Chapter 31 Summary: Brynn's Perspective on the Case

⚠️ 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

The chapter opens on Sunday morning at Brightside Bakery, where Brynn and Tripp meet. Regina, still cool toward Tripp, serves him coffee only after he apologizes, and even then she makes it clear she and Al forgive him but aren't ready to talk. Tripp is clean-shaven and lighter in demeanor, a stark contrast to his earlier state.

Brynn tells Tripp she has new ideas about Mr. Larkin and offers to drop the case entirely if he prefers. Tripp, surprised, says she can continue. Brynn then lays out her theory: Mr. Larkin may have been William Robbins, his brother could be Shane, and Laura Delgado might be Lila Robbins. She explains that Mr. Larkin had a brother at Saint Ambrose, that he may have changed his name, and that the missing toddler Michael Robbins could be Shane. Tripp initially doubts the resemblance, noting Shane plays lacrosse and doesn't seem to have asthma, but Brynn counters that asthma can be managed and that they don't know everything about Shane's past.

They discuss whether Shane heard yelling that day, whether Charlotte might be covering for him, and whether Shane defaced the memorial posters. Tripp admits he wasn't with Shane and Charlotte the whole time—he had earphones in and didn't hear anything until Charlotte screamed. He also reveals his father took money from the Delgados. Brynn raises the possibility that Mr. Solomon's death was connected, suggesting he might have talked to the wrong people.

Then Tripp reaches into his pocket and produces the medallion he found near Mr. Larkin's body. It's a silver disc with a snarling dog emblem and the words “Mad Dog Tavern” and “Bite First,” with “Billy” engraved on the back. Brynn realizes this could be Mr. Larkin's childhood nickname. She Googles the tavern and finds one in North Woodstock, New Hampshire, close to Dexter Robbins's hometown. She wonders if Dexter could have been in the woods that day. Tripp suggests asking Shane, but Brynn advises against breaking the pact. Instead, she attaches the medallion to her keychain and proposes a road trip to investigate.

Key Events

Brynn offers to drop the case, but Tripp insists she continue.
Brynn presents her theory that Mr. Larkin was William Robbins, Shane is Michael Robbins, and Laura Delgado is Lila Robbins.
Tripp admits he wasn't with Shane and Charlotte the entire time and that his father took money from the Delgados.
Brynn connects Mr. Solomon's mysterious death to the case.
Tripp reveals he kept the medallion found near Mr. Larkin's body.
The medallion's engraving (“Billy” and “Mad Dog Tavern”) links to Dexter Robbins's hometown.
Brynn suggests a road trip to North Woodstock.

Character Development

Brynn shows significant growth in this chapter. She apologizes to Tripp for prioritizing the story over their friendship, acknowledging her tunnel vision and its cost. She offers to drop the case entirely, demonstrating that she values Tripp more than the investigation. Her willingness to listen and share information marks a shift from her earlier single-mindedness.

Tripp also evolves. He admits his regret, revealing he visited Mr. Larkin's grave multiple times to apologize, though he felt it was empty words. He confesses the full extent of his lie—that he wasn't with Shane and Charlotte the whole time—and acknowledges his father's involvement. His openness with Brynn signals a new level of trust and honesty.

Regina's reaction, though brief, shows a path to forgiveness: she serves Tripp coffee despite her coolness, indicating a willingness to move forward.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Identity concealment: The theory that Shane and Laura Delgado are hiding their true identities as Michael and Lila Robbins underscores the theme of hidden pasts.
Forgiveness and reconciliation: Regina's conditional forgiveness and Tripp's self-forgiveness (through visiting the grave) highlight the difficulty and necessity of making amends.
The pact of silence: Tripp's lie and the Delgados' potential cover-up reflect the destructive power of secrets.
Proximity principle: Brynn invokes Carly's idea that proximity matters, suggesting that Shane's presence at the scene is significant.
The medallion as evidence: The engraved disc serves as a tangible link to Mr. Larkin's past and a catalyst for the road trip.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter pivots the investigation from speculation to concrete evidence. The medallion provides a physical clue that could tie Mr. Larkin to Dexter Robbins and the Robbins family. It also deepens the emotional stakes: Brynn and Tripp's reconciliation allows them to work together more effectively, and Tripp's admission about his whereabouts opens new possibilities for the case. The road trip sets up the next phase of the investigation, promising answers about Mr. Larkin's identity and the events in the woods.

Study Questions and Answers

Why does Brynn offer to drop the case, and what does this reveal about her character?

Brynn offers to drop the case because she realizes her tunnel vision hurt Tripp and others. She tells him he's more important than a story, showing that she has learned from her past mistakes and now prioritizes relationships over ambition.

What does the medallion reveal, and why is it significant?

The medallion is engraved with “Billy” and references Mad Dog Tavern in North Woodstock, New Hampshire, near Dexter Robbins's hometown. This suggests Mr. Larkin may have been William Robbins, and it could connect Dexter to the crime scene. It's the first physical evidence linking the case to the Robbins family.

How does Tripp's admission that he wasn't with Shane and Charlotte the whole time change the case?

Tripp's admission means he can't vouch for Shane's whereabouts during the murder. It also implies that Shane might have had the opportunity to commit the crime, and that Tripp's lie protected Shane rather than his father, as Brynn suggests. This opens the possibility that Shane was the killer.