Chapter 69: SEC Investigation and Frustrated Justice
Spoiler Notice: This page reveals key plot details from Chapter 69 of Crosshairs by James Patterson. If you haven't read this chapter yet, proceed with caution to avoid major spoilers.
Summary
Detective Michael Bennett visits the Securities and Exchange Commission offices for the first time, noting the luxurious American Express Tower location—a stark contrast to the dilapidated VA off-site office he usually encounters. The SEC offices impress him with art reproductions on the walls and a bustling lobby of well-dressed professionals. He has arranged a meeting with attorney Chloe Lewis, who receives him warmly in her north-facing office adorned with an Avengers: Endgame movie poster and NYU diplomas. Bennett explains he is investigating the murder of Adam Glossner and asks about the fines Glossner’s company paid. Lewis reveals deep frustration: Glossner personally raided client accounts, hid interests in two companies he pushed to clients, and evaded criminal prosecution. The FBI, constrained by limited resources, allowed Glossner to settle the case with checks instead of pursuing an indictment. Bennett reflects on this all-too-common outcome in law enforcement. He leaves the meeting with a new investigative focus, noting that two victims—Glossner and Gus Querva—may have had criminal backgrounds, and decides to pursue a rumor Lois Frang mentioned about a firefighter.
Key Events
- Bennett visits the SEC offices in the American Express Tower, contrasting its luxury with typical government workspaces.
- He meets SEC attorney Chloe Lewis, who immediately agrees to discuss Adam Glossner.
- Lewis tells Bennett that Glossner raided client accounts and hid illegal business interests, but was only fined.
- She criticizes the FBI for failing to seek an indictment, acknowledging her own resentment toward Glossner.
- Bennett assures Lewis her anger is understandable and does not implicate her in the murder.
- Bennett connects the criminal backgrounds of Glossner and another victim, Gus Querva, and resolves to investigate the firefighter rumor from Lois Frang.
Character Development
Michael Bennett: This chapter showcases Bennett’s adaptability as he navigates an unfamiliar federal agency with ease. His observant nature is on full display as he takes in the SEC’s upscale environment, comparing it to the near-slum VA office. Bennett’s interpersonal skills shine when he handles Chloe Lewis with empathy, dismissing her guilt over speaking ill of the dead. His investigative intuition crystallizes when he links Glossner and Querva’s potential criminal pasts and identifies the firefighter rumor as his sole remaining thread. The chapter reveals a detective who is methodical, understated, and quietly building a case from disparate, unsatisfying pieces.
Chloe Lewis: Lewis emerges as a principled government attorney disillusioned by the gap between real-world justice and its cinematic portrayal. Her office decorations—a superhero poster and NYU degrees—suggest youthful idealism that has been tempered by professional disappointment. She is candid about her belief that Glossner deserved worse than fines, and her momentary unease about speaking ill of the dead humanizes her. Lewis represents a frustrated whistleblower or regulator who watched a guilty man walk away essentially unscathed.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Wealth, Power, and Unequal Justice: The physical setting of the SEC in the American Express Tower symbolizes how financial regulatory agencies inhabit a world of corporate luxury, while the VA office is neglected. This contrast mirrors the justice system’s unequal treatment: wealthy white-collar criminals like Glossner write checks while others face prison.
Bureaucratic Disillusionment: Lewis’s harsh assessment of the FBI—“they let Glossner write a few checks and that was it”—speaks to a recurring motif in the novel: institutions failing to deliver true accountability. Bennett’s silent acknowledgment that this happens “with most law enforcement agencies” reinforces a systemic critique.
The Mask of Civility: The chapter underscores the idea that polished exteriors hide deep corruption. Glossner operated in a world of “well-dressed professionals” and prestigious addresses, yet he was a fraudster. The SEC offices’ art reproductions and Hudson River views belie the agency’s inability to fully punish the criminals it catches.
Connecting the Unseen Pattern: Bennett’s closing realization that multiple victims have criminal backgrounds hints at a motif of hidden guilt. Victims may not be innocent, and the killer’s motive could be intertwined with their unpunished crimes.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 69 functions as a crucial investigative pivot. It supplies concrete, damning backstory on Adam Glossner, confirming he was not merely a corporate offender but a predatory fraudster who escaped prison through bureaucratic leniency. This information reframes his murder: perhaps someone sought the justice the system denied. The chapter also bridges two otherwise isolated murders by linking Glossner and Gus Querva through their potential criminal histories. Bennett’s decision to chase the firefighter rumor at the chapter’s end signals the narrative tightening around a possible motive—vigilante justice against unpunished wrongdoers. Moreover, Chloe Lewis introduces a credible voice of institutional frustration, lending thematic weight to the novel’s exploration of moral gray areas and the failures of official channels.
Study Questions and Answers
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How does the physical setting of the SEC office contribute to the chapter’s larger commentary on justice? The American Express Tower’s luxury—art reproductions, Hudson River views, upscale restaurants—contrasts sharply with the neglected VA office. This visual disparity mirrors how white-collar offenders like Glossner are treated gently with fines, while other criminals face harsh consequences. The setting embodies a two-tiered justice system where wealth buys comfort, both for regulators and the regulated.
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Why is Chloe Lewis’s frustration significant for Bennett’s investigation? Lewis confirms that Glossner’s crimes were severe enough to warrant federal prosecution, but the FBI settled for fines. This opens a potential motive: someone—perhaps a victim or a disillusioned insider—may have killed Glossner to exact the punishment the courts failed to deliver. Her testimony shifts Glossner from a simple murder victim to a man with enemies who had reason to feel betrayed by the system.
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What does Bennett’s reaction to Lewis’s apology reveal about his character? When Lewis worries about speaking ill of the dead, Bennett asks simply, “Did you kill him?” and dismisses her concern when she says no. This pragmatic, non-judgmental response shows his focus on facts over social niceties. He values honest emotion as a lead rather than a liability, demonstrating an investigator’s instinct to separate personal feelings from actionable evidence.