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Summary

PART III: When Lost (continued)

Louise: August 1975: Day One—Alice: August 1975: Day One 

 Louise: August 1975: Day One

Denny Hayes steps into Louise’s interrogation room and drops a paper bag on the table. Until this moment, Louise had assumed that Annabel would confess, since she didn’t seem strong enough to lie. The lingering smell of yesterday’s vomit makes her gag. Hayes catches her off guard with his next words—Annabel “confessed” that the paper bag belongs to Louise. The realization hits: rich kids like Annabel always find a way out and pin the blame on people like her. 

Hayes asks Louise to recount her night, but she deflects, telling him to ask Annabel instead. He empties the bag, revealing a beer bottle, the end of a joint, and a bag of white powder. Louise stares in disbelief, shocked that she is being framed. Hayes tells her she might want to talk to the lawyer she claimed to have. As they walk toward the main house, Louise panics but tries to stay calm. She plans to ask John Paul for help, but when she tells Hayes she knows someone inside, he looks skeptical.  

A woman answers the door and goes to get John Paul for Louise, but instead, she gets Mr. McLellan. He doesn’t even recognize Louise, a reminder of the fact that John Paul has kept her separate from his life, despite the fact that they’re engaged. She tells him that she knows John Paul and needs his help, but his response confuses her once again: John Paul is gone. 

Louise admits they fought the night before, that he threatened her, and that a friend stepped in before things got worse. If John Paul is missing too, that makes her one of the last people to have seen him. In combination with Barbara’s disappearance, things are starting to look bad for Louise. Mr. McLellan walks away just as the police move in, and Louise knows what’s happening—they’re arresting her for drugs that aren’t even hers. The lies and the unfairness of it all weigh heavy on Louise.  

Tracy: August 1975: Day One 

Still lost in the woods, Tracy spots a silent figure in the distance and regrets not wearing her glasses. She calls out, but the figure only raises a finger to their lips before gesturing for her to follow. The silver hair is the only detail she can make out, and against all logic and the warning in her head, she follows. 

For twenty minutes, she trails behind, unsure if the person is leading her to safety or danger. Suddenly, she recognizes where she is, pointing toward Self-Reliance. 

Judyta: August 1975: Day One  

Judy observes Hayes as he prepares to take Louise to the station, where he hopes to get more information from her. He speaks to Judy in a condescending tone, calling her "honey," and assures her he won’t be gone long. Captain LaRochelle from Albany and other BCI agents are on their way, a request made by the Van Laars. Judy and Hayes agree that Louise’s claim that Mr. McLellan is a family friend seems unlikely, given that he didn’t recognize her. The Van Laars will only speak to LaRochelle, the same investigator who worked on Bear’s case, and no other agents.  

Judy heads outside and runs into the young Italian woman, who admits that early that morning, a man arrived at the house in terrible condition, badly beaten and bleeding. She assumes it was John Paul, given Mr. McClellan’s similar account, but when Judy searched the house, she found John Paul missing. It’s revealed that John Paul was extremely drunk last night, reeking of liquor, and that he drives a blue Trans Am. 

Louise: August 1985: Day One 

As Hayes drives Louise to Wells Station, he tries to engage in lighthearted conversation about his life, but she remains silent. Upon arriving at the station, Hayes allows her a phone call. She hesitates to reach out to her mother, but she has no one else to call. She remembers past distressing calls to her mother and is filled with disappointment.   

When her younger brother, Jesse, answers, he reveals that their mother is sick and has not left her room for a while. Louise instructs him to buy food on her account rather than their mother's. She emphasizes that he cannot go hungry and suggests buying cheap bread and cheese for now. Jessie agrees but hesitantly asks why she called in the first place. Before she can answer, their time runs out, and the operator disconnects the call. Despite her own predicament, Louise prioritizes her brother’s well-being, using the little time she has to ensure he has something to eat. 

After the call, Louise turns to Hayes, hoping for some understanding, as he is familiar with her mother’s behavior. However, she despises being pitied. Hayes meets her gaze and asks if she is all right. She responds that she is not—she has been accused and arrested for something she did not do.  

Alice: August 1975: Day One 

Alice listens intently as she hears a young girl’s voice calling out. She soon realizes it is not Barbara, as she would recognize her voice. Peter notices her distress and informs her that another girl has been found—Barbara’s bunkmate, Tracy. Alice inquires whether anyone has spoken to the girl, and Peter tells her that Captain LaRochelle will be the only one handling communications. Alice wants to speak to Tracy, but Peter quickly dismisses the idea, deciding that the girl is too upset. Instead, he insists that Alice go to bed, framing her exhaustion as an excuse to keep her from speaking with the captain. Peter’s command highlights the control he exerts over Alice, making it clear that she has little influence over her own actions. Left with no choice, she contemplates taking the pills Dr. Lewis prescribed for difficult days. 

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