Chapter 38 Summary, Analysis, and Key Takeaways

⚠️ 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

The chapter opens with the narrator waking to find Kassidy gone from the bedroom. The narrator immediately thinks about the anonymous phone call made the previous night, reflecting that those few routine questions changed the course of their life. The narrator hopes Kassidy is free of the drugs and considers the possibility of escaping together to recover from the strain of the week, far from Ashwood Manor and the investigation.

In the dining room, the narrator spots Marlowe at the head of the table, pale and drinking tea. When their eyes meet, the narrator turns and leaves, still angry at Marlowe's earlier harshness. The narrator finds Kassidy in the drawing room, standing before the open French windows, staring at the storm. Kassidy remarks that the rain is “washing away our sins,” and the narrator insists Kassidy has no sins. Kassidy then wonders if she can ever return to her normal life—scrolling social media, swimming in her pool, eating dinner with her parents—saying it feels like a life that no longer belongs to her. The two share a dream of running away to a bungalow by the ocean, cracking coconuts and drinking piña coladas, but they both know that future will never happen. Kassidy whispers that she told the narrator Marlowe was interested, and the narrator admits Kassidy is always right about guys. Kassidy counters that if that were true, her heart wouldn't be shattered.

The detectives, Cates and Pilar de León, enter with the rest of the group. Cates announces two pieces of good news: the storm will clear by morning, and everyone can leave, and the forensic report on Blaine's death has arrived. They need to ask a few more questions. Ellison says his mom advised him not to answer anything else, but Fergus teases him, and they exchange glares before softening. Chloe volunteers to go first, wanting it over.

The narrator lies to Kassidy about getting tea and instead creeps into the secret passage to spy on the questioning. The narrator reflects on spending more waking hours in that corridor than anywhere else in the manor, and imagines a lost alternate timeline where Blaine never died—acting out movie scenes with Kassidy, kissing Marlowe in the rosebushes, and enjoying their first taste of freedom after four years at Marian.

From the passage, the narrator hears Cates ask Chloe about what she wore the night Blaine died. Chloe describes a pink silk dress, black heels with silver seed detailing, and a headband. When asked about diamonds, Chloe says her necklace has diamonds and that she never takes it off. Cates asks to see it, and then asks if she remembers anyone else wearing diamonds that day. Chloe lists Marlowe's diamond cuff links at breakfast, Ellison's diamond ring from a championship, Kassidy's diamond bracelet on the first night, and Blaine's diamond watch from his father. She adds that Blaine wouldn't let Fergus touch the watch. Cates also asks if Blaine ever mentioned working on a graduation present for Kassidy, but Chloe scoffs, saying Blaine wasn't the sappy gift-giving type.

Fergus volunteers next, surprising the narrator with his boldness. He quotes “Though I be but little, I am fierce,” and says he's been feeling hopeful, acknowledging that both the best and worst things can happen at the same time. When asked about diamonds, Fergus mentions his cigarette case has diamonds on it, though he thinks they might be real. He explains that Kassidy gave him the case to look period-appropriate, and that he vapes. Cates asks to see it.

Kassidy is questioned next. She clarifies that the cigarette case is cubic zirconia, not real diamonds, and that she wanted the week to be authentic but knew Fergus might throw a tantrum. Cates asks about her diamond bracelet, and Kassidy says it came unclasped when she got caught in the riptide, and her grandmother will be furious. When asked about Izzy (Ms. Morales), Kassidy says Izzy doesn't own anything like that. Finally, Kassidy asks what Blaine's death has to do with diamonds. Cates reveals that a diamond was found embedded in Blaine's body. Kassidy is horrified, and Cates says they are cataloging all diamonds present at the party. After Kassidy leaves, Pilar de León remarks that Kassidy is “holding on by a thread.” The detectives then discuss Captain Herrera's news about Kassidy's family, with Pilar de León noting it's a sad business and that her mother—she trails off. Cates suggests they might not share the news after dinner, but Pilar de León insists they deserve the truth at Ashwood Manor so that five of them can leave the tragedy behind. Cates asks about the sixth, and Pilar de León says sharply that a life was taken and one cannot make excuses.

Key Events

The narrator wakes to find Kassidy gone and reflects on the anonymous phone call.
The narrator avoids Marlowe in the dining room and joins Kassidy in the drawing room, where they discuss escaping together.
Detectives announce the storm will clear by morning and that forensic results on Blaine's death have arrived.
Chloe is questioned first; she describes her diamond necklace and lists others who wore diamonds that week.
Fergus volunteers next, mentioning his diamond cigarette case.
Kassidy is questioned, clarifying the case is cubic zirconia and that her bracelet was lost in the riptide.
Cates reveals a diamond was found embedded in Blaine's body.
After Kassidy leaves, the detectives discuss Captain Herrera's news about Kassidy's family and debate whether to share it with the group after dinner.

Character Development

The narrator: The narrator's guilt over the anonymous call deepens, and the desire to escape becomes more urgent. The narrator also shows a protective instinct toward Kassidy, lying to her about going to get tea to spy on the questioning. The reflection on the lost alternate timeline reveals a longing for a simpler, happier week.
Kassidy: Kassidy's vulnerability is on full display. She feels disconnected from her former life, dreams of running away, and is visibly shaken by the news about the diamond in Blaine's body. Her mention of her shattered heart and her grandmother's bracelet shows her emotional fragility.
Marlowe: Though not directly questioned, Marlowe's pale appearance and the narrator's avoidance of him suggest tension between them. The narrator's earlier anger and the memory of the kiss complicate their relationship.
Fergus: Fergus shows an unexpected hopefulness, quoting Shakespeare and acknowledging that joy and grief can coexist. His volunteering to be questioned and his explanation about the cigarette case reveal a more thoughtful side.
Detectives Cates and Pilar de León: They demonstrate empathy, especially toward Kassidy, but also a firm commitment to justice. Their debate about sharing the family news highlights their differing views on truth and protection.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Escape and running away: The narrator and Kassidy's shared fantasy of a bungalow by the ocean represents a desire to flee from the consequences of the week. The narrator's reflection on the anonymous call underscores that running is no longer possible.
The storm as cleansing: Kassidy's comment that the rain is “washing away our sins” suggests a hope for purification, but the storm also traps the group, forcing them to confront the investigation.
Diamonds as murder evidence: The diamond embedded in Blaine's body becomes the central clue, turning a symbol of luxury and status into a weapon of suspicion. The cataloging of diamonds among the guests highlights how material objects can tie people to a crime.
Truth versus protection: The detectives' debate about whether to share the news about Kassidy's family reflects the tension between revealing painful truths and shielding someone from further harm. Pilar de León's insistence on truth at Ashwood Manor suggests a desire to contain the tragedy.
Justice and accountability: Pilar de León's final line, “A life was taken, and one cannot make excuses,” reinforces the theme that accountability cannot be avoided, even when the truth is difficult.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter is pivotal because it introduces the key piece of physical evidence—the diamond found in Blaine's body—that will likely drive the resolution of the mystery. It also narrows the suspect pool by cataloging all diamonds present at the party, implicating several characters, including Marlowe, Ellison, Kassidy, and Fergus. The chapter deepens the emotional stakes by showing Kassidy's fragility and the narrator's guilt, while also setting up a final meeting after dinner where the detectives plan to share more information. The debate about whether to reveal the news about Kassidy's family adds a layer of moral complexity, suggesting that the truth may be as damaging as the crime itself.

Study Questions and Answers

Why does the narrator lie to Kassidy about going to get tea?

The narrator wants to spy on the detectives' questioning through the secret passage. The lie allows the narrator to gather information without alerting Kassidy or the others, reflecting the narrator's growing involvement in the investigation and desire to protect Kassidy from further distress.

What does the diamond found in Blaine's body suggest about the murder?

The diamond is a physical clue that links the killer to the crime scene. Since the detectives are cataloging all diamonds present at the party, the diamond likely came from one of the guests' jewelry or accessories. This suggests the killer may have lost or broken a piece of jewelry during the struggle, and the diamond became embedded in Blaine's body. It also implies that the murder was not premeditated in a way that avoided leaving trace evidence.

Why does Pilar de León insist on telling the group the truth about Kassidy's family after dinner?

Pilar de León believes the group deserves to hear the truth at Ashwood Manor so that five of them can leave the tragedy behind these walls, rather than having the news leak into Harker or their futures. She argues that the truth should be contained within the estate, allowing the survivors to move on without carrying the burden into their outside lives. Her final line about a life being taken and not making excuses suggests she prioritizes accountability over protection.

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