Chapter 85: Someone Has Been Playing Us
⚠️ 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 and Danny Esposito are at Jimmy's bar, awaiting Jimmy Cunniff's return. Esposito offers to have his office triangulate Jimmy's cell signal, but Jane speculates there must be a reason Jimmy doesn't want to be found. They discuss the case: Jane updates Esposito on Licata, McKenzie, Eric Jacobson, her ex, and her brief hospital visit. Esposito asks whether McKenzie and Jacobson would try to jam up their client, and whether Cunniff might return the favor if given the chance. Jane acknowledges Jimmy's absence worries her deeply, admitting Jimmy is the true love of her life. Checking the Find My app, she sees Jimmy's last location in Southampton. She snaps at Esposito when he questions if McKenzie and Jacobson could take Jimmy down, insisting that would require automatic weapons. Jimmy eventually arrives, visibly furious, and orders bourbon. He declares he was played and suspects someone has been running them in circles since they took the case. Jane retorts that if he still thinks she is the brains of the operation, he has indeed been played.
Key Events
- Jane and Danny Esposito wait for Jimmy at the bar, discussing possible locations and motives for his absence.
- Esposito suggests cell-tower triangulation; Jane speculates on reasons for Jimmy's silence.
- Jane updates Esposito on recent case developments involving Licata, McKenzie, and Eric Jacobson.
- Esposito probes whether McKenzie and Jacobson would try to frame the client and whether Cunniff would retaliate.
- Jane checks the Find My app and sees Jimmy's last location in Southampton.
- Jane slaps the bar in frustration, then Jimmy finally walks in about fifteen minutes later.
- Jimmy orders bourbon and declares he was played, believing someone has been manipulating them since the start of the case.
- Jane's final remark suggests that if Jimmy still trusts her as the brains, he is mistaken.
Character Development
Jane: The chapter reveals the depth of Jane's feelings for Jimmy. She explicitly states that Jimmy is the true love of her life and that she would want to die if something happened to him. Her worry manifests in short-tempered outbursts, showing her vulnerability under stress. She also demonstrates her sharp wit and self-awareness in the closing line.
Danny Esposito: Esposito shows growing camaraderie with Jane, suggesting a bond is forming. He stays by her side, offers practical help, and engages in candid conversation about the case. His humor and willingness to team up indicate he is becoming a trusted ally.
Jimmy Cunniff: Jimmy arrives angry and frustrated, a departure from his usual composed investigator persona. He feels played and suspects a larger conspiracy, indicating his trust in the case's trajectory has been shattered. His immediate need for bourbon underscores his emotional state.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Deception and Being Played: The central theme of the chapter is manipulation. Jimmy's declaration that someone has been playing them since the start highlights the overarching sense of being outwitted. Jane's closing line reinforces that even trust within the team may be compromised.
- Trust and Loyalty: The bond between Jane and Jimmy is tested by absence and anger, yet Jane's internal monologue reaffirms her unwavering loyalty. Esposito's presence introduces a developing trust between new partners.
- Waiting and Tension: The bar setting with the muted Yankees game creates a backdrop of anxious waiting. The slow passage of time amplifies the suspense before Jimmy's arrival.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter is a turning point in the investigation. Jimmy's claim that they have been played since taking the case reframes the entire plot, suggesting a puppet master is at work. It raises the stakes and deepens the mystery, forcing Jane and the reader to question every previous assumption. The chapter also solidifies the emotional core of the story: Jane's love for Jimmy and her fear of losing him, adding personal stakes to the professional case.
Study Questions and Answers
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Why does Jane become angry when Esposito asks if McKenzie and Jacobson could take down Jimmy?
Jane believes that Jimmy is more than capable of handling himself unless his opponents are heavily armed. Her anger stems from the suggestion that he could be vulnerable, which touches on her deep fear of losing him. -
What does Jimmy mean when he says he got played, and how does Jane respond?
Jimmy feels that someone has been manipulating them since they accepted the case, leading them in circles. Jane retorts that if he still considers her the smart one, then he has indeed been fooled, implying that the deception may include their own partnership. -
How does the chapter develop the relationship between Jane and Danny Esposito?
Esposito offers practical assistance, shares personal details (his preference for hockey), and notes a bond forming between them. Although Jane jokingly tells him to fight the feeling, their cooperative banter shows mutual respect and a growing alliance in the investigation.