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Summary

PART VI: Survival (continued)

Judyta, August 1975: Day Two–Tracy, August 1975: Day Three 

Judyta, August 1975: Day Two 

Search teams find beer bottles at Hunt Mountain’s observer tower, all of which have John Paul McLellan Jr.’s fingerprints on them. An anonymous tip confirms he’s been staying near the Van Laar preserve all summer and in Self-Reliance for the centennial celebration. Investigators suspect Barbara had been sneaking out each night to see him, considering she’s been keeping her boyfriend’s identity a secret. But McClellan, with the help of his lawyer father, shifts suspicion onto Louise, claiming she disposed of evidence for him. He also names Lee Towson as a potential suspect. 

Despite the growing case against him, Judy notes that John Paul remains unaffected, as his wealth and connections protect him. Meanwhile, Louise sits in a jail cell. That night, exhausted and humiliated from the day’s events, Judy pulls off the road to sleep. When she wakes up, she realizes she forgot to lock her doors. She is too tired and too far from home, so she checks into a motel (The Alcott Family Inn) and calls her mother. Her mother is relieved to know she is safe but is worried about her not coming home.  

Judyta, August 1975: Day Three 

Judy wakes up feeling disoriented, as she’s still wearing her uniform from the day before.  She hears a knock at the door, and she answers nervously. The man introduces himself as Bob Alcott, the co-owner of the inn. He reveals that he was one of the investigators on the Bear Van Laar case. When he asks to come in, Judy refuses, but Bob insists that he might have useful information about Bear. He knows she is a detective only because she introduced herself as one to his wife when checking in.  

Louise, August 1975: Day Three 

Louise remains at Wells Station, awaiting transfer. She assumes she will be taken to a prison near Rochester. In her mind, she envisions Barbara in the woods, and hopes she is still alive. She mentally reconstructs every detail of Camp Emerson and realizes that it has become her home. She wishes that Jesse could experience camp, too. Lost in thought, she is startled when a voice calls out—surprisingly, someone has posted bail for her. 

Tracy, August 1975: Day Three 

Alone in her father’s rental in Saratoga Springs, Tracy struggles to focus and is unable to shake the memory of Barbara. She replays their last conversations, hoping they will reveal a clue. One moment resurfaces, and the narrative flashes back to the week before Barbara disappears, just after their return from the Survival Trip. 

In early August, while still at camp, Barbara impulsively leads Tracy away toward a secret location. As they walk, Barbara vents about her family’s upcoming party, mocking the artists and intellectuals in attendance. Tracy follows her without question, exhilarated by Barbara’s recklessness. 

They eventually reach an elegant estate—Barbara’s home, also known as Self-Reliance. Going inside unnoticed, Barbara moves slyly and raids the kitchen for food. Suddenly, they hear voices echoing from a hallway, and Barbara shoves Tracy into a broom closet. From the darkness, Tracy hears a woman’s voice whispering a single name—Peter—followed by footsteps and silence. 

When Barbara finally lets her out, she carries a paper bag, but when Tracy asks what is inside, Barbara dismisses the question. They leave the house and walk toward the beach, where Barbara’s anger erupts: her bedroom has been repainted pink. To her, it is proof that her parents want to erase her from their life. That night, in their cabin, Tracy asks Barbara again what’s in the bag, and Barbara plays dumb, responding, “What bag?” 

Back in the present, Tracy has a breakthrough moment, realizing whatever Barbara took from that house might be the key to her disappearance. 

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