Chapter 86 Summary and Analysis: The Funeral of Jamie Fricke
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
Lindsay Boxer and Rich Conklin attend Jamie Fricke’s funeral at the family chapel, hidden behind the Fricke house. They observe the mourners with the annotated photo from Holly’s funeral, noting both tears and casual socializing. Boxer approaches Judy Borinstein, who introduces her to Marilyn Stein (Marly), Holly’s former assistant and one of Jamie’s lovers. Marly is defensive and claims she knows nothing, but Boxer presses her about who wanted Holly dead. Marly admits she was a suspect in Holly’s eyes due to her affair with Jamie. She insists she signed a six‑page NDA but that Jamie’s affection made her foolish. She provides alibi witnesses in New York for the time of Jamie’s murder. Marly denies any knowledge of threats or violence, directing Boxer to Arthur Bevaqua as the person who knows everything. She then leaves, calling herself a “dead end.”
Key Events
- Boxer and Conklin survey the funeral crowd, comparing faces to the annotated photo from Holly’s funeral.
- Conklin speaks privately with Patty Delaney.
- Boxer intercepts Judy Borinstein, who is speaking with a tearful Marilyn Stein.
- Borinstein insists Marly speak with Boxer.
- Marly reveals her affair with Jamie and the signed NDA, but denies any role in either murder.
- She provides alibi details and names Arthur Bevaqua as the holder of all secrets.
- Marly ends the conversation by claiming she is a dead end for the investigation.
Character Development
Lindsay Boxer – Grows more determined to push for answers even when a witness is hostile. She systematically tries to turn every encounter into a lead.
Rich Conklin – Works in parallel with Boxer, splitting off to question Patty Delaney, showing their team approach.
Marilyn Stein (Marly) – Transforms from a crying, evasive figure to a bitter, guarded woman. She admits humiliation and emotional damage but firmly establishes her alibi. Her claim that Arthur knows everything hints at a deeper layer of secrets.
Judy Borinstein – Acts as a bridge, using her influence to keep Marly talking. Remains in “business mode.”
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Secrecy and NDAs – The non‑disclosure agreement Marly signed symbolizes the Fricke family’s pattern of controlling information and relationships.
The Funeral as Cover – The gathering mirrors a class reunion, contrasting public grief with private grudges. Boxer notes that some mourners are enjoying themselves, underscoring the theme of hidden agendas.
Bitterness and Betrayal – Marly’s “lake of bitterness” imagery reflects the emotional fallout of the love triangle and the ongoing trauma of both deaths.
The “Dead End” Motif – Marly’s self‑description reinforces the theme of blocked leads and the difficulty of untangling the Frickes’ web.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 86 tightens the focus on the Fricke family’s inner circle. Marly’s testimony, though she denies involvement, confirms the affair pattern and points to Arthur Bevaqua as a potential key witness. The chapter also illustrates Boxer’s persistence: even when a witness resists, she gathers alibi details and identifies another person to question. This bridges the gap between the two murders, suggesting Holly’s and Jamie’s deaths are connected through overlapping jealousies and secrets.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Marilyn Stein initially refuse to talk to Boxer?
Marly is still bitter and humiliated by her affair with Jamie. She feels exploited and distrusts the investigation, especially after Holly’s murder went unsolved. She also signed a strict NDA and fears legal consequences.
2. What does Marly reveal about her relationship with the Frickes?
She admits she was “a servant by day and a madly in love idiot a few nights a month” with Jamie. Holly knew about the affair, which created deep humiliation for Marly. She maintains her loyalty cost her trust in men and therapy.
3. Who does Marly say can vouch for her whereabouts during Jamie’s murder?
She provides names and contact information for a job, a roommate, and a doorman in New York City—all of whom she claims can confirm she was there when Jamie was killed.