40. Cypress Cove

Summary

• The chapter takes place in 1970 in a court case conducted by Judge Sims.
• The prosecutor, Eric, calls on the first witness, Mr. Rodney Horn, a retired mechanic known in the community, to testify.
• Horn describes an incident that occurred on August 30, 1969, while he was fishing near Cypress Cove with his friend Denny Smith.
• They overheard a commotion that involved a man and a woman arguing. Next, they witnessed the woman repeatedly kicking the man.
• Rodney identified the woman as the defendant, Kya, whom he referred to as "the Marsh Girl", to the disapproval of the judge.
• Rodney also identified the man Kya was assaulting as Chase Andrews, the local former quarterback.
• According to Rodney, Kya was partially undressed during the incident and seemed to be struggling. As she fled in her boat, she shouted at Chase that she would kill him if he harassed her again.
• Tom, the defense attorney, questioned Rodney, suggesting that Kya was defending herself from a potential attack by Chase rather than instigating violence.
• Eric, however, reiterated Rodney's testimony that Kya had directly threatened Chase's life during their altercation.