Chapter 17: Ellie Connects Sam to a Criminal Defense Lawyer
⚠️ 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
Ellie arrives at her new executive office, still nursing a headache and the facial bruise from the attack in Sam’s house the night before. She reviews the email thread Anna gave her and notices a 614 area code on Geoffrey Gallagher’s email—the same number she saw on the black flip phone in Sam’s house. She calls the number and gets no answer.
In her internal review, Ellie recalls Max’s argument with Jonathan at Nate’s party about Libertad being “too risky.” She googles Geoffrey Gallagher and discovers a white‑collar criminal defense firm. When she clicks on Gallagher’s photo, she is shocked: it is the same picture she saw on Sam’s cell phone. She calls Sam but only reaches his voicemail and leaves an urgent message.
She telephones Gallagher’s office, eventually speaking to Chris Knight, who promises to send all Houghton-related files. Ellie locks the documents in her desk drawer and heads to Hardy’s office. On the way, Anita notices her bruise, and Ellie lies, saying she fell down stairs.
Key Events
- Ellie arrives at her office, concealing her bruise with makeup.
- She reviews Michael’s documents and sees the 614 area code (Columbus, Ohio) that matches the burner phone from Sam’s house.
- She phones the number again; no one answers.
- Ellie reflects on the Libertad controversy; she remembers Max arguing that Libertad should not be part of “this” (the deal).
- She googles Geoffrey Gallagher and sees his photo—identical to the picture on Sam’s phone.
- She leaves a panicked voicemail for Sam, demanding an explanation.
- She calls Gallagher’s law firm and speaks with Chris Knight, who agrees to send the firm’s entire Houghton file.
- She locks the evidence in her desk and lies to Anita about her injury.
Character Development
- Ellie: Her investigative instincts are sharpening—she immediately connects the area code and photo. The bruise on her face underscores the escalating physical danger. Her trust in everyone (Michael, Sam) is eroding, and she becomes more isolated.
- Sam: Remains off‑screen, but Ellie’s voicemail shows she now believes Sam is deeply involved in the mystery. The photo connection implies Sam may have been surveilling Gallagher.
- Anita: Still a supportive presence (bringing flowers, noticing Ellie’s injury), but Ellie hides the truth from her, reinforcing the theme of secrecy.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Secrecy and Trust: The chapter is built on information Ellie is not supposed to have. Michael’s unreported legal consultation, Sam’s hidden photo—each layer of secrecy deepens the conspiracy.
- Identity and Belonging: Ellie’s new office habits (not using guest chairs, using the closet) reveal her anxiety about fitting into the executive suite. The expensive chairs are “pricey white reminders” of her perceived otherness.
- The Burner Phone Motif: The 614 number appears in two places (Michael’s documents and Sam’s phone), creating a bridge between her work and family crises.
- The Gardner Medley: Anita’s flowers symbolize a gesture of belonging, but Ellie’s physical wounds and emotional turmoil undercut any comfort.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 17 is the tipping point where Ellie’s two worlds—her corporate life (Houghton, Michael, the Libertad deal) and her personal life (Sam, the attack)—collide. The shared photo of Gallagher proves Sam is tied to the same white‑collar defense lawyer that Michael hired. This discovery transforms Sam from a mysterious figure into a potential co‑conspirator or victim. Ellie’s decision to lie about her injury and lock away the documents signals her shift from passive observer to active, secret investigator. The chapter also accelerates the plot: the unanswered phone call, the pending file from Knight, and Ellie’s determination to see Hardy all set up the next revelations.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Ellie react so strongly when she sees Gallagher’s photo?
She immediately recognizes the picture as the same one she saw on Sam’s cell phone earlier. This ties her brother to a lawyer who represented Michael Houghton, suggesting Sam’s involvement in the Libertad matter and undermining Ellie’s belief that Sam had nothing to do with her corporate life.
2. What does the Libertad exchange at Nate’s party reveal about the deal?
Max argued that Libertad was “too risky” to be part of whatever project Jonathan and Michael were discussing. This comment, combined with the white‑collar criminal defense firm’s involvement, implies that the Libertad acquisition or joint venture may involve fraud or other securities violations that could endanger the company.
3. How does Ellie’s habit of not using the guest chairs reflect her state of mind?
She treats the chairs as too expensive and pristine—a sign that she still feels like an outsider in the executive suite. This insecurity mirrors her larger unease: she is moving into a world of secrets and danger where she does not fully belong, and the physical objects become metaphors for her discomfort.