Chapter Thirty-two: The Beginning of the End (?)

Summary

• The chapter draws an analogy between the resolution of a dissonant chord in music and the protagonist's desire for resolution in their life circumstances.
• The protagonist explores the idea of sustained dissonance in their algorithmic programming work, reflecting on the human response to prolonged tension in music.
• Following Eugene's fall and presumed death, the family is in a state of limbo, with ongoing police searches and tips from the public still treating Eugene's father as missing.
• The protagonist engages in futile activities while waiting for news about their father, like scouring blogs and contacting survivors of falls, unable to simply wait passively.
• The possibility of Eugene’s legal charges being dropped creates a tense atmosphere as a virtual meeting with Officer Higashida is scheduled.
• During the meeting, apologies are exchanged for previous misunderstandings, and the validity of Eugene's communication method is discussed and accepted.
• Questions arise about the reliability of Eugene's account due to the timing and authenticity of evidence provided by a recording, sparking worries of a conspiracy.
• Shannon, the family's attorney, defends the legitimacy of Eugene's statement against insinuations of it being too conveniently aligned with the evidence.
• Evidence seems to support Eugene's account, but the discovery that the family had seen a crucial recording prior to the statement raises suspicions.
• John finds Eugene's shorts, in which were papers that might support Eugene's statement; doubts about the authenticity of these papers arise.
• The papers from Eugene’s pocket, once suspect and debated, turn out to contain messages consistent with Eugene's statement.
• Officer Higashida ultimately finds Eugene's account convincing and decides to nullify previous legal actions, offering relief to the family.
• Despite the victory in the meeting, the family feels subdued due to the deeper grief of losing their father, overshadowing the relief from legal threats.
• Shannon encourages the family to take time to process and to find moments of gratitude amidst their grief, honoring the sacrifices made.
• The family shares an emotional moment together, reaffirming their bond and bracing themselves for the future without their father.
• The chapter concludes with a sense of closure on the legal ordeal and a tentative step towards healing and rebuilding as a family.