What She Knew

Before dawn on the fourth day of the investigation, Rachel wakes and goes downstairs to check Nicky’s computer. The Facebook comments posted online about her disturb her. Most people have concluded that she’s guilty. Rachel is even more horrified when she comes across a website devoted to her son’s case. The blogger implies that she killed her son and may get away with murder.

Later that morning, Nicky says that they need to go to John’s house to decide on the design for a missing person’s flyer. Reporters dog their steps all the way from Rachel’s house to John’s. Even though Rachel isn’t happy to be there, Katrina shows her Ben’s room. Rachel is astonished. She assumed her son was unhappy staying with John and Katrina, but they went to great pains to make him feel welcome and comfortable. Rachel realizes she took the scraps of information that Ben provided about his visits and wove it into a negative fantasy about a wicked stepmom.

When Rachel and Nicky return home in the afternoon, they notice that somebody has scrawled the message “BAD MOTHER” in orange spray paint on the backyard fence. Rachel is deeply upset by the slander. “I was being persecuted. It was personal, and that was terrifying. And it wasn’t just in cyberspace; it had come to visit me at home” (206). Nicky calls Emma to come over and investigate the vandalism. Emma reassures Rachel that the police are doing everything they can.

The narrative switches to Jim’s experience during Day 4. Given the coverage in the media and online, the police have their hands full. A report by a forensic psychologist suggests the possibility that Rachel may have abducted or killed her son. Jim’s task for the day is to interview a member of a fantasy role-play group who had been gathered near the spot where Ben disappeared. Frasier decides to accompany him, and they bring along a junior detective named Woodley. Their suspect, Edward Fount, refuses to answer any questions unless they come from the Knights of Isthcar—the fantasy kingdom Fount inhabits. 

When the detectives return to headquarters, Fraser conducts an evening briefing. The case has achieved such a high profile that Fraser’s boss has decided to attend. Fraser discusses the stir that Rachel’s media appearance has caused and what the police can do to minimize the damage. She also instructs her team to track down the blogger who launched the website accusing Rachel of the crime.

We were at that stage in a case where it’s taken over: it’s exhausting, it’s addictive, and you can’t get enough of it. Your nerves are frayed and you’re running on adrenaline and caffeine. It’s hard to do anything normal because the case is always in your thoughts. It’s like a drug (222).

The stress of the investigation begins to take a toll on Jim’s relationship with Emma. They’re both too exhausted to spend any time together. Jim persuades Emma to spend the night, but they’re both awakened at three in the morning after Jim has a vivid nightmare. He dreams that he’s found Ben just as the boy is about to launch himself off a high dive platform into an empty pool. Emma confides that she doesn’t quite trust Rachel because she’s so unstable. Jim advises Emma to mention her misgivings to Fraser and to keep a close eye on Rachel.