Chapter One Summary

The story resumes in Sanibel Florida in May. Ford has spotted vultures flying overhead and wonders what Hollins has gotten himself into. He continues cruising his small skiff towards the island and continues to worry about what Hollins has done, having a sense of foreboding.

Rafe Hollins had called Ford three times the day before, finally reaching him while at the Marina. He explains that he has been living at Sandy Key but mostly traveling because it keeps him from killing his ex-wife. Ford notes that there is an edge of desperation in Hollins' voice, which was not there when Ford knew him in high school. Ford hadn't really seen Hollins that much since high school, although they had been best friends. They had run into each other in Central America once and again in Costa Rica during a chance meeting...