Chapter summaries Obsessed James Patterson and James O. Born

Chapter 85 Summary: Bronxville Intel and a Former Drug Lord

Spoiler Warning: This summary contains spoilers for Chapter 85 of Obsessed. Read on only if you are caught up.

Complete Summary

After interviewing Michelle Finnegan, Michael Bennett drives to the Bronxville Police Department. The small station is quiet and practical. A middle‑aged man behind the glass partition turns out to be Detective Ed Horvath, who is cover­ing for the receptionist. Horvath jokes that the department lacks an intelli­gence unit; he and one sergeant handle everything. He lets Bennett inside.

Horvath gives a quick tour of the cluttered office and complains about his job, comparing himself unfavorably to his brother, a Florida gastroenterologist. He assumes Bennett’s visit will create extra work. Bennett hands over a list of four names and asks if any are known to the department.

Horvath scans the list and recognizes Perry Martin, the football coach at Wolfson Academy who appears frequently in local newspapers, but the department has no case involving him. Then Horvath identifies William Tassick, a name he hasn’t heard in years. Horvath explains that years earlier, a joint narcotics task force knew Tassick as the biggest local dealer. The DEA eventually arrested him for bringing kilos of cocaine into Newark; Horvath assumed Tassick was still in prison. Bennett corrects him: Tassick has been out for a long time and lives in Mount Vernon.

Bennett asks about Tassick’s history of violence. Horvath recalls that Newark PD suspected Tassick of a double murder of rival dealers—each shot once in the face. The killings appeared to be business‑driven. Bennett outlines his current case, and Horvath offers a psychological insight: Tassick may have missed the thrill of the criminal life and now commits new crimes as a way to cope.

Key Events

  • Bennett visits the Bronxville PD and meets Detective Ed Horvath.
  • Horvath recognizes two names on Bennett’s list: Perry Martin (a local football coach) and William Tassick (a former major drug dealer).
  • Horvath reveals Tassick was suspected of a double murder of rival dealers in Newark and was arrested by the DEA.
  • Bennett learns that Tassick has been released from prison and lives in Mount Vernon.
  • Horvath suggests that Tassick might be re‑offending because he misses the excitement of his old life.

Character Development

Michael Bennett demonstrates patience and adaptability. Rather than frustrated by the small‑town police department’s limited resources, he builds rapport with Horvath and extracts valuable information. He also keeps his case details guarded, telling Horvath only a “quick outline.”

Ed Horvath is introduced as a weary, overwhelmed detective who regrets not choosing a different career. He is cynical about city detectives bringing more work, but he ultimately cooperates and provides the key lead about Tassick. His insight into the “thrill” motive adds psychological depth to the investigation.

William Tassick (off‑page) emerges as a figure from the past—a drug kingpin with a violent streak. His re‑emergence as a suspect suggests the story’s antagonist may not be the most obvious person.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

  • The thrill of crime / addiction to danger: Horvath proposes that Tassick may be committing new crimes because he misses the adrenaline of dealing and murder. This introduces the idea that criminal behavior can be driven by psychological need, not just profit.
  • Small‑town vs. big‑city police work: The contrast between the modest Bronxville station and the NYPD’s One Police Plaza underscores the different scale of operations. Horvath’s department lacks an intel unit, yet he holds crucial local knowledge.
  • Overlooked connections: Tassick’s status as a former dealer now living quietly in Mount Vernon suggests that the most dangerous threat can be hidden in plain sight.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 85 pivots the investigation from the NYPD’s resources to the street‑level knowledge of a small‑town detective. Horvath’s recognition of Tassick and his recounting of the unsolved double murder give Bennett a concrete suspect with a motive rooted in violence and thrill‑seeking. The chapter also deepens the novel’s exploration of the psychology behind recidivism and the hidden lives of former criminals.

Study Questions and Answers

  1. Why does Detective Horvath initially seem reluctant to help Bennett?
    Horvath is overworked and cynical; he expects that any request from the city will pile more work onto his already overflowing desk. He jokingly compares his job (dealing with “assholes”) to his brother’s career as a gastroenterologist.

  2. What specific information does Horvath provide about William Tassick that could affect the case?
    Horvath reveals that Tassick was the biggest local drug dealer, was suspected of a double murder of rival dealers (each shot once in the face), and was arrested by the DEA. He also suggests Tassick may have re‑offended because he misses the excitement of his former life.

  3. How does this chapter change the reader’s understanding of the unknown perpetrator?
    Prior to this chapter, the suspect list was a set of names. Now Tassick emerges as a viable candidate with a documented history of violence and a possible psychological motive. The idea that he “missed the thrill” adds a layer of complexity beyond simple profit.

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