Big Lies in a Small Town: A Novel

Morgan bonds with Oliver, the gallery curator. Oliver, one of Jesse’s “charity cases,” owes his job and his life to Jesse, who paid for his tuition to art school as well as providing child support for the mother of Oliver’s young son. He now feels obligated to help Morgan in any way he can, although he believes that only a professional conservator should restore the mural. When he suggests that Morgan turn the job down, she confesses the terms of the agreement: restore the mural or return to prison. Because he has a bit of experience in restoration, Oliver agrees to assist her. He then takes her into his office to share details about Anna Dale.

After an interview with the local paper, Anna picks up a copy of Life magazine which contains pictures of all the winning mural sketches. Anna’s own draft is nearly complete, but Myrtle notes that she hasn’t been sleeping or eating enough. Remembering her mother’s “lively spells,” Anna fears that she may be engaging in a similar behavior pattern and agrees to take better care of herself.