Chapter Twenty Summary: Ben Greenleaf Survives
Spoiler Warning: This chapter summary contains details from Chapter Nineteen of Payback in Death. Read at your own risk.
Summary
Eve arrives at the hospital where Ben Greenleaf is recovering. Mina Greenleaf agrees that Eve can interview Ben first, after the doctor clears him. Eve learns from Mina that most guests had already left before the attack, and that Ben was seen going upstairs upset. Ben’s memory is foggy—he remembers receiving a text from his daughter Dory, calling him “Daddy” and asking him to come to the upstairs playroom without telling anyone. He went up, and the next thing he knew, he woke up in the hospital. Eve explains that an attacker used Dory’s link to lure Ben and then tried to hang him. Ben’s rage intensifies when he learns the killer exploited his daughter. Eve then discovers that both Ben’s and Dory’s links are missing. Roarke tracks the three members of Taylor Noy’s family (widow, daughter, stepfather) to a wedding in Las Vegas, giving them strong alibis. Disappointed but not deterred, Eve reexamines the Noy case data with her team. A conversation with Roarke about teleportation provides a brief respite, but Eve remains focused on shaking loose what the Noy family knows.
Key Events
- Eve interviews Ben Greenleaf in the hospital; he recalls a text from his daughter that lured him upstairs.
- Doctor Ricardi gives Ben a positive prognosis, confirming he will fully recover.
- Eve learns that Ben’s and Dory’s links are missing—the killer used Dory’s link to send the fake message.
- Roarke tracks the Noy family members (widow, daughter, stepfather) to a wedding venue in Las Vegas on a private shuttle, providing them with alibis.
- Eve decides not to confront Arnez and Robards yet, instead delegating a review of the Noy file to her team.
- Roarke and Eve have a lighthearted exchange about the dangers of fictional teleportation (beaming).
Character Development
- Eve Dallas: Shows emotional range—she is patient with the traumatized family, determined to find the killer, and willing to delegate. Her disgust at the attacker using a child adds personal fury.
- Roarke: Balances Eve’s intensity with humor, using the teleportation discussion to distract her and lighten the mood. His tech skills provide rapid tracking of the Noy family’s location.
- Ben Greenleaf: From confusion to rage, his character strengthens as he learns the truth. His protective instinct toward his daughter fuels his desire for justice.
- Mina Greenleaf: Remains composed and cooperative, trusting Eve to prioritize her husband’s care while still supporting the investigation.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Deception through technology: The killer uses a child’s link to manipulate Ben, highlighting how ordinary devices can be weaponized.
- Family bonds: The Greenleaf family’s unity—Mina’s insistence on interviewing Ben first, the siblings planning to rotate shifts at the hospital—contrasts with the Noy family’s apparent normalcy (attending a wedding) even as their past connects to the crime.
- Luck and timing: Dr. Ricardi emphasizes Ben’s luck in being found quickly; the conversation reinforces how chance plays a role in survival and investigation.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter eliminates the Noy family as active suspects by giving them a solid alibi, forcing Eve to dig deeper into Taylor Noy’s history and the officers who died with him. It also demonstrates the killer’s audacity—using a wake to target a second victim—and raises the stakes: Ben’s survival means the killer may try again. Eve’s commitment to “shake loose” what the Noy family unknowingly knows sets up the next phase of the investigation.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Eve believe the Noy family members know something they don’t realize they know?
Eve theorizes that the connection between the Greenleaf attack and the Noy case is too specific to be coincidental. The Noy family lived with Taylor Noy; they may have overheard conversations or observed behavior that holds a clue to the killer’s identity, even if they haven’t recognized its significance.
2. What does Roarke’s teleportation discussion reveal about his relationship with Eve?
Roarke uses humor to diffuse Eve’s tension and connect with her on her own terms. Their playful exchange shows their comfort with each other and Roarke’s ability to shift Eve’s focus from stress to a shared moment, underscoring their partnership’s strength.
3. Why does Eve choose not to confront Arnez and Robards immediately?
Eve wants to let them believe their attack on Ben succeeded. If they think Ben is dead, they may become complacent or careless, giving Eve more time to gather evidence. Confronting them too soon could alert them or provoke another attempt.