False Witness

Callie is at the local library researching Sidney, Andrew/Trevor’s fiancée, online. She discovers that Sidney got a DUI that requires her to attend AA meetings. Callie goes to Maddy’s soccer practice at Maddy’s school to talk to Walter. She considers telling him the truth about Buddy: “Callie wanted to tell him consequential things, too. Like that Leigh loved him. That she was only fucked up because Callie had made her do terrible things” (258). However, Callie decides against saying anything. Walter asks if Callie wants to meet Maddy; Callie declines and leaves before the soccer practice ends.

As Callie is leaving, she’s accosted by Andrew/Trevor—she recognizes him because he’s wearing Buddy’s gold watch. Andrew/Trevor reveals that he knows who Walter and Maddy are, and implicitly threatens them: “Maddy’s a gorgeous little girl. […] Such a tiny little thing. […] It’s funny, Callie, how Harleigh’s daughter looks so much like you. Like a little dolly” (263). Buddy used to describe Callie using these same words. Callie attacks Andrew/Trevor and is escorted off the grounds by school security.

The book flashes back to summer 2005. Leigh has fled Atlanta for Chicago, where she’s living with Walter. Callie shows up at their apartment. She steals some of their valuables, presumably for drug money, and leaves behind a box with something inside.