Chapter Five: Autopsy, Investigation, and Interpol

Spoiler Notice: This summary and analysis contain plot details from Chapter Five of Stolen in Death. If you haven’t read the chapter, proceed with caution.

Summary

Eve drives to the morgue on Saturday morning, observing the city. Morris performs the autopsy on Nathan Barrister, confirming death by a blow to the back of the head with an amethyst rock. Morris notes the victim had a mild upper respiratory infection and likely woke up restless around 12:30 a.m. Eve theorizes that Barrister went downstairs, heard something in the office, and was killed from behind. The thief escaped through a window, closing it but leaving the vault open. Back at Central, Eve decides to involve Inspector Abernathy of Interpol to handle the recovery and return of the stolen art and jewelry, including the famous Royal Suite. She also coordinates with Captain Feeney and Commander Whitney to secure the scene and monitor for underground auction chatter. The chapter ends with Feeney joining Eve in her office for coffee and a briefing.

Key Events

Morris’s autopsy reveals Nathan Barrister’s cause of death: a single blow to the back of the head with a heavy amethyst rock. The victim also had a mild respiratory infection.
Morris estimates time of death around 12:30 a.m., consistent with Barrister waking up restless and going downstairs.
Eve deduces the killer struck from behind, then escaped through the office window, closing it but not the vault.
Eve contacts Inspector Abernathy of Interpol, inviting him to coordinate the authentication and return of the stolen property, prioritizing her murder investigation.
Commander Whitney agrees to handle media release and physical transfer of the vault’s contents to secure storage.
Captain Feeney is brought in to set up electronic surveillance for chatter about the Royal Suite and other stolen items.
Eve plans follow-up interviews with the victim’s daughters and the family.

Character Development

Eve Dallas: Shows her methodical and strategic thinking by immediately involving Interpol to handle the complexity of the stolen goods, freeing her to focus on the murder. She also demonstrates trust in her colleagues—Morris, Feeney, and Whitney—by delegating and cooperating.
Morris: The ME remains professional and compassionate, respecting the dead even as he performs the autopsy. His personal life is hinted at with plans to meet Garnet DeWinter at a street fair.
Peabody: Acts as a sounding board for Eve, absorbing information and offering observations. Her curiosity about the David statue reflects her character’s love of beauty and wonder.
Inspector Abernathy: Initially prickly, he becomes cooperative once he realizes the value of the recovered art. Eve’s respect for his thoroughness earns her some goodwill.
Commander Whitney: Takes charge of logistical and public-relations aspects, allowing Eve to keep investigating.

Themes, Symbols, and Motifs

The weapon as a work of art: The murder weapon is an amethyst rock—a beautiful gemstone turned into an instrument of death. This contrast underscores the theme of violence tainting beauty.
Secrecy and inheritance: The vault’s existence was unknown to the victim’s wife and sister until after Henry Barrister’s death. The hoarding of stolen art symbolizes a twisted legacy of greed.
The city as a character: The opening description of New York City on a Saturday morning—joggers, crowds, ads—creates a vibrant backdrop against which death intrudes. Eve’s observation of the “Three Miles a Day” runner contrasts with the Reaper who cannot be kept at bay.
Cooperation across jurisdictions: Eve willingly brings in Interpol and coordinates with her superiors, emphasizing that solving the crime requires collaborative effort rather than isolation.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter is pivotal because it solidifies the direction of the investigation. Morris’s autopsy provides concrete forensic evidence, ruling out defensive wounds and confirming the timeline. Eve’s decision to involve Interpol streamlines the massive task of returning stolen property while she retains control of the murder probe. The chapter also establishes the importance of the Royal Suite as the likely primary target of the theft, and sets up the need for electronic surveillance (via Feeney) to track the underground market. Character interactions reveal trust and professionalism among the NYPD and allied agencies. Finally, the chapter raises questions about inside knowledge: who knew about the vault, and could someone in the household have set up the burglary?

Study Questions and Answers

Why does Eve decide to call Inspector Abernathy of Interpol instead of handling the stolen property herself?
Answer: Eve recognizes that contacting dozens of museums, insurance companies, and collectors individually would be time-consuming and prone to confusion. Abernathy has the authority and resources to coordinate authentication and return across multiple countries, allowing Eve to focus her energy on the murder investigation.
What detail about the crime scene suggests the murder was not premeditated?
Answer: The thief closed the window but left the vault open. If the murder were planned, the killer would likely have ensured the vault was secure before fleeing. Additionally, the timing—Barrister waking up due to his cold—was unpredictable, making it unlikely the thief intended to kill anyone that night.
How does Peabody’s reaction to the David statue serve as a character moment?
Answer: Peabody’s genuine awe and desire to see the statue in person one day highlight her appreciation for art and beauty, contrasting with the greed of collectors like Henry Barrister. It also shows her trust in Eve’s judgment, as she takes Eve’s vivid description seriously.