Chapter 38 Summary & Analysis

Spoiler Notice

This page reveals key events from Chapter 38 of James Patterson’s Crosshairs. Proceed only if you’re ready for spoilers.

Summary

Chapter 38 picks up with Detective Michael Bennett and his new partner, Rob Trilling, still searching for the gym where suspect Wendy Robinson works out. The building has no advertising, windows, or sign, making it nearly impossible to find. As they walk the sidewalk, Bennett decides to demonstrate a classic detective trick: using homeless locals as eyes on the street. They approach a man in his forties to sixties with a chest-length beard, sitting on the steps of a closed business. Trilling notices the man holds a leash and whispers a warning about a possible dog. Cautiously, they say hello, and the man responds that he’s doing “pretty fair” today. When Trilling peeks over the steps to see the pet, he leaps back—the leash ends in a giant rat wearing a Chihuahua-sized harness. The homeless man cackles and introduces the rodent as Nigel, stroking its back while the rat snuggles against his leg. He explains that he once had a job at the port, hurt his back, and discovered pills mixed well with beer. After living briefly with his mother, who later kicked him out, he’d been on the street sixteen years by choice, content with no rules or schedule. The encounter gives Trilling a dose of New York eccentricity.

Bennett shows the man a photo of Wendy Robinson and her description—tall, athletic. The man nods and points to the building across the street, confirming that’s the gym. He adds that Robinson comes most days but has changed her hair; it looks “funny” now, dyed red and blue with white tips. While Bennett chats with the man as a cover for surveillance, he notices a woman leaving the gym’s side door. She matches Robinson’s build, and her hair is indeed styled like a U.S. flag. The partners observe her quietly. Bennett reaches for cash to thank the informant, but Trilling beats him to it, handing the man a ten-dollar bill. The gesture deepens Bennett’s growing approval of his new partner.

Key Events

• Bennett and Trilling struggle to find a gym that’s deliberately hidden from public view.
• Bennett decides to tap the knowledge of a homeless man in the neighborhood.
• The homeless man startles Trilling with his pet rat, Nigel.
• The man shares his backstory and points them to the correct building.
• He identifies Wendy Robinson’s photo and reveals her new flag-like hairstyle.
• A woman with that exact hair color exits the gym; the detectives spot her.
• Trilling tips the homeless man ten dollars, impressing Bennett.

Character Development

• Michael Bennett: Shows his streetwise instincts by seeking information from an unhoused person, and his empathy by genuinely listening to the man’s story. He is clearly warming to Trilling’s quiet competence.
• Rob Trilling: Demonstrates alertness (the leash warning) and a quick recovery from surprise. His unprompted generosity reveals a kind nature beneath the Montana plains sensibility.
• The Homeless Man: Defies stereotypes with a self-aware backstory; he is not a victim but a man who chose life on the street. His relationship with Nigel humanizes him and adds comic relief.
• Wendy Robinson (indirect): Her apparent attempt to alter her appearance with bold, flag-colored hair signals evasiveness and raises the stakes of the manhunt.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

• Community as Intelligence: The chapter illustrates that the best intel often comes from the most overlooked people—a homeless man with a rat holds the key to the hidden gym.
• Contrast of Worlds: Trilling’s Bozeman, Montana background is juxtaposed with New York’s unpredictable sidewalk theater (a pet rat named Nigel), emphasizing his fish-out-of-water transformation.
• Camouflage and Identity: The gym without a sign and Wendy’s flag-dyed hair both serve as disguises. The chapter suggests that dangerous people hide in plain sight, blending into the everyday scenery until someone looks closely.
• Humanity Amidst the Hunt: The humorous rat encounter and the homeless man’s candid life story balance the procedural tension, reminding the reader that even a homicide investigation intersects with ordinary, eccentric lives.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 38 advances the investigation by finally pinpointing the gym and providing a critical visual update on Wendy Robinson. The flag hairstyle is a concrete lead that will help the detectives recognize the suspect despite her attempted disguise. On a character level, the chapter cements the Bennett-Trilling partnership: Trilling’s quick thinking and kindness earn Bennett’s respect, signaling that the junior detective is becoming a real asset. The homeless man’s interlude also enriches the novel’s texture, making the city a living backdrop rather than mere setting.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Bennett stop to talk to the homeless man?
   Bennett wants to teach Trilling a core detective lesson: homeless people often know the comings and goings of a neighborhood better than anyone else. The man turns out to have exactly the information they need.
2. How does the scene with the rat Nigel contribute to the chapter’s tone?
   The unexpected sight of a leashed rat provides comic relief and highlights the culture shock Trilling experiences. It also shows that Bennett is comfortable with the strange realities of New York, which sets him apart from his partner.
3. What is the significance of Wendy Robinson’s new hairstyle?
   The red, white, and blue hair is a deliberate change meant to hide her appearance. It suggests she knows she is being hunted and is trying to stand out in a way that actually makes her harder to recognize from an old photo.

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