Chapter 38 (Chapter 37) Summary: The Elevator Witness and Derek’s Wrath
Spoiler Notice
This summary and analysis reveals key plot developments from Chapter 38 of She Didn't See It Coming by Shari Lapena. If you have not yet read the book up to this point, proceed with caution.
Summary
Detectives Jayne and Kilgour discuss the lack of physical evidence against Derek Gardner in the murder of Bryden Frost. Their frustration grows as no forensic link ties him to the apartment. A young woman, Francine Logan, arrives at the station claiming she saw someone with a large suitcase in the building elevator around the time of the murder. Francine cannot describe the person because she was looking at her phone. The timing aligns with the window for removing Bryden’s body. Jayne wonders if Francine is truthful or enjoys attention, and sends officers to verify if anyone else from the building left with a suitcase that day. Meanwhile, Derek Gardner, agitated after Jayne’s questioning about Alice’s mother, drives downtown to his office. He recalls that his business was funded by Alice’s inheritance and worries about her loyalty. Derek knows Alice killed her mother in cold blood. In the parking garage, he keys a black Range Rover parked too close to his car, venting his rage. Later, Jayne tells Kilgour that the New Hampshire hit-and-run investigation was poor; the death of Alice’s mother was not classified as murder. She reflects on her attempted provocation of Alice, who remained unshaken, suggesting Alice may be as cold as Derek.
Key Events
- Detectives conceding that forensics cannot place Derek at Bryden’s apartment.
- Francine Logan reports seeing a person with a suitcase in the elevator at the relevant time, but can offer no description.
- Jayne orders a check for other building residents who left with a suitcase that day.
- Derek drives to his office, ruminating on his dependence on Alice’s money and her past murder of her mother.
- In the parking garage, Derek vandalizes a stranger’s Range Rover by keying it.
- Jayne reviews the New Hampshire hit-and-run file and criticizes the investigation’s quality.
- Jayne shares her impression that Alice was not rattled by the implication that Derek might be a serial killer who would target her next.
Character Development
- Derek Gardner: His composure cracks. The chapter shows a man used to control now struggling with anxiety. His petty vandalism reveals a volatile temper beneath the polished exterior. His thoughts confirm he knows Alice killed her mother, deepening his internal conflict.
- Jayne: Her persistence is evident as she pursues every lead, including the hit-and-run cold case. She uses psychological pressure on Alice, showing her willingness to take risks to break the case.
- Francine Logan: A minor but crucial witness; her unreliability underscores the difficulty of building a case without concrete evidence. Her presence adds tension: the killer may have been in the elevator with her.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Unreliable perception: Francine’s inability to recall the person’s appearance, due to smartphone fixation, highlights how technology can blind people to important details.
- Control and rage: Derek’s keying of the Range Rover is a physical expression of his inner turmoil. His need to dominate extends to small acts of destruction when he feels powerless.
- Wealth and dependence: Derek’s business, bought with Alice’s money, ties him to her. His resentment of that reliance mixes with fear of her past violence.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter narrows the investigation in two key ways. The witness places the suitcase timeframe, strengthening the theory that Bryden’s body was removed soon after death. If no legitimate resident had a suitcase that day, the witness likely saw the killer. Meanwhile, Derek’s private admission that Alice killed her mother confirms the couple’s capacity for extreme violence. Jayne’s review of the hit-and-run case reopens the possibility that Alice’s mother was murdered, potentially linking Derek or Alice to two deaths.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Francine Logan prove frustrating to the detectives, and what does her testimony reveal about the challenges of real-world investigations?
Francine cannot describe the person or the suitcase in any useful way because she was looking at her phone. Her testimony shows that investigators must often rely on imperfect, vague eyewitness accounts; even a well-intentioned witness may offer little actionable evidence.
2. What does Derek’s decision to key the Range Rover suggest about his psychological state?
It reveals a loss of self-control. The act is petty, impulsive, and risky (cameras are present). It contrasts strongly with his usual cool demeanor and suggests that stress from the murder investigation and from Alice’s secret is eroding his restraint.
3. How does Jayne’s reaction to the witness and the hit-and-run file shape the direction of her investigation?
Jayne treats the witness as potentially credible but orders verification. She also reopens the hit-and-run by criticizing the poor investigation, signaling that she will look for connections between Alice’s mother’s death and the current case. This dual approach keeps both lines of inquiry active.