Chapter 70: A Solo Journey to the City and a Stunning Revelation
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
Jane drives to her Christopher Street apartment for the first time in months, leaving Rip with Dr. Ben. She plans to petition Judge Kane on Monday to withdraw from representing Rob Jacobson. Turning off her phone, she spends the day revisiting old haunts: Central Park, Gray’s Papaya, the American Museum of Natural History, and Lincoln Center. After an evening meal alone at Sistina, she walks to Third Avenue, where her father once worked at the Red Blazer and her ex-husband Martin Elian now runs a restaurant called Elian. Jane struggles with the urge to confront him. As she prepares to leave, a black SUV pulls up, and Martin emerges accompanied by a man she knows to be dead—a twist that hints at deeper deception.
Key Events
- Jane decides to take a weekend getaway alone, leaving her dog Rip with Dr. Ben.
- She plans to formally petition Judge Kane to step away from client Rob Jacobson and his case.
- Jane drives to her New York City apartment, turns off her phone, and immerses herself in familiar city sights.
- She dines alone at Sistina, deliberately avoiding company.
- After dinner, she walks to Third Avenue, the location of her late father’s former bar and her ex-husband Martin’s new restaurant.
- Jane debates entering the restaurant but hesitates, feeling ashamed of her lingering pull toward Martin.
- A black SUV arrives; Martin Elian walks out accompanied by a man Jane believed to be dead.
Character Development
- Jane: This chapter reveals Jane’s deep need for solitude and self‑reflection. She consciously steps away from the pressures of her legal case and her relationship with Ben. Yet her final detour to Martin’s restaurant exposes an unresolved emotional tie to her past, undermining her claimed independence. Her internal conflict—wanting to move on yet drawn to what hurt her—shows vulnerability and self‑awareness.
- Martin Elian (ex‑husband): Though he appears only at the end, his presence with the “dead man” suggests he is entangled in a larger mystery. The chapter deepens his role beyond a mere personal antagonist.
- Dr. Ben Kalinsky (off‑stage): Jane’s decision to leave Rip with him underscores his steady, supportive role, contrasting with the chaos of the case and her ex‑husband.
- Rob Jacobson (client): His missed calls and all‑caps texts indicate he is anxious about Jane’s potential withdrawal, reinforcing his dependency on her.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Nostalgia and the Pull of the Past: Jane’s deliberate revisiting of old places (her childhood bar, her favorite restaurants, the museum) mirrors her emotional return to Martin. The city itself becomes a symbol of the life she left behind.
- Isolation vs. Connection: She craves solitude yet ends up by Martin’s door. The tension between being alone and seeking connection drives the chapter.
- Death and Deception: The “dead man” walking out with Martin introduces a motif of hidden truths. What seemed settled (a death) may be a lie, linking the personal to the legal case.
- Self‑Discovery through Solitude: Jane’s day of wandering allows her to reflect on who she is separate from her roles as lawyer, girlfriend, and ex‑wife. The outcome suggests she still has work to do.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 70 shifts the narrative from courtroom strategy to Jane’s inner life, humanizing the protagonist and raising the emotional stakes. The cliffhanger—the reappearance of a believed‑dead man—injects a major plot twist that likely connects to the Anthony Licata or Joe Champi thread mentioned earlier. It builds suspense for the next chapter and forces Jane (and the reader) to question what else might be hidden.
Study Questions and Answers
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Why does Jane decide to go to the city alone, and what does she hope to accomplish?
Jane needs a break from the pressures of Rob Jacobson’s case and her relationship with Ben. She wants to clear her mind before formally petitioning Judge Kane to withdraw from the case, and she hopes to rediscover a sense of self apart from her current responsibilities. -
What internal conflict does Jane face when she sees Martin’s restaurant, and how does she react?
Jane is torn between her desire to move on from Martin and a lingering curiosity or unresolved feeling that draws her to him. She mocks herself for behaving “like a ridiculous teenager” and nearly leaves, but a chance event—the arrival of the SUV—forces her to witness something that re‑engages her with his world. -
What is the significance of the “dead man” who appears with Martin?
The man’s reappearance shatters assumptions about an earlier death (likely linked to the case or Martin’s past). It raises questions about whether Martin is involved in a cover‑up, and it directly threatens Jane’s plan to distance herself from the case. The twist suggests the plot is about to take a dangerous turn.