Chapter 55: Bennett Quizzes FBI’s ASAC Lincoln
Spoiler Notice
This summary and analysis contains major spoilers for Chapter 55 of Crosshairs by James Patterson. Read at your own risk.
Summary
NYPD Detective Michael Bennett heads to the FBI’s New York office for a delicate conversation. Escorted by a young agent named Jason, he is admitted to the office of Assistant Special Agent in Charge Robert Lincoln—a man Bennett distrusts. Lincoln embodies what cops despise about the FBI: pompous, secretive, and patronizing. Bennett has a love-hate history with the Bureau, complicated by the recent murder of his close FBI ally Emily Parker in Washington, DC.
Bennett’s stated purpose is to update Lincoln on the sniper case that temporarily brought Officer Rob Trilling back to the NYPD. He wants to probe Trilling’s performance without raising suspicion or harming Trilling’s career. Bennett frames his inquiry as a routine evaluation, explaining he is checking on the young officer’s work in the fugitive task force while its supervisor is on medical leave.
Lincoln barely looks up and greets Bennett with thinly veiled disdain. He admits Trilling was “sharp and determined,” with no known failures, but undercuts the compliment by saying he doesn’t expect much from local law enforcement. He adds that the NYPD probably cannot handle a sniper “a notch above” their usual killers, and he hints the FBI might intervene. Bennett knows Lincoln is just stirring trouble—the FBI cannot simply take over an NYPD case without causing a firestorm.
The detective swallows his anger, refusing to rise to the bait. He leaves with the information he needed: Trilling’s record is clean, and his temporary assignment likely poses no hidden threat. The chapter closes with Bennett’s silent satisfaction that he did not snap back at Lincoln’s final insult.
Key Events
- Bennett arrives at the FBI office, mentally preparing for a difficult visit.
- Jason escorts him to Robert Lincoln, who ignores him at first.
- Bennett informs Lincoln of the sniper case update and claims he is evaluating Trilling.
- Lincoln pronounces Trilling competent and without mistakes but belittles the NYPD.
- Lincoln suggests the FBI may step in, a hollow threat Bennett lets slide.
- Bennett retains his composure despite Lincoln’s provocative remark about NYPD’s competence.
Character Development
- Bennett: Demonstrates tactical patience and emotional control. Still raw from Emily Parker’s murder, he refuses to let Lincoln’s arrogance provoke him. He uses a professional cover story to investigate a colleague, revealing his cautious, methodical nature.
- Robert Lincoln: A picture of institutional arrogance. His condescension—calling NYPD officers inferior, implying the FBI might take over—shows why rank-and-file cops resent the Bureau. Yet his guarded praise of Trilling reveals he can be objective.
- Rob Trilling (off-page): Lincoln’s assessment reinforces the impression that Trilling is a capable, unblemished officer, though Bennett’s need to check suggests lingering suspicion.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- FBI-NYPD Rivalry: The chapter personifies the decades-old friction through Lincoln’s patronizing tone and Bennett’s exasperation. Bennett knows the FBI cannot simply seize the case, but the threat stings.
- Professional Restraint: Bennett’s internal battle not to snap back at Lincoln’s “snotty comment” highlights the discipline required in interagency politics.
- Ghosts of the Past: Emily Parker’s murder remains a silent undercurrent, coloring Bennett’s interactions with the FBI. Her death makes this meeting emotionally loaded even before Lincoln opens his mouth.
- Veiled Investigation: Bennett’s decision to pose as an evaluator rather than a suspicious colleague illustrates the moral tightrope he walks—protecting a fellow officer while ensuring the case is free of internal corruption.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 55 advances the subplot surrounding Rob Trilling, quieting (for now) fears that he might be compromised. It also deepens the reader’s understanding of Bennett’s methodology: he does not rely on gut alone but seeks hard evidence—even when it means enduring an unpleasant meeting. The scene reinforces the hostile dynamic between the NYPD and the FBI, a tension that could complicate any future joint effort if the sniper case expands. Finally, Bennett’s restraint in the face of provocation shows a man who has grown through loss, choosing strategy over emotional outburst.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Bennett choose to frame his questions about Trilling as a routine evaluation rather than a direct inquiry?
Bennett does not want to alert Lincoln that he may be investigating a fellow officer for possible misbehavior. A direct question might damage Trilling’s reputation or invite unwanted FBI scrutiny. By presenting himself as a detective performing a standard performance review, Bennett can extract the information he needs without raising suspicion or burning bridges.
2. How does Lincoln’s attitude reflect the broader friction between the FBI and local police departments?
Lincoln embodies the stereotype of the arrogant federal agent who looks down on local law enforcement. His dismissive remarks—calling NYPD’s killer “a notch above” their typical cases, implying the FBI might take over, and insulting Bennett’s work ethic—neatly sum up the resentment local officers feel toward the Bureau. This tension, rooted in jurisdictional pride and resource disparities, is a recurring theme in the series.
3. What does Bennett’s reaction to Lincoln’s final insult reveal about his character development since Emily Parker’s death?
Bennett’s ability to hold his tongue, despite wanting to snap back, shows emotional growth and hard-won pragmatism. Losing Emily Parker likely sharpened his awareness that outbursts solve nothing and that professional relationships—even toxic ones—must be managed, not destroyed. His refusal to take the bait proves he is thinking strategically, putting the case and Trilling’s welfare above his own pride.