Swan Song Chapter 27: Thursday, August 22, 9:45 P.M.

Spoiler Notice

This summary contains spoilers for chapter 27 of Swan Song. Read the chapter first if you prefer to avoid key plot revelations.

Summary

Chief Ed Kapenash receives a call from Lucy, who reports that clothes matching Coco’s description have been found on Smith’s Point beach. He and Zara discuss whether Coco drowned or swam ashore and escaped. They then interview Leslee Richardson, who is distraught and accuses Coco of deliberately burning down her house. Leslee claims Coco is in love with Bull, was jealous of the vow renewal, and may have been involved with both Bull and Lamont. Leslee admits she was sneaking a cigarette during the party when the fire started, and she last saw Coco collecting champagne glasses after the toast. The Chief questions the boat gate latch, which Leslee says is not broken but falls open when hitting a wake. The chapter ends with Leslee insisting Coco vanished into thin air after the fire alarm.

Key Events

Lucy informs Chief Ed that Coco’s white shorts and pink polo shirt, size small, were found washed up at Smith’s Point.
Chief Ed and Zara consider two possibilities: Coco stripped to swim ashore and drowned, or she ditched her clothes and ran away (possibly the arsonist).
Leslee is interviewed and immediately accuses Coco of setting the fire.
Leslee claims Coco is jealous of her because Coco is in love with Bull; she also says Coco has been sleeping with Lamont.
Leslee admits she was smoking a cigarette on the port side of the boat during the party, not in the stern near the gate.
She reveals the boat gate latches but falls open if hit by a wake, contradicting earlier claims it was broken.
Leslee last saw Coco collecting empty champagne glasses after the toast.
The garage at the Richardson house is untouched by the fire, which Leslee views as evidence of intent.

Character Development

Leslee Richardson: Shows a mixture of grief and hostility. She projects her own jealousy onto Coco and uses dramatic accusations (Coco in love with Bull, Coco sleeping with Lamont) to deflect suspicion. Her emotional state is raw, but she also reveals a hidden habit (smoking) that could be a contributing factor to the fire. Her credibility is weakened by inconsistencies.
Chief Ed Kapenash: Remains methodical and skeptical. He picks up on the broken gate detail and probes Leslee’s story about smoking. He is aware of Leslee’s manipulative tone and does not take her accusations at face value.
Zara: Acts as a professional counterpoint, asking targeted questions about timing and behavior. She notices the tension when Leslee mentions Delilah.
Coco (off-page): Described by Leslee as competent and discreet yet also jealous and potentially disloyal. The chapter deepens the mystery around her disappearance.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Jealousy as motive: Leslee insists Coco’s jealousy is the reason for the arson, but the narrative also shows Leslee projecting her own insecurities (most women are jealous of me). This mirrors earlier themes of envy and class tension.
Water and disappearance: The clothes found on the beach introduce the possibility of drowning or escape. Water symbolizes both finality (death) and a chance at a new life (fleeing).
The boat gate: The gate that falls open on a wake represents hidden vulnerabilities—things appear secure but can suddenly give way, much like the Richardson household’s stability.
Smoking as a lurking factor: Leslee’s hidden cigarette habit raises the possibility of accidental fire, though she denies smoking inside. The detail adds ambiguity to the arson investigation.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter shifts the narrative spotlight onto Coco as the prime suspect, but it also casts doubt on Leslee’s reliability. The discovery of Coco’s clothes introduces a potential escape route, complicating the search. The gate and smoking details provide alternative theories for how the fire and Coco’s disappearance might be connected. Leslee’s character is fleshed out, revealing her capacity for manipulation, which will be critical as the investigation continues.

Study Questions and Answers

1. What evidence in this chapter suggests that Coco might still be alive?
Coco’s clothes were found on the beach but no body has been recovered. Leslee claims Coco vanished instantly after the fire alarm, and Chief Ed considers the possibility that she swam ashore, changed clothes, and fled. The timing of the last ferry leaving shortly before the clothes were found also supports a potential escape.

2. How does Leslee’s description of Coco’s relationship with Bull and Lamont affect her own credibility?
Leslee’s accusation that Coco loves Bull and sleeps with Lamont is based on her own observations (Coco crying after meeting with Bull, her knowledge of the affair with Lamont). However, Leslee admits she has no hard evidence and that Bull denied any affair. Her pattern of assuming jealousy in other women (including Delilah) suggests she may be projecting her own insecurities, making her testimony suspect.

3. Why is the detail about the boat gate significant to the investigation?
Leslee now says the gate latches but falls open if a wake hits, contradicting the earlier description of it as broken. This detail matters because it could explain how someone (possibly Coco) fell overboard without being noticed, or it could be used to support a theory that Leslee herself was involved in an accident. It also shows Leslee’s shifting story, which undermines her reliability.