Chapter 56 Summary – William Patel Delivers a Breakthrough in The Girlfriend Experience Case
⚠️ Spoiler Notice
This summary contains plot details from Chapter 56 of Obsessed (Michael Bennett #15). If you haven’t read the book yet and want to avoid spoilers, please come back after reading.
Summary
NYPD headquarters makes Michael Bennett uncomfortable, but he returns to the Tech Unit seeking help from analyst William Patel. Bennett shares everything he knows about “The Girlfriend Experience” case: three victims (Emma Schrade, Estella Abreu, Suzanne Morton) and two suspects (Kyle and Jaden Banning), with no solid evidence. While Bennett talks, Patel reveals he has already cross-referenced the victims’ phone numbers through unofficial channels. He identifies a common hub number linked to a former NYU student named Allie Pritz, and hands Bennett nine pages of driver’s license info, phone numbers, and addresses. Bennett is stunned by the speed and depth of Patel’s work, realizing he has underestimated the tech unit’s potential. Patel declines a kiss but agrees to keep helping.
Key Events
- Bennett reluctantly visits One Police Plaza and enters the Tech Unit.
- He asks for William Patel and finds him working in a dimly lit room.
- Bennett explains the case, the three victims, and the Banning brothers.
- While Bennett talks, Patel has already printed out cross-referenced results.
- The printouts reveal a common phone number leading to Allie Pritz.
- Bennett is speechless at how quickly Patel obtained the information.
- Patel refuses Bennett’s offer of a kiss, making a lighthearted but firm boundary.
Character Development
- Michael Bennett: Shows his willingness to trust a tech specialist he has worked with before. His surprise at Patel’s efficiency highlights his prior underestimation of NYPD support staff. Bennett’s discomfort at headquarters remains a consistent trait.
- William Patel: Demonstrates initiative, skill, and eagerness to work on meaningful cases. He bypasses formal approval, recalling his past help without authorization. His fast work and dry humor (“Put me in, Coach”) reveal a confident, capable analyst.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Technology’s dual power: Patel’s quick cross-referencing of unapproved sites shows how unofficial digital tools can crack a case, while also raising ethical questions.
- Trust between detectives and support staff: Bennett’s original underestimation mirrors a wider police culture that dismisses tech experts as “nerdy administrative assistants.” This chapter subverts that stereotype.
- Unorthodox methods: Patel works without direct approval, preferring effective results over bureaucratic rules. Bennett’s acceptance suggests a theme of ends justifying means.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter provides the first real lead in “The Girlfriend Experience” investigation. Until now, Bennett has had only names and speculation. Patel’s identification of Allie Pritz as a potential common contact opens a door to a living witness who might tie the victims together. The scene also deepens Bennett’s character by showing his evolving respect for other NYPD resources, setting up a possible pattern of collaboration for the rest of the case.
Study Questions
1. What specific information does Bennett give Patel, and why is it limited?
Bennett hands over information sheets on the three victims—Emma Schrade, Estella Abreu, and Suzanne Morton—containing only personal data like dates of birth and cell phone numbers. He also names Kyle and Jaden Banning as suspects but admits he has no evidence on anyone. The information is limited because the case has been running on hunches rather than hard proof.
2. How does Patel obtain the lead on Allie Pritz, and what does his method reveal about his character?
Patel uses unapproved websites to cross-reference the victims’ phone numbers, discovering that they all share at least one common number used as a hub. This reveals that Patel is resourceful, willing to bend rules to solve a case, and confident in his technical abilities. He prepared the printouts while Bennett was still speaking, showing his multitasking skill and eagerness.
3. What does Bennett’s reaction to Patel’s work tell us about his growth as a detective?
Bennett is “speechless” and admits he had “expected too little” from the tech unit. He reflects that other detectives view tech staff as “nerdy administrative assistants.” His surprise and appreciation show a willingness to challenge his own biases and a growing recognition that modern detective work relies on technological expertise.