The Body: Chapter 4  Summary & Analysis

Vern tells the guys he’d been digging under his porch that morning. For context, Gordie explains that Vern had hidden a jar of pennies there four years earlier. His mother disposed of his treasure map, and he’s not seen the pennies since. Everyone else assumes his older brother, Billy, dug up and spent the money years ago, but Vern still digs around to see if he can find it. 

While Vern was under the porch, he’d overheard Billy and his friend Charlie Hogan talking about the previous night. They’d stolen a car for a joyride with their girlfriends—something they do regularly—and out on Back Harlow Road, they’d found Ray Brower’s body beside the train tracks. An upset Charlie thinks they should do something, but Billy doesn’t even want to make an anonymous report to the police. He’s afraid they’ll trace the call and start asking uncomfortable questions that will lead them to the stolen car. When they leave the house, Vern runs to the treehouse to tell the guys.