Every Last Secret

The narrative returns to June, three months prior to the day Neena is questioned by the detective. The Winthorpes and the Ryders are sitting at the pool inside the country club. Neena is worried about William and Matt talking to other women at the pool. Cat, frustrated by Neena’s worries, is reassured that everyone knows William is married and thus off-limits. Matt, though, is new, and the single women at the pool won’t care that he isn’t as handsome as William. Cat knows that Matt’s red guest wristband will deter other women because it is “a giant ‘Not Rich Enough to be Here’ red flag” (77). Although pretending to be unconcerned, Cat notices Neena checking out William at the pool.

It’s one week later. Neena goes to the Winthorpes to ask if William can come over—there’s a bird stuck in the Ryders’ house, and Matt, a developer, is away on a job site. William helps Neena free the bird, and the two have a seemingly casual conversation. Neena tells William she enjoys running and asks if Cat runs; William says no but admits that he goes running frequently (which she already knew from her own observation).