Hobie takes care of the very-sick and recovering Theo. During this time, Pippa visits from Texas, where they spend substantial time with each other, which leads to a rekindling of their old love. In New York, Theo is more concerned about the adults in his life than his current living conditions. He visits his mother’s attorney, Mr. Bracegirdle, and learns that he was about to let Theo’s father withdraw the large sums of money in Theo’s trust. This was until Bracegirdle suspected something foul and denied Theo’s father the access to the money. Meanwhile, Theo continues to live with Hobie as his temporary guardian, and continues to observe how he carries out his trade while using the money now available in the trust fund to study and take care of the household. While still being worried about his painting, he starts to hatch a plan of returning The Goldfinch to the museum without being caught or noticed. He has read in the news that people who are caught with stolen art are arrested and prosecuted.