Chapter summaries Hard to Kill James Patterson & Mike Lupica

Chapter 87 Summary – Brigid’s Call and Rob’s Confession

⚠️ 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

Chapter 87 opens with Jimmy reporting that another visit to McKenzie's house was fruitless—no sign of the Tesla or the man himself. Jane, distracted, stares at the hummingbird feeder, hoping a bird will reappear if she closes her eyes. The phone rings: Brigid calling from Switzerland. She reveals that her latest round of chemo is ending and, if it fails, doctors will discuss a stem-cell transplant. Jane offers to fly to her side, but Brigid insists on her own agency, echoing Jane's earlier line to Jimmy about body and choice. Jane fights tears, aware of her lifelong role as the strong one in the family. They shift to Jane's own ongoing chemo, but she withholds news of her recent fainting spell to protect Brigid. Brigid then shares a troubling report from Rob: he told her he sometimes thinks about killing himself because of "all the terrible things he's done." Jane is skeptical, recalling Rob used a similar depression defense during his first trial. Brigid asks Jane to check on him. Jane agrees, and they end the call with love. Alone in the backyard, Jane finds no hummingbirds—a quiet metaphor for the hope that remains elusive.

Key Events

  • Jimmy and Jane's trip to McKenzie's house yields nothing; he promises to find him.
  • Jane gazes at the empty hummingbird feeder, hoping for a return.
  • Brigid calls from Switzerland to update Jane on her cancer treatment.
  • Brigid reveals she may need a stem-cell transplant if the current chemo fails.
  • Jane offers to come to Switzerland; Brigid refuses, asserting her own choice.
  • Jane refrains from telling Brigid about her fainting spell.
  • Brigid reports that Rob confessed to suicidal thoughts, blaming past terrible deeds.
  • Jane expresses doubt about Rob's sincerity, citing his trial history.
  • Brigid asks Jane to check on Rob; Jane says she already does and will try today.
  • The chapter ends with Jane outside, still waiting for hummingbirds.

Character Development

  • Jane: Struggles to maintain her composure for Brigid's sake, actively suppressing her own fear and vulnerability. Her role as "the strong one" deepens as she puts aside her own health crisis to support her sister. Her skepticism toward Rob's depression shows a hardened, protective side shaped by past manipulation.
  • Brigid: Despite her own grave illness, she prioritizes Rob's well-being and urges Jane to reach out. She speaks in a "small, flat" voice, revealing exhaustion and fear, yet she remains assertive about her medical decisions.
  • Jimmy: Off-page but reaffirms his dedication to tracking McKenzie.
  • Rob (mentioned): Portrayed through Brigid's account as a man haunted by his past, claiming suicidal ideation—though Jane questions his sincerity, adding ambiguity to his character.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

  • The Strong One: Jane consciously plays the protector, a pattern established when her mother was ill and her father couldn't cope. This chapter tests that role as she hides her own struggles.
  • Body Autonomy: Brigid's line "my body, my choice" echoes Jane's earlier joke, now given serious weight in the context of life-threatening illness.
  • The Hummingbird Feeder: A recurring symbol of hope and fleeting beauty. The feeder remains empty throughout the chapter, mirroring Jane's inability to find comfort or resolution.
  • Deception vs. Truth: Jane's admission that she became a top lawyer by not being truthful contrasts with her inability to lie convincingly to Brigid. This tension plays out in her concealment of her fainting and her doubt about Rob's confession.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 87 deepens the emotional stakes on two fronts: Brigid's cancer battle and Rob's mental state. It reminds readers that Jane's personal life is as fraught as the professional cases she handles. The conversation with Brigid forces Jane to confront her own fears while maintaining a facade of strength. Rob's resurgence as a potentially unstable figure introduces a new layer of threat or manipulation, depending on whether his suicidal talk is genuine. The empty hummingbird feeder closes the chapter on a note of unresolved waiting, leaving both Jane and the reader in a state of tension.

Study Questions and Answers

  1. Why does Jane decide not to tell Brigid about her fainting spell?
    Jane withholds the information because she doesn't want to upset Brigid or make her feel worse. She also recognizes that sharing it would make Brigid worry more about Jane, reversing their roles; Jane prefers to remain the strong one for her sister.

  2. What is Jane's reaction to Rob's suicidal confession, and why?
    Jane is skeptical and dismissive, recalling that Rob used a similar depression defense during his first trial. She believes he may be manipulating Brigid, though she cannot prove it. Her distrust stems from past experience, but the chapter leaves open the possibility that Rob is genuinely suffering.

  3. How does the hummingbird feeder function as a symbol in this chapter?
    The empty feeder symbolizes Jane's hope for relief or a sign of life. She tells herself that if she closes her eyes and opens them, at least one hummingbird will have returned—but none do. This lack of arrival mirrors her unspoken anxieties about Brigid's recovery and her own health.

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