10. Just Grass in the Wind

Summary

• The chapter is set in 1969 and centers around a sheriff investigating a potential murder scene in a sandy area, hoping to find traces left by anyone driving in that area.
• As they walk, they note that the shifting sand is not preserving any useful evidence such as tire treads.
• In a muddy area close by, they observed various animal tracks, but still found no sign of human activity.
• One of the officers, Joe, spots a possible vehicular tread in the prints, but the sheriff dismisses it as deer tracks on turkey prints that give it a geometric semblance.
• Deciding to expand their search area, the Sheriff suggests they check a nearby bay for signs of boat activity.
• Again, despite numerous prints of animals like crabs, herons, and pipers, they find no human footprints or any other man-made signs.
• Joe points out a large semi-circular pattern in the sand that he surmises could be caused by a boat pulled ashore but the Sheriff counters again, saying it's likely due to wind-blown grass.
• The chapter ends with an observation that the beach is covered in shells from various sea-animals which are described as the 'best secret-keepers of all.'