Chapter 97 Summary: Jimmy's Confrontation with Thomas McKenzie
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Complete Summary
Jimmy Cunniff drives to Thomas McKenzie’s residence on Lily Pond Lane in East Hampton—a property that dwarfs his son’s home and offers even more ocean frontage. Deciding to skip the courtesy of a phone call, Jimmy simply shows up. He reasons that McKenzie cannot kick him out of his fund.
A very young redhead named Chelsea answers the door, wearing a white bikini that covers so little that Jimmy questions its purpose. He shows her a badge from his collection—he never leaves home without at least one fake badge. She calls for McKenzie, and Jimmy makes a crack about not wanting to know where she keeps a fake ID if she uses one.
McKenzie appears in cargo shorts, a faded polo shirt, and holding a margarita. He hands the glass to Chelsea, pats her on the ass, and tells her to go for another swim so he can watch her get out. After she leaves, McKenzie refuses to invite Jimmy inside. He dismisses Jimmy, calling him “not a real cop” who doesn’t “play one on television.”
Jimmy presses on, saying he has more questions about McKenzie’s relationship with the late Anthony Licata and the late Robinson Jacobson. McKenzie insists he has already said more than he should have and starts to shut the door. Jimmy holds it open with his hand.
Jimmy wonders aloud how many clients like McKenzie Licata and his partner had, and how big that business really was. McKenzie pushes his sunglasses down to show his pale blue eyes and says his business with Licata ended long ago. Jimmy counters: what if it didn’t? What if McKenzie kept dialing up Licata every time he had a problem with his son—or a problem of his own, perhaps involving a younger woman like Chelsea?
McKenzie smiles thinly and warns that Jimmy has no idea what he’s gotten into. He says Jimmy and “the lawyer lady” are out of their depth. Then he adds, almost casually, that such people sometimes end up at the bottom of the ocean. He pushes his sunglasses back and prepares to close the door.
Jimmy delivers a parting shot: he suggests that McKenzie’s son not keeping it in his pants might be an inherited trait. McKenzie slams the door.
Key Events
- Jimmy arrives unannounced at Thomas McKenzie’s East Hampton estate.
- A young woman in a bikini, Chelsea, answers the door; Jimmy flashes a fake badge.
- McKenzie refuses entry and insults Jimmy, calling him a fake cop.
- Jimmy questions McKenzie about his past ties to Anthony Licata and Robinson Jacobson.
- McKenzie insists the business relationship ended long ago.
- Jimmy suggests the relationship may have continued for personal or family problems.
- McKenzie issues a veiled death threat: people like Jimmy and the lawyer lady can end up at the bottom of the ocean.
- Jimmy insults McKenzie by implying the son’s behavior is inherited from the father.
- McKenzie slams the door in Jimmy’s face.
Character Development
Jimmy Cunniff shows his characteristic recklessness and disregard for protocol. By showing up unannounced and using a fake badge, he demonstrates his willingness to operate outside official channels. His persistence in pressing McKenzie about Licata reveals his drive to uncover the truth, even when facing a powerful and threatening figure. The final quip about inherited traits shows he cannot resist a taunt, even when it escalates the danger.
Thomas McKenzie emerges as cold, dismissive, and dangerous. He treats Chelsea with casual objectification. He shows no fear of Jimmy, repeatedly belittling him as not a real cop. His threat about the bottom of the ocean is delivered with chilling casualness, establishing him as a man accustomed to using violence or intimidation to protect his secrets. He is clearly not intimidated by Jimmy’s investigation.
Chelsea is a minor character, but her presence highlights McKenzie’s wealth and the power dynamics McKenzie enjoys. Jimmy’s comment about “keeping it in his pants” ties her presence to the theme of secrecy and misconduct.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
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Wealth and Impunity: McKenzie’s massive waterfront property, the young girlfriend, and his dismissive attitude all symbolize the privilege that allows him to operate above the law. He feels free to threaten murder because he believes he is untouchable.
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Fake Identity and Deception: Jimmy’s reliance on fake badges underscores the theme of deception. He is not a real cop, yet he plays one to gain access. McKenzie, in turn, is likely hiding his own true past with Licata.
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The Threat of Violence: The casual threat of being “at the bottom of the ocean” is a recurring motif in crime fiction, but here it is grounded in McKenzie’s real power. It raises the stakes for Jimmy and the unnamed lawyer lady.
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Inheritance and Generational Patterns: Jimmy’s parting comment about inherited traits suggests that the father’s sexual misconduct mirrors the son’s. This hints that McKenzie’s own behavior—perhaps his relationship with Chelsea—may be part of a pattern.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 97 is a turning point in the investigation. Jimmy has now directly confronted one of the wealthy figures connected to Licata and Jacobson. McKenzie’s threat makes explicit the danger Jimmy and his ally (the “lawyer lady”) face. The chapter deepens the mystery around McKenzie’s relationship with Licata: was it truly over, or did he keep using Licata’s services for personal or family problems? Jimmy’s insinuation that the business continued suggests a broader conspiracy. The chapter also reinforces Jimmy’s reckless bravery, while setting up a direct antagonist who will likely try to stop the investigation by any means necessary.
Study Questions and Answers
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Why does Jimmy choose to show up unannounced at McKenzie’s home, and how does McKenzie respond?
Jimmy skips the phone call because he believes McKenzie cannot kick him out of his fund. McKenzie responds by refusing entry, insulting Jimmy’s badge, and eventually threatening him with death. The tactic fails to gain trust but forces a confrontation. -
What does McKenzie’s threat reveal about his character and the stakes of the investigation?
McKenzie’s threat to end Jimmy and the lawyer lady at the bottom of the ocean shows he is ruthless, unafraid to use violence, and believes he is above consequences. The stakes are now life-and-death for the investigators. -
How does Jimmy’s final comment about inherited traits connect to the chapter’s themes?
Jimmy implies that McKenzie’s son’s inability to control himself is inherited from the father. This connects to the theme of generational patterns and suggests that McKenzie’s own relationship with Chelsea may be part of a long-standing behavior—perhaps one he used Licata to cover up.