Early Saturday, Radar erupts in a fierce alarm at the backyard shed. Howard Bowditch straps on an old revolver, unlocks the shed, and goes inside. Two muffled shots follow. He emerges shaken and bleeding from a leg wound, takes whiskey and painkillers, and orders Charlie not to enter the shed or speak of it. He hints the truth is complicated and binds Charlie to secrecy.

Over the weekend, Radar weakens while Bowditch struggles but rallies. On Tuesday during chemistry class, Bowditch calls Charlie: he’s having a heart attack and instructs him to remember the lawyer, Leon Braddock, and to retrieve a wallet and other items from under the bed. Charlie calls 911, races to the house, and finds signs of the collapse. Under the bed he discovers a gun on a concho belt, a keyring, a black wallet, and a cassette recorder with a tape, then stows them in the safe amid the gold.

Melissa Wilcox soon calls to say Bowditch died en route to the hospital. Charlie comforts Radar, queries Melissa about an autopsy (none) and ID for the death certificate, and calls Braddock, who confirms arrangements. Charlie brings Radar home to his father, George. Together they examine the wallet’s contents: silver certificates, a Social Security card, a young Bowditch photo on an American Woodsman’s Association card, and a likely fake Illinois driver’s license—“burial insurance,” George says, to enable official ID.

On Thursday, Reverend Alice Parker conducts a brief service; attendees include Charlie, George, Melissa, Mrs. Althea Richland, lawyer Braddock, and Radar, who howls as the coffin lowers. Afterward, Braddock reveals the will: Bowditch leaves Charlie the house, its contents, the land (high six-figure value), a stored car, and Radar, with probate to follow.

At home, George urges selling the valuable property to secure college costs, while Charlie hesitates, tied to the house and its secrets. When Charlie returns to fetch clothes, he finds the gate ajar and the kitchen door splintered around the lock: someone has broken into Number 1 Sycamore, escalating the threat surrounding Bowditch’s mysteries.