A Rip in Heaven

Kay breaks it to the family, including Tink and Kathy, that Tom has been arrested. Gene meanwhile arrives with Fabbri at his office, and Kay joins them on the phone for a meeting. Fabbri informs them that if they get a warrant within 24 hours, Tom will likely stay in jail until the trial, which is anywhere from six to 18 months away. Fabbri puts Tom on suicide watch, which affords him his own cell.

The family watches the evening news, which announces Tom as the “alleged murderer” (166). Tink panics and is calmed by her uncle and grandfather. Meanwhile, Gray brags about murdering the two girls at a party in Wentzville when the news report airs, with the other three criminals in attendance. Everybody assumes Gray is joking. Winfrey is upset and goes to the bathroom, where he tells his girlfriend everything that happened. Gray barges in and tells Winfrey to keep it together, that they will never be caught.

Gene arrives at the grandparents’ house to see Kay, Tink, and Kathy, and they cry together. Ginna soon arrives to tell Gene and the others that neither she nor her side of the family believe for a moment that Tom is guilty.