shaw prepares to enter the workshop to retrieve the security camera's hard drive, despite Tolifson's concerns about additional explosive devices. Shaw calculates only a fifteen percent chance of secondary devices, explaining that the original explosive was likely triggered by something Redding touched, stepped on, or sat in, rather than being on a timer. The revelation that Redding was working on an invention using blank rifle shells for ore detection adds another layer of complexity to the case, though Shaw dismisses this as the cause of the explosion.

Shaw enters the workshop to investigate the scene, drawing on his experience of mentally distancing himself when confronting gruesome situations. His methodical approach, which he describes as 'floating above' the horror, allows him to analyze the scene professionally while maintaining emotional distance, a skill developed from years of discovering deceased victims during his reward-seeking career.

Debi Starr joins Shaw in documenting the scene, revealing her own experience with gruesome traffic accidents and demonstrating a similar professional detachment. Together, they conduct a careful investigation of the workshop, discovering that the explosive device was hidden in Redding's desk drawer and triggered by a sophisticated dual-circuit cell phone detonator, indicating professional expertise in the bombing.

The investigation takes a crucial turn when they discover a damaged file cabinet that had been deliberately moved next to the bomb. After carefully checking for booby traps, they retrieve a hidden envelope taped to the underside of a drawer. The documents inside reveal the identity of those responsible for the levee sabotage and confirm that further collapse of the Hinowah levee is imminent, adding urgency to their investigation.

Shaw and the team examine documents recovered from the mining facility, uncovering the true motive behind the levee sabotage - lithium deposits. The documents reveal that Redding had developed a machine capable of detecting underground ore deposits and discovered that Hinowah sits atop valuable lithium reserves. His plan involved deliberately flooding the town to force evacuations, then purchasing the land cheaply to establish lithium extraction operations through surface-level mining and evaporation ponds.

The investigation takes a complex turn as the team realizes Redding's death likely came at the hands of a lithium-mining cartel that wanted to eliminate competition. The discovery that the assay company is based in the British West Indies suggests involvement from less reputable organizations. The team theorizes that Bear, initially believed to be working for Redding, may have been hired by the cartel or switched allegiances to the highest bidder, indicating that the threat to the levee remains active despite Redding's death.

Surveillance footage from the mining facility shows Bear planting the explosive device that killed Redding, confirming his role in the murder and revealing his escape route through Annie Coyne's farm. Meanwhile, Tony Rossano contacts Shaw and Dorion with disturbing news about their half-sister Margaret's mother Sarah, sharing a letter that reveals her increasing paranoia and, most alarmingly, her purchase of a firearm from Eddy Street. This new information suggests that Margaret may have inherited both her mother's resentment toward the Shaw family and potentially a weapon, adding another layer of threat to the ongoing crisis.

Shaw visits Annie Coyne's farm to investigate Bear's escape route after the bombing. Upon arriving, he observes the extensive network of trenches Coyne has dug for flood protection, drawing a mental parallel to World War I battlefields. Shaw informs Coyne about Redding's death and the true motive behind the levee sabotage, revealing the presence of valuable lithium deposits beneath Hinowah and the possibility of rival mining interests continuing the plot despite Redding's death.

Shaw and Coyne work together to investigate the area where Bear likely parked his vehicle after the bombing. Using flashlights and careful observation, they discover tire tracks from what appears to be a pickup truck, though the prints lack sufficient detail for precise identification. During their investigation, Coyne reveals concerning information about major companies in Fort Pleasant, including a bottled water operation that's depleting local aquifers, adding another layer to the region's complex water rights issues.

The chapter culminates in an unexpected romantic development between Shaw and Coyne. Their shared investigation leads to a discussion about water rights, farming challenges, and the increasing scarcity of water resources across American rivers. The professional dynamic shifts to personal as they return to Coyne's Victorian-styled home, where their mutual attraction culminates in an intimate encounter, marking a significant change in their relationship dynamic.

Shaw and Annie Coyne's professional relationship evolves into an intimate encounter at her Victorian farmhouse. Their morning-after conversation reveals details about Coyne's previous relationship with Danny, an environmental science teacher from Fort Pleasant, whose belongings still occupy a corner of her bedroom. The discussion highlights Coyne's preference for farming over the academic lifestyle Danny offered, demonstrating her deep connection to the land and ability to 'read' crops.

The intimate moment is interrupted when Shaw detects an approaching vehicle. His tactical response, including checking his weapon and assessing defensive positions, reveals his constant vigilance even in seemingly safe situations. When Shaw receives an urgent text from Debi Starr warning him not to touch his weapon, the tension escalates as he and Coyne await the unknown threat.

The chapter concludes with a shocking revelation as Starr, Tolifson, and TC McGuire execute a coordinated tactical assault on Coyne's house, arresting her for Gerard Redding's murder. The professional manner of the arrest, combined with Starr's evident regret, suggests a well-planned operation based on substantial evidence, throwing into question everything Shaw believed about Coyne's involvement in the ongoing crisis.

The confrontation at Annie Coyne's farmhouse reveals the evidence against her for Gerard Redding's murder. Debi Starr presents surveillance footage showing Bear accessing an envelope under the seat of Coyne's Jeep at the post office, which they interpret as a payment exchange. Shaw, recognizing potential flaws in this theory, remains silent as he observes the interrogation, while Coyne vehemently denies any involvement.

The investigation team presents additional evidence, including lithium samples from a chemical supply company shipped to Coyne's address and matching those mentioned in Redding's assay reports. The authorities theorize that Coyne orchestrated Redding's murder and the levee sabotage as part of an elaborate scheme to reclaim her father's lost four hundred acres of land, suggesting she could withstand the flooding due to her extensive trench network while forcing Redding's estate to settle under financial pressure.

As the interrogation continues, the team reveals their belief that Coyne knew Bear from shared military service overseas, though she responds with disgust to this accusation. When questioned about additional bombs and Bear's location, Coyne invokes her Fifth Amendment rights. The chapter concludes with Starr noting that Coyne's plan would have succeeded if not for two factors: Shaw's involvement and the honeybees used to detect explosives, suggesting a complex web of evidence that may not be as straightforward as it appears.

TC McGuire issues a BOLO for Bear, emphasizing his connection to a capital murder case to attract attention, despite California's current moratorium on executions. At the command post, Debi Starr shows Sergeant Olsen photographs from the workshop explosion, leading to a technical discussion about the amount of C-4 used in both Redding's murder and the levee sabotage. The analysis reveals that more than two kilos of explosives remain available to the perpetrators, enough to cause catastrophic damage to the lower section of the levee.

The situation intensifies when Mary Dove arrives at the command post in her F-150, equipped with a Winchester .308 and a Ruger .22 carbine. Her arrival coincides with preparations to deploy bomb curtains from incoming Army Corps helicopters, though weather continues to delay aerial support. The team discusses the remaining evacuation challenges, particularly Mrs. Petaluma's resistance, with Mary Dove offering insights about Indigenous communication and the concept of 'allinik liwwap' - 'white people talking' - explaining why previous evacuation attempts have failed.

The chapter concludes with several parallel developments: Mary Dove attempts to contact Mrs. Petaluma in both Indigenous languages and English, the team discusses other remaining evacuees including drug dealers and survivalists, and Shaw receives a mysterious text message that prompts him to recruit TC McGuire for a computer-related task. Meanwhile, Annie Coyne's transport van arrives at the command post, parking nearby and adding tension to the scene as Shaw continues to wrestle with doubts about her guilt.

Waylon Foley conducts surveillance at the River View Motel outside Fort Pleasant, where he observes Sergeant Tamara Olsen arriving in a black Expedition with government plates. The motel's dilapidated condition and unsavory surroundings provide a stark contrast to its scenic view of the raging Never Summer River, which Foley estimates is flowing at about forty miles per hour.

Foley carefully assesses the area before approaching, noting his vulnerable position as a wanted suspect seen both in person and on surveillance footage. His tactical analysis reveals a relatively deserted location bordered by a defunct service station and self-storage facility, with local law enforcement distracted by both the manhunt for him and the ongoing levee crisis.

The chapter concludes with a shocking revelation as 'Sergeant Tamara Olsen' is exposed as Alisette Lark, revealing her identity as an impostor involved in the conspiracy. The intimate encounter between Foley and Lark demonstrates their pre-existing relationship and suggests a deeper level of coordination in the plot against Hinowah, casting doubt on all previous interactions involving the supposed Army Corps of Engineers sergeant.

John Millwood leaves his motel room to resume searching for Fiona, now armed with the knowledge that she's alive. His discovery comes from a conversation with a volunteer worker who reported seeing someone matching Fiona's description carrying gym bags near Copper Peak, suggesting she had deliberately staged the car accident. This revelation triggers both elation at her survival and intense rage at her deception.

Millwood's internal monologue reveals disturbing depths of his controlling and abusive nature as he searches the woods. He reflects on past manipulative behaviors, including forcing Fiona to acquire a taste for Irish whiskey and installing spy cameras to monitor her computer passwords. His obsession with control extends to viewing all their shared finances as his property, despite Fiona having purchased and made payments on the Camaro herself.

As Millwood continues his search, his thoughts turn to potential punishments for Fiona's attempted escape, eventually settling on the idea of intentionally blinding her to make her completely dependent on him. His disturbing plans are interrupted by the discovery of Fiona's footprints in the mud, which he identifies by their size. Though the tracks disappear, suggesting someone may have deliberately obscured them, Millwood remains determined to continue his pursuit.

At the River View Motel, Waylon Foley and Alisette Lark discuss the ongoing operation in Hinowah after their intimate encounter. Foley's background is revealed through his reflections about his luxurious life in Key West, complete with a villa near Hemingway's house and a loyal employee named Rodrigo who brings him Cuban coffee and guava pastries. The chapter provides insight into Foley's character, showing how he quickly loses interest in sexual encounters, preferring to think about hunting and violence.

Lark reports on her attempts to manipulate the investigation by feigning romantic interest in Dorion through conversations with Shaw. Their discussion reveals the elaborate nature of their plot: two explosive charges were planned - the first to frighten residents away, followed by Lark and fake Army Corps personnel arriving to monitor the situation before a second charge would completely destroy the levee. When Shaw discovered the sabotage, they implemented their contingency plan of framing Gerard Redding for a lithium mining scheme, followed by framing Annie Coyne.

The chapter reveals how Foley and Lark's partnership began when they coincidentally targeted the same Boston businessman - she for a crypto scam and he for assassination. Impressed by her intelligence and comfort with violence, Foley began hiring her regularly for undercover work. The chapter concludes with Foley preparing for the operation's final phases: destroying the levee with remaining explosives and killing Annie Coyne to prevent her from convincing authorities of her innocence. Lark's thorough preparation is evidenced by her study of flood plain management and Army manuals, though her deception about Hydroseal's effectiveness was nearly exposed by Dorion.

Millwood tracks Fiona's footprints through the muddy terrain near Copper Peak, observing her attempts to obscure the trail with makeshift brooms made of branches and leaves. His internal thoughts during the pursuit reveal increasingly disturbing fantasies about punishing Fiona, though he temporarily dismisses his earlier plan to blind her as impractical due to the burden of caring for her afterward.

The tracking leads him to an abandoned mine entrance about fifty feet up a rocky trail. Despite initial misdirection from finding old condoms and cigarette butts suggesting local teenage activity, he confirms Fiona's presence by recognizing her perfume - the same brand his mother wears and which he had pressured Fiona into using through passive-aggressive manipulation.

The confrontation in the mine reveals Fiona has created a makeshift camp, complete with supplies and a battery-powered LED reading light, where she continues working on her writing. When Millwood announces his presence, Fiona attempts to escape but is violently pushed back by her abuser. The chapter ends with a chilling exchange where Millwood dismisses Fiona's pleas and declarations that she doesn't love him, responding with the ominous assertion that she'll 'get there' if she tries harder.

Millwood's internal monologue reveals the depths of his delusional thinking as he 'forgives' Fiona for attempting to escape him in the abandoned mine. His twisted perspective becomes apparent through his invented word 'confluential' and his disturbing interpretation of their relationship, including his belief that she should be grateful for his 'generous' forgiveness. Throughout their confrontation, he alternates between offering rewards like stops at Denny's and making veiled threats, while dismissing her clear statements of wanting to leave him.

The situation escalates when Millwood reveals more disturbing aspects of his abuse, including his admission to drilling holes in bathroom walls to spy on Fiona and his casual mention of an affair with Sophie from his accounting department. His warped logic equates Fiona's knowledge of his infidelity with jealousy and therefore proof of her love, demonstrating the manipulative mental gymnastics he uses to maintain control over her.

The confrontation reaches its climax when Shaw arrives at the mine entrance, having tracked Millwood's SUV. Despite Shaw's attempt to draw his weapon, Millwood manages to disarm him in a brief struggle. The chapter concludes with Millwood's calculated decision to shoot Shaw, planning to claim self-defense and threatening to harm Fiona's family if she contradicts his story. His final action of pulling the trigger, illuminating the dark mine with muzzle flash, leaves Shaw's fate uncertain.

Shaw's careful preparation pays off when Millwood's trigger pull results in nothing more than a flash - the ammunition had been secretly stripped of its slugs, leaving only primer caps to maintain the appearance of live rounds. Shaw quickly disarms the stunned Millwood and replaces the fake magazine with real ammunition, then prepares to restrain him despite protests about citizen arrests being illegal. Shaw secretly hopes Millwood will resist and provide an excuse for physical confrontation.

The ensuing fight proves disappointingly brief for Shaw, as Millwood's prowess at domestic abuse fails to translate into effective combat against a trained opponent. After a quick takedown that leaves Millwood gasping for air, Shaw reveals that the entire confrontation was carefully orchestrated and recorded via a hidden phone livestreaming to TC McGuire. The setup included paying both a motel clerk to alert Shaw when Millwood left and a volunteer to direct him toward the mine, ensuring the abuser's actions would be documented.

Debi Starr arrives to take Millwood into custody, confirming they have evidence of battery, menacing, brandishing, and attempted murder - the latter charge possible in California even with an unloaded weapon if the attacker believes it's real. Fiona, praised for her acting in helping to trap Millwood, explains that Shaw had convinced her that simply hiding wouldn't be enough to stop a sociopath like her former fiancé. Despite Millwood's protests of entrapment, Starr prepares to process him through the sheriff's office until county intake reopens, though the team's attention must quickly return to the ongoing levee crisis.

Shaw and Dorion visit Annie Coyne in the transport van to discuss her framing for Redding's murder. Their conversation reveals the sophisticated nature of the setup, with the perpetrators having planned everything around the predicted snowmelt flooding, including planting fake lithium documents and samples in Coyne's barn. Coyne attempts to help by calling her worker Manuel in Spanish to inquire about any suspicious vehicles seen near her property in recent days.

The interaction between Shaw and Coyne becomes briefly personal when she attempts to address their intimate encounter from the previous night, but Shaw deflects by formally introducing his sister Dorion. When the discussion turns to bail money, Shaw offers to loan it to Coyne despite her property being heavily mortgaged, demonstrating his belief in her innocence and growing personal investment in her situation.

Meanwhile, Waylon Foley drives through the nearly deserted streets of Hinowah, observing the few remaining residents and late evacuees. After parking in a concealed location near the command post, he conducts surveillance of the transport van containing Coyne. Upon seeing Shaw and Dorion leave the van unguarded, Foley prepares to execute his plan to eliminate Coyne, retrieving a three-gallon container of gasoline after determining that the bulletproof van's lack of windows makes shooting impossible.

Following Millwood's arrest, Shaw and Dorion join Fiona Lavelle at the command post, where she discusses her future plans and her fantasy novel about a spell-caster fighting against an evil king. Fiona's sister-in-law is en route from Nevada to collect her, marking the end of her ordeal. During their conversation, Shaw reflects on different forms of survival, drawing parallels between wilderness survival and Fiona's elaborate escape from abuse.

The situation at the levee grows increasingly dire as Dorion confirms continued snowmelt is contributing to its deterioration. Mary Dove's absence raises concern when she's spotted driving to Mrs. Petaluma's house, having finally convinced the resistant resident to evacuate. Despite the risks of the unstable levee, Shaw and Dorion can only watch as their mother attempts this last-minute rescue, knowing she's made her own calculated decision about the danger.

The chapter reaches a critical turning point when Fiona mentions seeing 'Bear' in an SUV during the initial levee collapse, revealing that the supposed Army Corps of Engineers team, including Sergeant Olsen and the corporals, were present before the disaster began. This revelation exposes them as imposters planning to detonate the remaining explosives. As the team realizes they've been infiltrated by the saboteurs, Debi Starr urgently attempts to contact county authorities for backup, while Shaw predicts an imminent confrontation with the armed imposters.

Shaw realizes that Annie Coyne must be eliminated by the conspirators to complete their frame-up, as her survival would allow her to provide alibis and counter-evidence against the charges. Racing to the transport van where Coyne is being held, Shaw encounters Bear attempting to pour gasoline around the vehicle. Despite Shaw and Debi Starr's attempts to stop him, Bear manages to ignite the fuel, creating a wall of flames that prevents them from reaching the van while he escapes.

Quick thinking leads Starr to drive the van away from the flames, allowing them to rescue Coyne before she suffocates. The situation escalates into a full firefight as Bear flees in his F-150 while the fake Army Corps team provides covering fire. Starr demonstrates exceptional marksmanship, disabling the imposters' vehicles with precise shots, while Shaw assists in the exchange. Bear returns fire with a hunting rifle, forcing them to take cover and time their movements between his three-shot reloading cycles.

As the standoff intensifies, Shaw and Starr realize the conspirators' likely strategy - they plan to detonate the remaining explosives in the levee, forcing the team to break cover to save the remainers, including Mary Dove and Mrs. Petaluma who are dangerously close to the flood zone. Meanwhile, Hire Denton sits in his Jeep a quarter mile from the levee, preparing to detonate the explosives after receiving the 'Go message' from his boss. Denton's careful preparation includes a two-step authentication process for detonation, with the passcode being his frequently used Wendy's phone number.

Hire Denton's preparation to detonate the remaining explosives triggers intense gunfire around Mary Dove Shaw and Mrs. Petaluma's position near the levee. The two women take cover behind Mary Dove's pickup truck as shots are exchanged between the command post area and a group of black SUVs, with a hunting rifle providing additional fire from the trees. Despite the dangerous situation, Mrs. Petaluma maintains her composure, though her eyes betray both concern and anger at having her carefully ordered life disrupted.

The firefight is suddenly interrupted by powerful explosions that tear through the midsection of the Hinowah levee, creating a massive U-shaped breach from top to bottom. As Mary Dove watches the structure collapse, she accepts their seemingly inevitable fate with remarkable calm, even taking a moment to fondly remember Ashton Shaw's peculiar wisdom about shark attacks. Unable to spot her children for a final glimpse, she prepares herself for the impact of the approaching wall of water.

In an unexpected turn of events, the flood threat dissipates almost immediately as the water level dramatically drops from ten feet to mere inches. Mary Dove quickly realizes that a second explosion has occurred upstream, causing a rockfall that created an impromptu dam in the narrow notch where the Never Summer River flows north of Hinowah. This fortunate development effectively cuts off the water flow before it can reach the town, though the reprieve is short-lived as gunfire quickly resumes.

Dorion's contingency plan unfolds as the levee explosion triggers her counter-strategy. Having anticipated this move, she had hired Hire Denton earlier in the day to plant five kilos of C-4 upstream, creating an avalanche that would dam the river before it reached Hinowah. When the conspirators detonated their explosives, Dorion's plan worked perfectly, redirecting the water to flood only abandoned fields and swampland until proper repairs could be made.

An intense firefight erupts as Bear, Olsen, and the corporals attempt to escape. Debi Starr demonstrates exceptional marksmanship but eventually runs out of ammunition, while Tolifson proves ineffective with an unloaded weapon. The situation becomes dire when Bear's shot hits a gas tank, forcing Dorion into an exposed position. After Dorion empties her pistol without hitting Bear, the situation appears hopeless as the team runs out of ammunition.

The confrontation reaches its climax when Mary Dove makes a dramatic intervention with her Winchester .308, first shooting Bear's rifle out of his hands before delivering a fatal shot when he reaches for his pistol. This show of force prompts Olsen and the corporals to surrender, believing they're surrounded by SWAT teams rather than a single skilled markswoman. The chapter concludes with Mary Dove and Mrs. Petaluma collecting trout from a mudslide puddle, planning to cook dinner for the family - demonstrating Mary Dove's philosophy that one should never miss a chance to share a meal with loved ones.

The real Army Corps of Engineers arrives, led by Sergeant Ordell Balboa, who inspects Dorion's improvised dam solution following the levee explosion and gunfight. Balboa is impressed by the work of explosives expert Hire Denton and offers to keep the unauthorized demolition out of his official report, while also requesting Denton's contact information for future projects. The team learns that the temporary dam will hold until a new levee can be constructed, though Shaw notes with annoyance that his Winnebago sustained bullet damage during the firefight.

The investigation shifts to the command post, where Debi Starr has meticulously documented the crime scene using playing cards to mark bullet locations due to limited police resources. The FBI is en route, and the Olechu County Sheriff's Office has finally taken the situation seriously, deploying crime scene teams to multiple locations. The group convenes at the Public Safety building, where Marissa Fell provides detailed intelligence on the perpetrators: Waylon Foley's history as a mercenary, Alisette Lark's background in adult films and fraud, and the true identities of the fake corporals L. Williams and R. McPherson as small-time criminals L. Brown and Devon Smith respectively.

The team begins theorizing about potential masterminds behind the plot, focusing on two primary suspects: GraphSet Chips and Olechu Springs bottled water company. Annie Coyne provides crucial insight about water pollution and aquifer contamination, suggesting that diverting the Never Summer River could protect Fort Pleasant's water supply from contamination. The chapter concludes with Debi Starr requesting Shaw's assistance in interrogating Alisette Lark, believing her romantic connection to the deceased Foley might yield information about their employer.

Shaw interrogates Alisette Lark about the mastermind behind the levee plot. In the interrogation room, Lark's demeanor shifts dramatically from her earlier persona, revealing her true, huskier voice and more cynical attitude. Shaw immediately establishes his knowledge of her background, noting she isn't military despite her understanding of chain-of-command structures, and positions her as a 'sergeant' to Waylon Foley's 'general' in their operation.

Lark maintains that Foley kept strict 'insulation' between operatives and clients, claiming she never met or learned anything about their employer. She explains their communication method relied on burner phones, which Foley would break and dispose of in various locations. Shaw observes her body language closely, noting the differences between her deceptive baseline from earlier encounters and her current behavior, leading him to believe she's being mostly truthful about her ignorance of the mastermind's identity.

The interrogation takes a crucial turn when Shaw offers an unexpected deal - while he can't help with her prison sentence, he offers to investigate something from her past. Drawing from information about her early marriage and divorce, Shaw deduces she might have given up a child for adoption. He promises to find information about her child's current life, though with strict limitations to protect their privacy. This personal approach proves successful, as Lark agrees to draw a map showing where Foley might have disposed of his most recent burner phone, despite warning that it would be broken in half.

Shaw, Mary Dove, and Annie Coyne leave the Public Safety Office together while Dorion visits Eduardo Gutiérrez and his wife at the hospital. Shaw observes the fallen levee area, where Hire Denton's improvised dam continues to hold effectively, with Army engineers conducting surveys of the damaged area. Throughout this time, Shaw mentally prepares for the difficult conversation he and Dorion must have with Mary Dove about their newly discovered half-sister, contemplating various approaches to breaking the news about Ashton's secret.

While considering his lodging options for the night - either his bullet-damaged Winnebago or Annie Coyne's Victorian farmhouse - the group is interrupted by Myron Nash, an attorney representing the Redding Mining Company. Nash presents a newly discovered territorial document from 1848 that had been hidden in the workshop walls and revealed by the explosion. The document proves that the Redding Mining Company's water rights to the Never Summer River predate the Coyne family's claims.

The revelation devastates Annie Coyne, who confirms that her ancestors hadn't arrived in the area until June 1848, several months after the Redding claim was established. This discovery effectively means she will lose all water rights during drought periods, potentially destroying her farming operation. The chapter ends with Annie requesting solitude to process this devastating news, which threatens to undo her entire livelihood despite her earlier victory over the false murder charges.

Shaw, Debi Starr, and TC McGuire search behind the River View Motel where the conspirators had been staying, hoping to find Foley's discarded burner phone. The area proves challenging to search, filled with debris including beer cans, toys, auto parts, and various trash, despite a prominent No Dumping sign. Using Lark's map and wearing crime scene booties and latex gloves, they methodically search the area where Foley reportedly disposed of the phone.

During the search, Starr proposes a new theory about the motivation behind the levee plot, suggesting that anti-bottled water activists might be targeting Olechu Springs, believing the company draws water from the Never Summer River. However, after consulting Shaw's tablet map, they discover the river doesn't flow near the bottling company, effectively disproving this theory. The investigation takes a promising turn when McGuire locates the broken flip phone among the debris.

The team then discusses how to proceed with analyzing the phone's contents without involving Sheriff Barrett, whom they worry might slow down the investigation with bureaucratic procedures. Starr demonstrates her political acumen by suggesting they can bypass the sheriff initially but allow him to share credit once they get results. The chapter concludes with a discussion of the technical challenges ahead, with McGuire explaining that accessing the phone's contents could take anywhere from ten seconds to 'a hundred thousand years,' depending on the password protection used.

Shaw and Debi Starr meet at Maureen's bar and grill in Fort Pleasant to execute the next phase of their plan. While Shaw satisfies his hunger with a hamburger, demonstrating his father's practical wisdom about taking sustenance when possible, they discuss the unusual sophistication of their adversaries, with Shaw noting that most contract killers are far less competent than Foley and Lark's operation.

The investigation reaches a crucial turning point when the sheriff's technical team successfully extracts a phone number from Foley's broken device. Starr, McGuire, and Shaw coordinate their positions in the restaurant, waiting for the right moment to approach their target. When Starr calls the extracted number, it rings directly to a phone in Theodore Gabris's pocket, confirming his role as the mastermind behind the levee plot.

The arrest unfolds swiftly as Starr draws her weapon while McGuire, wearing latex gloves, seizes Gabris's phone before he can destroy any evidence. Gabris's reaction shifts from shock to indignation as he realizes 'Mr. Stone,' his potential home buyer from Silicon Valley, was actually Shaw working undercover. The chapter concludes with Shaw assisting in Gabris's arrest, drawing from his experience with handcuffs - mostly, he notes ironically, from being on the receiving end.

Following Gabris's arrest, Shaw, Starr, and Tolifson meet with Sheriff Barrett and County Supervisor Prescott Moore to explain their actions. Starr defends their quick arrest of Gabris, explaining how they traced the connection through Foley's burner phone and orchestrated the takedown at the restaurant. During the meeting, Moore reveals that the recent intrusion into his house was actually his teenage son Josh, who is still grieving his mother's death, clearing Moore of any suspicion in the levee plot.

The investigation's breakthrough is fully explained as Shaw details how he connected Gabris to the crime through the railroad tracks near his development. The elaborate scheme involved using empty tanker cars disguised with oil company logos to collect water from the levee breach, which would then be pumped into aquifers beneath Gabris's housing development. This explains why Gabris purchased cheap land without water - he planned to artificially fill the aquifers and sell the houses at a premium before escaping the country, a scheme he may have repeated in other developments across California and Arizona.

After the meeting, Shaw confronts Tolifson about his intention to become permanent police chief, strongly advising against it. Despite Tolifson's resistance and mischaracterization of Debi Starr as 'cute' and good with coffee, Shaw argues that Starr is a natural law enforcement officer who deserves the position. The chapter concludes with an urgent text from Dorion revealing that their half-sister Margaret may have discovered Mary Dove's location through a note left at the Compound, adding a new threat to the already complex situation.

Shaw arrives at Mrs. Petaluma's house to find Mary Dove, Dorion, and Annie Coyne already gathered there in a scene of domestic comfort. Mary Dove cooks fresh fish while Mrs. Petaluma shells peas from her hothouse garden, though tension underlies the pleasant atmosphere as Shaw and Dorion discuss Tony's warning text about Margaret. At least their mother is armed with her Ruger, they note.

During dinner, Shaw explains how they caught Gabris through his careless use of the same phone for days, unlike Foley who changed burner phones every six hours. The investigation has revealed a possible connection to Calexico, near the All-American Canal, suggesting broader implications for water control in California. The discovery that Gabris's scheme might extend beyond Hinowah to potentially affect billions of dollars worth of agricultural products draws the interest of both the FBI and Homeland Security.

The evening takes an unexpected turn when Mary Dove receives a text from her lawyer, Barry Grossman, leading to a Zoom call that reveals a solution to Annie Coyne's water rights crisis. Through his paralegal's research, Grossman discovered that Mrs. Petaluma's Miwok ancestors had documented water rights to the Never Summer River dating back to 1841, predating both the Coyne and Redding claims. Mrs. Petaluma, upon learning of her superior water rights, immediately offers to share the water with Annie Coyne, ensuring the farm's survival. The emotional scene concludes with Mrs. Petaluma's practical return to hosting duties, offering peach and rhubarb pie as if the momentous legal revelation were simply another part of the evening's dinner conversation.

Shaw ensures Mary Dove and Dorion's safety by helping them relocate to a new motel under false pretenses, with Dorion using cash and a fake domestic abuse story to secure a room. Upon returning to his bullet-damaged Winnebago, Shaw finds a playful fake traffic ticket from Debi Starr, leading to a meaningful conversation about her future career plans. During their meeting, Starr reveals she's declining the police chief position, having secretly planned to move to San Francisco to become a detective, while Tolifson has removed himself from consideration for the role.

Shaw attempts to pursue a potential relationship with Annie Coyne, calling to suggest meeting for a beer. However, her carefully worded response about having someone over to deal with 'clothes that got left' makes it clear she's reuniting with her former partner Danny, leading Shaw to recognize their brief connection has reached its end. Their final conversation is marked by genuine gratitude for his help but an underlying acknowledgment that their paths will diverge.

The chapter culminates in a tense moment when Shaw arrives at the new motel and spots a blue SUV with Oregon plates matching the vehicle Tony had seen at the Compound. Fearing Margaret has tracked them down, Shaw rushes to the motel room prepared for confrontation. However, the scene inside reveals a surprising twist - rather than a threat, he finds Mary Dove and Dorion calmly sitting with an older woman who is introduced as Margaret Evans, his half-sister, transforming a moment of potential danger into an unexpected family reunion.

Shaw joins Margaret, Mary Dove, and Dorion for drinks at the motel, where Margaret finally reveals her true identity. Rather than being Ashton Shaw's secret daughter from an affair, she is actually Sarah, an older journalist whom Ashton legally adopted to prevent her deportation after her husband Robert was murdered by a foreign intelligence agency. The adoption story explains the mysterious school admission letter, which referred to Margaret's teaching position rather than her enrollment as a student.

Margaret explains how she and Robert met Ashton and Mary Dove while guest lecturing at Berkeley, where they collaborated on research about totalitarian movements and corporate involvement in fascism. After Robert's murder while investigating a supposedly humanitarian organization, Margaret faced deportation until Ashton's adoption plan saved her. She changed her name from Sarah to Margaret in honor of Margarete Momma, the world's first woman political journalist, and went underground with a new identity.

The meeting culminates with Margaret revealing her true purpose in seeking out Shaw - she needs his help tracking down an assassin known as 'the Bookkeeper,' who works for a Belgian chocolate company that runs misinformation campaigns. This assassin, who killed Robert and at least seven others, has been assigned to murder someone in the United States within the next month. Shaw immediately agrees to take the case without discussing the reward, and Margaret provides him with details about a safe house in New York City. The chapter ends with Shaw preparing to leave at first light, contemplating whether New York will prove to be his most dangerous destination yet.