Chapter summaries A Flicker in the Dark Stacy Willingham

Chapter Twenty-Seven: The Necklace in the Closet

⚠️ 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

Chloe stands in her bedroom, holding a box she found pushed to the back of the closet. Inside is Aubrey Gravino’s necklace. The sound of a blaring alarm and a voice calling her name barely registers until Daniel’s leg steps into the room. She shuts the box and hides it under clothes, then runs to disable the alarm. Daniel, who said he would return the next day, is home early. He asks what she was doing in the closet; she claims she was looking for the gun. He wraps his arms around her, whispering that he missed her and that he’s got her. The phrase echoes her father’s words from childhood, and Chloe’s suspicion crystallizes: she no longer knows if Daniel is truly safe. After Daniel showers, she pretends to sleep but notices him get out of bed and slide the closet door shut.

Key Events

  • Chloe discovers Aubrey Gravino’s necklace hidden in the back of her and Daniel’s closet.
  • Daniel returns home unexpectedly, catching Chloe just as she finds the necklace.
  • Chloe hides the box and tells Daniel she was looking for a gun.
  • Daniel comforts Chloe with the phrase “I’ve got you,” which Chloe recognizes as her father’s exact words.
  • After showering, Daniel gets up while Chloe pretends to sleep and deliberately closes the closet door.

Character Development

  • Chloe: Her paranoia, which was previously directed at Bert Rhodes or other strangers, now turns fully toward Daniel. The necklace provides tangible evidence that someone close to her—likely Daniel—is connected to the murders. She begins to question her ability to read the people she loves, a painful echo of her relationship with her father.
  • Daniel: He appears caring and concerned, but his early return, his different smell (sweat mixed with honey and vanilla perfume), and his stealthy closure of the closet door after the shower suggest he may be hiding something. His choice to say “I’ve got you” links him directly to Chloe’s traumatic past.
  • Aubrey Gravino (mentioned): Though deceased, her necklace becomes a powerful prop, representing the victims whose belongings are being used as trophies or planted evidence.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

  • Trust vs. Suspicion: Chloe’s internal conflict intensifies. She wants to trust Daniel, but the physical evidence forces her to confront the possibility that the killer has been in her bed all along.
  • Repetition of Abuse: The mirroring of Daniel’s “I’ve got you” with her father’s identical phrase highlights how Chloe may be repeating a pattern of trusting a dangerous man. The chapter suggests that the cycle of victimization can be psychological as well as physical.
  • The Necklace as a Trophy: The necklace symbolizes the killer’s desire to keep tokens of his victims. Its presence in Chloe’s closet implies that Daniel—or someone with access to the house—is taunting her or preserving memories of the crimes.
  • Closets and Hidden Spaces: The closet represents secrets Chloe is not ready to face. She physically hides the box, and Daniel later closes the door, emphasizing that the truth is being actively concealed.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter Twenty-Seven is a turning point in the novel. Chloe’s suspicion shifts from an external threat (Bert Rhodes) to the person closest to her. The discovery of the necklace provides concrete, undeniable evidence that someone in her home is linked to Aubrey Gravino’s murder. Daniel’s early return and his subtle actions after the shower deepen the mystery and raise the stakes. The chapter also reinforces Chloe’s trauma, as she recognizes the same soothing language her father used. This moment sets the stage for the final act, where Chloe must decide whether to confront Daniel or continue hiding.

Study Questions and Answers

  1. Why does Chloe lie to Daniel about being in the closet?
    Chloe says she was looking for the gun because she is too afraid to tell Daniel the truth. She instinctively hides the necklace to avoid revealing that she has found evidence that could implicate him. The lie buys her time to process her suspicions.

  2. How does Daniel’s phrase “I’ve got you” connect to Chloe’s past?
    Chloe’s father said the exact words to her after she witnessed a traumatic event as a child. By repeating them, Daniel unknowingly triggers a memory that links his comfort to her father’s false protection. This connection makes Chloe question whether Daniel is another man who presents safety but is actually dangerous.

  3. What does Daniel’s action of closing the closet door after his shower suggest?
    It suggests that Daniel knows the necklace is there and wants to ensure it remains hidden. His stealthy movement while Chloe pretends to sleep implies he is aware of her discovery and is actively concealing evidence, reinforcing the likelihood that he is involved in the murders.

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