Chapter Thirty-two: Lila’s Solo Investigation Takes a Warning Turn

⚠️ 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

Unable to sleep, Lila texts Adeena with no reply and ignores calls from Amir. The next morning she runs with Nisa, then visits Pierogi Palace only to find it closed indefinitely. Elena texts Lila to meet at El Gato Negro. There, Elena explains she got Lila’s number from Amir, who gave her his card. Elena wants to help clear Lila’s family. She confirms she dated Derek briefly; her mother threatened him with a shoe after learning who he was. Elena slapped Derek and told him to stay away. She believes Derek wrote false reviews and colluded with a health inspector (friends with Derek’s stepdad) to hurt her uncle’s business. Lila asks about Elena’s cousins and possible poison, but Elena states police already searched their greenhouse and found nothing matching the poison. Elena warns Lila that investigating alone is dangerous and urges her to reconcile with Adeena for safety. Lila accepts the warning and returns to prepare for Derek’s wake.

Key Events

Lila spends a restless night ignoring Amir’s calls and trying to reach Adeena.
A morning run with Nisa fails to clear her head.
Lila discovers Pierogi Palace is closed “indefinitely.”
Elena texts Lila to meet at her restaurant.
Elena reveals Amir gave her Lila’s number and a business card.
Elena explains she dated Derek, then slapped him after learning about his attacks on her family.
Elena provides the connection between Derek, his stepdad, and a corrupt health inspector.
Lila asks about poison; Elena confirms police cleared her family’s greenhouse.
Elena warns Lila that she could be a target and needs to stop investigating alone.
Lila agrees to be more careful and heads to the wake.

Character Development

Lila: Her solo questioning shows insecurity without Adeena’s support. She recognizes her approach can seem harsh (“I just sound like a jerk”). Elena’s warning makes her reconsider the risks of acting without backup.
Elena: Reveals herself as fiercely protective of her family. She is willing to help Lila despite their prior suspicion, demonstrating empathy and pragmatism. Her story humanizes Derek’s victims and underscores how his actions ruined lives.
Amir (off-page): By giving Elena his card and Lila’s number, he acts behind the scenes to gather information—potentially a helpful move or an interference Lila resents.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs Actually Evidenced Here

Family loyalty vs. romantic entanglement: Elena prioritizes family over Derek, even after dating him. Lila’s loyalty to her aunt drives her investigation, yet her avoidance of Amir (a romantic interest) shows inner conflict.
The danger of lone investigation: Elena points out that Lila came alone without telling anyone; the killer acted in daytime. This motif reinforces the need for community and partnership.
Unreliable appearances: Derek’s charm hid destructive behavior. Elena’s “hippie” mother uses a shoe as a weapon. Lila’s “mutinous thoughts” show even her own judgment can be flawed.
The health inspector as a symbol of systemic corruption: The friend of Derek’s stepdad represents how Derek used connections to harm competitors.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter delivers several crucial plot advancements:

It solidifies a new suspect motive (Derek’s targeting of family businesses) and introduces the health inspector lead, which Lila can follow up.
Elena’s alibi and police clearance remove one suspect, tightening the circle.
The warning about safety raises the stakes and sets up Lila’s need to repair her partnership with Adeena.
It deepens Elena as a supporting character and potential ally.
The chapter reinforces that the murderer is still at large and probably watching Lila.

Study Questions and Answers

What new information does Elena provide about Derek’s relationship with the health inspector?
Elena says the health inspector is best friends with Derek’s stepdad. She believes Derek arranged the inspector’s visit to Pierogi Palace right after his negative reviews, in order to sabotage her uncle’s business. Lila adds this to her notes.
How does Elena try to clear her own family of suspicion?
She tells Lila that the police already searched her family’s greenhouse for poisons and found nothing matching the substance in Derek’s system. She also argues that her cousins would never have confronted Derek because two Mexican boys beating a White boy would have been dangerous for them.
Why does Elena tell Lila to stop investigating alone?
Elena warns that Lila came to the restaurant without telling anyone where she was going. If Elena had been the killer, Lila would have been in danger. Elena points out that Derek died during the day, so the killer could strike again. She insists Lila reconcile with Adeena or bring someone else along for safety.