Chapter Seventeen: Logic Chains Gone Wrong

Summary

• The hospital visit ends the siblings' practice of 'mind-meld' communication.
• In the police station, the siblings discover a neighbor's video is evidence in their father's disappearance investigation.
• They analyze the timeline and realize Detective Janus withheld the video from them intentionally.
• The siblings conclude that their brother Eugene is a suspect in the case and worry their lawyer is unprepared.
• They rush to the hearing, further injuring one sibling's ankle.
• They enter what looks like a regular conference room, not the courtroom they expected.
• A young, muscular man is onscreen, an intake officer rather than a judge, who invites them in.
• Mia is questioned about her ankle injury; the narrative implies Eugene may have caused it, but she denies Eugene was to blame.
• A confrontation arises when Detective Janus questions the siblings' conflicting accounts.
• An intense situation unfolds as Eugene's behavior at the park is discussed, and a video is brought into evidence.
• Eugene's reaction to his video contrasts his usual behavior, showing signs of distress and confusion.
• The intake officer decides that due to Eugene's aggression at the park and risk to others, secure placement is necessary.
• Mom panics at the prospect of Eugene's secure placement, while Shannon, the attorney, presents arguments against it.
• The narrative touches on the chasm between legal language dehumanizing Eugene and the emotional reality of the situation.
• Despite arguments, Eugene is ordered to be taken to secure placement until a further hearing.
• As the family tearfully embraces, Eugene remains focused on the waving flag screensaver, possibly oblivious to the events.
• Mia contemplates whether Eugene’s obliviousness to the situation is better than understanding the impending separation.