Part 3: Chapters 16-17 Summary

In chapter 16, Susie goes to Ken Helm, the local handyman, to order wood for both herself and her parents. While there, Susie asks Ken Helm about Belinda Cooper. Ken tells her how Belinda used to come to his house, badly beaten, sometimes with broken bones. Ken cries when he tells her how guilty he feels for not doing anything to protect her. From there, Susie goes to the hospital and investigates the records for Belinda's hospitalizations. Susie can only find records for her last few years of life, but those include four hospitalizations. Susie then goes to speak to the doctor who cared for Belinda. He tells her that Belinda died of pneumonia because no one got her help until the illness was too far advanced. That night Belinda talks it over with Ed. Ed suggests that Belinda killed...