8. Negative Data

Summary

• Sheriff Ed Jackson and Deputy Joe Purdue escort Chase's widow, Pearl, and his parents, Patti Love and Sam, to view Chase's body at the morgue. Both women are overwhelmed by grief.
• Later in the Sheriff's office, the two comment on the grief of the situation and the impact they anticipate it will have on Chase's father, Sam.
• Four days later, Joe brings the results of the first lab reports to the Sheriff's office. It reveals the time of Chase's death but there's no clear or positive evidence to go on - no fingerprints or footprints on the scene of the death.
• The two hypothesize that the scene may have been cleaned or Chase's body may have been moved post-mortem. However, there's no evidence of tire tracks either, which challenges the latter possibility. They resolve to revisit the scene in case they missed anything.
• Ed concludes that Chase's death wasn't accidental. They agree that whoever covered up the scene must have been skilled.
• On their way to the fire tower, they stop by the Barkley Cove Diner. The diner is buzzing with townsfolk who are discussing Chase's death and speculating about potential suspects, which include Lamar Sands and a woman living in the marsh.
• Overwhelmed with the gossip, Ed suggests that they pick up food and leave quickly without getting involved in the conversations about the death.