Chapter 43: Uncovering Wendy Robinson’s Deception
Spoiler Notice: This page reveals key events from Chapter 43 of Crosshairs. If you haven’t read it yet and want to avoid spoilers, consider starting with the book hub or returning after you’ve finished the chapter.
Summary
Bennett and his new partner Rob Trilling visit Rebecca “Becky” Swope in the Investigative Support office. Becky has looked into Wendy Robinson’s background. She discovered that City College records show Wendy was enrolled but only took one class two semesters ago—meaning the school routine she described to the detectives was mostly a fabrication. Walter Jackson also ran Wendy’s name through the Department of Defense and provided a folder with her military fitness reports.
The reports portray a soldier with exceptional sniper training, impressive fitness, and fierce determination, but also significant anger issues and difficulty working with colleagues. Bennett immediately notes the lie about a study group and sees it as a major red flag; he believes they surprised Wendy and now must locate her again. After thanking Becky, Bennett agrees to her playful demand that Walter Jackson refrain from telling puns during their next training session.
Key Events
- Bennett and Trilling arrive at Becky Swope’s office to follow up on Wendy Robinson.
- Becky reports that City College records contradict Wendy’s alibi: she only took one class two semesters ago.
- A Department of Defense file obtained by Walter Jackson reveals Wendy’s military fitness reports.
- The reports highlight sniper training, fitness, determination, anger issues, and interpersonal difficulties.
- Bennett concludes Wendy purposefully lied and is a stronger suspect.
- The partners decide they need to track Wendy down immediately.
- Becky jokingly asks Bennett to ensure Walter Jackson avoids puns for a full eight hours of training as repayment.
Character Development
- Detective Michael Bennett: Demonstrates sharp investigative instinct when he immediately interprets the disproven alibi as a sign that Wendy was caught off guard. His interaction with Becky reveals a long-standing, collegial respect; he knows her work habits and values her resourcefulness.
- Rob Trilling: His politeness and Montana roots stand out, as Becky notices his “ma’am” and unfamiliarity with New York manners. He is formally introduced, and his cooperative, respectful demeanor begins to mesh with Bennett’s style. This scene continues to establish him as observant and willing to learn, but his reaction—frowning when they realize they “bought a lie”—shows he shares Bennett’s frustration over being misled.
- Rebecca “Becky” Swope: Her years of cultivating contacts pay off, making her the go‑to person for university records. She balances professionalism with humor, joking about Walter’s puns and teasing Trilling about Yellowstone. The mention of her adult children and her easy rapport with Bennett flesh out her as a dependable, experienced support figure.
- Wendy Robinson (offscreen): The report deepens her portrait. On paper she is a highly trained, determined soldier with a problematic temper. The lie about the study group suggests either panic or a calculated deception. Her military skills make her a dangerous potential perpetrator, and her anger issues align with the profile of someone capable of violence.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Deception and Fragile Alibis
The chapter pivots on a simple, almost innocuous lie. A false claim about a study group cracks open Wendy’s entire story, reinforcing how investigative work often hinges on small, verifiable details. The ease with which the registration record destroys her alibi underscores the vulnerability of hastily constructed cover stories.
The Double-Edged Sword of Military Training
Wendy’s fitness reports highlight a troubling combination: elite sniper skills paired with anger problems. The motif of a “trained but unstable” individual raises tension and hints at the broader theme of how institutions shape people in ways that can turn destructive.
Trust and Partnership
Bennett’s trust in Becky and her network is mirrored in the nascent partnership with Trilling. The chapter shows Bennett relying on others’ expertise while Trilling navigates his first days. Becky’s teasing and the group’s light banter soften the procedural work, revealing how camaraderie sustains the team through tense investigations.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 43 marks a significant pivot in the manhunt for the killer. Until now, Wendy Robinson was an interview subject who gave an odd but unverified account. The proof of her lie transforms her from a questionable witness into the primary suspect. Her sniper background raises the stakes dramatically—she is not merely a person of interest, but someone with the training to commit the precise, long‑distance shootings central to the case. The chapter also solidifies Trilling’s role; his introduction to Becky and his reaction to the unfolding lie bond him more firmly to Bennett’s quest. Procedurally, it showcases how Bennett’s reliance on support analysts pays off, and it injects urgency: they don’t just need to re‑interview Wendy, they need to find her before she puts her lethal skills to use again.
Study Questions and Answers
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What specific discrepancies did Becky Swope uncover in Wendy Robinson’s story?
Becky found that Wendy was enrolled at City College but had taken only one class two semesters ago. This means there was no active study group as she claimed, completely undermining her alibi. -
Why does Bennett consider Wendy’s lie about a study group so damning?
Bennett believes they surprised Wendy when they first met, leading her to invent a simple but false alibi on the spot. If she had been innocent, she could have given a more verifiable or innocuous answer; the intended deception suggests she has something significant to hide, possibly related to the killings. -
How does the Department of Defense report deepen Wendy’s profile as a suspect?
The report reveals that Wendy received specialized sniper training and was determined and physically fit, yet struggled with anger management and working with others. This combination makes her physically capable of committing the sniper attacks and suggests a psychological volatility that could push her toward violence.