A Sea of Unspoken Things

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of graphic violence, animal cruelty and death, sexual content, emotional abuse, and death.

Micah agrees to accompany James to Trentham Gorge. Since he is out guiding the next day, however, James uses the time to sort through more of Johnny’s project notes. She does so from a table in the diner to access its Wi-Fi, and at one point, she has a startlingly realistic vision of Johnny sitting at the next booth. James sorts through Johnny’s email, finding one from Josie that read: “Stop, or I’ll report you to CAS” (106). She wonders about this and, from her own email ID, sends Josie a message asking to meet. She copies Quinn on it so that it will look more official. 

Later, Rhett Walker comes in. He warns her to keep her dog away from his property line while he’s processing his venison. He seems menacing, and Sadie warns James to steer clear of him. James knows that Rhett never accepted their version of events about the night his son Griffin died. She, Johnny, and Micah had all told the same story to the ranger, but Rhett didn’t believe them. Ben brings her a plate of food, and she observes that he seems nervous around her.