In honor of Thea’s visit, the entire family has a lavish dinner together. Avery notes that Mrs. Laughlin prepares a lavish meal of roast beef. She remains convinced that the Laughlins have something against her: “I couldn’t help feeling like it was pretty revealing that Mrs. Laughlin pulled out all the stops for Thea—but not for me” (208). The dinner takes an awkward turn when Thea proposes a toast to Emily, causing Jameson to leave the room. Avery follows him, but she’s intercepted by Grayson, who reveals that he knows what Jameson and Avery are up to. Grayson has also seen the Red Will and followed the “Westbrook” clue to the bridge, where he saw Jameson and Avery. Grayson warns her yet again: “If you were smart, you’d stay away from Jameson. From the game. From me […] Thea’s right. This family—we destroy everything we touch” (211).

Avery finds Jameson in the Black Wood, punching a tree. He reveals that he skipped school that day because he’s searching the trees in the Black Wood for a clue: “Four middle names. Four location. Four clues—carvings, most likely. Symbols, if the clue on the bridge was infinity; numbers, if it was an eight” (213).