Chapter 70: Chapter 2 Summary – I Have Some Questions for You
⚠️ 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
The chapter opens with Bodie remarking that all the people associated with Thalia's case – students, teachers, suspects – became well-known through the podcast and internet discussion. She then addresses the male teacher directly, explaining that she never named him on the podcast, only referring to him as "a male teacher" to whom Thalia might have been problematically close. This restraint was due to legal advice: the lawyers warned against publicly naming anyone who had not been an official person of interest in the case, to avoid harming her credibility as a witness in Omar's appeal.
Despite her caution, the online community identified the teacher within hours after a Granby alum shared what "everyone knew" about him and Thalia. Bodie confesses she hoped this would trigger a flood of accusations similar to those faced by Jerome, another teacher who had been publicly accused. She expected students from the teacher's past – Providence, Bulgaria, Granby – to come forward with evidence of his predation, leading to his exposure and job loss. Instead, only a few message-board threads materialized, and those were quickly buried by two other major developments: a man in Vermont confessed (but turned out to be on a navy ship in the Persian Gulf at the time), and Thalia's half brother published a Medium article asking the public to leave his family alone.
The teacher's luck continued when Dane Rubra, the podcaster who had been driving much of the amateur investigation, moved on to other leads – specifically tracking down Robbie Serenho's college girlfriend. Rubra also resented the podcast for taking over what he considered his story, so he avoided endorsing any theory the podcast had raised. Bodie realizes that for the teacher to become a viable suspect, someone like Rubra would need to champion the idea, but that didn't happen.
Bodie concludes that the most important thing is for the teacher's name to arise at the formal hearing as someone never properly investigated. She cannot be the one to drag his name into the proceedings without solid evidence, or she risks losing credibility in Omar's case. She cannot even post anonymously online. Frustrated but patient, she states plainly: "I wanted your head on a pike. I was just willing to wait."
Key Events
- Bodie explains that legal advice prevented her from naming the male teacher on the podcast.
- Reddit users identify the teacher using information from a Granby alum.
- Bodie hopes for a wave of accusations against the teacher, like the one that struck Jerome.
- Two events overshadow the teacher's story: a false confession from a Vermont man and Thalia's half brother's Medium article.
- Dane Rubra does not pursue the teacher theory, instead focusing on other leads.
- Bodie decides to wait for the right moment to bring the teacher into the official case.
Character Development
- Bodie: Shows strategic restraint and patience. She balances her desire for justice with the need to maintain credibility. Her frustration is evident, but she is willing to act cautiously.
- The male teacher (addressee): Remains an off-page figure, defined only by Bodie's suspicion and the rumors that surround him.
- Dane Rubra: Portrayed as erratic and possessive of the case narrative; he resents competition and drifts between theories.
- Thalia's half brother: Acts to protect his family's privacy, inadvertently helping the teacher stay hidden.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Fragility of public attention: The online spotlight moves quickly; a suspect can be exposed and forgotten within days.
- Legal constraints on truth: Bodie's hands are tied by the need to preserve her credibility, preventing her from naming the teacher directly.
- Desire for reckoning: Bodie wants the teacher to face consequences but must accept the limits of her power.
- Overlapping narratives: The case competes with other stories (false confession, family plea) that divert public focus.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter reveals the tactical side of the post-podcast investigation. Bodie is no longer just a witness or podcaster; she is a strategic actor trying to direct the legal process without overstepping. It underscores how the justice system and media attention can be manipulated or stalled, and how difficult it is to hold someone accountable without hard evidence. The chapter also deepens the novel's exploration of imperfect justice and the role of online vigilantism.
Study Questions and Answers
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Why does Bodie not name the male teacher on the podcast?
She received legal advice not to publicly name anyone who was not an official person of interest in the case, because doing so could damage her credibility as a witness in Omar's appeal. -
What two events diverted public attention away from the male teacher?
A Vermont man's false confession (later disproven when he was found to have been overseas) and Thalia's half brother's Medium article asking the public to stop investigating and leave his family alone. -
What does Bodie hope will eventually happen to the male teacher, and what is she willing to do in the meantime?
She hopes that a flood of past accusations will surface, leading to his exposure and loss of his job. In the meantime, she is willing to wait rather than risk her credibility by naming him without evidence.