Open Season Chapter 40: Preparing Surveillance on Flick

Spoiler Warning: This summary and analysis contains details from Chapter 40 of Open Season by Jonathan Kellerman. If you haven't read the chapter, proceed with caution.

Summary

The chapter opens with five detectives—Petra, Raul, Alicia, Moe, and Sean—entering the room, visibly stunned after seeing a photo of the suspect, Flick. They immediately discuss inconsistencies: Flick’s five-year-old BMW wasn’t on the citation list from the night of the shooting, and his name also didn’t appear, suggesting he might have cut the chain or parked elsewhere. Petra describes Flick’s appearance as typical of a grad student, while Moe quips about a math major minoring in evil. Alicia checks with Alex about when he figured out the connection.

Milo then briefs the team, outlining the case and Flick’s profile as a serious marksman who likely acted alone. He explains the need for dual priorities: surveillance on Flick to prevent further shootings and gather evidence, and investigation into whether any victim’s parents hired Flick for murder. Alex elaborates on Flick’s psychology, arguing that the planning process is as satisfying as the outcome for such a risk-averse, self-justifying killer, possibly with a sexual element. The team discusses division of labor, with Milo securing subpoenas for Flick’s phone and finances but avoiding wiretaps or a residence breach to preserve the element of surprise.

Key Events

Five detectives (Petra, Raul, Alicia, Moe, Sean) enter and react to Flick’s photo.
Raul notes Flick’s car and name are missing from the traffic citation list.
Milo presents the two-part plan: surveillance on Flick and investigation into potential parent involvement.
Alex offers a psychological profile of Flick as a risk-averse, self-justifying serial killer who may have started in adolescence.
Alicia uses the word "foreplay" to describe Flick’s planning, which Alex endorses.
Milo outlines the tactical approach: stationary and mobile surveillance, short shifts, and subpoenas rather than taps or a residence search.
The team agrees to divide tasks and move forward.

Character Development

Milo Sturgis demonstrates leadership by synthesizing the evidence and delegating tasks. He balances caution (avoiding wiretaps) with aggressiveness (subpoenas and round-the-clock surveillance).
Alex Delaware provides psychological insight, emphasizing Flick’s risk aversion and the importance of the planning phase. He explains why hiring parents seems unlikely, reinforcing his role as the profiler.
Alicia and Petra show sharp analytical skills: Alicia’s comment on "foreplay" is quickly accepted by the team, and Petra immediately reads Flick’s appearance.
Moe reveals a cynical side with his quip about "evil," while Raul is methodical, checking the citation list.
Flick remains offstage, but his profile deepens: he is a meticulous planner, a marksman, and likely has killed before (Ohio connection). His psychological makeup includes a need for justification and a sexual element tied to the hunt.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Justification as Mask for Ego: Petra compares Flick to serial killers who murder prostitutes, and Alex agrees that "justification" is really about ego. The chapter suggests that Flick’s rationalizations (his victims "deserved" it) are a cover for personal grievance and power.
Foreplay and the Planning Process: Alicia’s term "foreplay" becomes a key motif. The chapter stresses that for Flick, the months of planning—selecting targets, stalking, timing—are as gratifying as the shooting. This emphasizes the ritualistic, even sexualized nature of his violence.
Risk vs. Reward: Milo and Alex weigh the risks of breaching Flick’s residence or seeking wiretaps. The decision to use only subpoenas reflects a theme of calculated caution: they must not alert Flick before building a solid case.
The Detective Team as a Unit: Five detectives plus Milo and Alex form a collaborative effort. Their quick exchange of ideas and mutual trust highlight the importance of teamwork in complex investigations.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 40 is a pivotal transition from suspicion to action. The team has a solid suspect and now must gather enough evidence to ensure a conviction without spooking Flick. The chapter deepens the psychological portrait of the killer, suggesting a long history of violence and a ritualistic approach. It also sharpens Alex’s role as the detective who understands the mind of the murderer, not just the facts. This sets up the cat-and-mouse tension for the rest of the novel: will Flick be caught before he strikes again?

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Alex argue that it’s unlikely any of the victims’ parents hired Flick for murder?
Alex explains that Flick is risk-averse and would not risk being reported if he approached a parent about a paid hit. Also, most parents had no criminal records (except Gerald Boykins for nonviolent offenses), making it improbable they would commission murder. Instead, Flick likely acts alone, driven by his own justifications.

2. How does the team plan to balance surveillance with not spooking Flick?
Milo decides against wiretaps and a residence breach, fearing that if they find nothing and Flick becomes aware, they could lose their advantage. Instead, they will use subpoenas for phone and financial records while conducting short-shift, task-switching surveillance—both stationary and mobile—to track Flick’s movements and potentially catch him with weapons.

3. What does Alicia mean by “foreplay” in the context of Flick’s crimes?
Alicia suggests that for Flick, the extended planning and stalking period is as satisfying as the actual murders—like foreplay. Alex agrees, adding that this pattern likely began in adolescence and includes a sexual element. The term underscores the idea that Flick derives pleasure from the entire process, not merely the outcome.