A chance meeting at the newspaper office brings Katie and Mary Andrea into contact, and they go to Grange to say their goodbyes to Tom. Katie informs on her husband to the police, leading to his arrest for felony murder. Chub, unable to attract the attention of passing boats or aircraft, eventually dies of thirst and starvation on Pearl Key. Tom and JoLayne, now a couple, and the holders of both winning lotto tickets, decide to make their home near Simmons Wood, now safe from development.