Chapter summaries Crosshairs James Patterson & James O. Born

Chapter 39: Bennett and Trilling Interview a Sniper Suspect

Spoiler Warning: This summary contains details from Chapter 39 of Crosshairs. Read only if you’ve finished this chapter.

Summary

Detective Michael Bennett and his partner Rob Trilling spot former Army sergeant Wendy Robinson on the street and quickly close in. Trilling uses his military connection to catch her attention before she can bolt. The woman sports a fresh black eye – from boxing, she says – and instinctively scans the area for exits when she realizes they are police, a reaction Bennett files away as a mark of a legitimate suspect. Trilling eases the tension with shared Ranger Regiment banter, revealing a relaxed, friendly side of himself that Bennett rarely sees. When the questions turn to her sniper certification, Robinson brightens, detailing how she passed every test in an Army program for female snipers and referencing the World War II Russian precedent. Bennett then asks directly about the Longshot Killer. Robinson’s eyes widen and she calls the idea “cool,” an odd response that deepens the detectives’ interest. She denies being the killer but provides no verifiable alibi for the night Adam Glossner was shot, claiming she was at a college math study group with students whose names she never bothered to learn. The other two murder dates are too distant for her to recall. Robinson hands over her contact information and invites Trilling to call her anytime, leaving him visibly flustered.

Key Events

  • Bennett and Trilling intercept Wendy Robinson before she can slip away, using Trilling’s Ranger background as a social in.
  • Robinson’s head‑swivel and bent‑knee stance signal a near‑decision to run, marking her as a suspect in Bennett’s mind.
  • A casual exchange about black eyes reveals Robinson is a boxer and Trilling hides his own shiner behind a flimsy excuse.
  • Trilling builds rapport through military humor, exposing a charming, off‑duty side of his personality.
  • Robinson enthusiastically recounts her experience in an Army female‑sniper trial program, framing it as a triumph over low expectations.
  • Bennett asks directly about the serial murders; Robinson’s amused reaction – “That is so cool.” – unsettles the detectives.
  • When pressed for an alibi on the Glossner murder night, Robinson mentions an unattributable study group and cannot account for the other two dates.
  • Robinson gives her address and phone number, then openly flirts with Trilling, causing him to blush.

Character Development

  • Michael Bennett: Shows his seasoned detective instincts by reading Robinson’s body language and consciously choosing not to shout after her. He uses a printed calendar as a deliberate old‑school interrogation tool and notes the pause in Robinson’s answer as a “spark” worth remembering.
  • Rob Trilling: Steps out of Bennett’s shadow as a skilled interviewer who leverages shared military brotherhood to disarm a potential suspect. His easy banter and blushing at Robinson’s flirtation humanize him beyond the typical tough‑cop persona.
  • Wendy Robinson: Emerges as a self‑possessed and physically tough former soldier who takes pride in her sniper qualifications. Her initial flight instinct, odd enjoyment at being a suspect, and inability to produce an alibi combine to make her both fascinating and deeply suspicious.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

  • Suspicion and Paranoia: Robinson’s immediate scan for threats and Bennett’s reading of her “tensed” posture underline the chapter’s wary atmosphere. Both sides are sizing each other up.
  • Military Identity as Bridge and Mask: Trilling’s Ranger pedigree opens a door, while Robinson’s sniper story allows her to control the narrative. The shared service becomes a tool for building trust – but also a way to deflect hard questions.
  • Gender and Combat: Robinson’s pride in being a test‑case female sniper and her invocation of Russian women in WWII highlight the novel’s ongoing exploration of women in high‑stakes, traditionally male roles.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 39 moves the Longshot Killer investigation from abstract profiling to a concrete, live‑person encounter. It introduces Wendy Robinson as the first named suspect who fits the sniper profile and whose behavior actively raises red flags. The scene also deepens the reader’s understanding of Trilling, showing a partner who can take the lead and connect in ways Bennett cannot. Robinson’s contradictory blend of candor, nervousness, and unsettling enthusiasm keeps the case wide open, while her missing alibis give the detectives (and readers) a solid reason to keep her at the top of the list.

Study Questions and Answers

  1. Why does Bennett consider Robinson a legitimate suspect the moment she turns to look up the street?

    • Bennett interprets her quick head‑turn and slight knee‑bend as the prelude to a sprint. He knows from experience that an innocent person typically holds their ground or approaches, while someone who contemplates running is often hiding something. That split‑second read convinces him she is worth investigating.

  2. What purpose does the black‑eye conversation serve in the interview?

    • The exchange about black eyes – hers from boxing, his from a clumsy accident – breaks the ice and humanizes both parties. It allows Trilling to steer the talk toward physical toughness and shared experiences, lowering Robinson’s guard so she will later discuss her sniper skills more openly.

  3. Why is Robinson’s lack of alibi for the murder night particularly damaging, even though she isn’t charged?

    • While an unprovable alibi alone isn’t evidence of guilt, her inability to name any study‑group member despite being a college student suggests either carelessness or deliberate evasion. Combined with her initial flight response and her oddly amusement at being a suspect, the missing alibi makes her a person of strong interest who requires further scrutiny.

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