Hollow Fires

Safiya, Asma, and Usman discuss how the recent racist activity in their community is tied to Nietzsche, which connects to Nate. Asma warns that they may be falling victim to confirmation bias, believing Nate is guilty because they want him to be guilty, not because of facts. Usman points out that the kidnappers asked for a ransom, but Nate is wealthy and wouldn’t need the money. Safiya hears a twig break, smells incense, and hears the whisper again: “Help, Safiya. Help me” (180).

Jawad celebrates because he was able to communicate with Safiya by breaking the twig and calling out to her. He’s scared for her, because “the truth can be scary. And now the scary truth is so, so close to her” (181).

Asma, who loves true crime documentaries, texts Safiya a list of 10 pieces of advice for working on a cold case.