Chapter 66 (Chapter 61): Soneji's First Day and a New Opportunity
⚠️ 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
After murdering Bunny Maddox and burying him near Joyce Adams's grave, Gary Soneji spends Wednesday cleaning up evidence. He retrieves shell casings, adds forest debris to the grave, disinfects tools and clothing, and burns his clothes. Late Wednesday, he returns the white van to the farm shed, retrieves his black Saab, and checks into a motel in Takoma Park. There he breaks his rule about mixing drugs and alcohol, drinking seven shots of bourbon and taking two Vicodin before passing out. Thursday morning at 5 a.m., he forces himself under a cold shower, dons his frumpy teacher disguise, and walks to Washington Day School. On the way, he calls his fiancée Missy collect, apologizing for his recent behavior and promising to come home with something special. At the school, headmaster Charles Pendleton Little welcomes him and informs him that a new student, Cheryl Lynn Wise, daughter of the president's chief of staff, will be in his seventh-grade class. Secret Service agent Jezzie Flanagan will accompany her. Soneji immediately sees this as a chance for the fame he craves, flashing on the Lindbergh kidnapping.
Key Events
- Soneji recovers from the physical and emotional toll of burying Bunny Maddox, spending Wednesday meticulously cleaning up evidence.
- He returns the white van to the farm and retrieves his own car, then drives to a motel in Takoma Park.
- Breaking his own rules, he mixes alcohol and painkillers to sleep.
- The next morning, he uses a cold shower and a teacher disguise to appear sober and normal.
- On his way to school, he calls Missy collect, apologizes, and promises a special gift.
- Headmaster Charles Pendleton Little informs Soneji about new student Cheryl Lynn Wise and the Secret Service presence.
- Soneji reacts with excitement, recognizing the high-profile target as a way to gain immense fame.
Character Development
Gary Soneji demonstrates his meticulous nature and capacity for violence through his methodical cleanup after murder. His desperation shows when he mixes drugs and alcohol to cope. Despite his criminal actions, he maintains a romantic relationship with Missy, using calls to maintain his cover and emotional ties. His ambition is clear as he immediately recognizes the kidnapping potential of the chief of staff's daughter, comparing it to the Lindbergh kidnapping.
Jezzie Flanagan is introduced as a Secret Service agent assigned to guard Cheryl Lynn Wise. Though not developed in this chapter, her presence signals increased security and a future obstacle for Soneji.
Charles Pendleton Little appears as a friendly, unsuspecting headmaster who trusts Soneji and shares sensitive information about a high-profile student's arrival.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Disguise and Deception: Soneji uses a frumpy teacher disguise to hide his true identity and violent nature. The disguise reinforces the theme of appearances vs. reality.
- Cleanup as Ritual: Soneji's obsessive cleaning of evidence (shell casings, blood, clothing) shows his need for control and fear of being caught. The ritualistic nature mirrors his earlier crimes.
- Fame and Ambition: Soneji explicitly ties his kidnapping plan to the Lindbergh case, seeking not just money but recognition. The daughter of the president's chief of staff represents the ultimate trophy.
- Drugs and Alcohol as Escape: Soneji breaks his own rule to numb the trauma of murder, indicating a vulnerability that may lead to mistakes.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 66 marks a critical transition: Soneji moves from the aftermath of one murder to the planning of a far more ambitious crime. His infiltration of Washington Day School—a place full of powerful families—positions him for a kidnapping that will involve the Secret Service and likely draw national attention. The introduction of Jezzie Flanagan creates tension, as she represents law enforcement embedded within the school. Soneji's emotional call to Missy adds a personal layer, reminding readers that he still maintains human connections even as he plans evil. The chapter sets up the central conflict of the upcoming chapters: Soneji's pursuit of Cheryl Lynn Wise vs. the security measures in place.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Soneji call Missy before starting his first day at Washington Day School?
He calls to maintain his romantic cover and to test her emotional state. Her hint about wanting him to show love by marrying her leads him to promise a special gift—presumably related to the kidnapping. The call reassures him that his personal life remains under control even as he plans a crime.
2. What does Soneji learn from Headmaster Little about the new student, and how does he react?
He learns that Cheryl Lynn Wise is the daughter of the president's new chief of staff and will be in his seventh-grade class. The Secret Service will provide an initial agent, Jezzie Flanagan. Soneji reacts with excitementhinking of the Lindbergh kidnapping—the ultimate fame he could achieve by snatching such a high-profile target.
3. Why does Soneji break his rule about mixing drugs and alcohol after cleaning up the murder?
He is physically exhausted from burying Bunny Maddox and emotionally rattled by the close call. The drugs and alcohol help him sleep and briefly escape the stress and fear of being caught. This moment shows a crack in his usual discipline, suggesting that his control may slip under pressure.