Chapter 5 begins with Tammy urging Frankie to dispose of a map that has been found in Abigail’s possession, insisting that it could pose a serious risk to their safety. As they sat together at the kitchen table, sipping cups of decaf coffee, they examined the map’s intricate details, noting how its topographical design seemed to shift subtly under their gaze. Tammy’s words were filled with urgency, pressing Frankie to make a decision: destroy the map to erase its connection to the Gardners or hand it over to the FBI, a prospect that Frankie was adamantly against. The tension was palpable, heightened by the unresolved death of Aidan Taggart, which still weighed heavily on Frankie, especially in light of the questions surrounding his daughter Maggie’s involvement and the potential leverage she held over the Gardners. The situation had clearly grown more complex, and Frankie was left grappling with the implications of each decision.

Determined to rid himself of the burden of the map, Frankie set out to burn it in a ritualistic manner, hoping that destroying it would somehow bring closure to the ongoing crisis. He prepared the hibachi grill in his backyard, watching as the coals glowed brightly, casting a warm light into the night. As he hovered over the grill, he contemplated the significance of the decision he was about to make. Should he destroy the last link to the Gardners, severing any ties to the past, or should he keep the map as a safeguard for Maggie, using it as a teaching tool to demonstrate trust and impart the lessons he had learned from his previous mistakes? In a moment of indecision, he chose to keep the map, sensing that its importance might become evident in the future. With the map safely tucked back into his pocket, he tried to call Maggie, reaching her at her apartment. He spoke carefully, framing his words with secrecy, knowing the gravity of the situation but not yet ready to fully reveal the map’s significance.

The conversation between Frankie and Maggie unearthed both parental concerns and a deeper connection between them. Maggie remained blissfully unaware of the map’s true implications, responding cheerfully as she listened to Frankie’s cryptic words. However, when the topic of Abigail was brought up, Frankie’s tone shifted, revealing a hint of seriousness. He explained that Aidan had left Abigail a map that marked Lake Wyndham, suggesting that it held crucial information for their safety. Maggie’s curiosity piqued as she began asking more questions about the map’s details, including its visibility and the role of social workers in the situation. Tension escalated as Frankie attempted to clarify the situation without fully revealing everything, hesitating before he finally suggested the possibility of giving the map to Maggie when it became necessary for her safety. The weight of the decision pressed on Frankie, as he recognized that the map might hold the key to future events, but he was still reluctant to fully involve Maggie in its mystery.

Things became even more complicated when Maggie revealed her upcoming trip to Madrid, adding a layer of urgency to their already tense situation. Frankie found himself torn between the need to protect the map’s secrets and the anxiety of what might happen if he waited for Maggie to return before making a decision. The thought of keeping the map until Maggie’s return created a sense of dread, as Frankie couldn’t shake the feeling that the map might be needed sooner than expected. He wondered if he was making a mistake by holding onto it, but at the same time, the idea of burning it felt like an act of finality—one that could bring closure, but also potentially erase something crucial. With the uncertainty swirling around him, Frankie remained conflicted, knowing that the map’s fate was intertwined with his and Maggie’s future. This chapter highlights Frankie’s internal struggle between the desire for closure and the anxiety that comes with keeping secrets, setting the stage for further complications and decisions in the story to come.