The judge is ready to deliver his verdict, and Civil, Mace, and Mrs. Williams return to the courthouse. Civil explains the possible rulings to them, and Mace points out the ruling cannot fix anything that happened. Mrs. Williams reminds him that they went to Washington to make sure what happened to the girls won’t happen to others.

As they wade through a sea of reporters, Mrs. Williams is the only one who responds to their questions. The nurses and the new director of the clinic are already at the courthouse, and Civil notices a warmth in the new director’s eyes. The Ralseys are there, but Civil does not see Ty. Mace tells her no matter what, she did a good thing. She suddenly sees Mace in a different light, realizing he is “real” (304) and that she should not “play around” (304) with him.

The judge reads the verdict, siding with Lou and their case. He denies the defendants motion to dismiss and grants Lou’s motion for a summary judgment. Everyone congratulates Civil and tells her she has done a good thing.

As Civil and the Williamses are leaving the courthouse, Ty approaches and tells them Erica is missing. Civil hears Lou telling the reporters that justice was served in the verdict, as she and the others leave to search for Erica.