Pete Banning wakes one morning in early October of 1946 and finally accepts the fact that it is time for “the killing.” He can’t go on with his life until the deed is done; to avoid it would be cowardice. He considers the effect it will have on his children: It will cause them pain, but they will recover and go on to live long and successful lives. Pete knows he will probably be executed, but his land will go on and support his family forever.

He goes to visit his sister, Florry, but tells her nothing about his plan to commit a murder later in the day. Returning home, he writes a letter to his wife, who is living in an institution after having a mental health crisis, the cause of which only Pete understands. It has never been explained to anyone else in the family.

Pete drives into town and parks behind the Methodist Church. Entering the office of Pastor Dexter Bell, he tells the pastor that although he has killed a lot of men, Pastor Bell is the only coward among them. Pastor Bell protests, “If it’s about Liza, I can explain” (12).