Chapter summaries Open Season Jonathan Kellerman

Chapter 34 Summary: Errol Moffett's Parents and the Murder Motive

Spoiler Warning: This summary reveals key plot points from Chapter 34 of Open Season. If you haven't read the chapter yet, proceed with caution.

Summary

Back in his office, Milo prints Errol Moffett's death certificate and shows it to Alex. Errol, a seventeen-year-old, was found hanging in the family garage by his parents, Scott and Lindsay Moffett. Scott is a computer engineer, Lindsay a dance instructor. Their online presence is minimal, except for a memorial site dedicated to their son. The site features a photo of Errol with long brown hair and a tentative smile, along with heartfelt memories from both parents and tributes from his sister Brynne, brother Shelton, and friends. Many describe Errol as "brilliant" and "passionate about science," with his primary goal being to become a great neurosurgeon. Alex reads the memorial but stops due to the sadness. He suggests that Errol's suicide likely involved underlying depression, not just the reported B-minus grade. Milo notes that the parents initially blamed Rosales, leading them to wonder if the Moffetts could be suspects. However, they acknowledge the ethical difficulty of approaching grieving parents without solid evidence. Alex points out that phone or financial records would require subpoenas, which are unlikely given the current information. Milo asks Alex to keep thinking.

Key Events

  • Milo prints and examines Errol Moffett's death certificate.
  • Alex reads the memorial website created by Errol's parents and siblings.
  • The couple discusses the possibility that Scott and Lindsay Moffett blamed Dr. Rosales for their son's suicide.
  • Alex speculates that Errol's suicide was likely driven by underlying depression, not just a single bad grade.
  • Milo voices his dilemma: how to investigate the Moffetts without compounding their grief if they are innocent, or alerting them if they are guilty.
  • Alex admits he has no easy solution and leaves, promising to keep thinking.

Character Development

  • Alex Delaware: Demonstrates his psychological insight by immediately looking beyond the surface trigger (the B-minus grade) and considering deeper depression. He also shows empathy for the Moffetts, recognizing the devastation they must feel.
  • Milo Sturgis: Grapples with the ethical and practical challenges of the investigation. He is torn between following a lead and causing additional pain to already grieving parents, showing his humane side.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

  • Grief and Blame: The chapter explores how families may seek someone to blame after a tragic loss. The Moffetts' memorial site is a symbol of their grief, while their initial finger-pointing at Rosales suggests a need for a scapegoat.
  • The Weight of Expectations: Errol's intense desire to become a neurosurgeon and his characterization as the "gifted one" in his family hints at the pressure he may have felt, a possible contributor to his suicide.
  • Investigation vs. Humanity: Milo and Alex are caught between their duty to solve a murder and their respect for the Moffetts' suffering. This tension highlights the moral complexity of detective work.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 34 shifts the focus from the immediate suspects to a potential motive rooted in personal tragedy. It deepens the mystery by linking the murder of Dr. Rosales to the suicide of a teenager, suggesting a chain of grief and revenge. The chapter also humanizes the investigation, as Milo and Alex must weigh the costs of pursuing a lead that could destroy a family already shattered by loss.

Study Questions and Answers

  1. What piece of evidence does Milo show Alex at the beginning of the chapter, and what does it reveal about Errol Moffett? Milo shows Errol Moffett's death certificate, which states that Errol was found hanging in the family garage by his parents. It reveals that Errol was only seventeen years old and that his death was ruled a suicide.

  2. Why does Alex believe Errol's suicide was not simply a reaction to a bad grade? Alex argues that while situational factors like grades can be triggers, there is usually a serious underlying depression. He suggests Errol was likely already living in a "gray world," and the B-minus was just the final push.

  3. What is Milo's main ethical dilemma regarding the Moffett family, and why can't he easily investigate them? Milo is torn because if the Moffetts are innocent, approaching them would compound their grief by suggesting they might be murder suspects. If they are guilty, they can simply refuse to talk. Without solid evidence, he cannot obtain subpoenas for phone or financial records.

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