Chapter summaries Southern Man: A Novel Greg Iles

Chapter 110 Summary: The Geronimo Line (Chapter 109)

Spoiler Notice

This summary contains major plot revelations for Chapter 109/110 of Southern Man. Proceed with caution if you have not yet read the novel.

Summary

Sheriff Buck Tarlton and Bobby meet inside a child's tree house two hundred feet from the Bienville water tower. The tree house is the termination point of the cable Donny Kilmer used to escape from the tower's high rail. Inside they find a wooden seat rigged with a pulley and hand brake—a device known as a Geronimo line, commonly used by oil rig derrick men to escape burning rigs. Blood splashed across the interior suggests Donny sat and bandaged his wound before continuing.

Bobby tells Tarlton that Donny is sharper than he assumed and that his successful escape proves he is not a simple automaton. Tarlton admits the escape took courage. Bobby then orders Tarlton to locate and arrest Kendrick Washington, calling him the arsonist behind the Bastard Sons fires. Tarlton notes that Washington has already lawyered up with the Cages or Doris Avery. Bobby instructs Tarlton to review drone footage to find where Washington was moved after Chief Morgan's squad-car diversion.

The two men also discuss the Chinese girl. Bobby insists they need a mechanism to keep her silent, and Tarlton agrees that a bullet is the best solution. Before leaving, Tarlton warns Bobby that Donny is still out there and likely not well disposed toward him, advising Bobby to keep his head down. Bobby dismisses the warning, hoping Donny comes after him so he can kill him and become the hero who stopped the Water Tower Shooter.

Alone in the tree house, Bobby reflects on Donny's betrayal and realizes he must silence him before anyone learns the depth of their involvement. Bobby guesses Donny will go to the bunker complex at Black Oak Plantation—a mile from Bobby's own cabin.

Key Events

  • Sheriff Tarlton and Bobby examine Donny Kilmer's zip-line escape route terminating in a child's tree house.
  • They discover a commercial zip-line seat rigged with a hand brake – a "Geronimo line" used by oil rig derrick men.
  • Blood evidence suggests Donny sat and bandaged his wound before continuing.
  • Bobby tells Tarlton to find and arrest Kendrick Washington, linking him to the Bastard Sons arson fires.
  • Tarlton mentions Washington has lawyered up with the Cages or Doris Avery.
  • Bobby orders Tarlton to review drone footage to locate where Washington was moved after Chief Morgan's diversion.
  • Bobby expresses need to silence the Chinese girl, and Tarlton agrees a bullet is the best mechanism.
  • Tarlton warns Bobby that Donny may seek revenge; Bobby hopes for it to become a hero.
  • Bobby concludes Donny's most likely refuge is the bunker complex at Black Oak Plantation.

Character Development

  • Bobby: Shows cunning and ruthlessness. He views Donny as a flawed robot but now recognizes him as a threat. His desire to kill Donny to become a hero reveals his narcissistic and manipulative nature. He takes control of the investigation from Tarlton.
  • Buck Tarlton: Initially follows Bobby's lead but demonstrates caution. He warns Bobby about Donny's danger, showing a more prudent side. He pretends the awkward exchanges from the previous day never happened, indicating political survival instincts.
  • Donny Kilmer (off-page): His successful escape and the bloody tree house portray him as resourceful and wounded but still dangerous. His ability to rig a complex escape route suggests more intelligence than Bobby credited.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

  • Escape and Betrayal: The Geronimo line symbolizes a planned exit from a lethal situation. Donny's escape from the water tower and the blood in the tree house represent his betrayal by Bobby and his fight for survival.
  • Heroism as Performance: Bobby openly seeks to become a hero by confronting Donny, revealing a theme of manufactured heroism versus genuine courage. He wants the title "Water Tower Shooter" to enhance his image.
  • Control and Elimination: Bobby's orders to silence the Chinese girl and eliminate Kendrick Washington reflect a motif of controlling the narrative through violence, reminiscent of political cover-ups.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter deepens Bobby's villainy and sets up the final confrontation with Donny Kilmer. The location shift to the tree house and the emphasis on the escape route raise the stakes. Bobby's cold calculation to kill Donny for personal gain clarifies the moral decay of his character. The mention of Black Oak Plantation points to a key setting for the climax.

Study Questions and Answers

  1. Question: What technology does Donny Kilmer use to escape from the water tower, and why is it called a "Geronimo line"?
    Answer: He uses a zip-line cable with a pulley and a hand-braked seat, a device commonly used by oil rig derrick men to bail out during blowouts. It is called a Geronimo line after the tradition of yelling "Geronimo" when jumping.

  2. Question: Why does Bobby want Tarlton to find Kendrick Washington and arrest him?
    Answer: Bobby alleges Washington is the arsonist behind the Bastard Sons fires. He wants Washington arrested to serve as a scapegoat and to prevent any revelation of Bobby's involvement in the attacks.

  3. Question: Where does Bobby think Donny Kilmer has gone, and why does he hope Donny comes after him?
    Answer: Bobby believes Donny retreated to the bunker complex at Black Oak Plantation. He hopes Donny attacks him because that would allow Bobby to kill him and be hailed as the hero who stopped the "Water Tower Shooter."

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