Chapter 31 Summary: July 27, 2021

⚠️ 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

Holly questions Avram Welch at his Sunrise Bay condo. Welch shows healed S‑shaped scars from a 2015 double knee replacement and recalls that Cary Tribble was at the Strike Em Out bowling alley in mid‑August of that year and absent when Welch returned in November. Welch’s wife Mary died of lung cancer the day after his surgery. He confirms that the Golden Oldies team liked Cary, a “Tribble”—a friendly, spacey, pot‑smoking regular. Welch implies that most team members, except Rodney Harris, also used marijuana. Holly leaves with the unsettling thought that if Welch is the Red Bank Predator, her beliefs will collapse. Meanwhile, Barbara phones Jerome, who is in New York. She confesses her Penley Prize finalist status, expecting jealousy, but Jerome responds with delighted congratulations. He recounts the Steinman disappearance and says Holly may have uncovered a serial killer near Red Bank Avenue. Jerome also shares a breakthrough insight about the case and asks Barbara to email the PIX folder from his father’s old study. Overjoyed, Barbara cries from happiness.

Key Events

Holly interviews Avram Welch, who displays his knee‑replacement scars and provides a precise timeline for Cary Tribble’s disappearance from the bowling alley.
Welch recalls his wife Mary’s lung cancer diagnosis the day after his surgery and her death a year later.
Holly learns that Welch, like most Golden Oldies except Rodney Harris, used marijuana—confirming the group’s lax attitude toward pot.
Holly wrestles with the possibility that Welch could be the killer, a thought that would undermine her intuition.
Barbara calls Jerome and reveals her candidacy for the Penley Prize.
Jerome responds with unreserved excitement, not jealousy, and shares updates on Holly’s case.
Jerome tells Barbara he had a sudden insight about the Red Bank Predator case.
Jerome asks Barbara to send the PIX folder (photos for his book) from their father’s study.
Barbara cries tears of relief and happiness after the call.

Character Development

Holly Gibney demonstrates her methodical approach by cross‑checking Welch’s memory of Cary’s last appearance at the bowling alley. Her internal conflict surfaces when she admits that Welch’s possible guilt would shatter her trust in her own instincts. This moment deepens her vulnerability and underscores the high stakes of the investigation.

Avram Welch emerges as a grief‑stricken but cooperative witness. His detailed recall of dates and his admission of past marijuana use align him with the “Tribble” personality he attributes to Cary. His openness contrasts with the secrecy Holly is trying to pierce.

Barbara Robinson finally shares her literary triumph with her brother, overcoming fear of jealousy. Jerome’s warm, supportive reaction allows her to release the tension she has been carrying. Her crying signifies catharsis and validates her decision to confide in family.

Jerome Robinson shows his growth as a supportive sibling and an engaged partner in Holly’s investigation. His excitement for Barbara’s success balances his serious role in the unfolding mystery of the Red Bank Predator. His “clicked into place” insight hints at a logical breakthrough that will affect the plot.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

The “Tribble” Metaphor – Avram Welch uses the Star Trek term “Tribble” to describe Cary’s harmless, cheerful nature. Holly, a Trekkie, understands the reference immediately. The metaphor reinforces the theme of hidden dangers: even a cuddly creature can multiply into a threat. It also bonds Holly and Welch through shared pop‑culture knowledge.

Memory and Timelines – Welch’s precise recollection of dates (his surgery, Cary’s last visit, the bowling tournament) highlights the importance of chronology in Holly’s investigation. The chapter suggests that memory can be both a reliable tool and a source of pain, as Welch’s memories are tied to his wife’s death.

Secrecy and Disclosure – Barbara’s confession to Jerome parallels Holly’s own struggle to share information. Both characters finally release secrets, leading to emotional relief. This motif reinforces the book’s emphasis on trust and collaboration.

Family Support – Jerome’s unreserved joy for Barbara contrasts with her expectation of jealousy. The sibling bond becomes a counterpoint to the surveillance and mistrust that surround Holly’s case.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter advances two parallel emotional arcs: Holly’s deepening uncertainty about her deductive abilities and Barbara’s personal growth in sharing her success. The interview with Avram Welch provides a plausible timeline for Cary Tribble’s disappearance while introducing doubt about Holly’s suspect profile. Jerome’s insight suggests a new direction in the Red Bank Predator investigation, potentially shifting the narrative toward a resolution. The chapter also strengthens the interconnectedness of the main characters, setting the stage for collaborative action.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Holly feel uneasy after leaving Avram Welch's apartment? Holly realizes that if Welch turns out to be the Red Bank Predator, everything she has believed about her own judgment would be disproven. This threatens her intellectual and intuitive confidence.

2. How does Jerome react when Barbara tells him about the Penley Prize? Jerome responds with immediate, enthusiastic congratulations and asks many excited questions. He expresses a desire to hug her, which moves Barbara to tears of relief.

3. What new insight does Jerome share with Barbara about the case? Jerome says he finally solved a puzzle that had been bothering him—like seeing a face in an inkblot picture. He does not explain the insight in detail, but it concerns the serial killer operating near Red Bank Avenue or the college.

Navigation

Previous Chapter: Chapter 30
Next Chapter: Chapter 32
Book Hub: Holly