Chapter summaries Nightshade Michael Connelly

Chapter 20: Interrogating Duncan Forbes

Spoiler Notice: This page contains detailed discussion of events in Chapter 20 of Nightshade. If you have not yet read the chapter, proceed with caution.

Summary

Stilwell arrives at the bullpen to find Duncan Forbes already in the interview room. Lampley had set up the camera but placed Forbes in the wrong seat—with his back to the lens. After correcting the seating and having Forbes sign a Miranda waiver, Stilwell begins questioning. The detective first asks how Forbes knows Leigh-Anne Moss. Forbes appears genuinely surprised and denies any knowledge of her. Stilwell shows a DMV photo, but Forbes still says he has never seen her. To test Forbes’s credibility, Stilwell asks where he was on Saturday, May 17. Forbes claims he was on a fishing charter out of Two Harbors, aboard the Sea Mistress with Captain Tracey Bonnette, anchored at Frenchy’s Cove on Anacapa Island. Stilwell retrieves Forbes’s phone from the property bag and examines the photos. The images show a successful fishing trip; a sunset photo time‑stamped May 17 at 7:52 p.m. and a selfie the next morning at 10:13 a.m. In one photo, Stilwell expands the view to see Forbes’s reflection in the captain’s mirrored sunglasses. Despite a gap of several hours overnight, Stilwell concludes that the alibi is near perfect and that Forbes is likely telling the truth.

Key Events

  • Stilwell corrects the interview room setup—moves Forbes to the seat where the camera captures his face.
  • Forbes waives his Miranda rights and signs the form.
  • Stilwell asks directly about Leigh-Anne Moss; Forbes shows no recognition.
  • Forbes provides a specific alibi: fishing trip on the Sea Mistress with Captain Tracey Bonnette, May 17–18 off Anacapa Island.
  • Stilwell inspects the photos on Forbes’s phone, confirming the timeline and Forbes’s presence via reflection in the captain’s sunglasses.
  • Stilwell decides the alibi is strong enough to believe Forbes is truthful.

Character Development

  • Detective Sergeant Stilwell: Demonstrates a methodical, patient interrogation style. He notices Lampley’s mistakes (wrong seat, hands cuffed) and corrects them without anger. He uses the leverage of a probation‑violation warrant to pressure Forbes but remains open to the possibility that Forbes is innocent. His careful examination of the phone photos shows his commitment to verifying facts rather than relying on instinct.
  • Duncan Forbes: Initially agitated and dismissive, he becomes panicked when Stilwell explains the no‑bail hold on the warrant. He insists he does not know Leigh‑Anne Moss and quickly offers a detailed alibi. His willingness to unlock his phone and show the photos suggests he is confident in his story. The evidence supports his account, making him a credible witness at this point.
  • Lampley & Ramirez: Lampley is portrayed as inexperienced—setting up the interview room improperly and not checking the camera angle. Ramirez is called away to a minor incident, underscoring the limited resources on the island.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

  • The Interrogation as a Test of Truth: Stilwell treats the interview as a puzzle, using the warrant as a tool to pressure Forbes while simultaneously searching for physical evidence (the phone photos) to corroborate the story. The contrast between Forbes’s verbal denial and the photographic proof illustrates the theme of objective evidence versus subjective claims.
  • Island Isolation & Limited Resources: The small Catalina sheriff’s substation forces the detectives to handle multiple tasks simultaneously. Lampley’s errors and Ramirez’s departure emphasize the challenges of conducting a major investigation in a remote setting.
  • Alibi & Time Gaps: Stilwell notes the several‑hour gap between the sunset photo and the next day’s images. Even though he dismisses the possibility of Forbes secretly returning to Avalon, the gap remains a small crack that could be exploited by a more skeptical investigator—a motif of incomplete certainty.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter filters one of the primary suspects—Duncan Forbes—through Stilwell’s scrutiny. By having Forbes provide a concrete alibi that holds up under initial examination, the narrative eliminates a potential avenue of investigation and forces the detectives to look elsewhere. It also deepens Stilwell’s character: he is shown to be fair‑minded and willing to believe a suspect when the evidence supports him. The chapter advances the plot by narrowing the field of possible perpetrators and by establishing that the crime may not be connected to someone on the fishing crew of the Emerald Sea.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Stilwell insist on moving Forbes to the other side of the table before beginning the interview?
Stilwell wants Forbes’s face to be visible to the room’s camera. If Forbes is seated with his back to the lens, crucial facial expressions and reactions are lost. The move also places Forbes farther from the door, giving Stilwell more control over the physical space.

2. How does Stilwell use the probation‑violation warrant to gain Forbes’s cooperation?
He explains that the warrant carries a no‑bail hold, meaning Forbes could be held in county jail until his probation officer decides to see him—potentially weeks. By offering a way to “take care of it” if Forbes cooperates, Stilwell creates a powerful incentive for Forbes to waive his rights and answer questions.

3. What evidence makes Stilwell believe Forbes’s alibi is “near perfect”?
The photos on Forbes’s phone show a sunset at Frenchy’s Cove on May 17 (7:52 p.m.) and a selfie while steering the boat the next morning (10:13 a.m.). A reflected image in the captain’s sunglasses confirms Forbes was the photographer. Although there is a time gap overnight, Stilwell judges that it would be extremely unlikely for Forbes to navigate back to Avalon, commit a crime, and return in time for the morning fishing shift—so he accepts the alibi as genuine.

Navigation