Chapter Twenty-One: Trophies, Copycats, and the Return Home
⚠️ 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
The chapter opens with a flashback to twelve-year-old Chloe and her mother leaving the police station after presenting evidence that Richard is a serial killer. Sheriff Dooley offers two options: stay at the station until a warrant is obtained, or go home and wait. Chloe’s mother decides to return home because Cooper is still there. They drive in silence, Chloe hyperventilating until her mother calms her. At the house, Richard acts normally; mother claims Chloe is sick. Richard touches Chloe’s neck with a cold beer bottle, and Chloe goes upstairs.
In the present, Aaron confronts Chloe with a photo from the Cypress Cemetery search party, proving she was there. Chloe admits she went out of curiosity and shares memories of Lena, including an attempt to break into Cooper’s room to find weed using a library card. Aaron listens and then Chloe tells him about Lacey’s missing bracelet and Aubrey’s earring, suggesting the killer takes trophies—a method identical to her father’s. She speculates that Lena’s father, Bert Rhodes, may be a copycat who reviled Richard. Aaron warns her to be careful, but Chloe withholds the part about feeling taunted.
Key Events
- Chloe and her mother return home from the police station after Richard is implicated.
- Sheriff Dooley disapproves but agrees to patrol undercover.
- At home, Richard appears clean and exhausted. He touches Chloe’s neck with a beer bottle.
- Present day: Aaron shows Chloe a newspaper photo of her at the Cypress Cemetery search.
- Chloe recounts a childhood memory of Lena breaking into Cooper’s room with a library card.
- Chloe reveals Lacey was missing a bracelet and Aubrey’s earring was found at the cemetery.
- She connects the missing jewelry to her father’s trophy box.
- Chloe names Bert Rhodes as a possible copycat suspect.
- Aaron asks Chloe to promise to take care of herself.
Character Development
- Chloe: Reflects on her mother’s decision to go home, realizing it was a deliberate act of defiance, not weakness. In the present, she takes an active investigative role, sharing personal memories and a theory that implicates a copycat.
- Mona (mother): Portrayed as both protective and fearful; she chooses to face Richard rather than hide, but her fear is evident.
- Aaron: Shows genuine concern for Chloe’s safety and presses for honesty. His role shifts from journalist to confidant.
- Bert Rhodes: Introduced as a man consumed by rage over his daughter’s murder, potentially obsessed with Richard’s crimes.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Trophies and Prizes: The killer’s theft of jewelry mirrors Richard’s trophies, establishing a direct link between past and present crimes.
- Copycat Categories (Revere vs. Revile): Aaron explains that copycats either admire or oppose the original murderer. Chloe suspects Bert Rhodes falls into the latter category.
- Trust and Deception: The chapter explores Chloe’s struggle with honesty—she lies to Aaron about her motives, yet shares the trophy theory.
- Boundary-Pushing: The lock-picking memory symbolizes Lena’s influence and Chloe’s eventual crossing of ethical lines.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter connects the historical trophy box to the current missing jewelry, providing a plausible motive for the copycat: taking prizes from victims. It also introduces Bert Rhodes as a suspect, adding a personal dimension to the investigation. Chloe’s decision to withhold part of her theory signals growing independence and risk. The flashback deepens our understanding of her mother’s character and the family’s dysfunction.
Study Questions and Answers
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Why did Chloe’s mother insist on going home despite the clear danger?
She wanted to protect Cooper and prove she could stand up to her husband. However, the narrative reveals she was also afraid, making the decision a mixture of defiance and denial. -
How does the trophy theory advance the present-day investigation?
It provides a specific signature—taking jewelry as prizes—that ties the new murders to Richard’s method, suggesting a copycat who knows intimate details of the original case. -
What does the memory of Lena breaking into Cooper’s room reveal about Chloe’s current mindset?
The memory illustrates Lena’s influence and Chloe’s willingness to follow rules. In the present, Chloe is more willing to push boundaries herself, as shown by her secretive investigation and withholding information from Aaron.