Chapter 12 Summary: Interview with a Suspect

⚠️ 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

Jet and Billy visit Dr Mandrake's Dive Bar—Billy’s workplace—to question Andrew Smith, an alcoholic who has been drinking since noon. Jet presses Andrew about his whereabouts during the time of her murder. Andrew claims Sergeant Finney escorted him home around 10:29 p.m., after which he sent a text, but he has no witness for the rest of the night. Jet notes he is right‑handed, matching the angle of her head wounds. Andrew admits he hates the Mason family: he blames Dianne for getting his daughter Nina fired from her hotel job, which led to Nina’s suicide two days later. He also resents Luke for buying his house at an inflated price and then demolishing it to build a McMansion. In a startling revelation, Andrew says Scott Mason plans to sell the construction company to Nell Jankowski, not leave it to Luke. He claims Nell told him this directly. Jet and Billy realize that Andrew’s old house was on North Street, just off River Street—the location where Jet’s phone last pinged. This shifts their investigation from River Street to North Street, linking the site to either the killer or to Jet herself.

Key Events

Jet and Billy interview Andrew Smith in the bar.
Andrew provides a partial alibi (Finney left at 10:29 p.m.) but no witness for the rest of the night.
Jet learns that Dianne was involved in Nina’s firing, which preceded Nina’s suicide.
Andrew reveals that Luke bought his house and later demolished it, fueling Andrew’s resentment.
Andrew discloses that Scott Mason intends to sell Mason Construction to Nell Jankowski.
Jet and Billy discover that Andrew’s old house was on North Street, off River Street—the location of the phone’s last ping.
They realize they were looking at the wrong street and now focus on the North Street construction site.

Character Development

Jet: Shows growing investigative skill by keeping details like her actual death secret. She remains focused and adapts quickly when new information changes the direction of the case.
Billy: Provides steady support and asks a critical question about the phone’s ping location, demonstrating his analytical thinking.
Andrew Smith: Displays deep grief and bitterness toward the Mason family. His alcoholism and emotional instability make him a plausible suspect, but his revelation about the company sale suggests he may have knowledge beyond personal motive.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Alcoholism as a driving force: Andrew’s drinking shapes his behavior, memory, and reliability. The bar setting underscores his dependence and the way alcohol numbs pain.
Family legacy and betrayal: The Mason family’s actions—Dianne’s role in Nina’s firing, Luke’s house purchase, and Scott’s secret sale—paint a picture of a family that destroys others’ lives while appearing successful.
Misdirection: Jet initially focuses on River Street, but the true clue lies on North Street. This motif of looking in the wrong place mirrors her initial belief that she survived.
Right‑handedness: Jet’s observation about Andrew’s dominant hand ties back to the attack and shows her attention to physical evidence.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter delivers two major plot twists: the revelation of a motive tied to Nina’s suicide and Dianne’s involvement, and the shocking news that Scott plans to sell the company instead of handing it to Luke. These developments deepen the mystery by introducing new suspects and personal conflicts. The shift from River Street to North Street reframes the investigation, suggesting the killer may be linked to the construction site—or that Jet herself has a hidden connection to that location.

Study Questions and Answers

Why does Andrew Smith hate the Mason family?
Andrew blames Dianne for getting his daughter Nina fired from her job, which he says led to Nina’s suicide. He also resents Luke for buying and later demolishing his family home, erasing Nina’s memories.
What surprising business decision does Scott Mason intend to make, according to Andrew?
Scott plans to sell Mason Construction to Nell Jankowski, the police chief’s wife, rather than leave it to his son Luke. Andrew claims Nell told him this directly.
How does the phone‑ping location change the direction of the investigation?
The final ping was near the corner of River and North Streets. Andrew’s old house was on North Street, and a construction site there is connected to the Mason family. Jet realizes they were chasing the wrong street; the killer may have gone toward North Street, or Jet herself has a link to that location.