34. Search the Shack

Summary

• Joe and Ed, presumably law enforcement officers, arrive at Kya's shack with a search warrant. They notice Kya's extensive collection of items that indicate she is knowledgeable about the marsh and its wildlife.
• They were instructed to search for red-wool clothes that may match the fibers found on Chase's jacket, a diary or calendar marking Kya's locations and activities, a shell necklace, and stubs from night buses. They were instructed to not ruin any of Kya's belongings during the search.
• Joe is distracted by interesting wildlife facts documented by Kya, such as the fact that female birds only have one ovary and that male peacock feathers have grown so large to attract females that the male peacocks can barely fly.
• Joe finds a red wool hat hanging openly among other items on a hook. When compared to the red fibers collected from Chase's jacket, they seem to match in color, size, and thickness.
• Ed plans to send the hat to a lab for further analysis, and if the fibers match those found on Chase's jacket, they will question Kya.
• After a four-hour search, the men conclude for the day, finding the red hat as the only main piece of evidence. Driving back, they discuss Kya's intelligence about wildlife and their surprise at Kya leaving the seemingly incriminating hat in plain sight.