I had a theory that while SS tried to silently creep into JS’ room to put Maddie’s phone on the charger he accidentally let the dog slip inside the room too. Thereafter, and not according to plan, Maddie’s beloved pet jumped on the bed which caused JS to begin to wake up. Though drowsy and irritated she decides she starts to get herself of bed too so that she could walk the dog before it could pee on her stuff.
However, SS can’t let her do that without risking her seeing Maddie and finding out he killed her. Or seeing Maddie’s cell phone still on the charger. So instead he quickly grabs the leash and coaxes JS back to sleep with the promise he will walk the dog when really he just uses the leash to pull the dog out of JS’ room before closing her bedroom door.
Unfortunately, with that crisis averted and JS no longer at risk of waking up before he can speed off in his car, SS’ morning continues with his pathetic attempt of getting away with the murder of the beloved Madeline Soto by callously removing, relocating and maneuvering her body to the car, disposing of evidence, including even some of her cherished possessions, that could tie her disappearance and murder back to him before, IMO, heading towards the school to try to find a spot or location where he could leave Maddie and possibly stage a crime scene to mislead the cops. When that fails he probably realized he would need to scout for other another location where he could hide or bury her well enough without risk of exposure and his behavior being noticed by anybody else.
I’m glad that despite all this SS’ plan failed and LE, Maddie’s family, friends and community will have the chance to get justice for her as he is prosecuted and held accountable under the full extent of the law for all the crimes he committed against her