Chapter 31 – The Aftermath of Parrish’s Murder
⚠️ 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
Sheriff Coyle gathers Felice, Garrett, KJ, and Olivia in the staff dorm lounge to question them about Parrish’s murder and the afterparty at the Beach Bash. He is furious to learn that Garrett and KJ cleaned up the party site earlier that day, dumping all trash into a dumpster that has already been collected by a private sanitation company, thereby ruining any physical evidence. Coyle interviews KJ privately, asking if he had a relationship with Parrish because KJ’s father got him the job through Parrish’s dad, Ric Eddings. KJ denies any romantic involvement. After the interview, the group reconvenes. Felice produces a DoorDash delivery time-stamped 10:30 p.m. to prove she was in the dorm, but Garrett suggests she could have left afterward. Olivia mentions seeing Parrish with a dreadlocked steel-drum-band member; Felice accuses her of racial profiling, but KJ confirms he also saw them argue. Garrett speculates that a hotel guest might be the killer, and Felice brings up an older member nicknamed “McBee.” Olivia claims expertise from true-crime podcasts, but Garrett tells her to let the police handle it.
Key Events
- Sheriff Coyle questions the four employees in the dorm lounge about Parrish’s murder.
- Garrett and KJ admit they cleaned up the afterparty site and threw the trash away, destroying evidence.
- Coyle discovers the dumpster has already been emptied by a private sanitation company.
- KJ is interviewed privately; Coyle asks about a possible relationship with Parrish due to family connections.
- The group reunites and discusses alibis, suspects, and their own observations.
- Felice provides a DoorDash receipt as an alibi, but Garrett challenges it.
- Olivia recalls seeing Parrish with a dreadlocked musician; Felice accuses her of racism.
- KJ confirms the musician and Parrish argued before she stormed off.
- Garrett suggests a disgruntled hotel guest could be responsible.
- Felice mentions a man named McBee as a possible suspect.
- Olivia volunteers her true-crime knowledge; Garrett dismisses her.
Character Development
- Felice emerges as both defensive and assertive. She is quick to deflect suspicion, yet also willing to call out what she sees as racial bias in the group. Her alibi pre-loaded on her phone shows she is methodical, but the accusation from Garrett suggests she remains a person of interest.
- Garrett becomes more confrontational and dismissive. He mocks KJ’s connection to the victim and sarcastically names Felice as a potential killer. His repeated attempts to steer the conversation away from himself and onto others reveal a self-preserving streak.
- KJ appears increasingly uncomfortable. He admits to the cleanup but insists it was only to avoid trouble, not to hide evidence. His denial of any relationship with Parrish sounds sincere, yet the sheriff’s suspicion plants a seed of doubt about his role.
- Olivia tries to play peacemaker and uses her interest in true-crime media to position herself as insightful, but Garrett’s put-down underscores her lack of real authority. Her tearful red eyes indicate genuine grief.
- Sheriff Coyle is frustrated and methodical. He cannot hide his anger at the contaminated scene, but he continues to gather information, focusing first on the person with the strongest connection to the victim.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Destruction of Evidence – The premature cleanup of the party site symbolizes how even well-intentioned acts can obstruct justice. The group’s desire to stay out of trouble paradoxically makes them look guiltier.
- Class and Privilege – KJ’s job through his father’s friendship with Ric Eddings sparks resentment from Garrett, hinting at class divides among the staff. Parrish’s family name carries weight, and the sheriff immediately follows that connection.
- Racial Tension – Felice’s accusation that Olivia is singling out the Black dreadlocked musician highlights underlying racial biases within the group. The exchange forces characters to confront assumptions they might not realize they hold.
- The Unreliable Alibi – Even with a delivery receipt, Felice cannot prove she stayed in her room all night. The motif of incomplete alibis runs throughout the chapter, reminding readers that everyone has gaps in their story.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 31 is the first formal investigation scene in the novel. It establishes the procedural stakes: the only physical evidence is gone, so the case will have to rely on witness testimony and character motives. The chapter also deepens interpersonal conflicts among the staff, creating multiple plausible suspects. By focusing on the destruction of evidence, Mary Kay Andrews raises the question of whether the killer deliberately manipulated the scene – or simply benefited from the group’s carelessness. The seeds of future plot threads – the dreadlocked musician, the arguing couple, the mysterious McBee – are all planted here.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Sheriff Coyle become so frustrated when he learns the trash has been picked up?
The dumped evidence could have contained fingerprints, DNA, or other forensic clues linking the killer to the crime. Without it, Coyle has to rely entirely on people’s memories and alibis, which are far less reliable.
2. How does Felice defend herself from suspicion, and why might her alibi not be foolproof?
She shows a DoorDash order delivered at 10:30 p.m. to prove she was in the dorm. However, as Garrett points out, she could have left after receiving the food. The alibi proves she was home at one moment, but not for the entire night.
3. Why does Olivia’s mention of the dreadlocked musician cause tension?
Felice immediately assumes Olivia is racially profiling the man because of his appearance. The accusation forces the group to examine their own biases, but also distracts from the fact that the musician was one of the last people seen with Parrish.