Chapter 28 Summary: The Tipster Interview
Spoiler Notice: This summary contains details from Chapter 28 of Obsessed by James Patterson. If you have not read the chapter, proceed with caution.
Summary
Detective Michael Bennett leaves One Police Plaza immediately after learning the tipster’s name. Walter Jackson provides a quick profile: Ivan Mirotic, a Boston University graduate working on Wall Street with no criminal record and no apparent reason to fabricate a tip. Bennett calls but gets no answer; he hesitates to barge into Mirotic’s workplace, aware of the awkwardness a police visit can cause. About twenty minutes later Mirotic returns the call and agrees to meet at South Cove Park, overlooking the Hudson River—not far from where Estella Abreu’s body was discovered days earlier. At the park, Bennett finds Mirotic in a dark Brooks Brothers suit, projected an air of dismissiveness. Bennett shows Mirotic the photo he submitted as a tip. Mirotic explains that he took the picture at a large Wall Street after-hours party about three weeks ago. He saw an attractive woman fumbling with a contact lens and let her use his rewetting solution. Mirotic did not know the man in the photo but says he has seen him at similar events, always well‑groomed and seemingly rude. Mirotic provides the exact date and name of the club, then excused himself from further discussion, leaving Bennett with fresh leads but no suspect name.
Key Events
- Bennett leaves One Police Plaza after learning the tipster’s identity and background.
- He reaches Ivan Mirotic by phone after a twenty‑minute delay.
- The meeting takes place at South Cove Park, the same area where Estella Abreu’s body was found.
- Mirotic confirms he submitted the photo as a tip, claiming he was “just trying to do the right thing.”
- Mirotic describes taking the photo three weeks ago at a Wall Street after‑hours party near The Battery.
- The woman in the photo needed rewetting solution for her contact lens; Mirotic did not know her.
- Mirotic says he has seen the man in the photo before but never spoken to him; the man struck him as arrogant.
- Bennett obtains the exact date, the club name, and a description of the event.
- Mirotic abruptly ends the conversation, leaving Bennett with no further contact information.
Character Development
Michael Bennett remains persistent and methodical, following the tip despite his initial doubts. He shows restraint by not barging into Mirotic’s office, respecting the potential workplace awkwardness. His note‑taking and request for specific party details demonstrate his systematic approach to building a timeline. Bennett’s patience is tested, but he holds his temper when Mirotic dismisses him.
Ivan Mirotic comes across as a reluctant witness. His polished appearance and clipped answers suggest he values his own time above the investigation. He claims altruism (“just trying to do the right thing”) yet his condescending tone and abrupt departure reveal a man who sees the detective as an inconvenience. Mirotic’s credibility remains intact—no criminal record and no clear motive to lie—but his attitude weakens his willingness to assist further.
Walter Jackson is referenced only as a resource who quickly profiles the tipster, underscoring Bennett’s reliance on his team for background checks.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Class and Power – Mirotic’s Brooks Brothers suit, his Wall Street job, and his dismissive demeanor highlight the power dynamics between a homicide detective and a high‑status financier. Bennett, though an experienced NYPD officer, is treated as an interruption.
The Unreliable Witness – Although Mirotic is not a suspect, his lack of direct knowledge about the man in the photo and his air of self‑importance cast doubt on the completeness of his account. The chapter reinforces that even “good” tips require careful vetting.
Place and Memory – The meeting site—South Cove Park, the same location where Estella Abreu’s body was dumped—links the tip physically to the crime scene. The Hudson River’s wind chop and the dip in temperature create a raw, exposed atmosphere that mirrors the investigator’s vulnerability.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 28 provides the first tangible lead connecting the anonymous tip to an actual person, Ivan Mirotic, and narrows the timeline of the party to a specific Friday three weeks prior. Bennett gains a location, a date, and a description of the man accompanying the woman in the photo. This creates a concrete avenue for verification: security footage and credit card receipts from the club. The chapter also deepens the theme of privilege and resistance—Mirotic’s reluctance underscores how class can impede a murder investigation. Finally, the mention of “the Battery” and the Wall Street environment signals that the killer may move in elite financial circles, raising the stakes for Bennett as he navigates a world far from his usual precinct.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Bennett hesitate to visit Mirotic’s office unannounced?
Bennett knows that cops showing up at a person’s workplace can cause embarrassment, regardless of whether the person is a suspect. He does not want Mirotic’s boss to ask awkward questions, which could sour the witness’s cooperation or jeopardize his job.
2. What details from Mirotic’s account could help verify the tip?
Mirotic provides the specific after‑hours club near The Battery, the exact Friday night three weeks earlier, and the fact that the party was a large gathering for Wall Street firms. Bennett can check the club’s security video and credit card receipts to find the man in the photo, as well as cross‑reference the date with Estella Abreu’s known movements.
3. How does Mirotic’s attitude affect Bennett’s investigation?
Mirotic’s condescending and dismissive tone limits the amount of information Bennett can extract in one meeting. Bennett must now decide whether to follow up through other channels—such as financial records or other partygoers—rather than relying on Mirotic’s goodwill. The attitude also signals that the witness may not be eager to testify later, complicating future cooperation.