2. July 22, 2021

Summary

• Zoom technology has vastly improved since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Holly Gibney is attending a Zoom funeral for a close person and is self-conscious about her appearance and emotions, choosing to block her video.
• Holly receives a phone call from Barbara Robinson, a friend offering emotional support, and discussing the pandemic, vaccinations, and Trump's political influence.
• Holly reminisces about her late Uncle Henry and her mother, Charlotte, detailing Charlotte's refusal to take COVID-19 precautions and subsequent death due to the virus.
• Holly struggles with guilt and complicated feelings regarding her difficult relationship with her mother.
• Holly receives multiple voicemails from Penelope Dahl about her missing daughter, Bonnie, and debates whether to take the case during her period of grief.
• Despite her grief, Holly is drawn into the mystery of Bonnie's disappearance and listens to all of Penelope's messages.
• Holly calls Pete Huntley, her business partner, to discuss the case and learns he has a mild case of COVID-19.
• Pete shares his suspicions that COVID-19 did not emerge naturally and advises Holly to take a break until August.
• Holly initially decides not to pursue the case, instead focusing on making herself a comforting meal.
• Despite intending to take a break, Holly eventually calls Penelope Dahl back and arranges a meeting to discuss the case.
• Holly's addiction to cigarettes underscores the stress of meeting new clients and dealing with challenging cases.
• The chapter closes with Holly reflecting on her motivations to solve the case of Bonnie Dahl and seeking distraction from her mother's death.