Chapter 10 Summary & Analysis: Bennett Questions Trilling's Past

Spoiler Notice: This summary and analysis contains full spoilers for Chapter 10 of Crosshairs by James Patterson. If you haven’t read that far, you may want to catch up first.

Summary

The chapter opens with Michael Bennett at his desk moments after his first meeting with new partner Rob Trilling. The encounter was tense and awkward—anything but encouraging. Bennett, a veteran detective, wants to mentor younger cops, but Trilling doesn’t inspire that feeling. Before leaving, Bennett purposely didn’t specify a start time for the next morning’s work, intending to gauge Trilling’s work ethic.

Trilling’s departure leaves Bennett with nagging questions. He immediately calls Sergeant Alane Eubanks, an old friend who now works as a liaison to federal agencies and coordinates task forces. Alane was ambushed and shot three times by men claiming to fight fascism; after months in the hospital, she fought her way back to the job.

The two exchange warmries—Alane can still name all ten of Bennett’s kids and recalls advising his daughter Bridget to punch a bully, though she forgot to tell her not to do it in front of a teacher. Once the family update is done, Bennett gets to the point. He tells Alane his new partner is Rob Trilling, recently from the FBI fugitive task force, and asks about Trilling’s rapid shuffling between assignments despite only two years on the force.

Alane confirms the FBI liked him as a “real go-getter,” but a long silence follows when Bennett reveals Trilling made it sound like he was sent to Homicide as punishment. Eventually Alane shares that Trilling was pulled from the NYPD’s Emergency Service Unit (ESU) a couple of months ago, where command staff had placed him without the usual time-in-grade and immediately enrolled him in sniper school. Then he was shifted to the FBI task force with little notice.

Pressed further, Alane speculates that command staff must be worried about him—perhaps a complaint or a weak allegation. Shuffling a problem cop to a simple fugitive task force is an easy way to manage risk. “Looking for fugitives. What could go wrong?” she says. When she asks why Trilling is now in Homicide, Bennett explains the Long Shot Killer case requires Trilling’s sniper expertise. Alane notes that all his assessments are very good, but adds that people at One Police Plaza often overreact to every little thing. Bennett understands all too well.

Key Events

• Bennett reflects on his tense first meeting with Trilling and decides to test his new partner’s work ethic by not setting a morning start time.
• He contacts Sergeant Alane Eubanks, a former street cop turned federal liaison who survived a shooting.
• The two share a personal catch-up that underscores their long friendship and mutual respect.
• Bennett asks for background on Trilling’s unusually fast track through ESU, sniper school, and the FBI fugitive task force.
• Alane reveals that Trilling’s abrupt moves may stem from command staff concerns—possibly a complaint or allegation—and suggests the FBI assignment was a low-risk way to park a potentially problematic officer.
• Bennett learns that, despite the red flags, Trilling’s performance assessments remain high, and he is indeed the right sniper expert for the case.

Character Development

Michael Bennett: This chapter highlights Bennett’s instinctive distrust and his reliance on informal networks. He doesn’t accept Trilling at face value; instead, he immediately seeks a back-channel evaluation. His decision to withhold the next morning’s start time shows a calculating side—he wants to measure the younger cop’s dedication. The call to Alane also reveals his deep ties within the NYPD community and his protective nature, both as a father (the Bridget story) and as a detective who won’t tolerate a partner who could get him killed.

Rob Trilling: Though absent from the scene, Trilling’s opaque history is the chapter’s focus. The information suggests a pattern: fast-tracked into an elite unit and sniper training, then abruptly moved without official explanation. The conjecture about a complaint or allegation paints him as a potential liability, even if his skills are excellent. The contrast between his “go-getter” reputation and the silence surrounding his transfers makes him a puzzle Bennett must solve.

Alane Eubanks: Introduced here as a credible, battle-tested source. Despite a devastating shooting, she’s cheerful and professional. Her willingness to share unofficial conjecture—after initial resistance—shows the trust between her and Bennett. She embodies the pragmatic side of police culture where information is currency, and she serves as a mirror for the department’s tendency to quietly shuffle problem personnel.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Trust and the Veteran’s Instinct: Bennett’s immediate unease with Trilling and his follow-up call illustrate how seasoned cops rely on gut feelings and backdoor intelligence rather than official personnel files. The chapter doesn’t condemn Trilling outright, but it reinforces that in a high-stakes homicide unit, trust must be earned.

Institutional Self-Protection: Alane’s conjecture about command staff “shuttling” Trilling highlights a recurring motif: the NYPD’s bureaucracy often opts to move a potential problem officer sideways rather than address issues openly. The phrase “What could go wrong?” drips with irony—the Long Shot Killer case is anything but low-risk.

The Wounds Officers Carry: Alane’s story of being ambushed and shot, and her casual remark about needing to pee constantly because of bladder damage, underscores the physical toll of the job. It’s a quiet reminder that the department is full of people who have sacrificed greatly, making intra-department trust issues even more fraught.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 10 pivots the narrative from the mechanics of the Long Shot Killer investigation into the internal dynamics of the detective squad. It plants a flag of doubt around Trilling, turning the partnership into a source of suspense. By introducing Alane Eubanks, Patterson gives Bennett a confidential resource and shows that the department’s rumor mill is as important as any formal report. The chapter deepens the reader’s understanding of Bennett’s cautious, paternal approach to policing, while raising the stakes: if Trilling has a hidden flaw, it could be disastrous in a case that demands a sniper’s precision.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Bennett choose not to tell Trilling what time to report the next morning? Bennett wants to assess Trilling’s work ethic without giving explicit guidance. By leaving the start time open, he can judge whether Trilling shows initiative or just does the bare minimum. It’s a small test that reflects Bennett’s need to trust his partner in life-or-death situations.

2. What does Alane’s speculation reveal about the NYPD’s handling of potential personnel problems? Alane suggests that command staff may shuttle an officer with a complaint or allegation to a low-visibility assignment rather than investigate openly. This demonstrates a culture where risk is managed quietly, sometimes at the expense of transparency. Trilling’s quick exit from ESU and placement on a simple fugitive task force fits that pattern.

3. How does the chapter use the character of Alane Eubanks to reinforce the book’s themes? Alane represents the resilience and camaraderie of police officers. Her shooting and recovery illustrate the physical price of the job, while her willingness to share unofficial information shows the informal bonds that keep cops safe. Her advice also highlights the tension between official assessments (Trilling’s “very good” record) and the back-channel warnings that experienced detectives like Bennett need to survive.

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